Meditation Lvl 0 (Uncommon)

Still your mind and catch a fleeting glimpse of what lies beyond. Minorly Increased Mana Regeneration and Mental Clarity while in a meditative state. Skill effects will immediately cancel upon distraction or movement.

Accept: Y/N?

Clover had expected to unlock a Skill similar to [Mana Sense]. After all, that’s what he had been doing - inspecting the currents of Mana in the atmosphere. But, Clover supposed in order to perceive the shards of cold magic, he first had to reach a meditative state. Now, that he had lost his focus and let his attention drift from the tethers binding him to the golems, the chaotic symphony of magic particles had completely faded away - hidden from his senses.

Interesting. He scratched a long invisible beard, feeling like a wise old professor pondering the secrets of the universe. At least part of that statement was true. He definitely didn’t have a beard, but he sure felt like an old person sometimes.

Back to the Skill, [Meditation] was Uncommon - the same Rarity as [Golem Creation]. That probably meant there was more to it than the Skill’s description would imply. It wouldn’t be the first time the System had left out information. For example, nowhere in [Golem Creation]’s description had it mentioned the fact that he could bestow Abilities onto his creations by taking manual control of the process.

Even if [Meditation] didn’t have any hidden components, an increase in mental clarity and Mana Regeneration would be greatly appreciated. Being able to hit monsters with more [Mana Bolt]s couldn’t be a bad thing. Plus, the increased mental ability would allow him to control his golems better.

He accepted the Skill and then immediately tried it out. Or at least he tried to. Entering a meditative state was surprisingly hard to do on demand. Especially when he was so excited about testing out his new Skill. After a minute of effort, a shift took place. His breathing slowed, and unnecessary thoughts drained out of his mind. He relaxed into his new mental state, enjoying the feeling.

A golden spark of magic shaped vaguely like a goldfish swam through the air. Clover flinched as it rushed past his head. [Meditation] canceled itself, and the magical phenomena disappeared.

Congratulations! Meditation has reached Level 1.

Clover nodded, satisfied with his initial use of the Skill. It would require a bit of practice, but once he got it down, [Meditation] would open many new doors for him. But that practice would not come immediately.

Right now, he wanted to check out his options for his next Class Skill Quest. He had unlocked it this morning when he had reached Level 10 and had been eagerly awaiting a chance to look over his options.

Class Skill Quests: Evolve a General Skill into a more powerful version by completing certain tasks and objectives!

Available: (1/2)

Tracking: Following a trail is pointless if you do not know what to do once you reach its ends.

Requirements:

-Track 5/10 Targets.

-Track a target for 0/2 miles.

Reward: [Hunter’s Instincts]

Driving: Pedal to the metal, escape the falling petal.

Requirements:

-Drive 9/10 Miles.

-Reach a top speed of 0/100 miles per hour.

Reward: [Haste]

Meditation: Stare into the abyss with your eyes wide shut and find the truth.

Requirements:

-Meditate for 0/10 hours.

-Meditate uninterrupted for 0/1 hours.

-Perceive what lies beyond the mundane 1/10.

Reward: [Abyssal Perception of the Still Mind]

The first thing Clover noticed was that the requirements for completing [Track]’s Skill Quest had increased. Which was an unwelcome surprise. It would have been nice if the System had told him about that little fact beforehand. He probably wouldn’t have made a different decision, [Golem Creation] was too cool to pass up, but it would have been nice to know.

All three of his options were attractive. However, [Meditation] was a clear front runner. If the pattern last time had established held true, [Abyssal Perception of the Still Mind] would be a rarity above Uncommon. Based on its grandiose name, he thought that was a likely possibility.

A Skill at that rarity was practically guaranteed to be powerful. Of course, [Haste], the assumed ability to move faster, would also be a welcome addition to his arsenal. He had no real complaints with the Skill. He just didn’t think it stacked up to the potential upside of [Meditation]’s Skill Quest.

[Hunter’s Instincts] was similarly unappealing.

He stopped before making a decision. He still had some Skill Points left over from his earlier spending spree - it would be best to use them beforehand, lest they unlock a new General Skill. Of course, he’d already spent his Stat Points. 8 to Vitality, 7 to Regeneration, and 5 to Magic giving him an even spread of increased resources. With how high his main Stats were becoming, he’d have to invest in bringing the stragglers up to speed soon. His Agility was abysmally low. He didn’t think the Stat did much for him, but he thought it was best to not let extreme imbalances occur.

Additionally, he had already used some of his Skill Points - they had been burning a hole in his pocket. First, for 10 Skill Points, he had completed the Mana Bolt 3 Path. Paul had unlocked it earlier and had given him a run down on what it did. Apparently, the Skill it gave as a reward had allowed him to transform his [Mana Bolt]s into a more dangerous shape near the end of their fight with the Scaled Squirrels.

Undeniably, [Mana Bolt] is the most basic piece of magic - merely a stepping stone on a mage’s way to learning greater spells. Nevertheless, even a stone can be a lethal weapon in practiced hands. Step down the path of evolution and witness magic’s constant flux. +3 Magic, +3 Mana.

Mana Bolt: Metamagic Lvl 0 (Uncommon) - Variable MP Cost

Shift and twist, changing [Mana Bolt] to your desires. Minor changes available: Shape. Mana Cost scales with the severity of changes.

Right now, he could only change [Mana Bolt]’s shape, but he had a feeling more options would open up as he leveled up the Skill. Still, the ability to change his bolts of Mana into a more dangerous and penetrative form was useful.

Additionally, he had completed the Golem Template Path for 5 Skill Points. Which not only unlocked a Skill but also rewarded him with 3 Intelligence and 2 Myth.

Golem Template Lvl 1 (Uncommon)

Quickly recreate one of your golems. Templates available: 1/1

The Skill wasn’t as impressive as it sounded. [Golem Template] didn’t create a copy of the golem from scratch. It automated the animation process and corrected minor structural mistakes to bring a new golem in line with the original. It wasn’t an instant golem-creating factory, but it would save him a significant amount of time in the future. That was enough for him.

Even with all the Skill Points he had spent, he still had a sizable reserve. He opened the Skill Paths screen.

Track (0/5), Driving (0/5), Golem Control 2 (0/10), Golem Link 2 (0/10), Sculpting 3 (0/10), Friend of the Forest (0/15).

Clover scratched the back of his head. That definitely hadn’t been there before. Friend of the Forest was the most expensive Path he had seen so far, and he wasn’t even sure how he had gotten it.

He definitely wasn't friends with the tree that had taken up residence in his old room in the hospital. It had tried to eat him multiple times, but that was the only plant he had interacted with in the past few days. Maybe attempted murder was a polite greeting in magical plant culture? Or, maybe the mind control tree had enjoyed the chocolate bar? He really wasn't sure.

However, he was still drawn to the Path.

He reasoned with himself, but Clover couldn’t come up with a reason not to take it. He had Skill Points burning a hole in his pocket - he had to spend them on something. Even if he finished this Path, he would still have enough left over to unlock another.

A garden cursed by necessity. A solemn oath with no one left to listen. A four-leaf clover left by a grave. Disparate moments in time come together, forming something beyond their mundane roots. *Existing Affinity for plant life detected.* Plant Affinity Moderately increased. Skill Unlocked:

Magical Gardening Lvl 0 (Uncommon)

Tend to the forest, and perhaps it will tend to you in your time of need. Accelerate and facilitate the growth of plant life, bestowing a slight chance for it to develop magical capabilities.

Accept: Y/N?

Clover debated taking the Skill. It was a passive boost to his capabilities, like [Sculpting], providing no immediate active Skill effects. However, the long-term appeal of creating magical plants was strong. Maybe he could make an apple that cured all negative conditions.

But that was far in the future. The only problem Clover saw with the Skill was the amount of time it would take to level it. He didn't have much free time as it was; when would he find the time to start a garden?

He could always just sleep less with his increased Stats and make more time to practice his Skills, so he was leaning toward taking it. Plus, it would feel like a giant waste of Skill Points if he didn’t take [Magical Gardening].

He would still gain the other rewards granted by the Path, but he wasn’t sure what a Plant Affinity actually did. Maybe it was worth the 15 Skill Points by itself?

Clover accepted [Magical Gardening] and spent the last of his Skill Points on finishing the Sculpting 3 Path.

As you progress in skill and experience, you learn that the perfect image of a sculpture you see in your mind never makes it to the finished product intact. Whether by faulty materials or a slip of the hand, you lack the control necessary to chase down that ideal. Through esoteric means, your sculptures have taught you another lesson. +3 Dexterity, +3 Strength. Skill Unlocked.

Minor Tactile Terrakinesis Lvl 0 (Common) - Variable MP Cost.

Shape the earth to your desires. As long as you are touching what you wish to shape, you can slowly change its structure.

[Minor Tactile Terrakinesis] was a mouthful to say and only Common, but it would greatly increase the speed at which he could make golems. And it could possibly increase the range of what he could create.

Clover was eager to test out its limits. Feeling inspired by the golem Adam had created, Clover decided to craft an idea that had rested in the back of his mind for quite some time now. He wanted to create a rudimentary piece of golem armor. He wasn’t quite sure how exactly that idea would take place, but he wasn’t too concerned - an idea would come to him.

Before he could start on that project, he had a couple of tests to run. He wanted to see if he could stack [Hardening]’s effects multiple times on one golem. If so, that would greatly increase the defense ability of his theoretical armor golem.

Using his newest Skill, he manipulated a chunk of clay, turning it into a flat square. Clay shifted under his hands without him having to move a muscle. Really, it was a strange sensation - like moving the material with a phantom limb. He wouldn’t win any awards for speed, but if he poured more Mana into the Skill, he felt he could make a human-sized hole in the ground in only a couple of minutes.

Congratulations! Minor Tactile Terrakinesis has reached Level 1.

Now, with a smooth clay square in hand, Clover used [Hardening], letting the System do its work.

Congratulations! Hardening has reached Level 7.

He used the Skill again, further reinforcing its structure. However, the third time he used the [Hardening], the clay square crumbled, collapsing in on itself.

Congratulations! Hardening has reached Level 8.

Clover repeated a similar test on the dog-golem. He found it could withstand an additional use of [Hardening] before crumbling in on itself. But on the third use, the golem’s joints hardened to the point where it couldn't move.

Congratulations! Hardening has reached Level 9.

Congratulations! Hardening has reached Level 10.

With a rudimentary understanding of the process, Clover started creating his defensive golem. He slapped clay over his shirt, packing it tightly, earning himself several weird looks. Clover blushed in embarrassment, but he didn’t stop.

Great, now people think I’m crazy.

The plan was to create something similar to a kevlar vest or a medieval chest plate. He’d miss a 25% boost in capability because it was not modeled after an animal, but he couldn’t think of a practical animal design at the moment. He continued working, filling in the parts on his back that he couldn’t reach with [Minor Tactile Terrakinesis].

He finished without much difficulty, though the task took substantial time. The sculpture wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough. In the end, he settled for a design that would give him more mobility by leaving his arms uncovered while still protecting the vital points in his chest area.

Congratulations! Minor Tactile Terrakinesis has reached Level 2.

Congratulations! Minor Tactile Terrakinesis has reached Level 3.

Congratulations! Sculpting has reached Level 26.

Without delay, Clover activated [Golem Creation]. In the burgeoning tether, he constructed a two-layer steak kebab of flexibility and strength. Before long, the ice that he was growing ever more acquainted with vehemently attacked his mental construct. He fought tooth and nail, using everything he had learned from watching the System. It was personal now. He didn’t want to lose even an inch to the ice-like Mana that seemed intent on attacking him.

He completed the process without allowing the corruption to influence his design overly much.

Congratulations! Golem Creation has reached Level 18.

Afterward, he used [Hardening] twice, forming a barrier that normal people would have a hard time breaking through. It could probably deflect a gunshot before breaking.

He patted his achievement with a smile. It looked goofy, but it would probably save his life one day, so he didn't complain. Well, he actually did have one complaint. There wasn’t an easy way to remove the piece of golem armor. It could stretch slightly due to the [Flexible] Attribute he had managed to imbue into the golem, but taking it off would be a struggle. It would take repeated use of [Minor Tactile Terrakinesis] to get it off.

That wasn’t a problem for the current him, so he ignored it and focused on remaking Mr. Cat. A couple of hours later, he had succeeded in remaking the golem. The underlying design was the same, however, this time, he had made Mr. Cat, the Third, much larger, breaking into the moderate size category. The animated sculpture was now much bigger than any house cat had any right to be.

Congratulations! Sculpting has reached Level 27

Congratulations! Sculpting has reached Level 28

Congratulations! Minor Tactile Terrakinesis has reached Level 4.

Congratulations! Minor Tactile Terrakinesis has reached Level 10.

Congratulations! Golem Creation has reached Level 19

Congratulations! Golem Creation has reached Level 20.

With the Skill Points he had earned remaking Mr. Cat, he invested in the Minor Tactile Terrakinesis Path, boosting the speed at which he could manipulate raw material in exchange for 5 Skill Points. On the back end, he also gained 3 Dexterity and 2 Mana.

He continued his crafting, making three more golems. After that, he switched his focus to completing a Class Skill Quest. Since he hadn’t gained any new options, he selected [Meditation]. For some reason [Magical Gardening] registered as a Class Skill, so it was ineligible to receive an Upgrade Quest.

He settled into a meditative state. Mana tingled at the edges of his senses. He delved deeper, allowing his attention to wash through the air.

He almost lost his focus as he noticed a butterfly purely constructed out of purple and black Mana pop into existence, kindly resting on Bob the Elephant's hardened clay tusk. It flapped its wings and then disappeared.

Congratulations! Meditation has reached Level 2.

He continued searching for more things the System would quantify as “beyond the mundane”. Before he could find any, a dry cough ripped itself from his throat. Even as he winced in pain, he couldn’t help but smile. It had been a couple hours since the last time his lungs had rebelled against him. He was making progress.

He refocused and activated [Meditation] again. After a few minutes of searching, he spotted a small stream of ocean blue Mana, flowing through the air in a lazy current. He watched it in wonder till it disappeared.

Congratulations! Meditation has reached Level 3.

An idea occurred to him, and he activated [Golem Link]. Using both forms of perception at once, the number of magical phenomena he could perceive greatly increased.

He smiled as he caught occasional glimpses of the beautiful world of Mana that laid beyond his perception.

Clover’s neck itched. He wanted to scratch it. Damn it. He fought the urge knowing it would pull him out of his meditative state. He only needed to persevere for an hour straight. That wasn’t a long time. He could do that easily.

A clock ticked, mechanically counting down the seconds.

The jagged chunks of ice, like teeth from a great beast, reappeared, sharply pressing against him. He fought the urge to shiver. That would reset the counter to 0.

As his skill at using [Mediation] and [Golem Link] at once increased, he observed the world in a new level of detail. Behind its ornate beauty, the world of Mana held a haunting edge. Icy winds originating from nowhere howled in his ears. Additionally, as if flung by a campfire, red sparks whizzed by his head. The longer he observed, the more increasingly bizarre the manifestations became.

They were an unbearable itch, nagging at his senses and demanding he look away.

A bead of sweat dripped down his forehead as the galling wind took on a more human tone. He could almost make out whispered screams in the distance.

However, he did not give up. If there was anything he was good at, it was sitting there and doing nothing. He had 18 years of practice in that Skill.

Clover endured.