Luke studied all five skills.

  [Earth Ball (Common)]: Compacts earth particles into a heavy sphere. Upon impact, it breaks apart in a solid collision, scattering fragments that can slightly destabilize the target.

  [Water Ball (Common)]: Forms a sphere of pressurized water. When it hits, it bursts with concussive force, briefly throwing off the target’s balance.

  [Wind Ball (Common)]: Concentrates wind energy into a light, fast-moving sphere. On impact, it detonates into a short gust that pushes the target back and causes shallow cuts from compressed air.

  [Shadow Ball (Common)]: Condenses shadow energy into a small sphere of dark flame. Upon striking the target, it erupts into black sparks that burn corrosively, inflicting mild damage over a short time.

  [Light Ball (Common)]: Gathers radiant energy into a bright sphere. When it bursts, it releases a heated flash that injures and can temporarily blind the target, leaving their vision flickering for a few seconds.

  A ranged attack, finally.

  It was not powerful on its own, but it was useful, and more importantly, it was different. Among the options, his choice was obvious.

  [You have acquired the Witch Class Skill: Shadow Ball]

  As he raised his hand, Luke felt the energy flow into his ring. Above his palm, a sphere of mana began to form. It resembled the mana orb he had once devised himself, but this one darkened as it took shape, its form shifting. The color deepened, tinged with violet, like black fire laced with shadow.

  Luke pointed his hand. The Shadow Ball launched toward the wolf’s corpse and detonated, releasing an eruption of black energy that burned like flame.

  “It’s kind of like a fireball,” Charlie commented.

  “A very interesting power, my lord. Congratulations,” Angie said.

  “It’s just a weak starter skill.”

  “Every achievement of yours is worthy of my admiration.”

  ***

  They continued through the forest. At one point, several creatures began to emerge from the ground.

  [Earth Worm Hatchling - Level 12]

  Luke raised both hands and activated his magic.

  Shadow Balls formed in quick succession, floating above his palms. He fired the first, which exploded against the creature. He kept walking as he shot, each impact blooming into black fire.

  [You have slain an Earth Worm Hatchling - Level 12]

  **[You have reached Level 58! Half-Demon (Rank E)] (+2 bonus point to all attributes, +5 free point)**

  [You have slain an Earth Worm Hatchling - Level 12]

  [You have slain an Earth Worm Hatchling - Level 12]

  I only needed a bit of experience to push my race level up. And with that, I added another ten years to my lifespan.

  He kept moving. In the distance, he spotted a group of boars and fired again.

  [You have slain an Earth-Ripper Boar - Level 16]

  [You have slain an Earth-Ripper Boar - Level 14]

  He walked on, energized, hurling spheres without slowing down.

  **Your second class [Witch] has reached Level 6!**

  “Sorry, Angie,” Luke said. “I got carried away. I should have left those for you.”

  “It’s fine, my lord,” she replied, looking down at a fallen worm.

  ***

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Luke sat in front of the campfire, watching the flames twist and crackle.

  “They could’ve taken me with them,” Artemis complained.

  “No one’s taking you along for a bath,” Luke replied flatly. “Everyone knows your personality. And your real intentions.”

  Angie and Charlie had gone off to wash, cleaning the grime from their bodies and their clothes.

  Beside Luke, a cauldron was finishing a potion. Whenever the journey slowed, he always did the same thing. He tended his plants or worked on brewing. He brushed his fingers against the bracelet he had bought from the post-tutorial shop. At his touch, the image of his pocket dimension unfolded in the air before him.

  Inside were his precious plants, all of them. The ones he had nurtured back in Maine, and the ones he had cared for during the voyage by ship. The pocket dimension appeared in miniature, but he could still interact with it, turning the soil, watering the leaves, keeping everything alive.

  **You have successfully created a potion!**

  **Your profession [Guardian Botanist of Mother Freya] has reached Level 72! (+5 Strength, +3 Agility, +4 Vitality, +4 Intelligence, +12 Free Points)**

  He glanced back at the cauldron. The liquid that had once filled it to the brim had evaporated exactly as intended. Less than half remained now, but it was still a healing potion.

  Luke carefully poured the contents into every vial he had on hand. The batch yielded four successful flasks.

  [Potion of Healing (Common)]: A healing potion that restores 1003 HP.

  “A few more potions done.”

  He had allowed himself to take damage in several fights, just to test his Rank E regeneration factor. It wouldn’t mend broken bones, at least not quickly, but a potion gave it a strong push. Beyond restoring HP, it temporarily accelerated the body’s existing healing process.

  Charlie and Angie returned from where they had gone.

  “If everything goes well, we’ll head to the city tomorrow morning,” Luke said casually.

  “I wouldn’t mind going today,” Charlie replied. “Even with my Blood Core running low.”

  “Keeping you properly fed is the best option.”

  Luke had to feed Charlie without leaving himself dangerously depleted. He was giving her 15 Blood Energy per day. She spent 10 and kept 5 in reserve. In return, he lost 1,500 HP each time. He could recover 1,000 HP with a potion and leave the remaining 500 HP for his regeneration factor to handle. He had determined that every 24 hours, his body naturally restored 500 HP.

  He was preparing himself to lose 5,000 HP in one stretch, enough to give Charlie 50 Blood Energy. The only reason he hadn’t done it earlier was what he discovered through testing. The lower his HP dropped, the harder his body struggled to recover, and natural regeneration slowed for a while. Losing 1,500 HP per day was the safest method.

  “You don’t have to worry about me that much. I… I don’t want to hold you back. And I can always sleep inside your soul,” Charlie said quietly.

  “But I do worry,” Luke replied, staring at the potion in his hand. “And I like having you by my side. Your presence is comforting.”

  He didn’t want his friend to feel burdened by what she was.

  Charlie, however, dropped whatever she had been holding and fumbled in place.

  “What’s wrong?” he asked.

  “N-nothing,” she said quickly.

  Luke looked at Angie. There was still the matter of how she would be received in the city. Even with her wings magically hidden, her skin was still gray. Setting that concern aside for now, Luke stored his potions back inside the spatial necklace.

  “It smells good, Charlie. What did you make?” he asked, watching her pull something out.

  She lightly patted a fallen log, inviting him to sit, while holding a plate in her hands.

  “Cake,” she said.

  “Cake?” He took the plate.

  “A cake made with dried fruit, honey, butter, milk, and flour. Simple things I bought for the trip. It’s also called traveler’s cake because it’s easy to make over a campfire with a single pot.”

  He broke off a piece with his fingers. It smelled sweet, rich with honey, and felt soft to the touch. Charlie sat at the other end of the log. Luke took a bite, and the piece melted in his mouth.

  “This is really good, Charlie. It’s delicious.”

  She smiled with unmistakable pride. At the same time, she began inching closer to him while still seated, sliding along the log in a strangely careful way whenever he looked away.

  He kept eating. “You’ve got real talent in the kitchen.”

  When he glanced to the side, she was suddenly sitting very close.

  “You really liked it, Master Luke?” she asked as she watched him finish.

  “I did.” He set the plate beside him.

  “Do you want more cake?” she asked. “I have more pieces for you.”

  “I’d love to.”

  Charlie picked up the plate again, smiling brightly. “I knew you would like it, Master Luke. How many pieces do you want? A hundred?”

  “A hundred? Ah… just one more will do.”

  ***

  The city was close now. The forest had thinned, and the road ahead was busy with people and passing wagons.

  Angie walked beside Luke, wearing additional gear.

  [Stalker Crocodile Chestplate (Uncommon)]

  Description: Crafted from the hardened hide of a Stalker Crocodile that once fought fiercely against a demon. Plain in appearance, but offering exceptional physical resistance. A durable chestplate suited for heavy melee confrontations.

  Requirement: Level 8+ in any class or race.]

  [Pugilist Knight’s Helmet (Uncommon)]

  Description: A pugilist once trusted in nothing but his fists, until a clash against a demon ended in tragedy. The demon’s clever servant tore off his helmet, leaving him exposed. All his strength meant nothing in the face of a single careless moment.

  Enchantments:

  [Iron Shell (Uncommon)]: Reinforced against blunt force trauma. Reduces physical damage from punches, strikes, and concussive blows. Provides increased protection in close-quarters combat.

  Requirement: Level 8+ in any Fighter-class.]

  They were old pieces of equipment Luke had kept in his system inventory, items that had once belonged to Charlie. Now that Angie had reached class level 8, she could finally use them. At that level, new skill options had appeared, and she had already made her choice.

  https://discord.gg/znGSjCxhkR