CHAPTER 12 ASCENDING
The list was broken up into 3 separate columns. Each column providing classes for each of my three class slots. It also seemed like there were slightly different options available for each slot. I assumed that had to do with the class that was in use in the different slots.
I was provided, once again, with a lot of non-combat classes. But 99% of them boiled down to something like a slightly more advanced and/or hyper focused version of a farmer, carpenter, baker, or some other mundane class that I just could not be bothered with. Not that I didn’t appreciate people who did those jobs, but I liked to see things go boom in pretty colors. So that’s what I was going to do.
I focused on the status in front of me and made it strip away anything that didn’t have combat potential. I was left with a lot fewer options for my class changes, but still enough it was probably gonna take a while to get through all the descriptions that interested me.
I started with my first class [Shock Enthusiast]
[Mage - Lightning], [Apprentice Evoker], [Abjuration Mage], [Enchanter], [Combat Enchanter], [Arcanist], [Shock Adept], [Amber Mage], [Shock Caller], [Fulgurmancer], [Lightning Sorcerer]
No blue classes. That was unfortunate, I figured a kill on a tier above me would count for something. I pulled up [Mage - Lightning] and then instantly crossed it off the list. It was a tier above my current class but barely even offered comparable stat gains to what I had. I completely ignored [Abjuration Mage], that branch of magic was not for me. I’d rather hit something with a fireball. [Enchanter] was something I was mildly interested in. There was something to be said for being able to enchant your own gear thus determining how good your gear was. The only problem being that I had armor that got stronger the stronger I was and a sword that was created with the magic from a tier 7 elf. It would take way too long to get it to comparable standards rather than just utilizing what I had.
I pulled up [Combat Enchanter] instead.
[Combat Enchanter]
Requirements - Enchanted your weapon with your own magics in the heat of battle.
Combat Enchanters use temporary enchantments to give them the strength and utility they need to overcome the odds placed before them.
+4 Vig, +3 End, +3 Str, +7 Dex, +5 Agi, +10 Int, +8 Wis per level.
Well if that class description wasn’t ominous… I did like the idea of added utility and the stat bonuses weren’t half bad. I just couldn’t particularly see this being more useful than what I was already doing, or capping out at a higher power than just going straight enchanting. In the moment could be nice, but it didn’t particularly speak to me.
I briefly looked at [Arcanist] but it was simply what it said it was, a caster focused more on the arcane aspects of casting. I wanted to stay with my lightning approach. And I didn’t plan on changing that for anyone, not even the system.
[Shock Adept]
Requirements - Leveled [Shock Enthusiast] to max level, used lightning to defeat your foes, paralyzed an enemy.
You’ve embraced electricity and utilized it to the best of its abilities and now you can take it further to allow others to see it in all of its glory.
+6 Vig,+3 End, +2 Str, +8 Dex, +8 Agi, +8 Int, +6 Wis per level.
A direct upgrade to my current class. If I didn’t see a better option I’d probably go with this one.
[Amber Mage]
Requirements - leveled a Lightning based class to its maximum level.
Amber mages closely relate to the electricity flowing through nature. Utilize the gems and their natural abilities to harness the currents to produce new effects and abilities.
+4 Vig, +2 End, +3 Str, +6 Dex, +6 Agi, +10 Int, +10 Wis per level.
What? Why was a gem based class here? How are… No, it doesn’t matter. I’m not interested in gem magic anyway. Seems expensive.
[Shock Caller]
Requirements - leveled a lightning mage class to max level, paralyzed an opponent, enchanted a weapon with lightning.
You’ve called upon nature's wrath to be your strength in combat and have exceeded beyond expectations. Call upon the forces around you to strike fear and awe into the enemies around you.
+6 Vig, +4 Str, +4 Dex, +5 Agi, +7 Int, +8 Wis per level.
Not bad, not bad. This one seemed to be pretty good. I can’t say I hate the idea of wielding the wrath of nature to smite my foes. It sounded pretty cool, and I was definitely an aesthetics person. It’d be hard to choose between this one and [Shock Adept].
[Fulgurmancer]
Requirements - Leveled a lightning mage class to max level, enchanted with lightning, paralyzed a foe, defeated a creature more than twice your level.
You’ve defied the odds, using every ounce of ingenuity available you’ve withstood strength others would crumble against in the same capacity. Use the powers of lightning to protect yourself and others while striking your opponents from beyond their reach.
+4 Vig, +2 End, +2 Str, +8 Dex, +8 Agi, +10 Int, +10 Wis per level.
First class to note my kills as part of the requirements to unlock it. This one seemed to easily be a step above [Shock Adept] or [Shock Caller]. This one was probably it, bar the last class being amazing.
[Lightning Sorcerer]
Requirements - leveled a lightning mage class to max level, enchanted with lightning, paralyzed a foes, defeated an opponent in the first tier.
Lightning is you and you are lightning. Nothing stands against the force of your magic. You’ve internalized the strength of lightning and use it to both enhance your physical abilities but also to strike from afar.
+6 Vig, +5 End, +5 Str, +6 Dex, +6 Agi, +8 Int, +8 Wis per level.
And I stand corrected. [Lightning Sorcerer] was everything I wanted. I liked magic but I also liked more physical applications of it while also retaining a degree of ranged capability. This class did exactly that. It was also the most difficult one to qualify for. I did a quick glance over the other classes but none of them even came close. Even in stat gains, this one was the most balanced while also just having the most total stat gain.
I selected it.
I expected it to take effect and give me the stats and mess with my skills, but nothing happened. The column it was in just faded slightly. It seemed like I had to choose all three classes and then apply all of them then they would take effect.
I moved on to the second class column.
[Swordfighter], [Warrior], [Blade Apprentice], [Combatant], [Soldier], [Adventurer], [Way of the Sword], [Iron Sword], [Enchanted Bladefighter]
There were significantly less options here, although I did start on a much lower scale than my first or third classes. I went ahead and just ruled out the uncolored classes, they were just way too generic for me to be interested.
[Blade Apprentice]
Requirements - leveled [Blade User] to max level
You continue the journey of your mastery of the blade.
+7 Vig, +9 End, +8 Str, +6 Dex, +7 Agi, +3 Int, +2 Wis per level.
Just a flat increase of what I was already doing, not a bad choice if everything else sucked but I highly doubted that given the name of my last class. I wanted to start with that one but I forced myself to check everything up to that point just to be safe.
[Combatant]
Requirements - leveled a martial class to max level
You are not beholden to purely the sword. Most sword fighters are focused only on using the weapon in their hands without realizing their whole body is a weapon, but you are not limited by such misconceptions and use everything around you to your advantage.
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+8 Vig, +6 End, +10 Str, +10 Dex, +6 Agi, +2 Int, +4 Wis per level.
I liked this one, it expanded on the martial aspect of fighting which I enjoyed. If I somehow ever lost my sword I needed to be able to fight without it. I placed this one slightly above the Blade User v 2 electric boogaloo class.
I gave brief glances to [Soldier] and [Adventurer]. They both were pretty self explanatory. I also wasn’t interested in being an adventurer in any capacity. Sure I had joined a party, but I wasn’t planning on being with them forever. I liked them, but my end goal here was to leave and go back home.
I got a pang of sadness thinking about home. How were my parents? My friends? Did time pass the same here as there? There were lots of things I was concerned about. My feelings only reaffirmed my motives. Getting stronger would be my only way out of here. Whether by accomplishing it myself, or finding someone who would be willing to help. I also found it hard to believe someone hadn’t already accomplished what I was trying to do. This world had a system with dynamic class options, there’s no way someone hadn’t already found a consistent way to world jump.
I refocused on the task at hand looking at the next set of classes.
[Iron Sword]
Requirements - Leveled a sword martial class to max level, defeated an opponent twice your level.
The Iron Sword stands firm in the face of opposition. Fear will not move them, only strength.
+8 Vig, +8 End, +8 Str, +5 Dex, +5 Agi, +2 Int, +1 Wis per level.
[Way of the Sword]
Requirements - Leveled a sword martial class to max level, defeated an opponent twice your level, defeated an opponent a tier above you.
You’ve embraced the strength and martial prowess of the sword. You have an unwavering bond of trust with the weapon in your hand and use it to combat the insurmountable.
+6 Vig, +7 End, +10 Str, +9 Dex, +7 Agi, +3 Int, +4 Wis per level.
Both of those were pretty good. They didn’t have the benefit of being able to fight without the weapon, but that was the nature of such things. I wouldn’t dismiss them because of that. The last class still pulled my attention the most.
[Enchanted Bladefighter]
Requirements - leveled a sword martial class to max level, enchanted a weapon in combat, defeated an opponent three times your level, defeated an opponent a tier above you, defeated an opponent in the first tier while being the 0th tier.
You trust your weapon. But more than that you trust your own strength. Swords are a tool, but a tool that when treated well and used properly, that will achieve results. Those results can, and will, speak for themselves.
+8 Vig, +5 End, +10 Str, +10 Dex, +6 Agi, +5 Int, +6 Wis per level.
Wow. Just, wow. Those stats were insane. This class seemed to be a type of spellsword, which would synergize nicely with my first class. Both of them talked about my own capabilities rather than those of the class, so they’d probably grow to be better the further on I went. I didn’t see a reason not to choose this one. It had the most stats and the highest requirements. I selected it, watching the column fade a little before moving on to the last column.
This one was… Extremely short.
[Disciple of Nature], [Druid of Nalthien], [Nature’s Guardian]
Only three classes. I mean they were all purple so I couldn’t really complain, I also got a third class whereas everyone else at this stage only had two.
[Disciple of Nature]
Requirements -
You’ve embraced the teachings of nature and use its knowledge to empower and protect.
+15 Vig, +12 End, +10 Str, +10 Dex, +10 Agi, +16 Int, +18 Wis per level.
Huh… Kinda described what I was using the class for already. Those stats were pretty nifty as well.
[Druid of Nalthien]
Requirements - Leveled an epic grade nature class to max level, race is elf.
You seek to protect the Heart of the Ancient from the forces that would use it to destroy the world.
+15 Vig, +15 End, +11 Str, +13 Dex, +14 Agi, +18 Int, +18 Wis per level.
What. Hell no! Fuck no, even. What the hell was this? That’s what they were after? The Heart that the Speaker forced into my chest? Oh this was not good. I also wasn’t particularly keen on protecting this entity that ripped me out of my world because “You’re the chosen one” crap.
[Nature’s Guardian]
Requirements - Leveled an epic grade nature class to max level.
You stand on the side of Nature. You seek to right the wrongs that have been done by modernization against the natural regions and correct the imbalances within the environments.
+18 Vig, +13 End, +10 Str, +12 Dex, +10 Agi, +17 Int, +19 Wis per level.
No. Just. No. I was not going to be seeking and delivering arbitrary justice against people. At least not on another's whims. I could decide for myself if someone was doing something I believed was wrong and take action based on that, but I’ll be damned before I allow the system to determine that for me.
I didn’t even think twice and just selected the safest option [Disciple of Nature].
And with that all three of my classes were selected. A final screen popped up in my vision and asked me to confirm or cancel my selection.
I gave everything one last thought. Then I confirmed my selection.
Color faded back into the world and sounds and movement resumed.
All at once I felt a rush of mana flow through me, I felt myself being empowered by this flow and as soon as it began I was bombarded by a torrent of notifications ringing off in my ears informing me of my class changes, changes to skills, and bonuses for ascending.
‘Ping’ [Shock Enthusiast] has become [Lightning Sorcerer] +6 Vig, +5 End, +5 Str, +6 Dex, +6 Agi, +8 Int, +8 Wis.
Skill [Jolt] has become [Strike of Lightning] - a powerful long range strike that comes down from above, strikes further away have an increased cost based on distance. Range efficiency increased per level.
Skills [Shocking Grasp] and [Paralyzing Shock] combine to become [Paralyzing Blast] - Shoot a blast of lightning that either explodes on contact or when you decide, everything within range of the explosion takes damage and has a chance to be paralyzed (20%). Chance to paralyze increases by 0.5% per level.
Skill [Sparking Blows] has become [Wreathed In Lightning] - Whether with blade or fist you deliver the fury of the storm to your opponents. Damage calculated based off level while also retaining Strength and Intelligence.
Acquired skill [As Fast As Lightning - Passive] - Dexterity, Agility, and perception enhanced by 10% of Intelligence. Enhancement increases by 1% per level.
Acquired skill [Chain Lightning] - Shoot out an arc of lightning that jumps from one target to the next, damage reduced by 25% per person until no damage is dealt. Increased damage efficiency by 0.4% per level.
‘Ping’ [Blade User] has become [Enchanted Bladefighter] - +8 Vig, +5 End, +10 Str, +10 Dex, +6 Agi, +5 Int, +6 Wis.
Skill [Trained Physique - Passive] has become [Enchanted Perseverance - Passive] - Your body has been enhanced by your magic to persevere and withstand, reduce incoming damage by 15%, reduce all stamina use by 20%. Health and Stamina are increased by 5% per tier and 1% per level.
Skills [Slash] and [Thrust] combine to become [Mana Strike] - Slash, Pierce, Bludgeon. No matter what type of attack you use, you can infuse your blade with your mana increasing the effectiveness of your weapon to bypass resistances. You can infuse up to 250 mana per strike. Mana cost reduced by 0.25% per level.
Skill [Parry] has become [Enchanted Redirection] - Parry an oncoming attack by infusing your blade with your mana, efficiency determined by opponent size and strength of incoming attack. Increased efficiency per level.
Skill [Piercing Blows] has become [Mana Flurry] - Focus your mana into the tip of your blade before unleashing it into a flurry of piercing attacks that emit from the tip of your blade striking your foes from a short distance away (0.5 ft). Increased range by 0.25 ft per level.
Skill [Critical Blow] has been acquired into an open slot.
Skill [Critical Blow] has become [Enchanted Accuracy] - Expend 1000 mana to make sure your next blow does a critical amount of damage.
‘Ping’ [Blessed by Nature] has become [Disciple of Nature] - +15 Vig, +12 End, +10 Str, +10 Dex, +10 Agi, +16 Int, +18 Wis.
All skills enhanced.
No skills were changed.
No new skills were acquired.
Skill [Nature’s Protection] - Nature has chosen you as a vessel and as such it will seek to protect you from danger, you can now form a shell to protect yourself from attacks. Increased protection and reduced cost per level.
Skill [Healing Blossom] Nature now seeks to heal you no matter where you are, a blossom will sprout from the ground and as long as you are within range you will be healed by 33% of your health per second. Increased range per level.
Skill [Elements of Nature - Passive] Nature is one of the most primal forces in existence, any attacks constituting one of the four main elements and their direct derivatives deal 60% more damage. Increased damage by 5% per level.
Skill [Natural Selection] Congratulations, you’ve been selected. You’re more resistant to poisons and curses. Increased resistance per level.
Skill [Nature’s Touch] - Heal yourself or allies with the healing touch of nature. Increased health and reduced cost per level.
Skill [Barrier] - A wall of pure force protects you from harm, mana is lost whenever the barrier is hit. Amount lost depends on the strength of the hit. Increase efficiency and active number of barriers by 1 per level.
‘Ping’ General skill [Mana Sense] acquired.
‘Ping’ General skill [Electric Sense] acquired.
‘Ping’ General skill [Sword Trainee] acquired.
‘Ping’ Ascended to Tier 1 bonus stats gained. +150 to all stats.
‘Ping’ Ascended to Tier 1 - acquired 25 ability points.
‘Ping’ Ascended to Tier 1 - Status functions unlocked.
‘Ping’ Ascension Complete.
Name: Alexander King
Ability Points: 86
Tier 1 Class - [Lightning Sorcerer] - Level 1
Ability - [Strike of Lightning]
Ability - [Paralyzing Blast]
Ability - [As Fast As Lighting - Passive]
Ability - [Wreathed In Lightning]
Ability - [Chain Lightning]
Tier 1 Class - [Enchanted Bladefighter] - Level 1
Ability - [Enchanted Perseverance - Passive]
Ability - [Mana Strike]
Ability - [Enchanted Redirection]
Ability - [Enchanted Accuracy]
Ability - [Mana Flurry]
Tier 1 Class - [Disciple of Nature] - Level 1
Ability - [Natures Protection]
Ability - [Healing Blossom]
Ability - [Elements of Nature - Passive]
Ability - [Natural Selection]
Ability - [Nature’s Touch]
Ability - [Barrier]
Ability -
General Skills -
[Identify] - Level 3
[Rest] - Level 1
[Mana Sense] - Level 1
[Electric Sense] - Level 1
[Sword Trainee] - Level 1
Status -
Vig - [363]
End - [322]
Str - [316]
Dex - [359]
Agi - [348]
Int - [347]
Wis - [341]
Health - 3847/3847
Stamina - 3413/3413
Mana - 3410/3410