Chương 15: A Heated Discussion

"Respectfully, Supreme Warlady Elena, you are an idiot," Healer Castelle said while staring my mother down. Across the desk, she stared back at him. I stood off to one side along with the Squires, Tutor Damian, and my father, watching the drama unfold.

"Few people would dare say that to my face," she casually replied.

"I can't speak for other people. But your son's soul is in grave danger. My understanding of the number of skills he has, the alchemical product taken, and the green soul fruit, risks his life."

"And you are paid quite well to ensure it," she replied.

"Yes, I am, but I won't let idiocy continue since your son will die horrifically, and then you will blame me. We might as well skip to where you swing your fist and splatter me across the ground before that happens."

"You older healers sure are stubborn."

"Only when it involves a patient's health, especially a child who doesn't know better," he countered. My mother inclined her head a tiny fraction.

"That is the only reason I am letting you speak to me like that, since it is about the health and well-being of my son Justin. The issue was resolved, so what is the problem now?

"His Mind stat compared to his number of skills and my use of Stabilize Soul has created a complication. The initial issue was that the alchemical product focused his soul to increase his physical stats. His intense training and his malleable soul compounded the problem of a soul imbalance. This is because of his level, age, and the green soul fruit, creating an extreme condition where his soul is far too malleable. By adjusting his training and using my skill, I corrected this.

The problem is that I suspect he has gained even more skills, putting their count far above his Mind stat. If I stop using Stabilize Soul, he will experience health complications."

"How sure are you and what complications?" my mother asked while I nervously listened in.

"Very sure, or I wouldn't be bringing it up. You left strict instructions for him not to check his status except once every three months. I understand that, but I suspect the problem will have only gotten worse. With his soul artificially stabilized, it will be more receptive to new skills. As for the complications, headaches, weakness of the body, lower regeneration of reserves, mind fog, and possibly soul collapse." My mother turned her head to look at Squire Sabin.

"Squire Sabin, you proposed the training plan and the alchemical product…"

"I went over it all with you and everyone else ahead of time. I accept responsibility for coming up with the plan, but not the complications," he replied.

"He is an idiot," Healer Castelle said.

"Like the rest of you fighters. You see some research from the College of Advancement and get excited without examining the details behind it. I will review your son's training plan and anything he might take for health reasons, or you can fire me right now and deal with this mess yourself."

"It seems we have a legendary healer in our midst," my mother said with a smile, and Healer Castelle let out a scoff.

"I don't have the levels or the energy to go that deep into the dungeon. That is for young people with more muscle than sense," he replied.

"I accept your terms. Now, my son, tell me your status!"

Level: 1 Experience: BLOCKED Healing: 210/210 Stamina: 180/180 Mana: 50/50 Class: Tier 0, Child (Green) Effect: Increased Skill Acquisition (+8%), Increased Learning Speed (+8%), Increased Stat Gain (+8%), Increased Physical Gain (+8%) Vitality: 21 (+5) Endurance: 18 (+6) Strength: 16 (+4) Agility: 18 (+4) Perception: 8 (+2) Mind: 36 (+1) Magic: 5 (+1) Focus: 17 (+1) Free Points: 0 Tier 1 (23) (2+): Running (90+17), Mathematics (75 +4), Breathing (75 +11), Eldarin History (65+4), Dodge (61+37), Toughness (53+28), Meditation (50 +8), Eldarin Etiquette (45+3), Sword Skills (41+11), Drawing Skills (34+4), Shield Skills (29+4), Light Armor (29+4), Dancing Skills (28+3), Spear Skills (23+3), Monster Processing Skills (19), Cooking Skills (15), Bow Skills (15+2), Cleaning Skills (14+2), Axe Skills (14+5), Pugilist Skills (14+7), Dagger Skills (12+4), Wrestling Skills (8+4), Speech (3) Tier 2 (16): Danger Sense (31+10), Eldarin Script (20 +20), Mana Sense (20 +9), Darkness Vision (8), Writing Focus (7+7), Monster Analysis (3), Trap Detection (1), Depth Sense (1) Tier 3 (12): Pain Resistance (20 +20), Fear Resistance (2+1), Soul Resistance (2+2), Empowered Will (2+2) Tier 6 (-): Experience Siphon (C) Equipment Gloves: Gloves of Processing (T2) (Blocks Mana T2 and Below) Amulet/Bracelet: Experience Blocker (T4) (Prevents all experience gain for primary level) Everyone was silent after I read the status update that only I could see.

The tension was incredibly high.

"A ratio of 36 to 51, impossible. That is almost at Meldor's Threshold of 70%. With one more tier 1 skill, he would cross it. Your son…his life is hanging by a thread," Healer Castelle said while looking nervously at my mother.

"Three tier 3 skills. I thought I said no more skills, Squire." My mother looked at the man once again.

"I did exactly what I said!" he replied loudly and nervously.

"It is my fault and an aftereffect of my initial treatment. My skill is acting like a framework around your son's soul, holding it together, but it is still receptive to new skills. The soul's normal resistance to new skills is completely broken. His age, level, and the green soul fruit have made his soul too malleable. If I stop daily applications of my skill or even slow down, the risks are dire," Healer Castelle replied. This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

"What is Meldor's Threshold?" my mother asked calmly, while I felt a growing concern.

"It is when the ratio between skills and their tier in relation to the Mind stat goes below 70%. Meldor investigated many limits of the system, and he is most credited with discovering the absolute boundary between skills and the Mind stat. Even with my Stabilize Soul skill, your son's soul would collapse under the pressure. Normally, a soul resists such things, since the pressure stretches it to the limit.

But my Stabilize Soul skill keeps him stable while everything else has reduced this automatic defense of a soul to protect itself from too many skills."

"What can be done? Is there an alchemical product? An item?"

"Increase his Mind stat. Level him up and increase it. I will then stop the use of my skill, and your son's health should stabilize."

"What are the other options?"

"The Mind stat is perilous to effect with alchemical products since there are residual traces of the monster's Mana. For your son's age and condition, the risks are very high. It would have to be custom work unless you know a soul mage." My mother shook her head.

"There hasn't been a soul mage of any repute in many generations since I killed the last one. They are troublesome. What about removing some skills through a System Priest?"

"Removing skills shocks the soul heavily. With how malleable your son's soul is, that would be far too dangerous. There would be no effect, or a substantial effect; it is hard to say for sure. I can't safely recommend for a System Priest to do such a thing," Healer Castelle explained.

"What about an Elixir of Mental Fortitude?" Squire Nox suggested. He was a tall, gaunt man with dark hair, the opposite of the sunny Squire Sabin.

"An Elixir? A fairy tale at best," Healer Castelle replied.

"No. They exist at the Last Bastion. It appears I will need to visit once more. Also, since my hunt for the legend who put the cursed skill on my son continues, that seems like a good place to investigate," my mother said.

"What about a soul skill of some kind? There must be something since there is a skill for everything," Squire Jessica said.

"There probably is, but he can't take on any more skills, and such a skill would be Tier 5. The strain of having Tier 3 skills at his level is concerning. I have seen no pressure on his physical body, but low-level people possessing high-tier skills pose hidden dangers." There was a long moment of silence as everyone processed what he had just said.

"More stats are the only way. But gaining more levels would slow down his growth. I will go to the Last Bastion and purchase some Elixirs. A shame they must be used so soon, but it should alleviate all issues and allow my son to level up his skills quickly with the higher stats," she said.

"I will prepare a small sheet of questions for whoever you purchase these Elixirs from. Because they are a high-level item, I need to ensure there are no hidden side effects and determine the safe dosage and maximum number that can be taken together. Especially regarding Alchemical toxicity," Healer Castelle said. My mother nodded, accepting the suggestion.

"All my Squires will go with me. And for my son, he will focus purely on his mental studies with his current tutor, Damian. He has done well in the past, he will continue his job," my mother declared. No one was about to argue with her, but I didn't want to be left behind.

"Could I go with you?" I asked, and my mother smiled at me.

"No. It is too dangerous, and the risk of your getting another skill is too high. It would also mean dragging Healer Castelle along with us into the dungeon to ensure you remain healthy. You will remain here and focus solely on mental skills," my mother ordered. I wanted to argue, but slowly shut my mouth and bowed my head.

"How will you find the Last Bastion if it moves about in the dungeon?" I asked. My mother just smiled at me.

"Some things you will learn in time. I have my ways, as do all legends in good standing. We will depart at first light. All of you are dismissed." I was about to turn to leave when she spoke up again.

"My son, stay." I turned around as everyone else left. Once the door closed, she spoke up again.

"I am sorry, my son," she said, and got up and hugged me. I didn't know what to say or do.

"Um, it is fine, you didn't know," I replied while hugging my mother back.

"That is no excuse. Ignorance is not a shield but something only fools claim. I am a fool. You know, I had picked up something else from the dungeon, a pair of eyes from a Shadow Cat. I was going to have their innate skill extracted and give it to you. Now that seems so idiotic," my mother said.

"Well, maybe after I get an Elixir of Mental Fortitude, I can use it. What would they do?" I asked, and my mother smiled, patting me on the head.

"All Elixirs are single-use alchemical products used to increase a stat directly by ten points. The materials are difficult to get, and you can only consume each Elixir once. Still, it was one way we legends could boost our stats one last time in the Last Bastion. It is an exclusive product down in the dungeon," my mother said.

"Thank you, Mother. Without you… Let me say, I believe in you," I told my mother.

"Thank you, my son. I will let nothing happen to you. The person who cursed you will die soon. It will take me at least a year to return. During that time, focus only on the skills your tutor assigns to you. Hopefully, your Mind stat will increase, and you won't gain any new skills." It was going to be more tedious work, but I didn't complain and just nodded. My mother gave me another hug and gently kissed the top of my head.

"You are my precious son. You know that, right?"

"I love you too," I replied and hugged her back. Eventually, we let each other go.

"Just because your life is at risk, do not slow down. Focus on your mental skills. Promise me."

"I promise!"

"Good. Your word is your bond and your life. Do not let it break easily, or hand it out easily," my mother said.

"Also, your new skill, Empowered Will… I am impressed."

"What?" I asked in surprise as my mother smiled at me.

"It isn't an easy Tier 3 skill to get. While I was hoping you would get it, I never expected it to happen. Giving you a taste of the dungeon and then making you do regular training put you in the right mindset for that skill, but it was stupid." She sighed heavily in regret.

"You aren't stupid. Just a series of minor mistakes caused this. I am sure I will be fine focusing on mental skills to raise my Mind stat, and you will return with the Elixir, clearing this problem up."

"I could level you, if you want to take an easier path. Even with the cursed skill, it would be easy. But once you gain the first level, it is so hard to stop," my mother replied.

"Is it really that bad?" I asked.

"I am lucky that I lived to reach the level I have, but it has been tough, my son. Incredibly difficult. So many close calls. I've had more brushes with death than I can count. I had hoped to make your path forward easier by having you train early in foundational skills."

"Then I won't get a level. I won't help the person who cursed me."

"Bold, just like me. But if you change your mind, you can tell your father. That is alright as well. Your life is the most important thing. You are still young, but I trust you to make your own choices," my mother said. I nodded at this, and she gave me another hug, which I returned. The next morning, she had left with all her Squires before I even woke up. My father invited me to breakfast.

"Your mother explained what had happened."

"I am to focus on training mental skills only," I replied, and he nodded at this.

"Safety is important. Your mother has also spoken with Tutor Damian. He was instructed to focus only on specific skills. Do not get around this. Any action you take outside your skills could kill you."

"Yes, father," I replied heavily. Mathematics, Eldarin History, Meditation, Eldarin Etiquette, Eldarin Script, Mana Sense, and Writing Focus were the only skills I could work on. The hope was that by focusing on purely mental skills, my Mind stat would increase more than my other stats, and I would avoid getting new skills. The alchemical boost from the wyvern heart had waned. It wasn't completely gone, according to Healer Castelle, but its remaining effects should be minimal after three months.

I knew there would be a lot of tedious work ahead, but complaining wouldn't help. If I wanted the easy path, I could ask to get a level and solve the problem immediately. However, it would make things more complicated in the future. I thought of the temptation of the dungeon. To grow stronger, to gain stats, to level up. Well, at least I wouldn't be doing nothing while I waited for my mother and her Squires to return. I had mental aligned skills to focus on.