“Frost Wizard in itself is not a bad class, but compared to others? Let’s be frank, it's foolish to pick it,” Ashram said.

  Rue couldn’t help but agree; he did not know if he would go so far as to call it foolishness, though. Besides, that extra frost scroll is something he has been thinking of. What is that? A class scroll? It did not contain any details.

  Anyway, doesn't matter.

  His options are only two if he wants to get the Soul Harvester Class. But would he be willing to enter this war, Ashram had talked about? Setting aside the Srentam and Entram help of earth, it has been made clear that it won’t be decided solely by him. This war he spoke of, he would like to know more before deciding whether this is right or not. However, he now has to choose his class…

  “This war of yours, what is the situation?”

  Ashram's eyes shot up, those upside-down crescent moon eyes, zeroed in on him. Rue couldn’t tell if that was a glare or something else.

  “You will know on the Third Phase, in the tour, we will also explore the war zone that is deemed safe enough. Of course, we will also explain the whole history of the war then.”

  “But, I have to pick my class now.”

  “What's this? Still considering the Necromancer class,” Ashram vexed.

  “Just want to make my situation clear, and no, I’m not planning to go with the necromancer class. But not the Light Bringer class either,” Rue said, a bit loudly to drive his decision to the Entram.

  “I see,” He tapped a skeletal finger on the table, making an annoying, repeated clacking sound. “I suppose that will make two classes remaining, no, only one, is it?”

  “Yes, I will proceed with Frost Mage Knight,” Rue said. “Now I have to settle first with either Frost Mage or Frost Swordsman.”

  Ashram hummed, rubbing his chin in a grating of bones. “This is entirely dependent on what you're planning to do in the quest. Valor of Roguery? If Roguery is your option, then you can pick either of the two; I doubt it will matter in the end. But if you pick Valor, then it's better to assume you needed to do most fighting on your own. I highly recommend going with Swordsman.”

  “This Bakan, they couldn’t fight? This is worrying if true.

  “They can, but they are mainly a builder. A race of golems, yet they’re no bigger than you, with a body of a square block of stone. Their classes, professions revolve around building. Had they left for a year without being harassed, they would create a wonder few in the universe could match. Heck, if you manage to save them, they would probably invite you to their profession.”

  “How did they survive all this time, then?”

  “They’re not helpless, Rue, but it's still just a matter of time. And no one knows in which part of the Multiverse these conflicts take place, as is normal when it comes to Pocket Dimension Quest.”

  “This Multiverse you talk about-”

  “We can talk about that in the Third Phase. Sorry, but Rue, there’s no guarantee you will survive anyway. I’m just here to make sure you've seen what our profession could do, so you will be tempted to seek us during the Third Phase instead of any other.”

  Well, that was almost too annoyingly honest. Rue's lips twitch as he smiles. Ashram might be a horrible recruiter.

  “Alright then,” Rue said. “I will go with the Path of Valor.”

  “Oh? I hope you did not make this decision because of my personal morals.”

  “No, of course not. But this power comes from my friend. I'd rather not use it to commit massive slaughter.”

  “Do remember,” He tapped his hand again on the table. “You could die in this quest.”

  “Of Course.”

  Quest Accepted: Roguery or Valor

  Name: Rue.

  Level: 26

  Race: Human.

  Class: Frost Swordsman Lvl 23

  Magic Vein (Stone): 35%

  HP: 1257/1782 → 1557/2001

  Mana: 1200/2244

  Strength: 98 → 148

  Vitality: 96 → 151

  Dexterity: 77 → 177

  Arcana: 384

  Mind: 209

  Perception: 78

  -Skill (4/15)-

  - Fireball (Common)

  - Time of Obsidian Ice (Rare)

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  - Frost Shrapnel (Uncommon)

  - Sword of Frost (Uncommon)

  -Passive Skill (5/15)-

  - Cold Resistance (Uncommon)

  - Cold Healing (Uncommon)

  - Icen Frost (Rare)

  - Frost Pulse (Uncommon)

  - Balance of Ice (Uncommon)

  “Now, preceding your skill options, I recommend we start with the Blade Dancer Skill. After a quick read and your class decision, you ought to pick one of the sword styles first, and we can build from there.

  Rue nodded along. That does make sense.

  Blade Dancer Skill Option

  Whispering First Strike (Passive) (Rare) – The best outcome one could hope first is by striking their opponent in the first strike. On the first swing, your sword shall turn invisible.

  Immediately, Rue could see countless situations where this skill would serve him in the future. Especially combined with his Icen Frost and natural Sword of Frost? That will be deadly.

  Dancer Step (Passive) (Uncommon) – Balance is the core of performance for dancers. Your feet shall adapt to your body to draw the full potential movement you otherwise could never achieve by yourself.

  Rita and Yomi have this skill, speaking of the two HuGoblin he wondered what became of them. The jungle is full of resources that no doubt neither of them has a problem surviving off of, at least.

  Drawing his attention back to the skill, he had thought it would be a waste to pick this one. He already had Balance of Ice, although it will be less reliable, but the other skills would benefit him more.

  Willow Tree Sword Style (Passive) (Uncommon) – The Swordmaster has observed a lone willow tree that still stood strong despite other trees around it having fallen. It redirects the forces of wind through its many branches and leaves expertly, like it were dancing. But it all starts from a strong foundation of its tough trunk before anything. The Swordmaster develops Willow Tree Sword Style adjacent to the lone tree. Favor armored, Two-handed Sword and One-handed Sword.

  Bulwark Serpent Sword Style (Passive) (Uncommon) – Every strike is a promise of death. A style developed for individuals who have an enchantment behind every attack, especially one that slowly kills. Favor only Shield and one-handed Sword.

  “You want me to take one of these two styles?” Rue asked, his eyes settled on the Whispering Strike.

  “It will be better for you,” Ashram said. “But, the decision is ultimately yours. As a Soul Harvester, you will receive plenty of skills that are connected to the sword in the future. But, a whole Sword Style? That is rare. It will teach you more than skills will ever do. And both of these fit with the Knight Class.”

  Rue read over both descriptions again. One favored sword in general, and the other one shield and one one-handed sword. Considering he will earn Mystic Shield, then the second one, Bulwark Serpent Sword Style, is the better one, right? Taking into account his Frost Effect, this sword style is almost meant for him. Furthermore, he already had a shield, so he could just get started practicing.

  “I think-“

  “Ah! I forgot,” Ashram exclaimed. “Your class is Mage Knight! Oh, Light blare on me! How can I almost screw you…” He shook his head. “Willow tree style is better for you, Rue.”

  “What?” Rue raised his eyebrow. “Ashram my Frost-“

  “I know, but your class is Mage Knight! Do you know why it's not called Shield Knight? Because being a shield bearer is not a specialty, your class is also focused on Magic, but if both of your hands are occupied, then you're pretty much wasting half of your class use”

  “That…” Rue muttered, holding his word like a thin note. “Made sense”. Did he just almost screw his skill build? He offered a glare at Ashram, and the creature offered to lead him! And the first Skill choice almost ruins him! Perhaps ruin is exaggerating; there might be a way to lose a skill, but still. That was a close call..

  Rue stifled a deep sigh.

  “So, is it a stretch for me to wield a Mage Staff and a Sword?” Rue asked absently, The picture of him doing it in his mind is pretty ridiculous.

  “Why not? I think having one hand free to cast magic all the time is much better than carrying a shield anyway,” Ashram said.

  “Willow Tree Sword Style it is then,” Rue selects the skill. “By the way, Ashram. Does this skill description actually a real thing?”

  “Of course, they are,” Ashram tilted his head. “Why would they be fake?”

  “I mean, look at this one,” Rue pointed to his Elderwood staff.

  “It's real, Rue, you need to get used to it.”

  A tree whose branch can blanket a whole planet is real? The mere imagination alone is almost too much for Rue. Yet, still, a flicker of excitement thrummed in him.

  Maybe someday, I can see it?.

  “Continuing, let's finish the Brute Steel and Golden Alchemist.”

  Brute Steel Skill Option

  Steel Swing (Common) – Steel is the most reliable throughout history. Insert Steel property into your swing.

  Steel Flesh (Passive) (Uncommon) – Having natural armor on a body is a dream of every maniac. Increase your resistance to blunt attack, should it hit your flesh.

  Will of Steel (Passive) (Rare) – Unyielding and Unbroken. Increase resistance to all effects such as poison, fear, and hypnosis. The Will of Steel lives inside of you, resisting anything that is harmful while guarding any regenerative aspect that will benefit your body.

  Steel Strike (Common) – A strike should be imbued with any that will benefit it. Clad your arm in steel in the middle of your attack, catching your enemy off guard.

  “This one should be obvious,” Rue said. Will of Steel will help further with Cold Healing, and the spell also already boosted by his Frost Pulse. And now it looks like this will take care of his regenerative aspect further.

  “Indeed,” Ashram said, not offering anything more. Taking the skill without a second thought, Rue moved on to the Golden Alchemist

  Golden Alchemist Skill Option.

  Golden Flesh Dream Transmutation (Mystic) -- A dream of the impossible is something normally to be sought. Discard your identity and take in the identity of your dream body. Once your mind aligns and the identity settles within you, drink the golden elixir. The number of golden elixir required to achieve your dream is entirely dependent on what you wish for. Transformation needed to be flawless and uninterrupted, for the curse of gold will eat you if you do not serve it.

  Rue let out a whiff of his nose in a chilling vapor. This is the skill that brought an end to Salar. The skill did not even specify whether he could turn back or not; all it mentions is the dream transformation.

  It was pretty easy to decide that he would not take this skill.

  Philosopher Lighting (Common) – The Philosopher has fallen to the greed of gold in the middle of experimenting with it, and he lost everything, along with his loved one, as time goes by. Sacrifice Gold into a pure golden Lightning. The beauty of it will surely draw a sharp gasp from spectators.

  “Is this a joke?” Rue couldn’t help but ask Ashram.

  “Some skill is completely useless,” The Entram merely said.

  Shaking his head, Rue moved on to the next skill.

  Blessing of Golden Weapon (Rare) – A weapon is more priceless and tougher with gold covering it. Transmute gold into a weapon, coating them with the beautiful glow of the most precious mineral, making them tougher and almost a shame to use them in battle.”

  “This is interesting,” Rue muttered.

  “I highly suggest that you focus on battle skills for now, Rue, especially the next one.”

  Golden Dominion (Mystic) – Everyone has a greed, and greed is a powerful weapon that can bend the strongest enemy. Imbue a golden object with Golden Dominion, and your enemy shall bend their knee with their entire being focused on the golden object; some will even beg you to give it to them. The effect varies with Mind stat.”

  “Fun,” Rue commented, grinning.

  “Disgusting, you mean,” Ashram pointed out.

  Without a second thought, he took Golden Dominion.