Mathew took aim at the target, and focused on the weapon. The long staff was like firing a rifle, just way lighter and no recoil. With the short rod, he simply had to point it at his target. He held it about a third of the way from its bottom.

He looked like a wizard from movies with an overly large wand. Mentally he visualized himself looking weird. At least with a staff one could think of it as a rifle. With the rod, Mathew could only imagine it as a wooden stick he was holding out.

Mathew focused and felt the mana flow through his arm into the weapon, and noticed how much easier it worked. Once enough mana was there, he released it. A black ball of energy zoomed through the air and destroyed the metal target.

He blinked at the damage and down at the rod. “Lesson learned, don’t make fun of rods anymore.”

Everyone else ooo’d and aww’d. A single voice shouted out. “So Zack, you plan to be a human test dummy for this one as well?”

Chuckles of laughter sounded, and Zack shook his head. “I think the destructive capabilities of what Mathew can do are easy to see now.”

Mathew had to agree. From his first demonstration to now, the difference was black and white. Before, he could dent the metal, now he was destroying the target with barely any scraps left. All with the lowest attack he could dish out.

He smiled at the feeling of power. He was strong now, and that meant he could get stronger. Now it was metal targets, next it would be cars, then buildings, eventually it could be entire planets. Mathew bathed in the thought that he could destroy a city with a flick of his hand.

“So that’s it? Just a wolf that tried to eat your face, and a single blast of your big black rod?” Someone shouted, more snickers of laughter echoed.

Mathew looked back and smiled. “I have one more thing to test, you all might want to step back a bit.”

Mathew aimed at a pile of bricks in the middle of the field. It was used to hold the metal targets, but Mathew needed a larger and tougher target. He channeled [Mana bolt] through the staff, charging it up well past the minimum requirement. He didn’t go too much to not cause extreme damage to himself, but the mana drain was equal to summoning a single wisp.

The rod vibrated in his hands slightly as the energy started to glow. With a simple gesture, he pointed the rod at the pile and released the spell. A beach ball sized orb of black energy zoomed toward the pile and obliterated it. Dust and rocks fell from the air and a small crater was all that remained.

Mathew staggered from the mana drain, suddenly remembering his ring. He mentally pulled at the mana stored inside of it. Relief flowed as the slight headache faded away. “That is merely a fragment of my power.” Mathew said with a grin.

He turned around and held his arms out, he was proud of his destructive capability. Several people had their mouths open in shock. Zack looked nervous. “Could you have shown off anymore dude? That’s crazy! How are you this strong?”

“Raw talent Zachary.”

Once everyone had left, Mathew reminded them of the favor they all owed him. He had plans to cash in that I.O.U in a future time. He hated I.O.U’s used on him, but on others? It was the easiest way to guilt trip people.

“You promised to help me! Are you a dishonest and unloyal person?” Mathew mocked the fake conversation in his mind.

Once only Zack was left, Mathew crossed his arms. “So, what do you think?”

“They love you, or at the least are awestruck by you. Myself included, what the hell is that staff?”

Mathew frowned. “More of a curse than anything else. I need to get stronger, and I have a few ways to, but a short amount of time. It’s three days till the Dungeon opens up.”

“Hmm, well you can always join us to fight some more hungry bears or bobcats.” Zack suggested.

“Can’t, Payne put me under house arrest. I need to shore up my weak points anyways. I recently ranked up my [Knives] and need to figure out the newest upgrade for it. As well as work on my Ritual magic, and figure out the whole wolf thing.”

“You are going to summon it again?” Zack asked.

“Not today, but soon. I need to figure out why it attacked me. Maybe Di has an answer, worst case I just find another wolf and make it my familiar. Then use it to figure out why the summoned wolf is crazy.”

Zack raised an eyebrow. “You are really willing to waste such a one time spell like that? I thought you were going to save it for a strong creature.”

“I tried to use it on the Infernal Pack leader, but it failed as well. I was tempted to use it on a person actually, but it wouldn’t work. Familiars are a mutual agreement of sorts. I doubt anybody here wants to be a glorified slave.”

Zack nodded, “Typically familiars are magical pets.”

“Typically, people don’t know very much about a brand new discovery a month after it happens. Yet, this world was somehow ready for magic to come into existence. I find it weird.”

“You are not the first. Linsdey is a freak with conspiracy theories. She used to be a huge alpha and beta tester. She was known for finding glitches with hitboxes and barriers. Should have seen my face when I realized it was BlueRaven in the flesh.”

“Her online name I guess?” Mathew asked, with Zack nodding in conformation.

“She thinks it’s weird how in the last twenty years we have had video games and other forms of media that emulates how The System works. She thinks we were slowly being prepared. Whether or not we were meant to join up now or later, she has no clue. Not to mention our history with magic. It all lines up too much for her.”

“I like her. Her intuition makes her valuable.” Mathew smiled. “Do you need anything big guy?”

“Nah, I’m starting to work over at The Workshop. I found someone willing to teach me how to use a forge correctly. I plan on making my own armor.”

“Why would you do that? You can just buy some at Di’s shop. I think spending the money now would pay off to keep you safe.”

“I won’t be making armor any time soon, but I want to acquire the skills. Haven't you noticed how you don’t develop any new skills after five? I’m at four already, and need to ensure I acquire [Metal Working] as my fifth.”

Mathew hadn’t noticed his lack of new skills. He blinked and his mouth was held agape. “Are we limited to 5?”

Zack shook his head. “It’s a limit based on rank, or level, or something. After the Tutorial we can learn more. More items in the shop, more knowledge to spread.”

Mathew nodded. “Thanks Zack. Stay safe out there, it’s a dangerous world.”

“To others, but not you. That rod of yours gives me chills. Seeing it in action makes me think nothing can touch you right now. Except for in a melee fight. So people like Leo and Henderson can wreck your face. As always, Assassin Beats Mage, Mage beats Warrior, and Warrior beats Assassin. The Rock Paper Scissor of the class system.”

After Zack left, Mathew went to find an open area of grass away from others who practiced with weapons. Wooden swords used to fight against each other. Makeshift dummies to practice ranged attacks on, as well as throwing weapons.

The occasional ring of metal is heard and the smell of sweat fills the air. Mathew pulled out his knife and looked down at it. The blade was sharpened again with Di’s weapon repair service, and it looked brand new.

He took up a pose he was taught weeks ago and started to practice swinging with a forward grip. His mind imagined an Infernal Wolf. He aimed for the neck and body of the wolf, ensuring he could cause the most bleeding possible.

After a few movements, he stopped and frowned. “Nothing feels different. I thought I was meant to learn the fighting style?” Mathew thought to himself.

Mathew opened the skill and read over the text carefully.

Knives | Beginner 0

Your ability to wield small bladed weapons has improved through combat.

[Numa’s Style]: Learn the fighting style of Numa, The Goddess of Shadows.

He frowned and thought it over for a moment. His mind wandered to his other skill [Writing]. With it he had an ability to copy documents and have writing appear on paper naturally. However, he has to focus on his intent.

Was he just not focusing on the style and instead on what he was already taught? What did he have to lose? A few weeks of practice and his pride?

Mathew glanced around to ensure nobody was watching before he accidently made a fool of himself. He stood up right and just held his knife ready while focusing on fighting like an assassin, or whatever Numa’s style would offer.

He saw a ghostly image of his arm move and strike forward with the knife, then freeze in the air. Mathew blinked and the image disappeared. He bunched up his face in focus and it came back, a bit more solid, but still transparent.

Mathew mimicked the movement, feeling awkward as he did so. His body wasn’t used to moving that way. Once he completed the movement, he saw himself move another way, this time seemingly stepping to the side then reverse stabbing into an invisible target.

Mathew followed his ghostly images and as he did so he was able to understand and see them much easier. He did notice a few movements involving a second knife, or throwing his own knife plus additional knives.

He only had a second knife, but didn’t feel right holding both. He would always have his hand on his rod, or a potion, so he saw no use in following those movements perfectly. He did follow through with any knife throws. If he was required to use additional knives, he would go pick up his first two, and continue to follow the ghostly image.

A few things he noticed was he started to repeat movements, or they were adjusted slightly. A foot further forward here, his left arm placed differently in another movement. Several movements involved jumping, dropping to the ground, or simply running. Most followed up with a strike of a knife, or another movement right after.

It didn’t take long before Mathew felt tired. Once he lost focus the image disappeared. He pulled out a water bottle and took a long cold sip as he looked around. Nobody seemed to be looking at him minus two people. Once they made eye contact, they looked away and went back to their business.

“How long was I doing that for?” Mathew checked his watch that he kept in his bag and saw it was only an hour.

“That’s it? Just an hour! That felt way longer.” Mathew checked for any notifications of a skill rank up, but saw nothing. Disappointed, Mathew went back to practicing for another two hours before he had to stop.

His body was not used to the constant workout for this long, and he was forced to stop. He was drenched in sweat, but he had a smile on his face. He enjoyed doing the movements. It still was awkward, but he felt accomplishment for some reason, even without improving the skill at all.

Mathew assumed he needed to retain the lessons, or perhaps use them on a real target to show his progress. He needed to go to bed, he had a long day. He gathered up his stuff and started the long walk to his room that he had alone. Leo was roomed next to him, and they shared a common area with three others that connected all their rooms.