Chapter 30
Class Evolution
It had been such a nice day, I had managed to put the fact that I was going to level again out of my mind. Don't get me wrong, having the System bend over backwards to buff you up for something looks great on paper. But having everything about you increase in power constantly makes it hard to function.
I don't mention it much, but a large amount of the processing power from the Intelligence the System kept shoving into my head was being used to just parse all the sensory data that kept trying to overwhelm my mind. That's not even mentioning how off balance the constantly improving physical stats made me feel.
Oh yeah, and I think I may have mentioned once or twice, but leveling hurts…. a lot.
So as soon as the System started pinging me, I started making an earnest attempt to recover my ability to curse in multiple languages. It didn't work by the way, trying to say a word in English, and then switching to Spanish and German to say roughly the same curse, came out as the same word.
Also, why did the damn thing cut off the good mood juice right when I needed it most?
Now feeling suitably grumpy, I pulled up my stat sheet to see exactly where the system had decided to spend my free stats.
Name Angel
Race : Spirit Beast
Level : 46
Class : Adventurer (Wild Mage)
Str 65 Con 70
Agi 60 Dex 40
Int 167 Wis 160
Per 135 Cha 40
Okay it put 10 in Constitution, and 5 in strength. After what I'd put myself through with the wolf, that was probably a fair assessment.
I wanted to sit and think about where my next set of points should go, but I only really had time to notice that my Charisma and Dexterity were only ten points each from hitting the next milestone. The System was getting very insistent, the pinging in my head was starting to feel more like a gong.
I couldn't help but give it my attention.
Congratulations
For taking extreme and novel actions in accordance with your class, you have been rewarded by:
Level up × 12
Significant Event Detected
Enhancement Delayed
Analyzing…
First Milestone Level Surpassed!
Contracted Soul Detected
First Time Protocols Initiated
Congratulations on taking your first steps in your new life.
A thorough analysis of your history of thoughts, behavior, and adherence to the contract will commence shortly.
You will experience a period of separation from your host body.
Partial awareness must be maintained.
System will implement emotional blocker to prevent adverse reactions.
The System will use this analysis to enact changes and rewards to further the goals of the contract.
I renewed my efforts to curse as creatively as possible, with feeling. This did not sound like it was going to be pleasant. I wondered why the hell no one warned me about there being milestone LEVELS as well as attribute milestones. But I guessed that was just common knowledge.
Analysis and redirection is undertaken once per milestone, the next milestone will occur at level 250.
Beginning Process
I felt myself become unmoored from my physical body mid-expletive. The emotions fueling my dread disappeared completely. I was placed into the position of calm observer while the System did its thing.
The System's true power was unveiled to me, as it pulled my soul into the void. I felt it use its existing connections to me through my contract, and the agreements I'd made to flow through the whole of my being. I watched as every second of my life as Angel, every action, emotion, and thought conscious or subconscious was brought forward, observed and categorized by the System.
During the analysis I felt the System dig its hooks deeper into my being.
I watched the whole thing happen, I couldn't resist, and I had no desire to.
I felt the analysis complete, the System did not withdraw.
Analysis Complete
Contractor's compliance with stated goals of contract deemed sufficient for reward.
I felt something warm flow into me from the System. The warm energy fused with the whole of me, making me somehow ever so slightly more real, more there, just… more . Which was an idea that hardly made sense to me at the time.
I was not given information on exactly what the warmth was, but I knew I wanted more of it. Even cut off from my emotions, I felt pure greed for more of that energy. At that moment there was no price I would not pay for more of it.
But the System seemed to be done with that kind of reward for now. It sent me a mental impression that more and better work on contracts meant more of that lovely warm energy.
This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.
The System moved on.
Multiple unanticipated reactions between species, class, and Boons Detected.
Notice to include Assume Form in class directives detected.
Lack of skill in directing external mana detected.
Reliance on merging with elemental concepts detected.
Directing Class Evolution.
Requesting approval of experimental class combination…
Administrative approval received…
Command to create readable logs for periodic review received.
Class: Wild Mage will be lost.
A New class will be created.
Attempting to integrate existing boons, species, and class abilities into a singular path.
Class: Bestial Mana Shifter has been created.
New class will rely upon consumption of local mana.
Multiple elemental mana cores will be created for the basic elemental mana types.
Additional elemental mana cores will be created when new mana types are consumed.
Bestial Mana Shifter may designate any existing core as their primary core.
Existing pure mana core will be designated as default.
All mana consumed that does not match currently selected primary core will be stripped of Concept using mana beast species mana consumption method and infused with concepts matching currently selected primary core.
While the current primary core is full, mana will not be stripped of Concept, it will be routed to matching non-primary cores until full. Some energy will be lost.
Cores size will be dependant on affinity.
Existing mana pathways will be altered, extended, and rerouted so that mana circulation will result in saturation of physical form with concepts and energy contained in the current primary mana core.
Assume Form will be enhanced.
New ability Elemental Form will be added, utilizing existing capabilities of Assume Form.
Elemental Form : automatically shifts physical form to embody elemental concepts contained once saturation passes the 50% threshold. Returns Bestial Mana Shifter to initial form once saturation drops below 10%
Assume Form will now affect soul bound items in contact with Bestial Mana Shifter at the time of change. They will be preserved from damage by elemental mana concepts that the user is channeling, and will change shape as needed to become appropriate for assumed form.
Internal Life Mana crystals have been noted. Internal crystallized mana will be expanded to include all elements that have been consumed. Crystals will exist independent of assumed form. Crystals will be inert unless called upon intentionally. Crystals may be expended for use in short range mana manipulation. Crystals will slowly reform as mana is consumed.
Aura of the Apex has been altered to create the new ability Elemental Aura.
Elemental Aura : Core Mana may be spent to saturate surroundings with selected concepts associated with core element. Aura will automatically attempt to replace concepts of all existing mana in the area, with the exception of mana contained in items, to increase density. Maximum Aura range is (level+int+wis)×0.1 feet. Modulating mana output can decrease Aura distance, and increase Aura density.
Mana Sense upgraded to allow for awareness and consumption of both pure mana, and more complex elemental mana concepts.
Wild Mage class directives will be removed.
Bestial Mana Shifter class directives will be established and applied.
Grafted instincts updated.
Attribute Distribution upon level up will be altered and improved as follows.
4 Str
5 Con
4 Agi
3 Dex
2 Int
1 Wis
1 Per
5 free stats
No other changes are deemed necessary at this time
Soul Linked Companion detected.
Companion Offered Special Trait:
Synchronized Elemental Shift, as their level 50 trait, companion accepted the offer.
Synchronized Elemental Shift will cause your companion to shift their form when you choose a primary core, causing them to embody the inherent concepts of the chosen element.
Class Evolution Complete
Achievement Based Rewards Will Be Distributed
You have performed actions of note.
For ending the life of a monster over twice your level that was corrupted by concepts directly opposed to you :
+10% effectiveness of attribute: Constitution
+10% effectiveness of willpower (int + wis) when opposing infiltration by elemental mana.
For non-lethally capturing 3 criminals and turning them in to human law enforcement
+3 Charisma
For defying conflicting instincts to peacefully work towards contract goals:
+10 Charisma
For providing aid to a fellow contractor's goals:
+1 Class Level
For successful completion of your first Adventurer mission:
+1 Class Level
For recklessly engaging in combat with a creature over twice your level and defeating it without requesting the creature's level information from the System:
New passive ability: Automated Inspection.
Automated Inspection: System will utilize existing Danger Sense to automatically and undetectably fetch the level of hostile entities in line of sight. Automated Inspection will make it clear which entity the information pertains to.
End of Rewards
Simulations of outlined changes deemed too time consuming and distressing using normal enhancement methods.
Simulations indicate best results using method C-659
You will be placed back into your body shortly, upon placement, the System will create a shell of pure mana for your safety. You will sleep through the procedure. Protective shell will dissipate shortly after the conclusion of enhancement.
Please focus on the desired placement of free stats
I considered the System's request, I didn't know where to put my free stats with all the changes. I thought I might as well let the System choose. It knew how my new class would work better than me right now.
Choice acknowledged.
Beginning Procedure.
I was placed back in my body, and immediately felt myself falling into a deep sleep.