[Tutorial has been completed. Congratulations Jacob Castus]

Jacob took a look around when he heard the now very familiar voice of the System, but there was nothing to see apart from the first sentence display by the System. Before he could gather his thoughts another set of texts appeared in front of him along with the narration by the System.

Achievements has been collated and points has been calculated

359 points for finishing off 67 Lesser Stone hands and 292 Nayuta kobolds

33 points for finishing off 33 Stone kobolds

68 points for finishing off 34 Stone Angels

120 points for finishing off 6 kobold warriors

200 points for finishing off 10 kobold mages

For defeating Angelus Gigantis(E) and claiming the City of Nativis as a safe zone 500 points

For defeating Dragonoid Illusionist and claiming the Cave of the Dragonoid Illusionist as a safe zone 500 points

2000 points for defeating two regional boss

Killing of other races participating in the tutorial

Horned Sand Nomads 400 points

Betrayed by 2 members of your own race

-200 Points

Saving 4 members of your own race

400 Points

Met a Suzerain during the Tutorial

100 Points

Crystalisation of Core during the Tutorial

1000 Points

Total Achievement Points Gained: 5450

Available Points to be used 5450 + 500 from Suzerain if accepted

Jacob took a few seconds to look through his accomplishment summarised by the System, even his failures were noted and though he saved Riley and Brian twice he only received 400 in total for saving the two traitorous fiends, Riley and Brian. It left a bad taste in his mouth just remembering that he even bothered to save them, but he did not know then what he knew now so he swallowed the bitter taste and moved on.

Jacob tried querying about the additional 500 points granted to him by the Suzerain. The System gave him a swift reply this time it only appeared in text.

[It is an investment from Suzerain Turain should you choose to accept the offer. The Suzerain will be able to check up on you periodically...]

The conditions continued downwards, in addition to monitoring Jacob. The sponsor would be able to give Jacob missions in addition to the ones that would be given by the System, all the items or credits given would be from the Suzerain’s own pocket. There were a few more conditions for the additional 500 points but Jacob decided to see if he would even need to use points offered.

He asked the System to show him what he would be able to spend the points on and an exhaustive list appeared in front of his eyes expanding both horizontally and vertically as far as his eyes could see, he looked up and around himself there was no end to the list. Jacob quickly asked the System to only show what he could buy as he saw an item called Giant Golem Constructor that had 10000 points right beside it. The giant list started changing and items were being removed in large chunks and at light speed. After a few short moments the list was still large, but much more manageable.

Jacob asked the System if it could sort out the items displayed into categories, Jacob swore there was a pregnant pause along with a cold sigh before the items listed disappeared from his view and in its place were large words. Jacob saw Weapons, Pets, Race Changers, Armour and numerous others. He was already set on weapon as he had Flowing Water, he first ran through his own checklist on what he wanted moving forward into the combined world.

The listed categories quickly changed into a single one with the large words named Ocular Skills. Jacob wants information in the new world and he would require a skill that helps with that. He had also been told by the Suzerain to pick one as all the Ocular Skills have a basic identify attached to it.

Mystic Bandit Eyes: 5400

The freshly picked eyes from a notorious Mystic in the Lobrant Quadrant, before the Mystic was slain he was able to sling spells at enemies from tens of kilometres away with deadly and unerring accuracy and it was only achieved with the help of this pair of eyes. Increased Dexterity by 100 and Intelligence by 200

Eyes of the Wandering Wizard of Yogath: 5400

With these pair of eyes, one would be able to read and counter the sequence of any low grade magic utilised. One would also be able to cast any low grade magic with unparalled speed. Increased luck by 80 and Dexterity by 150.

The Wandering Wizard of Yogath lost this pair of eyes in an unfortunate deal with a Dream Demon.

Reading the description of the first two Ocular Skills, led Jacob to think that the System would be doing a literal replacement surgery instead of just learning a new skill. He definitely would not be picking the best available skills, so he mentally scrolled down and found some affordable options. He looked through the Ocular Skills in the 1000s and found one that he liked.

Eyes of an Ocean Elf: 1400

A pair of sharp and insightful eyes from an Ocean Elf, one would also be able to see and breathe while under any body of water. One would also have an increased affinity with water, water based elementals and animals. Increased Dexterity by 20,Intelligence by 20 and Mind by 20

Jacob could appreciate the utility provided by the Eyes and he already had a water based sword, so he was naturally more inclined towards anything remotely related to water. Jacob looked forward to swimming again in a peaceful lake, but he had more points to spend. He accepted the trade using 1400 points and before Jacob could even blink. Jacob felt his eyes started prickling, as if hundreds of tiny needles were slowly poking at both his eyes. He blinked a few times in response to the prickling but that did not stop the prickling at all, then it got worst.

Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

The pricklings turned to stabbings and Jacob tried to cover his eyes with his hands, but just like his blinking it did not stop the pain from the stabbings. Jacob dropped Flowing Water and tried to rub his eyes to check for bleeding but there were no blood only the pain from the stabbings persisted. He gritted his teeth and channeled Squire Determination to increase his endurance, it lessened the pain he felt from the stabbings but he could still feel it. He held onto the channeling, while he tried to endure the pain. Jacob did not know how long it lasted but the stabbings finally receded on its own and Jacob felt the strain the pain left on his eyes.

With his eyes still closed, Jacob felt around his it again but he did not find any blood still, when he tried to open it, his eyes felt like he had gone without sleep for days when he was mugging just to complete a project in time. Jacob kept his eyes closed instead of fighting against the strain, he slowly drew essence out from his core and brought them to his eyes. He kept the essence circulating throughout the eyes, he counted till hundred and twenty before he tried opening his eyes again. This time there was no strain and when he looked through his eyes, the texts displaying the Ocular Skill he chose was grayed.

His vision now felt surreal, everything was much clearer than before. The texts displayed by the System seemed more real and to confirm his suspicions the System finally deigned to tell him something.

Eyes of an Ocean Elf has been successfully implanted

You are now able to check the status screen of others along with the other benefits stated before.

While he was looking around the empty void with his new eyes, Jacob remembered what Brian told him about the golden lizard, it would be able to learn Brian’s knowledge of kick-boxing and grappling techniques since the System would compile and release it for use. Jacob queried the System and found numerous techniques from Earth it included muay thai, boxing, karate, krav maga, taekwondo and many others. He was not interested in hand to hand techniques and Brian already taught him the basics of kick-boxing so he would have only have to continue practicing.

He decided to look through the techniques of the other races that were combined with his, there were three other races including the Horned Sand nomads. Of the other two races one was simply named Anqa and the other gave Jacob a better idea of what they look like, the last race was named as Woodland Elves of Darava. While he did not want to communicate with the bloodthirsty sand nomads, he did not want to start every encounter with other races using violence.

Jacob picked up the major languages of each of the races for a total of 200 points the knowledge was forcibly implanted into Jacob as countless images, voices and surprisingly touch. He took in everything given by the System, instead of continuing with his selections. Jacob took the time to digest the languages transmitted to him, he did not know how long it took. But he was sure he would be able to converse with a sand nomad and the woodland elves, the way Anqas spoke presented Jacob with some difficulty. As it was a series of screeches and Jacob did not know if it was possible with his vocal cords, he would have to try it out once he was finished with his shopping. At least he can understand the major languages from the other races now.

Jacob still with 3850 to spend, looked through the Storage section. If possible he would like a spacial storage item similar to what they got from the golden lizard. While he was scrolling through to find a spacial item, the System sensing Jacob’s thoughts showed some options to him immediately. A few of them had fancy descriptions like the Ocular Skills and their capacity was stated in addition to any other capabilities. Jacob spent some time looking through the options available to him, a ring would be the best choice as long as its not covered in shiny objects.

Horath’s Spatial Ring(7) 300 Points

Created by the Manic Blacksmith Horath when he was a fledging in his craft.

It can store up to 10 metre by 10 metre by 20 metre worth of items

The ring appeared in front of Jacob it had a simple black base with brown flecks scattered around the ring. Jacob gave a small sigh in relief that it was not a flashy looking item, he swiped it up with his right hand and put the ring on his left index finger. As soon as Jacob got the ring on he put everything he had in the makeshift knapsack from the sand nomads clothes and the knapsack itself into the ring’s storage space.

Jacob had more points to spend and he decided to choose at least one or two types of magic to learn, since his stats were leaning closer to the magical side of things. He felt inclined and excited to start properly learning how to wield his essence for the more offensive part of it, then simple enhancements.

Jacob redeemed a novice water and wood mastery for 500 each, Jacob winced a little from the purchase. The wince soon turned into a furrow when the knowledge on how to wield essence to control water and wood flooded into Jacob’s mind. Jacob took some time to familiarise himself with how the method was supposed to work, but with no nearby water or nature to work with. He was only able to memorise the process and not work with the actual elements after learning the forms.

He was afraid that there might be no water or wood for him to work with, once the System completes its teleport. He tried asking his question, but he only received a simple answer in return.

[The destinations are all randomised]

Jacob asked another question if he could redeem something to choose his destination.

[2000 points can be used to choose a general location to teleport to]

Well that was way too expensive, instead he decided to purchase novice air mastery too. The System would not be mean enough to teleport him to the atmosphere, Jacob hoped. With 2050 left, Jacob decided to deck himself out in some defenses or at least equipment good enough to give him an edge.

With the remaining points Jacob purchased a few equipment of choice, he kept things simple. He already had usable vambraces to guard parts of his arm. So he looked through the System generated list and found a leather armour that would be able to shrink or grow to fit him, it was also able to regenerate itself if Jacob supplies the armour with essence. The only downsight was that the armour cost a whooping 1800 leaving him with only 250 left. Unsure of what else he could use it on that would be useful he asked the System to show him the most expensive thing he could buy with 250 points.

Baby Red Panda

A baby red panda from Planet 76-40(Earth), one of the local fauna found on Earth. Its red fur and wide eyes made it one of the favourites for the dominant species on Earth.

A baby animal that he saw on the internet before cost half of the required points for a novice elemental mastery and it did not seem to have any special powers from the description too, Jacob’s jaw stayed open for a long while at the absurbness. It was a baby animal plain and simple, Jacob inquired with the System on why the red panda cost so much. The System gave him no replies this time. He asked another question to the System, if his achievement points could be carried over. It was an affirmative, which was why there were more expensive items to be redeemed.

He recalled the information given by the Suzerain that the next part would also be considered a tutorial but on a larger scale, he shook his head a little at the sheer absurdity. Just a week ago he was on a train, sipping tea and admiring the greenery. Now he was gonna participate in a world war framed as a tutorial.

He told the System he was ready to be transported to the new world. Jacob took a last look around the inky black void and when his head looked downwards he saw Flowing Water still on the pitch black floor beside him, he quickly bent down and waved his left hand over the sword and brought it into his ring. He wiped off his non-existent sweat in relief, in that moment his vision quickly changed from System text and darkness to an green field filled with grass taller than him.

Jacob looked around there was nobody around him this time at least not ones he could hear, but he still took out Flowing Water from his spatial ring before he looked upwards, this time there was only a singular sun. It looked a little bit like Earth’s just slightly dimmer, Jacob smiled a little at the somewhat familiar sight. Wondering if everyone he knew was looking up too, before he could pick a random direction to walk towards. The System was back with new orders.

Tutorial: Regional Conquest

Congratulations on surviving the Tutorial

You have been brought to the new world of Breska

Mission: Become the local hegemon of the region of South Eubresia

As always the System was not very forthcoming with words. It did not even mention how big the region Jacob was in, how was he to go about becoming a local hegemon of the region. Jacob decided to move and look for a better vantage spot while he started properly learning his new skills. The grass being taller than him irked him a little, but it was better than no cover. So Jacob got lower to the ground and started moving in a single direction, he heard a short rustle to his right while moving and before he could react to it.

A silver mass made a very rough contact with his body and sent Jacob flying backwards while he kept a tight grip on Flowing Water, he did not spend as much time as he would like with Aurelius in swordsmanship but the golden giant did gave Jacob a few valuable pointers and one of it was to never lose your weapon.

Jacob finally flew through enough tall green grass for his momentum to be arrested by the final clumps, just in time to see a flying silver bird man coming at him with a silver spear tip and a brown shaft. While Jacob was slightly distracted by the spear, the silver bird man drew ever closer. Jacob channeled essence through his body and quickly brought his own weapon up to meet with the spear. Deflecting the spear tip away from his chest and towards another clump of grass to his left.

Before the silver bird man could pull back, Jacob brought up even more essence from his core and into his left hand before he left go of the hilt on his sword with his left hand and held onto the shaft of the spear. His grip was tight enough that the white of his knuckles was painfully evident as he fought against the pull from the silver bird man.

Jacob decided to try his hand at diplomacy before the fight would get out of hand, he took a short breath before the words of the Anqa people came to him.

“Sqaawwwk!!” After the sound came out from Jacob, both he and the silver bird man looked deep into the irises of each other’s eyes. Jacob realised that the silver bird man had no whites in its eyes, it was fully black like a lemur or spider on Earth. It looked deeply unsettling to Jacob to see such eyes on a bird man, before he could properly look the silver bird man up and down. It’s human shaped mouth started moving and Jacob prepared himself to translate. A series of screeches and overtly expressive mouth movements came out from the silver bird man, Jacob roughly translated the words to.

“Are you trying to speak Anqaes or are you mocking me, you featherless thing.” Jacob seeing the chance at further diplomacy, tried speaking again in Anqaes. All that came out were a couple of lame squawks and croaks, if there was a hole nearby Jacob would want to put his head in there now. The way to speak was plain in his mind, but his body was simply not capable of bringing out his intended sounds.