This is a daily reminder: You have 24 unallocated stat points
No strange dreams this time. I groan as I sit up, it's hard. I check my notifications. Seems resist crush is down to one gain a day now. I might have to ask the guild master to monitor my shifting of organs. I check my cores and see mental is almost full. Arcane still bottomed out from feeding the mental core.
I turn my mental eyes to full and look at my family ring. I see the workings but it's all a bit much to understand. Perhaps if I just focus on a small change. With that in mind I walk over to my door and sit against it, effectively being a six hundred pound doorstop. Then I will the illusion off. I kinda miss the lavender skin but I don't dwell on it. I want to remain as close to what mother remembers of me, just taller with her figure but my waist.
I will the ring to change the color of my fingernails. I watch closely. Then with my nails back to grey I use my own mana to change the color. In the shaping of the mana I keep noticing my imperfections and adjust them. It takes awhile but finally the fingernails are black. So very goth.
You have gained the skill [Illusion Magic] Basic 1
Illusion Magic - weave mental magic to fool the senses of others
Basic - purple a better nail color
Gain 2 exp
I have to agree. I try to think of the best way to level the skill. I decide to have both my minds make different nail colors. One hand per mind. I get to apprentice by the time my core is exhausted.
You have gained [Illusion Magic] Apprentice 1
Apprentice - your illusions take half as much mana to maintain
Gain 4 exp
You gained 4 unallocated stat points
I narrow my eyes at the additional four unallocated stats I gained as well.
I will my ring back on and have it set my nails to purple. My waddle feels less now. That something. I'm out of breath by the time I reach the bar. The elf is back.
“Good morning.”
I tilt my head again. His soul is more than half way through tier one.
“Um you said breakfast was served right.”
He just sighs and nods. “I'll bring it to you.”
I smile and thank him. I find myself a seat. When he brings me my food he sits down opposite of me. I try to dig in but he starts speaking.
“I know you can understand me, why are you ignoring me?”
I tilt my head at him again as I chew. He reaches for my ears, the earrings. My eyes widen, I blow half my arcane reserve but I say one thing.
“Stop.”
He does. I get up and walk to Antiquarian.
“The elf just tried to assault me, is the guild master here?”
She looking at me and the still frozen elf. “Didn't realize you were a mage, hun.”
Damn must have heard the compel, not like there was any other explanation for the frozen elf.
“The guild master?”
“O right hun, sorry.” She shakes a bell, but it doesn't make a noise. Thane emerges from his office.
“Is there an issue?”
“Scratches just compelled the barkeep.”
I grip the bridge of my nose, “At least say he attacked me first.”
“He is breathing, right?”
“Umm I think so, I mean you can't hold yourself in that pose without breathing.”
Thane looking at the ceiling again, “Go in the room again, I'll bring him when he comes free. Don't give me that look, I'll make sure he doesn't touch you.”
“Can you bring my breakfast too? It's getting cold.”
He glares me into the room but he did bring my plate.
“Now what is this all about?”
The barkeep starts to speak, “Why are you doing this, how dare you compel me. You're just a child, I don't care how warped your tapestry is, you are clearly only on your second life.”
I tilt my head again, this enrages the elf, he tries to stand before Thane places a hand onto his shoulder.
“If you keep talking in anything but [Common], I will be ejecting you from the guild.”
He huffs and then turns to Thane.
“She is an elf and clearly without parents, is it wrong to try to make sure she is safe.”
“My [Identify] clearly says human.”
This annoys the elf, “She is wearing an elf trinket that changes her race and hides her ears.”
“Is that why you attempted to lay your hands on Scratches?”
“Only to remove her earrings, she compelled me.”
I interrupt the conversation, my food is getting cold and I prefer to not risk eating in arms reach of the elf.
“So you believe I need your protection?”
“Of course you are a child who is yet to even reach ten years.”
I narrowed my eyes and looked at him, “This child just locked you in place for ten minutes with a non name compel.”
I had turned my mental eyes to full as I said it. My cat eyes boring into him. He pales. I put my eyes back to dim and start eating my food.
You have gained the skill [Intimidation Aura] Basic 1
Intimidation Aura - Allows you to project a menacing aura
Basic - You grew another inch last night
Presence raised to 57
Aw Barbain, I'm ready to help you gain aura sense. She doesn't hear me and my eggs are cold. Maybe I've crossed into believable nine territory. I sigh.
“I can't have you provoking adventurers Pletu, you'll need to find employment elsewhere.”
“I demand a name”
“Didn't you hear him, I'm Scratches.”
He leaves in a huff.
“You certainly live up to your—”
“Don't say it, he might still hear you.”
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“Scratches the walls are sound proof.”
“And there is a gap between the floor and the door.”
He widened his eyes at my retort, then looked at the door frame, considering.
“Might have to hire a good hearer to see if we can test some sound block enchants.”
He is looking at me when he says it, I just keep eating.
“Scratches, to vocalize a compel you demonstrated having at least competent mental magic. I have not received a notice from the mage guild about you being evaluated, nor is there a note in your file.”
I shrug, slowly fitting more eggs into me.
“Are you not going to get evaluated?”
“Would they use a soul status stone on me, and require me to turn off my jewelry?”
“Of course.”
“Then there is your answer, I don't need the scrutiny."
He flicks an eye to the door. I sigh. “I can't hear his footsteps anymore, unless he dumps all his stats into perception I am probably close to his level or better.”
“I saw your actual level before, exactly how many levels are you sitting on?”
Right, a tier 2 individual could never stay at level one forever. Their cores would push them forward. Well my cores did, maybe most who tier up don't have easy core levels.
“Scratches.”
“Seven.”
I get my bottomless skill, always a struggle. Thane looks like he wants to ask a question. I raise an eyebrow.
“Why aren't you leveling?”
“I had to push my cores to ignite them, I'm letting my soul rest before I start setting it on fire again, you do realize I get four soul per level currently.”
He pales at that, “Cores?”
“The hundred major soul boon is a permanent arcane core. Is there a reward for providing new information for the handbook?”
Thane is looking at the ceiling, massaging the right side of his face with his hand.
“I would have to send a sworn testimonial from you, didn't you say you were avoiding scrutiny.”
Fair enough. Since he is already here I should ask him to give me that check up. But before I can ask he starts speaking.
“Scratches, it's possible Pletu will report you, the guard won't do anything but they will be asking why there is an unregistered mental mage in the guild.”
I close my eyes, damnit.
“Can you give me transfer papers to another guild then?”
“What Scratches no, we just need to get you registered.”
“But—”
“Scratches, what are you trying to hide?”
I look away from his eyes. He just sighs.
“I Thane, [Yetna Adventurer Guild Master] vow not to harm nor reveal what I learn of Scratches today without her express permission.”
You have been given a vow of confidence and peace from [Yetna Adventurer Guild Master] Thane
“Now out with it.”
I murmur, “I have a true name, it shows up on my status screen.”
“I thought your family knows you're here.”
“Baron Anvar knows there is a Sara Maxwell that directly witnessed him paying slavers to boost his son.”
Thane sucks his teeth into a hiss at that.
“I don't understand, why are you not hiding with your family then?”
I look at him, daring him to question my resolve, “My family couldn't protect my grandmother, I will claim my own title.”
He murmurs four soul per level.
“I see you understand my problem and goals fully. I can't talk to my family at all till then.”
I feel sad at that, he mirrors the look back at me.
“You still need to be registered.”
I groan at that.
“If I can guarantee confidentiality, will you do it?”
I nod.
“Wait here.”
-----
When the door opens again, mother is there with Marcene and the guild master.
“Here the adventurer that Pletu reported, she professes to have just gained the ability to use compels.”
Thane closes the door. The moment he does Cecelia rushes forward and tries to lift me into a hug. It doesn't work out for her. Her yelp of pain from wrenching her back made me panic.
“O system, mom sorry I ate an iron horned rabbit an’ now I weigh way too much.”
She puts a hand on her lower back, straightens up, then bends her knees and lifts me into a hug anyways.
I hug her back. Her breastplate in the way as always.
“So why are your bones mostly magic iron?”
Magic iron? Nevermind.
“[Soul Eater] ate an iron horned rabbit.”
I released my illusion ring. She looked me over.
“Teeth and nails too. The hair as well.”
“Don't forget her digestive tract.”
“At least I was able to get rid of the fur.”
Cecelia barks out a laugh.
“You started growing fur?”
“It was really annoying, it burnt all my body's fat reserves.”
“I can see that.”
Marcene clears her throat, “I hate to break up the hug and all but we don't want to draw suspicion.”
She places the soul status stone on the table. “You'll need to physically remove all your jewelry before you touch the stone.”
I take off my two rings, my pendant and my elf earrings. Then touch the stone.
Tier 2 : Sara Maxwell Chimera lvl 1, 11 - 28 stat point unassigned. [NOTIFICATIONS]
Title:[Voiceless Tier 2 Adventurer]
[Strength] - 64 [Constitution] - 98 [Intelligence] - 140
[Agility] - 67 [Presence] - 57 Soul - 142
[Perception] - 88 [Mental Fortitude] - 97
Languages: [T3:English] Intermediate 9 [Math] Intermediate 8 [T3:Common] Intermediate 1 [T3:Quintarl?ne] Intermediate 9
Boosted skill: [Resist Mental Attacks 2] [Strong Lungs] [Permanent Soul Sense][Unselected Agility Skill] [Unselected Constitution Resist Skill] [Unselected Intelligence Magic Skill]
Strength Skills: [T2:Strength Training 2] Basic 3 [Sword Arm] Competent 4 [Yell] Apprentice 7 [Strong Grip] Apprentice 4 [Strong Lungs] Competent 4 [Throw Knife] Basic 7
Agility Skills: [Embroidery] Intermediate 6 [Cooking] Intermediate 6 [Running] Competent 9 [Fire Tender] Competent 2 [Sewing] Basic 9 [Light Step] Basic 7 [Craft Textiles] Basic 5 [Dodge] Basic 1
Perception Skills: [T5:Attention to Detail] Apprentice 1 [T2:Mental Mana Sight] Competent 9 [T2:Fire Mana Sight] Basic 2 [Arcane Mana Sight] Competent 8 [Identify] Basic 8 [Herbalism] Basic 5
Constitution Skills: [T3:Resist Crush 2] Competent 7 [Resist Blunt Force] Intermediate 6 [Resist Pierce] Competent 6 [Resist Heat] Apprentice 5 [Tough Skin] Basic 9 [Lesser Stanima] Basic 5 [Resist Cold] Basic 3 [Bottomless Stomach] Basic 5
Presence Skills: [T10:Permanent Soul Sense] Basic 3 [T2:Acting] Basic 4 [Atlas Noble Etiquette] Intermediate 2 [Tell Lie] Apprentice 2 [Mana Aura] Basic 1 [Aura Sense] Basic 1 [Intimidation Aura] Basic 1
Mental Fortitude Skills: [T3:Resist Mental Attacks 2] Apprentice 3 [T2:Convert Arcane to Mental Mana] Competent 7 [T2:Convert Arcane to Fire Mana] Basic 3 [Resist Lightning] Apprentice 3 [Resist Water] Basic 3 [Resist Fire] Basic 6
Intelligence Skills: [T4:Mana Manipulation] Basic 6 [T2:Illusion Magic] Apprentice 1 [Mental Magic] Competent 1 [Parallel Mind] Basic 7 [Fire Magic] Basic 4
Soul Skills: [T10:Soul Etching] Basic 5 [T2:Mental Mana Core] Competent 5 [T2:Permanent Arcane Mana Core] Competent 4 [Pariah Aura Manipulation] Apprentice 8 [T0:Soul Eater] Competent
Combo Skills: [T2:Status Screen 1 Per 1 Men] Competent 7 [T2:Shape Metal Str 1 Con 1] Basic 9
Earned Titles: [Voiceless] [Junior Attendant] [Apprentice Blacksmith] [Voiceless Tier 2 Adventurer]
Marcene had me touch my stats to show their boons. That soul doesn't show any which is surprising but works in my benefit since I had the int major as well. She nods then speaks in a clear tone.
“I certify that adventurer Scratches qualifies as a Basic Mage.”
You gained the title Basic Mage
Basic Mage - you have been registered at the mage guild hall for possessing basic magic aptitude. Gain One additional Intelligence and One additional Mental Fortitude when leveling up
O my system, I just realized I left off the s on boosted skills. I fix that right away, sigh, closer to perfection.
“Scratches, you are required to display your mage class as one of your titles.” Marcene intones.
“I'll need to put my jewelry back on to do that.”
She nods and I do as she asks.
“Can I ask what the criteria is for being declared a Basic mage?”
“Of course, competent in a magic school and mana manipulation. The only reason I didn't evaluate you higher is that being an apprentice mage would just make you a target.”
“And why’s that.”
“Apprentice requires an aspected core.”
Oh everyone would know I had at least fifty soul then. But damn I'm going to miss out on stats.
“I see your frown but it will be for the best, when you get to a combined forty levels we will talk about re-evaluation.”
“You know Scratches, you appear to be doing the guild tier up requirements backwards.”
I arch an eyebrow, at Thane.
“Tier four requires a mage title.”
And tier two race is for tier five. I am going backwards.
“It looks like you are progressing at a good pace towards father's requirement. How are your cores at the moment?”
“I emptied them out an hour ago.”
She frowns at that, “Niece, do provide some mana for your daughter's continued development, I like to see father's face when his impossible task is completed.”
Mother gives me a hug from behind me, her warmth encompasses me. She gives more than she should and my reserves are nearly topped off. It gets my mental back to forty percent. With that I was about to ask a question, but more warmth flows into me. My arcane is brought back to sixty. I look at my mother with worry.
“I'll be fine, I just got my own core recently. I can only draw from it for now but a mother should indulge her foolish daughter.”
I smile and nod at her, tears forming. I murmur a thank you. Another throat clear reminds us that we shouldn't idle. I ask a question before they leave.
“Whats the most efficient way to level my illusion and manipulation?”
Marcene puts a finger to her chin, giving my question a thought. “Given the size of your core, make an illusion that takes up your current regeneration and hold it for the day. That should take care of the illusion half. Use your arcane reserves to make arcane constructs, they don't hold as much weight as mental does but you can make them off your aura which will work manipulation more. O and before I go, here is your mage handbook, don't try to open it until you finish your training. It uses mana to be opened and read.”
After the door is open, mother speaks up as well, formerly this time, “Adventurer Scratches, you are not to use attack magic on others unless in defense or training situations. Testimony was given by eyewitnesses that you acted with both restraint and in defense of yourself. Do your best to keep your head down.”
“All those rules are in the book too, come visit the mage guild when you get a chance, dear.”
I smile and nod as they go, I wanted to ask about my grandmothers. Thane remains and closes the door.
“Thank you guild master for helping me.” My tears flow as I finish my gratitude.
