Chapter 1 - Successor
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Radiant Kingdom
Royal Moon Calendar.
2nd Luna, 1210
It was an alternate Medieval Magic World, where wars, monsters, magic and injustice were everyday's deal. In this world, a boy was reading a book.
“Receive this blessing and in return, return justice to this world… Better yet, build a Just Empire like ours… succeed us.”
“Hmm…?”
Alone, the boy was reading a seemingly suspicious book. It was a thick, old book with red-blooded pages from the start to the current page he was reading; the end of the book.
“Agree you must, place your right thumb on the magic circle, and say… ‘I , (Full Name) comprehend and agree to Kaiser Donetz’s proposed pact “Successor of Astarian Empire”,”
A circle with seemingly magical symbols appeared at the end of the book.
What actually happened?
Let us recap a little back in time…
...
====================
It took him 2 weeks to read the book, twice. The boy found the book as he was searching for any good books from old section of his academy’s library. Almost no one ever come here as far as he knows. The air surrounding the place was eerie. He however, enjoyed the quiet and fresh environment, with the wind from the high window of the library came in from time to time. He took a lot of time with the book compared to other books since it was quite complex and often possessed deep meaning in the words presented.
Now, it intrigued him. For the first time he finished the book, he had to take more time to think about the meaning and it ended as if the book was left undone. It was written as if it was a diary… a very complex and very detailed diary. He was left with the impression that it was an autobiography and history book written by oneself about his time. There were some drawings of water colour depicting some of the environments in the book, drawings of which the writer himself drew.
The story was about the writer himself, a leader who managed to build a great Empire despite his lowly origin as poor commoner. He built communities filled with fairness, unselfishness and diligence. However, the world leaders did not approve of him.
He was too dangerous, for he loved his people and respected others. His principle and charisma, coupled with superior intellect while supported by his courage as well as his capable men, made leaders around the world worried. Most worrying of all, his own enmity towards the injustice of the other Empires and how much he shared all the secret plans of those behind the empires to the public.
Four biggest Empires of the world united to destroy him.
The Ming Empire stayed neutral.
Following suit, 50 minor countries joined the 4 Empire’s cause. They were baited, threatened, or bought. The book ended with the great leader’s demise with his falling empire. Before his fall, he thanked everyone from within and outside of his empire – women, youth, workers, and soldiers – everyone for their trust and sacrifice. It was a struggle for the survival of ideal way of living… in harmony with others and obedience to God Eternal.
Uuu....
The boy had tear running down his cheek..
He cried a few times as he read the book. In the beginning of the book, it was due to pity to the man. In the middle, due to sacrifices of noble men. Then, due to aspirations from their success. Further, due to hardship from unjust war. In the end, he cried due to the fall of such exemplary empire.
The first time he finished reading, he gathered materials and information from that era, around 100 years ago to verify the whole scenario written. He managed to find a lot of them, some declaring the Kaiser a tyrant, but failed to back it up with facts and believable situation.
Others that supported him, managed to outline amazingly clear of how his policies were and with fact, of the whole situation that brought forth the war…After a hundred or so documents, he concluded…
"An amazing Empire, lead by amazing men."
He read it again.
“God, I wish I could do something to help…”
His tear fell onto… no, into the book… into the thick large page. A glimmer of light came from the last page. Now… he read the whole term and condition of the said pact. It was written in a way that was really easy to understand and lack any ambiguity.
================
Now we were back in time, where he was considering the pact.
“Is this… dangerous? No, the pact was not the least ambiguous, and if this really is from the Kaiser… but why..?”
He read the requirement part.
Requirement of the Successor
1. Must cry at least five times while reading the book.
2. Must admire the drawings of the Kaiser!
3. Must have read the entirety of the book and reread it again.
4. Must have the desire to help Astarian Empire and detest injustice.
He smiled. It was funny, but he understood quite well why number 1 and 2 were there. The boy placed his right thumb onto the red, blood-stained circle.
"I , Felt Godfrey, comprehend and agree to Kaiser Donetz’s proposed pact “Successor of Astarian Empire”…
Soon after, the whole last page disappeared from the book.
Ding!
What’s that? A bell?
Pact Notification
You have read and agreed with Kaiser Donetz’s proposed pact “Successor of Astarian Empire”. You are required to return justice to this world and let the world know true history of the downfall of Astarian Empire. One of the ways would be by rebuilding the glorious Empire of Astaria.
You have gained the class “Kaiser”.
You cannot change the class as long as the pact is in effect.
The class gives you the following benefit:
I. Advantage of Mental, Physicals and Skills Acquisition and Improvement.
II. Advantage of Monitoring and Managing the said Improvement and Items.
III. Skills, Stats and Benefits of your class… “Kaiser”.
The pact will hold as long as you did no great injustice or overlook any during your life. You must rebuild an Empire within 30 years or the pact would end. Read instruction on how to use your newfound ability by calling out “Briefing Window”. Reread the book again. Optional skills are now available for you to learn. Optional Quests will be available when you are ready.
This pact holds no penalty.
“What the heck is this?”
Felt could see the notice in the air. It was semi-transparent and his hand could pass through it as well. He looked around and noticed a fellow visitor entering the library, seemingly a senior. A girl slightly older… possibly just a year or two older… He recognized her. That blonde, 1.6 meter girl who started to engross herself with books… It was Faith, his senior and acquaintance.
- What a coincidence. I’ll just ask her.
“Good morning, Faith-sempai…”
“Ah yes, Good morning… eh, it’s been a while…”
“Excuse me for bothering you, but do you see this Faith-sempai...?”
He pointed to the notice in the air, seemingly fixed to be in front of him even when he moved next to her. She was a little perplexed.
“Huh? What are you talking about… Felt, was it? Nice to see you again.”
“Indeed it is. Nice to see you too Faith-sempai.”
It seemed she could not see the blue-coloured notice. Felt could observe that she was not faking it too. There was also no reason she would do so. He smiled, satisfied.
“Ah, no, no… I’m sorry. Forget I ever ask. Ah, it seemed I did not sleep much these days.”
“Oh, I see. I don’t particularly mind. But why would you not having enough sleep? It’s only the third week. Did the Professors burden you in some way… Wait, did those sempai of yours bully you? Those good-for-nothing…”
She started to speculate. Fiel smiled as he stared at her busy with making speculation in her own world. Faith Niarte Aschen, of the famous Niarte Aschen family, was a young member of a noble family in Radiant. She was one of the chief facilitators during his first week “Orientation Week” in his new school – Aschen Royal Military ‘ARM’ Academy, located in the south of Radiant Kingdom.
The Aschen name was the name of the founder of the Academy, 50 years ago. From him asking around, apparently the man, Duke Aschen, was her late great granduncle. His findings were interesting. But that’s a story for another time. For now, he just thought she looked really cute, making innocent speculations and engrossed in it.
- Those sempai of yours… she must be referring to facilitators I became friendly with during the week. They were extremely cheerful and teaseful, yet by no mean they were terrible.
“No, they did no such thing… Thanks for your concern sempai.”
His words broke her out from her imagination.
“Oh, I see. Anyway, if you have any problem, please do not hesitate to request for help. I’ll try to help, at least.” She put her tender hand on her chest.
“I would be glad to take that offer when the time comes. Regardless, I apologize for disturbing your study.”
He noticed the ten or so books on the table.
“Don’t be. I was just researching something. It’s just a light mental exercise of mine. After orientation it usually took three more weeks for things to turn hectic… Besides…”
“Besides…?”
“I don’t really know how to put it… you just look better than before.”
“Really? I guess I just manage to settle down after that tiring orientation week. It’s fun, though.”
“It’s not just that… your voice as well… ah, I see. You’re at that age, huh… now I understand.”
“What? I didn’t realize it… It must be quite recent… Is it bad?”
“Bad you say? It sounds… quite good. And I’m quite stingy in giving marks too, just so you know.”
“I’m glad it turned out good. I’d like to have a voice much like my father… and oh, our principle.”
“That kind of commanding voice really is desirable, for men anyway hah haha… I can’t imagine a lady having such voice.”
He thanked her in return for his orientation week, and returned to his seat just a few meters away. He gazed her still a little, and she waved him back when she noticed.
It’ll be nice having someone like her by your side…
Ding!
Skill Notification
You have gained a New Active Skill, Scan Lv1.
Gather information by scanning your target. You will receive possible information based on your current mastery level. As the skill increase, the more possible information will be available.
Cost: 20 Mana/Target
Requirement:
Takes a few seconds of observation to the target for it to activate.
The better the observation, the better the result would be.
A notice popped out in front of him.
-What?
And another…
-What?!
Name: Faith Niarte Aschen
Alignment: Good
Level: 59
Class: Graceful Archer
Title: Fair Maiden Fame: 1690
More Information would be possible as Scan skill increase.
- This is really amazing. This ability… I need to know more.
He noticed the part about briefing.
“Briefing Window.”
He read the whole briefing about how to use his newfound abilities. It continued to amaze him as he could think just how much he could benefit from them.
- I need to test all these…
He went to Faith and said his goodbye and went to his favourite place; a large Kapok tree by the side of a wide field. It was an almost 15 meters tree with its root all over the surface and its large branches sprawling out. He sat and observed the people who were still exercising in the weekend morning. He scanned the people around. Most of them were juniors with levels around 12 to 18…
-Not many… around 30 or so. Since most seniors will only return in another two days, only these early birds are present. I’ll just try as much as possible. Oh! Isn’t that Zoei-sempai?
Zoei was the President of Pact – Paladin Aspirant Council of Twelve. It was a kind of Student Representative, limited to only 12 best students chosen by a certain system. All of them were third or fourth year students.
Zoei was conferred pre-knighthood a month ago at the age of 17, but still needs another nine or so months in the ARM Academy to prepare for his 1-year field assignment as well as sorting other things out. Besides, his target was not knighthood. It was Paladin-hood, if you will. However, that story will be for another time.
Ding!
Name: Zoei R. Archveil Alignment: Good
Level: 70+
Class: Wyvern Knight
Title: Strong Leader Fame: 2720+
More Information would be possible as Scan skill increase.
“Amazing… and by his side him, Zack-sempai. Another member of PACT…”
Ding!
Name: Zechrius V. Agustar Alignment: Good
Level: ???
Class: Wyvern Knight
Title: Carefree Genius Fame: ????
More Information would be possible as Scan skill increase.
-Huh? The information was lesser… was it because of the distance? And what’s up with the question marks… it seemed there’s extra… And Agustar… that sure rings a bell… and he moves so well… oh well.”
“Status Window”
STATUS WINDOW
Name Felt Godfrey Alignment Good
Level 14 Class Kaiser
Title Successor of Astarian Empire Fame 1085
HP Regen: 2.2% per minute MP Regen: 8.0% per minute
ST Regen: 1.7% per minute
Stats
Health 570/570 Mana 1082/1082
Strength 34 +20 Agility 31 + 20
Vitality 35 +20 Wisdom 27 + 175
Intelligence 58 +30 Stamina 23 + 20
Fighting Spirit 10 +170 Honour 12 + 80
Charisma 5 + 170 Leadership 2 + 70
Perseverance 0 + 20 Phy. Resist 0 + 20
Endurance 0 + 20 Sustenance 10 + 20
Mentality 10 + 70 Charm 5 + 20
Art 20 + 220 Luck 4 +20
Offence 22 Defence 15
Earth Affinity: 25%
Lightning Affinity: 25%
Wind Affinity: 25%
Magic Resistance
Fire 10% Water 10%
Earth 15% Wind 15%
Light 15% Dark 10%
+ Stats related to class are added and all stats are added extra 20 points.
+ Charisma, Fighting Spirit, Leadership, Wisdom, Mentality are added extra 50 points as class bonus.
+ Agility +10%.
+ Art added 100 points.
+ Easier to acquire stats and skill increase.
+ Enable you to Master all combat skills except Satanic-affiliated class.
+ Class skills will be learned when the requirements are fulfilled.
+ Earth, Lightning and Wind Affinity + 25%, resistance + 5%.
+ All magic resistance added 10%.
+ Shares Fate with Your Guardians. (Locked)
Main Title:
Successor of Astarian Empire
- You are the successor of the Kaiser of the Great Astarian Empire, the very empire that required 4 largest empires at the time united to be able to defeat it. Expect prophecy against you from the leading empires by their Demonic Art users, who once lead other nations to take down Astaria. You might look more important now than you used to be, but protect this identity of yours at all cost. If necessary, reveal only to people you can trust your life with.
Fame +1000.
Wisdom +100.
Fighting Spirit +100.
Charisma +100.
Art +100.
Face to face, good people will trust you better.
Quest relating to Astarian Empire will yield superior rewards.
Other Title(s):
Clever Child
Honest Noble
Undistributed Bonus Stat Point(s): 65
- Wow… is this Astarian Magic? Why Art the highest… meh. I’ll look into it later. Hmm… I wonder having higher wisdom would make me like those old sages… speaking in vague, puzzling riddle… Successor, huh… Fighting spirit seemed quite important. Charisma as well. Hah I’m really taking this pretty well and calm… Wonder if that have something to do with the increased Wisdom.
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“Window on Wisdom, Fighting Spirit and Charisma.”
Wisdom
? Wisdom is a composite term for the character’s enlightenment, judgment, wile, willpower, and intuitiveness. It is the quality of knowing the truth behind the façade, mostly attributed to being old and knowing reality of the world.
? Wisdom influences the number of spells a spell caster can cast per day, and the effectiveness of said spells. Increases MP Regeneration and Max MP slightly.
? Easier to learn new skills when a situation arises that requires you to do so.
? Easier to raise skills mastery especially types requiring mental engagement.
? Able to increase overall effectiveness of any stats or skills that concerned with mental activity.
? You may not distribute bonus stat points to Wisdom. Earn it.
? Raised by realizing or coming out with the truth of the world that any average people could not possibly conceive on their own mental engagement.
Fighting Spirit
? Decreases the pressure that people can give off due to having a higher level than oneself.
? Possible to cower creatures of lower fighting spirit than oneself with a glare.
? Temporally call on superhuman strength.
? Raised by fighting creatures of a higher level than oneself
? Raised by continuously fighting creatures
? You may not distribute bonus stat points to Fighting Spirit. Earn it.
Charisma
? The charisma stat acts over others, making them more liable to do as you will. It stacks with your fame, charm and leadership.
? Makes it easier to tame pets or hire people.
? Increase influence on people’s thinking.
? Raised by giving good advice to those following you
? Raised by giving popular, good or fair orders to those following you
? You may not distribute bonus stat points to Charisma. Earn it.
- Cannot distribute bonus stats points… They seemed quite important enough to earn by my own action only. This bonus stats point… He analyzed his Stats Window.
“What’s Honour?”
Stat: Honour
? Honour is the characteristic of a true Knight.
? You hate lying and hate lies. You conduct yourself appropriately with manner and valour.
? High Honour Stats influenced how honourable Knights see you and respect you accordingly.
? Also easier to gain attention from and influence honourable nobles and people of similar value.
? Raised by mingling with honourable people, acted honourably and do not cower in face of challenge.
? You may not distribute bonus stats point to Honour stat. Earn it.
- Honour, eh… also it seemed I may have become more than twice stronger than before. Judging from this ‘Advantage of Mental, Physicals and Skills Acquisition and Improvement’, I might be able to increase my ability faster than others… That prophecy thing worried me though… Should I expect assassins coming for my life? Well, what’s done is done.
He decided to keep this fact secret and make do with what he had with the best possible action.
- Anyway… if I understand it right, bonus stats point could give you extra stats based on your own choice… OWN CHOICE!
“Hmmm….”
- What about skills… can I distribute bonus… ah it said clearly its “stats point”.
“Window on all skills!”
Passive Skills List
- Skills that stay with you all the time or acted itself based on your action.
1. Sword Mastery Level 4 - 23%
Increases attack power with a sword +40%
Increases attack speed with a sword +12%
Slightly redefine your swordplay into that of a Master
Raised by using sword
2. Archery Mastery Level 4 - 2%
Increases attack power of bow and arrows+40%
Increases attack speed of released arrows +12%
Increases your handling of bow and arrows +12%
Increases accuracy by a slight margin
Raised by using Bow and Arrows
3. Shield Mastery Level 3 – 28%
Increases the effectiveness of shield by 30%
Slightly prevent stagger.
Increase chance to stagger the enemy with a shield bash.
4. Vision Level 3 – 7%
The ability to see further. Vision +30%
Can see better in the night. Night Vision +12%
Can be used with skills that uses vision
Despite better vision, protects the eye from excessive light by quickly adjusting the retina.
5. Majestic Voice Level 1 – 1%
Ability you succeed from the Kaiser.
Makes your voice majestic and awe-inspiring.
Speak things of importance and avoid useless chatter to fully utilize this ability.
This ability is related to your art, charisma, leadership and any quality people can trust.
Further increase the probability of people entrusting themselves or responsibility to you.
6. Majestic Presence Level 1 – 0%
Ability you succeed from the Kaiser.
Makes your presence similar to that of a Kaiser, awe-inspiring others around.
You must carry yourself in a dignified yet non-arrogant manner to fully utilize this ability.
This ability is related to your art, charisma, leadership, fame and any quality people can admire.
Further increase the probability of people entrusting themselves or responsibility to you.
The skill will increase faster in the presence of many and when you acted more naturally dignified.
7. Artistic Drawing Level 1 – 1%
Ability you succeed from the Kaiser.
Enhance your drawings.
This ability will make it possible for you to draw better and better as you practice yourself.
Allows several temporary or permanent boosts to stats of the admirers depending on your artwork.
8. Hand to hand Combat Level 3 – 22%
Increases attack power of the body +30%
Increases attack speed of the body +12%
Increases ability to reduce physical damage taken.
9. Herb gathering Level 1 – 27%
Used to gather herbs
The ability to better tell poisonous plants from edible plants
Herbs have different uses depending on their colour
10. Cooking Level 2 – 54%
Enhances the taste of meals.
Gives extra benefits from meals, even stats boost.
11. Godfrey’s Breathing Technique Level 4 - 71%
Slightly increases the effectiveness of stamina usage.
Slightly increases the output of strength and agility.
Increased the recovery of Health, Mana and Stamina.
May increases Max stamina and other related stats if used thoroughly.
Active Skills List
- Skills that requires activation using determined cost, usually Mana.
1. Time Manipulation Level 1 – 0%
Ability you succeed from the Kaiser.
Allows you to slightly manipulate time.
Cast a quicken condition into yourself or your party member, decreasing reaction time while increasing information processing and agility by 20%.
Warning: May increase the effect of poisons and any similar status effects.
Cost: 80 Mana /2 minutes.
Cooldown: 5 minutes.
2. Time Memory Manifestation Level 1 – 0%
Ability you succeed from the Kaiser.
Seek the secrets within the memory still available inside certain inanimate objects. Objects highly valued and of ancient origin may contain secrets to be learned.
Cost: 120 Mana/minute
3. Leader’s Call Level 1 – 0%
Ability you succeed from the Kaiser.
A loud call befitting a great leader.
Able to reduce confusion and raised morale if directed appropriately.
Able to throw the enemy into confusion if directed appropriately.
Temporarily increases Leadership and Charisma depending on performance.
Cost: 40 Mana/each activation
4. Mana Circulation Level 1 – 0%
Ability you succeed from the Kaiser.
Astarian Empire’s specialty.
In the east, it was called Qi Circulation.
Circulating your Mana may enhance your physical or mental ability temporarily.
You may use Mana circulation outside your body to enhance your attack as well.
Warning: Overexerting yourself with Mana Circulation could be fatal.
Stop using it as soon as it feels unbearable. It is better to exercise this when in a presence of a Master.
Cost: Depends on your will.
5. Scan Level 1 – 45%.
Gather information by scanning your target. You will receive possible information based on your current mastery level. As the skill increase, the more possible information will be available.
Cost: 20 Mana/Target
6. First Aid Level 1 – 77%
Used to make bandages and gauze
Enables one to stop bleeding
Increases life of the wounded when tended
Raised by mending wounds with bandages and gauze.
Should apply herbs to increase effectiveness.
Cost: Bandages, Gauze and Herbs
7. Parry (Sword Skill) Level 3 – 82%
Ward off a weapon’s attack by using a countermove.
Increases chance to stagger the enemy by 12%.
Cost: 25 Mana / Move
8. Piercing Strike (Sword Skill) Level 2 – 77%
Likelihood to pierce through armors or strong shells using the tip of the sword.
Increases speed of piercing attack by a slight margin.
Increases critical attack chance should the attack succeed.
Cost: 35 Mana / Move
9. Shield Bash Level 1 -55%
Strike your opponent with a shield, dealing some damage and some chance to stagger them.
If timed well, stagger effect and the chance for the enemy to lose their footing increased.
Cost: 30 Mana/Move
10. Imperial Swords Basic Stance Level 1 -0%
Ability you succeed from the Kaiser.
You move while using swords in a graceful yet never sacrificing your effectiveness.
This skill consists of 7 different basic stance engrained into your memory.
This skill put you in favourable starting positions and heightened your focus in battle.
Cost: 50 mana/activation
11. Imperial Free-flow movement Level 1 -2%
Ability you succeed from the Kaiser.
The skill allows you to better move your body much like the movement of stream flowing passed a rock. Slightly increase agility and evasion. Allows you to attack while continue moving and lessened the amount of stagger to your body due to your own attack. The movement might enchant the spectators if you decided to use artistic movements complementing each other, much like a dance.
Cost: 20 mana/minute.
12. Solemn Pact of Leadership. (Locked)
Ability you succeed from the Kaiser.
Details Locked. Certain Requirement not fulfilled yet.
“That’s a lot… locked? Nevermind, to utilize all these I need a solid plan.”
“What plan?”
A solid, dignified voice came from his side. It was Zack and his companion Zoei, walking up to him from the field. They were drenched with sweat. He was startled.
“Zack-sempai? Zoei-sempai?! D-did I mutter out my mind too loud?”
“Hah, no… It’s just that we noticed you were looking at our morning exercise. Felt, was it? Care to join?”
Zack invited. Felt was not expecting of such. He still remembered his name from their brief meeting during the orientation week.
“It’s best to do some physical exercise during early morning. The air is extremely beneficial for your growth, if only you know.”
Zoei added.
“Ah, well…”
He was about to reject the invitation as he remembered why he love to spend more time in the library rather than in the field. He barely passed the physical test to gain admission into the ARM Academy… He sure did not want to become a laughing stock, even if there were only a few left now that it was already 8.00 am…
Until,
“I would be honoured to join the best of the Academy, even if temporarily.”
“That’s the spirit.”
“Hehh… We just finish 90 laps… There are still 10 left. Do accompany us, Felt.”
Each lap was at least 500 metres.
“90 laps?! Since when did you… sempai started training?”
“The usual.”
“4.30 am, that’s our usual starting time. We usually finish up earlier. It’s just that today we were taking it easy.”
Zack added. They walked towards the field. Even among the Elite ARM Academy students, these third years stood at the top as the best five. The others would be introduced later. Faith was in top twenty, by the way.
Felt could see earlier that they were doing such exercise while seemingly engaging in mental activity. Even still, their speed was no joke.
“Amazing…”
- I need to change my weak nature. The villagers called me clever, but I should not use such excuse to refuse improving my physical ability. The training of the mind should go hand in hand with the training of the body. Besides, I’d like to confirm the changes… plus, if it’s with these men…
He glanced at the back of the two.
- Great characters and abilities. I’ll have them as my goal for now… yeah.
Imperial Free-flow movement activated.
Mana Circulation activated.
Godfrey’s Breathing Technique activated.
After finishing the 10 laps…
You have gained 1 Stamina!
You have gained 1 Agility!
---
He spend over a night in his dormitory trying to come up with the best plan to distribute his bonus stats as well as going over the briefing again. Many of his age would not be able to think as much as he did, since the very stats needed for mental activity was raised significantly.
“Show only Stats possible to be increased by the Bonus Stats Points”
Ding.
Status Window
Strength 34 +20 Agility 32 + 20
Vitality 35 +20 Stamina 24 + 20
Intelligence 58 +30 Charm 5 + 20
Art 20 + 220
“Wow, how convenient.”
- Charm is important… if you’re a Casanova, or wanted to attract the support of naïve ladies… Hmm… stamina… important, in situation which you’ll have to fight for a long duration… Vitality… hmm…
“I know for sure my stamina was low… but to see numbers like this. I wonder how much others possess. More than mine, I guess. Mine is average at best.”
He pondered. He got 65 stats to spend, but he was quite picky to choose which would be best. He recalled his earlier conversations…
***
“I would place stamina and vitality above them.”
Zoei answered. After the 5 KM run, they were quite pleased that a newcomer could keep up with them, even if it was only 10 laps. Afterwards, they sat down to rest with some bread, tea and water. During the time, Felt had placed upon them a mental challenge, about what would be best to improve, if all attribute given was quite at the same level. He gave out all of the stats above except intelligence.
“What would the reason be, sempai?”
“You need stamina in order to increase many of your other attribute. If you ask me, I would say both of us have higher stamina than others. Thus we could train much longer and reap more benefit. Vitality will ensure you continue to be in acceptable health… Of course, you would also need strength to lift your swords for practice.”
“So this is your plan from earlier?”
Zack asked for confirmation.
Sharp intuition!
“Ah haha… yes. I planned to get much stronger… not to be arrogant sempai, but right now my goal would be to reach the level of both of you.”
“Wow, really?”
“It’s nice to have aspiration. I’m nothing special, but Zoei is the real deal.”
“If you’re nothing special Zack, then no one in this Academy is…”
Zack laughed it off, and turned to Felt.
“Do you really mean it? To be as strong as us?”
“That’s only the beginning.”
“Is that arrogance or confidence?”
“Neither. It’s a plan, sempai.”
...
“Good enough. I’ve my own answer on your question, but it differs from Zoei. Rather, the criteria most important is not even one of those you presented. Would you like to know still?”
“Of course. Do tell, sempai.”
“Diligence, Felt. Diligence.”
***