When the commanders gathered he didn’t waste any time. While he had no actual knowledge of tactics and strategy he knew some things that were important for any kind of battle. For the rest he would rely on the commanders of his army to carry them out for him, this was after all their duty and passion. Standing in the middle of them he told them his plan, his words coming fast but he never stumbled over a word.

  “I saw the army approaching and it’s closing in on us, we need to prepare now. Get the troops ready to move, here in the dunes we can’t fight at all, the undead might have disadvantages but we have those too.

  We can’t fight up and down the slopes of the dunes. So we march to the left from here, there is an open field that should serve us well as a battlefield. It's large enough for twice the numbers we have now. Send some scouts and a few mages with earth related powers there now. They need to manipulate the ground, harden it and construct a berm to hinder the enemies movement, have them prepare spikes as well, growing them directly from the ground should be the easiest. Alright go!. ” he pointed to a lieutenant of the Brammgestir, who sprinted away towards the mages, his massive body barreling a way through the tents.

  “Next, get the troops ready, leave behind what we don’t need for the battle. Non-combatants should flee, as far away as they can, if we get defeated they need to pull back to Journey’s End, have a Brammgestir with them that knows the way.” The next officer threw a quick salute and ran off.

  Ethan took a deep breath and grabbed his staff in a white knuckled grip. “I trust all of you in this fight. Not only with my life but those of all the soldiers here. They’re in your care, we don’t fight for our safety alone, we’re more than just soldiers because we protect two entire races from the undead horde.

  I don’t want any of you to die in this needless war but we will fight for our lives or die trying, either way this is the last battle we waited for. It’s not in our favor but I know we can win, move out and get everything into motion! I need to do one more thing and then I will join you on the front, take all behemoth lizards and put them into combat gear, we need to be ready yesterday!”

  All of them nodded and left, no words were needed at this moment because those wouldn’t change anything at all, now only actions counted. Kra’kulgar lingered for a second before turning away, talking to the lizard that carried Ethan all this time in their hissing language. The beast gave Ethan a sad look and left with the general.

  Ethan sat down and crossed his legs, the staff held in front of him as it sunk a few centimeters into the ground. Nora looked down to him and they shared their thoughts, Ethan discussed the classes with her. He didn’t know what he should pick if he was honest with himself so he relied on her guidance once again. Their thoughts exchanged so quickly, words moving so fast, faster than Ethan would ever speak but thoughts needed no break.

  We both know Ethan, you won't pick the [Deformic Frostweaver] and the [Frost Battlemaster]. They don’t feel like you, they’re too far away from your main class. I know how much you dislike some features of your class and making people deformed monsters or into slave drones to fight for you seems against your nature.

  He nodded and rubbed his chin while going over the last three options. I must admit the [Frost Hemorrhager] sounds interesting but first off I don’t even know how it works, how can frost inflict bleeding? Also not all enemies bleed so it’s only really effective against living targets. A shame we’re once again fighting against the undead in this battle but let’s look further.

  Nora nodded quickly and focused on the next class, recalling the information while sharing her thoughts. The [Frostblight Plague Mage] sounds like it would be good in large areas but I don’t know how good you can control the mist. It sounds like the environment will be affected greatly and not only our enemies, do you want to turn every fight into a poisonous swamp?

  He sighed and rested his chin in his palm and looked at the ground. “I feel like this isn’t earned in any way. The experience, the levels, I just cast one ritual and now I can pick a new class. Like before with the plague orb I made, it feels so forced. Like I need to grow in levels, I understand that but why so quickly. Maybe the tutorial forces us to reach a certain level to survive back on earth? The Wight King makes it even worse, who knows what will happen in the fight? I don’t feel like I’m walking my own path but that of someone else.”

  Then something happened that Ethan didn’t expect, Nora jumped from the staff and bit his hand, her long fangs digging deep into his flesh. With a scream he jumped up and shook his hand out of reflex but she didn’t let go of him, her fangs embedded into his hand. Venom pumped into his veins and he felt his arm go numb, the pain slowly vanished. He knew someone else would have died but they shared so much that her venom couldn’t kill him, after all it was also based on ice and frost.

  “Dammit Nora! Let go of me! Why are you biting me!” he screamed and grabbed her tail trying to pull her off, but she just wrapped herself around his other hand. Like living handcuffs she held them in place so he couldn’t use his arms or grab his staff to do anything. Then she finally spoke to him again, her voice filled with annoyance.

  I never met such an intelligent man but also such a stupid man at the same time. You wield magic like it’s child's play. Something that shouldn’t be possible with someone newly integrated, you challenge yourself and think outside of the box. I saw you kill a fire giant with a spear made from ice, how you wielded plagues and frost together.

  This world is just a tutorial but you conquered it yourself so far, this is your path to walk and no one else. Nobody made you pick the classes, the skills, the actions you took are your own. So what if somebody boosts you with opportunities? You can walk away right now and never look back but you stay, you rise to the challenge.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Diplomacy and leading armies when you’re a wizard? You say you hate it but Ethan you can’t lie to me, we’re two and also one. I feel what you feel. You love this world, you love the power it gives you, you love the challenge. So for the love of Ouroboros stop acting like a child and fight or was your speech only empty words and broken promises?

  Lead the army you gathered and fight against the Wight King, you should start with that as the beginning of your own path to the top.

  Ethan just sat there in stunned silence, she never talked so much and usually kept to herself, but now he knew she was watching him. Nora observed every action while keeping in the background and now she scolded him like a child and if he was honest, he totally deserved that.

  While he still had doubts he looked over the classes and in the end he picked the last one. He didn’t know if it was the right choice but he let his feelings decide, they were guiding him and for once he felt that the decision was truly his own. His eyes moved to the notification that appeared.

  *Update* Subclass upgraded - [Plague Mage] -> [Frostrot Revenant]

  [The Frostrot Revenant is a master of rot, expertly combining the frigid essence of winter with the inevitable decay of life. This class wields the power of corruption, strong enough to diminish even the hardiest of foes while maintaining control over the effects of their magic. With abilities that can spread through the battlefield and influence not only living beings but also incorporeal beings to some degree. The Frostrot Revenant embodies a chilling harbinger of mortality that spreads dread among their enemies. +8 Intelligence +8 Wisdom +2 Free Points]

  *Update* Following skills are gained:

  [Necrotic Frost Aura(Special)]

  [The Revenant can summon an aura that radiates frost and decay in a large area around them. Allies within the aura gain enhanced abilities, such as increased damage to foes, while enemies suffer ongoing frost damage and have weakened defenses due to the grasp of decay.]

  [Cycle of Decay(Advanced)]

  [With a ritualistic focus such as inscribed crystals or natural treasures, the Frostrot Revenant can enhance the control over their energies. They can choose to strengthen or diminish the effects of their frost and decay spells for a limited time, allowing them to either unleash devastating power or mitigate damage dealt to allies or themselves in a cycle with them as the focal point.]

  [Creeping Death(Advanced)]

  [This spell allows the Revenant to send out tendrils of frost-infused energy in a serpentine pattern across the battlefield. As these tendrils reach targets, they inflict frost damage while laying the groundwork for decay. Enemies struck by this spell have a chance to spread the effects to other nearby targets, creating a chain reaction of chilling rot.]

  [Icy Plague(Expert)]

  [As a powerful ultimate ability, the Frostrot Revenant unleashes an overwhelming wave of decaying energy, creating a vast area of freezing rot. All enemies within the area suffer immediate massive damage from both frost and decay, with ongoing effects that sap their resilience and health. The Revenant retains the ability to influence the spread of this energy—strengthening or shutting down its effects on enemies based on their needs.]

  *Update* Synergy found…attempting to merge related skills:

  [Aura - Winter’s Domain(Special)]...lost!

  [Necrotic Frost Aura(Special)]...lost!

  Skill created:

  [Aura - Domain of Necrotic Winter(Special)]

  [The Revenant summons a powerful aura that radiates frost and decay across a vast area around them. Within the radius of this chilling aura, everything is initially slowed down, and prolonged exposure causes creatures and objects to begin freezing. Once frozen, their movement is significantly hindered, leaving them vulnerable to attack. Allies within the aura experience enhanced abilities, gaining increased damage against foes, while enemies suffer ongoing frost damage and have weakened defenses due to the relentless grasp of decay. As time passes, the influence of the aura intensifies, creating a formidable battlefield where the Revenant commands the chilling power of winter and decay.]

  *Update* Synergy found…attempting to merge related skills:

  [Creeping Death(Advanced)]....lost!

  [Eternal Chains of Ice(Advanced)]...lost!

  Skill created:

  [Eternal Chains of Frostrot(Expert)]

  [Gifted with eternal ice, the wizard harnesses unbreakable chains that form the core of their abilities, serving as powerful tools for offense, defense, and crowd control. With a spell that unleashes tendrils of frost-infused energy across the battlefield, these chains ensnare foes, inflicting frost damage while simultaneously laying the groundwork for decay. As enemies are struck by these chilling chains, they risk spreading the effects to nearby targets, creating a devastating chain reaction of frost and rot. Only those stronger than the wizard can free themselves from this entrapment, making it a formidable combination of immobilization and relentless decay.]

  *Update* Skills lost due to redundancy:

  [Plague Creation(Advanced)]

  [Weaken immunity (Advanced)]

  [Frost Plague(Advanced)]

  [Frost Plague Caltrop(Advanced)]

  [Frost Poison(Basic)]

  It was so much Ethan didn’t even know what to say, in just a few weeks he rose from a simple mage to a wizard and now even a so-called Frostrot Revenant, why the weird title he didn’t know but it felt powerful and he was certain this was the right choice. While he was just fascinated by all the things the system did Nora pulled back from his hands and let go of him before he could even ask.

  That was also the right time because the next moment he heard the deep sound of horns getting blown, the enemy army was here. Without another thought he grabbed his staff and summoned a cloud. He wasted enough time already, cracking his neck. He jumped on the cloud and glided over the dunes towards his army. This was the point of no return and he would embrace it!