This is a daily reminder: You have 28 unallocated stat points

  You’re going down daily reminder. I amuse myself. I only had the rabbit dream last night. I was expecting it and a skeleton memory but maybe the undead have no memories. Not like I could ask anyone. Pardon me sir, you look smart, can you tell me if ye ole skeleton over there remembers I owe ‘em five small coppers. It be right helpful if he forgot. I go out and down to the bar to help the lamia barkeeper.

  “Hi, I'm Scratches, the guild master said to come and assist you with breakfast.”

  “Qwerty, you can deliver the meals and bus their plates. Any tips are mine.”

  I shrug, not like adventurers tip. If I was saddled with a child I would be annoyed she was taking my tips too.

  “Um, an interesting name you have there.”

  “An inherited came to my village and prevented a tragedy, my mother offered him naming rights to her first born. I bear my name proudly.”

  I keep as straight a face as possible. I get an acting level for my face strain. The morning rush goes smoothly. My party showed up and I chatted between deliveries.

  “We brought your box, you still haven't told me what weighs a ton in there.”

  I roll my eyes, open the box and point to the braid.

  “I thought you were joking about that.”

  I just shake my head and deliver more plates.

  “So how long are you stuck in the hall, Cat?”

  “Until I can get my second title slot.”

  “Are you ever going to be able to leave?”

  I drop off more plates, then collect some more.

  “I'm actually just one level away, I've been sitting on some levels.”

  “Aw, is the cat afraid of a mental fortitude headache.”

  Xerc is being annoying. I go to drop off the plates in the kitchen.

  “Ya, it's the headaches I fear.”

  You have gained [Tell Lie] Apprentice 4

  Presence raised to 79

  Phenolp raises an eyebrow at me. I retreat to pick up more meals for adventurers. She asks a question as I pass by.

  “Any idea what you plan to focus on to level?”

  “Was hoping to learn life magic actually. I cut up my foot in the dungeon last night.”

  “How that happen?” Xerc asks between bites.

  “I stomped down on a skull.”

  “But you're wearing boots.”

  I release the illusion on my feet long enough for him to see that I am barefoot. He gives a wince at the thought of bone shards in one foot. I continue busing plates.

  -----

  I approach the receptionist desk.

  “‘Fraid I can't help you with any requests, hun.”

  I shake my head, “I was just wondering if I could talk to the guild master.”

  She motions to the door, “You're more than welcome to knock on his door, hun.”

  I thanked her and went to his office. Knocking on the door promptly summons Thane.

  “Anything I can assist you with, Scratches?”

  “I was hoping you could teach me how to use life magic.”

  “Ah, well to be honest, no. Don't get down, I will summon an instructor from the mage guild. Usually, you're supposed to go to them, but consider this my apology to you for throwing you into the crypt without proper warning. Go head to the back room.”

  I nod and head on over.

  -----

  I didn't have to wait long. Thane ushers in mother and Marcene in again. I get Marcene but why mother? It doesn't matter, I am at Cecelia's feet waiting for my hug. She obliges.

  “You were not lying about her having cat ears.”

  I playfully swipe Marcene with my tail. She is shocked to see it's not an illusion.

  “So what did you eat this time?”

  I blushed, “A yetna tiger, I manage to become a tier three adventurer.”

  “I heard, congratulations sweetie.”

  I smile. Wait, who would she have heard it from? Maybe Thane said something on the way here.

  “So I understand why Marcene came but how were you able to come mom?”

  Marcene answers, “I can't very well be going around with expensive pure rods without a guard my dear.”

  “Pure rods?”

  She opens a case, “These are pure rods, they are used to make arcane into the various advanced types. Today we are going to try to get as many of them into you as possible.”

  My eyes widen, it usually takes me a while to learn a convert. Fire was not easy.

  “O don't worry dear, you're meant to watch the rod make the mana to help speed it up. Now then as requested, the life pure rod. Eyes bright now, dear.”

  She hands the rod to mother, I tilt my head even as my white cat eyes flare on.

  “You're the most compatible with your mothers mana dear, it will speed this along if we don't have to wait for you to acclimate.”

  I watch as mother places the rod on my chest, then I watch the arcane become life mana. She only leaves a small amount in my chest but it already feels like mine. I repeat the process and add to it with my own, when I make it twice its size I get a notification.

  You have gained the skill [Convert Arcane Mana to Life Mana] Basic 1

  Convert Arcane Mana to Life Mana - the ability to create Life mana from unaspected mana

  Basic - the ratio is terrible

  Mental Fortitude raised to 109

  I give a smile, “I got it.”

  “That took me hours to learn.” Thane is moping.

  Marcene pokes him, “You had less stats than she did and it was your first convert. I don't think you even had arcane eyes.”

  “My daughter's perception minor boon has been magnified by [Attention to Detail], she may very well have spent hours studying this magic just now.”

  Thane pales at the thought, I just shrug.

  “So what's next?”

  “Since you took so well to the previous, let's try light.”

  She exchanges rods with Cecelia.

  “Please dissipate the previous patch dear, I always felt it easier to learn these in our center.”

  I nod and do as mother asks. I watch as the mana forms, it's bright and light. I repeat the same process as before.

  You have gained the skill [Convert Arcane Mana to Light Mana] Basic 1

  Convert Arcane Mana to Light Mana - the ability to create Light mana from unaspected mana

  Basic - the ratio is terrible

  Mental Fortitude raised to 113

  I nod and then disperse the mana.

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  “Excellent, now then the next is void, a note of …”

  Thane stands up, “You're giving her the entire triumvirate? Are you mad?”

  She looks annoyed at Thane, “You already know she has a permanent arcane core and her rise will be meteoric, why would I not give her all three.”

  “Thats exactly why, you're saying she will have the time to master three master class magic, after already working on one advanced already. You're going to cripple her progress. Her focus should only be on three magics at most. We only have so much time.”

  Marcene is looking down on Thane, “That is where you are wrong Thane, of all of us in the room, Scratches is the most likely immortal. It is best she has as broad a base as possible. I will not stop until she can do them all.”

  Thane loses strength in his legs and collapses in his chair. I, myself, am on shaky legs. Immortality is just another word for sorrow. I will have to bury every person I know. I think to the possible lives I will bring and perhaps there will be solace in rearing elf hybrids.

  “Ready dear?”

  Mother has the next rod, I nod and I feel the empty space open in my chest. It is by far the oddest sensation. I watch void be made, a contradiction as void always exists. I add to the void and it grows.

  You have gained the skill [Convert Arcane Mana to Void Mana] Basic 1

  Convert Arcane Mana to Void Mana - the ability to create Void mana from unaspected mana

  Basic - the ratio is terrible

  Mental Fortitude raised to 117

  I dissipate it, ha, removing the void. I nod again.

  “Before we move on a word of caution, do not attempt void constructs, they are fundamentally the opposite of solid matter. Anything you attempt to touch with the void will be pulled apart, the void is meant to be between things.”

  I nod, void touch bad, for the one being touched.

  “Alright, that's the tier threes, let's go with dirt next.”

  Ah now I can sling mud at Barbain. Mother gives me a look and I nod. The mana is gritty and solid, almost the opposite of the feeling of void. I follow the process as before.

  You have gained the skill [Convert Arcane Mana to Dirt Mana] Basic 1

  Convert Arcane Mana to Dirt Mana - the ability to create Dirt mana from unaspected mana

  Basic - the ratio is terrible

  Mental Fortitude raised to 120

  “Good, now than water? I do believe you already know not to make any sights out of these till you progress your perception, yes?”

  I nod, no blurry life for me again. Mother puts water into my chest. My memories of Sencea bursting her organs make me shudder. I almost miss the process but those same memories guide me in creating more water.

  You have gained the skill [Convert Arcane Mana to Water Mana] Basic 1

  Convert Arcane Mana to Water Mana - the ability to create Water mana from unaspected mana

  Basic - the ratio is terrible

  Gain 2 exp

  “And last is lightning. A personal favorite.”

  “You are not to wield lightning as you saw Marie, Sa…Scratches.”

  Heh, she almost said my name, I almost wish she would. I watch the lightning form, its electricity tingles, I wonder how possible it is to make circuits in this world. Nevermind, I forge myself lightning as if I am Zeus himself. Or was that Hephaetus?

  You have gained the skill [Convert Arcane Mana to Lightning Mana] Basic 1

  Convert Arcane Mana to Lightning Mana - the ability to create Lightning mana from unaspected mana

  Basic - hey Zeus, the ratio is still terrible

  Gain 2 exp

  My mental fortitude section is getting bloated. Almost feels like what it was when it wasn't sorted.

  “Good on ya dear, that went faster than I hoped.”

  I frown, “We've been in here for hours.”

  Mother nudges me, “Maybe for you dear, but it's only been thirty minutes for us.”

  O right, Marcene breaks me out of my stupor.

  “Alright Scratches, do read your mage hand book, it has exercises for all mana types, and possible magic schools you could gain. O and I notice you don't have your mana aura out, do keep it on, never know when unconsciousness can sneak an attack on you.”

  She gives me a smile but I just shudder at old memories. Mother shoots an annoyed look at her.

  “O and one last thing.” Marcene has something more to add, “You are young and may not understand this but you are not to be injecting your mana into others as a way of teaching them. Your soul greatly out classes your peers and you will inadvertently change them. Think on how bad it would have been if you were still tier one when you mixed yourself with an iron horned rabbit.”

  I pale at the thought, would I even have been able to get close to a hundred strength without the threshold increase. Another shudder. I nod.

  “Good, you understand.”

  I approached mother after that. I would of prefered to level later but her comfort is better than waiting.

  “Will you hold me while I do another level?”

  She nods and removes her breastplate. I climb into lap, she winces but endures my weight. As I put my chin on her shoulder I open my mouth and take in her scent. I'll never forget. After I do, I give a side eye at Thane. Marcene and Thane both see this, Marcene quirks an eyebrow, Thane just looks away. I move four more mental fortitude over, and whimper.

  You gained lvl 3

  Presence raised to 83

  Mental Fortitude raised to 125

  Soul raised to 164

  I hold her as long as I could, but it's never long enough. We separate and her breastplate goes back on. They nod and head out the door. I forgot to ask about my grandmothers again. Thane stays behind.

  “I still think you should focus on only a few schools.”

  I nod, “For now I will focus on life, with how much I change, being able to diagnose myself will be needed. But there is something else I need to discuss with you.”

  He grows nervous, “What is that?”

  “How long have you been fucking my mom?” I deadpan.

  “By the system, Scratches.”

  “O don't act like I don't have hundreds of years of memories in me, now out with it, how long.”

  He grows embarrassed, and murmurs as if I can't hear everything, “After your last meeting with her.”

  “Ah, so who initiated, and I do hope you enjoy her true gloriousness.”

  He blushes even harder, good, “We kinda both stumbled into asking the other to go out for drinks, she wanted to thank me for the reunion, I wanted to learn more about your situation. Things grew from there.”

  Well now I know how mother got my news. I wonder if he told her that he sent me in blind. Doesn't really matter, if it becomes more great, if it doesn't well I hope mom enjoys herself all the same.

  “Alright, well that's all I wanted to ask.”

  “Wait, is that it? I would have thought you more protective.”

  “Guild Master Thane, you are courting a Maxwell, whether it's a fling or something more is between you two. If you hurt her, am I the greatest of your worries there?”

  I give him a big toothy grin, I may have had my mental eyes on. He pales a bit. With that I leave him to his thoughts.

  -----

  I head into the kitchen and make some food. Then I take care of some of the dishes back log. Qwerty thanks me for the help and I head back into my room.

  I gently get onto my bed, the hell if I am paying to replace a bed by jumping on it. The bench was bad enough. After getting comfortable I open my magic handbook. It required mana to even part the pages but I see nothing on them. Perhaps it's about intent. I focus on knowing more about life magic. The pages flips to an introduction on mental magic. I frown at that. I suspect I may have used mental to give my intent. Perhaps it's simply a question of using the proper mana type then. I create life magic and push it into the page. Ah now it's an intro to life.

  Life magic is primarily used as healing magic, possible combat applications revolve on disrupting the opponents body. Disrupting? Am I to use life to give my opponent cancer? I turn the page, still fueling life.

  You have gained the skill [Life Magic] Basic 1

  Life Magic - the manipulation of life mana

  Basic - ah now mother will be proud, at least until you give someone cancer

  Gain 2 exp

  Huh, the book itself trains the magic. Neat. Let's see, best ways to train. Instead of forming life constructs, it is better to choose a resist and cycle life magic through created wounds, thus training up two aspects of yourself. When utilizing life magic focus on connecting with the soul and having it guide the life magic to repair damage. The better you can commune with the soul of the individual the better the healing. I closed the book.

  Alright, I think the best resist to work up right now is whatever my toe claws do. I know I am going to hurt myself with them sooner or later. I sit cross legged and generate some life magic. Then I scrape my foreleg with one of my claws. Gah it stings. No resist, I focus my life magic in the area as I try to commune with my soul. There is a bit of blood but the wound seals. No scar, I smile, got enough of those.

  You have gained [Life Magic] Basic 2

  Gain 2 exp

  I use my water rod to lift the blood. I look around and see nowhere to actually put it. Eh waste not want not, I chuck the blood into my mouth. It's delicious, like no better have I ever had. That was a mistake, the fact that I know my blood is delicious makes me worry about smelling others. I had been ignoring the tiger memory of tasting it before as just a difference in species but now I know I enjoy human blood, or is it iron rabbit blood, blood comes from bones right? I just cradle my head. Totally rabbit blood, let's go with that, rabbit blood. I made another gouge.

  You have gained the [Resist Cut] Basic 1

  Resist Cut - the ability to resist cuts

  Basic - your bone marrow is still human

  Gain 1 exp

  I shudder, then the pain reminds me the wound is still open. I focus on cycling the life mana. It seals and I lift the blood again, I search for a better solution. There is a basket, I can just throw it in there and incinerate it later. I am standing over the basket, my hands feel clammy. I open my mouth and the blood goes in there and not the basket. I try to spit it out but I can't, I swallow instead. My body warms.

  You have gained [Soul Etching] Basic 8

  Gain 10 exp

  You have gained the skill [Blood Drinker] Basic 1

  Blood Drinker - allows absorption of power through the blood of others

  Basic - are you getting thirsty?

  Gain 1 exp

  Damnit, I didn't just nosferatu myself… did I? The damn system is not being very helpful. System what does power through the blood of others even mean.

  When imbibing the blood of others you will get a temporary portion of their stats, you gain, they lose. Should the blood of the one consumed die any temporary stats become permanent. As you are already devouring their souls, you cannot gain soul this way. No double dipping, cause that's gross.

  Are you thirsty yet?

  Well fuck, the system has a help system after all. I am getting kinda peckish. Fuck. It's fine, I just have to abstain. Just like with necromancy. System keeps messing with my head. I'm going down for a drink … for food damnit.

  -----

  I see that the dinner shift has started, and I greet the bartender.

  “Hey, I'm Scratches and I am here to help.”

  “Qwerty told me about you, my name is Robert, I think what you were doing for qwerty works for me”

  ? Croman Bartender

  Green and white feathers. Wonder if its always white insides with different tips. I nod to Robert and start the dance once again.

  In between delivering meals I get a chance to eat myself. Still three meat meatloaf with random green. I finish my plate, happy that it's possible now. Since I can talk to Robert, I ask for a little more. He obliges and bottomless obliges too.

  You have gained [Bottomless Stomach] Apprentice 1

  Apprentice - you now have a second stomach just for blood, its limitless

  Gain 2 exp

  I just want to slam my head into the table.

  “Are you alright there Scratches?”

  “Sorry Robert ya, my skill tier up feels like they're trying their best to upset me. I'll get back to moving dishes.”

  The night continues, no additional tiers happened. When I went to bed I worked some more on life and resist cut. I got another skill up in each and convert. And two more in blood drinker.