Late that evening, as the stars twinkled over Silvermere, Alaric sat alone in his room, reflecting on the overwhelming task ahead. He took a deep breath and summoned his Status Window, a familiar yet bittersweet sight from his past life.
* Name: Alaric Thorne
* Class: Essence Sage
* Level: 1
* HP: 120/120
* MP: 200/200
* Strength: 5
* Agility: 6
* Intelligence: 15
* Defense: 4
----------------------------------------
His stats were as mediocre as he remembered, with only his Intelligence standing out, a trait necessary for essence manipulation. But he didn’t despair. He had a plan now, a way to turn his class into something formidable.
The next morning, Alaric rose early, determination driving him forward. He found his father in the forge, as always, hammering away at a glowing blade. Sparks danced in the air, and the rhythmic clanging of metal filled the workshop.
“Father,” Alaric said, stepping closer, “can I ask you something?”
Darion paused, wiping sweat from his brow. “Of course, son. What’s on your mind?”
“I’ve been thinking about your work,” Alaric began, choosing his words carefully. “You can enchant weapons permanently with buffs and skills. How do you do it? Is it something anyone can learn?”
Darion chuckled, setting the blade aside. “It’s not as simple as hammering a sword, lad. The enchantments require rune stones. These stones have a property called Permanency, which binds the skill or buff to the weapon. Without them, even the best blacksmith can’t make an enchantment stick.”
Alaric’s eyes lit up. “Rune stones… Where can I get them?”
“They’re not easy to come by,” Darion admitted. “Only licensed blacksmiths can purchase them, and even then, they’re expensive. I usually buy them in small batches when I have a commission that can cover the cost.”
Alaric’s excitement dimmed. “How expensive are they?”
Darion gave him a sympathetic smile. “Too much for us to buy in bulk, I’m afraid. Why do you ask? What are you planning?”
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Alaric hesitated but then decided to be honest. “I think I can combine my Essence Infusion with the property of Permanency to create a skill that lets me permanently infuse essences into myself or others. But I’d need at least 100 rune stones to even attempt it.”
Darion’s expression softened with pride and regret. “That’s ambitious, son, but I can’t help you with that many. We just don’t have the funds.”
----------------------------------------
Undeterred, Alaric made his way to the Adventurer’s Guild, a bustling building on the edge of the village. It was a hub of activity, filled with people of all ages and classes—warriors, mages, archers, and more. The air buzzed with the sound of conversations, clinking armor, and the occasional burst of laughter.
He approached the front desk, where a stern-looking receptionist greeted him with a raised eyebrow. “What can I do for you, kid?”
“I’d like to apply for a hunter’s license,” Alaric said.
The receptionist gave him a once-over, noting his slender frame and unremarkable equipment. “What’s your class?”
“Essence Sage,” Alaric replied, bracing himself for the reaction.
The receptionist’s brow furrowed. “Essence Sage? Don’t hear that one often. You sure you’re up for this? Adventuring’s dangerous, especially for support classes.”
“I’m sure,” Alaric said firmly.
With a shrug, the receptionist handed him a form. “Fill this out. You’ll need to pass a basic combat test to get your license.”
----------------------------------------
The combat arena behind the guild was a small, sand-filled enclosure where aspiring adventurers proved their mettle. Alaric was paired against a novice swordsman, a burly boy with a cocky grin and a wooden training sword.
“Ready to get flattened, Sage?” the boy taunted.
Alaric ignored him, focusing instead on his plan. He couldn’t win through brute strength, but he didn’t need to. As the swordsman charged, Alaric activated Essence Infusion, channeling a burst of energy into his legs. For a brief moment, his agility doubled, and he sidestepped the attack with ease.
The swordsman stumbled, caught off guard by Alaric’s speed. Before he could recover, Alaric used Essence Extraction on a discarded training dummy nearby. A faint, glowing essence appeared in his hand—a fragment of endurance. Without hesitation, he infused it into himself, boosting his stamina just enough to outlast the swordsman.
The match ended in a draw, but it was enough to impress the guild’s examiners.
----------------------------------------
“Congratulations,” the receptionist said as she handed Alaric his hunter’s license. “You’re officially an adventurer now.”
Alaric nodded, pocketing the license. His first goal was clear: earn enough money to buy 100 rune stones. It would take time, effort, and more battles like the one today, but he was ready.
As he left the guild, the sun setting behind him, Alaric felt the weight of his mission settle on his shoulders. This time, he wouldn’t falter. He had a plan, a purpose, and a determination forged in the fires of his past life. The road ahead was long, but Alaric was ready to walk it, one step at a time.