Show me what we've got here! That specifically isn't something with the words persistent in it! Having this new avenue of "fun" open to me and everything is thrilling and all. But I'd rather that not be what I need to do to continue growing stronger. Anyway, once again, show me what we've got here.
You have reached the level cap of, Persistent Diminutive Shadow Wolf. And have opened a path to new power. Be aware that upon advancing your class the requirements to level up will become stricter. Please select one of the following class advancements.
Mature Diminutive Wolf
(RACE CHANGE)
A mature form of the Diminutive Wolf. Classes will branch out further from here.
Instant stats +12 strength, +10 dexterity, +10 constitution, +5 wisdom, +4 capacity, +5 intelligence.
Stat gain, +7 strength, +5 dexterity, +4 constitution, +2 wisdom, +1 capacity, +1 intelligence.
Skill points received, 3.
Free points, 2.
...Why... Why would I ever pick this? Why is this even an option? Next... Mia gave the other classes without the "EGO ADVANCEMENT" moniker a quick glance and blanched. And it's more of the same. It'd seem that the classes without the whole "EGO" bit are probably kind of worthless... Let's just move onto those aforementioned EGO classes yeah?
Shadow Manipulator
(EGO I ADVANCEMENT)
An advancement made available by your proficiency with shadow magic and desire to avoid conflict. A mage with a focus on shadows. Emphasizes the trickery and defensive properties of shadow magic.
Instant stats, +3 strength, +10 dexterity, +4 constitution, +16 wisdom, +20 capacity, +18 intelligence, +4 charisma, +14 manipulation.
Stat gain, +5 dexterity, +3 constitution, +10 wisdom, +10 capacity, +8 intelligence, +1 charisma. +6 manipulation.
Skills received, Fledgling Shadow Proficiency, Fledgling Magic Proficiency.
Skill points received, 3
Free points, 1.
Holy MOLY That's a lot different from all the other options I've ever had! First observation, this one doesn't even have anything to do with my race. What's up with that? All my other class options have always had "wolf" something in them. Definitely something weird, sidebar, this is a HARD pivot in terms of stats. Almost completely dropping my physical stats but it'll jump my mental ones up leagues in comparison to what they're at right now. Also a bunch of magic skills, and magics been fairly helpful so far. Hold the option in mind, but I'm a bit iffy on dropping my physical stats so heavily.
Mature Diminutive Shadow Wolf
(EGO I ADVANCEMENT)
A mature form of the Shadow Wolf. Classes will branch out from here.
Instant stats, +16 strength, +16 dexterity, +12 constitution, +6 wisdom, +5 capacity, +6 intelligence, +4 charisma, +4 manipulation.
Stat gain, +9 strength, +9 dexterity, +6 constitution, +4 wisdom, +3 capacity, +4 intelligence, +2 charisma, +2 manipulation.
Skills recieved, Medium Stealth.
Skill points recieved, 1.
Free points, 4.
That's... A little bit dissapointing on the skills section. Though I guess Medium has gotta be the tier above Fledgling? So maybe it's not bad and it's actually a deal? Either way this is just kind of an objectively worse version of what I have right now. It just looks like a souped up version of the shadow wolf class I picked on my first class advancement. So far it kind of looks like the EGO one classes are a bit mediocre, so for now I'm just going to move onto my other options.
Reclusive Shadow caster.
(EGO II ADVANCEMENT)
An advancement made available by your repeated forays into your own mental state, revealing your desire to survive, as well as your natural abilities. A mage with a focus on shadows. Emphasizes the defensive and mechanical aspects of shadow magic.
Instant stats, +6 strength, +12 dexterity, +10 constitution, +24 wisdom, +30 capacity, +30 intelligence, +24 manipulation.
Stat gain, +2 strength, +5 dexterity, +6 constitution, +15 wisdom, +15 capacity, +15 intelligence, +10 manipulation.
Skills received, Fledgling Shadow Proficiency, Fledgling Magic Proficiency, Focus.
Skill points received, 5.
Free points, 3.
Ok so, literally just a straight upgrade to the option I had earlier, Shadow Manipulator? Lifts the worry of physical stats a little bit, but I still don't think I'd like to drop them as much as this does... Definitely a worthwhile option if I really wanted to go down a magic path though. Has the points to buy other magics if I wanted to do that, and it still boosts my magic abilities while also giving me an extra skill. Very nice! That's an option I'll keep in mind for real this time, but there's also a few things that worry me about this class.
To begin with, after recent events, the name of the class clearly has something to do with how it levels up. This one has "reclusive" in it. So am I supposed to be some kind of hermit to level this up? I don't think I really want to do that...? Also I'm not sure if the system itself has a separate definition for surviving and living but this one specifically says surviving so it might mean more then what I think it does... Anyway, next!
Expert Mixed Fighter
(EGO II ADVANCEMENT)
An advancement made available by your repeated forays into your own mental state, revealing your desire to live in your own way, as well as your competency in both magical and physical combat. A combatant with a various set of skills. Emphasizes versatility and a wide skill set.
Instant stats, +16 strength, +14 dexterity, +16 constitution, +10 wisdom, +10 capacity, +10 intelligence, +7 charisma, +8 manipulation.
Stat gain, +8 strength, +8 dexterity, +9 constitution, +8 wisdom, +8 capacity, +8 intelligence, +4 charisma, +5 manipulation.
Skills received, Low Natural Weapon Combat, Fledgling Magic Proficiency, Versatile.
Skill points received, 8.
Free points, 2.
(SKILL DISCOUNT)
Purchasing new skills will cost half their normal cost rounded up.
Up until Mia had read that last bit, she'd been feeling a whole lot of "meh" on this class. What could possibly make it on the same level as the class that she'd just read about? It literally got half of it's stats, and as she'd found out, stats were pretty damn important. But once she saw that last part...
Skill... Discount? So you're telling me I can buy new skills for half of their normal price... And I have eight points to buy with? I can definitely see how this is, in at least some way, equal to reclusive shadow caster. The only skill I've had that really actively does anything is stealth. And it's been pretty damn useful. If I could get a ton of skills similar to it for a cheap price... That'd definitely make up for the lack of stats I get in this class. Though I should probably put a bit more thought into the skills I pick if I end up going with this. Anyway, in a similar vein to my concerns with the other EGO two class...
This class, Expert Mixed Fighter, first off kind of a lame name, secondly though, this things entire shtick is keeping it's options open. I'm not sure how well that translates into leveling and advancing the class but it definitely bodes better then "reclusive" if you ask me. Also, prior concern, this time the system actually noted "living" instead of "surviving" so I think I'm right in assuming that there's a difference. So far it's either this or Reclusive Shadow Caster. Anyway, next!... Oh, wait, that's it. These are the two EGO two classes I have right now... I don't have any EGO threes? That's... Kind of dissapointing. I was hoping for a one two three progression, but I guess that's not happening.
Alright, so, my options are versatility or dumping fully into magic. There's also the chance of said magic class forcing me into doing something I'd rather not do in order to level it up. Meanwhile the class that's all about versatility will probably have multiple ways to level it up. Plus with all the extra skills I might be able to get with this class it might just make up for the stat deficit. Hell, some skills even act as simple bonuses to your abilities already so I might just be able to grab a few of those too.
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I think I've got my choice here, I'm picking Expert Mixed Fighter.
Acquiring, Expert Mixed Fighter.
A warm feeling crept throughout Mia's body for a short moment, before dissipating and leaving her as she was. A little disappointing, but better then my body rebuilding itself I guess. I'd rather nothing instead of having blinding pain.
Spend, 8 skill points, spend, 2 free points.
Right, right, gotta spend the points and all-ah hey! Mia glanced to her left to see her current captive, who was being held captive from the pull mind you, had finally managed to creep out of the hole she'd left them in. With a short jaunt, she grabbed them again and tossed them right back in. A little bit roughly... Sorry about that! Let me see if I can grab mind magic now. Ability points.
First up were the free points, she had to assign them. Going with good ol reliable, Mia put both of the points into constitution and left it at that. Now! Show me the goods.
Upgradable skills
Apprentice Willpower III, 1 skill point.
Low Shadow Proficiency III, 1 skill point.
Low Tracking III, 1 skill point.
Low Persistence II, 2 skill points.
Fledgling Stealth V, 4 skill points.
Low Natural Weapon Combat I, 5 skill points.
Fledgling Magic Proficiency I, 8 skill points.
Now, I know I have a discount for BUYING skills and not upgrading them, but shadow magic has been really helpful so far, I think upgrading it is pretty fair for just one skill point. Gimme that thanks.
She concentrated on the purchase for a moment, before almost falling over into the hole with their cat. Though she caught herself at the last moment. Hoooh boy.. That's gonna be a lot to deal with, magic skill level ups tell you A LOT huh...? Bleh, alright, seven skill points to purchase with. Buying skills with even costs is probably going to be the best idea, because it's rounding up. If I try to buy something at an odd cost it'll be less efficient then buying even costs. Three points and four points are still both going to cost two skill points. So speaking of that, let's start with the four pointers! And also mind proficiency, because I really want that.
Mind Proficiency, 3(2) skill points.
Split Mind, 4(2) skill points.
Perception, 4(2) skill points.
Mana Manipulation, 4(2) skill points.
Hold on, what's the difference between mana manipulation and magic proficiency?
Mana Manipulation, enables the manipulation of mana not within the users body.
Oh, ok, that's pretty self explanatory I guess. Magic Proficiency lets you actually use magic, that one lets you use the stuff that makes up magic even if it's not your mana. Pretty nice. Maybe I'll get that one. Though I've only really got room for three skills max, and one of those is already going to be mind magic. So I've gotta pick carefully, moving on.
Swift Movement, 4(2) skill points.
Ice Proficiency, 4(2) skill points.
Wind Proficiency, 4(2) skill points.
Focus, 4(2) skill points.
Exoskeleton, 4(2) skill points.
Wait, what? Like a bone exoskeleton? How would that even work? I'm a wolf.
Exoskeleton, creates a protective layer of mana around the users body.
Oh so not like an, ACTUAL, exoskeleton or anything, A MAGICAL exoskeleton. Not really looking for something like that, but cool skill though.
She continued to scroll through all the available skills, before finally reaching the end after about sixty of them had gone by in total. And there were a few that interested her, not that she'd be able to have all of them.
Mind Proficiency (no duh), Split mind, Perception, Mana Manipulation, Focus, Spacial Movement, Air Movement, and Adaptation. A lot of her prospective choices were earlier on in the skill list, but for those that hadn't already been described, a short description was in order. So, Split Mind turns my consciousness into two separate pieces. Where they can work on tasks separately, but with lesser power. Perception is like the opposite of that, where my mind is empowered instead of split. Focus slows down time as I Feel it, accomplishing a task similar to the previous two skills. All three of those skills are a bonus, but I'll probably only end up taking one.
Spacial movement and Air Movement, similarly, are two sides of the same coin. What they do is allow me to make movements that my own physical body wouldn't normally be able to do, like suddenly streaking three feet to the side while in the air, kind of like a teleport. Spacial allows me to basically make a movement that I could normally do on the ground, but instead do it instantly. Whereas Air Movement does what it says, and allows me to change my momentum midair. What kind of scientific fuckery goes on there? I dunno, and frankly, I don't care to know either.
Adaptation is strange, the description of it was kind of vague, but that's also kind of whats drawing me to it. I think this one would be better if I just read it right off the script.
Adaptation, Adapt to your opponents mid battle, understand and defend yourself against them more easily after extended conflict.
What exactly the skill did was sort of vague, so Mia ultimately decided against it, leaving all of the other skills up in the air to still be picked. Right now, she was deciding on which of the three mental skills she should take.
They all accomplish the same thing in the end, but their strengths and weaknesses are different. Split mind will let me multitask more easily, but I kind of already do that absentmindedly, so that ones off the table. Focus slows down time, whereas perception speeds up my ability to register things. I think it's easier to understand the difference if I were to put it like this. Perception would increase my stats, Focus is an actual skill. And for that matter, my stats are what need boosting this advancement. So Perception it is. That's four out of seven skill points used. I have room for one more skill. Then a one pointer. Ooooor... I could grab a skill that costs six instead of four... I'll just take a quick look...
Mia looked through all the skills, moving past the five pointers and into the six pointers, scrolling through them one by one. Before eventually coming across one particular skill that sounded exceptionally broken.
Mana-Life Boost, convert mana into temporary stats. Massively increasing physical attributes for short periods of time.
So, effectively, as long as I still have mana to use I can get out of dodge super fast or try and land a killing blow with increased power. Given shadow magic doesn't seem to drain my reserves all that fast, instead putting strain on my mind. Cause those are two separate things I think, this is a pretty good skill for me to use. Alright, locking in the purchases.
Acquiring, Low Perception I.
Acquiring, Low Mana-Life Boost I.
Acquiring, Fledgling Mind Proficiency I.
Mia actually collapsed this time. Her world blanked when the immense information that was Fledgling Mind Proficiency barreled into it. Like a battering ram smashing into a small wooden wall.