*Day 34*
The… talk, had gone better than he’d hoped.
In fact, besides a bit of pouting from everyone present, they all agreed to sleep in their own beds. There were several caveats though.
The first was that they’d still get to sleep in the same room as him. Overall, that wasn’t a terrible compromise in his books. For as much as he needed to separate himself from the ambiguousness of sleeping in the same bed as them, he could admit to himself that sleeping alone in his room would be… a bit lonely.
The next caveat was that he’d spend a bit more time with each of them during the day. Not everyone, every day. But a few of them each day, on a sort of rotation. Which, again, wasn’t unfair to them, especially given how direct each of them had been in telling him that they wanted to be with him.
The last one, which hadn’t gone over very well with the rest of the young women, was that Asami would still use him as a body pillow.
He’d adamantly refused at first, but found that both Myra and Avi were exceptionally good at convincing him, never mind Asami herself. In the end, he gave in because the rest of them would be able to see that he wouldn’t be engaging in any shenanigans with her at night. Heck, the time he needed for his daily meditations had reduced to about two hours now, so it wouldn’t even be a whole night. Which was, grudgingly, accepted by the others.
Which led to a much easier morning routine. Having to only escape from one person without waking her was significantly easier than it had been. Especially with an [Escape Artist] total of 51. It had grown considerably as more and more of them had insisted on cuddling him at night which, while fair, showed just how hard he’d worked to let their sleep be undisturbed.
Shaking his head, he left with J2 and decided that he’d let his other self enjoy the very early morning guitar practice. Instead, he went outside and went to the bathhouse and got to work on the expansion.
It only took about an hour, mostly because he couldn’t quite decide on whether or not to have two bathing pools or just one huge one. In the end, he made two, as it was easier to keep the pools clean, warm, and circulating.
After that, he went to the south side of the apartment/dormitory and started clearing the land there. In fact, he cleared enough land for another five buildings, though these ones would be slightly different. Each floor would have eight rooms, for the first five floors, while the floors above would have twelve. This was to accommodate more “family” type housing.
He also included fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms this time, while also adding in AC to the H-VAC/Heating units. To make things easier on everyone, he also made a water heater room on each floor, and tied each floor’s water systems together to save on Dust. He did the same for the electrical needs of each floor, just making an electrical room on each floor that would handle all that.
Overall, it wasn’t too hard, so he was able to fully finish one fifteen story building by the time dawn arrived. Well, him and J2 when he finished up with guitar time. That said, when he finished, he finally noticed the huge crowd watching. He was glad that J2 had stayed on the other side of the building, though, as that would have brought on more than a few questions for everyone present.
He noticed, though, that the crowd was primarily made up of the new younglings, though there was a fair number of the first group of younglings present.
Feeling more than a little self-conscious, he gave an awkward wave before hurrying to the other side of the new apartment building to get to work on the next one while J2 took up position on the other side of the site. Thankfully, J2 chose to use [Stealth], because he soon found that the crowd followed him to continue watching.
‘Don’t worry about it,’ Avi sent warmly. ‘They’re very curious about their “young master” and letting them watch will help them understand you better.’
‘Uh-huh. And it won’t just create dozens of cases of hero-worship, hey?’ he sent back dryly.
‘That’s not entirely a bad thing,’ she rebutted. ‘Giving them someone to believe in after having their worlds shattered will go a long way to restoring their faith in people. That said, just continue being yourself, and they’ll come to see that you’re just like everyone else.’
He nodded as he got to work excavating the ground, storing away said excavations, and setting the pilings.
With the plans already decided- and already made once- the work went even faster this time around. Through [Touchsight], he saw that breakfast became a sort of impromptu picnic for everyone due to his employees making a snack-like breakfast so that the younglings could continue watching. He also wondered if it was because they, too, wanted to watch. But that didn’t really matter in the end.
Just over three hours later, the sixth new building that day was completed.
‘Thanks for working on the roads,’ he sent to Avi afterwards, grateful that he hadn’t needed to deal with that too.
‘It’s good practice,’ she sent back happily. ‘I even levelled up a bunch of Skills, a whole lot. So, it wasn’t completely one-sided.’
He grinned, appreciating that. Because he’d been using [Summon: All] for most everything, and paying the Dust requirements to make everything permanent, he’d also levelled that Skill. Not to mention several other Kinesis Skills. And a whole bunch of others.
Congratulations!
You’ve gained the following Skill:
- Perform: Guitar
Congratulations!
You’ve levelled the following Skills:
- Aura of Cold 1 -> 2
- Construction: Huge 6 -> 16
- Craft: Sculpting, Greater 51 -> 53
- Cure: Panacea 12 -> 13
- Dimensional Manipulation 22 -> 31
- Improved Diplomacy 13 -> 15
- Improved Endurance 19 -> 23
- Heal: 3 9 -> 15
- Kinesis:
- Improved Aero 24 -> 29
- Improved Cryo 24 -> 29
- Improved Electro 23 -> 27
- Improved Hydro 24 -> 29
- Improved Pyro 35 -> 38
- Improved Tele 44 -> 51
- Improved Terra 28 -> 35
- Improved Mana Manipulation 31 -> 33
- Advanced Mana Well 44 -> 45
- Improved Master Summoner 43 -> 48
- Metalshaping 13 -> 18
- Multitasking 26 -> 30
- Skill upgrade: Multitasking -> Improved Multitasking
- Improved Multitasking 30 -> 32
- Perform: Guitar 1 -> 10
- Skill upgrade: Perform: Guitar -> Perform: Guitar, Improved
- Perform: Guitar, Improved 10 -> 19
- Improved Privacy Mode 21 -> 24
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- Improved Quick Casting 32 -> 40
- Skill upgrade: Improved Quick Casting -> Advanced Quick Casting
- Advanced Quick Casting 40 -> 42
- Improved Quick Manifesting 48 -> 53
- Regeneration 6 -> 7
- Advanced Source of Power 84 -> 85
- Spatial Manipulation 23 -> 24
- Toughness 1 -> 2
Congratulations!
You’re gained the following Title:
- Philanthropist
Congratulations!
You’ve gained the following Achievement:
- Bastion of Civilization
Congratulations!
You’ve improved the following Achievements:
- Harem II -> Harem IV
- Bastion of Civilization I -> Bastion of Civilization III
Looking at his progress, he realized that he’d once again slacked off when it came to checking his notifications. That he’d also gotten a new Title and Achievement was awesome, though advancing the damn [Harem] Achievement bothered him more than a little bit.
He checked the Title first, mostly because he was very curious.
Philanthropist
- You’re a person who can’t help but help others in need. You’ve helped, at significant personal cost, at least 100 people with absolutely no ulterior motives, only seeking their well-being. Not only that, but you’ve directly improved each of their lives because of your actions.
- Benefit:
- Any social interaction initiated with the intent to help others is done with a 1-step increase with your [Diplomacy] Skill.
- Any philanthropic venture you initiate will greatly increase the likelihood of others wanting to help you to realize your goals for said venture.
He blinked at that, a bit stunned. On the one hand, the benefits were on the level of ridiculous. On the other, his heart hurt that the System seemed to need to grant a Title for what should have been a natural inclination for people. It said a lot about the world he found himself in, but also helped to firm his resolve regarding his plans.
He then looked at the Achievements and smiled at [Bastion of Civilization].
Bastion of Civilization IV
- You’ve built shelter for at least 10 people with the intent of protecting them, as well as for their future growth.
- You’ve built shelter for at least 20 people with the intent of protecting them, as well as for their future growth.
- You’ve built shelter for at least 50 people with the intent of protecting them, as well as for their future growth.
- You’ve built shelter for at least 100 people with the intent of protecting them, as well as for their future growth.
- You’ve created a standard of living common to those in your region.
- You’ve created a standard of living uncommon to those in your region.
- You’ve created a standard of living that is rarely seen in your kingdom.
- You’ve created a standard of living that is only had by a select few in your kingdom.
- Benefit:
- People are more likely to want to live in your settlement.
- People view your efforts to create settlements with great favourability and will be more inclined to help you in those efforts.
- People residing in any settlement that you have made, or control, are happier than they would be in other places.
- It is much easier to get permission from those in power to create a new settlement. The favourability rating for said decision makers is significantly increased.
Again, he was a bit conflicted with getting the Achievement, and why the System saw a need to give something like that, but he’d take it. Especially because it would make it much easier for him to convince someone in power to let him claim a chunk of unused land to build a city on. And everything else he planned to do with said land.
Finally, he had a peek at the damned [Harem] Achievement.
Harem IV
- You’ve captured the hearts of 5 sapients, making them only want to be with you forevermore.
- You’ve captured the hearts of 10 sapients, making them only want to be with you forevermore.
- You’ve captured the hearts of 20 sapients, making them only want to be with you forevermore.
- You’ve captured the hearts of 50 sapients, making them only want to be with you forevermore.
- Note: if you no longer house and provide for the enamoured sapients, the progress of this Achievement may regress.
- Benefit:
- Those who view you as a potential romantic partner have their favourability of you increased significantly. Social interactions will favour you.
- Those who’ve fallen for you have a greater understanding of what you like, making it easier for them to cater to you.
- Those who’ve fallen for you now have an instinctual knowledge of your current state of health and wellbeing. Greater devotion to you grants a more accurate insight.
- You now have an instinctual knowledge of how those who see you in a romantic light feel. Your insight increases proportionately to your feelings for each person.
That he had at least 50 people so fully enamored with him that they qualified for the damn Achievement nearly floored him. The “note” midway through made him cringe. The benefits, however, weren’t… as terrible as he’d thought they’d be.
Still, that anyone who viewed him in a romantic light would basically have their minds messed with by the System didn’t sit right with him. But then, he supposed that having a high Charisma Attribute basically did the same thing…. He sighed.
The following 3 benefits after the first one, though, were… good. He’d always been told that he was hard to read, so at least some people might understand him a bit better. Though, again, he was irked that the System would interfere with that aspect of their interactions with him. Because, how much came from them getting to know him and how much came because the System just inserted those things into their heads?
The third benefit was… just good. It relieved him more than a little bit that someone might know if he was in trouble. But at the same time, he hated worrying people with… stuff like that.
The last benefit, though, was… godly. For him, at least. Sure, he could just use something like [Read Thoughts] or [Empathy] to find out all that stuff on his own. But he’d always felt more than a little uncomfortable doing that. He still did, but now because of the Achievement. He wasn’t sure if he could somehow turn it off for the time being, nor was he sure he wanted to. People were hard!
He shook his head as he allowed himself to be drawn to the mess hall for lunch with everyone, deep in thought. But not for long, as no sooner than he’d taken a seat, the questions started.
Most revolved around two major topics: How he could do all that, and if they could learn how to do what he’d done. There were others, but even then, they sort of related to the first two categories.
Which then led to discussions about levelling, Paths, and things related to that. Which led to discussions about how best to train everyone. Which then led to the education of the younglings.
Thinking about everything, he decided a few things. First, he would set up a school of sorts for everyone. It didn’t matter how old they were, they’d all take a sort of aptitude and basic knowledge test to see where they were at with things.
The second was that he’d set up a training facility, probably attached to said school. Maybe he’d call the whole thing an “Academy” or something.
At any rate, anyone attending the Academy would be able to get more hands-on training. Be it with a trade or as an adventurer, he wanted it all covered. He knew that not everyone wanted to be fighting to level up in whichever Path they chose, so he wanted to accommodate everyone equally.
Then he reflected on the combat abilities of his… inner circle, and realized that they didn’t really have a “tank”.
He had DPS and Support roles covered in spades, though. With a bit more thought, Avi might be the closest to being able to fill the tank role-
‘That’s not a problem,’ Avi sent, assuring him.
Nodding, the laid out his thoughts on the matter for everyone.
“I’d like Myra and Shae’ra to cover the support-type classes. Asami and Fyrellia, I’d like you to help with the caster-type classes. Qyress, please help with the ranged combat classes. Arise, if you could help with the stealth-type classes, I’d appreciate it. Avi? Could you help with the front-liners?” he said, very glad when everyone agreed.
“I’ll see about making training gear once everyone is settled. However, I would also encourage everyone to train in at least one other field, as that’s how I managed to get as strong as I am,” he said, once more pleased by the positive reactions of everyone present.
With all of that arranged, he made his escape and stopped just behind his house, looking at the open space just west of the north side. Thinking about how much food would be needed eventually, he decided to make a storehouse for food of all kinds. Anything from dry food to produce to things that would need refrigeration like meats, cheeses, and perishables like milks.
He then got to work, quickly clearing the land, then a building that was basically a supermarket. What stumped, or rather, halted his progress were thoughts surrounding waste. With how much everyone currently ate, he was sure that they’d have a ridiculous surplus that would then result in wasted foodstuffs as they expired without being used.
‘Why don’t you use a [Gentle Repose]-like effect?’ Avi sent helpfully, making him want to hug her.
An hour later, he finished modifying the effect and got another System notification.
Congratulations!
You’ve learned the following Skill:
- Spellcraft
Congratulations!
You’ve earned the following Title:
- Arcane Manipulator
Intrigued, he pulled up the description of his latest Title.
Arcane Manipulator
You’ve studied and played with the very fabric of reality and have manage to create several Powers hitherto unknown to the Universal Assistance and Survival System.
You’ve also managed to manually recreate several effects that require mana or psionic power.
- Benefit:
- You gain the [Spellcraft] Skill.
- Significantly decreases the difficulty of learning new Skills that use either mana or psionic power.
- Significantly decreases the difficulty of creating new Skills that use either mana or psionic power.
He grinned, then quickly checked [Spellcraft] and found that it basically provided a... framework for building Skills that used mana or psionic power. His grin increased until his face started to hurt a bit. Then his mind started going through the many possibilities that lay ahead of him-
‘Stop, you’re starting to freak-out the girls,’ Avi sent, interrupting his thoughts, also making him realize that he’d been laughing.
Not just normal laughter either, but somewhat… maniacally, at that.
He looked over at the smaller crowd that had gathered to watch him work and saw that it contained all of the “demons”, as well as most of the animal-kin, and even a good dozen of the humans.
“I should go,” he said as he waved awkwardly at them, then hurried off to the west, intent on starting his next project while also hoping that he could outrun his embarrassment.