Author Notes:

Heyo, here's chapter 11, sorry for the slight delay, took ages to create the tables xD

Enjoy!

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Chapter 11: Why did That Idiot Mage Create this Curse?

I’m now a year old, and the ceremony is tomorrow.

In the last 8 months, I have been practicing my swordsmanship and whip wielding. And after reaching a substantial amount of experience, I combined the styles, creating my own whip-swordsmanship.

On top of that, I have been hunting from time to time.

Even after reaching the level limit, I still hunted. This was to gain experience and money, and to fight boredom.

The experience I needed in order to prepare myself for fighting stronger enemies, and the money I needed in order to get a house in the village and buy the necessary things.

I learned a lot these past 8 months.

The first time I went to have my mana crystal recharged, I asked the tribe mage how to manipulate mana. He told me that I won’t be able to do so before my 1st birthdays ceremony.

Curious, I ask why it was like that, and what he told me was truly shocking.

After the First Great War, many tribes of Lizardmen had risen, growing in strength and numbers. And at one point, we became too many, filling all the swamps and other places Lizardmen prefer to settle.

Due to this, the greatest mage of the Lizardmen cast something that could be called a curse on us.

Yes, one of our kin cursed our entire race…

The curse he cast on us was that when we were born, we had our true potential sealed, leaving us as weak as the non-sentient Lizardmen. But when turning a year old, a ceremony can be held, which removes this curse, revealing a Lizardman’s true potential.

Of course, this reveal is painful, or so he told me. It will change the body, making it bigger or smaller depending on the class you receive.

A warrior grows bigger, a hunter more compact, and a mage smaller.

The pain only last as long as the transformation, apparently making it feel like it never was there when it disappears.

I wasn’t looking forward to this pain, but it was necessary for us to grow stronger.

After casting this curse, the amount of Lizardmen quickly declined in a single generation, leaving it at a stable number.

We’re by no means endangered, but we’re as low in numbers as the elves, due to their low fertility and our survival rates.

After finding out that I couldn’t charge the crystal myself, I had to visit the mages from time to time, paying for the service. It was not expensive, but it would be nice to be able to charge it myself.

I also learned much more about ki, and even developed a few techniques, making me even stronger.

Learning how to create techniques took quite a while. Unlike using it to strengthen my body, I had to move it out of my body, and manipulate it there.

The techniques I developed are quite simple, and already existed, from what mother told me.

One was where I coated my entire weapon in my ki, strengthening it and making it sharper.

Another was that I coated my weapon, like the former one, but instead of making it stay on the weapon, I release it as I slash, making it release a small wave of ki. This allowed me to use a ranged attack with a reach of 5 meter, for now.

Both these techniques also work with the whip-form, making it more lethal.

The last one I made was that I covered my body with my ki, making it a shield. This could also be used to attack, coating my hands and fingers, making both harder and my claws sharper.

I also discovered that ki has a colour, which is coloured after the wielder. With Humans it’s hard to guess what colour they have, but it’s obvious with Lizardmen.

Lizardmen’s ki colour is the same as their scales.

Simple,right?

Well, also extremely useful, since it blends with our scales, making some short of defensive ki armour nearly invisible to an untrained eye.

Well, enough about the past.

My ceremony is tomorrow, and all preparations are done and it was late, so I headed to bed, hoping tomorrow wouldn’t be too painful.

The next morning I woke up as usual, at sunrise.

I still have no idea why this happens all the time, but it looks like the same happens for everyone else, except the night team.

Getting myself dressed, I take a glance at my ‘Elder Kyurn’ coat.

I had the pelt from the ‘Elder Kyurn’ tailored into a coat, designed for Lizardmen. It was sleeveless and fit tight around my upper body, with a coattail that freely followed my movements.

It had been enchanted with some simple runes that made it adjust to its user.

This enchantment was as common as the backpack one, making it cheap and often used on clothing and armour made from expensive materials. Cheap as in costing the same as a standard sword.

On top of it, I wore simple leather armour, covering my chest and shoulders, and a pair of iron gauntlets covering the top of my hands and my forearms.

On my lower body, I wore a pair of short leather trousers, and a pair of iron greaves.

I bought the iron wares from merchants, while the leather was from prey I had hunted.

I’m now around 160 cm tall, making me the same height as a normal 13 year old human. But I bet I weight much more. This is most likely because of my scales and compact muscles.

Being this tall has made my whip-swords range seem smaller, so I hope that I would be able to find a longer one in the near future.

My tail has also grown, making it easier for me to use in battle.

Before I rarely used it because I wasn’t able to use it above balancing myself and it was too short.

But now I have incorporated it in my fighting style as a weapon, making me even more dangerous.

And as if that’s not enough, I can also cover it with ki, making it hard and sharp, and release a wave of ki when slashing with it.

Tails are truly terrifying weapons.

Going to the living room, I’m greeted with both of my parents waiting with food ready.

Usually my father would sleep all day, but since this is my special day, he skipped last nights hunt.

Me: “Good morning, mom, dad.”

Turning to me, father spoke.

Li’Sle: “Good morning, son, hope you’re ready for the ceremony.”

Me: “Of course I am, but not looking forward to the unsealing.”

Li’Sle: “Hahaha, of course you’re not, who is? Hurts like hell. But that pain means power, so deal with it.”

We had some small talk as we ate before heading out.

As we walked towards the tribe-manor, where the ceremony would be held, we met many other Lizardmen.

Everyone were to participate, except the night team, which would just be told by the others.

Arriving at the small plaza in front of the manor, I headed to the centre, where the Elders stood.

The ceremony was simple and didn’t take much time.

To start with, I would touch a stone, which had an enchantment that allowed it to expand and show everyone else the persons Status Window, and show my Status Window before the curse is removed.

Then the Elders would name me, and then remove the curse.

After I was done changing from the unsealing, I would once again show my Status Window.

And the ceremony would be over.

I would be an adult, and would have to either built a new house or take over one of the empty ones.

Elder Hez’Orae: “Attention, fellow Lizardmen. Today we’re here to celebrate this newborns first birthday, accepting his an adult. The first son of Li’Sle and Li’Hiet. Now, place your hand on the stone and will it to show your Status Window.”

I did as told, and showed everyone my Status Window.

Status WindowName:Li’???Race:LizardmanTitles:Little One, Survivor, Tribe Prodigy, The Lethal Eye, Slayer of Elder Beasts, Martial ArtistLevel:100 Limit Reached!Class:???Age:1Gender:MaleBody and Mental Condition:Stamina Points:Current:11851Max:12315Stamina Regen:3,66/SMana Points:Current:3530Max:3530Mana Regen:1,72/SKi Points:Current:9640Max:9640Ki Regen3,4/SStats:Vitality:242 + 24Strength:259 + 25Dexterity:276 + 27Agility:265 + 26Wisdom:111 + 11Intelligence:111 + 11Insight:111 + 11Presence:150Magic Amplification:Casting time:-0,366%Mana cost:-0,366%Effectiveness:+0,366%

I had gained a few stats, but not that many. Apparently the beasts I had hunted didn’t give much, since I was much stronger than them, and my training only gained me the title ‘Martial Artist’, which only showed that I knew martial arts.

Seeing my Status Window, a small outburst happened. Well, I was level 100 and had great stats, compared to that most newborn die before even turning 1 year old.

Elder Hez’Orae: “A truly marvellous Status Window. Reaching the level limit, getting many titles and having high stats.”

Elder Hez’Orae wasn’t the only one praising me, everyone else did as well.

After everyone had calmed down, Elder Hez’Orae spoke again.

Elder Hez’Orae: “For the next part of the ceremony, you will be given a name. Taking into consideration of your strength and all the hunting you’ve done, you will be given the name Kyes. Kyes means Death in the Ancient Lizardman tongue, and we grant you this name for brining death to your enemies, but defy it yourself. From today you shall be known as Li’Kyes, may you live long and become strong! Remove the curse from this Lizardman, and let him feel his true potential!”

After he said this, pain spread through my entire body, making me scream in pain and fall to the ground.

It felt as if a power stronger than any I had ever felt was pushing out from my very core, breaking me in the process.

I could feel the power being absorbed by my every atom, adding the feeling of burning alive on top of the already intense pain.

I thrashed around on the ground, screaming in pain for what felt like hours.

Finally, after feeling the power having been completely absorbed, removing the feeling of breaking and burning, I stopped and caught my breath.

After gaining my bearings once again, I stood up.

I felt more powerful than I ever had, as if every fibre in my body had become many times stronger.

Quickly, before anyone could say anything, I checked my Status Window.

Uknown Curse Has Been LiftedAll sentient Lizardmen was once cursed by the strongest Lizardman magician there was. Yours has been lifted, unlocking your true potential.

Class GainedYour true potential has been unlocked, revealing your class. You have gained the class variation ‘Mage Hunter’.

Racial Skill Has Been ChangedUnlocking your true potential has changed your Racial Skill.

Affinities GainedFor unlocking a mage class variation, your have gained affinities.

Stat Points GainedFor going through extreme pain, and not passing out, you have gained stat points. +10 VIT.

That’s a lot of changes. Let’s see what we’ve got.

Status WindowName:Li’KyesRace:LizardmanTitles:Little One, Survivor, Tribe Prodigy, The Lethal Eye, Slayer of Elder Beasts, Martial ArtistLevel:100 Limit Reached!Class:Mage Hunter VariationAge:1Gender:MaleBody and Mental Condition:Stamina Points:Current:2553Max:8000Stamina Regen:2/SMana Points:Current:3930Max:6930Mana Regen:3,37/SKi Points:Current:9585Max:9585Ki Regen3,9/SStats:Vitality:137 + 13Strength:154 + 15Dexterity:276 + 27Agility:265 + 26Wisdom:216 + 21Intelligence:216 + 21Insight:216 + 21Presence:150Magic Amplification:Casting time:-0,711%Mana cost:-0,711%Effectiveness:+0,711%Magic Affinities:ElementalUnlocked-Locked???LightUnlocked-Locked???DarkUnlockedShadowLocked???Life/DeathUnlockedBloodLocked???ManaUnlocked-Locked???AncientUnlocked-Locked???Other:Racial Trait:Mage Hunter Variation Lizardmen get 2x AGI, DEX, WIS, INT, and INS from leveling up. Instead of gaining +20 SP and +10 MP and KP, Mage Hunter Variation Lizardmen get +10 SP and +20 MP and KP. The starting SP also goes from 200 to 100, and both MP and KP goes from 100 to 200. Starting SPR goes from 1/S to 0,5/S, and both MPR and KPR goes from 0,5/S to 1/S.Blessing:Increases all stats by 10%.Blessing:Increases learning new languages by 1.000%.God Magic Skill:Identify: The ability see the information on any item, as long as it’s considered weaker than the caster.Title Skill:Survivor: When fighting against the odds, all stats increase by +3%. (Will still count as against the odds, even if the +3% makes your odds equal or greater than theirs.)Title Skill:Detect Life: You’re able to detect life around you depending on your level of mastery of the skill.Title Skill:First Blood: When you’re the ones who initiates the fight, drawing the first blood, you damage +200% more damage on the initiating hit.Title Skill:Detect Weakness: Using this skill you will be able to see your enemies weaknesses. When using this skill, enemy’s weaknesses will be highlighted by a red glow. The stronger the enemies are, the higher mastery you need in order to detect their weaknesses.Title Skill:Elder Beast Slayer: When fighting Elder Beasts, you gain +10% to all stats, except Presence.

(AN: This took way too long XD Added the affinity thing, but only for people with it, hope you like it! Ps. His current stamina is low because of the thrashing around on the ground in pain. Pss. Mage Hunter class isn't a mage hunter, but a mage and a hunter class, just to avoid confusion.)

Wow, my stats changed a lot.

I’m not as strong, but I will now be able to utilize magic, and still stay agile. This sounds very interesting.

And shadow and blood affinity, looks like I will have to learn spells that work with them.

Suddenly Elder Hez’Orae spoke up, interrupting my thoughts.

Elder Hez’Orae: “Congratulations Li’Kyes, you’re now an adult. Please show us your status once again.”

I placed my hand on the stone, and it showed my Status Window without the ‘Other:’ section.

Again, this caused an uproar.

Hez’Orae: “A Mage Hunter Variant with shadow and blood affinity, this is the first time I’ve seen this. Truly marvellous. Well, again, congratulations. Being both a Mage and Hunter, you can hunt with the others and act as one of the tribe’s mages.”

I don’t know what a tribe mage does, but it sounds like it will give me privileges, so I won’t decline.

Hez’Orae: “We will initiate you as a tribe mage later, but for now you need to choose your housing. Move into an abandoned house or build a new one, and if you choose to build a new house, then you need to choose where to build it.”

This was an easy choice, since I had already decided it a few months ago.

Me: “I will…”

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Author Notes:

Thanks for reading, and hoped you enjoyed this chapter :D

I don't have a lot to say in these notes, so just leave them comments and stuff xD