Pages and pages of blue boxes berated me and the woman disappeared. “Huh!?”

For ascending to the 2nd Order. +5 to all stats.

For ascending to the 3rd Order. +10 to all stats.

For being the first person to ascend to the 2nd Order. +5 Luck.

For being the first person to ascend to the 3rd Order. +10 Luck.

For being the first person to evolve a skill. +2 to all skills.

My entire screen was filled up with blue boxes…I felt like I was a level 1 character that got someone magically boosted to level 90.

The funny part was I was only halfway down the list. I had only read through the stat boosts. I hadn’t yet gotten to the skill evolutions.

I closed a few of the messages so that I could continue reading on…

The skill [Tough Skin] has evolved into [Hard Skin].

The skill [Hard Skin] has evolved into [Iron Skin].

The skill [Willpower] has evolved into [Willpower II].

The skill [Willpower II] has evolved into [Willpower III].

I was psyched to see the progress of my two evolutionary skills. The excitement was almost enough to make me feel happy.

I wasn’t completely happy though. I would have been ecstatic if I was made this advancement while my master was still alive.

He would have said something like. ‘Why is baby so happy about becoming a stronger baby…Gor’thak thinks you should be happy when you become a man.’

I laughed at my own impression of my master. My master was most likely a kind and generous man…given the amount of people that showed up at his funeral.

I bet he reserved most of his ridiculous behavior for people he truly cared for…or at least I hope so.

I shook my head from side to side in order to pull myself out of my self-imposed stupor.

The skills that I had evolved most likely had some unique upgrades that would help me out in the future. So I decided to take a good look at their descriptions.

“Description: Iron Skin. Willpower III.”

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Iron SkinIntermediate314%Tough Skin is an evolutionary skill that isn’t acquired by the feint of heart. For every level the player gains +5 Defense and +3 to Physical Resistances. Can apply mana to temporarily increase defense by 15%. Cost 45 Mana.

Skill Name:Skill Rank:Skill Level:Skill Experience:Willpower IIIIntermediate231%Willpower is an evolutionary skill that empowers the player against overwhelming odds, pressure, and harmful toxins. For every level the player gains +4 Strength and +4 Luck along with 3% increase in poison resistance and stronger resistance against mental status effects.

The additional stat bonuses were a nice add-on. I could probably be a tank for most parties for the next forty levels or so until everyone catches up.

I studied the first skill Iron Skin. It seems that everytime the skill goes through an evolution the mana defense aspect of the skill increases by 5%.

The defense and physical resistances merely went up by one stat point per level, but when they stacked up it would start to become an enormous amount of defensive capability.

Willpower III was also becoming a hugely beneficial skill. I not only had poison resistance now, but I had resistance against mental status effects like fear and confusion.

The stat increase was the same as my Iron Skin skill. I was beginning to think that might be a pattern of some sort.

The stat related parts of skills would increase by 1. I couldn’t find a pattern for anything else, because I didn’t have enough evolutionary skills to compare them to.

I would need to visit the Bard Guild within the ruins and pick up a few more class-related e-skills.

Outside of my classes guild I didn’t think evolutionary skills would be that easy to obtain. The two skills I currently had…well I had to get the shit kicked out of me for a long time to obtain them.

I waved my hand to the side and kept the rest of the boxes for later. I didn’t want to be rude for just standing around and doing nothing at the end of my masters funeral.

The moment I pushed the boxes into the icon at the side of my vision I noticed that all of the thousands of Cherubim citizens were gone.

I spun around…they were all really gone. I walked closer to the grave, which was now a pile of thousands of flowers.

On the otherside of the pile of flowers was a man kneeling in front of my master’s grave.

“Hello.” I exclaimed softly. I recognized this man as one of the council members. He seemed to the youngest of the five.

The man turned his head slightly and looked up at me with solemn eyes.

“Good evening, Kai’Thak.” The man stood up and gestured for me to follow him.

“Wait…Thak?” I was curious why he was using the same surname my master had in reference to me.

“Ah, I forget that you are still new to are ways even though you are the next Thak.” The man laughed as he spoke.

“Thak is an honorary title given to those who stand as protectors to our people. Most races would call them warriors or soldiers, but to our people who lack physical prowess the title equates to that of a lord or master.”

This was the first that I had heard of it…I thought it was just my masters last name. I nodded my head as he spoke in order to show him that I was listening.

“Gor’thak used to be known as Gor’drac. He is a distant cousin of mine and we used to be…well we’ve always been good friends. My name is Gul’drac by the way. In case I forgot to mention that.”

“In any case I stayed behind and waited for everyone to leave for several reasons. I needed to pay my respects to my friend and I needed to give you the rewards for cleaning up my new farming field…”

Congratulations for completing your first quest. Rewards: +1500 EXP and increased relationship with farmers. +50 Fame. -50 Infamy.

“Wow…thanks. I was starting to think that this quest would go uncompleted.” I was actually hoping that I wouldn’t be able to complete it.

It was a nice reminder of the last task that his master had given to him and now when he checked it questing screen…nothing appeared.

Level Up +2

But no matter how depressed I was about losing the quest reminder the increase in level and experience wasn’t bad.

The middle-aged Gul’drac and I walked through the forest for a few minutes before we could see the edge of town…or well the ruins.

“I should be the one thanking you. It would have taken quite a few spell casters to route out the infestation that was invading that field, but you managed to clear it out within just two days by yourself. It would have made Gor’thak proud.”

I covered my face as the man spoke. I didn’t want him to see me in case I started crying again. Muttering something about having allergies to him we walked in through the gates of the town.

“Now that the funeral is over I should be on my way. Between being the head of the Agriculture Guild and being on the council I have a lot of work to do. Being the youngest in the group doesn’t help much either.”

He turned to me and placed his hand on my shoulder.

“Is their anything you need before I go? Info…tips…you name it. Knowing Gor’thak he probably dragged you out to his cabin and started beating the shit out of you and called it training.”

I shivered at how perfectly the man was able to pinpoint what happened. ‘So that violent superior personality must be real.’ I thought to myself with a smile.

“I was hoping to find the Bard Guild in order to advance and learn a few more skills. I was also hoping to find some type of library.” I spoke quietly about what was on my mind.

Gul’drac scratched his beard while he was still floating in the air…the sight reminded him a little of his master.

“Hmm…well we don’t have a Bard Guild per se in Nulia, but we do have what most of the small towns have. It’s called the Entertainers Guild. You won’t find a guild that’s completely committed to Bards unless you travel to a large city…most likely one of the capitals. You should still be able to find a few experienced Bards here though. We are known for our talented voices.”

I nodded and shook the mans hand. “Stop by anytime if you need any help.” The man said as we walked off in different directions, before I realized that he forgot to give me directions the two of us had already lost sight of each other.

The only choice I was left with was to ask around. So I ended up having to ask a few peddlers that I passed by on the streets.

A few minutes and quite a bit of coppers later. I managed to navigate my way to the entrance to the Entertainers Guild in Nulia.

I pushed my way in through the twin wooden doors and walked inside. The place didn’t seem to resemble a traditional guildhall in the least.

It looked more like a tavern than a place of study. There were many tables strewn all around the room. The place was about half filled with people drinking mead and eating to their hearts content.

In the distance I noticed that there was a stage with the curtains drawn and beside it was an assortment of musical instruments in different sized cases.

I searched around and found an alcove with a large wooden desk. Behind that desk was a beautiful young woman. She was a mixed breed Cherub; resembling an elf more than the baby faced purebloods.

I was a little embarrassed to talk to such a pretty girl…she even had the same color blonde hair as Gwen. Just the thought of her made my heart jump in my chest.

Finally mustering up the courage I strolled on over and stood in front of the wooden desk. “Ehem.” I coughed absent-mindedly…well I wanted to get her attention without speaking.

She looked up at me with a curious gaze, before a light of recognition crossed her face.

“The young Thak. It’s a pleasure to have you grace us with your presence in our humble guildhall.”

I was a little taken aback by the overly polite way she was speaking to me, but it could have been worse…she could have told me off right away.

“I was just looking to know a little more about the guild. I have an interest in the entertaining arts. Maybe acquire a few skills.”

The girl went form overly polite to menacing in a matter of two seconds. “You want to ‘acquire a few skills’.” She put air-quotes around the words.

“Being an entertainer takes commitment and practice…you can’t just waltz in here and acquire a few skills just because of a passing interest. And what the hell does a Thak want with entertaining skills…” At this point she was practically yelling at me and I didn’t know what to do or say.

I was about to apologize until a man came fluttering over. He was an older man, but for some reason his face was familiar.

“Now now, Rea’zar. Your distracting from the performance that’s about to come on.” The man chastised the beautiful girl.

“I believe we met before at the funeral young Thak. I was wondering when you were going to pay my humble establishment a visit. An aspiring young Bard like yourself has a lot to learn from here.” The man started to fly back towards the stage, while waving his hand over his shoulder as if he was telling me to follow after him and sit down.

I tried to recall the mans name…he was so familiar. ‘Kah’zar.’ I thought finally. He was the rude man who yelled at me at my master’s funeral.

I think Kah’zar wanted me to watch the performance that was about to come on. He said I had a lot to learn. I turned back to look at Rea and she was slightly red faced from being publicly chastised. She was definitely beautiful, but maybe a little…bipolar.

Shaking the thoughts of her out of my head I turned to watch the show…

Chapter 11: Status

Status WindowName:KaiAlignment:NeutralLevel:14Class:BardRace:CherubGender:MaleTitlesNoneFame:120Infamy:950-Health:400 / 400Health Regen:3.5 / SecMana:450 / 450Mana Regen:4.0 / SecStamina:550 / 550Stamina Regen:6.0 / Sec-Strength:39 (+44)Agility:43Vitality:43Intelligence:49Wisdom:54Endurance:63Luck:32 (+44)-Attack:10-15Defense:25 (+65)Physical ResistancesSlashing:15 (+39)Piercing:15 (+39)Crushing:20 (+39)Elemental ResistancesFire:10%Water:10%Wind:10%Earth:10%Light:10%Darkness:10%

Skills/Abilities:

Spoiler : Iron Skin: Intermediate Lvl 3 (14%)

Willpower III: Intermediate Lvl 2 (31%)

Seven Pathways Meditation: Novice Lvl 8 (18%)

Mana Manipulation: Novice Lvl 9 (43%)

Voice Manipulation: Novice Lvl 6 (5%)

Song Manipulation: Novice Lvl 9 (37%)

-Song of Renewal: Intermediate Lvl 1 (24%)

-Song of the Slumbering: Novice Lvl 5 (33%)

-Song of Sorrow: Novice Lvl 3 (2%)

Sword Mastery: Novice Lvl 5 (35%)

-Rapier Mastery: Intermediate Lvl 1 (11%)

+Rapid Thrust: Novice Lvl 4 (13%)