“No.”

“What?”

The System turned its attention back to Steven.

“No. I’m not going to just sit around until you deem me ready. If you get to dump that shit on me, then I get to call no on your bullshit. Give me my fucking options.“

“I’m trying to do you a favor here, dumbass. If you pick the wrong Skills because you’re in a bad headspace, your entire build could be fucked until you find a Respec station. And even that isn’t going to help you if you pick a Trait you regret.”

Steven ground his teeth. He didn’t even disagree with the System, but he wanted his advancement options, dammit.

Sitting around wasn’t going to make him feel better. Progress was, and planning out his build was perfect for that.

“How about this? I’ll explain my reasoning on Skill choices, Traits, everything! That way, I won’t be shooting in the dark.”

The System considered for a moment. “Giving you advice on Skill choices is a boon. I’m not a fan of handing out freebies.“

“I’m not asking for your fucking advice,” Steven snarled.

He paused, forcing himself to take a deep breath.

“You tell me if you think my reasoning is sound. If you tell me it’s bad, I’ll wait until I’m in a better headspace to choose.”

Another deep breath.

“You don’t tell me which of my Skills and Traits are the best option. Just if my reasoning is sound.”

“…Considering I’m responsible for your aggravation, I’ll throw you a bone here. Deal.”

Options rolled out before him.

For adhering strictly to your Class purpose, one of your options has been upgraded to better suit you.

Anchor Shield

Epic

Effect: call a medium-sized shield imbued with the caller's will to protect.

Enhances all other shields within its vicinity. When those the caller most wishes to protect take damage while in its vicinity, a portion of that damage is transferred to the shield instead.

Range: 50 feet

Energy cost: medium

Cooldown: 30 minutes

Duration: 30 minutes (cooldown will not begin until the shield is banished or destroyed)

—-

Shield Primer

Rare

Passive

Effect: shields can be ‘primed’ to be called. Allowing two shields to appear instantly. Takes channeled focus to keep the shields ‘primed,’ The longer the shield would normally take to cast, the more it costs to prime.

Range: none

Amount: 2

Energy cost: variable

Cooldown: 5 seconds

—-

Tower-Shield

Uncommon

Effect: summon a large, durable shield.

Range: 5 feet

Energy cost: medium

Duration: 5 minutes

Cooldown: 10 minutes (cooldown will not begin until shield is destroyed or dismissed)

Steven locked onto the first Skill. Epic. But even if it weren’t for the rarity, that Skill. It was perfect. Buffing his other shields was amazing, but that second effect.

“Will the shield's effect increase with my willpower?”

“Instead of telling you to touch grass like I normally would, I’ll give it to you straight. Yes. That Skill is going to scale with your will. Do you want to pick it?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“It’s another shield by itself, which is useful for the same reasons every shield is useful. On top of that, buffing my existing Skills is amazing. But the real reason is that damage transfer. I can protect them.”

“The other Skills will help you protect them too.”

Steven nodded. “Shield Primer is tempting, and having a second Tower-Shield without the long cast time would be great, but neither of those can offer me the ability to strengthen my friends directly on top of everything else. And I know you agree. It wouldn’t be epic otherwise.”

“Hmm. Well, you got me there.”

His Traits rolled out next.

Zeus Ain’t Shit

Effect: shields gain increased resistance to elements, and all positive elemental Skills are more effective when applied to shields

MR PRESIDENT, GET DOWN!

Effect: shields will move faster when moving to intercept an attack. Does not apply to shields used offensively and does not effect calling speed.

MR PRESIDENT, I'M TAKING THEM DOWN

Effect: shields will move faster when striking an enemy. Does not apply to shields used defensively.

Steven only read over the Traits once before picking.

“Mr. President, Get Down.”

“Well, that was awfully fast. Why not the others?”

“We don’t have anyone in our group who uses elemental Skills, and while making my shields stronger against them is nice, it’s a little too niche for my tastes. Get Down will help me anytime I’m moving a shield to cover someone.”

“Why not the offense one?”

“We don’t need more offense from me. Markus and Margie have us covered in that department, and besides, will this Trait make attacking with my shields less draining?”

“No.”

“Well, there you go, that’s another reason.”

“Hmm. Well, fair enough. Congratulations.”

Power covered Steven like a crashing wave.

Your Skills have been Tempered!

Hand-Shield has been enhanced. +1 shield count (+2 due to Absorbant Trait) +10 feet to range (+ 12.5 due to Absorbant Trait)

Lumbering Tower-Shield has been enhanced! Durability increased. +5 feet range.

Grief still roiled in his gut, pushing at the edge of his thoughts, but this was progress.

Steven smiled.