Chương 2: Status Review

Level: 1 Experience: 37/100 Healing: 120/120 Stamina: 100/100 Mana: 30/30 Class: Tier 0, Child (Yellow) Effect: Increased Skill Acquisition (+6%), Increased Learning Speed (+6%), Increased Stat Gain (+6%) Vitality: 12 Endurance: 7 Strength: 9 Agility: 11 Perception: 4 Mind: 33 Magic: 3 Focus: 15 Free Points: 0 Tier 1 (22): Eldarin Language (75), Writing Skills (59), Mathematics (56), Eldarin History (52), Running (50), Breathing (50), Eldarin Etiquette (38), Meditation (25), Drawing Skills (25), Dancing Skills (22), Toughness (19), Sword Skills (18), Shield Skills (15), Spear Skills (12), Dodge (12), Bow Skills (10), Axe Skills (7), Dagger Skills (6), Pugilist Skills (4), Wrestling Skills (3), Cooking Skills (3), Cleaning Skills (1) Tier 2 (4): Mana Sense (4), Danger Sense (3) Tier 6 (-): Experience Siphon (C) I read off my entire status page for my mother as she listened carefully, along with her three Squires, who were standing quietly off to the side.

Healer Castelle and my father were both here, along with my Tutor Damian, who looked slightly nervous. A System Priest had adjusted my status page for the optimal display of information when I had first unlocked it over half a year ago. My Eldarin Etiquette had shot up three levels just from dinner, which was impressive. Danger and mental pressure helped skills level more quickly, so it's not that surprising the skill leveled quickly.

My hard work over the past six months has resulted in these skills, as I unlocked my status at eight years old. Because I had studied the material, my tutor said there was a significant burst initially, before the status page unlocked. My mother slowly tapped her finger on the table behind her, and I became a bit more nervous. We had all gathered at my mother's order the morning after her return. She wanted to review my progress with everyone involved in my life.

I could only hope that I had matched whatever expectations she had of me.

"Let's start with the most concerning issue. Healer Castelle, what is your understanding of the tier 6 skill inflicted upon my son?" Everyone tensed at my mother's words and looked at the old healer.

"It is a Tier 6 curse skill. It is not meant to cause harm directly, but to use your son as a vehicle for getting stronger by taking away any experience your son might gain. I would say such a skill can only be used against those who are weaker, and only a few at a time. Perhaps only a single person at most because of its tier."

"That was not what I was asking. It is clear from the name and its rarity what it does. Can it be removed?"

"Unless the culprit is slain, it would be impossible. There is good news. The weight of the skill rests with the other person. Otherwise, your son's soul would have collapsed. There are no medical risks."

"Except in cutting off his future!" My mother slammed her palm down on the desk in front of her with a bang, before glaring at my father. I felt the entire room shake from the force of her blow.

"Has the culprit been tracked down?"

"It is someone completely unknown. I have put up an astronomical bounty of a hundred platinum coins and leveraged your name, but there have been no leads. The culprit had several stealth skills. We have sent their poison to Master Alchemists for study. We increased the elite guard by ten members, though it was at a great expense."

"Do better, Darren. Do better. You are only alive right now since you are my child's father. Can it be removed?" My mother looked back at Healer Castelle.

"If it were a Tier 4 or Tier 5, it might have been possible through the use of a ritual and several System Priests with some risk to your son's soul. The cursed skill will remain until the target is dead since it is a tier 6 skill. There is no other way, even with my extensive knowledge. I have sent correspondence to the Five Star Institute of Healing and my seniors, but I am waiting for a response and am not hopeful for a positive one."

"This culprit will outlive my son, since they are clearly planning to use him to fuel their growth. Useless. All of you are useless. I leave for a year, and this happens in my absence?" Everyone was perfectly still and silent, including me. I didn't know what to say.

"My dear husband, what do you have to say for yourself? Are you going to accept responsibility?"

"No. You approved the security arrangements before your departure. I have already issued a bounty and done everything in my power," my father countered. My mother said nothing but glared at everyone, one by one, including her own Squires. No one dared to meet her gaze. Thankfully, she skipped me in her glare session. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"I will investigate the matter personally. Do not let such a thing happen again, Darren, or I will hold you responsible, regardless." My father didn't reply, only inclined his head slightly.

"Now, let us discuss my son's status. I was absent during the arrival of his status. There are several areas of concern. A yellow class?" This time, she was looking at Tutor Damian.

"One in a Million, Supreme Warlady. The effects were quite good, which was what they expected based on the ritual they used during your son's conception."

"Abject failure. During his lessons before his status unlocked, you should have instructed him better. I was expecting a green class at Tier 0 at the very least. Preferably blue."

"A green starting class has only been recorded officially in 27 beings in the last millennium by the College of Advancement. No one has ever started with a blue class."

"Do I look like some common peasant on the side of the road?"

"Of course not, Supreme Warlady," Tutor Damian said while bowing his head.

"The motivation, environment, and instruction determine a starting class. The environment here is the best. I saw to it myself. That can only mean that my son is lacking or your instruction is inadequate."

"It is also the will of the System. Such things are not perfectly determined even in the most controlled studies by the College of Advancement, Supreme Warlady."

"More excuses, more failure. But perhaps my son is lacking in motivation," she said and turned her gaze to me. I felt like I was going to be cut apart as she gazed at me for several seconds while I bravely stared back.

"His class must be increased along with his skill leveling speed. It is far too slow, even with his childhood boost. You must push him harder, Tutor Damian. I hired you to instruct my son personally, so do so with better results."

"I will endeavor to do my best, but there is concern that your son's motivation might burn out."

"I will worry about my son's motivation. If he is lacking, you will inform me. Otherwise, push him without remorse or mercy. Such things are for the pitiful and weak." My mother then turned to look back at me.

"The rituals used to ensure your birth also boosted your Mind stat as they were supposed to. Let's have a little test to see how well you have been learning while I have been away. What do Healing, Stamina, and Mana represent?"

"Pools of specialized magic to either heal, help one's body endure, or use Mana. Going beyond these limits damages your body and soul, leaving permanent scarring and manaburn," I explained to my mother how it had been presented to me by my tutor. She nodded at this.

"Always try to maintain above half. That will help ensure your safety and prevent permanent injury. If you go below that during training, say something immediately. Going lower does not help your stat growth and will only risk hurting you. How do these reserves regenerate?"

"It is variable depending on location, food consumed, mental state, and overall condition," I replied with as much confidence as I could muster as my mother stared intently at me. My nervousness went slightly higher.

"A decent level of recall. Children older than you can't recall such things. Now, your stats, explain them." I thought that older children would know all this stuff for sure, but I wasn't about to correct my mother.

"Vitality is directly correlated with healing, but it also affects a person's lifespan and the general impact of each healing point. Endurance is the same for stamina, but it also helps one recover faster when exhausted. Strength is the force one can apply. Agility is the ability to move and control one's body freely. Perception is the totality of one's senses. From sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell, working with sensory skills.

Mind is the rate at which one can process and keep information, and is key to learning skills. Magic affects Mana and directly relates to the recovery speed of one's Mana. Focus is the ability to keep one's mind clear of adverse effects and use skills effectively."

"All correct, but there is more. What are you missing?"

"Stats can be improved through training, but only whole numbers are shown. Everyone improves in discrete stages based on their stats, even if there is a hidden growth to them. Stats are added on top of a base human body, so natural growth is not affected. They also influence skills, what skills one can get, and how quickly they grow." My mother smiled at me.

"Very good. Tell me why I ensured a high Mind stat at your birth?"

"To help my overall skill growth. Skills improve better when one puts their mind to the task and looks for improvements. These improvements are ingrained in one's soul for ease of use in the future."

"If there were another child your age from a peasant family, how many skills do you think they would have?"

"Ten?" I asked hesitantly, and she shook her head.

"Three to five, with seven being exceptional among regular people. That is the biggest problem with skill growth, the subconscious cap on your initial skill count because of the Mind stat. One needs to focus, and most children have trouble focusing. When they get older and their level increases, their soul is less malleable, which makes it harder to improve skills as rapidly."

"Oh."

"It is fine, my son. I know you understand you are special, but you are my legacy. My growth has slowed. Going deeper into the dungeon is too risky without a dedicated team, and my skill growth is frustratingly slow for certain skills," my mother said and let out a sigh, sagging slightly in her chair. The Squires all shuffled nervously at that statement of weakness.

"Many legends pursue more Vitality to extend their lives, pushing and pushing, but ultimately, it is pointless. I come from a humble background of mere peasants decades ago. Our family farm was overrun with goblins that had broken out of the dungeon. They killed my parents and siblings. That was when I vowed to fight or die. I picked up a pitchfork and slaughtered my way through the horde," she said while closing her eyes. I had never heard this before, so I listened closely.

No one else breathed as she shared her past.

"So, I killed and killed my way through the monsters into the dungeon and kept killing. There are always more monsters and people to kill. I could fill an entire enormous lake, no, that is too small… it is more correct to say a great sea, with all the blood from the beings I have left dead in my wake. I became stronger and took on loyal Squires." I noticed the three Squires straighten up at this statement.

"But it was never enough. Becoming detached or power hungry wasn't what I wanted. I did not forget my family on that farm. I named you after my eldest brother, Justin. A strong name. He wanted to be an adventurer despite having no talent. Blood made him queasy," she said. She brought up one hand to wipe away a single teardrop before turning much more serious.

"I will give you the choice I never had, my son. This is done out of love. I will help you train to be strong in combat, to walk the path of a legend, should you want to do so. I'll assist you in becoming a crafter, if you'd like. If you're interested in becoming a farmer, I'd be happy to help you. But I will not accept mediocrity. That is my true legacy, unwavering determination and commitment. If you are anything, from a farmer to a crafter, you will strive to be the best.

Taking the time I have set aside, I will continue to care for you and raise you, even as my future is uncertain. My stats will slowly decrease until my soul collapses from the weight of my skills once age grips me." I felt the heaviness of this moment. This was a critical decision I had to make. I knew my mother was honestly asking me if I wanted to pursue her path. The path of blood and sweat, the path of an adventurer who would brave the dungeon and fight for a living.