This is a daily reminder: You have 352 unallocated stat points

  I stumble again. For once it's not a dip in the ground that caused it. By the system, why do I have so many stat points to spend. I tried to assign two. Nothing. I had thought I was tier five earlier. Four, eight, sixteen…I tried to move thirty-two stats…nothing. I don't understand.

  “Are you going to stay there forever? We have to keep moving.”

  I turn my head to the voice, “Sorry…um…I know, why don't I give you a name. How about green?”

  “Nope, not my name. Also a color? That's totally a lame thing to call someone.”

  I frown at that, “You can't even remember your name. What's wrong with a color for a name?”

  “No, you can't remember my name. I still have one…I think. Also you haven't even seen me, how can you call me a color?”

  I pout a little, “Sorry, just your voice makes me think green.”

  “But my voice can be many colors.”

  I shiver at that pronouncement. It felt like my thirst. I grab my stick and start prodding as I walk. It's slow going. Cea has yet to sleep. She hasn't left the castle either. I keep my eyes closed.

  “Not like a random bit of forest would give away where you are. Another tree in front of you.”

  I move to the side, slowing where the stick prods. I hate to break another stick. Finding one long enough is a game the voice likes to tease me about.

  “And if I reach a not so random town or city? No best to keep her in the dark.”

  “Suit yourself, idiot.”

  “I have a name.”

  “...That shouldn't be said. And I will be damned if I call you what she did.”

  Sarcea, it feels so foreign now. I had severed the memory when I first was given it. Why does Aurora seem so intrinsic to me…so true. There was the other name though. Sara…

  “I don't feel like you're a Sara, either.”

  I turn my head towards the voice again, a great deal of anger welling in me. It catches both of us off guard.

  “Sorry.”

  I shake my head.

  “I'm not sure why I was angry at that…let's just keep moving.”

  -----

  I feel them come near me. More souls. Pursuers. I can't climb a tree. Damn it.

  “I'll lead them away, just go to where I am and hunker down.” The voice whispers.

  I hurry and trip into an embankment. Ow, I bundle myself up and wait.

  “O I am so lost, perhaps this way.”

  An exact match to my voice. I shiver. Her voice is going towards a soul that is a lot larger than the ones searching for me.

  “O no, I can hear them, I must away.” I do not talk like that.

  The voice is closer to whatever is that soul. The other three start to move rapidly towards my voice. They run into each other. I hear the screams. It's only one soul now.

  “That settles that for now.”

  “Are they…”

  “Dead, why ask what you already know, idiot?”

  I frown. I get up…my stick. Where? I sigh.

  “I need a new stick.”

  The voice giggles at me.

  -----

  This is a daily reminder: You have 352 unallocated stat points

  I open my eyes. Too bright, I quickly close them again. Damn, I forgot myself. Cea is alert now. I almost feel like she is not paying attention to her own eyes.

  “Aurora, where are you?”

  I froze up again. It's missing a part of me. But I really want to answer. It passes. Damn it.

  “Idiot.”

  Agreed. Next time I should wrap something over my eyes. I hope she sleeps soon. I need to be able to see. I haven't eaten since my salad…I need something. I rummage into my bag. The only thing is the medicine bottle. I couldn't bear to part with it. The thought of leaving it behind caused some primal urge within me. I don't know why I covet this so. Will it rebind me, should I drink it? The message said contract before. I'm stealing this blood…that's right. Not a formal nothing. Theft. I hold the dropper over my mouth. Theft. I squeeze the dropper.

  My mind blanks. Oh my system, I writhe on the ground.

  -----

  “Done being an idiot?”

  “How long?”

  “You don't know, so I don't know.”

  “Not the first time you said something like that.”

  “I only have your memories. If you don't know it, I don't know it.”

  But why, “What are you?”

  “I don't know, because you don't know. We're talking in circles, idiot.”

  I frown and get up. I follow the voice further.

  -----

  Cea has people way too close to her face. They take a knife to her eye. What are they? Her vision is halved. Did they remove an eye? Why? I open the same eye, looking at the ground. I see nothing out of it. I don't understand.

  “It's shiny. And fake. Why is your eye fake?” The voice was right in front of my face.

  I shudder at that. Think. If they removed her eye it has to do with me, right? They are connected. Is it so they can use it to track me? Not many other reasons to do so.

  “Or you just lack imagination.”

  I turn my head to the voice, annoyed. It's answered with giggles. I'm doomed. They are going to use it to find me.

  “I mean it's just an eye, rip it out.”

  “But…”

  “Not just an idiot but a coward too. It's useless as is, worse than useless. It's a liability.”

  I tremble. Soon it's just my arm. The one that is reaching for the offending liability. My other hand catches its wrist…steady. The trembling slows. Stops. My fingers touch my eye…they hesitate…then probe. It hurts as my fingers dig in, pull around the orb. The eye bulges out. I have a grip. It hurts. I pulled it out. There is a snap. I collapsed screaming.

  So much pain. My eye socket clamps down. Then something begins to fill it. The pain lessen as it grows. My thirst responds in kind. My body is getting colder. I can see. The eye ball is in my hand. I quickly threw it away.

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  “Not shiny anymore, but real. Do the other.”

  I start to reach for it, then stop. They had to remove it from her to do what they needed. Right now I at least can see if she is still in the castle. I tear some cloth off the taters of my robe. I wrap it around my head over the spying left eye. It will have to do for now.

  “Isn't the injury on the other side?”

  I look to the voice, it's a little person with wings flying in the air. Pink curly hair with cat ears and tiny red horns…like Rin's. And a white tail with green black streaks in it. No legs but two sets of arms.

  “It's not white, you're just blind, idiot.”

  “Clearly, it's white.”

  “How sad to be colorblind. It's as white as your tail, flower and blood.”

  My blood, I look back to my hand…none there. There should be some, my hand should be covered.

  “You didn't shed a drop, just the eyeball.”

  What am I? The flying pixie just shrugs at me. She tilts her head at me.

  “You're starting to look rather ashen there.”

  But I don't have any crystals. It's undead mana, right? I walk up to the tree. Sorry. I channel the coldness into it. The tree withers and dies. Its needles are released and I am showered by them. Ahhh, I cover my head as my body feels the prick on my skin. I try to brush them off only to find them stuck to me. Resin or sap.

  “Same thing.”

  “It’s not, one is for healing the other for carrying sugars.” Its resin.

  “All sounds like blood to me.”

  “Thought you were working off my memories.”

  “I am, I just thought it funnier to annoy you.”

  I glare at the creature. Her tail is fully white now.

  “You're still colorblind, idiot.”

  I frown, I start walking further south. Covered in pine needles.

  -----

  I felt the many souls before I saw the city. It was walled. I felt the barrier as I walked through it. Clingy. I look at the pixie. She fades away. I start to panic.

  “Still here, idiot. Just stealthy, transparent.”

  I wish I could do that. I just hear giggles in a space near my head. I head towards the gate. There is a line. I join the queue. It's slow going.

  -----

  “Behind me, [Princess].”

  I look to the Elf.

  “Of course, sorry.”

  I turn to the side as he walks past me. Once again I am at the back of the line that keeps growing. That keeps pushing me back. I sigh. A dwarf comes up behind me. He has a rather large monster in a cart behind him. Perhaps I am saved. Surely no one would try to skip ahead of him. As if to prove me wrong another Elf approaches. She says the same as the others. I step aside. I look to the dwarf.

  “You should just go ahead of me as well. I have no ability to stop their demands.” I say in [Common].

  “You got feet don'tcha?”

  I tilt my head.

  “They all have shins. Just give a good quick kick. They only take advantage ‘cause you let ‘em.”

  “But what of etiquette…”

  It's his turn to tilt his head.

  “Girlie, I don't know if you noticed, but you're not in polite society. You're in shin kickin’ society. I'll demonstrate.”

  He lets go of his cart, as another Elf comes up.

  “Behind me…ahhhhh fuck.”

  The dwarf had done as advertised, “Oy, tired of watchin’ you all pick on pine needles over here.”

  “Pine needles…” I murmur.

  “Ain't got a name yet, most distinctive thing bout ya other than the violet flower and the eye coverin'.”

  “Violet…but it's white…” I murmur again..

  “Bah, the Elf is blind to her own ornaments. Here I thought you picked it cause it matched your skin.” The Dwarf exclaims.

  I look at my very white skin…I need a purification. Do I? He thinks my skin is violet as well.

  The hopping Elf has finally settled and starts on the Dwarf.

  “Now listen here, lesser vermin.”

  The dwarf just tilted his head, clearly not understanding [Quintarl?ne].

  “You. You know their guttural. Translate for me.”

  I kicked him in the other shin. There is a snap and he falls over. The Dwarf winces.

  “Mayhap a little less strength on the shin kickin’. Gone broke him.” The dwarf grabs the Elf ankle. He radiates mana and the Elf stops bawling.

  “Aw good as new, that be a small silver.”

  “What did he say?”

  “He said you owe him a large silver for the healing.”

  The Elf pales, he throws the coin to the Dwarf and scampers to the back of the line.

  “Lass, don't be misrepresenting me.” The dwarf chides me in [Quintarl?ne] as he flips the coin to me.

  I look at him confused, he responds. “Eh, Elves don't like hearin’ their words from anyone who don't look like ‘em. Lookin’ like you need the coin more than me either way.”

  “Thank you.”

  He grunts and the line moves.

  -----

  “A [Princess]? Didn't think the bitch of the capital let them out this young.” The Elf guard looms over me.

  I start to shudder.

  “Jinalin, she's clearly the runaway.” The opposite Elf guard admonishes.

  “No way, clearly some other [Princess] that's nearly fourteen soul days old and silver hair with a distinct white flower on her head. In you go, ‘not the [Princess]’ everyone is looking for.”

  I slowly creep by as they watch me. I don't understand. When I pass the gate they simply engage with the Dwarf. I stand in the street unsure what to do. The Dwarf trundles his cart up to me.

  “Goin’ to stand there or keep walkin'.” He chides.

  “Sorry, I'm lost and don't know what to do.”

  “How’s that my problem? Right now, my problem is someone blockin’ the road.” He gruffs out.

  I move to the side, “Sorry.”

  He trundles forward then stops and sighs, “Come along pine needles. You need a new title.”

  I follow the Dwarf.

  -----

  “Name.” The bored Troll receptionist asks in [Common].

  Uhhhhh, “Sar.” He writes down something longer than Sar.

  “Age?”

  “Thirteen.” More writing.

  “Ain't goin’ to ask where she's from?”

  The Troll rolls his eyes, “Only one place produces Elf [Princess]es.”

  I frown. But if I can replace my title, that at least will be good. He places a stone in front of me.

  “Alright touch the stone, you step back. ‘Stone Cleaves for Profits’, you know the rules.”

  The Dwarf backs away, grumbling “Right, right.”

  I touch the stone.

  Tier 1 : Kitsune lvl 1, 52 - 352 stat point unassigned.

  Titles: [Laughing Demon Sanguine Head Priestess] [DiQueen]

  [Strength] - 100 [Constitution] - 100 [Intelligence] - 100

  [Agility] - 100 [Presence] - 100 Soul - 2

  [Perception] - 100 [Mental Fortitude] - 100

  Languages: [T3:English] Intermediate 9 [T5:Magical Math] Basic 8 [T3:Common] Intermediate 9 [T3:Quintarl?ne] Intermediate 9

  Spells: [Cover] 1.0 [Alt Cover] 1.0 [Light Ray] 1.0 [Water Ray] 1.0 [Hot Water Ray] 1.0 [Cold Water Ray] 1.0 [Lightning Water Ray] 1.0

  Converts: [T4:Convert Arcane to Soul Mana] Competent 6 [T3:Convert Arcane to Blood Mana] Advanced 9 [T3:Convert Arcane to Void Mana] Competent 2 [T3:Convert Arcane to Light Mana] Basic 1 [T2:Convert Arcane to Mental Mana] Competent 9 [T2:Convert Arcane to Fire Mana] Intermediate 3 [T2:Convert Arcane to Water Mana] Basic 1 [T2:Convert Arcane to Dirt Mana] Apprentice 3 [T2:Convert Arcane to Lightning Mana] Basic 1

  Magic: [T5:Necromancy Magic] Intermediate 1 <[T5:Body Morphic Magic 2]> Competent 6 [T3:Soul Magic] Apprentice 2 [T3:Sustainer Magic] Intermediate 2 [T3:Illusion Magic 2] Intermediate 5 [T3:Blood Magic 2] Basic 8 [T2:Void Magic] Basic 9 [T2:Mental Magic 2] Basic 2 [T2:Light Magic] Basic 1 [Fire Magic] Competent 4 [Dirt Magic] Apprentice 9 [Water Magic] Basic 1 [Arcane Magic] Basic 1

  Strength Skills: [T3:Strength Training 3] Apprentice 1 <[T2:Sword Arm 2]> Competent 2 [Yowl] Competent 3 <[Strong Grip]> Competent 1 <[Strong Lungs]> Intermediate 1 [T2:Throw Knife 2] Basic 7 [Pull] Apprentice 3 [Throw Rock] Competent 1 [Desperate Strength] Basic 3 [Mining] Intermediate 3 [Hold Ground] Basic 1

  Agility Skills: [T3:Craft Textiles 3] Apprentice 4 [Cooking] Intermediate 8 <[Running]> Intermediate 9 <[Light Step]> Intermediate 1 [Fire Tender] Competent 2 [Sewing] Intermediate 8 <[Dodge]> Apprentice 9 [Knife Hand] Basic 1 [Acrobatics] Basic 1 [Quick Step] Basic 3

  Perception Skills: <<[T5:Attention to Detail]>> Advanced 8 [T4:Soul Mana Sight] Competent 1 [T3:Life Mana Sight] Competent 5 [T3:Light Mana Sight] Basic 2 [T3:Void Mana Sight] Basic 1 <[T3:Permenant Blood Mana Sight]> Intermediate 2 [T2:Mental Mana Sight] Competent 9 [T2:Fire Mana Sight] Apprentice 6 [T2:Wider Vision] Basic 9 [Arcane Mana Sight] Competent 9 [Identify] Competent 2 [Herbalism] Apprentice 3 [Scent Memory] Intermediate 5 [Sense Emotion] Apprentice 6

  Constitution Skills: [T3:Resist Crush 2] Intermediate 9 [T3:Blood Alcohol Intolerance 2] Apprentice 8 <[T3: Resist Heat 2]> Apprentice 4 [T3:Resist Blunt Force 2] Basic 1 [Resist Cut] Intermediate 6 [Resist Venom] Intermediate 6 [Resist Pierce] Competent 6 [Tough Skin] Basic 9 <[Lesser Stanima]> Competent 1 [Resist Cold] Basic 3 [Bottomless Stomach] Apprentice 2 [Triage] Basic 4 [Alcohol Tolerance] Apprentice 9 [Second Wind] Basic 8 <[T3:Embrace Thirst 2]> Basic 1 [Resist Poison] Basic 1 [Resist Sound] Apprentice 8 [Resist Bright] Basic 1

  Presence Skills: <<[T10:Permanent Soul Sense]>> Apprentice 6 [T2:Acting] Basic 7 [Atlas Noble Etiquette] Intermediate 2 [Cea'Nila Noble Etiquette] Competent 2 [Tell Lie] Apprentice 6 [Mana Aura] Intermediate 7 [Aura Sense] Competent 3 [Horror Aura] Basic 8 <[Voice Control]> Competent 1 [Aura Control] Basic 1

  Mental Fortitude Skills: <<[T3:Resist Mental Attacks 2]>> Apprentice 3 [T3:Resist Drain Mana 2] Apprentice 3 [T2:Resist Life] Apprentice 7 [T2:Drain Mana 2] Basic 1 [T2: Resist Void] Basic 4 [Resist Fire] Competent 9 [Resist Curse] Intermediate 1 [Resist Lightning] Apprentice 3 [Resist Water] Basic 3 <[T3:Embrace Bliss 2]> Basic 1

  Intelligence Skills: [T5:Magical Programming] Basic 9 <[T4:Mana Manipulation]> Competent 7 [T2:Two Separate Minds 2] Apprentice 5 <[T2:Blood Regen 2]> Basic 3 [Imbue] Intermediate 8

  Combo Skills: [T4:Enchanted Embroidery 2 Agi 2 Int] Apprentice 2 [T3:False Soul Pre 1 Int 1 Exp 1] Apprentice 5 [T2:Status Screen 1 Per 1 Men] Intermediate 2 [T4:Shape Metal 2 Str 2 Con 2] Basic 2 [T3: Magical Metal Etching Str 1 Agi 1 Int 1] Competent 7 [T2:Alchemy 1 Agi 1 Int] Basic 4

  Earned Titles: [Laughing Demon] [Maxwell Attendant] [Apprentice Blacksmith] [Laughing Demon Adventurer] [Basic Mage] [Laughing Demon Sanguine Head Priestess] [DiQueen]

  My body trembles as I stare at the purple words. “What is this?”

  “O a status screen. Could you swap it to [Common]. Wait before you do.”

  He places a screen between me and the rest of the adventurers. He nods.

  “I don't know how to.” I murmur.

  He rolls his eyes, “Just think about the [Status Screen] being in [Common].”

  I do, the words shift. He starts to write then stops.

  “Your race is different and you're not a [Princess]...and already an [Adventurer]. Is this a test? Are you here to evaluate me? Fuck.” He rings a soundless bell. The door opens to a Lamia woman who looks rather annoyed.

  “Phrancis, I swear I will dock your pay if you bug me over some inane crap.”

  The Troll points at my screen. The Lamia looks from the screen to me. Her face scrunches.

  “You in my office. You too, Stone. I see you slinkin’ away.”

  “Fark.”