The grin on Kai’s face disappeared. “I’m sorry sir. I didn’t mean to ruin your roof. I just thought she’d never look for me there. I’ll repair it or find someone who can and I will pay them. I promise.”

There was silence for Kai believed forever. Then the man began to laugh. Leona followed right behind.

“The look on his face that was priceless.” The man doubled over as the laughter renewed itself. Kai was not amused.

“Have a great day. Congratulations young man. And if I helped delay her at all I’m glad to have helped” With those words the man winked to Kai and walked away; the sound of furniture being moved could be heard from the direction of the cabin.

Leona chuckled a last time under her breath. “Alright let’s get you back to the obstacle course to meet Alric for your new day. How are you feeling?” Leona moved ahead of Kai and headed toward the obstacle course.

Kai wiped the grimace from his face and followed Leona to meet his personal torturer, Alric. “I was feeling pretty good about beating your five minute challenge, then you reminded me that I have a day full of Alric.”

Leona giggled, Kai thought it was rather cute, especially considering who it was coming from. “Would you rather spend the day with me?”

Kai knew it was a trick question, he went after it anyways. She was cute, if deadly. “Noone I’d rather spend a day with. Or a night.”

Leona froze. Her next step still midair. She spun to look at him, her face blank of all emotions. “Kai, I believe I misheard what you just said. Would you please repeat it for me.”

Kai scrambled. “I said that I’d love to spend the day learning from you but one night was enough for now.” He held his breath and hoped he’d be forgiven his forwardness.

Leona nodded, performed an about face, and continued to walk in what Kai believed was the direction of the obstacle course. About ten minutes later Kai was proved correct. Alric stood next to the entrance to the obstacle course.

“Excellent Kai, you’re still alive.” He turned to Leona. “And how did our student do last evening?”

“He learned well and adapted to various strategies. He was able to last five minutes and three seconds. Though he did hide on the roof of Jarrick’s cabin and I got distracted by Jarrick. But as there were no rules he passed.” Leona paused a moment then looked at Kai. “Currently his reward was that he got to keep his tongue which often moves before his brain has fully engaged.”

“I’m sure there is an excellent story there that no one will ever hear. What will his actual reward be?”

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Leona considered for a few moments. “I suppose he can still have the reward for lasting five minutes.” Then she flicked her hand and a corpse appeared.. “Here you go kid. Learn to think before you speak. See you tomorrow evening. You get a night’s rest tonight.”

Kai looked at the corpse and turned to Alric. “Uhm, is this a message from her? Should I be worried?”

Alric busted out laughing. “Kid, you should always worry about Leona. But that corpse is worth about 100 SP to the village spirit. You can use it to learn various skills from the village spirit without having to learn them. In a day or two we should be ready for you to use that. Go ahead and store it in your ring for now.” Alric chuckled again. “Now for some more fun on the obstacle course. Today, while you are running it I will be making it more interesting by shooting Mana Bolts at you. It should be great fun for one of us at least.” Alric smiled while Kai groaned.

His first five hours of that day were pure hell. He ran the obstacle course dozens of times. Everytime that Alric was able to land a Mana Bolt he made Kai return to the beginning and start again. Around his fourteenth or so try he was able to use his bokken to cleave a Mana Bolt, that was when Alric began to fire multiple at once. As the sun reached its peak Alric called a halt for lunch.

“Kai, you’re making some great progress and I’m proud that you haven’t started to cry and vomit like so many of the past trainees. I think we’re going to make something special out of you. Let’s go grab some lunch.”

The two made their way towards the commercial section of Donnyton where a few restaurants had been established. Alric walked them in to one and the two sat down and ordered some food.

“Now Kai, I know you haven’t decided on a direction yet but it’s something you need to start thinking about. Your highest skill level will have an overbearing effect on your class so once we get a little further that’s something you’ll really need to think about and decide on.”

“Am I going to have a chance to try out crafting skills? In games I enjoyed making my own equipment and in real life I was an Eagle Scout. So projects and helping the community are kind of what I’m about.” As Kai finished speaking their food arrived and his smile grew bigger.

After some time the two had finished their meal and sat at the table as the plates were cleared away. “Yes, you’ll be able to try out some crafting. To be 100% honest though unless you really dedicate yourself to it you’ll never produce the best equipment. Our best craftsmen are those who did little besides craft in that particular area. Not even general crafting but a specific focus like weaponsmithing or armorer. The very top end, besides Sam of course, are from people who specialize in a specific weapon or armor type. There’s a guy who only makes swords, specifically broadswords, and not even Sam can make a better broadsword. The system seems to be very intent and specificity driven. Broad ideas lack the power of a specific intent from what we have discovered. So what are your thoughts on a direction for you to take?”

Kai thought for a time. “Well, I’m not sure how it’d work specifically yet, but maybe a scout that can also tank? I guess I don’t know enough about this world yet, but being out in the wilderness and exploring would be a ton of fun, but I also like the idea of being the guy people can rely on to always be there to protect them. Does that make any sense?”

Alric nodded. “I have a few ideas for some direction.”

Kai smiled. “Great. I still want to check out the crafting system though. Are there runes or enchantments that can be added to items?”

Alric face palmed.