Chương 63: A Review After A Year

Level: 1 Experience: BLOCKED Healing: 390/390 Stamina: 400/400 Mana: 230/230 Class: Tier 0, Child (Blue) Effect: Increased Skill Acquisition (+10%), Increased Learning Speed (+10%), Increased Stat Gain (+10%), Increased Physical Gain (+10%), Increased Mental Gain (+10%) Vitality: 39 (+4) Endurance: 40 (+6) Strength: 32 (+3) Agility: 38 (+6) Perception: 29 (+5) Mind: 84 (+20) Magic: 23 (+3) Focus: 41 (+6) Free Points: 0 Tier 1 (21) (10+): Light Armor (100 +50), Eldarin Etiquette (75 +6), Shield Skills (75 +26), Spear Skills (71+31), Drawing Skills (70+9), Bow Skills (52+17), Pugilist Skills (50 +16), Combat Tactics (50 +33), Cleaning Skills (50 +29), Monster Processing Skills (46+15), Dancing Skills (38+2), Axe Skills (34+15), Dagger Skills (29+12), Stealth (25 +17), Deflection (25 +25), Throw (25 +25), Cooking Skills (22+7), Wrestling Skills (21+9), Medium Armor (20+20), Speech (17), Sweet Tooth (4) Tier 2 (44) (2+): Mana Sense (100), Danger Sense (99 +51), System Sense (65+45), Focused Breathing (60 +40), Soul Sense (55+8), Algebra (40 +17), Focused Toughness (40 +40), Geometry (37+17), Trap Detection (37+27), Focused Sword Skills (37+37), Focused Meditation (36+36), Darkness Vision (30+15), Shadow Vision (29+16), Speed Reading (20 +7), Monster Analysis (20 +9), Depth Sense (20 +10), Focused Running (20 +20), Focused Dodge (20 +20), Critical Thinking (19+16), Focused Rage (12+8), Mana Vision (12+12), Eldarin Lore (8+8) Tier 3 (51): Pain Resistance (99 +31), Soul Resistance (80 +34), Empowered Will (60 +16), Fear Resistance (57+37), Eldarin Runes (40 +12), Healing Resistance (40 +20), Poison Resistance (20 +5), Empowered Writing (20 +7), Soul Strike (17+13), Fire Resistance (7+7), Mana Manipulation (5+5), Alchemy (5+5), Physical Resistance (3+3), Cold Resistance (3+3), Lightning Resistance (3+3), Social Resistance (3), Arcane Resistance (1+1) Tier 6 (-): Experience Siphon(C) Equipment Gloves: Gloves of Processing (T2) (Blocks Mana T2 and Below) Boots: Armored Boots (T1) (Basic Equipment) Head: Armored Helmet (T1) (Basic Equipment) Body: Light Armor (T1) (Basic Equipment) Ring 1: Ring of Concealment (T3) (Hide Status T3 and Below) Ring 2: Ring of Remote Awareness (T3) (Allows for remote viewing from companion ring) Amulet/Bracelet: Experience Blocker (T4) (Prevents all experience gain for primary level) Weapon 1: Beginner's Blade (T2) (Sharpness-T2, Durability-T3, Self-Repair-T2) Equipment 1: Runic Writing Set (T3) (Write Runes T3 and Below) My eyes widened at my progress.

I wasn't permitted to check my status at all in the last year we were in the dungeon.

"Disappointing," my mother said.

"What?" I looked at her in shock after reading off all my current skills. It was nice that my status let me know how much they had leveled up, so I didn't have to remember.

"Only 492 skill levels on average every three months. When you were recovering from the Alchemical Toxicity, your level gain was higher than that." It was then that I felt my body was about to tear itself apart from rage.

"Have you ever had such high gains?"

"No. However, I never had your advantages," she countered instantly.

"We can leave Light Armor as is for now. It's a shame that Pain Resistance didn't max out, same with Soul Resistance."

"I am back at the edge of Meldor's Threshold once again."

"Hmm, a concern to be sure. But you have gotten the resistance skills I was hoping you would get. Arcane Resistance is especially tricky as a skill." That's likely when you made me brawl with monster gorillas that used Mana for punches.

"Even with the Mind Crystal, my Mind stat just can't keep up with my skill gain. At least it maxed out the bonuses that are possible from a blue class," I stated.

"Or your skill gain is keeping up with your Mind stat. Your Soul Resistance has increased quite a bit. Leveling that skill is near impossible otherwise."

"Without torture, you mean?"

"You can't easily level resistance skills like that, at least not if you consent to the torture. Resistance skills are annoying to level," my mother said, staring at me.

"Um, I consent?" I hesitantly said, and she just smiled.

"I would never torture you, my son." The last year was torture. I was almost surprised I didn't have an emotional resistance skill.

"You need to keep up the exercises I started you on with Mana Manipulation. It is a very important skill for spells."

"What about Mana Sense?" While my mother might annoy me greatly, I wouldn't disregard good advice.

"Work on Mana Vision and leave it alone. The same with the other sensory skills. It is better to merge them together in one large upgrade instead of doing them one at a time. Your acting guardian will be Healer Melon while I am gone. He is to make sure you don't get into any serious trouble. No running away from him." I held up the Ring of Remote Viewing.

"What about this?"

"If you want to wear it, wear it. If you don't want to wear it, then don't. Ultimately, it is your choice. There are only so many equipment slots one can place enchanted items on their body, and it is ultimately your choice. I expect to see you at the College of Advancement in the Ice-Capped Mountains in six months for your enrollment."

"I really am free until then?"

"Enjoy your sweets and spa days, my son. Don't worry about hiding your identity. Anyone who would come for you won't be slowed down by you hiding your name any longer." If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

"Do I need to be worried? What about the legend who cursed me?"

"I have heard nothing since we left Terander. You don't need to shout it from the rooftops, but there is nothing to be overly concerned about with your skills from a casual attack. As for the legend who cursed you. They have vanished, and there is no record or knowledge."

"Then what about the cursed skill?" Would I be unable to level properly for the rest of my life?

"It shames me to say that there is nothing I can do directly, even after everything I have spent and the favors I have called in. However, I have prepared some things for you. The first is this book." She pulled it out of her spatial storage and handed it to me.

"A rare treasure of the Eldarin Empire. Only The Librarian had a full copy. Don't let others know you have it lightly," she said and handed it over. The Deeper Mysteries of the Soul by The Eternal Emperor was the title on the first page. The cover was completely blank and plain gray, hiding what the book was about on the outside. I looked up in shock.

"The Librarian saved it when the Eternal Empire collapsed. This isn't the original, but the content is an exact copy. They strictly regulate soul magic and related skills.

"I need to remove the skill myself," I said, and she shook her head.

"When you gain experience, you should be able to sense the direction of the individual who placed the skill on you, regardless of their stealth skills. Track them down and discover their identity one day. It is the most I can do."

"Would I be able to beat them?"

"Hire some other legends to help you or a team of strong elites. Ambush and kill them if you aren't strong enough for a frontal attack. Use the knowledge from this book to develop more powerful skills. I will only add that you should avoid learning anything from this book while you are at the College of Advancement."

"Then why give it to me now?"

"So, you can read ahead and contemplate the information. While I might seem reckless, soul skills are hazardous. They aren't the kind of skills you should rush into since they carry a strong stigma about them as part of the dark legacy of the Eldarin Empire. There is a reason I am giving you this while Healer Melon isn't around," my mother explained, and I nodded.

"As for my second gift, a spatial storage. Live your life and enjoy this gift. Try not to flaunt it around since you aren't strong enough to protect it properly," she said and put a hip pouch on the table between us.

"A spatial storage?" I asked in surprise, and she nodded.

"Your monster cores are in there along with all your study materials and equipment. I moved everything to my other spatial storage. Don't trust it with anything you don't want to lose."

"But your sword isn't always with you," I pointed out.

"Isn't it? I never put it into spatial storage. You need to pay more attention, my son, if you missed even this. Although the spatial storage is Tier 4 equipment, high-level thieves can steal and damage it. Also, you have 100 gold in there."

"How does it work?"

"You need to focus a bit of Mana onto your hand with Mana Manipulation when you reach inside, thinking about what you want to grab. Don't put oversized things or objects that are too heavy in. The more stuff that is in there, the harder it is to place an object inside. Don't ignore this. If the spatial pouch is destroyed, everything inside is lost," my mother explained while getting up. I looked, and she didn't have her sword on her waist.

"Where is your sword?"

"A mother has to have some secrets, my son." She smiled at me.

"Now enjoy your six months. Try not to be a complete disappointment." With that, she just left, and I put the book she had given me into my spatial storage. Healer Melon entered the room and took a seat. I took a moment to process everything my mother had just told me. I looked over at Healer Melon, who was sitting quietly off to one side.

"That's it? She left?" I asked him, and he nodded.

"Yes. It will take two weeks of travel to reach the Ice-Capped Mountains far to the North, where the College of Advancement is located. Until that point, I am merely to keep you company as your guardian and chaperone. And I am to continue as such through your time at school as well."

"Really? For that long?"

"Yes, I'll be making sure you don't die from an accident or some nonsense. But otherwise, I am not to interfere unless it is to help you with training," he replied casually. I looked at the ring on my hand.

"And report to my mother?"

"If that is what she asks. But she doesn't need me for something like that. The Supreme Warlady…has immense power. It is not my place to question her." He was my mother's person through and through and a glorified babysitter. I was on par with a silver-plate adventurer. But at 11. 5 years old, I would have difficulties traveling alone.

"This apartment suite is booked for another day, but you must use the funds your mother left you to extend it." I began checking the spatial pouch. My belongings were also inside, along with a pouch that held 100 gold coins. An impressively large amount of money. Even with all the monster cores I had earned, I would only earn between 100 and 200 gold coins. I looked at Healer Melon and his bald head. I should split the monster cores I had earned with him.

It was the right thing to do, even if my mother was paying him. I depended on the man to keep me alive and boost my training. Best not to be rude.

"Tomorrow we will leave and cash in at the Adventurer's Guild. Also, we will arrange transportation to the Dwarven City of Undercraft immediately." It was the city next to the College of Advancement, or under it.

"Wanting to get a head start on the travel?" Healer Melon asked, and I shook my head.

"I can rest during the trip. It will help avoid any delays that might happen. While I might talk back to my mother…I will not be late," I said, and Healer Melon nodded quite a bit at this.

"Also, the city has quite a lot of training schools and Tutors available for hire. It would also help me get a better understanding of the College of Advancement before attending." My Tutor, Damian, had explained quite a bit about the place, but I wanted to get another opinion and learn for myself what I could.

"Smart."

"Do you need me to store anything?"

"You already spotted the sealed sets of potions in the spatial storage your mother gave you. I was hoping you would not take them or use them without my supervision unless you are literally about to die. Otherwise, no. I have my pack to carry my personal items with me. I have learned to travel light as an adventurer."

"Well, it is still morning, so let's handle business first, cashing in the monster cores, and arranging transportation for tomorrow. Then we can relax." Healer Melon didn't argue with me. We went to the Adventurer's Guild first thing. I pulled out the monster cores ahead of time to avoid being seen using a spatial storage. Using a spatial storage item with red monster cores was ridiculous.

"The total is 184 gold, 80 silver, and 53 copper," the attendant said after calculating it all out.

"Split it in two, and the extra copper doesn't matter." It only took a minute to get two pouches full of money, and I handed one to Healer Melon.

"What?

"I already received payment."

"You helped me out, so you get paid. Also, you harvested more than half of the monster cores."

"Only because your mother wanted to keep moving," he muttered as we left the Adventurer's Guild, making our way to the inter-city transport hub, which wasn't far away from the city center.

"It's your money now. Do what you want with it. Consider it payment for any future headaches I put you through."

"In that case, I will keep it." That was quick.

"If I need potions, I can buy them out of this money you gave me."

"Your choice. Now let's arrange some transportation for tomorrow." An express magical carriage to Undercraft City for two people costs two gold each, plus another two gold for border fees. Healer Melon insisted on paying his own share, and I didn't object. With transportation arranged, my next stop was a sweet shop. I pulled out five gold coins. That was the limit I had set for myself.

"This much in chocolate and other sweets. Nothing bitter or too sticky." The shopkeeper happily packed a lot of chocolates and other assorted sweets to deliver them to our apartment suite.

"That much in chocolate, really?" Healer Melon asked me.

"I won't let my mother guilt-trip me. I plan to enjoy the finer things in life, so I set a budget for myself from my earnings. It wasn't fifty gold, only five."

"Ah, well, it is your choice."

"It is, so stop worrying. If my mother had a problem with my choices, she would yell at me some more." What I really meant was that she would have absolutely forbidden my indulging. While she might make fun of me if I didn't go overboard, it was fine. When we got back to the fancy inn, I booked the spa that afternoon for me and Healer Melon. He objected, but I treated him out of my share, five gold for each of us. That afternoon, I had gone to heaven from the hell of the dungeon and my mother.

Not listening to her lecture me for the afternoon was the best respite I could have asked for.