Before I knew it, a month had past in game. In that time, I had levelled up five more time. Luckily, I knew the hunting grounds of the monsters around here, so I could easily find groups of lizardmen to hunt. However, after the first level up, which took far too long, I realised that it would take far too long to level up from hunting lizardmen alone.
So, I took advantage of a secret hunting grounds of the lizardmen and caught some non-hostile monster fish the size of cat fishes that sparkle in the light.
They had platinum-coloured scales that shimmer in the water and bright gold eyes. These were rare monsters that acted like special, bonus monsters, that give, either bonus xp or rare items. They usually take a while to respawn and in random locations across the field. However, I knew most of the spawn locations and managed to hunt an eye watering amount of them, purely because they gave tasty XP as well as the alchemy ingredients that you could harvest from them.
Fortunately, during my time in the swamps, I had managed to avoid any more roaming zombie hordes. Though, I did discover the lizardmen's village, but I avoided it as I didn't want to mess up the chance of the upcoming lizardmen outbreak.
I also levelled up several of my skills and further increased my comfortability with all elements. And have learnt that I could infuse concepts of different elements together to create something new, especially force bolt, which had become the foundation for a lot of my spells.
I had also earnt a total of sixty-three silver and eighty-one copper coins from selling the loot I gathered through hunting, as well as the making and selling of potions. However, I took Jenna's advice and kept a few potions by for my own personal use.
Plus, when I offered to sell her some platinum fish ingredients, she nearly collapsed out of shock. Though, I thought it was best to not sell them all to her, or I suspected that she would have had a heart attack from the sheer amount of stock I had.
[Name: Cain]
Level: 10
Health: 380 → 500
Mana: 440 → 740
XP: 472/80,070
Path of the Fledgling Arcanist
An Arcanist is someone who understands the secrets of the world and sees the fabric of reality. You, however, are just a child on this path. Comprehension of all magic increased by 50% Cost of spells increased by 15% Becomes hypersensitive to both magic and mana.
Strength: 10
Vitality: 12 → 15
Agility: 11 → 13
Intellect: 16 → 21
Mind: 18 → 28
Unspent stat points: 0
[Stealth level: 1 → 2]
[Mana manipulation level: 4 → 9]
[Mana sense level: 5 → 9]
[Battle focus level: 2 → 5]
[Force bolt level: 3 → 6]
[Tempered body level: max]
[Novice alchemy level: 5 → 7]
[Ritual casting level: 5 → 7]
[Mana Hypersensitivity level: Max]
[Flame control level: 1 → 6]
[Water control level: 2 → 7]
[Air control level: 2 → 7]
[Earth control level: 1 → 6]
[Energy control level: 3 → 8]
[Body reinforcement level: max]
[Spirit level: 1 → 2]
[Spirit mana unity level: max]
[Light control level: 1 → 6]
[Darkness control level: 4 *New*]
Sitting in my living room chair, with a cup of herbal tea, I looked over my hard work. I was on the cusp of maxing out mana manipulation and mana sense, but for them to level up again, I need to understand what laid beyond the skill and what it'll become. However, I didn't know what I didn't know, so I was just content with what I had gained thus far.
My other elements were increasing as well from constant use and to my constant experimentation I put them through. Though, I think I would be able to completely max them out if I focused on them for a month, without the distraction of hunting, like this past month. But I wasn't too sure if I had the time, or desire to do that, as that requires a huge commitment, and right now, I yearned for something a little stimulating.
Also, I learned the final element I needed, a week or so into my grind. In fact, it was one of the easiest elements to learn as all I needed to do was pull some of the darkness that sat at the corner of my room, with some of my mana. Once it moved and shifted, I realised the shadows welcomed my control. I didn't know if it was because I have become proficient at control, or if I was simply a genius.
All jokes aside, I decided the concept would be manipulation, that was because I knew that darkness could create illusions and conceal things from sight, so it was the perfect concept and seemed to fit more than any other concepts I had so far.
Yesterday, I noticed that several groups of players had started arriving in town. Because of that, I avoided the adventurer's guild, due to how busy it would be. Plus, it wasn't like I actually needed the guild anyway. But I did feel a little sorry for Jenna, as she'll start to become overworked more so than she already was. However, at least her pockets would heavier due to the players stocking up on potions and such.
"Cain, what does this mean?" A familiar young boy's voice entered my ears and pulled me away from my musings. Over the past month, I had my young neighbours visit often, when I was home. I employed Ula as a housekeeper, which was a lot of help for me, as it meant that I could focus on grinding instead of worrying about keeping the house clean and tidy. Plus, the money their parents had left them had run out a while ago. Ula had been supporting the two with odd jobs around town anyway.
So, whenever I was home and Ula was working, Oswin would come over and I would help teach him how to read and write, which was something most of the lower-class citizens couldn't afford. Of course, I actually did so not entirely out of good will, as you could earn Intellect stat points from teaching. So, while little Oswin benefitted, so too did I, even if I had yet to earn a single point.
"Ah, that word is 'Abundance'. It means to have a lot of. For example, Mrs Hatchburn baked an abundance of bread the other day, that she had to give some away before they went stale," I explained, using an example that happened the other day. The bread that Mrs Hatchburn, our neighbour from across the street, baked was actually very good. I suppose that was to be expected from a baker's wife.
Oswin nodded along until I mention bread. I could practically read that his mind wandered off towards tonight's dinner.
"Are you listening, little boy? Or are you fantasying about food again?" I reprimanded as I poked the little boy, who reminded me of a hamster, in his cheek.
"N-No, I'm not." He lied, cheeks turning a slight red.
"Well, either way, it'll be time for dinner soon anyway." I said as I retracted my finger. And saw the little boy smile in delight.
I took the book that he was reading and closed it. Of course, it was my old friend, the basic herbalism manual. It was the only book I personally owned that wasn't magic related, though Gladden had left some books behind. However, they were more adult in nature or romantic stories, and I didn't feel like answering questions that should be left to his parents.
Also, Oswin liked plants and everything to do with the outdoors, as he often didn't have the constitution to go out and play, like many other children his age. Standing from my chair, I walked over to the bookshelf and placed my old friend back into its home.
Leaving the living room, with Oswin in toe, I entered the kitchen, where I heard Ula pottering around. As I entered, I saw her preparing vegetables and other things for tonight's dinner.
Hearing us enter, she turned around and smiled, "Preparations are almost done, sir," she said. I had tried to get her to call me by my name, but she refused saying that if I was her employer then she'll be formal with me. I didn't really argue with her, as at the end of the day, I didn't really care what she called me, as long as it wasn't anything that could be misunderstood by our neighbours, as I already get queer stares from them.
"Thanks, Ula," I replied, with a slight dry smile. I was still getting used to having a housekeeper, so things like cooking, I did myself, or at least, with the help of Ula.
We set about cooking a dinner of roasted vegetables and herb encrusted lamb. Over the month, I had also been practicing in the kitchen to widen my recipes I could make from scratch. After some testing, I finally managed to make a batch of fruit cordial, which was a hit with both Oswin and Ula. Things like sugar were quite expensive, but having made a decent amount of money, and making quite a few friends with the local traders, due to Ula putting in a good word. I bought a fair number of spices, so I was able to make a few baked goods and cakes, which Ula enjoyed more than Oswin, however, he seemed to enjoy the potato crips I would occasionally make.
After our dinner and a dessert of strawberry sponge cake, I bade farewell to my two, full young neighbours. And closed the door behind them.
'Now then. I've been putting it off for a while, but it's time to figure out what this key opens.' I pulled out the iron key, I took from the sallow caster that came knocking a while back.
In my past life, he was a part of one of the main events that will envelop Novrad. But without him, that event won't happen, however, all of his goodies will still be up for grabs. The only issue was his true lair was never found.
'But I knew what inn he stayed in during his hunts.' The part of the event was a hunt for clues that led to an inn, where the bad guy trapped the place and triggered several explosions around the city that signalled the beginning of the event.