The clop of Lydia’s hooves and the song of a nightbird made for an odd counterpoint to Marek’s revelation. The sounds were so ordinary, and yet he stared at the message he’d teased out with Empath’s Gaze with unbelieving eyes.
***
Congratulations! Apprentice Remnant Mage has been promoted to Novice Remnant Mage!
Current Rank: Level 12
Skills: Empath’s Gaze, Spirit Body, Ether Siphon
Available Skill Slots: 2
Available Class Skills (Soul Knight Subclass): Command Spirit, Summon Familiar, Distort Soul, Rending Cut, Bind Ether, Mitigate
***
“I gained eleven levels! I gained… Novice… I… Gods, but how?”
Lydia chuffed in annoyance. From her vantage point, he likely just seemed like an unnecessary rider that should know when to keep quiet. Marek scratched her shoulder and began the process of learning what each potential new Skill could offer.
Command Spirit came with no surprises. It allowed him to enlist the aid of a wandering soul and command it to do anything within its power. There was no time limit to his control, nor did the Spell drain his Ether Core after he cast it. “Can’t imagine anything else will be better at this point. I’m saving a Skill Point for that.”
Moving on, he read the description for Summon Familiar and Distort Soul, both of which held immense potential.
***
Summon Familiar: Recruit and bind a daemon. Kindred of the demons within the Rift, the daemon are those who refused their master’s dark call. By binding their soul to a human, the daemon loses much of their power and abilities. As their master grows in power, so too does the daemon. With time, such familiars transform into terrifying beasts of darkness. While summoned, a modest portion of the Remnant Mage’s ether will be consumed. Siphoned spirits will likewise be divided between master and familiar.
Distort Soul (Tier 1): Gaining a greater sense of one’s soul, the Remnant Mage learns to manipulate the ether trapped within their own corporeal form. In its base form, the mage may master the ability to project their soul to deliver attacks as well as shield against them. Tier 1 allows a maximum projection of three feet from any point on the body, though the chest may be the easiest place to master. Each use consumes little ether, but successful strikes and blocks draw significantly more power.
***
Marek blew out a breath that fogged in the night air. “Maybe I spoke too soon? How can I say no to either of these? Not sure exactly what Distort Soul does, but if it increases my attack and defense… and who doesn’t want a familiar?”
The last three Skills would be useful as well, though he was almost grateful they weren’t as tempting as the others. Rending Cut appeared to be linked to Devastating Cut, the Skill Marek had been given in the Crucible. It was listed as an evolvable Skill rather than Tier 1. So when I increase it, I’ll be given more than one choice? Or does it progress through mastery and practice rather than investing more Skill Points?
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He pushed the questions aside, wishing he’d been given a Class guide—something most could find or were flat out given when they unlocked their Class. A resource like that would surely answer all of his basic questions. He guessed he’d likely learn more if he chose it, but the Ability wasn’t crucial at the moment. Bind Ether wasn’t either. It let him drain his Ether Core and form crystals of concentrated power that he could store. In such a way, he’d be able to expend vast amounts of ether in a single fight without having to rely on siphoning more. Mitigate offered damage absorption, consuming his ether as a tradeoff. A passive Skill, the benefit here would be protection at all times. Marek could be stabbed in his sleep and the Skill would activate.
He shook his head and dismissed the description. “Not as versatile,” he thought. “Okay, then, I’ll choose Command Spirit and Distort Soul.”
Unlike the warmth he experienced when gaining a Skill connected to his Mana Core, the sensations that reverberated through his body were cold, cutting, and left his limbs partially numb. He muttered a thanks to Lydia, for he wasn’t sure he’d still be standing if the mule wasn’t carrying him.
An urge to experiment with the Skills nearly overtook his better judgment. There weren’t any spirits at hand for the first, and he doubted Distort Soul would come easily. Then he remembered he’d yet to assign his Attribute Points. “What’s wrong with me? Shoulda been the first thing I did.” Marek called up his personal information and groaned when he saw no less than 22 Available Attribute Points. “Two for each level,” he said, remembering the remarkable pace of advancement his primary Class offered. “Insane…”
He spent a few minutes playing with numbers. His predicament was a happy one, and Marek had already thought over his future advancements. Regardless, he hated to rush such an important moment.
Double-checking his math and confirming, Marek went down the list, increasing one Attribute at a time. “Invest two points in Strength,” he said, adding his intention to the words. He winced, expecting horrendous pain like when he’d dumped two points into Constitution a while back. The resulting cramps and twitches of his muscles didn’t compare, however. Marek endured by slumping over the saddle and breathing through the discomfort. Next, he added 4 AP to Dexterity, dividing the advancement by assigning two at a time.
Marek increased his Constitution by an equal measure. This proved to be the most agonizing increase despite breaking it up, and he thought it might be due to the nature of the Attribute itself. Of the last three, the young man decided to skip Charisma altogether. He had a score of 10, which was good enough by most standards. Besides, he wasn’t a Bard or a Merchant Class. He relied more heavily on Intelligence and Willpower. Into the first of these, he deposited 4 AP. This resulted in two headaches, both of which lasted a full minute before they passed.
And finally, Marek poured the 8 remaining Attribute Points into his Willpower. Testing the advancement with two, he found the experience almost pleasant. Icy power burned in his lungs, and it felt as if he were stretching muscles long kept dormant. He grinned and took a risk. The last 6 points were assigned, and Marek clenched his fists and jaw.
A storm of lightning and frigid waves crashed through his chest. Pushing outward in all directions, he reveled in the expansion of his Ether Core. Though his body quaked, he didn’t regret the choice. There was something primeval about this source of power.
“It’s the energy of life itself,” he said. “Of course it feels familiar. I’ve had a soul my entire life, haven’t I?”
He’d completed the necessities. Ahead, a tall hill rose up before Lydia, and in the deep gray of early dawn, he spied a thin trail of smoke rising in the air. Marek had nearly finished his return journey.
“One last thing,” he said with a cocky grin. “Let’s see what it all looks like together.”
***
Name: Marek Kaiteras
Primary Class: Remnant Mage Level 12
Subclass: Soul Knight
Skills: Empath’s Gaze, Spirit Body, Ether Siphon, Command Spirit, Distort Soul
Secondary Class: Sigilist Level 11
Skills: Intuit, Imbue
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 12
Constitution: 12
Intelligence: 18 (Affliction: Core Atrophy, 39% Reduction)
Willpower: 25
Charisma: 10
***
“By the Six, Uncle would collapse if he could see this. My core is halfway recovered already, and by the gods, my Willpower! So many changes, and in such a short time, too…” Marek read the information several times over, then sighed, suddenly dizzy with the implications. He dismissed his personal information and said, in a voice bereft of ego or conceit, “What will I be a year from now?”
They crowned the hill and turned left. One of the horses behind him chuffed, and Lydia shook her head as she clomped straight toward the little shed. The mule brayed when Marek reined her in, but she allowed him to dismount. “Easy, girl. You’ll get your rest soon enough.”
As his boots hit the ground, the door of the little cabin screeched open. Mags ran out onto the porch, feet bare and face white as a sheet. “Marek! What have you done?”
He shrugged. “I found a couple horses and some gear. Should make this little quest of ours a whole lot easier. I’ll be happy to show you everything after I get a little sleep.”
His friend stammered, her face a mask of fear, confusion, and something close to awe.
“Well, don’t just stand there,” Marek said, nodding to the animals and gear. “I’m exhausted and could use a little help.”