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“Sister!” Lucifer shouted from the other side of the penthouse. “You really kept me waiting this time.” He was just coming out of the elevator and came to meet her on the balcony, where the two sat down.
“You knew this would happen. As soon as that ritual worked, we both knew this would happen.” She pointed out. “On that note, what the fuck? What did you do with my Paladin Class?”
“That? Oh, I just thought you’d rather do all of the adjusting at once since you were forced to do so in the first place. You’ll still get your Skill evolutions, don’t worry. And we both know your Class wasn’t going to rank up at 100. You got the doubled stats for the levels after anyway.” Luci explained. “And as much as I enjoy meeting you, it felt a bit silly to keep bringing you here so quickly.”
“Fair enough.” She admitted with a grumbly tone. “So how are we going to do this? You mentioned that this level would be a larger jump for the Classes themselves, unlike level 100.”
“As always, one at a time. Even though menage-a-trois are fun, it doesn’t really work in this case.” He joked. “But before that, we need to address something.”
"What?" She looked at him with suspicion.
“Testy, aren’t we.” He made fun of her a bit. “It’s not a bad thing. Oftentimes the race of the person can get updated at certain levels, specifically 250 and 1000. You already have the highest-ranking race, so there’s no upgrading that. Instead, we’re going to have to have a look at your Racial Skills. Your race is supposed to match the highest-ranking Dragons and other such beings. While yours does when it comes to stats per level, the other benefits have been a little lackluster so far. So, this is where we allow you to reach the full potential of your race.”
“Other such beings?” She asked with narrowed eyes, and Luci just smiled. “Well, I’m not sure if I’d say lackluster. The Gift of Permanence has been quite useful, and the Gift of Knowledge is always useful, even if in subtle ways.”
“Yes, but you don’t really use it much nowadays. Mostly because you don’t have to. And that 100 to 1000% sounded quite nice in the beginning, but it’s starting to lose some of the shine, isn’t it? It stacks with other Skills, yes, but it won’t take long before your other defensive Skills overtake it. [Charm of the Firstborn] already sort of has. A flat 750% increase is better most of the time, as very few beings of any threat level are rank F. You don’t need the help of Skills to fight those enemies. Soon enough, it would be more beneficial to take a different Skill altogether.”
“That’s…not wholly untrue.” She admitted. Math rarely lied, even if the Skill was nostalgic.
"Right. The Skill was set up as it was because it gave you an initial boost. Now that you have some levels under your belt, we can make the Skill a scaling one safely." Luci explained before a window popped in front of her. "Of course, it will scale with the level of your race, just like the exp Skill.”
Seraphiel looked at the window and lifted an eyebrow. “5% per Skill level? That sounds like a lot. That's a straight-up increase from 1000% to 1250% even at my current level and applied to everyone attacking me. It’ll be 5000% at level 1000.”
“While true, you need to remember that this is one of the main advantages of our race. And it’s not like other races don’t get their own bonuses. Even standard Elves get 2% to Agility and Perception, and they’re much lower ranked. And everyone has scaling offensive abilities that counter some of your defensive Skills, so the combined effect will be less in actuality than you might think at first glance.” Luci explained. “Speaking of XXX-ranked races, let’s move on to the Gift of Knowledge. You’re mostly using it to enhance your senses, anyway, allowing you to more easily recognize incoming attacks. Might as well double down on that.”
Another window popper in front of her, letting her know the Skill now granted a similar scaling bonus of 2% per level, but to effective Perception. That would mean a sudden 500% increase at her current level.
“Anything else?” She simply asked with a deadpan voice.
“Well, those are not the only two Skills to get updated. Would leave you a little unbalanced otherwise.” He flicked a hand and a trio of windows popped up, with similar messages. [Charm of the FIrstborn] was updated from 3% to 4%, [Go Out And Live Among The People] got a similar boost to [Gift of Knowledge] improving Strength instead, and [On the Wings of Angels] affected Agility. All three were adjusted to level with her Race as well.
"Now you have a race that actually matches the rank," Luci said satisfied.
“And then some.” She muttered. Not that she was displeased. She was just a little overwhelmed by the sudden change.
“Well, you already know that the scaling between ranks is more than first meets the eye.” Luci shrugged. “And again, you aren’t the only one to get such improvements. Yours are simply focused on stats. Most Dragons get, among other things, an almost complete immunity to magic, something you took an entire Class to mimic, just to give an example. Phoenixes get the ability to be reborn after death, becoming almost impossible to kill permanently, and it’s not like they don’t get stat buffs. So yes, your bonuses are powerful, but they’re also very direct in nature.” He grinned. “Subtlety has never been your strong suit. You work best as a blunt instrument. You always have. Michael was always the schemer, using fear and suspicion to get what he wanted, while Uriel was the master in pulling subtle strings to have things fall just the way he wanted. You wrestle Dragons into submission. It’s just what you do.”
“And you were always the one to find joy in the strangest of places.” She ribbed him good-naturedly, for a moment allowing herself to think of the being in front of her as the real Lucifer.
“I only got there first. You always followed." He grinned. There were many reasons the two had gotten along so well. “There isn't a whole lot I've done that you haven't unless you simply haven't had time to do it yet." Luci teased back.
Lucifer’s true greatest strength had always been his ability to draw in others. The Lightbringer, as the old naming went. Bearer of the torch that others followed. He was also the one with the boldness and curiosity to walk into all the dark places before everyone else. In good and bad. “Now we should look into your Classes. Shall we go with the obvious one first?”
“Yes, let’s do the Paladin stuff. Since that one got a big upgrade at level 50, and you skipped level 100, I’m not sure what to expect.” She stated.
“Well, you made your choice for the direction of the Class, throwing yourself at the mercy of Mother, so let’s see what comes up.” He pulled out his usual deck of cards, before tossing one towards her.
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[The Path of the Firstborn– Paladin – Rank S-??? Elements: Light, Holy, Stat Classification: Religious, Paladin. Through the multiverse, many Paladin orders have sprouted. All of them born for a sacred mission or purpose. In a way, you were the first. Long before the other universes were created, you were made by the Creators to be a protector. Stats: Strength 80, Vitality 80, Willpower 80, Charisma 80, Conviction 80, Free stats 160]
The description had not changed, aside from the title changing from Squire to full Paladin, and the numbers shifting. “Ok, so far, so good. Not going to lie, I was half expecting it to go up in rank again.” The card disappeared in a shower of sparkles before being absorbed into her chest.
“I’d tell you more if I could, but there are reasons for everything. Now, as mentioned before, Mother has the wheel at this point, so you don’t get to choose how your Skills evolve. I don’t think you’ll be too disappointed though. Despite everything, she has your best interest in mind. Her best interest is the chief consideration, but yours is considered as well.”
[[Holy Light Affinity] has evolved into [Greater Sacred Affinity].]
[[Purity of Body and Mind] has evolved into [Bastion of Purity].]
[[Cleanse] has evolved into [Fount of Purity].]
[[Aura of Protection and Draconic Presence] has evolved into [Greater Aura of Sanctity].]
[[Royal Blessings] has evolved into [Divine Blessings].]
[[Holy Light] has evolved into [Mass Holy Light].]
[[Fortified by Light] has evolved into [Sanctuary].]
[[Smite the Impure] has evolved into [Slayer of Titans and Gods].]
[[Armored in Light] has evolved into [Sanctity of the Firstborn].]
[[Avenging Wrath] has evolved into [Grand Crusade].]
"That's a lot." She exhaled and had to do a couple of double-takes as she read the changes.
Some of the Skills were simply direct upgrades. The affinity skill only broadened to include the Celestial element and got a bit stronger. The passive anti-corruption and mind protection Skill broadened to affect more negative effects, including curses and the negative effects of many ritual magics, which would be a great help with some of the rituals she knew herself. [Cleanse] had turned from an active Skill to a passive one that cleansed the negative effects of everyone around her, unless she specifically wanted otherwise. [Slayer of Titans and Gods] turned the effect passive as well, meaning all her attacks would strike enemies with the power of holy energy, though she could channel more of her holy energies to enhance the effect.
Some of the Skills gained additional functionality. The protective aura and [Sanctuary] both gained a similar effect that stacked with each other, as they both gained a retributive element. Any attacks aimed at her, those protected by her aura, or directed towards her by [Sanctuary] would return some of the power from the attack as completely unavoidable retributive holy damage. The most important part was that the returned damage would be a percentage of the original power of the attack, so even if the attack failed to pierce her now extremely formidable defenses, they still suffered in punishment. Not a lot of damage, especially against enemies with their own high Vitality, but enough to be a consideration. Anyone striking her would suffer wounds. And the unavoidable part was really important.
Her healing Skill and damage boosting Skill both simply gained an area of effect.
And of course, Mother also had to join in on the Armor Skill teasing train, by making it a permanently on Skill that scaled off her Charisma, which of course scaled off her armor, or lack thereof. She wanted to make another sigh, but she was being mindful after Shepard had mentioned she sighed a lot. She was also somewhat resigned to the fact. It’s not like she really resented the idea. She simply resented that it was being pushed on her. Besides, she didn’t look like a child anymore, which helped.
“Relatively simple but effective. Although, I’m not sure if I like the fact that the whole Class seems to push me into leading troops into battle.” She pointed out.
"Well, I don't know if you've noticed, but the whole universe seems to be heading in that direction," Lucifer noted.
“I suppose you wouldn’t be willing to share anything about that.” She asked, not really expecting an answer.
“Actually, I am allowed to give a bit of a hint. With permission from the deity in question no less.” Lucifer’s words caught her completely by surprise. “This is mostly the work of Tzeentch.”
“Why?” She asked with a frown.
“You’re going to have to be more specific than that. Why what?” Lucifer shot back.
“Well, I have several why questions. Why did Tzeentch allow you to tell me that? Why is he doing this? What’s his game? Or, knowing him, his game within a game, within a plot, within a masterplan, within a flimsy cobbled-up idea of idle thoughts born out of boredom." Wondering about the goals of Tzeentch was an exercise in futility.
“Now, that I can’t answer. However, what is Tzeentch the god of?” Lucifer asked.
“Change.” She answered straight away.
“Well, there you go.” He simply said, while gesturing at her and around him.
“Huh. That’s a fair point.” She nodded.
“I thought as much.” Luci nodded with a smirk. “Now, for your other two Classes.” He pulled out a card from his deck again, which he’d been holding in one hand while sipping on a drink that had appeared out of nowhere. “Let’s start with the simpler one.”
[Path of the Fatebreaker – Farseer – Rank SSS-??? Elements: Varied - Stat Classification: Psionic. Some Farseers are satisfied with reading the skeins of the future. You are not. You decided to change the fate of an entire species by taking direct action, culminating in slaying a god that had preyed upon the souls of a people. You are not satisfied with simply trying to avoid doom but actively want to improve the lot of your people. Stats: Free Stat Points: 720]
“That’s new.” She noted. “Would it have evolved into this had I chosen to go down the Path of a Warlock?”
“In a way, but slightly different.” Luci pointed out. “This is where your previous accomplishments are starting to really push things. It’s also part of being a Champion that you should be able to regain your previous level of power eventually. Oh, let me get the mandatories out of the way first.”
[[Psionic Affinity] has evolved into [Greater Psionic Affinity].]
[[Psionic Storm] has evolved into [Eldritch Storm].]
[[Superior Telekinesis] has evolved into [Telekinetic Mastery].]
[[Advanced Bonesinging] has evolved into [Superior Bonesinging].]
[[Advanced Psionic Infusion] and [Advanced Fortify] have combined into [Fatebreaker’s Regalia]. The new Skill will take the average level between the two base Skills.]
“Huh. That’s already more than half of them. And free’s up a Skill slot.” She commented as she read the details.
Most of them were just basic upgrades once again. Effective but simple. The difference in the psionic storms was in the area affected. [Psionic Storm] had a relatively small area of effect, while [Eldritch Storm] could easily cover an entire battlefield. The regalia simply combined the two previous Skills into one, though the biggest benefit wasn't the free Skill slot, but the fact that she didn't have to use power to maintain two separate buffs anymore, cutting the expenditure in half.
"Sometimes simple is good," Lucifer said with a shrug. "Any specific wishes for the rest?"
“You know my wish.” She said eagerly.
“I suspected as much but had to make sure.” He nodded.
[[Energy Control], [Chronomancy], and [Gravitokinesis] have combined into [Reality Control]. The new Skill will take the average level between the three base Skills.]
"Hah. Finally. No need to deal with the constituent parts anymore." All of the previous Skills had been taken just to reach this Skill, simply because it offered unparalleled freedom. The usage was so much wider than any of the separate parts. An act like creating portals like spatial mages was now something she could do, just as an example. At higher levels, she wouldn't even need to create a portal, instead of just manipulating reality in a way where she was simply standing at her destination.
There were limits of course, but as her powers grew, those limits would slowly fade away. This was the Skill that would have by far the widest application of any of her previous ones. The only issue was that the more the changes she wanted to make differed from the reality, the more power it required, and the Skill was a huge power hog. Willing even an ant out of existence was practically impossible as every living being unconsciously reinforced their own reality.
Still, it was one of her oldest and most powerful abilities. Michael could control fear, Lucifer could control desires, and Amenadiel could control time. She controlled reality, even if some assumed her power was to punch things really hard due to her blunt nature. All was right in the world again now that she had her power back.
“Feels good, doesn’t it?” Lucifer asked knowingly.
“Yes. I’ve missed this feeling.” She admitted.
“You know of course why I couldn’t give that to you right from the start.” He wasn’t asking.
“I wouldn’t have had the power to use it. Still don’t fully, in fact.” She knew. “I know it’s too early. I just wanted the ability back.”
“Well, just don’t overextend with it.” He smiled indulgently. “You may be able to alter reality, but reality isn’t your bitch yet.”
The reason she had this sort of power was because of the little part of her Father’s divinity that she held. It was a necessary part of being able to do her duties.
“Now then. Let’s get on with the last part.” Lucifer stated.
“Ah yes. You did say that my Farseer Class was simpler. And we know how that went.” She had noticed his earlier words.
"Well, much like the choice with your Farseer Class earlier, you now have the opportunity to pick a path with your Shinmei-ryū Class.” He stated and tossed three cards from his deck.
[Shinmei-ryū Kamigoroshi – Mage Hunter – Rank SSS-??? Elements: Void, Time, Destruction, Hard-Light - Stat Classification: Psionic. Your kind were originally mage hunters. The Shogun tasked your kind to seek out mages that got out of hand and caused havoc. You honor that tradition. Stats: Strength 50, Vitality 50, Agility 80, Perception 80, Psionic Power 50, Psionic Control 80, Tolerance 50, Psi 50, Free Stat Points: 230]
[Shinmei-ryū Kamigoroshi – Monster Hunter – Rank SSS-??? Elements: Void, Time, Destruction, Hard-Light - Stat Classification: Psionic. Your kind evolved into monster hunters. Someone had to deal with the demons, evil spirits, and monsters rampaging through the land. You honor that tradition. Stats: Strength 50, Vitality 50, Agility 80, Perception 80, Psionic Power 50, Psionic Control 80, Tolerance 50, Psi 50, Free Stat Points: 230]
[Shinmei-ryū Kamigoroshi – Shinigami – Rank SSS-??? Elements: Void, Time, Destruction, Hard-Light - Stat Classification: Psionic. You drew heavy inspiration from the Shinigami as you re-designed what the swordsmanship school could do, combining abilities from multiple sources, but ultimately relying on the two main sources of Shinmei-ryū and the Shinigami. You focus more on those Skills, no matter your prey. Stats: Strength 50, Vitality 50, Agility 80, Perception 80, Psionic Power 50, Psionic Control 80, Tolerance 50, Psi 50, Free Stat Points: 230]
“Huh. I have to admit I didn’t expect that one.” She admitted.