After the spokesperson made his announcement, a new notice pop-up appeared.
SK Notice, Battle Complete
5,850 Experience gained (Tournament calculations), 1 SP
Tournament Calculations? Leaving that thought for later, I turned to exit the field only to be greeted by Professor Iceshield. In his hands were plain light blue robes, like that of a Beginner Ice Mage. I look back up at his withered face, his face showed that he knew what he was doing and this was no trick. As I picked up the light blue robes, I instantly felt my mana leave me and flow into the robe. I was soon in a slight panic as most of my mana was gone in an instant, before it abruptly halted. I felt a popping sensation in my head.
“Haha, truly outstanding. Most pass out when touching the rune on these robes for the first time.” he then pointed to another contestant, receiving a pair of brown robes. Upon receiving them, it seemed all the energy was sucked from him being as his body went limp and crashed to the ground. It was second later that the robes simmered for a bit before returning to the solid brown robe.
I looked back at my own robe and discovered that heavy spike patterns appeared on my robes with thick embroidery around each spike. He spoke again as he handed me the robes, “These robes will serve as your identification on Campus, so where them at all times. If you take them off outside of designated areas, you will be sent to the pocket dimension immediately. This is just a security measure, though you wont have to worry about it this week, because of registration. The battles for the next few days, you do not have to attend. However, there is an entertainment bout at the end, where previous winners and current students can participate in. It will be after dinner. I am sure the crowd will be interested to see in battle again.” He seemed hopeful that I would join.
To which I replied, “We will see.” As interesting as it would be to participate in all of these battles and test my mettle, something will happen at level ten if I recall.
SK Notice, Level 10
Upon reaching level 10, players will lose the hidden buff, New Worlder.
Your body becomes that of a resident of Aezorish, it will be harder to level up, you will no longer receive notice pop-ups. You will only get a pop-up for titles gained, and it is still possible to check levels, and purchase skills.
In order to learn skills outside of the skill shop, some effort is going to be needed from level 10 on. Skills will be harder to master as well.
It sounds like this New Worlder buff is a learning/leveling buff. I guess it will become only slightly more inconvenient, but nothing too drastic. What level was I again? I think it was level eight, so I should be fine. While I am at it, I might as well inquire about the tournament calculations, since I will lose this function at level ten.
SK Notice, Tournament Calculations
Tournament Experiences are calculated as followed:
Total Battle Experience multiplied by rounds won divided by two.
100% Experience for defeating an Enemy
150% Experience for killing an Enemy
110% Experience for enslaving an Enemy
I felt my face slacken as I came to understand what this meant. Simply put, it was more profitable to enter many tournaments than to battle the same number of enemies in a big fight. More so if it was a tournament to the death, though that would be very frightening as this is my life now and not just a game anymore.
As I dismissed the notices, I must have had smile on my face still, because the withered professor gave me a knowing grin. I am not sure he knows what I am smiling about, but I will leave him with his misunderstandings.
I unfolded the robe as we walked further off the field and quickly slipped it over each arm and let the back flutter to the ground behind me. I made my mind that I will not be joining the entertainment bouts. I will be getting information on the Ancient Dragon from Aya, and mastering my skills before I hit level ten. Afterwards, I will be enjoying every battle that even makes itself remotely available, given that wasn't too risky. I felt a small grin pass to my lips.
Just as we exited the tunnel that lead off the field, I was reminded of the papers again by Professor Iceshield, “Seeing as today is the Day of Dark, you have two days to complete your registration papers. Well, I'll be seeing you around.” He made a wave as he was about to depart, but I stopped him before he could go.
“Excuse, I actually don't know these days you speak of, Day of Light, Day of Dark, Day of Magic, are these the days of the week? And also how do I get or even complete the registration papers?”
The old Professor raised both eyebrows for a moment before answering, “I apologize, I keep forgetting you are not of this world. The days of the wage are as listed; Day of the Warrior, Day of the Sun, Day of Light, Day of Magic, Day of Dark, Day of the Moon, Day of the Mage. As for registration papers... didn't the prefect tell you? No matter, registration papers are completed when you speak to a representative of a nation. Since today's battles are over, you should find them in the Reception hall, where they made temporary signing tables. Now, I will be off, I have some business that needs attending,” with that he bowed and walked off toward the stadium.
I guess I will find my way back to the Reception hall.
…
It took retracing my steps to the best of my ability from the field to the library and from the library to the area I first entered Divinity. When I finally arrived in the room I noticed that there were tables hugging the walls of this giant room that could possibly host a ball. Why hadn't I noticed my surroundings when I first got here, this place is huge. It was then I felt a tap on my shoulder.
As I turned to see the culprit, I was greeted by a familiar face, Sola. “Hey, hero, how are you?” She giggled at my expense before she broke into information mode, “I am guessing you are here for registration, seeing as you did complete the battles. Well, each of the tables you see represent a country. The number of representative tables changes from time to time, as war breaks out, since there is a clash in the Wild Continent and a looming war in the Hidden Continent, there are few representatives from those places at this time. At this time, there are mostly human places.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
I searched around, and I saw a bunch of hardy looking men sitting with very gloomy expressions and their arms crossed at one table. At another table I saw Fic, whom hasn't noticed me yet it seems, he was sitting next to someone that almost had the same face as he did, but a bit more feminine and with purple markings all over her body. Another table had an elf with light blonde hair with serene look on her face, just gazing at nothing in particular. There were several tables with faces that ranged in several emotions, none really interacting with each other. There was this intense atmosphere though, it was almost tangible enough to cut with a knife. I am pretty sure it is from the rivaling factions in the room, but the strict rules left them the inability to fight, so there was only this atmosphere that seem to want to choke someone unprepared for this.
I unintentionally swallowed some saliva with a gulp, to which Sola just laughed awkwardly, “No need to worry so much, the hardy group men over there are from the Hidden Continent, they represent the only Kingdom of humans on that continent, humans only. Over there, the Xernurochs represent the entirety of the Cursed Continent, all are welcome to join, though it is rather hazardous to your health, since the Great Hunt has begun. That Elven maiden you were probably ogling a moment ago, is the representative of the New Elven Empire, elves only, though you may get a pass, given your appearance. There are several representatives over there from the countless federations of Beastmen tribes, though they usually only let beastmen in, they are giving a pass for the select few that can best them in bare hand combat. I can't say that is recommended though, as their strength rivaled that of the Orcs, before they went extinct.”
I am reminded that some species of humanoids went extinct already, but I remind myself that this happened a really long time ago, and that this world, and the species that reside in it are really old. It makes me wonder why technology hasn't advanced very far. I wondered this, and I marveled at the writers for this in-depth history that had become standard in gaming.
“Well, I am probably going to sign under the Kingdom of Lunari.” My gaze then fell on another familiar face. Miss red robes, blonde drill hair, and blue eyes, it was the princess of Solaeum Kingdom, Litavia Solaeum. She was currently in a rapidly heating discussion with someone wearing robes that looked strikingly like mine.
The unfamiliar person turned around, and I quickly observed her face, she had crystal blue eyes that were lighter in shade than Litavia, and she donned a short bob-cut hair that seemed to get longer in the front. Her skin was very light, that reminded me of the snow, and she was quickly advancing in my direction and held me in a stare, as she did so, I noticed that she was accompanied by a few knights.
As she drew near she halted in front of me and held her head high, with an imperial presence that was in no way inferior to that of Litavia. I figure, that this is another princess as well. A knight by her side, a female warrior of that possessed a strong aura as well, stood be side her and revealed my suspicions to be true, “You are in the presence of the Crown Princess of the Kingdom of Lunari, Yumari Lunari.” At that the princess gave a curt bow. The knight continued, “Currently single, her measurements are-” She was immediately cutoff from a rather embarrassed princess covering her mouth.
“Not another word.” She then turned to me, after the knight saluted, “Good afternoon, I apologize for my colleagues rudeness. Jack Frost I presume? I had witnessed your battles earlier, and I have to say, I am impressed. I also couldn't help but to hear the fact that you want to sign under the Kingdom of Lunari? The Kingdom would be thrilled to have you as one of its citizens. We are willing to grant you citizenship under the following condition, you will be in service of my personal knights, the Blue Order, Hero of Iglaku.” It all sounded good, until she mentioned the hero thing, to which I breathed in a little too fast and choked.
She gave a short laugh before continuing, “I bet you are wondering, 'How does she know that?' I won't tell you anything other than that I have eyes and ears everywhere, the queen has more so than I.” She tried to put on a mysterious act.
I straightened myself from my slight choking fit, “So you aren't willing to grant me citizenship otherwise?” I mused.
“Normally we would, but with an Elite-class mage, I think it would be best to have near me at all times.” A knight coughed, to which she gave a murderous glance to before smiling back at me.
“Ah, I understand. So if I were to refuse? I could just sign under the Solaeum Kingdom.” I teased. I saw that her eyebrow twitched ever so slightly. I continued, “As a matter of fact, I am not restricted to the human countries as I am not human, I could just give a go to the New Elven Empire. They may not be as open, but I am pretty sure they might accept me in the end.” Her eyebrows then came down into a furrow, as I said that.
In a bit of a whinny voice, “Well, the Kingdom of Lunari will-”
I cut her off, “Alright, I will be your knight, not out of patriotism, but because it sounds really cool.”
It seemed the princess is not used to being cut off and just blinked for a few seconds, mystified. I could almost see the several emotions going through her head, it seemed she wanted to be angry that she was disrupted, but happy that she got what she wanted. She settled with the latter expression and smiled at me, “I see.” This is all she said for a moment as she turned away from me to depart. With her back toward me, she turned her head slightly and said, “I expect you to defend me well, Sir Frost. You will meet me tomorrow at this time in the Library. There are regular meetings with your squad Captain after class. Being an Elite, you may take his position shortly, given performance of course. Dismissed.” She walked away and sat at a table that was across from Litavia. She gave her a victory smile, to which Litavia frowned.
Title Earned
Knight of the Blue Order
+5 Health, 5 Stamina, 3 Str., 3 Def., 1%Accuracy.
It was a boost, a small boost, but a boost none the less. So titles sometimes have stat boosts with them. I will have to give the title screen a once over to see if there were any worth attaining. I was about to walk away from the room, but mid turn, I saw Seraphine-sii staring at me from a distancing. She was currently at table with some merry looking reptile like people. Most likely representatives of a clan somewhere in the Wild Continent.
As our eyes met, I decided to walk over to her and see if she was doing well. She had an expression on her face that I was not good at deciphering. When I was in arms length I stopped, and stood before her, much to the reptile people's concern. Their curiosity struck a strange conversation amongst themselves as if I was not there at all.
The one with a lizard like face, “Human?”
“No human, is elf.” The one with alligator scales tried to correct.
“Not strong, tastes of magic. Ooh, pretty robe! Strong magic person.” the one with a snake like face exclaimed, to which the other two stared at me and flicked their tongues to taste the air. The snake face person then said, “I want to bite.”
Seraphine-sii then stood between us and grabbed my hand, just as I was about to ask questions, I felt a sharp pain in the palm of my hand. I looked down at Seraphine-sii's face that was now clamped on my hand. Just as she released me, I got a new pop-up that came withwhen she bit me.
Skill Upgrade
Poison Resistance IV: Able to resist low quantities of mid level poisons
Normally it would be harder to level a skill, the higher it got, but it seems that the poison in her fangs are more potent than the poison in her blood. At least that is the assessment I got out of these last few exchanges, maybe I can get a more accurate hypothesis in more exchanges.
Seraphine-sii then looked into my eyes as she said, “You could've died the first time I gave you poison, had I wanted to give you more, but I want to make you stronger, you smell weak bodied. Usually those strong in magic, have weak bodies.”
I heard a sigh from the reptile people, “Weak bite.”
I took this time to look at her new purple robe that covered her body with the animal skins just underneath. I wonder if she will ever wear proper clothes, or if these were her preferred clothes. What kind of animals did those skins come from anyway? They don't look like anything that I have ever seen, maybe something indigenous to the Creation Plane.