Chapitre 10: Plans change
Taking a break from hunting for the rest of the day, I headed to the Ankorian public library.
"Join the line and pay your entry fee at the front desk," a small woman barked. 'She's shorter than the desk itself, is she a mixed-race person? Whatever at least now I know that that's a thing here, and considering her position, that they're of near equal or equal standing with the native humans.'
"Entry 1 gold for a day?" 'That seems kind of expensive does it not? After all, a sword is only 5 gold. Well, I suppose they have to make a profit somehow.'
*Gold remaining 53*
The library, though large, with 3 stories of texts, ranging from historical scrolls, entertainment such as novels and poetry, and factual texts on monsters, lore and classes. 'The former Fionn studied the beasts religiously, so I should be fine in that regard. What I need is to understand what is a normal standard of growth and power, especially if I'm going to Noksal. If I stand out from what is expected from mortals, I'll be easily recognised by the smarter deities. Therefore, if I can study the classes I can also be on the lookout.'
Pulling down "A general understanding of class blessings," I find a desk and begin reading finding myself shocked as I read. "Common classes, such as warriors, barbarians, clerics and wizards, receive 3 stat points per level in addition to a bonus 5 points when they receive the class at the blessing. However, Rarer classes such as elementalists, druids and psychic channelers, may receive 5 or more stat points per level, in addition to their bonus 5 which is why most, but not all, of the top-ranked hunters are rare-class holders."
'Wow, the Devour skill has definitely given me the advantage against mortals. Though a rare class is generally specialised, they would have garnered 20 points since awakening, however, most would have awoken in better condition than I. My progress is, at a glance, around a rare-class level, I should be careful with showing my stats and physical capabilities, as it would arouse interest from the mortals and suspicion from the old gods.' Deciding to have a look at the Noksal academy's information, I pulled out a history text detailing the school. Scrolling down the content list, I murmur, "entrance ceremony, entrance ceremony, entrance cer.. here it is." Eyes panning across the text I learn a worrying piece of information.
"The record for the highest levelled applicant into the freshman class of Noksal academy is level 8," 'While my hunting speed will slow drastically at 5th, as I push towards F-rank, I should have been able to hit level 6 by the end of this week, and maybe levels 8-9 by the end of next week, though it would require hunting a lot of F-ranks. This means I'll have a fair amount of free time next week as I don't want to be any higher than 7th by the exam day. High enough to be in class A, but not breaking any mortal records and standing out like an idiot.'
Having learned the basics of the common classes, I head home, seeking the comfort of a bed. My comfort eludes me, however, as I spot a note, slid under the door so that I would see it. The note's paper quality revealed its sender, and after reading the note I turned around and headed out the door again.
Spotting Ophelia at the nearest cafe to my house, dressed in a colourful summer dress, both impractical and new to me. 'If you wore that back home you'd have frostbite in minutes.' However, for an "afternoon snack" as the note described, she was overdressed in my opinion, a result of her nobility I'd assume. Though hopeful, I was prepared to convince the teenager to remain my healer, however, the adaptability of humanity presented itself to me through her.
Seeing me sit down, she rushed to say her speech, fumbling over them. "Th-thank you, for saving us. I couldn't have stopped Hermes and if it wasn't for you I'd either be dead or, even if Benji captured Richard, dealing with economic and social attacks from our political rivals. I don't think I'm ready to take a life yet, but I won't get in your way when the circumstances require it."
"I must admit, Ophelia you surprise me."
"My naivety is holding me back. I realised that when I considered what you told Benji here yesterday. What you said to him came true. We were robbed, and while we froze at the idea of fighting against people, you saved us. I can't hold the same disregard for life that you maintain, I'm a healer after all, but I need to get stronger. I have to." A moment passed when I wasn't sure if she'd finished or was about to burst into tears, but then it passed, her face painted with a smile. "So tomorrow let's team up again."
The next morning, without our barbarian, Ophelia and I crept through the forest, staying firmly within the G-rank area of the forest. Hunting grorms, though slower for XP, was a decision I made due to our missing member, and the need to protect the healer from sudden ambushes. The worms, solo predators as they are, were perfect for this and provided an easy target for Ophelia to practise the accuracy with her crossbow.
Cutting through another grorm's body, the innards of the beast now beginning to freeze I reach 5th.
*Ding! The user has reached Level 5. The beginner's bonus has been removed.*
*New Skill Received*
"What?? What bonus?"
*Devour now requires additional hearts to increase stats. Stats from 20-49 will require 2 hearts from creatures of the user's rank, or 1 from creatures above the user's rank.*
'Okay, that's not as bad as I had expected. And I had anticipated the devour skill would require more and more rare monster hearts.' "Status."
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All-Consuming Beast System
Name: Fionn Meldor
Level: 5 (G-rank)
XP: 01/250
Health: 140/140
Stamina: 110/110 (regen 1 per minute)
Class: Fenris
Stats:
Strength: 17 Agility: 20 Stamina: 11 Constitution: 14 Charisma: 6
Hunger: Locked
Skills:
Breaker of Chains Lvl 2: (Passive)
The host has significantly enhanced resistance to all physical, emotional and mental restraints and is immune to restraints attempted by beings up to 4 levels higher than the host.
Devour Lvl 1: (Passive)
The host can gain stat points by consuming the hearts of his prey.
Barely a Scratch Lvl 1: (Active)
The host has developed a monstrous self-healing factor. When this skill is activated, the user is immobilised and restrained from taking actions, however, will regenerate 1% of their maximum health per second until the user's stamina bar runs out, or the skill is deactivated. (Uses 30 energy + 20 per 5 seconds)
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While the new skill would prove vital, I questioned whether the immobilisation effect of the skill would have any effect. 'Currently, I can safely heal 70% of my health, without ending up burnt out like Hermes, running on fumes and vulnerable.'
Deciding to push forward, I let Ophelia kill the next creatures until she too hit 5th, hoping for her to develop a more effective healing spell.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone