I burst through my door with the widest of wide grins on my face only to be caught short by seeing Halcroft sitting with my mother, Taele, and Penelope. Farva and another maid, Ashley, were serving them a meal. Everyone’s attention was immediately turned to me.
“You certainly took your time young princess.” Halcroft seemed a bit amused. I glanced at the window to see it was already dusk. That meant I had been getting my class for more than 12 hours. As if prompted by my realization my stomach growled.
I blushed at the rather unlady-like sound but Farva took it in stride and just set a place for me at the slightly too small table for what was now five people. I composed myself and walked with some regal poise toward the table. “Yes, well I had much to learn from the process.”
“So what did you get? Did you get a high grade warrior class like me?” I could nearly see the stars in Penelope’s eyes when she asked that.
“Yes, I am quite interested myself, I was just telling your mother about your swagger and noble bearing earlier today. It would be a shame if it was all just swagger.” Halcroft said, a tiny hint of threat lingering in the air.
“I got a low grade class.” I said, schooling my face.
Halcroft glared at me, his growing frustration obvious. “I can’t believe that…” Taele said under her breath.
Penelope looked crestfallen. “We’ll… we’ll figure out how to get you a better class next time!” She said clearly trying to inject cheer into her voice.
Halcroft was about to say something when I raised one finger and I couldn’t hold back my grin anymore. “A low grade dual element advanced Spellblade class.”
The room went silent. From my finger I summoned a ball of radiance. “It's the Radiant element, and it’s a Sukeshi focused class.”
For once Halcroft was speechless. I finally made the bastard shut his face. Penelope on the other hand squealed and threw her arms around me awkwardly from her seat. “I knew it! You did it, exactly like you said you would!”
Mother put her head in her hands. “My daughter is a genius among geniuses…” Despite her words there was a little smile showing through her hands.
Halcroft began to laugh like a goddess damned maniac. “I will finally show Aldrin my worth!” I glanced around the table, Halcroft was a duke so I knew he was at least distantly related to King Burtherion, but referring to him by his first name was still a bit strange. When Halcroft looked at me there was unrestrained avarice in his eyes. Yikes, I think my ploy was working too well, that look gave me chills.
“What do you need?” Halcroft asked me. “You’ll have everything you can possibly want for training.” He snapped his fingers. “Ashley bring Edward.” Edward was the head butler, and he also dealt with the personal finances of the Halcrofts. Their wealth was separated between public and private, with semi-independent administrators dealing with the public affairs to increase transparency.
Did I really need anything? I mean a Sukeshi master other than the adventurer Garen since he was barely around would be nice and of course a much better Sukeshi than the old practice blade I used currently. As for my Fire healer class I needed to start observing magical healing as often as possible.
I glanced over to mother and Taele, was there anything I could get away with asking for that they needed? Penelope being his true granddaughter got basically everything she asked for already, so I didn’t need to even consider that. “I… believe I have proven my worth enough as to be afforded a chance to leave the manor and visit the town.” I began. “If I am truly to become more than a prisoner, then I feel I should be treated as such.”
“A reasonable request, but I am curious as to what you would even do in a primarily human town.” Halcroft’s response was somewhat cold. I got the distinct impression he didn’t like the idea at all. The fact that he wasn’t outright denying it meant that he was at least trying to treat us like people.
“There are two reasons, one of which is for my training. Firstly we are people not things, my lord, we have social needs, being around other people will be good for us. Even if they are just commoners.” I said the last bit with some forced derision, I had to appear to be the spoiled noble. Although a part of me was becoming somewhat worried with how easy it was to get into the role of the haughty princess. “Secondly, and more importantly, while I was getting my new class I considered what would get me a better initial healing class. I am confident observing healers doing their jobs will help me in gaining a better class.”
“Are you suggesting a member of the Halcroft family be apprenticed to some common healer?” Halcroft asked nearly aghast.
“Well, there is no reason for them to know who I am, you can introduce me as a minor noble. It wouldn’t be good for them to treat us too informally after all. However I do not require an apprenticeship, I merely need to see more healing in action to understand how magical healing functions.” My words kept their slightly haughty tone, implying that I was very much too good to be taught by commoners. Which in this case I didn’t need to lie about, it was true, the people I would be observing were effectively children by comparison to my medical knowledge.
Halcroft considered for a long moment. “That seems far more reasonable than I originally expected.” He paused for a moment. “So be it, you may all go into town while under the direct supervision of myself or Dame Riza.” He paused. “I guess I’ll have to give you an expanded order to do so. This is an order amending my previous order. You may leave the manor while you are with myself, Dame Riza, or someone I specifically appoint as your guardian. You may still never leave Hakan.”
Well that was one thing at least. With the town came significantly expanded ability to prepare for our escape. We could purchase supplies without having to slowly start stealing from around the manor. “Other than that… I wouldn’t mind it if Garen, my sword master, could be summoned to the manor again, his last two visits marked significant improvement in my Sukeshi skills. Also having a proper Sukeshi forged for me.” Due to my height and weight I needed a smaller claymore than an adult or man.
I glanced at the others at the table, but they didn’t seem to be interested in the subject. Anything else, like a crossbow for mother, would be obviously shot down. “That’s all I can think of.”
“Garen hmmm, that might be possible, last I remember his party was off training in one dungeon or another.” Halcroft considered. “I sent for a blade to be forged at the capital just before your birthday, I imagine it is done by now, having it sent here wouldn’t be a problem.”
“I’m going to be training from dawn until dusk, using time spent observing healers as rest. So I won’t be seeing Mathis unless there is something important I need to know before the capitol visit.” I said.
Halcroft laughed jovially. “Well tutoring can wait until after we return, and after your showing with princess Rose I can’t imagine there is much left to teach you when it comes to noble etiquette.”
“The last thing I and really Penelope as well will need is a chance to fight monsters.” Halcroft looked as if he was going to immediately object to I raised my hand to delay him. “With the appropriate protection of course, I believe Dame Riza would be a good choice. I also don’t want to go out until I’m a bit higher level. However, if I am to get to level 100 before the appointed time, I will need real combat experience.”
Halcroft became more contemplative, but still seemed skeptical. “We will discuss that topic again in a week or so. I wish to see what initial progress you can make toward your lofty goals.” I shrugged and gave up on the argument for now.
The conversation devolved into less heavy topics as I ate. Ugh, the food here was absolutely amazing. The worst part about escaping this place would be leaving these chefs behind. I knew for a fact some of them were higher than level 150 which was approximately where my Identify skill cut off depending on the target’s exact Animus.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
Once I was finished I excused myself, changed into a tunic and pants for training and grabbed the Sukeshi. It was time to try out these new skills!
Penelope on realizing what I was doing excused herself too running off toward her apartment. I knew we’d meet back down on the training grounds, so I didn’t wait for her and rushed down.
The sun had set, but with the Darkvision granted by my Elven Heritage coupled with the small lighting artifacts around the castle I could see about as well as daylight. I should be meditating right now then go to bed, but I was way too excited for that right now.
I drew my sword, and activated my Radiant Blade skill. The blunted blade of the sword began to glow with white light. I used my max magic to initiate the skill, 22 mana. This was currently the most powerful I could make my blade. It would cost me an additional 2.2 mana every minute to maintain the spell.
Now I just needed something to cut through. I glanced around seeing one of the training dummies the guards used. They were made of a metal skeleton with straw padding. Without the metal they would just get destroyed by the high strength of the guards.
The dummies were about 20 feet away, so I decided I may as well try out my other new skill. I activated Radiant Step, supplying it with only 1 mana for each step I made. I then ran to the dummy. With each step sparks exploded from my feet and I could feel a full body push forward. It felt surprisingly natural to move with this skill, though I didn’t know if that ease would translate with high mana usage.
I was definitely faster, arriving with only about 5 strides. However, supplying only 1 mana with a low level skill seemed to not do a ton. Not too surprising really. I ended the ongoing speed boost from Radiant steps and took a stance to attack the dummy.
I slashed across it starting from one ‘shoulder’ to the opposite ‘side’ of the dummy. The blade ran through the straw padding like butter. A burning path was left behind in the blade’s wake. I didn’t feel any resistance at all. My strength was 26 which meant I was about as strong as a fit adult male back on Earth. That was of course a guess of mine, no one else had a ‘natural’ level of human strength to base anything off of since everyone had a system. My guess was the strongest man on Earth might have 40 to 50 strength, and a gorilla might be 150 to 200 strength. I knew of people that had thousands of strength.
My strength of 26 was absolutely not enough to cut through that much straw that easily. There should have been some resistance. Before I turned off the skill to compare I decided to make a downward slash at one of the steel bars sticking out of the training dummy. The steel was enchanted for toughness so it wouldn’t get wrecked by someone with thousands of strength, so I had no allusions I would cut through it.
I took a ready stance, my blade over my head, then slashed down with all my strength. I hit the steel bar hard and sparks of mana poured out where my spell hit the enchanted metal. A low screeching could be heard as the two spells warred with each other. In the next moment the clash ended and because there was no more downward force the sparks and screeching stopped. The enchanted metal had won our battle. Considering I was using a level 1 skill that was remotely surprising.
I released the Radiant Blade skill and checked to see if there was any damage to my blade, or the metal bar for that matter. My night vision was good, but not perfect so I summoned a radiance orb with my conjuration skill. It floated above my head and seemed to move with me automatically.
I checked the blade to see no obvious damage. Hitting a steel bar with a blunted sword should have seriously messed it up. However my spell protected the blade somehow. I checked the bar next and there was just the hint of blackened metal where I struck the metal.
*Level up. Radiant Redeemer level 2. You gain 2 Free stats, 3 Strength, 3 Agility, 2 Vitality, 2 Animus, 2 Magic, and 2 Manipulation.*
*Training has leveled up, level 2.*
*Sukeshi Chakra has leveled up, level 2.*
What? Levels already? I knew classes leveled faster than your species but that was crazy fast.
“Did you already level up?” Penelope asked from behind me.
“Yeah, how quick did you get your first level?” I asked.
Penelope giggled. “I got to level 5 in a day, then it slowed down a lot. The first few levels are very easy to get. I guess it has something to do with residual experience that would have applied to your class being applied slowly over time.”
“Well that’s nice I guess, will give my stats a nice little jump.” I paused for a moment. “My skill that replaced Meditation also leveled up even though I haven’t really been using it.” I pondered aloud.
“Oh yeah, that same thing happened when my Running skill upgraded into Fluid Motion. When you lose levels upgrading a skill because they are maxed out by the level of your class they’ll level up with your class until all the levels you lost get used up. My Fluid Motion skill went all the way to level 15 before it stopped leveling automatically with my class.” Penelope explained.
Nice that meant I had a good few Sukeshi Chakra levels heading my way. I had Meditated every day without fail for nine years after the skill got maxed out. It apparently didn’t work with Sukeshi Mastery though, since it wasn’t an upgraded skill. All the stored experience I had gained from training with the sword over the last 5 years was lost.
“Want to spare?” I asked. I needed to get a better feel for the Dodging skill. I wouldn’t be able to use Radiant Blade while sparring since it was obviously way too dangerous, but I could still work on Radiant Step, Sukeshi Mastery, and Dodging.
“Yeah!” Penelope said cheerfully. She got into a ready position with her spear held in both hands. I kept my sword out in a neutral stance. I checked my mana 207 of 245, still loads left. The only ability I was maintaining was the radiance orb over my head, but that only drained 1 mana a minute. I decided to try a lunge by supplying Radiants steps with 5 mana each step.
I burst forward faster than I had ever moved in both my lives. Which really wasn’t saying much. I was fit as Jacob, but not particularly athletic. I closed the distance between us in two quick steps, Penelope seemed surprised by the speed I closed the distance. Although she still had a ton of levels on my, more than 100 all totaled, my class quality was better, but that only made up for a little bit of the difference. So despite her not expecting me to move this quickly she still easily spun her spear around her body to parry my upward slash.
I still wasn’t fast enough, I pushed off the ground launching myself back supplying Radiant Steps with all 24 mana my magic stat could muster this time. I moved way faster than I expected and slammed into one of the training dummies. The air went out of my lungs in a rush. I fell to my knees unable to catch my breath from my blunder.
*Radiant Steps has leveled up, level 2.*
Oh goodie, a skill level. “Are you alright?” Penelope rushed over to me. I held up a hand trying to forestall her worry. “You went so fast! Was that a new skill?” Penelope knelt down and put a hand on my shoulder.
Slowly I could breathe again. “Yeah.” I coughed the word out. Then I finally was able to take a deep breath. “Radiant steps, it lets me turn mana into movement speed. I’m going to have to train it a ton obviously, controlling it is hard.”
“Well why don’t we start with that, we can run around the walls. I always need to work on my Fluid Motion skill more anyways, it has gotten so behind lately.” Penelope offered me a hand up.
Once up I pulled her into a quick hug. “Thanks for being… you I guess.”
“You too I guess?” She seemed somewhat confused by the statement.
“Let’s go!” I left her behind activating my skill fueling it with just 1 mana each step.
We did a lap around the wall, but that was enough to exhaust my entire mana supply. In all I took 183 steps before I was tapped out. I kept running another lap to get a really good feeling for the difference between skill assisted movement and without.
After a few more laps we switched back to sparing. That was the first time I got a good feel for what the skill Dodging did.
At one point I parried a thrust from Penelope. The moment her bladehead was pushed to the side she used her waist as a fulcrum to attempt to smash the haft of her spear into my side. I would have been blindsided by the quick movement, but Dodging gave me a warning about it. In my mind’s eye I ‘saw’ the strike coming with just enough time to use Radiant Steps with all the mana I had regenerated. The haft of the spear just missed me by an inch, and I even stayed standing from the quick movement caused by Radiant Steps. That unfortunately didn’t help me against Penelope’s follow up blow which put her spearhead to my neck.
*Dodging has leveled up, level 2.*
Her stat advantage just wouldn’t be made up for by a low level skill. Nonetheless we continued like that, and I reaped some pretty significant rewards from the night. Although I suspected I was going to be running out of that stored experience soon.
*Level up. Radiant Redeemer level 3. You gain 2 Free stats, 3 Strength, 3 Agility, 2 Vitality, 2 Animus, 2 Magic, and 2 Manipulation.*
*Level up. Radiant Redeemer level 4. You gain 2 Free stats, 3 Strength, 3 Agility, 2 Vitality, 2 Animus, 2 Magic, and 2 Manipulation.*
*Level up. Radiant Redeemer level 5. You gain 2 Free stats, 3 Strength, 3 Agility, 2 Vitality, 2 Animus, 2 Magic, and 2 Manipulation.*
*Training has leveled up several levels, level 7.*
*Dodging has leveled up, level 3.*
*Minor Radiance Conjuration has leveled up, level 2.*
*Titan Slayer has leveled up, level 2.*
*Radiance Affinity has leveled up, level 2.*
*Sukeshi Mastery has leveled up several levels, level 3.*
*Radiant Steps has leveled up, level 3.*
*Sukeshi Chakra has leveled up several levels, level 5.*