[You and your Companion have acquired the Ability Empathic Shielding]
[You and your Companion now have an empathic shield that offers protection from harmful psychic and emotional influences]
[Your and your Companion have acquired the Ability Mental Link]
[You and your Companion may now communicate mentally when you are within 50 yards of each other]
Jack had chosen Mental Link for two reasons. First, communication was essential in their partnership, and a telepathic link would undoubtedly enhance their teamwork. Second, the prospect of understanding Goldeyes' thoughts and emotions on a deeper level intrigued Jack.
He chose Empathic shielding when saw the term “harmful psychic or emotional influences”. Up until then he hadn’t even known it was possible to manipulate someone’s mind or emotions and he found the idea rather horrifying. Now that he knew it was possible, he wanted to have as much protection against such attacks as possible.
He saw the Abilities were now listed in Goldeyes Status sheet and examined them.
[Empathic Shielding
Rank: Novice
Description: This shield protects against harmful psychic and emotional influences. The effectiveness increases with upgraded levels.]
[Mental Link
Rank: Novice
Description: Establishes a telepathic connection between the host and the Companion within a range of 50 yards. Enhances communication and the ability to share thoughts. The range and capabilities increase with upgraded levels.]
Jack noted that he could now see Ranks. He assumed that was because he now knew about them and the bonuses they offered as they increased.
Before he could speculate further on how his knowledge affected what the System showed him, he heard a voice in his head say ‘’Good choices.’’
Jack spun around and stared at his Companion. ’Goldeyes? Is that you?’’
The wolf gave a happy nod, lips peeled back to expose teeth. In any other circumstance he might have thought it was a threat but through the link Jack could tell it was a smile.
Jack's eyes widened in astonishment. The realization that he could have a direct conversation with Goldeyes through the Mental Link was both thrilling and surreal. He hesitated before responding, still coming to terms with the idea.
"This is... incredible. I didn't expect the Mental Link to allow us to speak like this," Jack admitted, his thoughts projected directly to Goldeyes.
His Companion responded “Can talk now. Can help. Help make better hunter”.
Jack smiled. Getting hunting tips from a wolf. Well after all, who better to give them than one of the greatest hunters on earth.
“Sure thing buddy” he sent back “Right after my morning routine”. He described his attempts to increase his Endurance to Goldeyes, who indicated dubiousness about how effective such a workout would actually be.
“Should hunt. Hunt and kill. Make stronger”
Jack laughed “Exercise is important. You should join me”. He set out running laps around the pool. Goldeyes simply shook his head at the foolishness of his companion and went to check on the pup who was just stirring awake. He would need meat, the wolf decided, and set out to find something suitable.
After completing his laps, Jack moved on to lifting the heaviest logs and rocks he could find. Every time his Stamina bottomed out, he rested until it was back to full.
As he was starting the swimming part of his daily workout a thought struck him. Perhaps he could further increase his endurance by diving deep and testing how long he could stay underwater. He raised his head above water, took a deep breath and dove.
As he descended into the cool depths, Jack felt the water envelop him. His lungs burned, and his body protested the lack of air, but he pushed himself to stay submerged. The aquatic world around him became a serene, blue sanctuary, and he focused on holding his breath, challenging his body to adapt and endure.
Then something glinting below him caught his attention. Going deeper, he saw what looked like a gleaming metal pyramid nestled at the bottom of the pool. It was a bit smaller than his hand, covered in intricate engravings and emitted a faint, soothing glow. The surrounding water seemed to dance with a strange energy, and Jack's instincts told him that this discovery was significant.
Curiosity piqued; Jack reached down to retrieve the gleaming metal pyramid. As he held it in his hand, he felt a subtle vibration, as if the pyramid resonated with the water's energy. Clutching his find in his hand he headed upwards, breaching the surface right before his air ran out.
[You have driven your body to its limit]
[You have gained + 1 Endurance]
Jack dismissed the notification and swam to shore. Once on solid ground he examined the small pyramid more closely. The engravings on it were quite something. Delicate lines shaped into flowing water currents, mimicking the gentle ebb and flow of tides. The designs created an illusion of fluidity, capturing the essence of underwater movement.
Schools of fish, intricately detailed, seemed to swim through the engraved currents. Their scales glinted with a soft, pearlescent glow, reflecting the ambient light in a way that mimicked the play of sunlight on the water's surface. Among the fish, tiny aquatic plants swayed with the current, their leaves and tendrils gracefully entwined.
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Jack Identified his prize.
[Purification Matrix
Rarity: Epic
Quality: Excellent
Materials: Aqueous Iron, Water Infused Sapphire
Properties: Emits a constant purification effect on any body of water it is placed into. This effect can extend up to 10 miles.
Description: This device was used in ancient times to turn unusable salt or still water into usable drinking water. Such devices are a rare and precious commodity nowadays]
[Congratulations! Identify has gained a level]
An Epic item? And it was just sitting there at the bottom of a pool? A thought struck Jack and he turned to Identify the Pool of Purity. Or at least what had once been the Pool of Purity.
[Pool of water
Rarity: Common
Quality: Pure
Properties: N/A
Uses: Provides clean and refreshing drinking water.
Description: This water has been under a constant purification effect for years. Now that this effect has been removed this waters purity is no longer ensured]
[Congratulations! Identify has gained a level]
Panicking, Jack hastily thrust the Purification Matrix back into the pool. He Identified the pool again and sighed with relief. It came back as The Pool of Purity. This meant he could take it out of the water temporarily, study it, and put it back again to once more have access to pure water.
Jack retrieved the Matrix and started examining it more closely. The pyramid was almost entirely constructed of this “Aqueous Iron”. The only exception was the glowing blue gem at its base. Jack felt at it. It was slotted into a depression at the bottom of the pyramid and came free surprisingly easily. He held it in his hand as he Identified it.
[Water Infused Sapphire
Rarity: Epic
Quality: Excellent
Properties: Can be used to power certain devices. Can be added to armor, weapons or items to get varying effects. Direct contact may awaken a Water attunement.
Description: This gem has been infused with the Essence of Water. It has many possible uses.
Blue light erupted from the gem, engulfing Jack in a shimmering aura of azure brilliance. Panic set in immediately. His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing like a war drum in his ears. The light was everywhere, blinding and overwhelming, wrapping around him like liquid blue fire. Jack’s breath caught in his throat, and he stumbled backward, nearly dropping the sapphire in his shock. His mind raced with thoughts of what this strange, unexpected energy could be doing to him. Was it burning him from the inside out? Was this some sort of trap he had unwittingly activated?
He tried to move, to throw the gem away, but his limbs felt heavy, as though the light itself was anchoring him in place. The sensation was alien, unlike anything he had ever experienced—both terrifying and strangely mesmerizing. The cool energy coursed through his veins, contrasting sharply with the heat of his rising fear. For a split second, he feared he might be disintegrating, his very essence dissolving into the radiant blue haze.
Then, as suddenly as the panic had seized him, a calmness began to settle over Jack. The light, while intense, was not consuming him. Instead, it seemed to be... communicating with him. His breathing slowed as the initial terror ebbed away, replaced by a strange, almost serene awareness. The blue glow no longer felt hostile; it was soothing, like the gentle caress of cool water on a hot day. The energy coursing through him was invigorating, and the fear that had gripped him loosened its hold.
Jack’s mind cleared, and he realized that the sapphire wasn’t harming him—it was awakening something within him. The aura around him pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, and he felt an inexplicable connection to the element of water, as if the very essence of the gem was merging with his being.
The radiant glow danced around him like tendrils of water, weaving through the air with an otherworldly grace. He could feel a subtle, cool energy emanating from the Water Infused Sapphire, soothing his senses and invigorating his spirit. It was as if the essence of water itself flowed through him, awakening a deep connection to the element.
[Congratulations! You have awakened a Water attunement]
[Congratulations! For awakening a Water attunement, you have gained 10% Water resistance]
[Congratulations! For awakening a Water attunement, you have gained the Skill Water Magic]
[Congratulations! For awakening a Water attunement, you will have an easier time gaining Water related Skills]
[Congratulations! You have been granted 3 Basic Water spells]
Jack nearly fell over backwards as the flood of notifications overwhelmed him. He blinked, trying to process the sudden influx of information and newfound abilities. A Water attunement, Water resistance, and a set of basic Water spells—all from a single gem. The discovery was as unexpected as it was exhilarating.
With a newfound sense of excitement, Jack delved into the details of his newly acquired Water magic skill.
[Water Magic
Rarity: Scarce
Rank: Novice
Level: 1
Description: This skill allows the host to use Water aligned spells. Increasing Skill level will increase the power of all Water aligned spells as well as increasing Water Resistance.
Current spell power bonus- 1%
Current Water resistance bonus- 1%]
Jacks examination of his new magic was interrupted by the return of Goldeyes, who came bounding out of the woods with a pair of plump rabbits in his mouth. Trotting over to the pup, he left one rabbit for it to gnaw on, then sat down and began scarfing down the second rabbit with gusto.
“No rabbits for me I notice” Jack projected, only half joking. Goldeyes looked up from his meal with a confused expression. At least, Jack assumed that the wide-eyed look he was getting was confusion based on the emotions the wolf was feeling.
“Jack is not pup” he responded contemptuously, “Jack can hunt his own food”. Jack chuckled at Goldeyes' response. It seemed the wolf had a clear understanding of their respective roles in the pack dynamic.
"Fair enough, buddy," Jack replied, "I guess I'll have to put my hunting skills to the test. You could at least come along and teach me to hunt better like you said you would".
Finishing off the last of his rabbit with a satisfied crunch, Goldeyes nodded in agreement. The wolf seemed eager to impart his hunting wisdom to Jack.
"Alright, let's do it," Jack said, standing up and stretching. He felt a renewed sense of vigor after his morning workout and magical discoveries. With Goldeyes at his side, he ventured back into the forest, spear in hand, ready to learn the ways of the hunt.
As they moved through the dense foliage, Goldeyes demonstrated the art of tracking. The wolf's keen senses picked up on subtle signs – the scent of prey, broken branches, and disturbed vegetation. Jack followed closely, absorbing the lessons his wolf companion silently communicated through their mental link.
After a while, they followed some tracks to a larger clearing where a group of deer grazed peacefully as the sun overhead reached the middle of its journey across the sky.
[Congratulations! You have gained the Skill Tracking]
[Tracking
Rarity: Common
Type: Passive
Level: 1
Description: This Skill allows the host to track down their prey better. Tracking proficiency is improved by advancing Skill level.
Note: Skill level can be increased through use.]
Jack looked at the various deer. Most looked pretty normal with reddish brown fur, but one stag in particular caught his eye.
Its fur had a shimmering quality, reflecting light in a way that gave it a silver sheen. The silver tones were more prominent on the back and sides, while the underbelly had a softer, lighter shade.
[Name: Starlight Stag
Level: 8
Health Pool: 180/180
Mana Pool: 80/80
Stamina: 100/100
Skills: Moonlight Leap, Starshower Hoof, Night Vision
Abilities: Starlit Grace, Astral Antlers]
Jack smiled in anticipation. It was time to hunt.