“Gah!” I yell as a flail in surprise, barely managing to grab a branch in time to keep myself from falling out of the tree.
“Lucy! What's wrong!?” Anna calls out in concern from behind me.
“Fucking system popup nearly spooked me outa the tree! I swear to god I need to install a popup blocker for this thing!” I yell, causing Charles to start laughing behind me.
[https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/1IoYnpVcLk_jBRdzVXZ6greCMeNimJwGxfadEzh96pbjQuwg9VrwOrNFYtSKBD8KKvwweADOh1biXnDay5HdOkTG-Hv91opyjWrxcYJ72WXTA4tcfMn0jIe8EzCrKgZijesMuFxvaCJ3E3cgy0eQcmM]
- The current window is the class selection window. This window will be displayed at every ten thousand power level to allow you to upgrade or change your class.
- Class upgrades are always an objective improvement over your current class, even if the upgrade is selecting the same class again.
- Other listed classes may be side grades or different paths altogether.
- When choosing a different path you will retain progress upon your current path and can switch back anytime class selection is available.
- To select a class, simply indicate which you desire, then confirm your selection.
Well… that's cool I guess.
“What popped up?” Anna asks.
“Class selection. And I can't close the window till it's done.” I say while trying to will the class selection window away for later. But it refuses to disappear, instead opting to keep imposing the majority of my vision until I finish.
“Hey, you kids! Where is the major demon?” A digital voice calls from below us.
“Flew off. Left those things to eat us.” Charles replies before I can ask who is talking. It's probably the dude who dropped in.
“Demons don’t just fly off without trying to kill you first.” The voice replies from below.
“Did you not see the half melted, on fire car on your way in? It did try to kill us…… Now my moms gonna kill me! Fuck!” Charles yells back.
I’ll leave Charles to argue with the defender below us. Mainly because it would be hard to hold a conversation right now, courtesy of a certain overbearing magic system. Getting up in my face and refusing to leave until it gets its way, reminds me of my mother. Well, this is an important life decision, so I need to focus on it anyway.
I take a good look over the classes, reading their light descriptions and comparing them to one another. Some of these are instantly on the no list. Charmer, not happening, I don’t want to be that kind of girl. And it feels a little too close to a certain type of demon for my liking, best not to tempt fate in any way. Brawler is out also, I don’t want to run around punching stuff, and I don’t want to be known for running around punching stuff. That leaves, Defender, Bard, Enchanter, and Aider. Defender and Bard are also probably a no. I don’t feel like getting punched for other peoples benefit. Hell, I don't feel like getting punched period. And Bard sounds like I’d just end up running around making noise and drawing attention. I don’t like attention, because attention means trouble.
That leaves Enchanter and Aider. And I’m honestly torn on which I should take. Echanter sounds cool, using magic on stuff to make things. Although I don’t know what kind of things I’d be making or what they do, at least not until I take the class. Aider on the other hand, healers make money. And Aider sounds like, and its description reads a lot like a healer. I’m not opposed to helping people, sometimes I like helping people. But money, the world revolves around money. So after a few moments of contemplation, I decide I like money more than possibly cool stuff.
[https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/DfSharKZZ81Xgok5hP43e6J2UQn9LhHXINzL4BCqjgqkS7AwGoS95VBMJIyShSwqyoqjxE9xaw8CSN5smt-SuxDiTvr1MQikqFwxdHhDAwE_jA-l-YaN5nniGCxabx1wUEP_0GEPAQU7uTWgCVO_rzw]
I use my finger and poke the yes button on the confirmation prompt. Immediately I feel something about my mana change. By the time I turn my attention inward to see what's happening it’s already finished. Looking at the flow of my mana I can tell something is different, but I can't quite tell what. I feel a bit creeped out knowing something about me has just changed like that, but I guess that's the price of improvement.
- Congratulations
- You have been granted starter skills and/or spells by your class.
- You receive Minor Heal, Haste, Small Regeneration Support Crystal.
- More spells are available in the magic shop.
- The shop page can be accessed simply by thinking or saying shop or magic shop, or by wishing to view it.
- You are given ten points to start with. Ten more points are received every thousand power level.
- If you wish to view a tutorial on the magic shop, simply think, say, or will shop or magic shop tutorial.
- Congratulations! As the first ever of your race to hold the Aider class you receive a bonus.
- You receive double the point to spend on spells.
- Congratulations! As the first ever of your race to have access to magic you receive a bonus.
- You have been granted the progenitors purity skill.
- Congratulations! For reaching full system status as a member of your race you are awarded the following.
- You have been granted the contractual summoning skill.
- Starting tutorial for toggle ableoggleable magic skills.
The fuck!? Hold up, no, cancel, stop! Too much shit to deal with right now!
- Tutorial canceled, you may restart the tutorial at any time.
Wow, it actually listened for once, thank god. And what the hell is progenitors purity? Or contractual summoning? Too much new shit to deal with, and that defender dude is yelling at us now to boot.
[https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/-liPNOraktXJ8SjYAg-NztGCuHj-7CCy5-Vgs7SR_-xoFh2nVT1SCZkShn43Yhf952dyxPfgIauVkO82GnRA-u_8KlIR3LarqKOOS54-bUGMrr-IPVwn3NHRLs9E7Ci-tZv48VNOhspURwRzsv6kbhQ]
[https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/rnA8hJkOzo2u7gqTuVO9_b3BFCHJbsjXgRdtAQ341kK6q9Zky9VT_j3rPGeiw2AZUtT_LFCy8RiV9Zb1UDIm20n9IlgKmllUkmf3u4MzCc6z16SxaJpAOXAUyg0JQHp4q-34TRPzf8snsE55m-r2JQI]
Oh, that's …hmm. I've not gone over my thoughts about having kids since before turning into this. Before I think I would have had some eventually. Now I’m not so sure. But those double points, damn! And the double store points! ….. And this dude needs to shut up. Like damn, he's somehow more annoying than the twins!
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“I said don't move! And keep your hands up! No touching the branches! I said no moving! And what is her problem?!” He demands while pointing at me.
It takes me a moment to realize that my hands are still clamped to the branches around me, and that I've probably been staring straight ahead while dealing with the system stuff.
“Sorry, I had a system screen that wouldn't get out of my face until I dealt with it.” I reply while carefully putting my hands up.
“What screen?” He demands tursly.
“Class selection.” I reply.
“Well congratulations. I guess me offing those demons was enough to push you over the edge then? Here’s to hoping you're not mind controlled into picking a shity class.”
“Wait, why would we be…… right, fucking sucubi.” I start to ask, only to realize the answer to my own question before I finish it. My last encounter with one is still fresh in my mind, how my limbs were not my own. And that was probably just so it could play with me. If it had wanted to it probably could have just straight up mind controlled and brainwashed me into giving myself over to it. But the bitch wanted to have her fun, demons are evil like that. Not that it changed the outcome anyways.
“Sooooooo, do we just sit here or what?” Charles asks.
“Yes. If you try to move, well, let's just say I won't kill you, but it will probably feel like it. That's not including the fall.” The defender replies.
“Right, noted” Charles replies.
Since we are gonna be stuck here a while, I take some time to look over my interface, mainly the newest addition to the windows. Afterall, what girl can resist shopping?
[https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/ux4GqTWB2pzoyhgHgxaDeOpiXhfhW0LMXBWvjR8g0sbN3LT9x21F8IGEN7Hrx_u4fjt-Pfv2Xr_xKU26CyD3mOKfInDqtRbatvi7Es2muSQT3c4SYSBgQRSB0oliuneQ0xYrfWfIc8n7c1g4ROysc6A]
Is this it for the selection? Wait, I'm dumb, there’s a second page.
[https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/xzqOq1T0MJPuq48uIMUCN5D_DZCQU9vmkVmEagGi1BkFU4fkgtFtQ4kWBx8EZPfWYhGAlRfa-QaVxXK6AKyI1bx51XQxYk5lgPmMtux1Is2SLDwu7L1tnqaCFD9Ce8PDOrR0lnqOuAj9fA_BvrOnnzE]
Only two panels so far, but the selection seems to be pretty decent. Reminds me a lot of buying spells on an mmo, though I think that's the point. The shop looks pretty straightforward, spell name, its type, what it does, and how much it costs all bundled into a neat interface. Better designed than some menus in games I’ve played, that's for sure. I read over the options available, some of which are bloody expensive. Ten points, if I didn't get double points that'd be everything I have. Some of the options stick out, both for good and bad reasons. Charm is out the window immediately for the same reasons the charmer class was. Gore I will probably avoid because a, I don't want to fight shit, b, I definitely don't want to use my horns when fighting shit.
But the rest of these spells, and the one skill, seem good. Some better than others though, some I'm not so sure of. Pocket spell crystal sounds cool, and useful. Though I'd have to figure out how to ‘activate’ it, it mentions breaking so maybe smashing it? The rest of these are just buffs, empower seems exceptionally cheap for what it is. Definitely grabbing enhanced mana regen, can never have enough mana regen. Manasurge sounds broken, aside from the cool down and point cost. I can just heal any damage it causes to the person. And a shield spell, so I don't have to worry about stabbing my toe or getting a paper cut ever again. The problem is I only have twenty points to spend, and too much cool stuff to spend it on. Time to consult the expert.
“Hey Anna, I can buy magic spells now. But I'm not sure what I should get.” I say, Anna's eyes lighting up before I even finish the second sentence.
“Ooooooo, whatcha got available?” She asks in an excited tone. As I thought, magic talk immediately flipped her mood a hundred and eighty degrees.
“Alright I assume you know what the store looks like?” I ask her.
“Duh, I've seen all the drawings done by artists and defenders.” She replies.
I proceed to read off the list of available spells and the one skill, minus gore and charm. As well as their descriptions, and prices. Anna's excitement seemingly increasing with every word out of my mouth. By the end of it she looks like she's about ready to pounce on me and knock both out of the tree.
“The problem is, I only have twenty points to spend. So I'm not sure what I should buy. You're the expert.”
“Oh my gosh this is so cool! I've never heard of pocket spell crystal before! You should totally buy it!”
“Shouldn't I wait and find out more about it?”
“Oh I know, I'll Google it on the spellopedia!” Anna says while reaching for her phone.
“Keep your hands out of your…. Kid, do you wanna get zapped?” The defender below us starts to bark an order, only to realize Anna is not following it. Intact, she seems to be ignoring him altogether in favor of typing on her phone.
“Yea, good luck with that dude. Once she gets like this, not even a freight train smashing into her can stop her.” Charles comments.
“OK so, it's not on the spellopedia! Which means it's not publicly known! What if this is an all new spell! Oh my god this is so cool! Buy it! Buy it! Buy it! Buy….” Anna starts to chant.
“Hey, you kids can come down now. It's all clear, the demon is gone.” The defender calls out, interrupting Anna before she can explode.
I don't waste a moment clambering over to Anna and quickly hoisting her onto my back with Charles's help. Anna was not pleased we were interrupting magic time, but getting out of the tree was more important. Charles clamored down first to get out of the way. Then I started the slow process of weaving through the branches to descend the tree. It was quiet until about halfway down, when Charles reached the bottom before us. The defender immediately set into questioning him. Stuff like what it looked like, where it came from, what we were doing before it showed up, to which Charles replied we were working on practicing my magic.
“Hey lucy…. Um, thank you. And, I won't tell anyone. I'm sorry for freaking out.” Anna quietly whispers to me.
“It's fine, honestly, I would have freaked out too. And thank you.”
“Soooo, did you buy it yet?”
“No Anna, I’ll get it once we are on the ground.” I say with an exacerbated eye roll, which Anna of course can't see.
I get to the bottom and land without any problems after dropping the last few feet out of the tree. I decide to just carry Anna on account of her crutches being chewed scrap metal and molten slag.
“Got to say, it's impressive you kids didn't get killed.” The defender complements us as I walk over with Anna.
“Yea, now my mom's gonna kill me instead!” Charles says as he laments over the remains for the car.
“Awww man, my crutches.” Anna says dejectedly.
I lost my purse with all my makeup, and the house keys. Thankfully I still have my wallet, I learned to keep that in my pocket. I feel like I'm forgetting something. A moment later a stiff breeze reminds me of exactly what I'm missing. Where's my fucking shirt! Oh my god I've been in only my bra this entire time!
I look over and find that the Picnic area is somehow unscathed, aside from where a demon clearly trampled through it while chasing us, sending food flying and knocking through blanket around. But the important part was everything was still there, including my shirt.
“Charles hold Anna for a second!” I tell him while trying to poffer Anna off to him.
“what, why?”
“My shirt!” Is all I yell is response while running over to the picnic area.
I quickly throw my shirt on and turn back around to rejoin the group, only to find Charles and Anna red-faced trying to hold back laughter.
“So, what were you kids doing out here then huh? Have a bit of teenage fun?” Asks the defender, immediately dousing Anna and Charles humor as they realize the implications of the statement.
They go on the defensive immedelty, while I decide to leave them to their self made suffering and buy that spell from the shop like I promised Anna.
[https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/r2VeaZl8MrjagajR9TG9P1JkeU7hsq9ovjC97xcT410ESkXoFa98PSx1qMUFdE0L5ZSYyAj-pSkmz8QdjC57rP56LceBhX0fuK4qVy4sbBrILTs_4S6wGw84Na6wWb5Vqo1YhHglVWaJA7IdIh4tBTs]e
- You have acquired the pocket spell crystal spell.
Yea, doubling the cost of a spell is going to be expensive. But making it storable and so that others can use it. As long as it doesn't disappear after a shittily short amount of time that's going to be powerful. Now to test it, what's my mana at?
Mana: 2101/6024
Oh, nevermind then. I'm a broke ass bitch in the mana department and I'm going to need every bit of it I can get to make it through. Actually, I have ten points to spend, which means ten more points into attunement!
[https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/9pgRipNo7l1m7CtOCcpCo1OIjNjKZIMlJ9FlxRYY0wY4aBIb2Zx-VmTZntvsaJeIne9-u8Br33hP11Qbimo4j6zeNjZWQ32CFYng0Irp7jIpj3HHVo0aQeneuCdMxkIFjDmBSyuP98GJNxjsAY5PSiM]
That should hopefully help a bit. Though the boosted capacity won't do me any good right now it will help later. Unless…. I could grab manasurge. That would be all of my points gone for now, but honestly having the safety net might be worth it. Ahh fuck it, better safe than sorry.
[https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/FtfwLXNXAvriZjMMsGp60wQ-gMo3fCexX092sNSXhuKEZtX2GWdl24iVAhacnmAlurBDpTBGa71VVaFVg8_NVUrM1F3GO0bx0FQrQVRCpt_55ruxRjTg16f1KAtXz2Y1k6OdUcxuJnTqVeOpvNMJIiw]
- You have acquired the Manasurge spell.
And done, safety net acquired.
“Alright Anna, I bought the cool stuff. But I don't have the mana to do anything right now.” I call out, interrupting Anna and Charles's attempts to defend themselves
“Oh what did you get!” Anna shouts while rapidly trying to turn around. Poor Charles almost gets pulled over in the process, getting yanked around by the forget Anna who is leaning up against him.
“Pocket spell crystal and Manasurge.” I say while pulling out my phone. Time to make the dreaded phone call. Definitely calling dad, he's probably at work but if I call mom I'll never hear the end of it.
Charles and Anna take the hint and Charles pulls out his phone. Anna has trouble finding hers before motioning to the picnic area, causing Charles to sigh and start walking her over there. Out of the corner of my eye I see a humvee followed by an apc rolling their way into the clearing. I just let out a sigh as the phone continues to ring. The day feels so long and it's not even remotely over yet.