I shrugged, and took a stance of my own. I moved one foot forward until both of my legs were shoulder length apart. Next, I lowered my body so my knees were slightly bent and I had a better center of gravity. My hands moved up, fists clenched at my sides, elbows bent and ready to strike.
Grimoire motioned me forward, “Begin.”
I lunged forward and threw a fist at his center of mass, aiming for his stomach. He sidestepped, but I spun and threw an elbow at him. Notifications started to ding but a small effort of will sent them to the background as Grimoire blocked, using the palm of his hand.
“Physical abilities are a bit low, but considering your new level, it's not surprising.” He took my elbow and pushed, sending me tumbling across the hardwood floor. Somehow, I managed to roll with it onto my feet before I connected with the wall, knocking the air out of me.
I took a moment to catch my breath and Grimoire stood there, patiently waiting. “A good recovery, despite low physicality. Continue.”
I did as he said, kicking off the wall to gain a small bit of speed and height. I didn't reach as far as I thought, frowning, but continued forward. I aimed a sweep at his legs.
Grimoire stepped over my sweep, and blocked the following uppercut I sent at him, jumping from the crouch I’d found myself in. He stepped back and blocked the series of punches I threw, the speed of my blows too slow to catch him off guard.
He caught my fist and spun, tripping me and sending me to the ground. “Stop.”
I'd just started to get up and instead of the kick I'd been planning to give him, I just stood up. My hands went to my knees and I started panting, out of breath from the exertion, and in a surprising amount of pain.
“Rest. You tore several muscles and are about to do serious damage to yourself if you keep pushing.” He went over and got me a chair.
Hearing that, I took a seat and focused on my Heal spell. “Heal.” I said the command and a faint light ran through me. I felt I could continue channeling it, so I did until I felt nothing but an empty void where my mana was supposed to be. I hurt significantly less, but still ached in several places.
“Useful. If you hadn't I would have.” Grimoire didn't even look like he'd put in effort, and not a piece of clothing was out of place. In my pettiness, I reached out and ruffled his shirt.
Grimoire looked down, and then back up at me. I shrugged. “You looked too maintained for someone who just sparred.”
The elf closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. “I take pride in maintaining my appearance, Lady Danielle. I would ask you to refrain from doing that in the future.”
“Only if you tell me your thoughts on how I did.” I said with as much cheek as I could muster. I really had pushed myself too hard and healing didn’t help recover stamina, apparently.
“As I said, your physical abilities are not up to the actions you were performing. You are also, apparently, missing several key components in whatever was imprinted onto you. Your skirt is also getting in the way. I shall do some thinking, but for now do not spend any points on your Physical attribute.” He said, bluntly.
“Why not?” I was curious, though I suspected the answer.
“Through training, we’ll be able to push your capabilities higher. Doing so before increasing your Physical abilities will give you a head start. On average, it can be pushed to 75 with a few months of extensive training, and even as high as 80 or 90 with more. You may spend them on magic or mental stats, since those are harder to raise naturally.” He spoke like a teacher giving a lecture. His tone was dry, but not in a boring way. “What are your stats currently so I can have an idea of where we are?”
“Thought we shouldn't say that out loud?” I said with caution.
Grimoire smiled, “A good habit, but if I am training you, I do need to know.”
I looked through my stats screen.
Name: Danielle Rosecrest
Age: 17
Race: Human
Class: Noble 3
Class EXP: 419/400
Experience Bank: 0/1000
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Unspent Attribute Points: 0
Statistics
Physical
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 12
Agility: 12
Endurance: 10
Constitution: 10
Mental
Intelligence: 14
Insight: 10
Charisma: 12
Perception: 11
Magic
Mana: 3
Mana Control: 1
Mana Power: 1
Skills
Assessment: Tier 1, Rank 3
Unarmed Combat Tier 1, Rank 3
Cheap Shot Tier 0, Rank 2
Mana Sense: Tier 0, Rank 1
Speed Reading: Tier 0, Rank 1
Deception: Tier 0, Rank 1
Traits
Noble Birth
Experience Conversion
Experience Absorption
Moderator’s Veil
Second Chance
Spells
Healing: Tier 0 Rank 3
Scan: Tier 0 Rank 1
I blinked at the skill increase, but did some quick math. Based on Grandpa Toren's stats, I assumed it was a combination of the stats in the sections. “54 Physical, 47 Mental, and 5 Magic.”
Grimoire nodded. “Put any points from levels into Magic. With any luck, you'll get more regeneration for your mana and power for your spells. Even just gaining a large pool would be fine, I suppose.” He tapped his chin in thought. “Don't put anything in Mental. I have a few tricks to increase your perceptiveness that occasionally lead to increases, and they sell puzzles as aides.” He nodded, “Not impossible, but with as low as you are, it won't take much for a few increases.”
I nodded in agreement. “I can do some exercise. It honestly felt good moving like that… til I stopped.”
Nodding, Grimoire stepped over to the wall. “I think Unarmed Combat can wait for a while until at least 70 Physical. Until then, the stave is a useful tool, and beneficial to those using magic.”
I shrugged, “Whatever you think is best.” I stood up, a little wobbly but managed to walk over to the wall without stumbling, grabbing one of the long sticks. I let out an oomph as I found it heavier than expected.
“They're heavier than normal for training purposes. Those are 10 kilograms each. I'll teach you basic forms, and you'll do them for a few minutes to get the skill. Once you have it, stop.” He took one of his own from further down the line and moved back to the center of the room.
We went through a few stances before he started talking. “Going over the basics of our city, we currently have a Duke. Duke Faren. He is a good man, if a bit weak-willed when it comes to the council. The city council is comprised of five members. Head of Agriculture, Head of Magical Affairs, Head of Regional Security, Head of Local Security, and Head of Nobility. There is then the Merchant Consortium, who control the markets. They are separate from our government and have branches across our kingdom.”
As he talked, he made adjustments to my position. “What about the commoners?”
“They have their own counsels, but report to the Head of Local Security. The current head does not listen to them, and it is causing some minor unrest.”
I nodded and he tipped one end of the staff I was using. “And where do we stand?”
“Apart. While we are technically under the Head of Nobility or the Head of Regional Security, depending on the situation, due to our assets, no one has dared involve the Rosecrest house in politics, to the detriment of Lord Calmar.”
I stopped for a moment. “Why is that a detriment?”
Grimoire tapped my stave and I went back to moving it, my arms growing tired. 10 Strength apparently suuuuucks. I mentally groaned.
“Without a need to involve ourselves, he has been ostracized due to his mother and relation to the Rosecrest household. Since he is not related by blood, he has been constantly the source of ire and ridicule.” Grimoire said matter of factly.
I kept an eye out on my skills until I saw the Staff Fighting skill and stopped. My notifications were still minimized and I didn't want to go through them until later. “So, he's not related to me?”
“No, though please avoid bringing that up. It is a sensitive topic, and he does care for you.” There was something unspoken there, but I didn't push. “If you've acquired the skill, then it's time to rest. We have been at this for over an hour, and you have not built up the stamina to continue without injury.”
I nodded and went to put back the staff. “There's more to it than that, isn't there?”
Grimoire hesitated, the first time he had since I'd seen him. “Yes, though it may be better to discuss it later. Possibly with Miss Geraldine.”
“That's not suspicious at all.” I said, speaking my mind to Grimoire. Something about him made me trust him not to judge when I spoke my mind.
The elf let out a huff of a laugh, “What noble house doesn't have its share of buried bodies?”
I blatantly ignored that statement. “What now?” I asked, since training was apparently over.
“Now, I must attend to my duties. There will be a number of books in your rooms that I would like you to go through over the next week. They’ll be waiting for you at your desk.” He motioned me towards the door. “On top of that will be a series of tests to judge your mental aptitude that I would like you to do as soon as possible.”
“What kind of tests?” I asked as I went through the door, Grimoire following behind.
“Mathematics.” He said, and I got the distinct impression he expected a complaint.
Instead, I shrugged and headed towards my rooms, following a maid Grimoire asked to lead me.
Not like math is hard. I thought to myself.
Do you find math fun?
