There was a moment of blackness, where Jem could sense, see and feel nothing but the beat of his heart in his chest, and then he was out of the dungeon.
Jem felt pressure, but it felt nothing like Haywood’s description. Something flowed into him, warm and cosy, but far too much of a good thing. “Haywood I don’t feel too good.”
“Oh good, you didn’t immediately collapse.”
There was no comfort to be found in Haywood’s words.
Nothing special was happening in his stomach, instead, there were waves of hot and cold pulsing through his body. Haywood tapped Jem’s arm and they blipped. They stood just inside the treeline and a couple of the guards turned in their direction when they arrived.
Haywood stepped forward. This time he didn’t fumble while looking for the badge, whether he remembered where it was or if he’d Haywood had prepared in advance, Jem wasn't sure. All he knew was the consuming pressure building inside his skin.
The guards saw the badge and let them both pass. It felt like both an instant and an eternity. Haywood tapped Jem again and they were away.
Like a valve had closed the pressure stopped building. Instead, Jem felt a lurch in his stomach as what felt like a whirlpool tried to suck him in. Jem reentered [Meditation] and focused on his breath.
A few more teleportation blips pulsed through his body and he felt someone lay him down. Jem opened his eyes to a room cast in a blue light. Haywood’s office.
Jem relaxed and allowed his mind to be sucked into the whirlpool.
*Ding* Select Your Starting Class Time Remaining: 145 minutes
Haywood had told him that class selection was special and it would look different for everyone. Jem wondered what it said about him that his classes seemed to be represented by sweets in a claw machine.
Fortunately, he didn’t actually need to pick them all up. Jem banished all of the classes below B grade, there was no way he’d gone through that whole dungeon just to get one without a modifier. Every sweet with a black and grey wrapper disappeared along with all those belonging to a shade of green or blue.
The majority left were violet. Alongside two purples, two burgundies and one dark red.
Jem sent out the claw and picked up the first sweet with a violet wrapper. He dropped it into his waiting hand and a system message appeared.
[Preternatural Dungeoneer (B)
You may have only seen one but the moment you did you entered. You personally killed every single monster in your first dungeon. You were under-levelled for your first dungeon. You were level 0 for your first dungeon. You killed the boss of your first dungeon. The boss of your first dungeon was a special variant.
Become the Preternatural Dungeoneer (B) You may have some weaknesses but you have one immense strength. While in dungeons you are far stronger, you will never be trapped inside a dungeon, you will never die of hunger or thirst while in a dungeon. While in a dungeon you instinctively understand the dangers you face. Dungeons feel like home.
All stats: +1
Free Allocation: +4
Jem could see the value in it if he intended to spend a lot of time in dungeons, but he’d already turned down the dungeon stat boost, and he didn’t plan to spend all his time in one. Jem grabbed the next violet sweet.
[Cloven Bane of the Forest (B)] You have felled hundreds of trees. Living, dead, sentient? It matters not to you. You may be a Satyr but you come from a world of living metal and a forest is no holy thing to you. The first creature you killed was of the forest.
Become the Cloven Bane of the Forest (B) others may not think it but the creatures of the forest know. When they sense your presence will skulk, scurry and flee, praying to escape your notice. Those that can’t will freeze, as is only right before your might. They can only hope for your mercy. Some fear the forest, but what of that which the forest fears? Beware the Cloven Bane of the Forest.
Vitality: +2
Wisdom: +1
Toughness: +1
Strength: +1
Dexterity: +2
Free Allocation: +2
Not getting an evil satyr class. Next.
[Juggernaut (B)] You know what it means to suffer. You have been cut, torn, burned, shredded and broken yet you’re still alive. Even when faced with innumerable enemies far stronger than yourself you did not falter.
Become the Juggernaut (B) take the beating others cannot endure and come out stronger on the other side. Bolster your allies as they look to you for strength. Your presence is comforting to those around you.
Vitality: +3
Toughness: +3
Strength: +2
Free Allocation: +1
The class sounded like it was designed for a battlefield and Jem had no intention of fighting in a war.
[Lifewell (B)] Your body and mind have experienced much hardship. You have been hurt by many, family included. Your mind has been brought to the brink of breaking and it may not be perfect but you are on the mend. Your body has been cut, burnt, electrocuted, carved into and its bones have been broken and yet all has healed.
Become the Lifewell (B) Heal and mend, that is what your life has been and it is what you shall continue to do. Look to the bright side of things. Nothing can put you down for long, neither physical nor mental. Push your healing out to others and heal them too. Who needs therapy when you can magically heal the mind anyway?
Vitality: +1
Wisdom: +2
Toughness: +1
Intelligence: +2
Free Allocation: +2
He couldn’t say he liked the idea of being hurt very much, but healing others and making them feel better definitely did sound appealing. Jem put it to the side, it would go on his long list for now. there were still plenty more to go through.
[Bladedancer (B)] You have been known to dance. Your soul knows the blade in and out, to cut and to be cut. To feint, parry, dodge and strike. You have felled forests with your blade. You have defeated creatures far above your level with the blade.
Become the Bladedancer(B) Fight like a demon and move like a dancer. Don’t allow yourself to be held down, cut through that which opposes you and look damn good while doing it.
Vitality: +1
Strength: +2
Dexterity: +4
Free Allocation: +2
It was appealing. And sounded cool. Longlist.
[Harbinger of Hedonism (B)]
Should you arrive the revelry will soon begin. LSD, ecstasy, weed and cocaine, you have always addled the brain. Drugs are abound when Jem is around for the Harbinger of Hedonism has been crowned. Monarchs of the fae have crowned you and asked for your name, but you have given none. They can only know you by what you leave in your wake.
Become the Harbinger of Hedonism (B) None shall know your name, but your passage will always leave a lasting impression. Where you go revelry will surely follow, drink with them and forget but move ever onwards.
Vitality: +4
Free Allocation: +3
Sure I like parties, but that sounds super lonely, and what would that class even do? Would I become a party planner or something? Next. Also the stats?
Jem moved on to the first of the purple sweets.
[Divine Fist of Judgement (A)] You were summoned from your world by a god. You had a divine ritual cast on you. You trained your body for years before even coming to this world. You’ve lived countless lifetimes in a ritual of the fae.
Become the Divine Fist of Judgement(A) Take power leant to you by your God and mete out righteous punishment. Take the experience from your past lives and add it to your martial prowess. Become a vessel for divine power.
All stats: +2
Being a divine fist sounded cool? But the other stuff didn’t sound so great. Jem had already met a lot of people who thought themselves righteous and had done many things in the name of what they thought was right. Much of what they did was not good. Jem had no intention of taking judgement into his own hands, let alone into the hands of an unknown god. I am not becoming a vessel. Next.
[The Black Spot(A)]
You bear a mark. You have stepped through dimensions. You have lived many lives and travelled afar. In some, you were virtuous and in others less so. You’ve done dark deeds and some would say you’ve been marked for death. Teleportations to random destinations tend to have that effect.
Become The Black Spot(A) the magic of the mark will wane and infuse your body. Others will find it harder to cast spells or use skills on you for you are the elusive black spot.
All stats: +1
Wisdom: +3
Intelligence: +3
Okay. That’s not exactly the news I was hoping for. On the other hand, I know what it does now. Jem reread the message. Teleportations to random destinations were not something he wanted in his life and it sounded like the class might help with that. The being less susceptible to skills sounded potentially useful, but also incredibly annoying, if Haywood’s haste spell hadn’t worked Jem would have been dead. Jem put it on the longlist and then tentatively moved it to the shortlist.
Jem moved on to the first of the burgundy sweets.
[Fleet Foot of the Fae (S)]
You are a Satyr a being of hedonic excess, and you know your way around a party but that is not all you are. You’ve partied, drunk, danced and revelled; with mortal and fae alike. You have passed through dimensions and you have spoken to emperors, queens, kings, empresses, scholars, knights and priests.
On the surface, you may seem shallow, but there are hidden depths.
Become the Fleet Foot of the Fae (S) and be as free as the wind. You are welcomed wherever you go, but you rarely stay long. You will find yourself treading paths unseen, drawn to where you are needed. Be yourself, a force for good, unchained, unburdened and free.
Transcend boundaries and tread where you please for nowhere is out of your reach.
Wisdom: +2
Dexterity: +4
Free Allocation: +8
There were minus points for mentioning his Satyr status, but the class actually sounded very cool. It also sounded like it might have a bit of a solution to the random teleportation issue. On the other hand, if random teleportation meant teleportation to absolutely anywhere Jem wasn’t sure how much it would help with the void of space. Jem decided it was shortlist material.
[Immortal Lord of the Dance (S)]
You have always danced and your steps never falter. Even when you lost your feet and found yourself somewhere new you never stopped moving. You even took a skill to embrace your dedication to stability in motion. In glade and glen and the fairy’s den, you danced your heart from your chest but never died. You have spent more life than you have lived in the dance.
Become the Immortal Lord of the Dance (S) For as long as you dance you shall live. Do not pause for rest during the dance for magic sustains you. Your steps elude all beyond your chosen partner, whether by spell, blade, bow or skill you cannot be brought low during the dance. Dance with impunity. Time flows crooked, you will age backwards during the dance, though no younger than your prime.
May you and your chosen partners dance the aeons away.
All stats:+1
Dexterity:+6
Free Allocation:+2
The class was also cool, it came with built-in immortality and seemingly he wouldn’t be hurt by anything while doing it? Can’t be targeted by spells or skills? Presumably, the mark was one of those things? The class had a lot of things going for it, he also loved dancing so that was a perk. Jem added it to the shortlist.
Jem eyed red sweet, directed the claw and brought it to his hand.
[The Lost Child(S*)]
Where is home? Manyfold your home is lost and gone. You are the descendant of a changeling. Your parents threw you out because you were not who they wanted you to be. Born on earth and thrown into the void, your homes have been ripped away one by one. You have walked countless paths. Marked by a god. Reborn by the fae. A student. A dancer. A fighter. Magic and blade have scarred your flesh and it has been healed anew. You know billions of languages and yet you know not your true name.
Become The Lost Child (S*) You have been many things. Possibly even them all. You are a wanderer without a home. A fighter without a blade, a mage without a spell, a dancer without feet. Never stay the same. Adapt and change. Become what you need to be to survive. Grow and thrive. Your potential is limitless, nothing will be out of reach for long. If you don’t have a blade now, there’s nothing to stop you from picking one up.
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Alcohol turns to water at your lips. It’s not good for children(or adults but shhh we won’t tell them if you don’t).
All stats: +2
Free Allocation: +4
Okay. It’s not the coolest sounding and no drinking. That’s not cool. At least alcohol will taste better? And it would probably be good for me? My drinking habits were a bit… Okay, so the class has merits. If limitless potential meant truly limitless potential it was an amazing class. It was also the highest rank which meant more, or potentially better modifiers. Jem put it on the shortlist.
Jem looked at his longlist pile.
There were just two sweets. [Bladedancer (B) and [Lifewell (B). They were both cool and Jem liked the sound of both of them. If all the other options weren't better for one reason or another he might have opted for them. He moved the two sweets to the discard pile.
Then Jem looked at his shortlist. There were four sweets: one purple, two burgundy and one red. [The Black Spot(A)], [The Immortal Lord of the Dance(S)], [Fleet Foot of the Fae(S) and [The Lost Child(S*)].
The one that sounded the least interesting to Jem was [The Black Spot], though he had to admit it had some merits, it seemed the most likely to deal with the mark before it decided to teleport him somewhere awful. The ability to elude or nullify spells that were aimed at him also sounded useful. The problem was it wasn’t clear whether he’d have control over that.
Something that Haywood said came back to him. He’d said that it was often possible to get stronger versions of the same class when it came time to pick a full class. If that were true it would probably be a wise choice to wait until then and pick the improved version of the class. He’d also said that it was important to choose a class that it would be possible to level.
Jem moved on to the next class. [The Immortal Lord of the Dance] It sounded very cool, it looked very cool, there was dancing, it made him immortal. It possibly dealt with the issue of the mark, but that wasn’t certain. If he wanted to pick a class to deal with the mark he should probably be more sure that it would fix the problem. He also had no idea how he would level a class focused on dancing. There must be a way but from what he could tell the only way to level a class was global experience, and that required completing a quest or killing monsters. If he continued stealing swords from Haywood that would be fine, but it didn’t seem like an easy class to level.
[Fleet Foot of the Fae] also sounded cool but it ran into many of the same problems. If he really wanted to he could pick it up at a later point when he picked a main class. That way it would be possible to level.
Jem turned his attention to the solitary red sweet. [The Lost Child]. It was the highest rank class available. It was all about growth so it was almost certainly going to be able to level easily, for that reason if he needed to rush to unlock his first real class it probably wouldn’t be an issue. Limitless potential sounded nice.
Jem sighed there wasn’t really any contest. The only class without any real drawbacks was [The Lost Child] it was an S* rank class, the highest one there. He might not be able to drink alcohol anymore but in truth that was only annoying. The only other one truly worth risking was [The Black Spot] and that was only because it supplied a solution to a potentially big problem, and that assumed the flavour text was accurate.
If there were inaccuracies in the flavour text, surely going for the highest-rank class was the best choice.
Jem twisted off the wrapping paper and popped the sweet in his mouth. It dissolved immediately, but the taste lingered. It cycled through a few different flavours: chocolate; toffee; and strawberries and cream before dissipating. It was weird but good.
*Ding* You have selected the class [The Lost Child S*] (All stats: +2 Free Allocation: +4 per level)
*Ding* Select your class modifiers. Time remaining: 113 minutes
Ok, half an hour for the first bit, not too bad.
The space changed around him. It seemed that selecting class modifiers would be far easier than selecting classes.
A mouse and keyboard appeared in front of him and the claw machine had been replaced by a large screen.
In the centre, there was a large list of options for what must have been class modifiers, but it wasn’t alone on the screen. In the top right, there was a cart icon, where presumably Jem would finalise his decisions, and on the left of the screen there were a number of options which must have described categories.
At the very top of the screen there was a button that said [Change Class Choice 40,000,000 exp] Jem had no intention of using it, but it was nice that the option was there. Just below it, there was a search bar and a dropdown sort-by box.
Jem clicked on it and saw the options: cost(exp) ascending, cost(exp) descending, alphabetical and rating.
Interested, Jem clicked on rating and the page refreshed. Every single modifier was set to 5 stars. Jem scrolled down and jumped to the last page. It was the same. When he saw it in the drop-down he’d wondered how they got the data but it seemed to be a practical joke. The system, his brain or whatever had created the room was playing a trick on him.
Jem had no intention of looking at the alphabetical list.
He set it to cost ascending to get an impression of what the cheapest modifiers cost. The lowest price was 200, the second jumped to 500, then the third jumped to 900 and the fourth was set at 1200.
Jem clicked on them to get a closer look.
Confetti 200 - when you use a skill illusory confetti will rain down on your head.
Hide from Identify 500 - your levels will show up but your class name will not. (better versions available)
Skill slot 900 - gain one additional general skill slot each time one is unlocked. (better versions available)
Class Skill Descriptions 1200 - enable class skill descriptions. (better versions available)
The modifiers looked interesting enough but he’d investigate further later. He didn’t have to choose just one modifier, if the class rank trend followed he’d be able to select four.
Jem swapped to descending.
The top result was 100,000,000. the second 60,000,000, the third 40,000,000 and the fourth 30,000,000.
Jem clicked them in order.
Class skill 100,000,000 - turn this class into a general skill and select a second starting class.
Figures
Class design 60,000,000 - control the manifestation of your class, the skills you get and the stat allocation.
Uncapped 40,000,000 - exp gain for this class will be reduced by 25%(after all other considerations), and this class will be unaffected by the starting class level cap.
Speedy growth 30,000,000 - exp gain for this class is increased by 50% and class skill levelling speed is increased by 10%
Jem really liked the look of Uncapped, it probably went against Haywood’s encouragement to find something that would level quickly but it looked like the best option for the long term. Before he could second guess his decision Jem added it to the cart, studiously ignoring Speedy Growth. Though if he could’ve afforded it Jem would have gone for Class Skill.
Jem clicked on the basket icon in the top right and the page changed again.
At the top of the screen, there was a large button that said Confirm Selection. And just underneath it, there was a small line of text. It read: Note: all unused experience is discarded.
Jem had expected as much.
On the right-hand side of the screen, there were three lines of text:
Exp Available:49,234,834 (Unallocated:9,234,834)
Exp allocated: 40,000,000
Modifiers: 1/4
The only other thing on the screen was Uncapped and its description.
Jem checked his [Time remaining: 109 minutes]
With plenty of time, remaining Jem went back to searching.
In the end, settled on:
+4 Stats(R) 5,950,000 - gain an additional +4 stats per class level. Randomly allocated.
Jem could have gone for a non-random version of the modifier with +3 per level for 8.250,000 but over time he felt the bonus stat would be more valuable.
Enhance Class Skill 2,300,000 - You will gain 3 skills upon final completion of class selection. Choose one to enhance. Then there was a drop-down box.
Alcohol Immunity(passive): enhancement - the ability to toggle skill.
Poison Resistance(passive): enhancement - poisons cannot kill you.
Emulate: enhancement - over time the [Skills] you [Emulate] become class skills(subject to (level/20)+3) skill cap)
Assuming that the modifier was accurate the synergy between Uncapped and Enhance Class Skill would be incredible in the long term. It just required time. Time he hoped he had.
Expert Skill Descriptions 800,000 - provides a detailed breakdown of all of your skills.
Jem had no idea of the specifics of his skills despite having [Analyse Skill] and always having a description for his skills available that he knew he could trust felt worthwhile.
Jem added all three modifiers to the basket and the readout on the right changed to.
Exp Available:49,234,834 (Unallocated:184,834)
Exp allocated: 49,050,000
Modifiers: 4/4
Jem took one last look at his selection
Uncapped
+4 Stats(R)
Enhance Class Skill: Emulate
Expert Skill Descriptions
And pressed Confirm Selection.
*Ding* Are you sure you wish to confirm your selection: Uncapped, +4 Stats(R), Enhance Class Skill: Emulate and Expert Skill Descriptions? 184,834 experience will be discarded. Y/N?
Jem selected yes and the world went black.
*Ding* You have gained the Starting Class [The Lost Child S*]
Modifiers:
[Uncapped]
[+4 Stats(R)]
[Enhance Class Skill: Emulate]
[Expert Skill Descriptions]
Stats Per Level:
All Stats +2
Free Allocation: +4
Stats(R) +4
*Ding* You have unlocked the class skill [Alcohol Immunity(passive)(locked)].
*Ding* You have unlocked the class skill [Poison Resistance(passive)].
*Ding* You have unlocked the class skill [Emulate(enhanced)(locked)].
Jem waited in the void.
While he did he went over his new Status.
Name: James Baker
True Name:
Age: 21
Classes:
Starting Class: [The Lost Child S*]
Lvl: 0
Modifiers:
[Uncapped]
[+4 Stats(R)]
[Enhance Class Skill: Emulate]
[Expert Skill Descriptions]
Stats Per Level:
All Stats +2
Free Allocation: +4
Stats(R) +4
Class Skills
[Alcohol Immunity(passive)(locked)].
[Poison Resistance(passive)].
[Emulate(enhanced)(locked)].
Further Information Locked
Stats:
Vitality: 10 (+7.5%)
Wisdom: 10 (+7.5%)
Toughness: 6 (+7.5%)
Intelligence: 9 (+7.5%)
Strength: 7 (+7.5%)
Dexterity: 14 (+7.5%)
Achievements: Hidden
Notification Log: Hidden
General Skills:
Identify (E) Lvl 3
Altered Presence (passive) (B) Lvl 1
Damage Smamage (A) Lvl 0
Stable Hoofing (C) Lvl 1
Self Aware (D) Lvl 3
Flame Retardant (passive) (C) Lvl 6
Lighting Resistance (passive) (C) Lvl 5
Mind over Matter (D) Lvl 5
Meditation (D) Lvl 6
Clear of Mind (D) Lvl 5
Unflinching (D) Lvl 1
Analyse Skill (D) Lvl 0
– – – – – –
System Presence: 1000
Tongue and Tooth of Faith and Fae
– – – – – – – – – – – – –
Skill Descriptions:
Class:
Alcohol Immunity(locked): No longer able to feel the effects of alcohol. Immune to alcohol poisoning and related damage from alcohol consumption.
Higher levels of the skill may impart similar effects to other mind-altering substances.
Poison Resistance: poisons deal reduced damage and leave fewer long-term effects
Increased levels further reduce damage taken.
Emulate(enhanced): With an intimate understanding of a skill you can emulate its effects. This works best if you can see the skill in action. The emulated version is weaker than the original. Enhancement: becoming sufficiently familiar with an emulation allows you to obtain the original class skill. (starts at level 0)
Higher levels improve the power of emulated skills. Increases learning speed and reduces the requirements for initial emulation.
General:
Identify: Can be used on living beings. If used on a person it searches for the highest level class and its level. If used on a monster or beast it displays the species name(or special title) and level. Displays question marks if you are too far below target level, or if they have an obscuration skill. ?= lvl between 0-9 ??=10-99 ???=100-999 etc
To see the level of the creature the following must be true
((Sum of all class levels/n)+identify levelxn) > creature’s level
n= classes-1, where classes>1, else n=1
Altered Presence(variant)(locked): A high-rank skill that alters the perception of others. Unless they know the target well, they are more likely to assume the target is younger than they are.
Damage Smamage- Once every 10 days if dealt a wound that would be fatal if left untreated for an hour gain 1+ stat applied to the lowest stat
Stable Hoofing Makes your footing more stable.
Self Aware - grants awareness of ailments and ongoing effects. Especially those not commonly found on the status sheet.
Flame Retardant - more resistant to catching fire, reduced damage from fire and fire magic
Lighting Resistance - reduced damage from lightning and lighting magic
Mind over Matter - increased ability to focus in adverse conditions, can reduce perception of pain
Meditation - clears the mind, increased health and Kol regeneration during meditation
Clear of Mind - ability to clear the mind quickly and improved ability to focus
Unflinching- reduces involuntary reactions to pain
Analyse Skill - can be used to analyse your own skills or the skills of others higher levels result in more accurate and detailed results
Key(known information):
(locked): A skill that cannot be dismissed through typical methods.
(passive): A skill that acts entirely without user input.
Tongue and Tooth of Faith and Fae: A ritual cast by The Empress of ##### and The High Priestess of #####. It turned Jem into a Satyr after activating his lost heritage. It gave him the gift of language. It gave him experiences that count for the purpose of picking classes. Involved divine and fae magic. Altered his soul. Sometimes grants insight into intent.
[Uncapped]: A class modifier that reduces experience gain for The Lost Child S* by 25% while also removing the maximum starting class level cap.
[+4 Stats(R)]: A class modifier (for The Lost Child S*) that grants +4 stats per level randomly applied.
[Enhance Class Skill: Emulate]: A class modifier that enhanced the class skill Emulate. See skill description.
[Expert Skill Descriptions]: Grants improved skill descriptions.