The journey to the hunter took them less than an hour. As they entered the barn, they found Ignatius sitting cross-legged on the ground, his eyes closed in meditation. Tirn was nowhere to be seen, probably still out on the hunt that Esme had sent him on earlier.
Esme turned to face Elara, her expression serious. "Now that you're joining us," she said, her voice firm but not unkind, "I need to know a few things about you."
Elara nodded, her heart racing slightly at the prospect of being questioned. She knew that Esme was just trying to assess her capabilities, but it still made her feel a bit nervous.
"Have you been in combat before?" Esme asked, her eyes searching her face for any sign of uncertainty. Elara hesitated, her mind racing as she considered how to answer her question. The warrior's gaze was intense, her eyes searching for any sign of uncertainty or deception.
"I've been in a few fights with beasts and monsters," she said, her voice tentative. She thought back to the battles she had faced, the moments of fear and adrenaline that had coursed through her veins. "But they weren't really fights, not in the traditional sense."
Esme raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "What do you mean?" she asked, her voice curious.
Elara shifted her weight from one foot to the other, trying to find the right words. "For most of them, I had a companion by my side," she explained, her voice growing slightly more confident. "They were a good ally, and together we were able to take on some pretty tough opponents."
She paused, her mind drifting to the battles they had fought together. The way Boogie had leapt into action, his flames scorching their enemies and giving her the opening she needed to strike. She misses them.
"And in the other fights," she continued, "I mostly just shot at them from a distance, keeping them at bay until I could get close enough for the final blow."
Esme nodded, her expression thoughtful. "So, you're more of a hit-and-run type of fighter," she said, her voice neutral.
Elara nodded, feeling a bit self-conscious under the warrior's scrutiny. "I guess you could say that," she said, her voice trailing off.
Esme was silent for a moment, her eyes still fixed on her face. "That's not necessarily a bad thing," she said finally, her voice firm. "It's a valid tactic, especially if you're outnumbered or outmatched. Fights do not need to be won alone or head on. Only idiots and dead people think like that."
Elara felt a sense of relief wash over her at her words. She had been worried that the warrior would judge her for her unconventional fighting style.
"But," Esme continued, her voice growing more serious, "in a dungeon, things can be different. You won't always have the luxury of keeping your distance or relying on hit-and-run tactics. You'll need to be prepared for close-quarters combat, and you'll need to be able to hold your own. At least until one of us can get to you."
Elara nodded, her heart racing as she absorbed her words. The prospect of close-quarters combat was daunting, but she knew that the warrior was right. She couldn't always rely on her usual tactics.
"Do you have a combat skill for your dagger?" Esme asked, her voice cutting through her thoughts.
Elara hesitated for a moment, her mind racing. She did have a skill for her dagger, but she wasn't sure if she should reveal the full extent of her abilities. Her eyes flicked to her system screen, where the grayed-out skill "Dagger Handling [Level:20]" stared back at her.
Despite knowing that her skill had reached its maximum level and even undergone a skill evolution, she hesitated to disclose this information to Esme. It might not be the best idea to tell her.
"Yes, I have Dagger Handling," she said.
Esme hummed, a hint of approval in her tone. "That's good," she said, nodding. "I hoped you would."
She felt a small surge of pride at Esme's words, but it was quickly overshadowed by the warrior's next question.
"Is it at a decent level?" Esme asked, her eyes searching her face.
She swallowed, her mouth suddenly dry. She knew that her skill was far beyond what Esme was likely expecting, but she didn't want to seem too skilled. It might raise too many questions.
"What would you consider a decent level?" she asked, her voice tentative.
Esme looked at her, her expression resigned. "Anything above 5 would make me very happy," she said, her voice flat.
Elara felt a wave of relief wash over her. If Esme was only expecting a level 5 skill, then she was more than safe.
"Then you can be relieved," Elara said, a small smile on her face.
Esme studied Elara, her gaze intense and unwavering. After a moment of silence, she changed the subject, her voice curious. "You mentioned that you make hit-and-run attacks," she said, tilting her head slightly. "What do you used to hit them with?"
Elara fell silent, her mind racing as she debated whether to reveal her abilities. She remembered Flamebeard's surprise when she demonstrated her void bolt, a human wielding Void Magic, had amazed him. Would Esme and Ignatius recognize it? The thought filled her with worry.
Esme waited patiently, her eyes never leaving her face. She considered the young woman before her, trying to piece together the puzzle that was Elara. "Is it a weapon you use?" she asked, her voice gentle.
After a moment's hesitation, she shook her head, her heart pounding in her chest. "Magic, then?" Esme pressed her eyebrow raised. Slowly, she nodded, her eyes downcast.
Ignatius, who had been meditating nearby, opened his eyes, his interest piqued. "So you have a dual class?" he asked, his voice curious. "A Rogue and a Mage, perhaps?" Elara remained silent, unsure of how to respond.
"Interesting," Ignatius mused, his eyes glinting with intrigue.
Sensing her discomfort, Esme stepped in, her voice soothing. "Having a dual class is not unusual," she reassured her. "It's somewhat rare, but not unheard of." Elara looked up, meeting her gaze. The warrior's expression was kind.
"However," she continued, her voice growing more serious, "it would be wise not to share this information so freely. People expect sneakiness from a Rogue, they won't anticipate them wielding magic as well. Not at your level, at least."
Elara nodded, absorbing her words. She knew that the warrior was right. If her abilities were unique, then revealing them could put her at a disadvantage. She would need to be more careful in the future, more guarded with her secrets.
Her attention was captured as Ignatius chimed in, his voice brimming with curiosity. His sudden inquiry pierced the air. "Do you have the Meditation skill?" His eyes locked onto hers, awaiting her response.
She nodded, her voice soft. "Yes, I do."
A spark of excitement ignited in Ignatius' eyes as he launched into an impromptu lecture, his tone infused with passion. "It's one of the most important skills to cultivate. Nearly every class can benefit from it, but for mages, it's particularly invaluable."
With animated gestures, Ignatius continued, his hands illustrating his points as he spoke. "While warriors and rogues can rely on physical might, mana-dependent classes like mages thrive on efficient mana management. Reaching level 20 in meditation is a milestone for any mage, ensuring faster mana regeneration and allowing for more frequent spell casting."
Ignatius let out a heavy sigh, the buoyant enthusiasm he had displayed moments ago dissipating into thin air. "It is a hard skill to level, and not to fret. Many mages will not get it above level 15 in their lifetime," he lamented, his tone tinged with resignation.
Elara absorbed his words, her gaze lingering on her own Level 19 meditation with a mixture of uncertainty and disbelief. She remained silent, grappling with the weight of the revelation.
After a moment, she gathered the courage to voice her inquiry. "Why is the skill difficult to level?" she asked tentatively, her curiosity outweighing her apprehension.
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Ignatius sighed once more, slipping back into his lecture mode. "All skills level faster when used in combat. And meditating in a fight is just asking to be killed," he explained matter-of-factly.
Elara's eyes widened in realization, her mind flashing back to her own experiences. She cast a fleeting glance at her Level 19 Meditation, a silent testament to the unconventional methods she had employed to advance her skill.
Flamebeard had instructed her to exhaust her mana and stamina reserves before meditating in his presence. She had followed his guidance and leveled her skills this way.
"Why don't you two spar or fight and then have Ignatius meditate?" she suggested, her voice tinged with excitement at the prospect of a solution.
Ignatius let out a quiet laugh, shaking his head. "It doesn't work like that," he explained, his tone patient but firm. "It has to be real combat. Preferably with someone or something of a much higher level. The higher, the better."
She fell silent, her mind churning with questions. What defined real combat? What did it mean for what she and Flamebeard had done? She certainly didn't view what they did as a fight, but what about Flamebeard? He was the one who had ordered her to use her skills and then meditate in his presence.
She recalled the way he had remained still, seemingly unaffected by her attacks. That could not have been called combat.
She couldn't help but ask, "Why level 20 specifically? Is there some special skill evolution at that point?"
Ignatius's eyes widened in surprise, caught off guard by her question. He studied her for a moment, his brow furrowed in thought.
"Yes, actually," he said slowly, his voice tinged with a mix of suspicion and intrigue. "According to rumors, one of the skill evolution of meditation allows the user to move whilst meditating. It would be invaluable for anyone relying on stamina or mana skills."
His eyes sparkled with excitement as he continued, his voice growing more animated. "Just imagine being able to move, whilst regenerating your resources at an increased speed. It would be amazing!"
Ignatius's mind raced with the possibilities, his hands gesturing wildly as he spoke. "Think about all the body-enhancing or other spells you could keep going indefinitely because your mana regenerates at the same rate as your output. It would be a game-changer!"
Elara listened intently, her own mind whirling with the implications of such an ability. She had never considered the possibility of moving while meditating, but now that Ignatius had mentioned it, she couldn't shake the idea from her thoughts.
As the conversation lulled, she found herself lost in thought, pondering the potential of such a skill evolution. She had always viewed meditation as a stationary activity, but the idea of being able to move while still reaping its benefits was both exciting and daunting.
She glanced down at her own hands, wondering if she would ever be able to achieve such a feat. The thought of being able to maintain her spells and abilities indefinitely was tantalizing, but she knew that reaching level 20 in meditation would be no easy task.
For now, she decided to keep her own skill level a secret, not wanting to raise any more suspicions or questions from her new companions. She had already revealed more than she had intended, and she knew that she needed to be more cautious moving forward. Elara's gaze drifted to her status screen, her mind swirling with questions. Flamebeard's advice echoed in her thoughts, urging her not to neglect any of her stats. She found herself constantly drawn to the allure of investing in wisdom for an increased mana pool and intelligence for an increase in the potency of her magic. The prospect of an increase in gained experience points was a particularly enticing part of increasing her intelligence, but she struggled to quantify the exact magnitude of the boost. She wondered if it would be wise to seek guidance from her companions, given their wealth of knowledge and experience.
The mood seemed currently favorable for inquiries. Ignatius, in particular, appeared to be in a teaching mindset, eagerly sharing his insights with the others. Seizing the opportunity, she carefully crafted her question, aiming to present it as a request for advice rather than a display of ignorance. She cleared her throat, drawing the attention of her companions.
"I was wondering," she began, her voice measured and curious, "when entering a dungeon, is there a particular stat that holds more importance than the others? I know that all stats have their merits, but I'm curious to hear your thoughts on which one might give someone an edge in the challenges presented in a dungeon."
Elara waited patiently as Ignatius took a moment to ponder her question, his brow furrowed in thought. After a brief pause, he spoke, his voice measured and thoughtful. "I believe that would depend on what you want to achieve by entering a dungeon."
Elara's confusion was evident on her face. "Isn't the reason to enter to fight monsters?" she asked, her tone uncertain.
Esme laughed, her voice rich and warm. "Yes, for most, the reason is to fight monsters," she agreed, nodding her head. "But not just fight monsters, but to gain experience. Intelligence would be the best stat for that."
Ignatius nodded, picking up where Esme left off. "You could, for example, invest all your stat points into Intelligence and then fight with a group that takes care of most of the fight. You only need to hit the enemy once or participate in other ways to get a share of the experience pool that gets split up after the opponent is defeated."
Esme chimed in, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "An increase in intelligence would theoretically boost what meager experience points you would get. Because of this, many mages level quicker than their counterparts, but it is also dangerous, as they often neglect their Vitality and Dexterity. Making them a slow and squishy target."
A smirk played at the corners of Esme's lips as she added, "Also very weak against poison."
Ignatius let out a groan, rolling his eyes at Esme's comment. Elara sensed there was a story there, but she simply smiled at their interaction, choosing not to pry.
She bit back the urge to ask Ignatius if he was one of the "weak and squishy" mages Esme had mentioned. She decided it would be rude to put him on the spot like that, especially after he had been so forthcoming with his knowledge.
Esme continued her explanation, her voice taking on a more contemplative tone. "Other people like to explore dungeons, they are often people who have a high wisdom and dexterity. Being able to spot traps or irregularities and being fast enough to react to them."
She paused for a moment, her brow furrowed in thought. "In general, I've also found that vitality to be important," she added, a laugh escaping her lips. "I've met with a surprising amount of poison traps and monsters, where the only reason why I survived was my high vitality. Being able to outlast the poison."
Esme's expression grew more serious as she recalled the experience. "That was very scary," she admitted, her voice tinged with a hint of unease.
“I have never been skilled in math, so being forced to swiftly calculate the poison damage per second in relation to my remaining health, as well as determine the health I would regenerate during that time, was stressful.
She shook her head, a wry smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Or just travel with a healer," she added, her tone lighthearted once more.
Elara listened intently, absorbing every word. She had never considered the importance of vitality in such situations, but Esme's story had made it clear just how crucial it could be. The thought of having to do quick calculations while under the effects of poison made her shudder. She was fine at math, but even that was a calculation she did not want to make. How terrifying to know with a certainty that the numbers are correct and you will die, each second a little closer to the end.
The sound of voices interrupted her thoughts outside the barn. She turned her head towards the entrance, her brow furrowed in curiosity. Three women entered, carrying baskets filled with what she saw was an assortment of breads. Some loaves appeared hardy and dense, while others were dotted with dried fruits, their aroma filling the air with a sweet, inviting scent. In addition to the bread, the women carried bowls filled with what looked like steaming porridge, flecked with bits of vegetables and chunks of meat. The savory aroma mingled with the sweetness of the bread, causing her stomach to rumble in anticipation. The women spread a blanket on the ground, carefully arranging the food upon it. Flasks filled with an unknown liquid were placed alongside the bowls and bread, their contents tantalizing her curiosity. As the women worked, she watched in silence, her eyes taking in every detail of the simple yet enticing spread before her. She couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude towards these villagers, who had welcomed them into their community and provided them with such a hearty meal.
She watched as the women left, her heart filled with gratitude for their kindness. Esme and Ignatius echoed her sentiment, thanking them for the generous meal before taking their share and settling down to enjoy it. Elara found herself facing a dilemma once again. She didn't need to consume anything, thanks to the fasting pill she had taken. After a moment's contemplation, she decided to fill Tirn's bowl with most of her porridge, keeping only a small portion of bread for herself. She did, however, take the drink, as her mouth felt a little dry. As she made her choice, she could feel Esme's gaze upon her. The warrior stared at her meager portion, her expression unreadable. After a moment, Esme shook her head but said nothing. Ignatius, on the other hand, seemed to ignore the exchange entirely, focusing instead on his own meal.
She chose to ignore Esme's reaction, not wanting to draw any more attention to herself. She took a small bite of the bread, savoring the flavors that danced across her tongue. The bread was hearty and slightly sweet, with a subtle hint of nuttiness that lingered on her palate. The dried fruits added a delightful burst of sweetness, their chewy texture contrasting nicely with the bread's soft crumb. She took a sip of the drink, the cool liquid soothing her parched throat. It had a slightly tart flavor, reminiscent of berries, with a hint of sweetness that balanced out the acidity. She found herself enjoying the refreshing beverage, appreciating how it complemented the flavors of the bread.
She took a spoonful of the porridge, blowing on it gently to cool it down before bringing it to her mouth. The porridge was thick and creamy, with a subtle sweetness that came from the vegetables and meat. The vegetables added a pleasant texture to the porridge, their softness contrasting with the tender chunks of meat that melted in her mouth. She savored the flavors, enjoying how the different ingredients came together to create a satisfying and nourishing meal. The porridge was filling, and she found herself feeling satiated after just a few bites.
She then turned her attention to the other bread, picking up a piece and examining it closely. The bread was darker than the fruit bread, with a slightly denser texture. She took a bite, and the flavors exploded in her mouth. The bread had a rich, nutty flavor, with a slight tanginess that must have come from the sourdough starter used in its preparation. Elara found herself enjoying the contrast between the two breads, appreciating how they each brought something unique to the meal. She alternated between bites of the porridge and the sourdough bread, savoring each flavor and texture. She glanced down at the small piece of fruit bread that she had set aside, saving it for last. She knew that the sweetness of the dried fruits would be the perfect way to end the meal, a final burst of flavor to savor before starting the day anew.