Chương 17: Chapter 16-The Chosen Chooses

Professor Stargazer wipes the chalkboard and claps her hands.

"Alright, that ends the lecture part of our class. As always, we will be heading to the Whisperwood forest, but before that, I would like to make an announcement. The library will be closed for renovations until after the weekend," she says, obviously lying.

'Renovations' my ass! I can still feel the pins and needles from last night. The doctor told me the feeling should go away before the end of the day, but she failed to mention that it would feel worse than a blanket laced with bed bugs. I can't even focus on what's going on in front of me. As I itch my unmentionables, I see a blinking [System] message in the corner of my vision. What's this? You've Reached LvL. 5!! Please Choose a New Skill or Level Up an Existing Skill!! Oh, yeah, I reached [LvL. 5] last night.

I didn't know that something special happens when you reach [LvL. 5]. Thinking back on it, I remember Penelope and Hopper were talking about this when they were comparing [Stat Windows]. I wonder what I should choose. It would be useful to upgrade one of my existing [Skills], like [Lie] or [Throw]. After all, I've been using them a lot lately, but if the last couple of days have taught me anything, it's that the [Skills] I do have aren't cutting it.

The only reason I won that duel against Julian was dumb luck combined with my expert-level bullshitting. Not to mention the imp. If Penelope wasn't there, I would've ended up as imp food. That settles it. I always have the ability to upgrade existing [Skills], but I don't always get the chance to get a new one. Focusing on the [System] message, another message appears. Please Pick One Skill: <Cooking> <Gardening> <Taunt> The three new [Skills] blink to life in front of me. What in the hells?

What am I supposed to do with these? Well, obviously, I know what I'm supposed to do with these, but how are these going to be helpful in any way? I can see it now. My horns are as swirly as ever. My purple skin glistens in the sun. The creature before me barrels towards me as I cook it a meal, maybe prune something, or I'll just call its mother a cur. With a long sigh, I pick the most useful one. Skill <Gardening> has been gained. Hopefully, it'll help me identify poisonous mushrooms or medicinal ones.

That's the only use I can see for it. That and it will help with the Botany Club. Speaking of legumes. I need to ask Helia to buy some over the weekend. No, that's going to end up with me buying them. Who's the advisor for the club? Maybe I could ask them?

"CJ, we're going to the forest, are you coming?" Hopper asks.

"Sorry, I was lost in thought. I'll be right there," I say as I pack up my things and grab my sword. Professor Stargazer draws a magic circle on the chalkboard, which lights the room in a white glow. As I open my eyes, I find myself back in the Whisperwood forest. In the exact spot I was standing yesterday. The professor's magic sure is handy. I'd hate to have to start at the beginning every day. As I think a cold winter wind sends a shiver down my spine. Wasting no time, I put my coat on as I try to find warmth.

"Feeling cold?" Penelope asks as she inspects her greatsword.

"Not even a little bit," I [Lie], trying to hide my shivering. Hopper counts out his arrows as he takes a look around us.

"We're clear. A couple of goblins have passed through this area since yesterday, but they're long gone," Hopper says.

"We've been seeing a lot of goblins, but nothing else. There was that worg corpse earlier, but that's about it. Isn't that weird?" I ask as I fish through my bag.

"Not entirely. Goblins are quick to breed and usually hunt the other creatures out of the surrounding areas, but they should have a predator to keep them in check. The fact that we haven't run into any hobgoblins is usually a good sign that there isn't a colony nearby," Hopper explains.

"That and I've been talking to some of our classmates. They're running into giant spiders, packs of worgs, and the odd giant. We're probably not going deep enough," Penelope says pointedly.

"I don't believe it," I say with an overly dramatic tone.

"What, do you think they're lying to us?" Penelope asks.

"No. You've been talking to people other than Hopper and me. Hopper, she's making friends. I'm so proud," I say, wiping a fake tear away. Penelope rolls her eyes as I continue to dig through my bag.

"Well, it beats spending most of my time sleeping. Also, what are you even looking for?" she asks.

"This," I say as I pull a blue potion out. Penelope's eyes go wide as she suddenly gets close to the MP potion.

"Where did you steal this from?" she asks with a pointed tone.

"Steal? Nowhere. I won this fair and square from somebody named Julian," I say, remembering the elegant man.

"Wait? You're the one who beat the merchant's kid?" she asks with a tone of disbelief. The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"Is that so hard to believe? Also, I'm surprised you didn't hear about it."

"I heard that somebody had skillfully beaten him, but the 'skillful' part ruled you out in my mind," she says.

"Well, I managed to win this off of him, and now I'm going to put it to good use," I say as I hand the MP potion to Hopper. Hopper, who has learned to stay out of our bickering, looks at me with confusion.

"Do you want me to hold on to this?" he asks.

"Yes. Uncork it and hold on to it in your stomach if you would," I say sarcastically.

"Are you… giving me this MP potion?"

"Yes, Hopper. I don't need it anyway."

"Thanks, CJ," Hopper hesitates to say.

"As touching as this is. I would recommend you drink that on the weekend. It'll give you more time to use it," Penelope says. Hopper nods and slips the potion into his bag. Wordlessly, we walk further into the forest looking for trouble.

"... and that's how the small kingdoms of man were unified under one man," a thick man's voice says, waking me from my nap. Looking around, I recognize the history class and the professor teaching it. As I yawn, the Dwarven Professor draws on the chalkboard. Must've fallen asleep. Wonder what they're talking about.

"Eventually this man would be later overthrown by the soon-to-be [Unifier of the Continent]," Professor Schist explains. The hand of one of my elven classmates, Viola, raises. Professor Schist acknowledges her as he climbs up to his podium.

"You say [Unifier of the Continent], but is that title truly accurate?" Viola asks.

"A thought-provoking question. Technically, the continent has not been unified in its entirety by the Nova Empire. Can anyone tell me why that would be the case?" the professor asks the class. Penelope answers, "That's in part because of the Blight to the east and the nation of the sands to the west." Clearing his throat, the professor takes a drink of water.

"Correct, Princess. As expected of you. The Blight to the east, in which the forces of evil reside, has remained unconquered since its inception, and the nation of the sands to the west is geographically and geopolitically cut off from the rest of the continent, making it difficult to integrate into the empire," he explains. Integrate is a word for it. Conquer is another.

"The reason the title of [Unifier of the Continent] is given to the Emperor is simple. He is the first person to unify the different tribes under one flag since the Gods left this mortal plane. A feat that the [System] recognized," he says with some admiration. The hand of the Beastkin, Talon, raises. The professor acknowledges him.

"Is it true that the nation of the sands doesn't believe in the Gods?" he asks. How much time do I have until lunch? I heard there's going to be pie on the menu. I wonder what kind it's going to be. Apple, pumpkin, or maybe shepherds?

"Not much is known about the nation of the sands. The small amount we do know is from travelers who have passed through there and the odd gift that they send. Actually, Chosen One?" Professor Schist says, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Yes?" I ask subtly, wiping the drool from my mouth.

"You're descended from the people of the sands, aren't you?" he asks with an almost gotcha tone.

"Yes. My mother was from there. How did you know?" I ask, being careful with my words. The class's attention shifts to me. Most are filled with curiosity, but some radiate with darker intentions.

"Your name, Carlos Juárez, is a unique name here, but common in the nation of the sands. Is there anything you would like to share?" he asks, stroking his dwarven beard. It's not like I know much, but this could be a good time to fuck around. Hiding a devilish smile, I answer, "Of course. I would be delighted to do that. Ooh, what to say first? Ah, the people of the sands live on a strictly air diet," I [Lie].

"Air? Is that a type of food?" he asks.

"Nope. Just regular old air. In fact, we have no concept of food, water, or excrement," I [Lie] some more.

"Fascinating! How do they sustain themselves in the sands?" he asks as he writes.

"Well, you see, we sustain ourselves on emotion. We literally eat emotion," I bullshit.

"Emotion?!" he yells.

"Pure unadulterated emotion. Yeah, instead of cafeterias, we have cages lining the street with human babies. We rattle something at them and they giggle. That can usually keep us alive for threeish days or so," I say, much to the amusement of my class. By this point, the class has caught on that I'm making things up. Hopper tries to hold back laughter, and Penelope stopped paying attention the moment I opened my mouth. Even the professor has stopped writing notes and is just looking at me with a knowing smile.

"In all seriousness, I don't know much," I say as a yawn escapes me.

"Not even a smidgen of information?" the Professor asks. As he asks, a faint memory of my mother passes through.

"They worship the Spirits, not the Gods. They believe that the Gods are real. They just place their faith in the Spirits instead," I say.

"What do you believe in?" Professor Schist asks. I believe in whatever feeds me and keeps me safe. If it's the Gods today, then so be it. If it's the Spirits tomorrow, then so be it. I hold no loyalties when it comes to that, but I can't exactly say that as The Chosen One. Not if I want to keep my head.

"Of course I place my full faith in the Gods," I [Lie]. Professor Schist nods his head and responds, "As expected from The Chosen One. Would you by any chance speak their language as well?" Penelope looks at the professor and then says, "I think that's enough, Professor Schist. Isn't it about time we're let go for lunch?" He swallows hard and nods.

"Of course. Let us break from class. I'll see you all after the weekend," he says. As we leave, Penelope moves up next to me and whispers, "You're welcome." With a nod, I walk away. Time to get some mystery pie.