I just nodded and started going through my notifications as he started to talk about the kingdom away from here:
Unarmed Combat Tier 1, Rank 6 to Tier 2, Rank 1
Cheap Shot Tier 1, Rank 0 to Tier 1, Rank 2
Throwing Tier 1, Rank 2 to Tier 1, Rank 3
Tonfas Tier 1, Rank 6 to Tier 2, Rank 3
Two-Weapon Fighting Tier 1, Rank 0 to Tier 1, Rank 7
Sprinting Tier 0, Rank 1 to Tier 0, Rank 3
Skill: Small Blades Gained
Small Blades: Tier 0, Rank 1
Skill: Freerunning Gained
Freerunning: Tier 0, Rank 3
Skill: Fire Manipulation Gained
Fire Manipulation: Tier 0, Rank 1
Skill: Wind Manipulation Gained
Wind Manipulation: Tier 0, Rank 1
Unarmed Combat
The oldest form of hurting one another. Fists, legs, knees, elbows, heads, and teeth. Fight with whatever you were born with! At high enough skills, you might not even break your hand on someone’s armor.
Tier 0: You can throw a punch.
Tier 1: You can throw a punch well.
Tier 2: You don’t injure yourself when you hit something solid anymore. This includes: People, animals, wooden planks, and concrete slabs.
+3 Agility
+3 Strength
Tonfas
A weapon often used defensively to deliver devastating blows to the unprepared. Can be wielded by either handle and often in pairs. If you have this and don’t have Two-Weapon Fighting, you are not using them to their full potential.
Tier 0: You can use them without bashing your own head in.
Tier 1: You can channel mana through a properly prepared weapon. Different mana types produce different effects.
Tier 2: When mana is used to deflect a blow with this weapon, prevent momentum pushing you away from your opponent.
+3 Dexterity
+3 Agility
The power went through me and I tried not to fidget as the changes took place. I could feel my muscles changing and it never stopped feeling weird as hell.
“If you keep acting suspicious, they’re going to assume you’re on something.” Deacon broke through my own thoughts and my skill reviews. “We’re here, by the way.”
I saw the familiar walls of the Barracks and looked over at Deacon, “Do stats changes ever stop feeling weird?”
He arched his eyebrow with deliberate care. “They shouldn’t feel weird to begin with. Come on, let’s go.” He started towards the front gates. I had to hurry to follow him, yet more questions about the system. I heard a soft whistle a short while later while we were waiting in line.
“How much were you paying attention to me, and how much were you looking at your screen?” Deacon asked in a low tone.
I looked around and flicked on Mana Sense on a hunch. There were small bubbles around his mouth and one ear. I couldn’t see myself, but decided to just ask instead of figuring it out. “Private conversation?”
“For a few minutes.” He responded, the sound clear. It was like he was speaking into my ear.
“Mostly reading. And… adjusting. I improved a lot from just that fight.” There must of been something in my voice because his eyes narrowed as he frowned. “What?”
He shook his head, “Nothing. Just… wasn’t expecting my charge would turn into a combat junkie.” Before I could respond, I saw the spell cut and he turned away from me again.
Grumbling to myself, I waited patiently with him until a spot opened up at a counter where a very bored looking older man sat rearranging paperwork. He looked between us, “Purpose of visit? If it’s a marriage, you’re in the wrong place.” The laugh at his own joke cut short at the unamused looks on both of our faces. “How can I help you?”
I reached into my pocket and pulled out the paper the other guard had written the fine on. “I’d like to get this taken care of.”
He took the ticket and looked at it and then to the two tonfa I had made a point to slide through the belt I was wearing. He then looked over to Deacon who held up a similar note. The man took that one as well and then nodded before looking them over. “Shouldn’t be too difficult. Did you want to dispute the fines at all miss…” He looked over the ticket, brow furrowing, “Rosecrest?”
I nodded, “I hadn’t known that was an option, but yes. I’d rather not pay five hundred for self defense.”
The man nodded and looked at Deacon who shrugged, “If you can, it’d save me some cryst. She has a point, it was self defense.”
“Right…” He stood up, “If you’ll follow me to a waiting room while I get this sorted out. Need to get the report, which shouldn’t take too long, and find someone with enough rank to review it.”
I followed him, suddenly considering what he’d said and where we were, “Is Captain Severn available?”
“Captain Severn?” The man turned his head to look at me before smiling softly, “No, but I imagine he’d be happy to hear you asking about him. He’s currently investigating the Chatterdeem bombing.”
I blinked, “Bombing?”
Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.
“Oh, yes. That’s what that light a few weeks ago were. Can you believe it hasn’t even been a month since the mansion went up in flames?!” He sounded baffled, “And we still have no word on who did it.”
Except… didn’t Toren literally tell us the Collector’s did it? I kept my mouth shut and instead thought up a proper response. Deacon saved me, “I was out of town at the time, what are they saying happened?”
We arrived at the room and the receptionist opened the door for us, hanging about outside as we settled into a utilitarian room that could have passed for a break room. “Oh, I can only say the official story, which is that we are looking into all possible persons who could be involved and such.”
“So… nothing?” Deacon responded as he took a seat and leaned back casually.
“Pretty much.” The receptionist nodded at me as I took chair that had been positioned against the wall, “If you’ll wait here, I’ll get to work on this.”
The door closed, and Deacon let out another soft whistle. “What do I need to know?”
I looked at him, confused, “I figure Grimoire would have let you know ahead of time.”
“About a lot of things, but you know something.” Deacon hissed in response. “I’m putting up with a lot of secrets, Lady Danielle but-”
“Dani.” I said offhandedly.
“What?” He said, knocked off his building rant.
“You’re going to be around me more often than anyone else. Call me Dani or Danielle if you have to.” I was still thinking about what to tell him as I explained.
That made him pause for a few beats. “So, Dani. What am I missing?”
“Did you get told about what happened when Chatterdeem visited regarding our bethrothal?” I asked, trying not to vomit at the thought of marrying the man.
He nodded.
“Did he also mention I slapped him with a system penalty and the Collectors, or whatever they’re called, decided he was a risk and got rid of him.” I explained.
Deacon put his hand to his mouth and leaned back on his chair. He tipped a little too far and tried to catch himself with his missing hand. His full weight landed on the stump and he let out a string of curses that echoed around the room.
After he’d finished rolling out of the chair, I reached down and helped him to his feet. “You okay?”
“No.” He said, grumpily. I stood the chair up and he sat in it with a sigh, “Fuuuuck, Danielle. That’s bad.”
“No shit.” I said. “I don’t even know how bad, but it was suggested someone get word to my father, which apparently makes this serious.”
Deacon picked up his hat and dusted it off before setting it on the table. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed, “Seriously, Collectors aren’t something commonly seen around here. They’re only supposed to be in major cities and important towns. They deal with dangers to the economy of our whole world.”
I scratched my head, “How does an economy get in enough danger to warrant a hit man?”
The bard snorted and looked up at me, “Mostly? When there’s a chance it’ll destroy the Gilded’s hold on a region. And I’m guessing, Chatterdeem’s penalty was related to crystals.” When I nodded, he sighed, “Then they’ll be sticking around.”
I was suddenly much more concerned, “Because the source wasn’t located?”
Deacon nodded, “And if it was damaging enough, to make an example.”
I snorted, “They’re going to hate me then.”
The door opened before Deacon could respond, and he let the spell drop. The receptionist looked between us, “The fines have been waived, but Captain Severn would like to see you. Apparently, he was looking for you.”
Deacon and I both glanced at each other. “Okay… where is he?” I asked, hesitantly.
“I’ll direct you to your office. Your attendant can wait here, or in the lobby.” The receptionist said, smiling and holding an arm out to guide me out of the room.
“I’m her bodyguard, actually. I must insist I go with her.” Deacon replied, standing and moving to go with me.
I put a hand on his arm. “I’ll be fine.” He started to object, but I smiled up at him, “Despite everything, I’m in a building full of guards and I know Captain Severn. I’ll be fine.”
His eyes narrowed, promising words but not able to dispute me. “Very well, Lady Danielle.” The emphasis he put on the word Lady was unnecessary, but I was going to be fine.
The receptionist started leading me down a series of hallways, Deacon being directed back to the lobby. A guard was positioned to guide him back, but the bard just walked past in a foul mood.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head at his behavior before we turned a corner and got out of view. We went up two flights of stairs and I was brought to a better decorated reception area. Another, younger, receptionist took over and led me through a more decorated section of the Barracks. I looked down at the carpet that seemed to cover the whole hallway, “You guys should decorate the lower floors like this. It’s a bit drab down there.”
The man paused and looked back at me with an amused expression, “I’d have expected you to have heard the saying that wealth is power. It’s meant to intimidate, since the strong people are all in well decorated halls and offices.”
We continued and I chewed on that thought. I suppose that’s one way to do it. Seems like a waste though.
The door I was led to was along a hallway with a few others, but it had a plaque next to it that displayed name and rank. Captain Peter Severn, Cotton Rock Head of Investigations. It was done up with gold leaf and embossed lettering.
There was a brief knock by the receptionist. A voice shouted, “Come in.” We entered, and I saw the man who’d helped me several weeks ago once again.
Instead of armor, this time he was in a fancy shirt with a cloth jacket hanging from a hook on the wall. His face had been shaved and he looked tired, but was otherwise the same. We had to wait as he finished whatever he’d been writing. When he looked up and saw me, he blinked. “Lady Danielle? You look… different.”
For some reason, his surprise annoyed me. I stepped into the room and the receptionist closed the door behind me. “You look tired.”
He winced, but smiled, “I suppose I deserve that. Have a seat.” He motioned to one of two comfortable looking chairs in front of his desk. “I heard you had yet another problem in another alley.”
“To be fair, they started it.” I said as I took my seat. “Any word on the person who’d left me for dead?”
He leaned back roughly and sighed, “No, and there likely won’t be with the current incidents going on. Everyone who can be spared has been sent up to the Grave Woods. I was supposed to be there too, but then… well.”
“Someone blew up a mansion?” I prompted.
He took a deep breath and sighed, “Someone you knew too.” The Captain pulled up a sheet and started reading. My eyes narrowed as I caught him looking at me as he pretended to read the paper. “A Lord Chatterdeem.”
My face went flat. “I was told he wanted to marry me. I take it he didn’t survive?”
Captain Severn shook his head, setting the page down, “He did not.” His clasped his hands on top of the desk. “He was killed before the explosion, actually.”
“Really?” I didn’t have to feign surprise. “Why bother blowing up the mansion then?”
“That’s one among dozens of other questions I have.” He leaned forward, “But there is one you can help me with.”
I narrowed my eyes, “What would that be?”
“Where’s Lord Calmar, and why did he leave the same day Lord Chatterdeem died?”
Name: Danielle Rosecrest
Age: 17
Race: Human
Class: Noble 7
Class EXP: 2191/2900
Experience Bank: 421/2000
Unspent Attribute Points: 1
Statistics
Physical
Strength: 18
Dexterity: 21
Agility: 26
Endurance: 16
Constitution: 20
Mental
Intelligence: 23
Insight: 17
Charisma: 16
Perception: 14
Magic
Mana: 10
Mana Control: 8
Mana Power: 6
Skills
Assessment: Tier 1, Rank 8
Unarmed Combat Tier 2, Rank 1
Cheap Shot Tier 1, Rank 2
Mana Sense: Tier 3, Rank 14
Speed Reading: Tier 1, Rank 0
Deception: Tier 0, Rank 1
Staff Combat: Tier 1, Rank 1
Mathematics: Tier 2, Rank 13
Throwing: Tier 1, Rank 3
Tonfas: Tier 2, Rank 3
Two-Weapon Fighting: Tier 1, Rank 7
Swords: Tier 1, Rank 1
Dancing: Tier 0, Rank 0
Sprinting: Tier 0, Rank 3
Small Blades: Tier 0, Rank 1
Freerunning: Tier 0, Rank 3
Fire Manipulation: Tier 0, Rank 1
Wind Manipulation: Tier 0, Rank 1
Traits
Noble Birth
Experience Conversion
Experience Absorption
Moderator’s Veil
Second Chance
Spatial Closet (Tier 1)
Intrinsic Mana Manipulation
Extrinsic Mana Manipulation
Spells
Healing: Tier 0 Rank 4
Scan: Tier 0 Rank 2
THINK I have fixed it, but if I haven't, I'd appreciate someone letting me know. I spent around two hours figuring it out and had to update Chapter 28 two or three times because of it. My fault, primarily, because I need to take better notes. I know, realistically, I could pull numbers out of my ass and just be done with it, but it's one of the things I do like tinkering with.