Road to Freedom by Moskatero
Chapter 5
Standing in front of a grumpy dwarf, Kalthier tried not to show his fear at the notion of having another teacher as he listened to the master blacksmith.
“Now, I’m no master in it, but I can also teach you the tailoring skill. It complements blacksmithing nicely since it allows you to work with a wider array of materials, enabling you to create quality work using both skills”
Despite the kindness in which the offer was delivered and having already accepted the offer, Kalthier couldn't help but feel a tinge of fear and regret when he noticed the gruff dwarf’s eager eyes, a similar expression often adorned Eva and Belgroth's expressions.
Are all AI’s in this game twisted or is my luck that bad?
“Well, I don’t know how I’m gonna find the time train with you, I’ve already forsaken sleep to fill Eva’s schedule and I doubt Belgroth will allow for me to skip even a minute of his training”
A delighted look came over the dwarf's usually grumpy face, transforming it into….the same. Kalthier could see that Uldren was grinning, but his whole face still showed signs of grumpiness only a bit of cheerfulness could be detected by the way his massive beard curled upwards around his mouth and how his eyes shone with delight.
“Already taken care of lad, from now on, instead of helping Evangeline make that horrid bread every night yer gonna be here in my smithy learning the noblest of crafts”
*Omph*
“Thank you, thank you, thank you”
Feverishly hugging the dwarf as he thanked him, Kalthier felt something leave him, a burden on his soul he’d somehow grown accustomed to. Giddy with joy at the thought of never making another piece of hell-bread he shouted with joy as he hugged Uldren.
“What are you…. are an elf now? Get yer clingy hands of me!”
Taking a step backwards and looking down to the dwarf before him with a shit eating grin Kalthier managed to hear a bit of what Uldren was muttering
“Damn boy going all clingy on me, just what is that woman doing to him”
“You good with the suit now?”
Making a couple of quick stretches, his tail wagging happily behind him. Kalthier assured Uldren that he could now move with relative ease, stamina drain and pain notwithstanding.
“Well then get yer scaly hide out of here, I’ve already wasted half a day’s work making sure you didn’t die from your ‘gift’, a dead dragonling in my smithy is bad for business. A dead dragonling who happens to be Evangeline Delacroft’s appearance is just bad for both my mental and physical health. Plus, my apprentices are easily impressionable, wouldn’t want to scar them for live”
Oi! I’m the one who has to deal with Eva on a daily basis, what about my mental and physical health? Damn you Eva, was scaring this whole city shitless really necessary?
“Besides, she gave you a day off, you might as well enjoy it, regardless of what it'll cost you in the future”
“Cost me?”
“What, you didn’t think she did it out of the goodness of her heart did you? She is planning something, you are the best thing that’s happened to her in years and it’s making her all happy and excited, and, let me tell you, a dull Eva is gods damned terrifying, an excited one….”
*Shiver*
Awesome, so everything so far has been boring to Eva, Fan-freaking-tastic.
“Stop, just stop talking about her, everything you say is making it worse.”
Not really expecting an answer Kalthier, turned on his heel and started slowly moving towards the door, only to realize that he was on the fifth floor with nothing but stairs to go down. Gearing up his determination to enjoy the rest of his day off, he pushed open the door and started to move out. Scowling at the sound of the cheery voice behind him.
“See you at midnight, enjoy your bit of freed- your day off”
“Bastard” Despite having a muttered the insult Kalthier made sure to say it loud enough for the dwarf to hear. A deep throated laugh was all he got in return.
He fell down….Twice. Apparently walking down the stairs required a whole lot more muscle strength and balance, not to mention that falling down a flight of stairs hurt… A lot.
Finally exiting the ridiculously huge smithy, Kalthier was now at a loss of what to do. Not waiting for his half depleted stamina to recover, he started ventured out on the streets, not really caring or paying attention to where he was going. This is why he was surprised when he found himself in front of the library doors.
Ah, this truly is the only place I can relax in.
Sweating profusely and emitting bloodlust like a broken faucet ever since he exited the smithy (but only now noticing it), Kalthier entered the library. His joints screaming in pain from the pressure and exertion from the long walk he had made and with little to no stamina left. Slowly he approached Pleandra, noting with a welcomed sense of amusement the array of expressions that crossed over her face when she saw him.
As he entered the library she gave him a grandmotherly smile, then, upon seeing his clothes the smile grew to a grin of mischief that berated her age; As he slowly made his way towards her, Kalthier’s aura made her flinch and frown in annoyance. Noting his painstakingly slow pace made her face fill with concern, which somehow gladdened Kalthier’s heart. And finally seeing his pain streaked but determined face, she rushed towards him, panic clear on her face.
“Wha- What happened to you my child?”
“Demons, they are all demons” Mumbled Kalthier as the old lady hugged him.
Doing his best to keep all his body in control and not rely on Pleandra’s hug for support, so that he wouldn’t crush the only person who seemed to have a normal definition of ‘care’
“-ver” Another mumble escaped his tight throat as Kalthier tried to return the hug.
“What was that dear?” Pleandra’s voice was softer and sweeter than Kalthier had ever heard, almost musical. It helped him clear his pain addled mind.
“Promise me you’ll never teach me anything”
After a brief hesitation that could only be attributed to bafflement, Palenadra answered, her voice a melodical salve to his mental wounds.
“In my library you will always be your own student and master. Reading allows you to learn anything you wish by yourself, only hard work and dedication is required. Here no one will harm you. I will never impose myself on you”
Having reached Pleandra’s counter in the middle of the library the old woman tried to get Kalthier to sit on her chair, but seeing the kind old woman slightly out of breath after the short walk made Kalthier refuse. He had been unconsciously putting some of his weight on her shoulder as they walked and, considering her age it was a miracle his doubled weight didn’t break a bone or something.
Leaving him standing in the corner after telling him to wait for her, Pleandra moved towards one of the many side rooms in the library.
Damn, only eleven hours left. How am I supposed do the usual training tomorrow when walking a mile nearly killed me. Nevermind the combat lessons, an egg will probably crack with a touch of my finger. And why the hell does it hurt so much, it feels like someone keeps hitting me from the inside with a sledgehammer!
*Creak*
Hearing the wooden counter splinter under his hand, Kalthier hurried to remove it as Pleandra appeared from the doorway. She was carrying a steaming mug.
“Here dear, drink this”
Cautiously taking the cup with both hands, Kalthier expected it to explode on contact, but it seemed to be made much sturdier than he anticipated.
Taking a quick sniff at the steaming green concoction in the mug Kalthier was surprised to find that it didn't have a scent, none whatsoever.
Pleandra answered his question before he could ask it.
“Just honeyed tea, my dear, it’ll calm your spirit”
Having expected some sort of foul medicine Kalthier took a quick sip, then another, and was soon smacking his lips as the last drop touched his tongue. It tasted…. Good. No miraculous elixir, no heavenly taste, just plain good. And it was just what he needed, something so absolutely normal it stabilized his mind as he dealt with the events of the day.
Now careful not to touch the old lady, not wanting to run the risk of crushing her old bones with the increased gravity he handed her the mug back. He could always experiment the extent of the suit’s magic on Eva later, she did deserve a lot of hugs.
Ha!, with her size and weight she’ll probably sink straight to hell.
A grin replaced the content smile the tea gave him at the thought which was soon replaced by another one.
Agh, It would probably spit her back out, even hell has limits and standards.
“Thanks, I needed that”
“Any time dear. Now why don’t you tell me what you want to read today and I’ll see what I can find you.”
For a while now Kalthier had blatantly ignored Eva’s list of books, taking Pleandra’s recommendations and his own tastes into account and asking the old librarian to search for things that interested him. He still studied things related to the skills Eva wanted him to acquire like Herbalism, Foraging, Butchering and Alchemy but now he did so at his own pace. The only thing he kept on reading was the Bestiary of Versailles series. Captivated by the detailed drawings and descriptions it possessed.
“I kinda need to learn the Mana manipulation skill in a hurry, so anything you have that would be great”
“I’ll go get the small tome we have on it, it’s a very old book and not many bother to read it. In the meantime this is the last volume of the bestiary. It’s an old collection and there hasn’t been anyone around willing to explore the continent and its inhabitants and add new information to it. Everything you’ve read is the result of a group that roamed the continent centuries ago. Some of the creatures you’ve read about are probably extinct by now and new ones are bound to have emerged, not to mention the ones the group never encountered in the first place. A Shame really, such fascinating work should not be left unattended”
“Thanks”
A bit of sadness crept on to Kalthier as he thought about the possible extinction of some of the magnificent beasts he’d read about.
There have got to at least be dragons, otherwise my race wouldn’t exist. Besides what could possibly kill a dragon, much less exterminate them all. They pretty much top the food chain.
Satisfied with the knowledge that at least one of the legendary beasts still existed and eager to see what the last volume of the bestiary contained, Kalthier turned around and started walking towards what he now considered his room.
He walked faster than he was used to, almost at normal. The pain and effort such action caused him was worth it when he heard a relieved, content sigh behind him.
Can’t let her realize how bad things truly are.
Happy that Pleandra couldn't see his face and trying to suppress his emotions as to not reactivate his Bloodlust Aura Kalthier hurried to his room.
Lowering himself to the wooden chair in his reading room caused him to cringe as the wood groaned in protest at his weight. Finally comfortable in the sturdy chair he opened the book he took in, for the twentieth time the intro to the book.
This lavishly illustrated tome presents a comprehensive overview of some of the creatures that inhabit the continent of Versailles. Along with the physiology, psychology, personality and society for each of these creatures and their relatives. It contains immensely detailed drawings of their anatomy and intricate maps that indicate the locations in which they are found.
Completely absorbed by the drawings and descriptions the book provided him with, Kalthier never noticed as Pleandra entered his room and placed a stack of books besides him. Sooner then he realized, he had reached a dozen blank pages near the end of the book.
*Ding*
You have finished reading The Complete Bestiary of Versailles
Intelligence has been increased by 5. INT+5
Wisdom has been increased by 5. WIS+5
Concentration has been increased by 5. CON+5
You have gained a new stat Lore.
*Ding*
Secret Class!
Secret Class!
The Bestiary of Versailles is seriously outdated and in dire need of someone to succeed the famous explorers who compiled and created it. Someone to travel the continent and continue where they left off, updating and creating new entries for the creatures that inhabit Versailles.
You can now convert your class to Lore Master
If you accept it, you can use exclusive skills related to the class, you will receive the original magical tomes of the bestiary in which the information type and illustrate is replicated in all the existing copies of the bestiary around continent.
Other abandoned magical tomes and series exist of the same nature, though different topics, and are in need of the skilled hand of a Lore Master to retrieve them, releasing their knowledge to the world and finishing the uncompleted work of previous Loremasters
Do you wish to convert now?
Wow, awesome
“I A-”
Just as Kalthier was about to agree to the class change cold sweat covered his back, his mind focusing on one single thought.
She’ll kill me. No, by the time she’s done with me I’ll happily embrace death.
Kalthier didn't exactly know what Eva had in store for him and what her plans for his future were, but one thing he was certain of, if he took a class without her permission, she would not be happy. Even if he ran to the end of the world she would find him, haul him back and train him, hard. It would make the suffering he’d gone through so far child's play.
Promising himself to let the knowledge of the Lore Master class spread, Kalthier slumped in his chair, making its legs creak in protest as he sadly murmured.
“I cannot accept the job”
You have refused the secret class Lore Master
You have been granted the title, Beast Loremaster.
Beast Loremaster
Your deep knowledge of the beasts that inhabit the continent of Versailles, while outdated, is impressively thorough. Enough for you to be recognized among scholars throughout the continent as an expert in the field.
You have been granted the skill Identification
You have been granted the sub-skill Beast Identification.
Lore has been increased by 15. LOR +15
Fame has been increased by 100. (Fame +50)
All stats have been increased by 1.
“Huh, even after I refused it, cool. Show skill, Beast Identification.”
Beast Identification. Beginner Lvl 1 (0%) (Active)
Your extensive knowledge of the beasts around the continent of Versailles allows you identify certain traits from the beasts you encounter on sight.
Higher levels allow for more information and the identification of high tiered mobs.
Beginner lvl 1: You can tell a mob’s level and their approximate health.
Beginner: Allows you to get information from regular mobs
Intermediate: Allows you to get information from superior mobs
Advanced: Allows you to get information from exceptional mobs
Master: Allows you to get information from mini-boss type mobs.
Grand-Master: Allows you to get information from boss type mobs.
Damn, if that’s what I got for refusing the class its skills must be epic. (Author’s note: Feel free to steal the class if you can do something with it. It sounds awesome but won’t fit here)
Feeling satisfied by the skills he got, Kalthier decided to check on something else he received.
“Show Stat: Lore”
Lore. (LOR)
You retain information you come across much easier than other people, amassing vast quantities of diverse knowledge. Facts, traditions, beliefs, myths, etc…. You see every piece of information you come across as valuable.
Higher lore improves the chances of remembering a piece of information you've come across when you need it. It also improves the speed at which you obtain knowledge related skills and how they improve.
Interesting. I wonder what Eva’s class is. Probably a unique, secret, hidden class given what I've had to put up with so far. If she attempts to give me simple cook class I’ll kill her.
*Ding*
Bloodlust Aura has been activated.
Feeling like he missed out on am amazing class Kalthier silently promised to uphold the Loremaster's duty, at least as far as the bestiary was concerned. Making a mental note to ask Pleandra about some of the skill he assumed were required to work on the bestiary such as calligraphy, drawing and cartography.
As Kalthier started looked at the pile of books Pleandra brought him, he realized that only one of them, a small brown tome, was indeed on Mana Manipulation. The rest were on blacksmithing.
Gods, the rumor mill in this city is impressive, must be guild managed or something.
The small tome on Mana Manipulation detailed how every being possessed mana, and it was by either visualizing its flow or by instinct that one used mana. According to a diagram that showed an intricate system, quite similar to the veins in the body, mana was generated in different places throughout the body and it could flow everywhere.
Mana is energy, and a spell works by using this energy, present in every being on the continent, to alter the mana that surrounds the user, allowing thus to create a desired effect or spell on a desired target. The incantations for spells manage the modifications to the nature of mana required allowing for complex castings and a wide variety of spells.
There is however a different approach. By studying and gaining awareness of the flow of mana inside one’s body, how to move it and alter its nature, the incantations can be bypassed.
Meditation is perhaps the less dangerous of the road to learn and visualize the flow of mana. Other unorthodox methods exist though the dangers they pose are many and not recommended.
Once internal body awareness is achieved and the flow of mana detected one can begin to experiment moving the mana through the body and eventually out of it. The next step is to give the mana a form outside the body and be able to move it.
Gaining elemental affinities allows for a more extensive manipulation granting properties and changing the nature of mana to achieve varied effects.
Learning and chanting a regular spell while maintaining awareness of the body’s mana flow is the best method to understand how to manipulate mana.
Some affinities reject each other causing the undiluted energy in mana to explode when mixed together in a single manipulation.
Warning: Using internal mana to manipulate external mana is an extremely difficult and delicate endeavor and it requires great concentration and knowledge. For this reason spells created using mana manipulation generally lack in power when compared to their common counterparts. They are however much more versatile.
Now that’s how magic should be, pure skill and imagination, unlimited potential and variety all at the reach of one’s fingers.
Moving to sit indian style on the floor after reading the small tome Kalthier, having no idea how to meditate did the closest thing he knew, he started by focusing on his aching muscles, starting by the tip of his toes and moving upwards, Moving to sit indian style on the floor after reading the small tome Kalthier, having no idea how to meditate did the closest thing he knew, he started by focusing on his aching muscles, starting by the tip of his toes and moving upwards, only pausing when he reached his tail, where he noticed with shock the vast amounts of muscles and strength it possessed.
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
After playing with it for a while, enjoying the feeling of moving an appendage his real body didn’t poses, and how natural the movements felt Kalthier went back on track, slowly moving his awareness upwards, one aching muscle at a time until he reached the top of his head.
Feeling calm from his impromptus meditation and, after shutting down the notifications from his Body Awareness skill, Kalthier slowly moved his awareness deeper. Feeling his bones, tendons, organs and veins, Kalthier soon found a problem.
No matter how deep he delved his consciousness into his body he could not find a trace of the intricate network of vein-like structures that he saw on the diagram. He had mana, every player did so, assuming the book didn’t lie, he should be able to find it.
After a couple of hours he could feel every inch of his body but not a trace of mana. Just as he was about to give up he remembered something that made him want to smack himself. Mana was energy, pure and undiluted and he’d just spend hours searching for some sort of bluish liquid in mystical veins.
Starting over, Kalther focused on remembering what Bloodlust aura felt like, given that it was the only skill he possessed that used mana actively. Recalling the feeling of energy pulsing outwards from his body, he tried to follow the remembered feeling backwards with Body Awareness, realizing for a brief moment how simple it would be if he could activate Bloodlust Aura at will.
After a dozen attempts of trying to actively recall a memory, not a very good one given his mental state every time Bloodlust Aura was activated, he finally found what he was looking for or rather he felt it, it was so obvious to him now that he couldn't fathom why it took him hours to notice the energy inside his body. Little did he know that, thanks to always turning off his notifications, it was just a matter of leveling his Body Awareness skill to level 5.
Feeling stupidly happy at his (Not real) discovery, Kalthier decided to take a small break, slowly letting his body relax until he was laying on the library floor looking at the thick wooden beams that supported the second floor above him.
Taking a nap proved to be impossible, the images and descriptions from the book kept dancing on his mind. Not bothering to move, he focused on his mana, now easily visualizing it with the aid of the skill. To his surprise the image that filled his mind gave his inner mana a reddish hue instead of the common blue, and it was only when he tried to consciously move it outside his body, pooling it over his palm, did he realize that it was indeed red.
The formless mass of red mana formed on his hand resembled an aurora, with swirls and flashes constantly moving in small, sluggish, indistinguishable patterns. Looking at it he decided that red not only looked incredibly cool, it gave of a sense of regal mysticism that threatened to entrap him in its beauty. It fit perfectly with his red dragon heritage, in fact that was probably the cause of the strange coloring.
Focusing on the mana pooled in his hand Kalthier tried to give it a more solid, defined shape. Slowly the mana stopped its random, hazy movements and started to condense into a golf sized ball. Now condensed it had a deep red color, it looked as if Kalthier was levitating a sentient sphere of blood.
Not remembering where he was or what he’d read in the book, Kalthier tried to set the ball of energy in fire, wishing to create a fireball, the most renowned spell. When nothing happened he was a bit disappointed, but thinking on Pleandra’s reaction to him experimenting with fire in her library made him glad it hadn't worked.
Mentally pushing the little ball with his mind, Kalthier soon had it making hazy circled around his hand. Slowly sitting up to admire the ball in better light he gave a small laugh as he concentrated. He was truly enjoying the feeling of moving the reddish ball with his mind, it felt surprisingly similar to the way his tail felt at the beginning, like discovering he had an extra pair of hands he’d never bothered to use. Thinking that getting used to moving energy around with his mind would be incredible, he continued to move the ball faster and faster until a sound broke his concentration.
*Ding*
You have learned the skill Mana Manipulation. Beginner lvl 1 (2%)(Active)
*BOOOOOM*
You have taken 224 Damage. -224HP
You are stunned.
You have taken 117 Damage. -117HP
You have been critically wounded. Health regeneration is now disabled.
You are heavily bleeding. -10HP/sec
Pain unlike anything he’d ever felt assaulted Kalthier. Most of his body felt like it was on fire and he could feel something piecing his chest, making his ragged breath hurt like he was dripped in acid. But his arm, his arm was pure hell, agony radiated from his shoulder all the way to his fingertips. Nothing, not the cursed suit he was now forced to wear, not Belgroth’s or Eva’s painful lessons could even begin to compare to the agony he was now feeling.
You are no longer stunned.
Opening his eyes the first thing Kalthier noticed was the bloody, foot long piece of wood protruding from his chest. In pain-dazed detachment Kalthier noted that it was a table leg or probably half, and that he was now amongst a pile of debris in the opposite wall of the room. Smoke was everywhere.
Turning his attention towards his agonizing arm he was shocked at what he saw, or rather what he didn't saw. Everything from his shoulder down was gone, just gone. As blood kept pumping out of the ghastly mass of shredded meat and splintered bone that used to be his shoulder Kalthier had time for a final irrational thought before welcome darkness took him.
If my arm is gone it shouldn't hurt at all, stupid game realism.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Having expected to wake up in his capsule Kalthier was surprised when rays of sunshine hit his face. Reluctantly opening his eyes he saw that he was indeed still in Royal Road. Confused at not having died and grateful that not only was the pain gone but he seemed to have regained his right arm, Kalthier tried to stand up only to realize he couldn't.
After a very brief moment of panic, Kalthier remembered his suit and it’s properties. Giving it a lot more effort than sitting in a bed should require he finally managed to get an upright look at his surroundings.
He was in a sparingly decorated room that seemed to possess nothing but books aside from the gigantic bed in which he woke. Looking out the beautifully framed window that covered half a wall Kalthier could see the majestic cathedral dominating the sky, its sight, as always, a soothing balm for his troubled mind.
You have seen Regus’ Cathedral of Light
Built centuries ago, this is the only church in Versailles dedicated to all the goods of light. This cathedral was built in a joint effort by uniting the resources from all the churches.
The names of both the sculptor and architect have long ago faded from memory. this cathedral is their only legacy.
For the next twenty four hours you gain:
+10 to all Stats
+100 HP
+100 Mana
+20 Honor
+10 fighting Spirit
Guessing that he was most likely in Pleandra’s room somewhere in the library, Kalthier was able to relax completely, letting his body sink into the soft mattress beneath him.
Rubbing his chest with his left hand as he lay on the bed, he wiggled the fingers on the newly regenerated right, Kalthier thought back to the explosion. Obviously the tiny ball of condensed mana was at fault, or at least it was the cause of the explosion. The fault probably rested solely on his shoulders. In his haste he’d overlooked most of the warnings the book on mana manipulation as they seemed the usual nonsense of ‘Don’t let mana near children’, ‘Don't consume or integrate foreign mana into your body without knowing its source and purpose.’ Stuff like that. Little did he know that amongst those warning was one that said; in bold-red letters ‘The condensation of pure inner mana into physical, solid form is heavily unstable and may violently explode if not under extreme supervision.’
Now lazily resting spread eagled in the giant bed, Kalthier resigned himself to analyze the pain. Even with his racial increment of 10% the pain he felt in Royal Road was limited to 40% the amount the body usually received IRL. Having experienced grievous mortal wounds and looking back at the pain they gave him, Kalthier could understand how people in the real world often entered in a state of shock upon receiving such a wound.
He realized the pain he’d felt, while terrifying and agonizing was probably psychologically increased due to it being his first time feeling something like that, not to mention that, having gained the endurance stat, some of the pain and damage from the explosion was dampened further.
Curious for the first time in days as to what his stats looked like, and having shut down all the notifications regarding them in annoyance, Kalthier called out.
“System. Character stats”
Status WindowCharacter NameKalthierAlignmentChaoticLevel1ProfessionNoneTitlesBeast LoremaasterFame370Infamy0Health450 (+200)Mana310(+200)Strength47 (+10)Agility49 (+10)Stamina51(+10)Honour11(+30)Fighting Spirit33(+20)Luck11(+30)Wisdom29(+10)Intellect31(+10)Endurance65(+30)Vitality45(+10)Lore16(+10)Attack32Defense6Magic ResistancesFire25%Water5%Earth5%Air5%Holy5%Black5%Unused stat points: 5Miscellaneous Bonuses and Penalties:+5.5% Combat Skills Growth (Up to Intermediate Level)
+5.5% Combat Skills Growth (Up to Intermediate Level)
+11 Intimacy with draconic creatures
Gain stats Honor, Fighting Spirit
Half fame gain, double infamy gain
Monster status. Skills and events that only target Monsters can affect you.
11% Increased pain factor.
Your body possesses elf like angular features
A red tinge colors your skin
You possess the red silted eyes of a dragon.
-5 Charisma and Appearance when obtained.
Guards in general regard you with suspicion.
Cursed: You are under the effects of 2.0x gravity.
When did that happen!
Shocked at the amount of endurance, strength and agility he now had, Kalthier checked his message history. Given that it was in reverse order, latest events first, he immediately saw that he had indeed been healed after the blast, just in the nick of time too, his life must have been down to single digits at that point.
Scrolling down the extensive list he read through all the messages that indicated the small damage the increased gravity caused him, but as he was doing so he noticed that not only did he gain strength and agility at an exponential rate thanks to the gravity he now had to bear, the constant damage it caused increased his endurance over thirty points in a single day, to the point that, by the time he reached the library the suit barely caused him damage.
Maybe they DO know what they are doing with this hellish training.
Having decided that endurance was his favorite stat, given that it reduced not only the damage his body received but the pain, Kalthier tried to put his five bonus stat points, granted to him at the start of the game, in endurance, only to be disappointed when a message told him he was forbidden from doing such a thing.
Thinking of his suit and what the increased gravity meant for his future he decided to put them in strength instead, any help in dealing with the extra weight always a blessing.
After the pain from the previous night’s events, and not being able to put points into endurance, Kalthier decided he had to do something he knew was stupid, reckless, and that it would surely increase his suffering. To ask Belgroth’s help increasing his endurance as fast as possible.
I won’t stop until wounds as devastating as last night’s feel like nothing more than a paper cut.
Mentally adding avoidance to pain by endurance to his list of goals in Royal Road, Kalthier suddenly broke out in cold sweat. Jumping out of the bed he ran out of the room like his ass was on fire. Muttering a fast ‘Thanks, sorry, bye’ to a startled Pleandra as he passed her on the corridor, hurrying towards the library exit.
She’s gonna kill me, She’s gonna kill me, She’s gonna kill me.
He could mentally picture Eva’s reaction upon seeing him, a short brutal speech on how apprentices didn’t deserve days off and how they should be kept on a short leash, not granting them freedom, coupled with degrading comments and painful strikes by cooking implements.
Looking at the sky as he ran he noticed that it was close to sunset, not sunrise as he’d originally thought. Somehow he’d spent most of the day in unconscious bliss.
Damn, I missed Uldren’s first lesson, he’s not going to be a happy dwarf.
As another thought crossed his mind Kalthier stopped running. It was nearly dusk, so going by his schedule he should now be heading towards the library. Cowardly deciding to avoid his teachers’ wrath for as long as possible, Kalthier turned back towards the library, now running faster as comments like ‘Look it’s Draky’, ‘So cute, think he’ll join my guild?’ began to reach his ears.
Slamming the library door behind him, Kalthier prepared himself to spend hours holed up inside, all in order to escape the unavoidable conversations with his teacher for as long as possible.
Procrastination really is the best.
Pleandra was the perfect host, she allowed him to stay in a room just like hers and, as Kalthier relaxed in the bed she explained how, after hearing the explosion, she ran towards him, and managed to heal him just as his hitpoints reached critical levels.
She never made a mention on how it was his fault or complained about the mess he’d made in her library. She was caring and attentive and Kalthier was eternally grateful for it.
She also explained to Eva that he was injured and that he could, by no means possible, continue training for the next few days. Not only that, she refused to let Eva, or the others see him, claiming seclusion and rest were the best healers.
For the next two days Kalthier stayed in the library, reading whatever Pleandra recommended to him and listening to her stories as he practiced his movements, stances and forms. Not to mention leveling his Body Awareness skill.
It was during this small lapse of relaxation that Kalthier remembered that a classless character could only have up to ten skills making him yell.
“System. Show skills”
Character SkillsSpiked Headbut. Beginner lvl 1 (8%)(Active)Cooking. Beginner lvl 8 (92%) (Passive)Knife Mastery. Beginner lvl 4 (56%) (Passive)Sword Mastery. Beginner lvl 4 (11%) (Passive)Bloodlust Aura. Beginner lvl 3 (24%) (Passive)Body Awareness. Beginner Lvl 6 (78%)Identification Beginner Lvl 1 (0%) (Active)Sub-skill
Damn, with blacksmithing I’ll only have one slot left. Well, if anything happens I can always delete the spiked headbutt, after all I didn't even remember it existed until now.
As he expected his cooking skill was the one with the highest level. After almost two weeks of using the high tiered ingredients Eva gave him it was leveling pretty fast, considering he only dedicated only six hour a day to it, and that the fabrication of hell-bread actually lowered it.
Noticing he had a skill at 0% of lvl 1 Kalthier decided to try it out. Looking at the black rings covering his fingers he whispered.
“Identify.”
Your proficiency in this skill is not enough to identify item
So much for that idea, I’ll just use it when needed or level it up by using the more useful sub-skill Beast Identification.
By the end of the two days’ rest, Kalthier noticed two changes in his body. First of all, that upon reaching eighty point of endurance the damage caused by the gravity disappeared, leaving him free of the constant pain. And second that, having allowed the system messages to appear freely, he could see that the extravagant rate at which he was gaining stats for the past three days dropped. Even when he spent hours training the forms and strikes Belgroth had taught him, he was gaining stats only a little faster than normal. In hours instead of minutes.
Pleandra treated him like a prince and a grandson, spoiling him and going as far as abandoning the front desk at the library to spend more time with him. It was this kindness that finally settled Kalthier’s mind on an unpleasant subject that had haunted him from day one. From now on, no matter what he went through, no matter how much his appearance disturbed him he would stick to this character. No longer did he harbor notions of deleting his character. The relationships he’d built, the emotions he could now feel, his experiences, even his pain and suffering, everything allowed him, for the first time in over a decade to feel alive.
Looking and waving at a smiling Pleandra as he logged out, Kalthier felt a feral smile covering his face. Come hell or highwater he would stick with being ‘Draky’.
Proofread by Nimasaur
Chapter 5 END
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I am happy to announce that from now on Nimasaur will be helping me with proofreading.
This chapter was for some reason very hard to write, I kept rewriting things and in the end i decided to rush a bit as I'm itching to write more exiting, fast paced events. (No spoilers for you!)
As always your comments and recommendations are extremely welcome, the good the bad and the ugly.
Next chapter should be another IRL side-story only this time it'll be a bit longer (Chapter 2.5 was done in a ten minute break in my university xD)
Once again thanks for reading and i hope you likes it.
PS: I promise things will speed up from here on (In terms of story, I seem to be unable to write steadily)
{[999aba}] "Nevermoe"