Chapter 2 – Status Review

Level: 1 Experience: 37/100

Healing: 120/120 Stamina: 100/100 Mana: 30/30

Class: Tier 0, Child(Yellow)

Effect: Increased Skill Acquisition(+6%), Increased Learning Speed(+6%), Increased Stat Gain(+6%)

Vitality: 12

Endurance: 7

Strength: 9

Agility: 11

Perception: 4

Mind: 33

Magic: 3

Focus: 15

Free Points: 0

Tier 1(22): Eldarin Language(75

Tier 2(4): Mana Sense(4), Danger Sense(3)

Tier 6(-): Experience Siphon(C)

I read off my entire status page for my mother as she listened carefully along with her three Squires, who were standing quietly off to the side. Healer Castelle and my father were both here. As well as my Tutor Damian who looked slightly nervous. My status page had been adjusted by a System Priest for the optimal display of information when I had first unlocked it over half a year ago.

My Eldarin Etiquette had shot up 3 levels just from dinner which was impressive. Danger and mental pressure helped skills level more quickly, so it wasn’t that surprising. All of these skills were from over half a year of hard work, since my status unlocked at the age of eight. My tutor told me there was a large burst at the start, due to having studied stuff before my status page unlocked. My mother slowly tapped her finger on the table she sat behind, and I became a bit more nervous.

We had all gathered togeather at the order of my mother the morning after her return. She wanted to review my progress with everyone involved in my life. I could only hope that I had matched whatever expectations she had of me.

“Let’s start with the most concerning issue. Healer Castelle, your understanding of the tier 6 skill inflicted upon my son?” my mother asked as everyone tensed up and looked at the old healer.

“A cursed skill and tier 6. It is not meant to cause harm directly, but to use your son as a vehicle for getting stronger themselves by taking away experience your son might gain. I would say such a skill can only be used on those weaker and only a few at a time, perhaps only a single person at most due to its tier,” he explained.

“That was not what I was asking. It is clear what it does from the name along with its rarity. Can it be removed?” my mother asked.

“Impossible, unless the culprit is slain. It is a high tier curse skill. There is good news. The weight of the skill is resting on the other person, otherwise your son’s soul would have collapsed. There are no medical risks,” he said.

“Except cutting off his future!” my mother slammed her palm down on the desk she was sitting behind with a bang. I felt the entire room shake from the force of her blow. “And has the culprit been tracked down?” she looked at my father.

“It is someone completely unknown. I have put up an astronomical bounty of a hundred platinum coins and leveraged your name. But the culprit had several stealth skills. The poison they used in the attack has been sent to Master Alchemists for study and review. The number of elite guards at the estate has been increased from 20 to 30, at a great expense,” he answered.

“Do better Darren. Do better. You are only alive right now since you are my child’s father. Can it be removed?” my mother looked back at Healer Castelle.

“If it was a tier 4 or tier 5 it might have been possible, through the use of a ritual and several System Priests with some risk to your son’s soul. But the cursed skill will remain until the target is dead since it is a tier 6 skill. There is no other way, even with my extensive knowledge. I have sent correspondence to the Five Star Institute of Healing and my seniors, but am waiting for a response and not hopeful for a positive one,” he explained.

“This culprit will outlive my son, since they are clearly planning to use him to fuel their growth. Useless. All of you are useless. I leave for a year and this is what happens in my absence?” Everyone was perfectly still and silent, including me. I didn’t know what to say. “And you my dear husband, what do you have to say for yourself? Are you going to accept responsibility?” my mother asked.

“No. The security arrangements were approved by you before your departure. I have already issued a bounty and done everything in my power,” my father countered. My mother said nothing but glared at everyone one by one, including her own Squires. No one dared to meet her gaze. Thankfully she skipped me from her glare session.

“I will investigate the matter personally. Do not let such a thing happen again Darren, or I will hold you responsible regardless,” my mother said. My father didn’t reply, only inclined his head slightly.

“Now let us discuss my son’s status. I was absent during the arrival of his status. There are several areas of concern. A yellow class?” This time she was looking at Tutor Damian.

“One in a million, Supreme Warlady. It was what was anticipated based on the ritual used during your son’s conception. And the effects are quite good,” he replied.

“Abject failure. During his lessons before his status unlocked you should have instructed him better. I was expecting a green class at tier 0 at the very least, preferably blue,” my mother said.

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“A green starting class has only been recorded officially in 27 beings in the last millennia by the College of Advancement. No one has ever started with a blue class,” he countered.

“Do I look like some common peasant on the side of the road?” my mother asked.

“Of course not, Supreme Warlady,” Tutor Damian said while bowing his head.

“A starting class is determined by the motivation, environment, and instruction. The environment here is the best. I saw to it myself. That can only mean the motivation of my son is lacking or your instruction,” my mother said.

“It is also the will of the System. Such things are not perfectly determined even in the most controlled studies by the College of Advancement, Supreme Warlady,” Tutor Damian said.

“More excuses, more failure. But perhaps my son is lacking in motivation,” she said and turned her gaze to me. I felt like I was going to be cut apart as she stared intently at me for several seconds while I bravely stared back.

“His class must be increased along with his skill leveling speed. It is far too slow even with his childhood boost. You must push him harder Tutor Damian. I hired you to personally instruct my son, so do so with better results,” my mother said.

“I will endeavor to do my best, but there is concern your son’s motivation might burn out,” he replied.

“I will worry about my son’s motivation. If he is lacking, you will inform me. Otherwise push him without remorse or mercy. Such things are for the pitiful and weak.” My mother then turned to look back at me. “It appears, that the rituals used to ensure your birth also boosted your Mind stat as they were supposed to. Let’s have a little test to see how well you have been learning while I have been away. What do Healing, Stamina, and Mana represent?”

“Pools of specialized magic to either heal, help one’s body endure, or use Mana. Going beyond these limits damages your body and soul, leaving permanent scarring and manaburn,” I explained to my mother how it had been explained to me by my tutor. She nodded at this.

“Always try to maintain above half at all times. That will ensure you avoid permanent injury and help to ensure your safety. If for some reason you go below that during training, say something immediately. Going lower does not help your stat growth and will only risk hurting you. How do these reserves regenerate?” she asked me another question.

“It is variable depending on location, food consumed, mental state, and overall condition,” I replied with as much confidence as I could muster as my mother stared intently at me. My nervousness went slightly higher.

“A decent level of recall. Children older than you can’t recall such things. Now your stats, explain them,” my mother commanded. I thought that older children would know all this stuff for sure, but I wasn’t about to correct my mother.

“Vitality is directly correlated with healing, but it also impacts a person’s lifespan and the general impact of each healing point. Endurance is the same for stamina, but it also helps one recover faster when exhausted. Strength is the force one can apply. Agility is the ability to freely move and control one’s body. Perception is the sum total of one’s senses. From sight, touch, taste, hearing, and smell, working in conjunction with sensory skills. Mind is the rate one can process and retain information and is key for learning skills. Magic impacts Mana and directly relates to the recovery speed of one’s Mana. Focus is the ability to keep one’s mind clear of adverse effects and use skills effectively,” I explained succinctly.

“All correct, but there is more. What are you missing?” she asked me, and I thought carefully.

“Stats can be improved through training, but only whole numbers are shown. Everyone improves in discrete stages based on their stats, even if there is a hidden growth to them. Stats are added on top of a base human body, so natural growth is not impacted. They also influence skills, what skills one can get and how quickly they grow,” I explained. My mother smiled at me.

“Very good. Tell me why I ensured a high Mind stat at your birth?” she asked me.

“To help my overall skill growth. Since skills improve better when one puts their mind to the task and looks for improvements. Those improvements are engrained upon one’s soul for ease of use in the future,” I explained.

“If there was another child your age from a peasant family, how many skills do you think they would have?” she asked me.

“Ten?” I asked hesitantly and she shook her head.

“Three to five, with seven being considered exceptional among regular people. That is the biggest problem with skill growth, the cap on your initial skill count due to the Mind stat. One needs to focus, and most children have trouble focusing. And when they get older and their level increases, their soul is less malleable, which makes it harder to improve skills as rapidly,” she explained.

“Oh,” I said, not sure what else to say at the moment.

“It is fine my son. I know you understand you are special, but you are my legacy. My growth has slowed. Going deeper into the dungeon is too risky without a dedicated team and my skill growth is frustratingly slow for certain skills,” my mother said and let out a sigh, sagging slightly in her chair. The Squires all shuffled nervously at that statement of weakness.

“Many legends pursue more Vitality to extend their lives, pushing and pushing, but ultimately it is pointless. I come from a humble background, a mere peasant couple were my parents, your grandparents decades ago. Our family farm was overrun with goblins that had broken out of the dungeon. They killed my parents and siblings. That was when I vowed to fight or die. I picked up a pitchfork and slaughtered my way through the horde,” she said while closing her eyes. I had never heard this before and listened closely. No else breathed as she shared her past.

“So, I killed and killed my way through the monsters into the dungeon and kept killing. There are always more monsters and people to kill. I could fill an entire very large lake, no that is too small, it is more correct to say a great sea, with all the blood from the beings I have left dead in my wake. I became stronger, took on loyal Squires.” I noticed the three Squires straighten up at this statement.

“But it was never enough. I refused to be one of those legends who becomes detached or power hungry. I strive for perfection in all things. I never forgot my siblings or parents on that farm. You are named after my eldest brother, Justin. A strong name. He wanted to be an adventurer despite having no talent. Blood made him queasy,” she said. She brought up one hand to wipe away a single teardrop before turning much more serious.

“I will give you the choice I never had, my son. I do this out of love. If you want to train to be strong in combat, to walk the path of a legend, I will help you. If you want to become a crafter, I will help you. If you want to become a farmer, I will help you. But I will not accept mediocrity. That is my true legacy, unwavering determination and commitment. If you are anything, from a farmer to a crafter, you will strive to be the best. Taking the time I have set aside, I will continue to take care of you and to raise you. Even as my future is cut off. My stats will slowly decrease, until my soul collapses from the weight of my skills,” she said. I felt the heaviness of this moment.

This was a critical decision I had to make. I knew my mother was truly asking me if I wanted to pursue her path. The path of blood and sweat, the path of an adventurer who would brave the dungeon and fight for a living.