Chapter 97: Paths
Alex Sandclaw’s POV:
I read the message over again, somewhat amazed that I managed to reach this point in my life so early.
> [System message]
>
> You have reached (at least) level 27, and can now choose a Path. You have 9 options available.
>
> [System message end]
It was an important moment not everyone managed to reach, let alone within a year of unlocking the System. At least, that was the way it worked back home. I remembered my father talking proudly about how he had unlocked his first Path when he was only twenty-three, after which he’d joined the army to level it up.
But the Dry Territories was mostly a life-less desert, so there weren’t a lot of monsters to begin with, and leveling up without killing monsters was incredibly slow. I could see it being different in a world like the Boundless Forest—the world we were in now. There were monsters everywhere here.
I dismissed the message and walked over to Felix, who was busy hanging up the corpse to drain it of blood. I waited for him to be done, then gave him a big hug and several kisses. He was a little surprised at the affection, but kissed me back. It was nice, and I think we both needed the affection.
I then helped him drain the corpse and cut some small strips of meat off the corpse. We were running out of food, and this monster was a rather high level, so we would be taking some of it with us. We would probably just fly back to our makeshift camp anyway, so smell wouldn’t be too big of an issue.
“Let’s get back to camp before you read through your choices,” Felix said, and I nodded. That had already been my plan. I wanted to be able to relax—as much as we could down here, anyway—while I made my choice. Preferably while cuddling. I would make the choice by myself, but it would be nice to share the moment with my boyfriend. If I’d been back home, I would’ve done it with my mother or father while we sat on the roof, drinking in the warmth of the evening sun.
But I wasn’t back home. I wasn’t even back in my new home. I was stuck in a damp cave somewhere deep underground. A feeling of sadness washed over me, but I shook it off. The place didn’t matter. All that mattered was that we survived. And at least Felix was here with me. Him being in my life more than made up for all the terrible things of the last year.
“Alright, then,” Felix said. “Climb on, we’re taking the fast route back.”
I did as he said and strapped myself into the saddle. Laying down, I felt exhaustion settle in my bones. Felix had been right, we’d been awake for way too long. I didn’t think we’d be sleeping anytime soon, though. Then again, I’d probably fall asleep before I even laid down. Even now, I felt my eyes drooping. At least, they did until Felix took off. Sleep was the last thing on my mind as we soared through the air, flying back to the tunnel and where we’d made our camp.
We could probably cross the entire cavern in just a few minutes like this. Actually, that wasn’t a bad idea. Maybe we could airlift some water from the lake? I’d have to suggest it later.
As we soared past the trees and monsters, I glanced down but only saw a green blur. And then I noticed something taking off and begin chasing after us. It was a small bird, but it flew fast and the closer it got, the clearer its sharp beak and talons became.
[Ironbeak eagle (lvl 18)]
It was only level 18, though. Hardly an issue if we were on the ground. But we weren’t. Could Felix handle it in the air? It didn’t matter; I needed to warn him either way.
“Felix!” I yelled, trying to reach him over the sound of the rushing air. “We have incoming!”
Felix looked back, then scoffed. He banked left and sharply turned around, shooting towards the ironbeak eagle. The monster, now realizing who it was up against, turned around to flee. But it was too late. Felix snatched it out of the air with his talons and crushed it.
With no more monsters remaining, we continued onwards to the camp. We soon arrived and Felix landed right next to it. Felix carefully put away the canteens and bottles full of blood, burying them under the thin layer of dirt that made the floor of this cavern. We didn’t want it to attract any monsters, after all.
While Felix did that, I quickly made a fire so we could cook our meat later. By the time I was done with that, Felix was done with his task as well and had walked back over to me and the fire. He settled down around it, laying his head on the ground. I sat down next to him and put his head in my lap. He grumbled contently and nuzzled deeper into my lap, an action that sent shivers through me as he rubbed up against my slit by accident. I found I didn’t want to stop him, though. Instead, I put a hand on the top of his hand and gently petted him.
“Are you going to check your choices now?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, do you want me to read them out?”
Felix lifted his head to look at me with wide eyes. “You would do that?” he asked, making me stop and think. I’d offered without thinking it through, but doing so now didn’t change my mind. I trusted Felix, and more importantly, I wanted to share this with Felix.
“Yeah,” I told him.
“Alright, I’ll gladly listen, then. I’ll keep my mouth shut until you’ve made a choice, though. I don’t want to influence you in any way.”
I nodded, then took a deep breath and opened up the System prompt again. It asked me to confirm to start the selection process, saying it couldn’t be stopped once it had begun. I, of course, confirmed. Maybe I would’ve waited if we were back on campus, but I wasn’t, so it was a moot point.
> [System Path Selection Process]
>
> You have unlocked the possibility of choosing a Path. Please choose carefully as changing your Path later will be difficult. You have 9 Paths to choose from. They were chosen based on your Skills, your personality, and your life experiences. Any Path bonuses from leveling will be applied retroactively.
>
> Your choices (random order):
>
> 1. [Artist]
> 2. [Map maker]
> 3. [Draconic Lightning mage]
> 4. [Wandering Explorer mage]
> 5. [Dragon rider]
> 6. [Sword warrior]
> 7. [Spellsword]
> 8. [D-a--- ----r -----] (information corrupted or unavailable. Choose this Path to learn more)
> 9. [Draconic mage]
>
> [Message end]
The fifth option immediately caught my attention, too. Dragon rider? There was a whole Path based on riding dragons? I glanced at Felix, who was still in my lap, and promised myself to seriously consider it. Knowing everything the System had done so far, it would be a powerful Path for sure. Not to mention that I really liked riding Felix’s back.
I frowned as I read the eighth option, though. Information unavailable? What in the depths did that even mean? How could the System not know about its own Paths? That was like me not knowing what color my scales were! It made no sense.
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I shook my head and read the options out to Felix. He frowned at the eighth option, too, but otherwise didn’t react. Not even to the dragon rider option. He was keeping his promise, it seemed. I focused back on the list of choices and quickly ordered them based on how interested I felt in each of them. Dragon rider made it near the top of the list, of course.
> [System Path Selection Process]
>
> Your choices (preferential order):
>
> 1. [Spellsword]
> 2. [Dragon rider]
> 3. [Draconic lightning mage]
> 4. [Draconic mage]
> 5. [Wandering Explorer Mage]
> 6. [Artist]
> 7. [Sword warrior]
> 8. [Map maker]
> 9. [D-a--- ----r -----] (information unavailable. Choose Path to learn more)
>
> [Message end]
I’d wanted to be a spellsword since I was a little kid, so of course that made it to the top of the list. [Dragon rider] made second place, and [Draconic Lightning mage] had made third place. The rest didn’t feel like I’d choose them anyway, but I’d still ordered them. It didn’t hurt to do so and might come in useful when choosing. The unknown Path went dead last, though. No way that I would be choosing a Path the System couldn’t even tell me the name of.
I explained all my reasoning to Felix, then asked if there was a way to see more information about each choice.
“There is. At least, dad told me there was. He told me you had to focus on the choice with the intent of wanting to know more.”
I nodded and did as he told, focusing on the top three choices. A moment later, a new System message popped up, displaying all the information.
> [System Path Selection Information Request]
>
> You have requested more information for three Paths. The System’s recommendation is included. Please note that the recommendation should not be trusted blindly.
>
> [Spellsword]:
>
> A spellsword is a mage focusing on the use of magic through their blade to the exclusion of all other magic. They are versatile fighters, capable of learning any Affinity and many spells, but often lack proper defensive Skills.
>
> You have unlocked this Path through your study of the sword and magic, as well as learning relevant Skills and using them in battle.
>
> By choosing this path, you’ll gain the following bonuses: +1 to the physical Attribute every level, and + 1 to the Spiritual Attribute every other level. All swords will be easier to handle, and channeling magic through objects will come easier to you.
>
> Warning: this Path will make it more difficult to learn non-spellsword related magic and defensive Skills. As such, you will lose the following Skill(s): [Draconic magic resistance].
>
> System recommendation: Recommended. You have shown great aptitude for this Path.
>
> [Dragon rider]:
>
> A dragon rider is a person skilled in the art of dragon riding. Through-out history, dragon riders have been legendary fighters, explorers, mages, or anything else the person has set their mind to. Dragon riders are versatile and have no restrictions on the Skills they can learn, but receive no bonuses to their ability to learn new Skills. Be honored, for very few dragons choose to have a rider.
>
> You have unlocked this Path through your study of dragon riding, by having multiple Skills with the Draconic prefix, and having been allowed by a dragon to ride them.
>
> By choosing this Path, you’ll gain the following bonuses: +1 to all Attributes per level. You gain an additional general Skill slot and an additional Path-Skill slot. You are eligible to join the Riders, and the System will view you as nobility for the purposes of Skills and effects.
>
> Warning: If either you or your chosen dragon decides to end your partnership, some Path-Skills may have limited usefulness. Though note that any other bonuses gained for either of you will be permanent.
>
> Recommendation: Strongly not recommended. There are no remaining dragon riders to train you and System support is limited.
>
> [Draconic Lightning Mage]:
>
> A draconic lightning mage is a lightning mage who has been granted some additional strength by the draconic prefix. They have strong lightning Skills and spells, but lack the ability to learn any other Affinities except through intense and tedious study. They are very powerful, capable of dealing great damage, but typically lack utility and defensive Skills.
>
> You have unlocked this Path through your study of lightning, your Skills, and the draconic prefix.
>
> By choosing this Path, you’ll gain the following bonuses: +1 to the Spiritual Attribute per level. Your lightning magic will become more powerful and lightning based Skills will be easier to learn.
>
> Warning: Non-lightning Skills are harder to learn, and non-lightning based Affinities require significantly more effort to learn. Some existing Skills might be harder to level.
>
> Recommendation: Neutral. This Path has both upsides and downsides for you.
>
> [Information Request End]
I read them over once, then read them out loud to Felix. His expression remained neutral, except for the part about ‘being honored to be chosen by a dragon’. He frowned a bit at that. I thought I understood why. He didn’t see riding him as any sort of big privilege. He’d even made a small business out of ferrying people around.
I focused back on the list, though by this point it was just a formality. I already knew which Path I wanted to choose. Still, I had to go through it anyway, just to make sure.
I’d wanted to be a spellsword since I was young, and I still wanted to throw spells around with my sword now. But the Path wasn’t the way I was going to get there. As much as I liked the possibility and ease of just choosing it and getting the Path-Skills, the restrictions it had were too great. I didn’t want to lose [Draconic magic resistance]. Besides, I could already do magic through my sword. I would get where I wanted to be the hard way.
[Draconic lightning mage] also got axed. I liked lightning magic. I liked it a lot. But I didn’t like it so much that it was all I would want to do. I wanted to learn more than one affinity, and that just wasn’t feasible with that Path.
I quickly read through the information of the remaining Paths, but none of them changed my mind either. [Draconic mage] was a great option, but it was really just a worse version of [Dragon rider]. The same went for [Sword warrior], which was really just a worse version of [Spellsword].
[Wandering Explorer Mage] also was a great option, but I just didn’t see myself as an explorer. Neither did I see myself as an [Artist] or a [Map maker]. I liked making art, and drawing the map had been fun, but neither were who I was.
And I didn’t even count the last option, [D-a--- ----r -----]. Requesting more information had just given me a page filled with holes and gaps. There hadn’t been a single full word. No, I wasn’t going to take the risk.
That left [Dragon rider]. The single most versatile option I had. It let me learn any Skills and had great bonuses too. Six Attribute points for every two levels. That was double that of [Spellsword]. And on top of that, it gave me two extra Skill slots. I hadn’t even known that was possible.
And that wasn’t even considering the fact that I loved flying with Felix. Any Path that let me soar through the sky with him better and easier was a great Path, in my opinion. I also liked the implied intimacy of the Path.
The only downside was that the Path was partially dependent on me staying close with Felix. I didn’t hope to or want to break up with him, but I had to be realistic and acknowledge that people rarely stayed together forever. But we could probably remain friends if we ever broke up, though. Also, the lack of someone to train me didn’t bother me much. The same went for the lack of system support, whatever that meant. Felix and I could figure the Path out together.
In any case, I thought it was worth the risk.
So without further hesitation, I picked the Path.
> [System Path Selection Process]
>
> You have chosen [Dragon rider]! Applying bonu—
>
> ERROR 315: Applying bonuses has failed unexpectedly.
>
> Solution: Retry.
>
> ERROR 315.A: Solution has failed.
>
> Assessing errors: Several errors have been found and the dragon rider sub-system is offline.
>
> Solving… Solving… Solving…
>
> Twenty errors were rectified, one sub-system was brought back online, one error remaining.
>
> Error identified: A predominant Path is available.
>
> Assessing the new Path: No additional downsides found but information is corrupted. Retrieving back-up information… Success.
>
> Continuing process with predominant Path.
>
> Gathering consent: Would you like to continue the process with [Dragon rider Prime]?
>
> [System Message End]