Trace Taylor tilted her head back. “So, I’m a level 10 Builder now?”

[Affirmative. That is indeed what I had just said.]

“Don’t sass me. I’m tired, alright?” she said as she slumped into a chair. “I spent all day hammering away at a damn wall. My ears are still ringing, so sorry if I didn’t hear you the first time.”

[Considering that my words are being directly transmitted into your mind,] Ex started, snappier than usual, [that is not a valid excuse.]

“Are you mad because I haven’t shown you a superhero comic book?”

[Affirmative.]

“Well, sorry. If it wasn’t the end of the fucking world, I’d have gotten right on that.”

[That is not a valid excuse,] he repeated himself. [You promised me that you’d show me a superhero comic book later. You have not.]

Trace rolled her eyes. “Is this what raising a child is like?” she snorted and stood up. “Fine. Liz doesn’t own any superhero comic books, but I could ask around for anyone who does.”

[Thank you, Trace Taylor. I am pleased.]

Fucking hell, I swear he acts more and more like a kid as the days go by.

[You do realise I can still hear you, right?] Ex said, voice flat.

The redhead grinned. “Affirmative.”

With a chuckle, she bounced back to her feet and into the kitchen. The Evergreen Gun Range was empty— Liz was out killing monsters or something, leaving the entire building to Trace.

The redhead grabbed a can of beans and headed up to her room. Popping it open, she spoke to her AI. “Anyways, now that I’m a level 10 Builder, I can evolve into a new vocation, right?”

[Affirmative.]

“Well, what are the options?”

[These are the possible vocation evolutions you may undergo:

Augur Architect – A specialised vocation that draws from magic to create intricate and planned designs with purpose. It is a branching evolution of Builder.

Magical Builder – A specialised vocation that utilises magic in its creation. It is a direct evolution of Builder.

Skilled Builder – A specialised vocation that enhances the quality of structures built. It is a direct evolution of Builder.

Swift Constructor – A hybrid vocation that rapidly increases the speed of building with others. It is a branching evolution of Builder.]

“A few of these are quite obvious.” Trace lay on her bed as she dug into her dinner. “I’m most interested in a Magical Builder.”

[Trace Taylor, I recommend investigating all offered options,] Ex said in an annoyed voice.

She snorted. “I know. So, what do they all do?”

[Augur Architect – A specialised vocation that draws from magic to create intricate and planned designs with purpose. It is a branching evolution of Builder.

Trait Growth:

Strength: E+ to E+

Magic: E+ to D

Endurance: E to E+

Vitality: E- to E+

Dexterity: D to D

Skill Changes:

(G) Quick Hands evolves to (F) Hasty Design – Your speed of working with tools and planning constructions is enhanced.

(F) Makeshift Materials evolves to (E-) Magically Makeshift Materials – You can appropriate unsuitable materials effectively for building through magical means.

(F+) Rapid Repair evolves to (E+) Restoration and Creation – You can work five times as fast when building or fixing things for up to twelve hours straight. Speed will increase a skill level increases. Can be used once a day.

Skills Gained:

(E) Silent Construction – You can temporarily muffle your hearing for an hour once a day. Duration is increased for each skill level gained.

(D-) Architect’s Hand – You can manipulate and move multiple materials through telekinesis to aid your construction.]

“First of all, it has a bloody pretentious name,” Trace said as she set the canned food down on the nightstand. “Second of all, that’s a bloody good vocation, huh?”

[Affirmative. I would be inclined to claim that this is the best vocation option that you have unlocked.]

“Isn’t it worst for first, not best for first?”

[I have not heard either of those sayings.]

“Now you have.”

The skills for an Augur Architect could easily be used for non-standard applications unrelated to building or repairing broken doors. Hell, she was pretty sure she could have used Architect’s Hand to grab her pistol whenever Recall Weapon was in cooldown… or the television remote when she was too lazy to get up.

And as for Silent Construction, it could probably help Trace with sleeping whenever there was a ruckus. Seriously, those two new skills were incredibly useful.

Her older skills underwent some changes too. Restoration and Creation and Hasty Design seemed to just be improved versions of the Rapid Repair and Quick Hands. Meanwhile, Magically Makeshift Materials sounded like it’d just be an improvement of Makeshift Materials, but apparently it was more than that.

It somehow involved… magic? Trace was interested in seeing how that worked. For now, she decided to check out her next vocation evolution option.

[Magical Builder – A specialised vocation that utilises magic in its creation. It is a direct evolution of Builder.

Trait Growth:

Strength: E+ to D-

Magic: E+ to D

Endurance: E to E+

Vitality: E- to E-

Dexterity: D to D

Skill Changes:

(G) Quick Hands evolves to (F-) Fast Worker – Your speed of working with tools is greatly enhanced.

(F) Makeshift Materials evolves to (E-) Magically Makeshift Materials – You can appropriate unsuitable materials effectively for building through magical means.

(F+) Rapid Repair evolves to (E+) Building Enhancement – You can work twenty times as fast when building or fixing things for up to an hour through magical means. Can be used once every twelve hours. Cooldown is decreased for each skill level gained.

Skill Gained:

(D-) Instant Fix – You instantly fix one handheld object once a day. Cooldown will decrease for every level gained.]

“Only a single skill gained?” The redhead furrowed her brows. “That’s a pretty good skill, but still…”

It was, theoretically, if its ranking were to be believed, equivalent to Architect’s Hand. And it didn’t even sound that useful. How often was Trace going to break a handheld object? Perhaps it could evolve into something far better… the potential seemed to be there.

Unfortunately, the other skills for the vocation lacked said potential. Magically Makeshift materials was the exact same skill Trace got from Augur Architect, and Fast Worker sounded inferior to Hasty Design. Building Enhancement could be superior to Restoration and Creation, but it wasn’t enough to sway her.

“What’s next?”

[Skilled Builder – A specialised vocation that enhances the quality of structures built. It is a direct evolution of Builder.

Trait Growth:

Strength: E+ to E+

Magic: E+ to E+

Endurance: E to E+

Vitality: E- to E+

Dexterity: D to D+

Skill Changes:

(G) Quick Hands evolves to (F-) Fast Worker – Your speed of working with tools is greatly enhanced.

(F) Makeshift Materials evolves to (F+) Resource Scavenging – You have the keen ability to use unconventional materials effectively for building and have the sense to find irreplaceable resources within a hundred metres radius of you.

(F+) Rapid Repair evolves to (E) Better Rapid Repair – You can work thrice as fast when building or fixing things for up to an hour. Can be used again after thirty minutes.

Skills Gained:

(E+) Perfect Dimensions – You can perfectly measure the dimensions of any object you see that is 5x5 metres or smaller. Size will increase for each skill level gained.

(E+) Masterful Craftwork – You are able to recreate any non-magical design you see at first glance as long as you have the time and the materials.]

Trace tapped a finger on her chin.

[If this vocation option is not to your preference, you can—]

“No, that’s not it,” Trace said and got to her feet. “I’m thirsty.” She ambled down the stairs and grabbed a glass from the kitchen. Taking a refreshing sip, she let out a sigh. “See, if I had Architect’s Hand, I wouldn’t even need to do that.”

[Affirmative.]

“I could just snap a finger and I’d have my water.” She set the cup back down onto the kitchen counter.

[So, I take it that you wish to be an Augur Architect?]

“Not just yet. A Skilled Builder doesn’t have bad skills, although there’s a lot of overlap with it and a Magical Builder. The only difference is that it sounds so incredibly boring. Perfect Dimensions? Masterful Craftwork? I’m not some kind of third century artisan— I just want to survive this apocalypse.”

[I take it that you wish to be an Augur Architect?] Ex repeated himself.

She returned to her room and made herself comfortable underneath her blanket. It was night now, and she wanted to get some shut eye after a long day of working.

Liz wasn’t back yet. If she wasn’t back by dawn, Trace would search for her.

“Just tell me what a Swift Constructor does.”

[Swift Constructor – A hybrid vocation that rapidly increases the speed of building with others. It is a branching evolution of Builder.

Trait Growth:

Strength: E+ to D-

Magic: E+ to E+

Endurance: E to E+

Vitality: E- to E-

Dexterity: D to C-

Skill Changes:

(G) Quick Hands evolves to (F) Hasty Design – Your speed of working with tools and planning constructions is enhanced.

(F) Makeshift Materials evolves to (F+) Resource Scavenging – You have the keen ability to use unconventional materials effectively for building and have the sense to find irreplaceable resources within a hundred metres radius of you.

(F+) Rapid Repair evolves to (E) Better Rapid Repair – You can work thrice as fast when building or fixing things for up to an hour. Can be used again after thirty minutes.

Skills Gained:

(E+) Perfect Dimensions – You can perfectly measure the dimensions of any object you see that is 5x5 metres or smaller. Size will increase for each skill level gained.

(E+) Swift Disassemble – You can quickly disassemble objects.]

“Y’know, the fact that it shares the worst skills with the other vocations doesn’t convince me to choose it. At all.”

[So, I take it that you wish to be an Augur Architect?]

Trace scowled. “Piss off.” She turned over in her bed and paused. “But… yes. I’d much rather be an Augur Architect. The only skill a Swift Constructor has for itself is Swift Disassemble. And it’s just too damn vague. Why doesn’t it have anything else other than that?”

[Overlap between skill evolutions are common as there is a limited number of branches a skill could undergo,] Ex explained. [As for the overlap between gained skills… you simply are unlucky.]

“Of course I am. If I were lucky, I wouldn’t have to deal with your constant whining.” The redhead waited for a retort, but Ex remained silent. She pursed her lips. “I, erm, meant that as a joke.”

He still said nothing.

Shit, did I go too far? Trace grew worried when ten more seconds passed, and there was no voice in her head.

“Look, I didn’t mean to offend you, Ex. It was meant to be banter, and I didn’t know what your boundaries were. I’m sorry.” She waited— hoped that the authenticity of her words would reach him.

Finally, Ex replied softly, [Are you truly sorry?]

“Yes.”

[Then I demand reimbursement.]

Trace couldn’t help but hesitate. “Reimbursement?”

[Affirmative,] he said as his voice took on a cheeky tone. [I would like to see a superhero comic book.]

She blinked. And then she sat up in her bed. “You bloody bellend! I thought you were actually mad at me!”

[You promised me that you’d show me a superhero comic book later. You have not.]

“Sod off!” She huffed and tugged her blankets back over herself. “Just make me an Augur Architect already.”

[Affirmative.

Augur Architect – A specialised vocation that draws from magic to create intricate and planned designs with purpose. It is a branching evolution of Builder.

Trait Growth:

Strength: E+ to E+

Magic: E+ to D

Endurance: E to E+

Vitality: E- to E+

Dexterity: D to D

Skill Changes:

(G) Quick Hands evolves to (F) Hasty Design – Your speed of working with tools and planning constructions is enhanced.

(F) Makeshift Materials evolves to (E-) Magically Makeshift Materials – You can appropriate unsuitable materials effectively for building through magical means.

(F+) Rapid Repair evolves to (E+) Restoration and Creation – You can work five times as fast when building or fixing things for up to twelve hours straight. Speed will increase a skill level increases. Can be used once a day.

Skills Gained:

(E) Silent Construction – You can temporarily muffle your hearing for an hour once a day. Duration is increased for each skill level gained.

(D-) Architect’s Hand – You can manipulate and move multiple materials through telekinesis to aid your construction.

Do you accept this vocation?]

“I do.”

[You are now an Augur Architect.]

Name: Trace Taylor

Race: Human (Earth A314)

Class: Adept Spellshot – Lvl 18

Vocation: Builder – Lvl 10

Craft: N/A

Traits:

Strength: E+

Magic: D

Endurance: E+

Vitality: E+

Dexterity: D

Skills:

Class Skills:

(F+) Magically Enhanced Accuracy – Lvl 13

(E-) Quick Fire – Lvl 9

(E) Recall Weapon – Lvl 8

(E+) Vulnerability Vision – Lvl 10

(E+) Last in the Chamber – Lvl 9

(D-) Mystic Bullets – Lvl 8

Vocation Skills:

(F) Hasty Design – Lvl 1

(E-) Magically Makeshift Materials – Lvl 1

(E) Silent Construction – Lvl 1

(E+) Restoration and Creation – Lvl 1

(D-) Architect’s Hand – Lvl 1

“Alright,” Trace said as a yawn escaped her lips, “now that that’s settled, I can finally go to sleep.”

[Negative.]

“Negative?”

[Affirmative,] Ex replied.

“Erm, do you mean affirmative negative, or negative affirmative?”

[Affirmative.]

“Just spit it out, already. What’s wrong?” The redhead brought a hand up, trying to call the glass of water to her. It didn’t budge. Odd. She’d figure out how it worked tomorrow.

[You should not go to sleep just yet, Trace Taylor. Because you have reached level 10 in both your class and your vocation.]

Her eyes widened as she realised what that meant— as she saw the single, minute change to her status screen.

[You may now choose a craft.]