Zeke opened his Skill Book first. It gave off a golden glow before dissipating into light.
[Received Active Skill ‘Polymorph’]
< Skill Description >
Name: Polymorph
Type: Active Skill
Tier: A
Cost: None
Cooldown: 60 seconds
Effects
* Allows the user to transform into any living creature they’ve seen once. (Due to the user’s current status,
Bonus Effects
* During the user’s morphed state, some functions will be restricted.
* The user will receive every ability or learn temporary skills depending on transformation.
<<>>
“Polymorph?” They both exclaimed at the same time. After glancing at each other for a second, Zeke clicked on the ‘See Details’ button and brought up a different panel.
< Additional Detail >
From: Active Skill
Type: Base Effect
Description
The user will unlock more possible transformations as they gain mastery over magic. Originally, this skill belongs to Tarren the Tyrannical Thunder, and his polymorphic abilities allow him to maintain a smaller form or even shift into a humanoid appearance.
Here are the list of the possible transformations for the
* Common Raven
* Ginger Tabby Cat
* Axolotl
<<>>
Zeke laughed after reading the description, “What the fuck, I can change into an axolotl?”
“You should try it,” Circe elbowed him with a smirk. “I think the skill’s giving you transformations that you can use in different environments.”
“Axolotls for aquatic travels? They can't see very well though.” Zeke chuckled.
“Hey, it was chosen based on you. So maybe it thinks the cutest predator is a perfect match for you.”
Zeke didn't respond. His silent stares coupled with the expressionless face made it impossible for Circe to peer into his thoughts. Eventually, he spoke. “...I thought about it, and I'm pretty sure axolotls can't stay out of water for long.”
Circe narrowed her eyes. “Are you changing the subject?”
Silence. “...No?”
“Well, if you don't want to turn into an axolotl, then be a cat,” Circe poked his waist with an index finger. She felt him recoil at her touch and she instantly bombarded him with jabs. “C’mon. Try it out just once! I wanna see it!”
Zeke’s lips quivered as he tried to suppress his laughter. Tilting away, he blocked his waist with his hand. “Cut that out! Fine! I’ll do it!”
Circe stopped after hearing what she wanted. Zeke let out a sigh and activated the new skill. Nothing flashy happened, but in the blink of an eye, a fluffy, amber-furred feline sat in Zeke’s place.
It retained Silas Salvador’s signature electrifying blue eyes, while also wearing the black choker around its neck. Circe squealed in adoration and gently picked up the cat. “Oh my god, you're so cute!”
A quiet meow sounded in response, garnering a raised eyebrow from Circe. “...Can you not talk? Is this what the restricted functions meant?”
“Of course I can talk.”
“HOLY FUCK!” Circe dropped the cat in surprise, but Zeke easily landed on his feet. She blinked rapidly and laughed a few moments later. “Oh god, that surprised me. Why didn't you just speak?”
“I was testing if I could,” Zeke lowered himself to the mattress, tugging his small limbs underneath his fur. “It seems I need to constantly use mana to maintain my human voice. Or else I'll just sound like a normal cat.”
“So it uses mana? But the skill panel said it doesn't.”
“The initial transformation process doesn't require mana, but I guess the other functions do,” Zeke looked up at Circe, “Which I think they should elaborate, though it's whatever, I guess. My mana regenerates faster than the rate I'm using them anyway.”
“So I guess this is a niche skill,” Circe reached out her hand to stroke the cat’s head. She was surprised Zeke let her touch him. “Though I certainly don't mind you staying as a fluff ball forever.”
“If I don't have things to do, I wouldn't turn back either,” A short yawn followed, revealing the sharp canines in his mouth, “It doesn't feel weird at all, in fact, it's sort of comfy.”
Circe chuckled, “Maybe you were a cat in your past life.”
“Anyway,” Zeke got up and arched his back, as if stretching the laziness off of him. In between those few seconds, he’d already shifted back into his human form with his clothes still magically intact, “We still have your skill book and random equipment to open, right? Let's get on with it.”
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Circe stared at him, “...What would you do if your clothes didn't transform with you?”
“I didn't think about that, and I don't want to.” Zeke responded immediately with a straight face.
A moment of silence fell between them. Circe didn't say anything in response as she shifted her attention towards her hands, calling the skill book from the inventory. Without another exchange of words, she flipped the pages open, letting the warm yellow hue lit up the room.
[Received Passive Skill ‘Kinship’]
< Skill Description >
Name: Kinship [Convertible]
Type: Passive Skill
Tier: A
Cost: None
Cooldown: None
Effects
* The user can select a single type of animal or monster to form a
* (More Information will be shown once the user selects their desired
<<>>
“Oh!” Circe exclaimed in excitement the moment she read the skill description. Looking at Zeke’s raised eyebrow, she clarified, “I used this skill a lot in my runs. You can probably guess why.”
Zeke frowned for a split second, but then realization dawned on him, “Ah,” he snapped his fingers, “Crowfest, right?”
Smirking, Circe brought up the new skill’s details panel, “It's time I get to indulge in one of my obsessions.”
< Additional Detail >
From: Passive Skill
Type: Base Effect
Description
Current Kinship:
Any species or type of monster can be chosen, however, the rate of success for
[Select Kinship]
<<>>
[Select Kinship]
[Selected Species: Corvus]
[Confirm your option? WARNING! This cannot be changed.]
[Yes/No]
[The Skill Description for
< Skill Description >
Name: Corvus Kinship
Type: Passive Skill
Tier: A
Cost: None
Cooldown: None
Effects
* Any and all entities designated as part of the ‘Corvus’ species will become friendly towards the user. Increasing positive interaction chances.
* Eliminates the language barrier with the ‘Corvus’ species.
Bonus Effects
* Due to the tier of the skill, the user gains the bonus
<<>>
“There we go,” satisfied with her reward, Circe dismissed the system panels, “Now all that's left is to get our random equipment. I’ll go first.”
Zeke didn't get the chance to say anything in return, and could only watch in silence as Circe took out a familiar sphere from her inventory. It gave off a flash of light and a silver ring appeared in its place.
[Received ‘Summoner’s Ring’]
< Equipment Description >
Name: Summoner’s Ring
Tier: B
Type: Ring
Class: Tamer/None
Stats: (+2) to Highest Stat
Effects
* Adds the
* Grants the Equipment Skill
<<>>
< Aptitude Description >
Name: Novice Beast Tamer
Rarity: Rare
Type: Specialized
Effects
* Grants a new
<<>>
< Skill Description >
Name: Summon Storage
Type: Equipment Skill
Tier: B
Origin: Summoner’s Ring
Cost: None
Cooldown: None
Effects
* Allows the user to designate captured and tamed entities as
* Due to the tier of the skill, only creatures with a tier equivalent to or lower than B-tier can be tamed.
* The user can store up to 20
<<>>
“Oh, nice,” Circe immediately slipped the ring through her left middle finger. It seemed a little too big for her lean hands at first, but the jewelry magically fitted itself to match her size. “It's not a bad find, considering I just got a perfect skill for a summoner build.”
[Equipment Skill ‘Summon Storage’ is added to the Skill List.]
“Assassin summoner hybrid?” Zeke took out his own unopened reward. Staring at the system panels as Circe slowly cleared them out, he gave an approving nod. “Since you're not planning on using any magical beasts, I think it can work.”
“Heh. I can make any build work,” Circe declared with a wide grin, “Though on a serious note, unless I get another tamer skill or equipment, I doubt it’ll be useful for real combat.”
Zeke shrugged as the random reward orb shone brightly, “You never know your future, after all.”
[Received ‘Scholar's Cloak’]
< Equipment Description >
Name: Scholar's Cloak
Tier: D
Type: Overwear
Class: Mage
Stats: (+2) to Magic
Effects
* Grants Equipment Skill
<<>>
< Skill Description >
Name: Mana Recovery
Type: Equipment Skill
Tier: D
Origin: Scholar's Cloak
Cost: None
Cooldown: None
Effects
* Moderately increases the user's Mana Recovery rate.
<<>>
As soon as the description panels blinked, a hooded cloak appeared in Zeke's hands. It looked as if it'd been woven by magic itself, excluding a hint of mana from its black fabric and gilded embroideries along the edges. Deep blue underside, where it held a golden brooch that connected one side to the other. The yoke of the cloak extended to the middle of the long sleeves, also adorned with delicate golden filigree, mimicking the curling tendrils of vines.
“Huh,” Zeke huffed as he nodded in approval. “It's some equipment. So I'll take it.”
“Since we're done here,” Circe slipped off of the bed as Zeke placed his newly acquired cloak into his inventory, “Wanna go grab breakfast? I still haven't eaten yet.”
“Sure, I haven't bathed yet but we can eat first.” Zeke rose to his feet. But when he reached the door, he noticed that Circe didn't follow him and turned to face her with a small frown.
“...” Circe gave him a blank stare. “...Go shower, I'll wait.”
Zeke went silent for a moment, though eventually moved towards the connected bathroom. Something sounded from his lips, and while Circe may have stood far enough to not hear him, she could pretty much guess⁴ what sort of words left his mouth.