Chapter 4: A Day on the Water
I’m not too proud to admit when I mess up. Some people might be, but I like to think we become better people when we own our mistakes. That said…
I’ve messed up.
I was so eager to experience something new, that I didn't stop to consider how an almost 3 year old could possibly go fishing.
What was supposed to be a day of adventure and exploration, quickly turned into something else entirely. As we stepped out of the house, my enthusiasm dipped almost immediately. Practically right in front of the house was a small pond, and my father and brother started heading that way. Seeing that the small pond they planned on fishing was not more than 50 feet away from the house, my plans of exploration were dashed before they could even begin. Then bad turned to worse, as I realized I was being scapegoated into being a glorified bait holder for Reon and dad.
As we stood on the embankment of the small pond, I held up a tin of worms for both of them to take from. Reon gave me a sympathetic look, as he cast his line out towards the center of the pond.
This was shaping up to be the worst ‘birthday trip’ ever.
Reon Blackwood's Point of View:
Loxus seemed less than enthusiastic about his new role as ‘bait keeper’, bestowed on him by dad. I couldn't blame him. I remember my first time fishing with dad, where I was tricked into doing the same thing.
I shot him a sympathetic glance before I cast out my line and began focusing on the water. I sat there for what felt like an hour, but was realistically probably more like 15 minutes as I slowly closed my eyes.
I must've nodded off at some point, because I awoke to dad grabbing my shoulder, and shouting “Reel it in!”
As I grabbed my pole and began to reel, Loxus ran over and tried to help me pull on the pole. He was more of a hindrance than a help, but I appreciated the thought as we yanked on the pole. I began reeling it in slowly as I felt the weight on the other end as the fish fought. Just then the fish rose just barely out of the water giving us our first glimpse of the fish and Loxus spoke up.
I smiled at his serious face as he said “We have to get ‘em!”
“We will buddy, don't worry.” I said, not sure why he was so excited by a simple fish.
As dad cheered behind us, I eagerly cranked on the reel.
Finally after about 5 minutes of fighting, a giant golden fish, one that was more beautiful than any fish I had ever seen, breached the surface of the pond fully.
As I reeled it in, I noticed that dad had gone silent. I turned to face him and asked for the net, when I realized his jaw was practically on the floor! Luckily, Loxus was quick to hand it to me in his stead.
I hauled the fish up onto the embankment of the pond using the net, and I finally had the time to ask dad what was going on.
“Dad? What’s-” before I could finish my sentence, I was greeted by the sound of a chime in my mind.
Turning my attention inward I read the notification, and my jaw dropped.
“You have unlocked the Utility skill: Fishing(Rank 2), would you like to accept?”
*Yes/No?*
Noticing the rank of the skill I immediately gave the mental nod, and was met with a response.
“You have learned the Utility skill: Fishing(Rank 2), you have used 6 of 10 skill slots.”
Current skills:
Appraisal(Rank 1): level 15.
Fishing(Rank 2): level 1.
Footwork(Rank 1): level 5.
Literacy(Rank 1): level 45.
Strategy(Rank 1): level 14.
Swordsmanship(Rank 1): level 35.
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As I brought my attention outward once more, my father was already standing in front of me, a massive grin plastered on his face.
“So, what'd you get?” He asked, and before I could answer, the sound of a large splash to our right drew our attention.
Loxus Blackwood's Point Of View:
As soon as my brother hooked the fish and started reeling it in, I caught a glimpse of the fish as it splashed to the surface before diving back down. I used my Appraisal skill, not sure if it'd work or not and to my surprise, it did. The message I received nearly made my jaw drop.
Appraisal(Rank 1): Level 6 to 26.
Race: Golden Trout(3 Star).
Health: 8 of 25.
Mana core: White(Unattributed).
Description: A rare trout capable of granting 500 experience when consumed.
I immediately knew something was special about this fish, when I noticed the presence of a ‘Description’ in my Appraisal. Reading the description, my thoughts were confirmed.
Not sure what caused this new development of my Appraisal skill, I put the thought to the back of my mind, and went to my brother's side. I grabbed the bottom of the pole, and said in my most serious voice “We have to get ‘em!”
***
As we finally got the fish into the net and pulled it up onto the bank, I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding.
The fight was over, so I collapsed onto my butt.
My brother said something I didn't catch and I turned just in time to see the fish flopping towards the water, net and all!
My heart in my throat, I lunged forward, throwing the fish back away from the water. I had saved the catch, but just as I stood, my feet slid out from under me in the mud and- *Splash!*
Into the water I went.
The water was cold and deeper than I had thought which caused a slight panic in me. I kicked with all my might, desperately trying to reach the surface, when suddenly strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me up.
My dad, now soaking wet and hiding his concern behind an unconvincing smile, sat me down on the ground and checked me over as I coughed up some water and inhaled deep gasping breaths.
I felt a familiar pressure pass over me as his eyes went wide for the second time in what was maybe 5 minutes.
I cringed knowing what that meant. My cover was blown.
“Loxus… When did you… Unlock the Appraisal skill?!” His voice came out so dry sounding, it was almost comedic. Or at least it would have been, if not for the serious look in his eyes.
Thankfully, Reon chose this moment to enter the conversation.
“What?! Loxus unlocked the Appraisal skill?! This fish is something else! I unlocked Rank 2 Fishing from it as well!”
Dad gaped at the sudden announcement, before he quickly composed himself. Then he told Reon to appraise the fish himself.
As Reon did, he gained a massive grin, and proclaimed “I gained almost 20 levels in my Appraisal!”
I was thankful for my brother's unwitting assistance, as I finally answered our dad's question with a bit of a white lie.
“I got it when big bruther got the fish” I said, only a little ashamed of the mispronunciation caused by my haste to answer.
“That's quite amazing, son…” My dad said, skepticism clear in his voice.
“But how did you manage to gain 26 levels from the Appraisal, when your brother only gained 20?”
Shit. Of course he’d catch on to that discrepancy.
Thinking fast, I pointed at the fish as it lay motionless in the grass.
“I did it when it was moving, Reon did it after!”
Dad looked at me seriously for a long moment. He seemed to be considering something, before he eventually relaxed, and decided that he believed me.
“That's still quite something!” He said, more joyful now.
“I'm amazed that you were able to gain that skill so young… And you've already reached 1 star in your race too!”
His words knocked me out of my thoughts. That's right! If I gained 20 levels in Appraisal, that means I must've gained 80 experience!
Before I could think to appraise myself, my dad spoke up again, softer this time.
“Do me a favor, son. Go ahead and close your eyes, and think of the word ‘Appraisal’ for me. Then tell me what you see.”
I did as he asked and read out my status in my mind.
Appraisal(Rank 1): level 26 to 27.
Name: Loxus Blackwood.
Race: Human(1 star).
Health: 10 of 10.
Mana: N/A
Skills: 1 of 10.
- Appraisal(Rank 1): level 27 of 100.
Experience: 55 of 600
Description:
“The third child of Leon Blackwood and Maria Blackwood.”
Doing my best to give a confused face, I read my name and race aloud, and added there were other things that I didn’t understand, and my dad tried to help me work through being able to say what was there.
After I read what I thought would be reasonable, I asked; “Dad, what's 1 star mean?”
