Chapter 7- Training?

The family plus Morphues sat down to roasted pork with potatoes. He noticed that he was given ale and Reyna much to her annoyance was given orange juice.

The dinner consisted of talking about the monster horde and the giant third leg of the Alpha. Brevair told some stories about half giant genitals but his wife soon told him off about rambling on about genitalia during meal times.

Towards the end of the dinner, Sophia swallowed the lump in her throat and cleared it.

“Brevair, I think it may be time to tell you the tales Morpheus has told us. You see that he is a good man right.”

Brevair nodded.

“Take the oath now then.” He nodded and recited the oath Sophia said.

Sophia told Brevair what he had told them. Brevair looked shocked when he heard about Loki. But continued to listen, careful to not offend his wife.

“Show me the gift and marks.” Brevair said.

He quickly did as he was told. Sophia lent over and touched all his marks showing the screens to Brevair.

“By Bellona, I must be getting old, to see a double marked and someone who’s met Loki.” The man let out a weak smile.

“Thank you for taking it so well. And why double marked, I’ve only been here for a few days and I already have two.”

Cutlery dropped on to the plates causing an eerie silence.

Sophia spoke up. “To even receive a mark is one of the greatest feats imaginable to anyone. Some people try their best to show their skills to gods in hope for a mark.” “Some even burn villages down to even be hopeful for a mark from Chernobog for instance.”

“What happened today wasn’t because of what you did, more so the gods took a liking to you and the achievements played a part.”

Brevair spoke up after his wife finished. “I think it’s ok to tell you that I have the mark of Osiris. I’m a necromancer.”

Morpheus didn’t believe his ears and his eyes. This man looked like a tank or a warrior.

“I know what you're thinking boy, but I received it when I could finally control a hundred skeletons.”

“I have an increased affinity with death and bone magic. My secondary class is a type of tank class.”

Morphues began to believe him as he poured bones from his magic pouch onto the floor. He could see black energy swirling on the floor behind the man and the form of a skeleton began to take shape. Morpheus fell off his chair as the skeleton seemed to stare in his soul.

“Father, must you really show off in front of our guests all the time.” Reyna said, helping the terrified chimera back onto his chair.

“I have to, makes me feel like a man. You wouldn’t take that from an old man like me would you.” Breavair gave his daughter the bear version of ‘puppy eyes’.

Reyna rolled her eyes.

“So tell me about Earth? This ancient realm you’re claiming your from.” Bravair chuckled with a wink.

“Well my realm wasn’t created by a god, but from giant clusters of things called meteors.”

“I know what fucking meteors are.” He said.

Morpheus ignored the comment and proceeded.

“After four billion years, life was given to Earth probably from a god. Over countless millennia wars were fought where hundreds of millions had died. Then in the century I was born, all countries decided that enough blood had been spilt and they formed a giant union of all members. Different technologies were created and I’d say ninety percent of us lived in peace. We only died from old ages or illnesses.”

“What weak magic you must’ve had.”

“We had no magic, but we could use advanced technology and medicine to cure most illnesses.”

“No magic? What sort of Loki’s joke is that?” Brevair asked.

“Yeah exactly, we had no status screens or classes.”

“What! I don’t believe you, how did you fight monsters?”

“There were no monsters, just strong animals. The lion was king of all predators.”

“Why did so many people die then?”

“Usually if there is no common enemy then people turn on each other.”

“He’s right Brevair, it’s stated that a place without a common enemy creates them.” Sophia said.

“Wow, I’d like to visit Earth one day. If everyone is so weak I could become a god.” The big bear chucked.

“There’s no beast kin. Only humans of different colours.” “Surprisingly the most known genocides were from people like the empire who hated anyone that wasn’t the same as them.”

“If you were to appear you would become a miracle.” “And if you decided to fight a country you would be killed by a powerful technology that can wipe millions within a second.”

Morpheus began to grow tired as he tried to explain the internet and how things worked on his planet.

“Well this has been an interesting dinner.” Brevair said smiling at Morpheus and his family. The two women seemed eager to listen but not as much as Brevair.

“Say Morpheus, would you like me to train you. I’m sure your stats need a little bit of work?”

“Absolutely not Brevair, you’ve trained our poor daughter into a killing machine.”

“Well she’s not according to the accounts I was told. And Lance said I should take some time off from dungeon diving.” Brevair said as he finished his fourth ale.

Reyna looked hurt but she spoke up. “I’ll train with Morpheus!” She spat out.

“I would like to be trained, I’ve been killing enemies only using stealth.” Morphues said.

“Don’t go falling for Loki’s beautiful creation, it would be succumbing to his mischief.”

“But father, it would be best for me to help him. What if the empire knocked tomorrow.”

Sophia “Don’t speak of such things Reyn, by Apollo, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to train Morpheus, he has been double marked.” “What affinities do you have?”

“I seemed to have gotten arcane skills with my class. I think it’s because of the troll blood I have. I have arcane healing and an affinity with the bow.”

“Boy, only the royal blood li..” “By Bellona, that fucking God of mischief.”

“Yes it is the royal bloodline.” Morphues smiled as veins began to pop on the bear-kins head.

“Right I think it’s best to leave the questions till the morning. Your training should start at 6:30 so be up by then, same goes for you Reyna.”

“Morpheus there’s no room for you here so I’ll make a room out of vines in the garden for you.”

He followed Sophia out into the garden. Vines followed her footsteps as she walked. A small shed in the corner of the began to form. Even a window and a door was made.

“Your skills are amazing, what’s your class or classed” Morphues asked.

“Morpheus, it’s very rude to ask about class or skills. But because you haven’t identified me yet I’ll allow it.”

(Healer, Child of Terra, Level ???)

“You’re above two hundred?” He asked.

“Yes but you have to remember I’ve been alive a lot longer than you.”

She brought out some bedding, pillow and cover and layed it over his large single bed of vines.

“Thank you for helping me, I’m new to this world and I can’t imagine what would’ve happened if you didn’t find me.

“For what you did for our daughter, we would have done anything for you. Reyna was named after Bellona's daughter. Breviar was brought up in the name of Bellona. He’s trained Reyna since she was young to be able to take care of herself. He still treats her like a child because he doesn’t want her to grow up. If she had of died today Brevair would of lost his mind.”

Morpheus felt a tear coming from his eye, the story was precious. He was orphaned since he was young so the concept of family was unknown to Morphues.

“Well sleep tight and get some rest, toilet is inside.”

“Thank you.” Morphues said. Sophia then left and Morpheus lit a cigarette while thinking about the past day. He laid his head on the surprisingly comfy bed and fell asleep shortly after.

Morphues awoke at six twenty in the morning ready for his training. He saw Brevair stroll out of the house with a giant battle axe almost twice the size of Reyna’s

“Morning lad, follow me.” Brevair said. He led Morphues out of the garden and into the forest. He stopped at an oak tree.

“We need some firewood, if you can chop this down before seven then we’ll use the wood to cook breakfast.” Brevair said. And gave Morpheus a a double hand axe.

Morgues took the axe and readied himself. The first swing went in halfway. Both Morpgues and Brevair were shocked.

“By Bellona, boy show me your stats.” Morpheus did as instructed.

“Fucking chimeras, well we won’t be needed to do any strength training or any of the sort your constitution might need a bit work.”

“I kept cutting myself to upgrade my healing skill but it never increased.”

“Stats increase in different ways, you know that you were going to cut yourself so constitution didn’t level up. If you read a book of magic your intelligence increases. If you teach a class your wisdom increases. If you make a speech or become a bare your charisma will increase.”

“That does make sense I suppose.” Morpgues said.

“After breakfast we will start on your skills and weapons. You will need to increase your dexterity to match your strength. Also we can increase your constitution by getting beat.”

“Getting beat?”

“You stand there and I’ll punch you.” Brevair calmly spoke.

“Oh will it upgrade my pain resistance as well?”

“It will very much, I might add some of magic in aswell to train other resistances.” “Since you can heal we should be able to do it nonstop if you don’t go mad.’

Morphues gulped.

“Now finish off that tree.”

After breakfast had been demolished Brevair took out a few weapons to display in front of him.

Hatchets, halberds, short swords and lots of giant battle axes.

“I have axe mastery in the second tier. I would recommend it since I can teach you the best but the choice is yours.”

Morphues picked up the two handed battle-axe. It was marked in silver outlines all the way up to the double edged hilt. The handle was wrapped in black leather which felt soft.

“That be a strong weapon boy, worth six gold.”

“Are you sure I can train with it?”

“Yes, but only to train. I got that from a war orc dungeon in my glory days.”

“What’s a war orc?”

“A black orc, their bloodlines were bred by the empire trying to control them. Nasty bastards, built for war. They couldn’t control them all with blood magic so they had to let them all go. That was a thousand years ago. Many of their dungeons are level one fifty or above.”

“So stay away I’m guessing.”

“Yes, now that you’ve picked it up we’ll train with it. First let’s go through your skills to see what you’ll be like.” “Show me your class and skills.”

Morpgues brought up his class and showed Brevair. Yet again his eyes bulged.

“That’s strange to see such a bunch of different type of skills in a class. And a Spartan class is very rare.”

“I was meaning to ask about Spartans, they were from my home world which was wierd so I was confused at how I got the class.”

“Spartan warriors used arcane magic, so that would be why you were given a Spartan class. The name of your class is one I’ve never heard of. And they were brought here by Zues and Athena because they showed great intelligence on the battlefield. That’s from what the stories tell of them, poor bastards held their own against the empire two thousand years ago. But were destroyed by the pure numbers of the Empire.”

“That’s like a story from my era to, King Leonidas was his name.”

“What a strong name, befitting of a true Spartan. You need a strong heart and lots of intelligence to receive a Spartan class. But I’ve never seen one that can heal.”

“So for starting, test out your arcane step skill.”

Morpgues willed the skill and the whole world warped around him and he appeared two metres from where he was standing. Around fifty mana was used. He tried it again but he couldn’t move.

“That’s interesting it wasn’t teleportation, I think it was using time magic.”

“It made me feel sick, and why can’t I use it straight away again?.

“That is expected, and because the mana in your body is trying to align itself after the step. Try using it again in a moment. I think it’s using time magic instead of space magic.”

Morpgues used the skill again and again, after a few tries he vomited on the ground.

You have levelled up Arcane step Level (2)

You have levelled up Arcane step Level (3)

“That’s interesting, maybe because it’s arcane it uses the pure form of teleportation. Space and time magic are linked indefinitely so it uses the absolute form.”

“What is arcane magic?” Morphues asked.

“Arcane magic is pure magic. When Sophia uses her vine magic she basically borrows a part of the arcane to use it. Other people call it the gods magic.”

“So I really lucked out.”

“That’s an understatement, to receive an arcane skill most have to be born with the affinity. And sometimes most people only receive one or two.”

“That's so sick! I’m already over-powered.”

“Sick? Ah forgot you’re from Earth from a moment.”

“Yeah I will most probably say strange things.”

“Now try the rest of your skills.”

Spartan’s essence covered him with a red aura, he could feel his body become stronger and more durable. Arcane strike wrapped around his weapon with the same aura. Both drained his mana,, but not anything substantial.

“Try to chop another tree down over there with your skills active.”

Morphues walked up to the tree with both of his buffs active. Bringing his battle axe up, he swung with all his might and cut the tree in two.

“Fuck me, and that’s only at level one.”

“Hah you’re gonna be a strong one. Reyna at your age would be chopping at this for hours.”

“Speaking of Reyna, where is she?”

“She went to collect money from the horde.”

“I’d send you off as well but I think it would be best for you to stay here.”

“Agreed, walking anywhere people stare at me. It’s really uncomfortable.”

“The chimera race has died out. Many of them were created to become a weapon when they didn’t want to. So when that bastard king in the south was hung, they lived peaceful lives.”

“We need to stop blabbering and get your training started. Activate your buffs and try to attack me, the real training starts now.”

Hours passed as Morphues was brutally beat down. His wrist and ribs broke hundreds of times over. Morpheus felt like he was slowly dying, but this cursed kept him smiling and getting up again.

“You’ve got a heart boy, never seen someone look so thrilled getting their ribs broken.” Breavair said.

“It’s my human genetic trait, I enjoy the thrill of battle.” Morpgues said, showing him his racial trait. “Ever heard of Viking’s?”

“Never have, were they some sort of masochists.”

“I assumed as much, but they were cruel and vicious bastards. They raped and pillaged all in their path, their journey to Valhalla.” Morpgues said.

“I never understood why people would want to go to Valhalla, seems like a prison. All of those of strength in one place.”

“I thought it was to join Odin in the fight of Ragnarok?” Morpheus asked.

“No, that tale must be from Earth then. Ragnarok symbolises the end of time. End of everything, where even gods will eventually die. Not in a battle but a sort of cycle.”

“That’s comforting, Hel is the one who caused Ragnorok in our tales.”

“Ha that seems plausible, Hel is a nasty god. She gives marks to those who commit genecide.” Brevair state. “Let’s go get lunch, I’m famished. Reyna should be back at the house by now. Check all of your upgrades.”

‘Of course!’ Morpheus thought. Lighting up a cigarette.

‘Congratulations’ You have learnt the skill Battle Axe Arts Level (1) The more you level this skill the more familiar you are with a Battle-Axe.

…

+4 Constitution

+3 Endurance

+2 Vitality

+7 Dexterity

You have levelled up Pain Resistance Level (12)

You have levelled up Battle-Axe arts Level (5)

You have levelled up Arcane Rebirth Level (15)

You have levelled up Arcane Step Level (5)

You have levelled up Arcane Strike Level (4)

You have levelled up Spartans Essence Level (4)

“Breavair, do your skills level up slower when they get higher levels.”

“Yes they do, it is even harder in the second tier.”

Morpgues moved the rest of his skills he gained at the start of his arrival to the useless skills so he could focus on his new skills.

General and Class Skills:

Arcane Step Level (5)

Arcane Strike Level (4)

Battle-Axe Arts Level (5)

Arcane Rebirth Level (13)

Resistances

Pain Resistance Level (12)

Fear Resistance Level (4)

Status

Health:3146/3325

Stamina:3785/4400

Mana:560/1600

Stats

Strength: 56

Vitality: 58

Constitution: 33

Endurance: 45

Agility: 46

Dexterity: 27

Wisdom: 30

Intelligence: 36

Charisma: 23

Luck: 14

Reyna had returned back with Sophia by noon.

Sophia said. “Lance knows about Morpheus’s mark, one of the scouts saw and started blabbering about it to others. They’ve been hushed with a bit of gold thankfully.”

“What’s going to happen then?” Morphues questions.

“He told me he will stop by sometime, he’s not going to the king with it. He doesn’t want Morpheus to be recruited to the army.”

Morpheus exhaled. “What he does he want with me?”

“Well he would like to meet you, to see a marked is a big deal especially at your level. We were an adventuring team back in the day before Reyna so I suppose he wants to thank you as well.”

“Not the worst that could of happened.” Morphues said.

“But still word will get out eventually, and the king will put out a notice to the guards. They won’t harm you but you will be ushered into a job of sorts for the king, like a trophy almost. Don’t take offence to it, powerful people are treasures to a king.”

“So I can’t go back to the city?”

“Me and Brevair know an illusion mage who could maybe get some sort of illusion item to cover your face and identity. Expensive item, but we don’t mind helping you out.”

“When my training has finished I’ll go to a dungeon and earn some money.”

Brevair spoke up. “You’ll be going to a dungeon anyway for your training, Do you have any money or items?”

“I have a dagger Loki gave me.” Morphues reluctantly said.

He pulled it out and handed it to Brevair, and yet eyes bulged and veins popped.

“Absolutely not that would cause chaos, you could probably buy a small kingdom with that.” Brevair said.

Morphues didn’t want to trade anything else or even his bow.

“How much is it actually going to cost?” Morpgues asked.

“Around six gold, we should be able to chip in two gold from our savings for you.”

“No you’ve done enough, I’ll go hunting and kill stuff in the dungeon, and sell what I find in there.”

“The boy has spoken, let's get you trained up so you don’t die, I’m sure Reyna could do some dungeon diving as well.” Sophia said.

“Happily.” Reyna smiled.

“So it’s settled, we'll start training after lunch.”