Cal's eyed each of the skills listed in the interface, each one pulsing with potential. The list before him—a catalog of support skills—flickered into existence as they rested in their makeshift encampment. Temp, in its chair form sat next to him just as curious.

“I’ve already logged the full list and prioritized the most relevant skills. Most are not relevant for our situation.”

Cal swiped through for a while longer exploring the possibilities. Many of the support skills already had progress in them. There were profession mastery skills like cooking, alchemy, navigation, and engineering, but also other skills he would not have expected, like sleight of hand, beast taming, and accounting (of which Temp’s comprehension was already at 90%). Temp’s database knowledge built up a significant comprehension across quite a few of these skills, but it appeared that it wasn’t enough to fully claim any of them. There were also some combat skills in the support section that also piqued Cal’s interest.

[Pierce: Imbue your attacks to strengthen the puncture power of a pierce.

Comprehension: 0% (Cost to complete: 10 Luck)

Upgradeable

]

[Shield: Harness the ambient energy around you to shield yourself.

Comprehension: 0% (Cost to complete: 10 Luck)

Upgradeable

]

[Heat: Increase the temperature of an object.

Comprehension: 10% (Cost to complete: 9 Luck)

Upgradeable

]

[Cool: Decrease the temperature of an object.

Comprehension: 10% (Cost to complete: 9 Luck)

Upgradeable

]

[Strengthen: Increase the impact of the strength attribute by infusing external mana.

Comprehension: 0% (Cost to complete: 30 Luck)

Upgradeable

]

…

"It is curious that many skills are upgradeable."

"Yes. From what I understand, merging is possible, but so is directly upgrading the skills. As for the cost... that remains uncertain - it may be possible to derive upgrades as well."

“Temp you mentioned that these skills all use external mana earlier. Do you know how to see it or use it?”

“No. That is what is keeping me from full comprehension of many of the basic profession skills." Temp paused, then continued, "from Mara, I now understand how to use the energy and form the guideweave of translation, but I lack the understanding of calling upon mana in the first place. I would most appropriately call it a wavefunction, it is quite interesting Cal. It is like the guideweave itself occupies some sort of space like a particle, but is also a wave. Cal, I believe -”

“Mara’s book didn’t hold this information?” Cal interrupted.

“It was cryptic and assumed as prior knowledge.”

“Hmmm ok. Perhaps learning one of these skills might be useful as a test to see if it brings along that understanding.” Cal continued, currently sidestepping the lecture into the nuances of magical theory, "What do you make of this list - enhanced sensory awareness could be handy. Like hearing and vision, and night vision, too."

"Practical," Temp acknowledged, its digital voice carrying a note of curiosity. "But consider the higher-tier abilities. Telekinesis. Telepathy. Imagine wielding such power. I am intrigued by these and how they would function. These two as well as enhanced mana control are the only 50 luck skills I see available currently."

Cal glanced at Temp, noting the AI's flickering interest. The concept of raw power was new to an entity designed for servitude. "Versatile, yes," he conceded. "Could move objects... or scout ahead without risking a physical presence."

"Exactly. Infiltration without infiltration. Communication beyond barriers."

"Costly, though." Cal's eyes narrowed. "Points haven’t been easy to come by so far and we have no idea what the Luck stat does. Is it just for economy?"

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"True," Temp conceded.

"Let's keep them in mind." Cal tapped the list, a silent promise etched between the lines. "It seems like there is a cost limit for most of these skills currently?" Cal inquired, frowning slightly as he shifted his gaze back to the list.

"Correct. The current maximum expenditure for acquiring a support skill is capped at 41 points aside from the three “top” prizes. This is my current luck value." Temp's screen displayed a histogram, illustrating the distribution of skill costs. "It implies there are abilities beyond this threshold, hidden until the cap is raised."

"More powerful I assume." Cal's mind raced with the implications, aware that unseen skills could alter their choices especially if Luck was lost permanently.

"Plausible, but potentially more specialized as well," Temp said, its tone analytical yet tinged with a hint of wonder. "The system's depths remain uncharted."

"Interesting," Cal whispered, eyes locked onto the empty spaces beneath the listed skills. "We'll need to choose wisely. Perhaps it is better to wait for now. If you would like to get the higher cost variety, we will need to save up."

"Translation is already half learned," Cal continued, tapping the screen where the word glimmered faintly. "If it is practical, we can try learning the process of seeing and using mana from others and it won't drain your luck supply."

"Possibly," Temp replied. A hint of discontent appeared in its voice. “We can put it to the side for now, I suppose. If we have not found an answer, I will start with a small skill.”

Cal caught the hint of rebellion and considered it. His fingers then brushed against the satchel he carried, a frown etching his features as he unzipped it with one swift motion.

"Well, let's keep this in mind and check our inventory before Elena arrives. Temp could you keep a running list of skills that we may need to purchase in emergency."

"Very well, Cal."

Inventory awaited: a necessary ritual to keep chaos at bay. He reached inside, methodical, each item retrieved and named in silent acknowledgement.

"Sunburst orchids, about 5 kilos," he murmured, the flowers' vibrant hues a stark contrast to the dim lighting of the room. They were delicate, yet their potential was lethal—beauty masking danger. "We can prepare a bath for you. That might be the best way for us to use these."

Next, a tuxedo generator. Sleek, compact, deceptively ordinary in appearance. Its utility, however, was invaluable—a myriad of dashing styles at the press of a button. Cal's life had often depended on such charm.

Weapons followed. A dagger, cool to the touch, its blade glinting dully. An oversoul pistol, its weight familiar in his palm. Each instrument spoke of readiness, of threats countered with precision.

Various other items joined the inventory: some netting, the ring and letter from the room alongside the powerful faceted crystal, direhog tusks, the fallen warrior's vambrances, spear, and journal, and a few essentials for survival such as dried meat and his water sacs.

His hand paused. Tucked away beneath the pragmatic clutter, an empty pouch—Mara's barter. Why empty? Curiosity flickered within him, a spark against the backdrop of his ever-present caution.

"Curious little thing," he said aloud, turning the pouch over in his hands. It was meticulously crafted. Mara's soft brown eyes seemed to dance in his memory, her gentle smile a mask for the cunning that lurked beneath.

"Was something taken?" The familiar heft from the day before was gone. he pondered, placing the pouch next to the rest of his gear. I was given 5 crystals, no?

The pouch rested, an enigma amidst the certainty of steel and circuits. Cal's blue eyes lingered on it a moment longer before returning to the task at hand, knowing well that answers often lay where least expected.

Cal’s fingers gently probed the collection of organs arrayed before him, each nestled next to each other in the tattered tuxedo he once wore. The organs, glistening with a faint iridescence, were a macabre rainbow of potential.

A shadow crossed the gleam of his workspace. He straightened, hands stilling over the visceral assortment as Elena entered the clearing. Her violet eyes flickered with an unreadable depth, her movements composed, every step deliberate.

"Cal," her voice was cool, "I see your hunt was fruitful."

"Indeed," he replied, watching as she approached with a grace that belied an unspoken urgency. He noted the slight tilt of her head, the precision in her gaze as it scanned the contents of his pack.

"Any for Dexterity / Intelligence?" Her question cut to the chase. Cal was so thoroughly surprised that it broke his calm visage.

"Perhaps." Cal's response was guarded, his mind racing to piece together her intentions. "But why?"

Elena's lips hinted at a smile, enigmatic as always. "Tools for our trade, Cal. We're all looking to sharpen our edges. You’re from unintegrated space as well, right? That’s why I came looking for you."

Cal hesitated, acknowledging the game that is played—a dance of veiled motives and concealed weapons.

Elena looked on, a hint of disappointment in her visage.

“Yes, I am.” The disappointment disappeared and was replaced by a genuine smile.

Cal reached down and grabbed four organs. He laid them on the ground between him and Elena, their textures stark against the grass below.

"See for yourself – these are probably the only ones I have that match" he said, stepping back to give her space.

Elena extended a hand, her fingers hovering before descending with surgical precision onto one of the organs. It darkened faintly under her touch, as if resonating with her. She lifted it, weighing it in her palm, her violet eyes reflecting its shimmering surface.

Cal’s barely reclaimed expression broke once more.

“Temp, what is going on?”

“Cal, I have no idea.”