THE TIME SKIP CHAPTER!

“Teehehe, guess we need to add more weights. You get used to them way too fast.”

Serena’s giggles were the kind of giggles that made boys have uncomfortable dreams and men shiver in anticipation for more. Matching that the low seductive voice with her belle of a face and males would probably crawl towards her, since they wouldn’t have the strength to walk or run.

Michael though started to have nightmares. Everytime he heard that low playful giggling his face turned pale and his body started to quiver, even when he used the maximum of his concentration. Michael’s father also seemed to remember it. One time when his father was about to enter the room and he heard Serena’s giggle, he turned pale and swayed on the spot for a bit before he nearly ran out of the room. Michael feared for his children and hoped he had to gall to deny Serena from training them…

His training progressed rather smoothly besides that though. Serena had acquired several wrist and ankle bands to hold the weights in and Michael had a tough time doing his daily work for a time. After a few days of getting used to them he started sparring with them on to increase the speed of his training. First it was 10 kilograms total. Then 12. Then 15. For the first year Michael went through his daily work with an extra 20 kilograms attached to his body. His physical stats rose by a lot.

Michael also used the weights for his Concentration stat training since he had no teacher for that. Michael, with his extra 20 weights, went to the closest dance instructor in town. He didn’t exactly find a pure dancing master but a general performer with Expert in the performance arts. Since dancing was a precise task that required finesse, Michael had to strain his concentration in order to make his limbs move properly. He kept to this task so much that he soon learned a skill.

Due to learning how to dance for the sake of combat training, you have acquired the sub-skill ‘Battle Dance’. You have gained + 5 to Agility and Charisma. You have gained +10 to Presence due to your confidence in the training.

Battle Dance. Beginner Level 2. (34%). Passive skill[p=left]Although the general idea is that dancing is only for boosting morale and atmosphere with performance, there are other ways to use it. The skill and finesse needed for dancing makes it a good training practice for aspiring warriors who wish to avoid blows and weave through crowds of enemies.

Movement speed is increased by 2% for every level of ‘Battle Dancing’. Battles will double this effect.

It is possible to immediately change direction without decreasing speed. Requires additional training at this time. Stamina costs increase by 600% while doing so.

Illusions left due to quick turns will last 1% longer for every level of ‘Battle Dancing’.

Connected strikes are 10% stronger. Can accumulate if more strikes are connected.[/p]

Michael nearly jumped in joy when he reviewed the skill before sleeping. Another legitimate combat skill that didn’t use Mana. It did consume a lot of stamina but at least it didn’t take any of his precious mana.

Michael trained the skill during his dancing classes and sparring sessions with Serena and his father. His movements became more smooth and his strikes stronger as he formed various different combinations with the curved blade and dagger. He didn’t acquire actual attack skills since he didn’t trust in pre-arranged movements. Michael instead liked the irregular movements he had, even if they were generally weaker than skills.

Harold continued to teach Michael about magic and its history. The history lessons gave insight on the problems and difficulties that Mages of the previous eras faced. They were a help when Michael was trying to make his own spells. He had no aptitude for long range magic though since he never really trusted the effects. Even his weapon throwing skill required use of small daggers - he was used to the effects of daggers and knew the damage he could cause with it. Although it was only a problem mentally it still cause a stagnation of his actual magical use. He could use magic to empower objects temporarily and magic to So Harold changed tactics.

When Michael went to Harold’s room for his next class he walked in to find an empty room. When he reached the center the room shook around him and he had to crouch low to keep his balance. Michael looked towards the door but rejected the option that would place him in deeper in the collapsable house. So Michael eyed the window and got ready to rush through it. Luckily the shaking stopped before he could move and Harold appeared right beside Michael.

“Well boy, that was a type of magic called ‘Quake’. Since you saw the effect and the felt the actual movements you should be able to learn it. Well? Try it out. Enter the Mana realm and focus on the mana in the ground then give it a shake. Go on, go on.”

“Err why couldn’t you have just fired a fireball instead? If all it took was for me to see the effect and…”

Michael cut off once he figured it out but Harold decided to continue.

“Yes, I would have had to throw the fireball at you and you needed to feel the effects of it. Would you like to try? Just stand there and let me make a big enough fireball…”

Michael got nervous when he actually saw Harold position himself for the spell. Before he could run away, the door to the room burst open.

“HAROLD! WHAT THE F*** DID YOU DO TO MY HOUSE? WHO GAVE YOU PERMISSION TO USE SUCH A LARGE SCALE SPELL WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR WARDS? DO YOU WANT TO FEEL MY CLUB AGAIN? DO YOU!?!?!? YOUR HEAD MUST HAVE MISSED THE FEELING OF IT! LET ME-”

Michael’s mother continued that for a few more hours and Harold was a sorry, red lump at the end. The good news though was that Michael became good at using large scale magic that affected the area and not the actual target.

[/hr]

Michael’s first year went smoothly after that and he acquired a few more large scale magic. Michael also went through a ‘cursed’ phase in order to learn specific cursed-type magic since he needed something to weaken his enemies as well. To be more specific Michael had to drink some specific poisonous substances - this time under the watchful eye of his mother - in order to create the necessary organ in his body to house poison for his magic. You couldn’t just create poison out of nothing in the Mana realm. Needless to say he was more happy trying to make beneficial magic.

Constant training was Michael’s everyday life. He didn’t have any other hobbies to speak of and when he was giving time off he usually just took a walk around town - while avoiding the watchful eyes of the Series membership - and found places to read books he got from Harold and Serena’s personal collection. Histories of wars with notes of alternate strategies and tactics devised by both Serena and her brother. Histories of magic arts and magic battles with some doodles from Harold. He was basically a teacher’s pet...with the alternative being a teacher’s punching bag.

It was during one of his times out that he first met Damien.

Michael was at the North-Eastern area of the city, the area with the gate entrance and road that one could use to travel to the ‘Forest of Dread’. He felt nostalgia every time he looked at the forest that gave him his connection with the ‘Silven Plant’ and introduction to Liera. Liera’s training was done under the watchful eye of his mother and Serena. His mother had taken over her education of Gaia and she taught history, geography, cooking, and even a little of alchemy just in case Michael ever got too sick to heal himself. Serena took over Liera’s training and taught her moves she had learned from the Fey she knew.

Liera’s combat training never interfered or connected with his since she was being taught how to fight by shifting forms. The aim was for her to be able to tap into her wolf form while staying human. A high level technique but she had 10 years to practice. The next level after that would be to tap into other forms…but all that for later.

Michael was reading more on about one of the battles during the Mad King’s War. Luanden and Kilren’s army was trapped in a gorge in order to drawn out Jilr’s ambush and Luanden had the soldiers form a steal dome to weather the enemy volleys. Their tactic was to wait out the attack until the main army could surround and take down the enemy. What they hadn’t anticipated was the arrival of Jilr’s high Magus and group of Magus’. Trying to block balls of fire or torrents of lightning was way different from just arrows and Luanden’s men were being slaughtered. Here, Serena told Michael to study various ways to counter the Magus’ while not allowing the enemy to retreat before the main army got there. Michael thought of one or two plans that included created gaps in the shield to allow the archers to fire back and -

Michael’s book and concentration went flying when a boot interrupted his day. Specifically a Knight’s Sabaton had replaced the book as the center of attention for Michael. Michael looked up to see a large boy with a Knight’s Helmet looking down on him, That was all. Only the Knight’s Sabaton and Helmet was being equipped on the boy which created a rather comical effect. It took quite a bit of Michael’s concentration just to keep himself from laughing. Guess the other boy was very good at reading expressions.

“What!?! You laughing at me? Little bookworm. I’m a Knight’s apprentice and you should be on your knees grovelling for mercy because your book dirtied my Sabaton. Well? Are you just gonna sit there?”

The boy wasn’t the only one there and 4 other boys, all as big as the first, surrounded Michael. They all made an even more comical group since one had an Iron Cuirass over a leather vest, another also had an Iron Helmet on, and another had large shoulder Pauldrons only. The final one nearly killed Michael using laughter since he only had a Culet attached to his backside and completely took all the attention from his glare. Michael had to delve more deeply for his Concentration.

“A Knight’s apprentice huh? Impres-No. No it really isn’t impressive. And am I just gonna sit here? Well I was hoping to sit here and read a book but that’s out of the question so yes. I am just gonna sit here. You can shine my boots if you want though. I give good tips. Maybe you can save enough to buy the rest of your armour…”

Michael had started off his spiel with a touch of awe but he decided halfway that his acting skills were not good. So he told the truth since he had noticed that seem to be a good way to finish problems. It may have worked too if he didn’t add some of his newfound humour at the end.

The boy’s unequipped hands started to quiver and turn red with rage. The other boys were the same and any skin not covered by metal - so a lot of their skin - was turning red. Then one of them took out a sword that looked very shiny and clean. ‘Expensive...did they buy that first, then the armour with whatever they had left?’ Michael wasn’t trying to calm the situation at all as he bent to examine and approve of the naked blade. He even tapped it with a finger to get some information on it with ‘Instant Analyzing’ passive mode.

Expensive Steel Sword[p=left]You have seen the real values of the sword. ‘Item Description Change’ has been temporarily removed for you.

Durability: 50/50 (shown to other people as 200/200)

Damage: 10-20 (shown to other people as 40-50)

A beautiful steel sword made using a technique that allows the sword to withstand corrosion, rust, and stains. The technique however makes the sword weak and brittle. Not used for combat but for decoration purposes.

Approximately 11% of the blade is made with Chromium.

(To other people the description shown would be ‘A strong sword that every warrior must have. Its expensive so it must be good.’)

A good blow will shatter the blade.

Charm +10 while having the blade.

Cost: 20 gold. (probably more expensive when sold to idiots)[/p]

Michael actually laughed at this. He collapsed on the ground and had tears rolling down his face as he thought of the stupidity of these children. These kids probably didn’t have the common ‘Identification’ skill so they relied on the good word of the merchant that sold the product, not knowing of abilities like ‘Item Description Change’ and got promptly ripped off. If all of their equipment were like that…

The surrounding boys resembled walking humanoid tomatoes in clothes and mismatching armor at this time. When they saw Michael collapse they had thought he turned pale after examining the sword but the boy actually laughed. He LAUGHED.

All 5 of the boys were well over 6 feet tall and some even hit 2 meters. They had bulging muscles from a childhood of food and steroids and muscle training but their stats did not reflect the same. Their strength barely hit 50 and that was the highest while the next highest was half that.

Michael instead looked rather slight. His height was average at just 1.7 meters and his build was hidden underneath a lot of clothes. He had on a leather jerkin and wool pants, both made by him and had pretty awful stats although they were very comfortable. Over all that he wore a long sleeved brown robe and a matching pointed hat to block the sun. The robe was actually to cover the heavy weights he had over his wrists and ankles. Michael had a few dozen throwing daggers under his robes and his combat dagger hidden in his left sleeve. His sword was too big to carry around so he left it at home, confident enough to take care of himself with just his daggers. His stats had steadily increased over the last 2 years and his strength had just broken 125. Stats weren’t a reflection of looks though, unless it was Charm, and Michael looked just like an apprenticed mage who didn’t even have a magic Staff to protect himself with.

So the large boys did what every group of bullies did. They each took out their ‘Expensive’ steel swords and proceeded to hack at the little boy in front of them. They wouldn’t kill him but they would reduce him to a begging sobbing mess.

The largest boy, the one wearing the Sabatons and Helmet, swung his sword down on Michael’s leg. He missed when Michael twisted on the ground and sprung up to his feet, still laughing at the misfortune of the fools. None of the boys took notice of the incredible speed Michael showed as each was in a mini bloodlust.

Stab to the right, chop from the left, sweep from the top. Michael dodged and weaved through the attacks with a grace that would have made his dancing teacher proud. He also took the time to tap their weapons with his concealed dagger’s hilt. In a matter of moments…

Michael knew it was time when he saw a crack in one of the blades and he lifted his wrist to block that sword. The wielder was ecstatic to finally draw blood and threw all of his weight into the blow. With a Clunk the blade hit Michael’s wrist weight and promptly broke in half while the unfortunate person fell over in shock. Michael brought his fist down on the boy’s head and knocked him out.

Michael then thought about his wrist weights.

“Listen boy. These weights were in my family for the last 4000 years. You will not use these to block blows. GOT IT?”

Michael paled at the memory before glaring at the boys. He Concentrated on his presence and burst the feeling out. The entire city all of a sudden felt the tension in the air and the higher ranked combat professions and few mages gasped at what they felt. Any dungeon diver or hunter felt the power of a Boss-class monster and their senses told them it was in the city. Everyone rushed to the scene.

Michael didn’t notice or care about what he had done. These boys may have earned him a sadistic night with his teacher and he wanted some tension release before that happened. The boys in front of him were quivering in fear since Presence had an effect of instilling terror into weaker beings. The boys saw a monster in front of him. A being with horns and a forked tail, claws and hooves while the mouth was split in a sharp toothed grin.

When Michael finally advanced the boys broke out of their reverie and used their trained moves to fight him. Michael just took out his combat dagger and blocked every single one of their blows then grabbed the swords with his right hand and crushed the brittle steel. Once he did that with every sword, he charged them and proceeded to attack their armoured sections. He broke every single piece they had on and then went on to delicately shred their clothing.

When Michael finally calmed and cut down on his presence, he looked down at the boys that were in bloody heaps on the ground. They barely had a strip of clothing left on and Michael had cut thin lines across their bare bodies. They were all incoherent due to the pain and one of them had fainted during the assault. The blood cooled his frenzy in the end and Michael was rather happy at the scene. So he walked to the side, picked up his book, lay down, then went to sleep with the book covering his head. Michael also noted that he had accidentally used ‘Rage Release’ and that the skill leveled a few times. He also lost quite a bit of his ‘Stored Rage’ which almost made him attack those stupid kids again.

When the high ranking or experienced people in or out of the town finally came to the scene they were shocked. 5 large boys were either sobbing or knocked out. 4 of them were bloody with cuts on them while the other had a bleeding head wound. Another boy was laying asleep a few paces away from them. When the 3 sobbing boys saw the crowd they started to point and shout that the boy had assaulted them. That the boy was a demon spawn and had sprouted horns and claws and some other supernatural body part before trying to tear them to shreds.

One of the adventurers that came was an expert ranked Swordsmen and a representative of the Combat Series. He recognized that the boy was Michael and decided to just watch and record the scene for his Series. Other representatives also decided the same.

A Knight stepped out of crowd and towards the boy. He was Sir Cliff and he was the master of the largest boy there, the one in the comical Sabatons and Helmet. Sir Cliff didn’t like the situation since he only saw a sleeping weak kid but he couldn’t deny that the other boys had quite heavy injuries. Based on their screams and wails it wasn’t anything terribly serious. What spurred on Sir Cliff was that he had noticed the terrible presence in this direction and the only thing that could be a cause for it was the sleeping kid.

Sir Cliff walked up to the kid and examined him. Skinny, average height, book, pointed hat, robes. Everything about the kid screamed ‘Mage Apprentice’ so Sir Cliff raised a boot to kick the boy awake. He missed however when the boy shifted his position slightly. Sir Cliff wondered if it was a coincidence and raised his boot again. 5 times more he missed and Sir Cliff decided the boy was awake.

“Boy...Did you cause all of this damage to the others? Are you a…Demon Spawn like they say?”

Sir Cliff wasn’t a horrible person. His apprentice, Damien, was chosen because he thought the boy had some talent with the sword but it seemed his judgement was terribly off. The large boy was a slacker and weak willed. Flashing a few coins in his face was enough to catch his attention and the boy couldn’t even last 2 seconds while sparring against him. Even after 4 years the boy hadn’t grown in any way. Sir Cliff wondered if the bandits he killed in the past all had beginnings as horrible apprentices... But the boy was his apprentice. He couldn’t just turn away from the boy during a time of need. His honor as a knight didn’t allow it. And now this other boy…

When Sir Cliff didn’t get a response he asked a different question.

“Then did you start this fight boy? Even if you say ‘no’ we only have your word against it while these 5 have injuries and will probably all say you started it. Do you have any proof?”

The last was said with some reluctance. There were no other eyewitnesses here since it was a secluded spot. They had to take the word of these 6 kids and 5 of them would surely gang up on the last. In the end the boy would probably be punished but Sir Cliff knew the personality of his own apprentice and has already formed an idea of what happened. He also noticed that some of the people in the crowd, those were the masters of the other apprentices, also had darkened faces as they could also imagine the real thing that happened. Then Sir Cliff heard a long sigh from the sleeping boy.

Sir Cliff saw the boy raise a hand. Then he made some sweeping motions in the air and cut down several times. Sir Cliff was confused at what was happening and looked into the crowd. He saw confusion there too but when he looked at the few mages in the crowd he saw something else. All of the mages were staring at the boy with pale faces and wide eyes. Was the boy using magic? The mages didn’t back up so it probably wasn’t dangerous. Sir Cliff turned his eyes back to the boy when he caught a different motion. The boy’s hand went to his head and started to give off a white light.

When the boy had finished whatever he was doing he thrust the hand upwards. Inside his hand was a translucent ball the width of a thumb. Sir Cliff took it in confusion and then noticed the boy pointing towards the crowd. Actually the boy was pointing to one of the mages in the crowd. Sir Cliff looked as the mage started to walk forward.

“That, Sir Knight is a memory ball. The boy was going through his own memories and copying then cutting out specific parts. The last motion was when he gathered the memories into a ball to give to us. I can access the memories and broadcast it for us to see…”

The mage was very skinny. And old. Sir Cliff had never seen such an old person before and judged that the man knew his craft well enough if he could survive to this age. He also saw the slight nod from the book covered head of the boy.

Sir Cliff gave the ball to the old mage and walked backwards a bit. The mage took out his staff from under his robe - the staff was a good 2.5 meters tall and couldn’t possibly have fit under that robe - and then threw the ball up. Closing his eyes the old man swung the staff at the airborne ball and a flash accompanied the loud crack that was heard. Then the scene changed.

Everyone in the crowd and the town saw the book in front of their eyes. It seemed to be a history on battles and some knowledgable folk saw that it was about a battle during the Mad King War. They also noted and approved of several of the notes. Everyone jumped when a Sabaton replaced the book. The view changed to show the boys surrounding them and the comical effect of misplaced armour made some of them laugh. They also laughed at the exchange of words between the two sides. Some of them gasped when a sword appeared in one of the boys’ hands. A larger gasp when the view went closer to the blade and a finger touched it. Then they all laughed when they read the actual description of the sword. When all 5 of the boys took out their blades the crowd was already on the Apprentice Mage’s side. They all were shocked at the movements of the boy and the very experienced warriors saw and approved of all the strikes the boy was returning. When a sword broke after hitting a wrist, the scenery turned red. To the shock of the people they saw the offensive attack of the boy as a dagger destroyed weapons, armour, clothes and then skin. When the scene turned calm once more the bloody heaps of the boys were seen. Then everyone came back to their original senses.

The crowd of onlookers looked unfavorably towards the gang of 5. They had seen everything that happened and did not approve of that behaviour. The 3 conscious boys started to shiver as they saw punishment await them in the near future and they envied their unconscious companions.

The Series representatives were even more worked up after the scene they saw. The boy was a beast and having him would win such renown from the other towns. When they cast their eyes on the boy however they only saw a pile of rocks on the spot. The boy seemed to have run away during their reverie.

[/hr]

Michael didn’t tell his teachers or his parents about the event. The house was warded quite well so the people inside did not see his memories that were projected. They all knew what happened though since each of them had a way to keep their eyes on him. Serena approved of his dodging and weaving in the first bit but turned furious when she saw her family heirlooms used as a shield. She calmed down when she saw that Michael was giving back 10 fold.

For the next 3 years Michael went through his training. Nothing much changed except that Liera had finally got the hang of her transformations and had started sparring with Michael. Her quick attacks and pseudo transformations of her limbs kept him on his toes during the bouts and he got experience facing a new foe that didn’t match the characteristic of a monster or a person. Liera herself was glad to finally be of use since her transformation practice was time consuming and seemed useless. Liera had started to undergo a slightly weaker version of Michael’s beginning training. She also had weights and the like on her wrists and ankles.

A month before Michael’s 15 naming day there was a statement from the Church of Information. In one month there will be an announcement by the church to everyone that came directly from the Goddess Janira herself. The Church advised everyone to stay in the town during that time in order to not miss the world changing information. Rumours immediately started. Some thought that a demon army was about to charge, but they were refuted with questions of why the Church would delay that kind of news. Some thought that the goddess would destroy all the towns on that day and that she needed more people in the towns in order to get a high kill streak, but this was even more unbelievable than the last. Janira was a true-neutral goddess and even the other gods avoided direct confrontations with her. There was literally no reason to suspect her of mass murder.

All of the speculations and rumours became more crazy and imaginative by the day. Most of the higher ranking people feared that the town would riot during this time so they imposed a strict curfew a few weeks before the Church’s announcement.

Michael really didn’t care about the announcement or the curfew. The announcement was from a goddess that really only gave information so it was obvious that the announcement would just be news. And the curfew was also not a hindrance since it just allowed Michael to train his ‘Stealth’ more easily.

A week after the statement Michael was told to take off his top by Serena. He was quite wary but since his mother was also in the room he decided that it wouldn’t anything too inappropriate. Michael removed his top to reveal a slight but chiseled body. Muscles were not very large but they were obviously well used and several scars just served to accentuate his body. Overall Michael was incredibly fit since he trained literally every day. When he reached Expert ranking he would get a simplified training regiment that would only take up 30 minutes of his day but right now he had to give several hours to training.

Serena measured Michael’s body and fingers and then proceeded to the door to give the measurements to Harold and Cider. Michael waited a few minutes while sitting on a bench to the side of the training room, still shirtless before they came back. Cider entered first carrying a leather vest with thick springs coiled in various areas on it while Harold entered with a small pouch.

“This, boy, is a restrainer. Since I can’t add any more weights to the wrist or ankle without fear of breaking it I decided to have this made. The springs are incredibly strong and any movement with your body will cause a strain from them. You will need to push incredibly hard to do anything and then slowly go back to your original placement if you don’t want the spring to snap back and damage you. The rings in that pouch were made by Harold and each is enchanted with a different level of gravity magic. One increases your gravity by 10%, the next 25%, the third 50%, and the last are 100% and 200% respectively. You will also be wearing those for training. Only one at a time first then more as you get used to them. In the end I expect you to wear them all.”

Michael was incredibly pale as he was told his new training regimen. His wrist weights each had 20 kilograms on them so they nearly doubled his weight. The new restraining jacket though looked rather fine to wear but those rings sounded like they would kill him! The first would increase his weight and the wrist and ankle weights by an incredible amount. Still, Michael never backed down from training so he accepted the lowest level ring and was helped into the jacket.

Michael immediately felt the effects of the jacket. Any movement of his arms away from his body caused him to strain in effort. When he let go of his strength his arm snapped back to the body and nearly knocked him to the ground. Michael lost about 200 health just from that. Twisting his body and bending over had the same effect and when Michael let go after bending over he snapped backwards and made a flip on the spot. ‘Great. Hell training level 2…’

Michael took the next few weeks to get used to it.

When month was over the Church of Information had created a podium in the center of the town. With the help of some mages they had also created several sound enhancement devices so that the speech could be delivered to various areas of the city. 100, 000+ people was a difficult number to accomodate.

“The Pope Moust de Tael and the high council of the Church of Information has received a vision from the Goddess Janira. In 5 years time the world will change as the ‘Abnormal Pieces of the Continent’ will appear. They are beings from another world and will affect every single aspect of Gaia. They will either become Heroes to praise or Demons to haunt. Each will appear as weak as a newborn but can become as strong as a God. Janira has warned us of this event and has tasked us to prepare for their coming. The 4 Series will be guided by the Church to devise a training for the newcomers. Mages will have to cooperate in making a new type of magic for the beings and we will need to acquire a great number of items for their coming.

The Goddess Janira has also created a new system for them. Quests can be given to these beings and the way it will be done will also be taught by our Church. Fear not, this event will be weathered by all the races and we must unite in order to survive.”

The Church finished their speeches by answering some questions but most of the people had already left to prepare. They needed to go to the Church to learn this new ‘Quest’ system since it seemed to be some help against the incoming beings. The Series needed to choose instructors and teachers without apprentices so that the series can be able to acquire good members. They all remembered the failure of getting Michael so each created contingencies just in case of failure.

Michael? Michael was excited at the announcement. These people were even stranger than him! Michael hoped they caused enough excitement and problems so that he could live in relative peace in the town. Michael also decided to learn about ‘Quests’ since he didn’t think it was only a one-sided offer. Quests could probably give good rewards and Michael could even have the newcomers do Quests for him. Michael envisioned a new life as he closed his eyes stretched out his hand to the sky. The hand snapped back and drove him out of his reverie.

[/hr]

4 years and 11 months and 29 days passed in an eyeblink. Michael had succeeded in controlling his body to such a degree that the restraining vest no longer hampered him at all. He had also upgraded from his 10% gravity ring to 385% total from 5 rings. He walked normally with the rings on and could even fight with the rings on. He decided that after his training he would keep the vest and rings on since it would be abnormal to walk a few kilometers in minutes without them.

Michael had finally hit Expert ranking in nearly all of his skills. His stats had also almost all hit over 200 in each and he had decided on a class before his ‘Choosing Day’. He noticed that he wasn’t incredibly handsome but he had already known this would happen since the day he was born. His body though would attract looks if he ever went shirtless. Too bad he didn’t have such exhibitionist tendencies.

Michael was stuck on which guild he should choose until he heard a passing group talking about their work. Michael’s eyes shone when he heard about the guild and he decided that they would satisfy most of his desires. Not telling anything right now.

As Michael stood before the doors of the Church of Information, he opened up all of his skills and stats.

“Show Status. Show skills and descriptions. Show all titles.”

StatusNameMichaelAge20Level3ClassNoneFame326Infamy0TitleStudent Under The GodsWorld Rankingn/aGuildNoneFree Stat Points0Health3400 + 200Mana3020 + 600Stamina3210 + 400Stored Rage108Strength258Dexterity204Vitality340Intelligence282 + 20Wisdom280 + 20Mana Control150Luck119Agility231Concentration489Willpower157Charisma120Presence130 + 20[p=left]Special skills.

+30% more damage against wolves and wolf subspecies.

Mana recovery rate is increased by 1.5x its base rate.

Gravity exerts an extra 385% force on you.

Movements are restrained.

You have the ‘Blessing of the Wolfblood’.[/p]

Affinities[p=left]Nature: 67

Fire: 12

Water: 9

Earth: 20

Wind: 5

Light: 0

Dark: 0[/p]

Stealth. Expert level 5. (15%). Active and Passive Skill[p=left]Allows you to hide in the shadows or even in plain sight depending on the level. Will level up based on the actions you do and use of the skill.

Footsteps and breathing are 2% quieter for every level of ‘Stealth’.

Shadows will blend around you. Hiding in shadows is 5% more effective for every level of ‘Stealth’.

If you attack while the enemy in unaware you can deliver 5% extra damage for every level of ‘Stealth’.

Requires 25 mana/minute.

Passive version activates when you stay in one spot for a long period of time.

Concentration erases your presence further.

Presence can increase risk of being found.[/p]

Language Comprehension[p=left]You are able to learn various languages as you hear it. At the same time, this skill will grant the ability to read and write in that language.

Languages available:

Human (100%)

Elven (100%)

Magus (100%)[/p]

Alchemy. Expert level 9. (3%). Active skill[p=left]This skill allows for you to be able to create healing and poisonous concoctions. You have also found a way to increase stats using magic.

Healing potions are 5% more effective per level.

Healing potions grant 4 extra property. Every 5 levels after Intermediate will add more properties.

Poisons last 10% longer per level.

60% chance that Poison will inflict a random status effect on the target. Status effect has an 80% chance of being a debuff while having a 20% chance at being a buff. Higher level skill will grant an understanding of poisons great enough to add the status effect without such a large degree of randomness.

Using specific types of mana will grant potions with different benefits.[/p]

Herbology. Intermediate level 7. (43%). Passive skill[p=left]This skill allows for you to analyze the various properties of plants and come up with an estimate of its uses and effectiveness. At higher levels you may even be able to create new potions just by glancing at the plant and thinking of its uses.

Can see 1 property of a plant for every 5 levels.

‘Instant Analyzing’ can add 1 extra property to the plant for every rank it has. Current number of properties it can add: 3.

Potions and poisons are 5% more effective for every level.

Plants that were personally planted by you are 2% more effective for every level of ‘Herbology’ and 1% for every level of ‘Alchemy’.[/p]

Sword Mastery. Expert level 4. (10%) Passive skill[p=left]The blade is a common yet formidable weapon for a warrior. A tool of death, this skill must be refined and understood before it becomes a part of you.

Sword strikes are 5% more effective for every ‘Sword Mastery’ level.

Sword combinations are smoother and more fluid.

Can use sword skills with non-sword weapons.

Will not lose knowledge of this skill due to being of Expert ranking or higher.[/p]

??? Mastery. Expert level 2. (5%) Passive skill[p=left]This weird blade has a unique style of fighting that has not been known in recent years. Create your own style and techniques. This skill was made due to use of the ‘Instant Analyzation’ skill.

Sword slashes are 10% more powerful for every ‘??? Mastery’ level.

Sword slashes can rip apart magic missiles like Fireball. Does not lose Durability when doing so.

Curved swords lose a maximum of 1 Durability when slashing.

Piercing attacks with the curved blade suffer a 90% penalty and Durability of the weapon is greatly reduced.

Will not lose knowledge of this skill due to being of Expert ranking or higher.[/p]

Quickdraw. Intermediate level 1. (97%) Active skill[p=left]A strike that is used as you draw the blade. Force is increased due to rotation of the body from drawing. Surprised quick strike gives a greater chance for critical hits.

+200% more damage.

+10% more damage for every ‘Quickdraw’ level.

Uses up 100 mana.

+20% more damage if used with the ??? curved blade.

+50% chance of a critical hit if the opponent has not drawn their own weapon.[/p]

Dagger Mastery. Expert level 6. (25%) Passive skill[p=left]The dagger is a powerful piercing weapon when used correctly. It can be concealed easily due to its small size yet can deal powerful one-hit strikes.

Dagger thrusts are 5% more effective for every ‘Dagger Mastery’ level.

Critical hits with all weapons gain a 1% chance increase per ‘Dagger Mastery’ level.

Dagger strikes can cause bleeding debuff.

If the Dagger’s Durability is higher than the opposing item’s Durability, Dagger thrust can pierce through it. Ignores the Defense stat and only relies on the Durability value.

Will not lose knowledge of this skill due to being of Expert ranking or higher.[/p]

Forced Stab. Intermediate level 3. (10%) Active skill[p=left]A strike made using the entire force generated by the body. Damage increases based on speed, momentum, and angle.

Costs 34 mana.

Deals 310% more damage.

Damage will increase by 10% and mana costs willl lower by 2 for every level in ‘Forced Stab’.

Damage will increase by 5% for every level in ‘Dagger Mastery’.[/p]

Weapon Throwing Mastery. Expert level 8. (5%) Passive skill[p=left]Anyone can throw things yet to actually target something and accurately pierce it with whatever is at hand requires skill.

Targeting is 5% faster per ‘Weapon Throwing Mastery’ level.

Weapons do not lose durability as it is being thrown, only when it hits the target.

Weapons have 0% chance of accidentally damaging the user.

Will not lose knowledge of this skill due to being of Expert ranking or higher.[/p]

Rage Release. Beginner level 4 (87%)[p=left]Your rage from the past returns in a burst of power. Release your bottled up feelings and allow it to wash over you and dye the battlefield in the colour of Rage.

Using the skill normally will permanently consume the ‘Stored Rage’ stat. Every 11 seconds of use will take up 1 ‘Stored Rage’ stat. Normal skill will boost all stats by 10%. Every 3 levels of ‘Rage Release’ will increase time for each ‘Stored Rage’.

Increasing the usage and stat increase will consume more of the ‘Stored Rage’ stat. Overuse will cause you to go Berserk.

Berserk: ‘Stored Rage’ will not decrease but you will not be able to differentiate between friend or foe. Strength increases as damage taken increases. Health is recovered at triple rate. Cannot be debuffed in this state. Cannot be healed in this state.[/p]

Green Magic. Expert level 9. (79%)[p=left]An ancient style of magic, Green Magic has its roots from the union between Elves, Humans, and Fey. The power of these three bloodlines gave rise to this unique magic.

Green Magic allows for a person to connect themselves with a plant temporarily. They will be allowed to give energy (mana) to the plant in order to sustain it. It is entirely possible for a plant to survive in the desert as long as mana is given constantly in order to keep it alive.

Can attach your mana to a plant. Every 5 levels will allow for more plants to be attached.

Plants fed mana for a time can gain new and different properties.

Can give different types of mana to plants.

After attaching to a plant, you can gain 3 properties as payment for as long as your are connected. More properties as your skill reaches higher ranks.

Mana upkeep will depend on the plant.

You can see through your connected plants.

# of connected plants: 1

-Silven Plant[/p]

Silven Plant[p=left]An ancient type of plant that was personally grown by the ‘Lady of the Land’. Grants great magical properties when used as an ingredient. Connections through Green Magic or similar grants great benefits.

Age: 698 years

Durability: 1000/1000

Properties being given through the connection:

Double Mana Regeneration

Double Affinity to Nature

Can give Health, Stamina, and Mana when the connection senses trouble.

Mana Upkeep: 30/minute[/p]

Focused Strike[p=left]With a weapon in hand or none you are able to strike at a foe’s weak points accurately. Using this skill at the right moment can end the battle in a strike but failure can cripple you at the wrong moment.

Using the skill will highlight various weak spots on the target for half a second.

Use will take up 150 stamina.

Striking after using the ability will give a 120% boost in power.

Missing with the ability will cause a confusion debuff for 1 second.

If the target has no weak points you will not lose Stamina.[/p]

Instant Analysis and Identification. Expert level 2 (1%). Active and Passive skill[p=left]A combination of two different yet similar skills.

For the active part, it allows for analysis of the situation, analysis of monsters and their actions, and analysis of weapons in a fraction of the time. Due to experimentation you have found the limits of the skill.

Mana costs have decreased due to Intermediate ranking.

Requires a vocal command to use.

Depending on how quickly you wish to cram the information in, more mana is needed to do so.

At a rate of 2:1 it takes up 2.5 mana per compressed second. For example, 50 seconds compressed into 25 seconds takes up 125 mana.

At a rate of 3:1 it takes up 5 mana per compressed second. For example, 25 seconds compressed into 8.3 seconds takes up 125 mana.

For the Passive part, any item touched by you is analyzed and then identified to the limits of the skill.

Does not require a vocal command to use.

Does not consume Mana or Stamina.

Gives half the experience the ‘Identification’ skill would usually get.

Can detect rank 3 and lower traps.[/p]

Smelting. Intermediate level 3. (43%) Passive skill.[p=left]The process of extracting metals from their corresponding ore. The skill requires an understanding of heat and a need for patience.

The purity of the metal gained is 2% better for every ‘Smelting’ skill level.

The purity of the metal gained is 1% better for every ‘Blacksmith’ skill level.

Using mana can grant additional properties to the metal.[/p]

Handicrafts. Expert level 1. (2%) Passive skill.[p=left]A generic crafting skill, this skill affects all types of crafting.

All crafting skills will give a bonus 3% increase in end product quality for every level in ‘Handicrafts’.

Deft use of hands will increase damage using weapons by 5% per ‘Handicrafts’ level.

Strengthening of hands will increase hand-to-hand damage by 10% per ‘Handicrafts’ level.[/p]

Tailoring. Expert level 3. (84%) Passive skill.[p=left]Craft skill that involves stitching various furs and pieces of leather to create clothes. An expert Tailor can take apart the materials and construct a unique piece of clothing with enhanced stats and abilities.

Clothes made are 5% more aesthetically appealing.

Clothes made last 3% longer.

Can only used tier 2 materials and lower.

Can take apart old clothing to get back materials.[/p]

Woodworking. Intermediate level 6. (43%) Passive skill.[p=left]Craft skill that has ties to Sculpting. Can create pieces of art or even weapons from wood. Requires a delicate eye for details.

Sculptures made are 5% more detailed per ‘Woodworking’ level.

Weapons made are 3% more durable and deal 2% more damage per ‘Woodworking’ level.

Wood loses 5% less durability for every level of ‘Woodworking’.[/p]

Sculpting. Expert level 6. (39%) Passive skill.[p=left]A crafting skill that is looked down upon, this skill creates works of art that leaves a lasting image in a person’s mind. Very difficult to master. A master is able to create pieces of any size that has nearly no difference from the original.

Sculptures are 3% more detailed per ‘Sculpting’ level.

Sculptures are 10% more durable per ‘Sculpting’ level.

Can only make ‘Masterpieces’ and lower at this level. With good materials you can try to make ‘Great Pieces’.[/p]

Painting. Intermediate level 8. (87%) Passive skill.[p=left]Drawing seems simple but requires a feel of the emotion of events that is then transferred through the brush. A master of painting can move a person to tears or make them laugh just by having them view his/her works.

Paintings are 5% more delicate per ‘Painting’ level.

You gain a understanding of the different shades of colour. 10% increase in noticing the slight differences between shades.

Maps are automatically drawn when entering an unknown dungeon.

Can only make fine pieces at this level.[/p]

Blacksmith. Intermediate level 9. (22%) Passive skill.[p=left]Creation of weapons or armor. A craft that requires great strength, vitality and will. A true master can bring out the hidden properties of lower tiered metals and display them to the world.

Quality of metals will influence end result of creation.

Can repair weapons and armor to a degree. There will be some loss in Durability.

Can sharpen weapons making them deal 3% more damage for the first strike.

Can wax, oil, and repair armor making it have a temporary 5% increase in defense.

Weapon creations are 2% more durable and 4% stronger for every ‘Blacksmith’ level.

Armor creations are 5% more durable and have 3% higher defense for every ‘Blacksmith’ level.

Can use different types of mana to infuse different properties to the finishing piece.[/p]

Golem Creation. Beginner level 1. (87%) Active skill[p=left]An ancient type of magic. Once upon a time the magicians of the past were spurned by the populous. Wielding powerful spells in one hand they were unable to protect themselves against physical attacks. Trusted Warriors were too rare to obtain so the Mages needed to resort to this spell.

Allows the user to grant sentience to the Elements. Only a properly strong elemental object can be granted Sentience.

Creation uses only 1000 mana.[/p]

Elemental Manipulation. Intermediate level 9. (54%) Active skill.[p=left]This skill allows for one to manipulate Mana to control the elements. This skill then allows for the user to create various types of spells based off the different ways the user manipulates the elements.

Mana is decreased proportionate to the amount of manipulation done to the element.

Mana is constantly decreased proportionate to the power used in manipulating the element.

Can use different types of elements to form compounded spells.

Spells you have learned/created.

Fire Tornado (Fire + Wind + Water)Quake (Earth)Lightning Shower (Wind + Water + Fire + Earth)Forest wall (Nature + Earth + Water)Fireball (Fire + Wind)

[/p]

Battle Dance. Intermediate Level 7. (34%). Passive skill[p=left]Although the general idea is that dancing is only for boosting morale and atmosphere with performance, there are other ways to use it. The skill and finesse needed for dancing makes it a good training practice for aspiring warriors who wish to avoid blows and weave through crowds of enemies.

Movement speed is increased by 2% for every level of ‘Battle Dancing’. Battles will double this effect.

It is possible to immediately change direction without decreasing speed. Requires additional training at this time. Stamina costs increase by 600% while doing so.

Illusions left due to quick turns will last 1% longer for every level of ‘Battle Dancing’.

Connected strikes are 10% stronger. Can accumulate if more strikes are connected.

If you have a partner you can lead him/her to create a dance of death.[/p]

Target of Envy[p=left]Due to your advanced skills in life compared to your compatriots, you are the target of envy from others.

You will be less forgettable but will also gain more animosity from anyone you ignore.

+20 to Charisma.

+20 to Agility.

+10 to Strength.

+10 to Vitality.

-100 Fame.[/p]

Wolf Pack Hunter[p=left]You have never killed a wolf before in your life yet you managed to bring down the strongest of the pack. Your kills will be the talk of tales if you ever share this knowledge.

+20 to Charisma

+10 to Strength

+10 to Vitality

+10 to Agility

+30% more damage against wolves and wolf subspecies. Does not need Title to be equipped for this to work.

Wolves are more likely to avoid your presence.[/p]

Student under the gods[p=left]Given to individuals who study under teachers who have achieved master rankings, you are granted this title in congratulations on graduating under their tutelage.

10% increase in skill exp for skills of Intermediate or Beginning ranks.

+20 Intelligence.

+20 Wisdom.

+20 Presence.

+500 mana.

Mana recovery rate is increased by 1.5x its base rate.[/p]

Michael smiled at his progress and got himself ready for his 'Choosing Day' ceremony.

Before the Time-Skip!!!

After the Time-Skip!!!

[/hr]

Finished this a few minutes before class. I should pay attention but...I'll be on to read comments.

If you see problems or such and such, just comment and I'll either fix it or explain.

Its a Tuesday...today, tomorrow and the day after I have classes so I may or may not have a chapter ready. Probably not until Friday. Oh well.