Not investing his free points was the biggest mistake Ethan made so far, nothing else seemed to compare at this moment. He didn’t even check his status while waiting all that time in the goblin camp. Maybe he got five levels, maybe ten? He certainly didn’t know. While running he couldn’t think about his own stupidity, the ogres while slower than him made up for that in being fucking big!
Each root Ethan stumbled over or branch he needed to avoid the ogres instead just barreled through like it wasn’t even an obstacle. While staring straight ahead he pointed his palms behind him and used his magic to summon caltrops, like tiny stars that dropped to the ground like a spiky blanket they covered the path behind him.
Nora turned his head to look behind them while Ethan focused on running. It seems like they just walk over them like it’s nothing Ethan, you can stop using your mana, he cursed and tried to make wide turns while running between the trees, changing directions multiple times during his escape. DUCK! Nora screamed into his head, so loud that he stumbled and fell on all fours, before he could curse her out he saw the tree shooting right over his head like some makeshift spear.
Scrambling forward on hands and feet he managed to find his footing and continue his mad dash through the undergrowth. He even managed to shoot two ice spikes towards the ogres, while the first missed by an arm’s length the second one hit the leader straight into the throat, but the ogre just casually pulled it out and crushed it in his large hand.
Ethan thought about his options and to no one's surprise there wasn’t really anything he could do besides running. Nora was also out of ideas. So Ethan decided to look at his stat even during this time.
Instead of watching the whole list he just wanted to know his new level and how many free points he had. The system listened to his demands.
[You killed multiple enemies of varying levels - You gained experience!]
*Update* You reached Level 9! Stat points allocated! Free points received!
He had 8 points to work with and even if he was on a higher level he was still a basic mage with terrible HP and stamina but he knew, putting all into more health wouldn’t help him at all in this situation. He invested three points into dexterity, bringing it up to 15. One point in vitality for an even 20 and two points each into wisdom and intelligence.
Stats
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 12->15
Vitality: 19->20
Wisdom: 25->35
Intelligence: 25->35
Perception: 12
Willpower: 12
Free points: 0
He could feel his stamina replenish and his mind growing sharp again, the increase more notable this time. He gained 28 points with these four levels. It didn’t sound like much but it certainly helped him now, instead of summoning caltrops again he turned around and covered the narrow path in ice spikes, his limit increased once again. Twelve of the arm long spikes shot from the ground but instead of flying into the ogres they formed a stayed firmly planted in the ground.
The rather stupid ogres just stepped onto them and while most of them broke off, three managed to pierce the leader’s foot and make him stumble a step back, right into his two companions. Without waiting Ethan ran as fast as he could, watching the ogres hit each other while arguing in a language he couldn’t understand. It seems their attention span was as short as their temper and soon he could hear them hitting each other. The whole thing sounded like a war zone with trees breaking, as they used them as makeshift weapons.
Ethan managed to escape, barely and now he wanted nothing more than to rest somewhere safe. Stopping next to a tree he caught his breath and rubbed the sweat from his forehead when he got an unexpected notification
[You assisted in killing Ogre - Level 7 | You gained experience!]
*Update* You reached Level 10! Stat points allocated! Free points received!
*Update* Sub-Class available, choose carefully!
Ethan just shook his head, he didn’t know if he was lucky or unlucky but in the end it didn’t matter. Nora pointed him towards a rather large tree that had some kind of cave under it. Exhausted Ethan followed her directions and he killed the two rabbit like beasts inside and threw them a good distance away into the forest before crawling into their large burrow. A wave of his hand made his magic act, freezing the entrance shut.
He leaned back against the dirt wall and opened his notifications.
*Update* Sub-Class available!
Because of your choices up to his point the system generates five possible paths for you. Choose wisely, sub-classes can not be changed!
Mystic trapper - You don’t use mundane methods to catch your enemies, versed in the art of magic you set traps with help of the arcane. +2 strength +2 dexterity +4 perception
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Martial artist(Staff) - You picked up the staff as your weapon of choice, balance and superior reach favor you. +2 strength +4 dexterity +2 health
Warcaster - You’re born to fight, your weapon is the arcane while your foes tremble before your magical might. +2 vitality +4 intelligence +4 wisdom
Plague Mage - Poison is the weapon of thieves and alchemists, but you use the power of magic to weaken and kill your enemies. +4 intelligence +4 wisdom +4 willpower
Mana channeler - You continue to test your limits and break your body down only to rebuild it stronger. Mana is your path and you will walk it to the end. +5 intelligence + 5 wisdom +2 willpower
Ethan looked over all the different options and told Nora about them. She thought about it but was as clueless as he. Ethan remembered Ouroboros' words and tried to reach his patron through telepathy. But no matter how hard he concentrated he couldn’t do it.
Nora tried it too with significantly more luck, because the next moment they sat in the garden again. This time sandwiches and iced tea in front of them.
Ouroboros looked over his newest follower, the young hatchling Ethan. He looked better than last time, his eyes cold and dangerous, the dirty robe, damaged hat and makeshift staff gave him the look of a wanderer on his long journey.
Satisfied he looked over to his daughter, one of millions but still of his blood. He gently touched her head with his pale fingers and smiled. “It seems you two became friends rather quickly but I guess that comes from the situation you two are in.” he sipped his iced tea and looked at Ethan again, his blood red eyes burning with internal fire.
“Congratulations for reaching Level 10, a milestone you could say because it’s the most important step in a person’s path. Do you know why we choose a sub-class this early Ethan?”
Ethan shook his head and gulped down the glass of tea before speaking, his voice sounds hoarse from the long time he didn’t use it, telepathy was much more convenient for him and Nora. “No, I don’t as you already know the system doesn’t give you a handbook.”
The god laughed and nodded. “That’s the painful truth but we pick a class this early because it needs to grow, just like your main class it sticks with you throughout your path. Tell me about your choices.”
So he told his patron about all five of them, his voice nearly back to normal once he finished with the last one. Nora slithered from his arm at some point to drink some juice and devour the sandwiches on the table. Ouroboros thought about it before asking Ethan another question. “Say, what did you enjoy so far, was it using those caltrops? The poison you gained? Maybe our little fight?” he tilted his head and looked Ethan up and down.
So far the young mage didn’t really think about it, the fight was okay but he was worried about close quarter combat, it didn’t feel natural to him. The caltrops were a great idea but he only did it for the poison.
“I must admit, the poison caught my interest, the fact that it does damage over time and requires some preparation and strategy intrigues me. Of course I could pick mana channeler and just use my poison with that but it feels like it would move into a different direction. Same goes for Warcaster, it sounds like something for the frontline, a place I certainly don’t wanna be.”
“Then it’s easy or not? Plague Mage should be your pick, I can see your hesitation, it’s the name right? Plagues are no laughing matter, depending on your power you can wipe out whole planets but not on your level. Also it’s possible, for lack of a better word, to put an emergency stop into your magic that dissolves the magic.”
He reached towards the plate but found it empty, he raised an eyebrow and the next moment the plate was full once again. He grabbed one and took a big bite.
“What your class will do is give you options, more mana for casting, willpower to overcome your enemies resistances and of course AoE and DoT effect, when we use the terms of your planet.”
Ethan nodded along during the explanation and with one last look at Nora, who gave him a nod, he picked the Plague Mage class. The next moment his vision got blurry and he nearly blacked out. Slowly his eyes adjusted and he let go off the table. He saw Nora curled up into a ball, some of her scales now shining in an ice blue, her eyes even more piercing and fierce.
“Oh? Your eyes changed, how curious.” A mirror hovered in front of Ethan, showing the slit pupils of a snake, his iris a mix of icy blue and white that covered his whole eye, only the slit pupils seemed to suck in light with their utter darkness.
“I look like some kid that watched too much anime and really wanted contacts…” he sighed and shook his head. Nothing he could do about it now right? Instead he checked his notification.
*Update* Sub-class acquired - Level 1 Plague Mage(Advanced) - Poison is the weapon of thieves and alchemists, but you use the power of magic to weaken and kill your enemies. With the help of the arcane you’re able to cover large areas with your magic. How you deploy your poison and venoms is up to the caster. Plagues can be tailored to their purpose.
Effectiveness, infectiousness, target, aggressiveness and dormancy, lethality or weakening can also be adjusted.
You gain +4 intelligence +4 wisdom +4 willpower each level!
“That’s very customizable if you ask-” before he could speak another message appeared.
*Update*
Following skills are gained:
[Plague Creation(Advanced)]
[Plague Rain(Advanced)]
[Weaken immunity (Advanced)]
[Frost Poison(Basic)] -> [Frost Plague(Advanced)]
[Ice Caltrop(Basic)] -> [Frost Plague Caltrop(Advanced)]
“-me. Damn that class is no joke huh? Well I’m kind of excited now.” Ethan smiled and looked at Ouroboros. “I wanted to ask, why are you even allowed to interact with me like this?”
His patron smiled. “Oh I’m not, even though the gods responsible for the tutorial tries to force you back but I’m a bit stronger.” he grinned. “But now you should go, experiment and then crush those goblins. I hope you get something good for your class next, mage sounds kind of basic now huh?”
With a wave of his hand Ethan found himself back in the cave, a smile on his face. “I think we need to find some easy prey right?” Without delay he unfroze the entrance, using magic felt easier with each stat point invested. He was still scared but felt a lot better after his talk with Ouroboros and his new class. Now, it was time to hunt.
