Chương 243: Tahlin

Once Michael handed Jotdarra to the guards he was awarded with a small reward and went back to his inn room, deciding to hit the hay and leave everything else for tomorrow. Of course, he still had his training with his teachers to attend to first... Along with seeing his progress with his Anti-Mage Spirit.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Name : Michael Hunt

Rank : Hero

Stats :

Strength : 23 > 24

Agility : 42 > 43.4

Intelligence : 26

Abilities :

[Gandalfr] : Enables user to utilise any weapon at two ranks above their current proficiency while granting them the knowledge necessary to use them. While wielding a weapon, temporarily gain +100% in all stats.

[Language Comprehension] : Enables user to understand all spoken tongues, and increase the rate of which they learn reading and writing.

[Basic Mana Manipulation] : Allows user more control over his magic, spells, and some abilities. Mana efficiency and control of power is increased.

[Pain Tolerence] : Allows user to endure great amounts of pain with little to no negative effects as a result.

[Novice basic Swordsmanship(Two handed swords/One handed swords)] > [Apprentice basic Swordsmanship(Two handed swords/One handed swords)]

[Novice basic Dagger techniques(Single edge, curved, straight, double edge.)] : Determines how skilful the user is when handling daggers.

Affinities :

[Lesser Water Affinity], [Lesser Fire Affinity], [Lesser Lightning Afffinity], [Lesser Darkness Affinity]

Spirits :

Commoner Tier :

Shadow Shaman : MAX

Slark : Lvl MAX

Riki : Lvl MAX

Hero Tier :

Anti-Mage : Lvl 14 > 17

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

His Anti-Mage had leveled up to 17, which is great, but the most noticeable thing is Michael's basic swordsmanship skill, which had improved from Novice to Apprentice. This is probably what he felt while facing off against that bear, the sudden change of proficiency made him feel like Neo from the Matrix in that moment. Not that he was complaining.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Spirit : Anti-Mage

Level : 14 > 17

Abilities :

Mental Fortitude (Rank 3) : Grants resistance to mental attacks that gets stronger when against magic.

Mana Break (Rank 4) : Burns the mana of any target struck, dealing damage to them based on how much mana is burned.

Blink (Rank 4) : Short Range but fast teleportation. Less range when unable to see location.

Counter Spell (Rank 4) : Provides passive magic resistance, can be activated to form a shield for a short time that blocks and reflects any single target spells cast towards the user.

Mana Void (Rank 2) : Attacks an enemy and deals damage to them and their surroundings based on how much mana they are missing.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

His anticipation was getting the better of him to be honest, three more levels to max made him tempted to head straight for the closest dungeon, ignoring his other responsibilities. It could wait for now though, he doubted Anti-Mage and his female companion would be all that huge a change once they were able to interact with him.

He levelled his Mental Fortitude twice and Mana Void once, inwardly looking forward to using the latter on a cocky, idiotic mage.

With that confirmed, he turns the pages and accesses his Spirit's realms, starting his nightly training first with Shadow Shaman.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Huuaghk!" Michael yelps as his Achilles tendon's are cut by the swift purple assassin, his legs seize as he drops the dagger and falls onto his back, Riki cockily placing a hoof'd foot on Michael's chest. "Awful. But not as bad as when you first started, you're improving. Though, with what you've told me of the outside world, you'll be needing every ounce of my expertise soon enough." the assassin adds.

Michael groans as his ankles burn from their crippling injuries, barely listening to his teacher, "Whaddya mean?" he murmurs, half-attentively.

Riki shrugs, "What? Did you not think that those thieves would be looking for payback? Organisations like that run on reputation, fear, and consistency. The Thieves Guild will be no different, indeed, if what you say about their current state is true, they'll be more eager to put you in your place than usual." he explains, Michael had told him about what he remembered about the Thieves Guild's current plight... Their leader was a traitor, and the Nightingales were supposed to be the true string-pullers... If his memories of the game were to be believed.

"What do you think I should do then?" he asks, sitting up while pushing the short assassin off of him, "I doubt they'll be able to hurt me, and I know who funds them anyway."

Riki smirks, pauses for a moment before sitting in front of Michael with an odd expression he'd never shown before. "I want you to deal with them, the Thieves Guild... Destroy them, take them over, strike fear into them so that they never harm you or anyone of your name again... But, before you do any of this, I would like to make a request... I am Rikimaru of the Royal family of Tahlin, last of my name." he expression quirks, "Well, not anymore considering I am dead. Which is what I wanted to ask. I never sired a child, and my only legacy was my infamy, which will fade with my absence... I would like you, my protege, to take up my name..." he asks, and Michael crooks a brow in response, never having expected Riki to ask this.

"I am aware of your dislike of your original family name of Hunt, so I see this as a gain for the both of us... My family's legacy would continue, furthermore in multiple worlds? I am sure this arrangement would suit my family's wishes... Of course, if you need further convincing, I'll remind you that we Tahlin held family techniques and magic close to their chests." he leans forward with an eager smirk, "So how about it, son?"

Immediately, Michael cringes at Riki's words, his face performing a perfect rendition of 'Excalibur Face'. "If you want me to accept, never call me that again." he states, but soon recovers and tilts his head in thought.

I mean, there wasn't any reason not to accept this... He wasn't attached to his family name, indeed, he may have taken Riki's name just to spite his parents alone. But with family secrets on the line too? It was a no-brainer. The only negative he could think of would be Riki's inherent authority over him, along with the enemies of the family back in the Dota 2 world, which he may have to contend with if he ever went there.

...

Michael lets out a sigh and slowly nods, extending his hand to shake Riki's, "Fine, I take on your name... But if you call me 'Son' again I'll castrate you, to make sure no one else has to suffer the same thing." he states, and Riki nods in assent.

"Fine, I'll stick to 'student'... For now."

Michael nods, "Well, so how about those family secrets then?" he shamelessly asks, attempting to stand but remembering when his face its the floor that his Achillies tendons had been cut.

Riki laughs, "I did promise that, but you are nowhere near ready to learn such things!"

[Michael Hunt] has Evolved into [Michael Tahlin]!!!

+ [Legacy of the Tahlin (Rank 4)] : Grants user resistance against Darkness attributed magic, halves sound, heat, and scent produced by user while invisible. Improves user's vision in darkness.