Chương 98: Chapter 061 Apollo, God Of The Sun, Light, Prophecy, Music, Poetry, Healing, Plague, And Archery

"Where's the nearest temple?" Jack made his way through the streets of Lundun. It was just past eight in the morning, and workers filled the roads around him. For reasons he did not understand, he felt an urgency to choose his class and had left home an hour earlier than in his previous regression. A couple of minutes later, he spotted a temple.

"Which one is it?" Jack approached the temple, its red brick façade radiant under the early morning sun. Two Anubian guards flanked the gilded doors, their jackal helms polished to a mirror finish. One squinted against the sunlight, adjusting the leather strap of his breastplate, while the other traced a fingertip down the edge of his spearhead, catching the reflected brilliance. The temple was dedicated to Apollo, God of the sun, light, prophecy, music, poetry, healing, plague, and archery.

The temple's red brick surface boasted of divine favour, as though even the sun itself bent to the God's will. Carved white marble reliefs adorned the external temple walls: Apollo strumming his lyre beside a laurel tree heavy with leaves; radiant beams haloing his crowned head. Other panels showed him healing the sick with a touch, or loosing arrows into a serpentine plague beast that writhed in agony at his feet. Jack smirked at one carving of Apollo perched on a boulder, deep in thought, laurel crown askew.

The sculptor had even given the God a handsome face, the personification of male beauty.

"Of course he did," he muttered.

"Wouldn't want the God of poetry looking rough." He felt an unexpected urge to turn around and head to the nearest temple dedicated to Nemesis, the Goddess of vengeance, retribution, and balance. He dismissed the feeling. Any temple will do. He scanned the doors, huge slabs of cedar inlaid with polished brass. Twin handles shaped like sunbursts.

"I should've come here to choose the archery class," he joked as he entered the temple to a painting of Apollo drawing a bow. Inside, the temple was filled with golden light. No aether-lanterns or torches burned. Instead, expensive aether-conduit glasswork channelled natural sunlight from hidden skylights above, so the entire space seemed to glow. Sunlight rippled across the polished white marble floor like a liquid blessing.

At night, stored sunlight would replace the natural light, so the temple was always bathed in the sun's radiance. Jack stopped just past the threshold and took a deep breath. He felt the divine presence settle over him like a heated cloak. It pressed into his bones, both comforting and suffocating. The scent of laurel and warmed cedar filled his nose. A faint note of olive oil and beeswax polish clung to the pews, worked in by generations of caretakers. He felt the urge to stop to pen a poem or sketch Apollo.

He pulled his pack from his shoulder before shaking his head.

"Nope. I'm here to choose my class. Again." He looked around the temple.

"Maybe I'll do a sketch or two after." High on the dais, Apollo's immaculate statue stood. A tall, youthful figure, laurel crown in gleaming brass, lyre in one hand, and a bow in the other. His eyes were carved with inhuman precision, seeming to follow Jack as he moved. At his feet was a wolf, representing Apollo's other form. Song drifted through the space. Not from a choir, but from a lone priestess near the altar, her voice clear and flawless. The hymn praised the light, truth, and prophecy.

Every note vibrated in Jack's soul. He exhaled as he watched a few worshippers scattered in prayer. There was a scholar clutching scrolls at his knees. An older woman lit a candle for a sick child, her lips moving in fervent appeal. A bowman in a city guard uniform, his head lowered in humble supplication. A teenage boy, a little younger than Jack, was sitting sketching a statue of Apollo. He glanced at the sketch. That's not bad. He could do better, but he had decades of experience and his [Draughtsmanship] skill.

Jack's eyes fell on the stone at the foot of Apollo's statue. The Choosing Stone. He wet his lips. I hope I've kept all my classes and skills. He already felt that he had, but he was still worried. He swallowed his doubts and took a hesitant step forward. The light of Apollo, cold and warm all at once, wrapped around him. He placed his hand on the Choosing Stone, and like before, it glowed blue; he was presented with a list of classes to choose from. Jack smiled.

[Class Selection Screen-Internal View] [Available classes: Student, Maid, Artist, Housekeeper, Researcher, Cook, Administrator, Scribe, Draughtsman, Librarian, Linguist, Mathematician, Scholar, Historian, Apprentice Scribe, Mage, Cartographer, Dancer, Jeweller, Poet, Bard, Blood Mage, Explorer, Beggar, Thief, Labourer, Actor, Woodsman, Carpenter, Tailor, Negotiator, Merchant, Farmer, Baker, Stable Hand, Horseman, Wanderer, Ice Mage, Fire Mage, Earth Mage, Priest, Architect, Outcast, Priest of Nemesis, Time Mage, Trapsmith, Brewmeister, Herbologist, Alchemist, Hunter, Swordsman, Warrior, Spearman, Hermit, Archer, Scout, Ranger, Blacksmith, Knight, Infiltrator, Tracker, Spy, Assassin, Rogue, Poisoner, Inquisitor, Priest of Demeter, Journeyman Scribe, Goblin Warrior, Priest of Hermes, Goblin Vampire, Healer, Politician, Sky-Knight, Goblin Assassin, Goblin Spy, Goblin Cook, Goblin Rogue, Goblin Slayer, Guard, Priest of Apollo.] This time, five classes were stricken out: Scribe, Apprentice Scribe, Archer, Blood Mage, and Assassin. Jack gave a deep sigh of relief. That must mean I've kept my other classes. Yes. He scanned the new classes.

"What in the hells are all these goblin classes?" he muttered after noticing the eleven new additions to the list, including six classes related to goblins. He now had seven goblin classes. Some specialists spent their time culling goblins, and after killing half a dozen of the creatures, they'd qualify for the Novice Goblin Slayer class. However, the other goblin classes weren't ones he'd heard of. G oblins have multiple classes like humans. He scratched his head. They must have, to have skills.

His eyes widened as he thought about three of the other new classes—Healer, Politician, Sky-Knight, and Guard. Killing someone's a shortcut to being offered their class. Damn. Blood mage is so messed up. This wasn't much of a revelation for other blood mages, but for Jack, this meant he could gain any class as long as he didn't mind killing the relevant person… or goblin. Having no intention of choosing any of the goblin classes, he moved on to selecting his class.

While he'd prepared breakfast with his mom or joked with Polly, he'd been thinking about which class to choose. He went through the decision he'd made. I can't work at the Royal Library. Jack felt his stomach knot as he prepared to choose his class.

"I won't be working with my father. He's going to be devastated." Tears rolled down his cheeks. As a blood mage, he couldn't go anywhere near Baron Greaves or the other blood mages. Therefore, working at the Royal Library wasn't an option; he wiped away his tears. The blood mage class included the [Sense Blood Mages] skill. It was an active skill, so walking by a blood mage in the street wouldn't result in the skill triggering.

But if he worked at the Library, it would only be a matter of time before Greaves activated the skill and sensed him. He's eventually going to find out I'm fate-touched. Jack felt consumed by helplessness. Fuck. With his father working at the Royal Library, it was only a matter of time before Jack met Greaves and he was checked by whatever skill the Baron used to peer into a person's fate. I can't allow him to touch me again.

He took one last look at the statue of Apollo, and for a moment, Jack felt his resolve strengthen. I must become stronger to protect them… and the Kingdom. Keeping his family safe made the decision easier. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. Jack went to select his class, but paused. I should choose inquisitor. I need it. He almost selected the class without further thought.

"No. I don't know what it does." He shook his head and selected his fifth class. He opened his class screen and breathed a sigh of relief.

[Class Screen-Internal View] Class: Apprentice Scribe (50) Compatibility: 74% Novice Primary Skills —Copy Text (5) —Translate Text (5) —Draughtsmanship (7) —Bind Book (5) —Restoration (4) Novice Secondary Skills —Calligraphy (6) —Layout (4) —Emboss Text (4) —Cartography (4) —Cataloguing (5) —Wax Sealing (3) —Ink Preparation (3) —Parchment Preparation (3) —Watermarking (3) —Contracts (3) —Margin Notation (5) —Ink Weatherproofing (3) —Micro-Script (4) —Leather Working (3) —Illuminated Script (2) —Gold Leaf (2) Apprentice Primary Skills —Perfect Recall (5) —Create Cypher/Decipher (4) —Inscribe Spell (6) —Scribe's Ear (3) —Glyph of Obfuscation (5) Apprentice Secondary Skills —Living Margins (2) —Lexomancy (3) —Seal of Silence (3) —Explosive Ink (2) —Echo Writing (2) —Dream Journaling (3) —Astral Notation (2) Class: Novice Archer (1) Compatibility: 31% Novice Primary Skills —Silent Shot (0) —True Aim (0) —Piercing Arrow (0) —Eagle Eye (0) —Bowyer's Craft (0) —Fletcher's Precision (0) Class: Novice Assassin (0) Compatibility: 59% Novice Primary Skills —Assassinate (0) —Backstab (0) —Dagger Proficiency (0) —Shadow Veil (0) —Assassin's Mark (0) —Silent Step (0) —Assassin's Intuition (1) Novice Secondary Skills —Pierce Armpit (0) —Pierce Jaw (0) —Disembowel (0) Class: Novice Blood Mage (1) Compatibility: 87% Novice Primary Skills —Compulsion (0) —Blood Bond (0) —Sense Blood Mages (0) —Harvest Pseudo Skills (0) ——Pseudo Warrior: First Strike (0) ——Pseudo Goblin: Enrage (0) ——Pseudo Rogue: Detect Trap (0) ——Pseudo Warrior: Greatsword Slice (0) ——Pseudo Goblin: Blood Regeneration (0) ——Pseudo Librarian: Cross-Reference (0) ——Pseudo Administrator: Multitasking (0) ——Pseudo Mage: Fireball (0) ——Pseudo Healer: Heal (0) ——Pseudo Politician: Convince (0) ——Pseudo Inquisitor: Detect Class (0) ——Pseudo Sky-Knight: Skyward Charge (0) ——Pseudo Goblin: Night Vision (0) ——Pseudo Goblin: Feign Death (0) ——Pseudo Goblin: Iron Gut (0) ——Pseudo Goblin: Scramble Reflex (0) ——Pseudo Goblin: Haemorrhage (0) ——Pseudo Goblin: Quick Stab (0) ——Pseudo Warrior: Brutal Blow (0) ——Pseudo Warrior: Endure Pain (0) ——Pseudo Warrior: Enhanced Strength (0) ——Pseudo Guard: Tireless March (0) ——Pseudo Rogue: Rogue's Tongue (0) ——Pseudo Blood Mage: Sanguine Pact (0) ——Pseudo Knight: Lance Charge (0) ——Pseudo Blood Mage: Blood Omen (0) Class: Novice Time Mage (0) Compatibility: 82% Novice Primary Skills —Shield (1) —Reflect (0) —Foresight (0) —Chronos Touch (0) Jack smiled as he whispered his new class, "Novice Time Mage."

His smile turned into a frown.

"All my Compatibility percentages increased again. This is so strange." He scanned through other changes and focused on the new [Pseudo Blood Mage: Blood Omen] skill. He'd gained it from killing Baron Greaves. Interesting. So that's how the bastard sensed I was touched by the Fates, and why I was invited to the hunt. The [Blood Omen] skill allowed the blood mage to sense important future events related to their target. It, in effect, granted an insight into what the Fates had in store for them.

Jack recalled all the older noble blood mages touching him during the hunt, but not the young ones. It must be an Apprentice Blood Mage skill. Another reason to stay away from Greaves and other blood mages. It's like I have a target on my back. He focused on his new time mage skills. They were, as he expected, four low-level skills with little utility for combat. All of the mage classes started with the same two base defensive skills: [Shield] and [Reflect]. They also received two unique attack skills.

For the Novice Time Mage class, those were [Chronos Touch] and [Foresight]. But their impact in a fight was too weak to be useful outside a party willing to protect the Novice Time Mage for years. Novice Time Mage Skills [Shield] Creates a fragile barrier that absorbs incoming force. At level 0, it can withstand one or two weak attacks before collapsing. [Reflect] Forms a thin mirror that redirects a portion of incoming force back towards the attacker.

At level 0, it can partially reflect one or two weak attacks before failing. [Foresight] Briefly peeks into the immediate future. At level 0, grants approximately half a second of foresight for one second, allowing the user to anticipate nearby actions before they occur. [Chronos Touch] Channels temporal magic through physical contact to hinder movement and action. At level 0, anything touched is slowed for half a second. What he didn't expect was that one of the skills was already at level one.

"How did that happen?" He frowned. How did I level [Shield]? He scratched his head and recalled using the pseudo version of the skill. His eyes widened as he checked his pseudo skills list. It's gone. He no longer had [Pseudo Mage: Shield]. It must have been sacrificed to level the full skill. Jack shook his head. Blood mage is such an overpowered class. He realised how easy it would be for him to abuse the class.

It would need testing, but if his assumptions were correct, he could level his Scribe, Archery, Assassin, and Mage skills by murdering scribes, archers, assassins, and mages!

"By the Gods!" Jack said in surprise, making a few visitors to the temple stare. If it works this way for the other blood mages, they must have murdered dozens of people to level their other classes. He shook his head. No. It c ouldn't be that easy… they'd take over the Kingdom with that amount of power. He hadn't taken into account the low ten per cent harvest rate outside of an expensive forbidden formation.

Unless they went on mass murder sprees, they'd only be guaranteed a skill during the two blood harvests he'd experienced. The only reason Jack was harvesting a skill for almost every kill was his connection to his dagger. Let's see what my affinities look like.

[Affinities Screen-Internal View] Fate 73% Time 65% Blood 57% Void 56% Divine 46% Arcane 44% Chaos 38% Death 36% Light 33% Earth 27% Darkness 26% Healing 23% Sound 22% Psychic 21% Fire 17% Luck 17% Metal 17% Space 16% Ice 15% Air 14% Poison 12% Water 12% Lightning 10% Nature 10% Gravity 3% Jack shook his head. Did they all increase again? Like before, he pulled out his notepad and created a table.

Table of Affinities Affinity | Current | At 2 nd Death | At 1 st Death | At Sixteen Fate 73%: 7 2 %: 17%: 12% Time 65%: 62%: 43%: 38% Blood 57%: 56 %: 14%: 12% Void 56%: 55%: 8%: 8% Divine 46%: 44%: 18%: 17% Arcane 44%: 43%: 24%: 22% Chaos 38%: 37%: 9%: 9% Death 36%: 34%: 11%: 8% Light 33%: 32%: 28%: 24% Earth 27%: 2 6 %: 23%: 21% Darkness 26%: 25%: 11%: 9% Healing 23%: 21%: 17%: 15% Sound 22%: 21%: 18%: 13% Psychic 21%: 20%: 18%: 16% Fire 17%: 16%: 14%: 10% Luck 17%: 1 4 %: 6%: 9% Metal 17%: 1 6 %: 12%: 11% Space 16%: 15%: 4%: 4% Ice 15%: 14%: 6%: 3% Air 14%: 13%: 11%: 10% Poison 12%: 1 1 %: 8%: 5% Water 12%: 11%: 9%: 7% Lightning 10%: 9%: 6%: 5% Nature 10%: 9 %: 6%: 5% Gravity 3%: 3%: 2%: 2% Jack shook his head as he destroyed the note.

They've all increased except for G ravity. He sighed as he left the temple. It's going to be a lot of work and time before I reach Apprentice Time Mage. He chuckled at the unintended pun. The various mage classes involved researching spells in detail to understand them. Not only would he have the four basic mage skills to work with, but with the right research, he could learn dozens of low-level spells. As a time mage, he'd find any time-based skills easier to master. There were hundreds of known spells.

It's why so many Novice Mages spent a decade or more at the Academy of Advanced Magic and Innovation. There was no place better for a young mage to engross themselves in spell research. None of the novice-level skills was powerful; [Ember Flicker] and [Frost Touch], for example, were the poor cousins to [Fireball] and [Frost Breath]. Both skills required the mage to touch the target while activating the skill. Where a [Fireball] would kill a goblin, [Ember Flicker] would give them a severe burn.

And that's assuming the goblin didn't fight back or break contact. It wasn't until the mage reached level 25 and selected the apprentice class that skills like [Fireball], [Frost Breath], and [Chronos Sphere] became available. That's when mages became a fighting force to be reckoned with.