This is a daily reminder: You have 4 unallocated stat points
I haven't seen that in a long time. My daily reminder has returned. I think I'll hold on to it till my next adventurer tier up. I flick the notification away. I can do it with my mind but there is satisfaction when it's done by hand.
You have gained [Status Screen] Intermediate 1
Intermediate - You can project your status screen to others, how about showing off your changes
Gain 16 exp
UI changes or just my personal ones, system.
“Mistress?”
“Sorry, being distracted by my notifications. I'll get started on my exercises.”
Sadly, I am back to a thousand swings. Told myself not to get attached. I push forward with two hundred more.
You have gained [Sword Arm 2] Basic 2
Gain 2 exp
After getting cleaned up, and dressed. Phenolp wanted to leave the corset off today since we were heading to the dungeon. I pointed out that the thing was practically armor at this point. I head to the dining room, corset on. Phenolp splits off to improve her cooking, slightly exasperated. Mother is there, as expected.
“Greetings mother.”
I want to inform her of my new tier in status screen, but etiquette says to wait for a return in salutations. I do, and mother turns to me.
“Greetings dear, sleep well.”
“I did, I just got a tier in [Status Screen]. Would you like to see it?”
She nods at me, so I walk over to her and will it to show.
Tier 2 : Sara Maxwell Magdeline Chimera lvl 10, 20 - 4 stat point unassigned.
Title:[Voiceless Tier 3 Adventurer] [Voiceless Junior Soul Tender Priestess]
[Strength] - 180 [Constitution] - 154 [Intelligence] - 220
[Agility] - 140 [Presence] - 169 Soul - 230
[Perception] - 200 [Mental Fortitude] - 201
Boosted skills: [Resist Mental Attacks 2] [Strong Lungs] [Permanent Soul Sense][Light Step] [Lesser Stanima] [Health Regen] [Resist Fire][Attention to Detail]
Languages: [T3:English] Intermediate 9 [Math] Intermediate 8 [T3:Common] Intermediate 9 [T3:Quintarl?ne] Intermediate 9
Converts: [T4:Convert Arcane to Soul Mana] Competent 3 [T3:Convert Arcane to Life Mana] Competent 2 [T3:Convert Arcane to Void Mana] Basic 1 [T3:Convert Arcane to Light Mana] Basic 1 [T2:Convert Arcane to Mental Mana] Competent 9 [T2:Convert Arcane to Fire Mana] Basic 9 [T2:Convert Arcane to Water Mana] Basic 1 [T2:Convert Arcane to Dirt Mana] Basic 1 [T2:Convert Arcane to Lightning Mana] Basic 1
Magic: [T5:Necromancy Magic] Basic 2 [T2:Illusion Magic] Competent 5 [T2:Life Magic] Apprentice 8 [Mental Magic] Competent 3 [Fire Magic] Basic 6
Strength Skills: [T2:Strength Training 2] Intermediate 6 [T2:Sword Arm 2] Basic 2 [Yowl] Apprentice 8 [Strong Grip] Apprentice 4 [Strong Lungs] Intermediate 1 [Throw Knife] Apprentice 1 [Pull] Basic 4 [Throw Rock] Apprentice 3
Agility Skills: [Cooking] Intermediate 8 [Running] Intermediate 4 [Light Step] Competent 4 [Fire Tender] Competent 2 [Sewing] Basic 9 [Craft Textiles] Apprentice 9 [Dodge] Apprentice 1
Perception Skills: [T5:Attention to Detail] Apprentice 7 [T4:Soul Mana Sight] Competent 1 [T3:Life Mana Sight] Basic 7 [T2:Mental Mana Sight] Competent 9 [T2:Fire Mana Sight] Basic 5 [T2:Wider Vision] Basic 3 [Arcane Mana Sight] Competent 9 [Identify] Competent 1 [Herbalism] Basic 9 [Scent Memory] Competent 9
Constitution Skills: [T3:Resist Crush 2] Intermediate 6 [Resist Blunt Force] Intermediate 7 [Resist Pierce] Competent 6 [Resist Heat] Competent 2 [Tough Skin] Basic 9 [Lesser Stanima] Apprentice 2 [Resist Cold] Basic 3 [Bottomless Stomach] Apprentice 2 [Resist Cut] Basic 3 [Triage] Basic 1
Presence Skills: [T10:Permanent Soul Sense] Basic 9 [T2:Acting] Basic 5 [Atlas Noble Etiquette] Intermediate 2 [Tell Lie] Apprentice 4 [Mana Aura] Basic 4 [Aura Sense] Basic 3 [Tiger Intimidation Aura] Basic 2
Mental Fortitude Skills: [T3:Resist Mental Attacks 2] Apprentice 3 [Resist Lightning] Apprentice 3 [Resist Water] Basic 3 [Resist Fire] Basic 9 [Resist Curse] Basic 8
Intelligence Skills: [T4:Mana Manipulation] Competent 4 [Parallel Mind] Apprentice 5 [Health Regen] Basic 6 [Imbue] Apprentice 3
Soul Skills: [T10:Soul Etching] Apprentice 7 [T5:Vampire] Basic 5 [T2:Mental Mana Core] Intermediate 6 [T3:Life Core] Apprentice 4 [T2:Permanent Arcane Mana Core] Intermediate 6 [Pariah Aura Manipulation] Competent 1 [Soul Core] Apprentice 3 [T0:Soul Eater] Intermediate
Combo Skills: [T4:Enchanted Embroidery 2 Agi 2 Int] Basic 4 [T2:Status Screen 1 Per 1 Men] Intermediate 1 [T2:Shape Metal Str 1 Con 1] Apprentice 1
Earned Titles: [Voiceless] [Junior Attendant] [Apprentice Blacksmith] [Voiceless Tier 3 Adventurer] [Basic Mage] [Voiceless Junior Soul Tender Priestess]
“I hadn't realized you had true named yourself, Sara.”
“It was something that had inadvertently happened when I was still processing the memory of the slavers.”
“When you ate their souls, you mean?”
I look at mother, annoyed. She responds gently.
“I don't want you to dance around the facts Sara, I don't feel it's healthy for you. You riddle yourself with guilt and your soul responds.”
Right, acceptance. I don't plan on repeating it but I should at least not fear what has already happened. Mother gives me an encouraging smile.
“I see both your agility and constitution are lagging behind. I suspect they won't for much longer though. Your crafting should close the gap. Any idea what you plan to spend your four points on.”
Phenolp returns with eggs again. Perhaps teaching her how to make pancakes shouldn't wait for [Attention to Detail].
“I was just planning to throw them into mental fortitude.”
Mother looks at me aghast. I quirk my eyebrow at her.
“Sara, you have two all minor boons. They literally give you extra stats for each type. Do you plan on throwing away more stats just to gain a few more mental fortitude?”
Okay that was pretty dumb of me. Phenolp is tittering behind me. I probably shouldn't think of how many stats I gave up on. Sixty-three. Damn it, other attention.
“I'll make sure to spread them out more. Should I raise my lowest stats or focus on the higher ones?”
She considers the question. “I would suggest always working towards all minor boons. The increases are just too much to pass up. Are you going to try for the fourth major soul boon?”
“I think it will happen anyways.”
She shrugs at that, “You have enough skills that you could avoid it if you wanted to.”
Acceptance, I take a deep breath.
“I'll forge ahead, I feel it's where my path leads me.”
She gives me a smile. Then takes a bite of her eggs. She promptly removes an eggshell from her mouth giving a rather annoyed look at Phenolp.
“I do believe my daughter would like tea with her breakfasts, Phenolp.”
“Of course, [Countess].”
Those shaky hands of hers tell me that she won't be gaining the skill this morning. Mother prepares my meal while Phenolp stares at the tea pot. When she brings it to me, I stop her.
“Allow me to show you, Phenolp. I dare say it's actually been awhile.”
I pour three perfect pours in quick succession. I hand them out and breathe a sigh of relief. I still can get to Marie's invisible line. Mother provides me another cup. I curse her for it, but only because she desires the resist levels.
All stats increased by forty temporarily.
You have gained [Vampire] Basic 6
Gain 5 exp
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
-----
“Whats with the jars?”
I placed the two I was holding into the cart with my bags, they were rather large, almost barrel sized. Phenolp follows after with her two.
“Going to collect some rabbit blood, Xerc.”
“Thats going to take a lot of rabbits.”
I shrug. When Phenolp tried to pull the cart I just motioned her away. She starts pouting.
“Ah, you got to protect your mistress don'tcha, Phen?”
Phenolp nods to this and starts to look around with more effort, her rapier at the ready. I just pull the cart along, making sure to keep a nose out for anything approaching. Phenolp keys the dungeon to our instance. We all supply some mana to the dungeon interface and head on down.
“So how do you want to handle this?”
“I'll take care of the first one, there is one last thing I need to know.”
When we get to the bottom I pull one of the jars and remove the top. I start heading to a rabbit. It is slow and I stab it in the neck with my short sword. It dies.
Gain 3 exp from Horned Rabbit
I use the water rod to pull the blood into the jar. The last bit, I put into my mouth. I fear the possible answer to this but I swallow it. I light my life eye and stare at my stomach. Do I absorb blood from those already dead or does my body treat it like all other food, useless? My body absorbs it, I slump down tears in my eyes.
“Cat, you alright?”
“Mistress!”
I turn and smile at them, as they hurry to me. I'm going to be alright. Annoying diet but I'll be alright. The relief is great.
“Sorry, I was just so relieved. The blood doesn't need to be from something that's currently alive. I was so afraid. Could you help me gather more? I really shouldn't hog the exp.”
“Sure, Cat we can do that.”
Alicia gives me a sunny smile as she takes my water wand. Phenolp joins her and carries the jar. Xerc pulls the cart to me.
“Surpised, you want to kill them first before collecting. Shouldn't you be able to become super stat stacked from this?”
“Afraid not, for whatever reason, dungeons don't give me traits or permanent stats. I think it's because the monsters don't have souls.”
He quirks an eyebrow at that.
“It's the same reason the guild wants dungeon bone and not naturally occuring undead bones.”
“Weird way of phrasing it, naturally occuring undead.”
I suppose it is, I laugh. He smiles at that.
-----
It took twelve rabbits to fill the four jars. We had a tarp over the rabbits and jars. Ready for bones. We moved on to the skeletons. There always seem to be ten patrols of three. The dungeon seems rather static in that regard. We reach the familiar captain again. Alicia motions forward. I sigh, it's for the best. Phenolp interrupts me before I say the words.
“Perhaps mistress, a more open-ended command this time?”
We are still testing are we? I shrug.
“Undead heed my commands.”
You have gained [Necromancy Magic] Basic 3
Gain 5 exp
Xerc gives a chuckle, “Heed?”
Alicia chides me as well, “Sounded lame, Cat. Did it work?”
Phenolp says nothing, there was a titter though. The command felt like it took twice as much mana. I shrug.
“You on the left raise a leg up.”
It does. Oh system, it does. There is only really one thing to do.
“Each of you, perform a back flip. One after the other. Starting from the left.”
Most of them land on their fronts instead of managing the acrobatics. The captain though lands on his feet. I smile.
-----
Alicia nudges me. Oh guess having the captain to continue backflipping got old for the others. Philistines, the lot of them.
“Come and present your necks.”
They do, we gather what we can and leave. I end up with another five large silver and four contribution for our efforts.
-----
Temporary buff has ended
You have gained [Resist Curse] Basic 9
Gain 1 exp
I smile at mother. She returns it. I am having a cup of rabbit while waiting on Phenolp to make dinner.
“A success then?” I nod. “Good, I will provide you more jars then. I got word from the guild. They have found a juvenile hydra for us to hunt.”
Better blood that can hopefully fix my bone marrow problem. “Is it necessary though? I will still have to drink just for regular body function.”
“Dear, what happens when you are injured? It's best to be able to replace your blood without relying on just more blood. I am hoping sustainer magic will start working on it as well.”
I concede the point, “When do we leave?”
“I am thinking the day after your next dungeon run. Best to have plenty of snacks ready for you, dear.”
I take another sip, and sigh.
“Something wrong with the blood, mistress?”
Phenolp back with some grilled chicken and greens. I'm assuming it's chicken. I don't actually know.
“Mistress?”
“Oh, sorry. The rabbit blood while filling, it has no real flavor. Even in the amount you served. Seems while it works, it is also boring.”
“Allow me, mistress.”
Before I understood what she was doing, she cut her hand and allows some of her blood to fall into the cup. I reach out to heal her hand. She pulls her hand away and uses her own life magic to heal it. She gives me a self satisfied smile when she does it. I nod and return it.
All stats increased by one temporarily.
You have gained [Vampire] Basic 7
Gain 5 exp
“Thank you, that is better.”
Seems the skill gains are only when it's from someone who is still alive.
-----
“The store is looking forward to more threads Sara.”
“Is there a specific type they desire? I think I can add color to fire threads now.”
There is a commotion heading towards us. Guess the conversation will have to wait. It's the four adventurers from before. Mother immediately quotes a price.
“A large silver for each of you. ‘Cept you dear, ten and unders get free heals.”
They nod and I approach the most torn up. The drakenoid Nacknor. I heal him from my core. It levels again, making me want to smile but I maintain my Marie face. When he is settled I move on to Ubecki.
You have gained [Soul Sense] Apprentice 1
Apprentice - you can hide how large your soul is
Presence raised to 182
I almost lost my concentration.
“Um, your nose is on fire.”
I smile, “It is only a minor inconvenience.”
It's completely silly but I found that if I heat my glasses. I also get heat resists as well. It doesn't appear to affect the glasses at all. I finish with the porter and move on to Zack and Islda. After they have taken all my life mana, I sit down and start watching my arcane core dip to half before the life is refilled. Mother finishes replenishing their blood.
“Thank you priestesses, the goblins are still patrolling in large numbers, though they appear to be more lively than before.”
[Voiceless Junior Soul Tender Priestess] has become [Voiceless Soul Tender Priestess]
You gained the title Voiceless Soul Tender Priestess
Voiceless Soul Tender Priestess - gives off an aura of worthlessness, your efforts have been recognized by others as befitting a priestess, that your order consists of only two does not mean you don't have to listen to your head priestess. Gain Three additional Mental Fortitude and Three additional Presence and Six additional Soul when leveling up
They head out. I look to mother.
? ? Human Head Soul Tender Priestess, Adventurer
Surprised she isn't require to list her nobility. Perhaps it's her third title. I turn and curtsy to her.
“[Head Priestess].”
She laughs, “It is most ridiculous when you do that with your nose on fire. I see you have progressed without me telling you how. That it has also granted me a better title is a most happy day indeed.”
She scopes me up and hugs me.
“Use your soul sense, mother. I gained a new tier in my presence skill.”
She quirks an eyebrow and does.
“My goodness, you actually match what I would expect a level twenty of your age should be.”
I smile at her. Then I reduce it further on a whim.
“And now you're below twenty. Even your [Identify] only shows your first title. Dear, there is no pause anymore on your level.”
That's surprising, "It's good to have a way to hide my tier better, my [False Soul] ring wasn't able to.”
“Ah yes, the skill that is imbued into the ring isn't more than basic to keep the cost down.”
“How do you get the skill?”
She smiles at me, “It's the reward for achieving apprentice in [Soul Magic], of course.”
-----
I'm nibbling bread again. It's lovely. Three small silvers is enough for eight braids, I think. Phenolp is behind me braiding my growing hair. She cuts it when it reaches the small of my back. Ren never did ask for the knife back.
“Mistress, your meal.”
She hands me a water skin. Well a blood skin. It's mostly rabbit blood, but upon drinking it there is also some of Xerc and Alicia in it. I repay their generosity with a curse.
All stats increased by two temporarily.
You have gained [Vampire] Basic 9
Gain 5 exp
Temporary buff has ended
You have gained [Resist Curse] Apprentice 1
Apprentice - you can negate a curse attack at twice the cost of the mana attack
Gain 2 exp
“I finally hit apprentice in [Resist Curse]. I wonder if it will slow down now.”
“We will know by this evening, mistress.”
It won't be the only thing we find out. Also they aren't here but I was still able to apply the curse.
“Do ask Alicia and Xerc if they actually got the curse. It seems weird to me that I can still apply it without them being present.”
“Of course, ma'am.”
Am I more a voodoo sorcerous then vampire at this point. Best not to give my system ideas.
I start spinning my thread. Mother told me to make fire thread in red, yellow, black, white, purple, blue, green, and brown. Hence the eight braids worth of bread. I am glad she went with a higher quality spinning wheel. I smile, still heats up enough for heat resist to ping. In the end I bottom out my reserves and arcane core. I barely managed to finish. It should be easier next time.
-----
Some more hugs for mom.
“How have you been, sweetie?”
“Good, I finally got a new corset and it's toasty.”
“Oh? You must be glad your efforts are producing such nice things. I was thinking of getting a winter corset myself.”
I smile at her. I hope she will enjoy it. Phenolp brings the box to mother.
“How has no one noticed you carrying the box around?”
“A guard with a box is not out of the ordinary. I don't take it to the store but to my room at grandfathers. His attendants bring it back to the store from there.”
Seems like way too many hands but attendants at grandfather are under constant compels for training. It will have to do. She left me with four small gold today. Almost made my first large gold. It really is a mortgage. Hopefully mother doesn't charge interest.
-----
“It's impressive that you managed thirty two fire spools of different colors.”
“It took the rest of my arcane core and reserves. My mental core was fairly depleted as well. I am hoping next time will be easier.”
Temporary buff has ended
Guess no resist level up this time. Before I can ask mother, Phenolp brings out some more maybe chicken. She then prepares my drink. The chicken is getting fairly decent. Or I just like it undercooked.
“Daughter, I know you were at the estate but don't empty yourself so much. You should always be ready.”
I nod, that's fair. Phenolp places my cup next to me. I calm myself for what's to come. I was not prepared for the pain.
Warning Soul Etching failed
All stats increased by one temporarily.
You have gained [Soul Etching] Apprentice 8
Gain 20 exp
I only had a mouthful but spilt the rest. Both Phenolp and mother are over me asking what's wrong. Mother life eyes are scanning me frantically. I must have ended up on the floor. The pain subsides.
“I think [Vampire] tried to etch me, but it failed. It didn't level up.”
Mother eyes grew wide at this.
“Sara, this is important, how close are you to tiering your [Soul Etching]?”
“It's at eight.”
She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. She looks at Phenolp.
“Take her corset off.” Then she looks at me, “You caused yourself soul burn, Sara. I think it is going to happen again when you drink. But you have to drink. I'll be here the entire time."
Mother gets a new cup of blood from my container, perhaps she is hoping non flavoured is drinkable. A part of me wants to gag at the thought that I want what's on the floor, a different part demands to not waste a drop. When Phenolp gets my corset off I hug my mother. Phenolp comes around and tips the glass to my lips.
Warning Soul Etching failed
You have gained [Soul Etching] Apprentice 9
Gain 20 exp
She pulls away as I start to scream once again.
-----
Mother cycles life energy through me when my breathing settles. My torn throat mends itself. I don't know how long it has been.
“Did you gain another level?”
I whisper, not sure if I have a voice. “Yes.”
“Say when you are ready, Sara. I'm sorry for all this pain.”
I take a shuddering breath. Then I look at Phenolp. She approaches once more. She is pale and scared. I fear her guilt is only becoming greater for her part in all this. She brings the glass to my lips once more.
You have gained [Soul Etching] Competent 1
Competent - You can now soul etch onto others souls
Gain 40 exp
