“Absolutely not.”
The woman behind the counter of the slayer’s guild had started out sympathetic, but her patience had deteriorated at Dyani’s persistence.
“But if you just let me take the test-”
“But nothing,” the receptionist interrupted, “Having you take the exams would not only be a waste of everyone’s time, but of mana and other magical resources. And what’s more, the practical exam involves a significant degree of danger, which you are not equipped to handle.”
“She’s the best with the sword in our class,” Daggan said. That wasn’t technically true. It had been, up until he’d awakened his talent.
* Name: Daggan *Surname Not Found*
* Level: 1.0
* Experience: 0%
* Attributes:
* Mana Capacity: 0
* Mana Regeneration: 0
* Magic Power: 0
* Strength: 0
* Speed: 0
* Endurance: 0
* Vitality: 0
* Mind: 0
* Toughness: 0
* Perception: 0
* Talents:
1. The stamina costs of blade affinity skills are reduced by 25%. Your level of proficiency with blades never decreases.
* Talent Skills:
* None
* Skill Slots:
* Empty
Much like Dyani’s level 1 talent, the first part sounded much better than the second. A 25% decrease in the stamina cost of using a type of skill, especially one as common and useful in combat as blade skills was a terrific talent all on its own. And unlike similar talents, it wasn’t limited to a single type of weapon, like a broadsword or dagger, it could apply to any blade.
Compared to the cost reduction, Daggan never losing his level of blade proficiency was a side note. Dyani, Veraine, and Nodin had assumed it might help when he got older and issues like a fading memory and weakened body became an issue, but Daggan’s renewed excitement for combat training had revealed a much more potent effect.
Upon experimentation, Daggan found that once he managed to perform a combat technique, he could repeat it with that exact form effortlessly. And everytime he managed to perform the technique even the slightest bit better, that became his new minimum level of proficiency.
In a couple days, Daggan had gone from a passable swordsman to surpassing someone who’d been frantically training her forms every day, every night, missing sleep in a desperate attempt at combat perfection.
Dyani could admit that she was the slightest bit jealous.
As for her other friends' talents…they were similarly impressive, if less personally appealing to her.
Nodin was bouncing around the room even faster than normal, fluttering papers and drawing occasional dirty looks from those still waiting in line. Her guess about his talent had been right on the money.
* Name: Nodin *Surname Not Found*
* Level: 1.0
* Experience: 0%
* Attributes:
* Mana Capacity: 0
* Mana Regeneration: 0
* Magic Power: 0
* Strength: 0
* Speed: 0
* Endurance: 0
* Vitality: 0
* Mind: 0
* Toughness: 0
* Perception: 0
* Talents:
1. You may fuel mobility-type skills with any combination of mana or stamina. Gain Skill: Fleet Foot. This skill occupies your level 1 skill slot.
* Talent Skills:
* Fleet Foot (Unique)
* Type: Mobility
* Affinity: Force, Mental
* Range: Self
* Cost: Variable Stamina or Mana
* Effect: Increases physical speed. Increases mental speed to a lesser degree.
* Skill Slots:
* Occupied by Talent Skill: Fleet Foot.
A speed increasing skill that could affect both the mind and body was amazing, so receiving one at level 1 was a solidly impressive talent, if not as unique as Daggan’s proficiency based talent.
As for Veraine, her steady presence at Dyani’s back was a comfort, which fit well with the talent she had received.
* Name: Veraine Brightflower
* Level: 1.0
* Experience: 0%
* Attributes:
* Mana Capacity: 0
* Mana Regeneration: 0
* Magic Power: 0
* Strength: 0
* Speed: 0
* Endurance: 0
* Vitality: 0
* Mind: 0
* Toughness: 0
* Perception: 0
* Talents:
1. Your healing skills have a 25% increased effect and 25% reduced cost.
* Talent Skills:
* None
* Skill Slots:
* Lesser Rejuvenating Touch (Rare)
* Type: Healing
* Affinity: Life
* Range: Touch
* Cost: Moderate Mana
* Effect: Grants the target a low-level, regenerative effect with a short duration. Cannot target self.
After seeing her talent, her parents had purchased her an entire set of healing skills. Any healing skills that were practical for a level 1 individual had serious limitations, in this case the fact that she needed to touch her target, and that the skill couldn’t target herself.
Her parent’s first suggestion had been an even more expensive skill, Lesser Health Reservoir.
* Lesser Health Reservoir (Rare)
* Type: Healing, Life
* Range: Self
* Cost: Gradually health drain while at maximum health. None upon activation.
* Effect: Provides a small pool of health that is filled by 50% of your health regeneration when your health is at its maximum. When activated, this health pool is deposited into your body’s primary health pool. The health reservoir must be full to activate, and any health that exceeds your maximum is lost. The size of this health reservoir is equal to 25% of your health pool.
Veraine had flatly refused. The more expensive skill would certainly increase her own survivability, but it would do nothing to help the other members of her prospective party. Her parents had been stubborn about it, as they understandably wanted their daughter to survive as a slayer, a job that had the highest casualty rate in the city, especially at the lower levels.
They had only relented when Veraine had promised to accept an even stronger skill to protect herself at level 2.
Dyani had listened to the story with a sympathetic look, but inside she’d been screaming. Her mother had baked her a cake for her awakening, a little thing only big enough for one, as sugar was too expensive to waste on anything bigger, not to mention the difficulty Nymin had with doing simple tasks because of her talent.
She’d been grateful, even if her heart was full of anger, fear, and confusion at her lackluster talent. It was a kind gesture, especially given the long hours Nymin worked.
It was thoughtful, kind, and touching, but it wasn’t a selection of high end skills.
It would cost half a year’s wages for her mother to buy a single, common skill, something like Iron Soles or Grease Touch. And while skills to increase the weight of your feet or release lubricating oil from your hands might be useful for a deep sea diver or someone who worked with machines, that wouldn’t be useful for a slayer.
After another few minutes of arguing, the receptionist slammed the book of procedures she’d been trying to explain and glared at each of the four friends in turn.
“Look, if you want to make a complaint, you can submit it over there.” She gestured to a wooden box on the wall with a slot in the top. Then she pointed to Nodin, Veraine, and Daggan. “And if you three want to take your exams, you can go through that door. But I cannot and will not send a level 1 child without a single skill, who cannot ever receive a single skill, out to get killed by the first monster to see a snack.”
“Even if I did, one of the first questions your examiner will ask is what your talent is, and you can bet they’ll send you right back here.”
Dyani’s cheeks grew hot and she avoided the annoyed and derisive looks she was getting from the slayers and prospective slayers in line behind her.
As for the pitying looks, she avoided those ever more.
“If Dyani can’t go, neither will we,” Nodin said, jogging back over to them at a more normal pace, which meant he was out of stamina and mana. It was a good thing he couldn’t use health for his speed skill, or he’d have drained himself dry.
Veraine and Daggan both surprised Dyani by nodding in agreement, both putting a hand on each of her shoulders.
“Not a problem,” the receptionist said.
“No!” Dyani shouted at the same time. The receptionist bit down a curse and took a deep, slow breath.
“Look, I get it. You got a bad hand, but who knows, maybe you’ll reach a high enough level that it won’t matter, or your next level talent will fix it. Either way, please take this conversation off to the side so I can help the many, many, people waiting behind you.”
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“Thank you,” Veraine said, “We’ll do that.” She pulled her friends to the side. Dyani didn’t want to leave, it felt like giving up, but she also wanted to escape the eyes of everyone in the room that were boring into her.
“Thank you, and best of luck,” the receptionist said, looking to the next person in line, a tower of a young man with thick-lensed glasses and a greatsword across his back.
Dyani heard something about monster kill confirmations before they were out of earshot.
“You can’t do this,” Dyani said to her friends, “You’ve been dreaming about being slayers for years.”
“We’ve been dreaming about becoming slayers,” Daggan said, “And honestly, you were the catalyst for most of that.”
Nodin nodded.
“It’s true,” Veraine added, “You know my parents are bureaucrats. They were planning on having me be the same, and I wasn’t planning on arguing until you started telling me all your dad’s stories.”
Dyani’s heart twinged at the mention of her father. He was her inspiration, and it was only fitting that such an impressive warrior had inspired her friends as well.
Dyani swallowed the growing knot in her throat. Part of her wanted to grab onto her friends and drag them down with her, but she firmly pushed the thought aside. She might not get the clean start as a legendary monster slayer she’d expected, but she couldn’t delay her friend’s lives while she found a solution to her useless talent.
“It doesn’t matter,” Dyani went into storytelling mode, “It doesn’t matter where the dream came from, each of you has the makings of an amazing slayer. Veraine, with your leadership skills, I’d be surprised if you weren’t a general or city lord by the time you’re 20. Nodin, you’re faster than anyone at our level has any right to be. No monster will be able to touch you, and the only time Veraine will need to heal you is when you run yourself into a wall. And Daggan-”
Dyani swallowed. For some reason, seeing him leave her behind was the hardest.
“With your talent, you’ll be chopping the heads off hydras faster than they can grow back. They’ll probably give you one of those stupid names like the Silver Blade or the Reaper of Souls.”
Daggan laughed.
“I hope I can think of something better than that.”
“Doesn’t matter,” Dyani dismissed, “Mythical warriors never chose their own name, some old mage on a mountain with a beard down to his knees will give it to you.” Now everyone laughed, and even if it didn’t break all the tension, it helped.
“You know, we’ll follow you out of here,” Veraine said, her crystal blue eyes piercing into Dyani’s insecurities, “All you have to do is ask.”
The decision was harder than it had any right to be.
“You should go. With all the applicants from the awakening, I’m sure you can fill my spot in the team.”
Nodin gasped like she’d insulted her own mother.
“Don’t say that.” He zipped over, hitting her like a warhammer and wrapping her up in a hug. “We could never replace you.”
Daggan dragged Veraine over and the two of them joined the hug.
“Oof,” Veraine said as her ribs were crushed, “Yeah-what he said. Official slayer teams only require 3 members at our level. We’ll have a slot open when you awaken your level 2 talent and turn into a killing machine.”
Dyani sighed at the pleasant thought, imagining blasting a tentacle monster into bloody chunks.
“You see, I’ll be level 2 before you know it.”
The friends continued saying goodbyes until Dyani started to feel silly. It wasn’t like they were moving to a different city, just going to take an exam. Even if they passed, it would take weeks of training before they were allowed out of the city, and even longer before they were permitted to leave for more than a few hours at a time.
Fully licensed slayers were some of the few individuals that were legally allowed out of the city indefinitely, but they generally kept their excursions to a few days at most.
The three finally left through the door the receptionist indicated for their examination as Dyani waved.
As she walked home, the festive atmosphere bounced off her like she’d gotten a defensive talent. The same solar eclipse that had awakened her talent marked the start of a four day holiday. A similar event occurred four times a year.
Dyani ducked around a fried nut wrap stand that had popped up outside the door to her home and plastered on a smile. Her mother was floating by the stove, cursing softly as her hands passed through the handle of a pan. She turned as she heard the door close and gave a much more genuine smile.
“Hello acorn, could you take this off the heat, I’m having trouble.” Her mother waved her translucent hands to indicate her problem.
“Of course, momma.”
Dyani hurried over and took the cremated chunks of meat off the heat and turned the stove’s dial off.
It was one of the few nice things in the house, all of which had been purchased by her father when he was alive. But it was getting temperamental enough after years of use and cost too much to repair that even someone with a physical body would have trouble cooking with it.
“You know you don’t have to cook, I can take care of it when I get home.” Dyani knew her mother wanted to provide, but her mother’s limitations with moving physical objects made even the simplest tasks difficult.
Talent:
1. Your body is intangible and immune to all physical damage. You may expend mana to exert limited physical force. You do not naturally regenerate mana. Gain Skill: Wraith’s Hunger.
2. You have increased maneuverability and proprioception while in flight. Gain Skill: Wraith’s Flight.
Talent Skills:
* Wraith’s Hunger: Absorb mana from nearby creatures or objects or gradually absorb nearby ambient mana.
* Wraith’s Flight: Fly for a negligible mana cost while intangible.
Dyani had never heard her complain about the talent the goddess had given her, since it had led her to meeting Dyani’s father and giving birth to Dyani herself.
Most of Dyani’s dad's talents had been focused on the control of fire, but his level 8 talent allowed him to treat semi-tangible and gaseous substances as solid. The intended application, and the one that he had used most often before meeting her mother, was to create weapons of fire to wield in battle.
Dyani’s parents had met when her father bumped into her mother in the street, shocking her so much she flew back through a wall, surprising a family having dinner. Her father had insisted on taking her to dinner as an apology.
Her mother had told her the story of their first date so often it felt like she’d lived it. The owner of the restaurant had tried to kick her mother out, as often happened when someone saw her ghostly form, but her father had made such a fuss, even bringing out his slayer badge, that they’d backed off.
When he’d discovered that her mother’s talent prevented her from eating ordinary food, he just gave her a handful of notes to absorb.
That was the third strike in his favor. Even the men that could look past the fact that she was essentially a ghost balked at the fact that she literally ate money.
After the resounding success of a date, it was only a matter of time before they were married and Dyani was on her way. Luckily, Dyani had been as intangible as her mother during the pregnancy, only manifesting physically when born.
Her mom had done her best to be a traditional mother, and it had been easier when her father had been alive. He’d hired a nursemaid and a more traditional maid that came to clean the house once a week, as well as providing a steady supply of notes that came from looting monsters and fulfilling slayer contracts. The mana they contained had allowed her mom to use her ability to move physical objects as much as she wanted.
After he’d died, things had been different. Not only did they lack the money they needed, but they lost the tacit protection their relationship with a high level slayer provided. The prejudice against her mother’s condition, which made her superficially resemble some forms of monster, returned with full force.
But even after all that, Dyani wouldn’t trade her mother for anyone else. She wanted to support her as her mother had supported her all growing up, through the good times and bad, which was why Dyani hadn’t revealed the details of her talent to her. Her mother’s struggles with her own talent made Dyani’s look like a hand delivered gift from the goddess.
Yes, it might make it difficult or even impossible for her to follow her father’s footsteps, but it did nothing to prevent her from living a normal, happy life. But being normal and happy wasn’t enough to get her mom the money she needed to do more than eke out a half starved existence.
Dyani needed to get a job. She’d counted on the wealth that came from being a successful slayer, but she’d get a job shoveling poop if it meant she could help. And since she’d finished the city’s ‘mandatory’ education like her mother had insisted, she should be able to get a decent job.
“How did the exam go, acorn?” As she spoke, she enveloped Dyani in a light hug, even expending mana to make herself felt.
“It was fine, mom.” Dyani returned the hug the best she could, remembering the much more substantial hugs her mother could give her when she was younger. “I’m pretty tired though, I think I’ll go to bed.” She started to walk to her bedroom, but her mother floated into her path.
Even though her mom couldn’t physically block her, Dyani stopped.
“Oh no you don’t, not before you eat something. I know the squirrel’s burnt, but you can take anything from the cold box. I haven’t seen you eat more than a few bites since awakening.”
Dyani thought she managed to fully suppress her flinch, but her mother clearly noted it.
“And if there’s anything you want to talk about-”
“There’s not.” Dyani used the act of scraping the burnt squirrel meat onto a plate to hide her face.
“But if there was-”
“There isn’t.” Dyani pulled a sweet pepper sauce from the cold box and poured just enough onto the meat to make it halfway edible. She bought the sauce from a neighbor for a single chip, the smallest denomination of money, equal to one tenth of a level one note, but even that small expense encouraged her to be frugal when using it.
“Alright,” her mother said, floating forward until the table bisected her at the waist, “I’m just going to say it. A talent doesn’t define who you are. No matter what you’ve gotten, we can make it work.”
“We?” Dyani asked, voiced cold and sharp as an icicle, “It’s my talent, not yours.” She expected her mother to back down, but she pressed forward instead, preventing Dyani from eating by superimposing her intangible body over the plate.
“Yes, we,” her mother said heatedly, “We’re in this together, acorn. Did you think I’d just kick you out and leave you alone when you came of age and got your talent? Even if you got the power to make money out of nothing, I’d still be right there by your side. It might be your talent, but this is our family.”
“My talent’s fine, great even,” Dyani shouted, swiping a hand though her mother and tossing her plate of food onto the floor. She immediately felt guilty for wasting it, but used that feeling to feed the fires of her anger. “And I don’t need you to help me. What help could you even be?” That finally stopped her mother, a deep pain in her face, dousing Dyani’s anger like a bucket of ice water.
“I love you, acorn. I shouldn’t have pushed,” She floated back and clutched her hands together in front of herself. Before she fled to her own room she pointed to Dyani’s bedroom door, “Your birthday gift is on your bed.”
Dyani opened her mouth to apologize, to say anything, but there was a knot in her throat that made it hard to breathe, let alone speak.
It wasn’t until her mother phased into her own room that the words came out.
“I’m sorry, I just…,” She trailed off. Just what? Just terrible, just heartbreaking, just the worst thing she could possibly have imagined. Dyani had managed to keep her own spirit up until the lady at the Slayer’s Guild hadn’t even let her take their proficiency exam. Even after that, she’d kept a happy face on for her friends, but now she didn’t know what she was doing.
All the hate and the anger had burst out before she could stop it, at her mother who’d only been trying to help.
Dyani cleaned up the mess she made. Even if her mother had been able to clean it without expending an absurd amount of mana, she couldn’t just leave it there.
She further distracted herself with cleaning everything she could think off until darkness crept across the sky and the sounds of reveling outside quieted to an occasional drunken stumble or song.
Then she finally had to face the monster lurking in her home.
Dyani slowly pushed her door open as if expecting an attack, wincing at a small wicker box with a folded sheet of paper underneath.
She inched forward and stared down at the gift, debating on whether reading the note first or opening the box would be more painful. She finally decided that a heartfelt note from her mother would be more painful, given their fight and chose the less painful prospect of opening the box.
She was wrong.
Inside was a blue-gray shard of glass that was clearly once part of a sphere. Her hands trembled as she reached out to touch it, finding it comfortably warm, but she jerked back her hand as if she’d been burned.
Bracing herself, she unfolded the paper to find it was a print out from an identifier, a device similar to the analyzer that had given her the description of her own talent, but limited to identifying items from an internal database.
Below the description was a message from her mother in a shaky, messy scrawl.
* Skill Shard: Jump (Common)
* Type: Mobility
* Affinity: Force
* Range: Self
* Cost: Low Stamina
* Effect: Increases the power of an ordinary jump.
Happy Birthday little Acorn.
I always knew you’d reach amazing heights, I hope this helps you get there.
-Mom
Dyani had been wrong twice. Both the note and the gift had hurt more than she could imagine, compounding on each other like water on a grease fire.
She shoved both off the bed and curled up into a ball under her blanket. The tears on her pillow were dry by the times she finally fell asleep.