It was kind of boring. The streets were cobbled, the buildings were stone, and the few people around were gathered around a red and black carriage that had green trim and lifelike vines along the edges. A man was sitting on a covered seat near what I assumed was the front holding a book. He was scrawny, and I could feel a faint energy coming off of him.
Skill Gained: Mana Sense Tier 0, Rank 1
I hid the alert for the description. I didn’t need a description to figure it out. Instead, I just followed Calmar and Porter, who was still chuckling, into the carriage.
Once they were seated, Calmar slapped Porter’s arm, “Can you calm down, it’s not that funny.”
“I’m sorry, Cal, but hearing her say fuck was the funniest thing I’ve heard from her in a while.” He was calming down, to be fair to him. “Even if the priests can’t confirm, I’d be willing to take her back just to see your father’s face.”
Calmar went red, though I couldn’t tell from embarrassment or irritation, but he just huffed and returned his attention to me. “Like you heard, we do have some errands to run before getting you back home. We need to stop by the guardhouse to get a full copy of the report. Then to a priest, probably of the Gilded since they’ll be the easiest to see on short notice.”
“Why not Melrose?” I asked, since that was the only church I knew of. “And who are the… wait…” I stopped, not wanting to go into question overload. “I’ll probably learn as we go on that.”
Nodding my… brother?... shrugged, “We can, and it might not be a bad idea.” He looked at Porter, “What do you think?”
“Quintius.” He said, without hesitation. “They can check her status for discrepancies, and if we decide to split ways, she could stay in one of their shelters until she gets on her feet.”
“What would they be looking for?” I asked.
“Hm…” Calmar seemed to consider the question. “Porter, what do you think? Chance of potential sheet screening?”
“Low. While she floored you, it was skill over stats and you never put points in physical or you’d have been able to avoid it.” Porter nodded sagely, “Honestly, I think I need to insist on training again.”
“And I told you, no. I’ve given up on that path.” He side eyed me as he looked at Porter, “Also, not the time for this argument.”
The bodyguard shrugged and pounded on the roof twice. “Guard Headquarters Samuel.”
“On it boss!” The man, Samuel I assumed, said. I then felt the carriage start to move, jostling me slightly.
I didn’t comment, even if this was a bit jarring. “So, would having the Noble Birth cover whatever you’re looking for?”
Nodding, Calmar tapped me on the forehead, “It would, but keep that to yourself. I’m not worried about an intensive scan, just class, name, and level will suffice. And maybe give you access to a crystal to spend any stats points.”
Too late. I thought, and Calmar furrowed his brow, but said nothing. “In any case, I’ll try to go over how skills are learned, though it’s pretty obvious, but some people don’t think about it.”
I nod, “They’re learned by doing, right?”
The lordling held his hand flat and wobbled it back and forth. “Yes and no. There are a lot of skills that can be picked up by passively doing something. These are usually things like walking, running, climbing, or other such things.”
“Combat and magic skills too.” Porter jumped in.
Calmar rolled his eyes, “Yes, those too. They are called external skills. They affect the outside world and are visible to those around. Then there are things like Assessment which are considered internal skills.”
“What are some other internal skills, and how hard are they to learn?” I asked, trying to gauge how much work they’d be to get.
“Not difficult, but leveling skills is the harder part.” Calmar said. “For example, I’ve got Swordsmanship at Tier 1, Rank 9, but no matter what I’ve tried I can’t push it over.” He held up a finger to stop Porter, “This is likely because I have no interest in the sword, don’t really give it my all, and find it hilarious to annoy Porter.”
I nodded at that, “Okay, so you need to actually improve. So… they’re really just measures of how good you are at something? They don’t help with anything?”
“That’s… an interesting question actually. I’ve never thought about it.” Calmar looked at Porter. “I’ve got a guess, but you might know more about that.”
He shrugged, “The answer is complicated. The short answer is, no. The long answer is, kinda. It’s kind of hard to explain, but the system can nudge you in certain directions and correct mistakes based on the rank of the skill. It’s only really noticeable with external skills, and your actual skill level will usually be around the correct rank.”
As he talked, he moved his hands around a lot, which captivated my attention and helped me pay attention. “Some skills are used to draw attention too, like my Instructor skill. It helps guide my posture and the cadence of my tone so it’s easier for people to retain what I’m saying.”
I blinked and gave him a hard stare as Calmar slapped his arm with the back of his hand. Porter just put on a shit eating grin, “Notice how I didn’t say it forced my student to pay attention, which is important.”
I tilted my head, “Why?”
“Cause skills can’t do that.” Calmar said.
Yea right. I thought immediately. Calmar noticed my disbelief, and I noticed he chose to ignore it. Instead I asked, “What about internal skills?”
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Porter tapped a finger to his lips, “That’s harder to pin down, especially with how uncertain the definition is.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, turning to look out the window to avoid getting drawn in again. Well, more than I wanted to be.
“Most sensory skills are internal. Observation is a good one, mostly just focused on picking up details. Most people with high perception get it naturally. Meditation helps with mental focus and is mostly used by mages to increase their mana regeneration. Then there’s all the resistance skills.”
“And you get them by… what trying really hard?”
Porter shrugged, “No idea on Observation or Meditation, but I’ve been stabbed, burned, and poisoned enough to get Bleed, Fire, and Poison resistance. I’m sure there are tutors who could help, and I’m sure the house could afford it.”
“Easily. Especially after a week without Danielle spending all the allowance she’s given.” Calmar piped in. “You might need to let us know what skills you already have.”
“Thought I was supposed to keep skills to myself?” I asked, pointedly.
Porter stopped Calmar from responding. “Yes, you are. And rather than prying, I’d recommend a trainer for general skills and letting her choose her own direction, Cal.”
I looked at Calmar, and he gave Porter a hurt look. He sighed, after a moment, and shook his head, “You’re right. And I can’t let you do it, because you need to stay by my side.”
“Maybe we can get her to come back?” The bodyguard said in contemplation. “If Lady Danielle really is changed, the previous issues wouldn’t apply?”
“What issues?” I asked on reflex.
“Where to begin…” Porter said, looking out the window as though to contemplate the nature of existence.
“You were, to put it politely, difficult to be around.” Calmar added on. “But, we’ve gotten off topic, I think.”
No, you just don’t want to talk about it. I observed, since he wasn’t doing a great job hiding it. Not with Porter pushing his buttons. I wonder if I can get him to push anymore?
Assessment has ranked up
Assessment: Tier 0, Rank 4
I swiped the notification away, but it had distracted me long enough for Calmar to take control of the conversation again.
“After we get the report, we’ll head to the church to get access to a crystal and have a priest verify your information. I imagine you have some questions about the process?”
I nodded and he continued. “Well, a crystal is used to access the system for more than basic functions. Just touching one will let you view your full status sheet and spend stats points. With a priest assisting, you can add or subtract PEC from your experience, and they can assist if you ever wish to change or evolve your class.”
“Speaking of,” I interrupted, “You mentioned something about the guards not having the class earlier. Why is that?”
It was around then that the carriage stopped. Calmar asked me to wait as Porter stepped outside. “I’ll answer when we get back. Stay here for the moment. Please, Dani?”
I blinked and looked at him. I didn’t hate the shortened name, if anything I liked it more than Danielle. Rather than answer, I just nodded and leaned back against the seat as the door closed. I didn’t even mind the click of a lock settling into place.
They were waiting for the clerk to get the files when Calmar asked Porter, “What’re your thoughts on her?”
The larger man tapped the pommel of his sword as he thought, a nervous habit he’d picked up. “She’s lost. I’ve seen similar in soldiers coming back from traumatic missions. The kind that don’t make it into stories. When we stopped at the gate, I’d gotten a chance to talk-”
“Flirt.” Calmar interrupted.
Porter rolled his eyes, “Whatever. I talked with one of the guards who’d gone to see the scene. She froze up when I asked about it. Didn’t even get the line about not discussing ongoing investigations, she ran off and I heard her throwing up outside.”
Calmar frowned, “That’s what that was about?”
The bodyguard nodded, “Honestly, I say we treat her the best we can. Help her settle back into things.”
Sighing, Calmar rubbed his hand through his blonde hair, trying to think. He let out a long breath, “With father and mother off maintaining Flameblossom, we at least don’t have to worry about them. As for her friends…”
“I’m more worried about her bethrothed.” Porter said with a grim face. “The girl in the carriage outside is not who he was promised. Not that I think he’ll care too much as long as she looks the same.”
There was a subtle popping of knuckles as Calmar clenched his fist. “Won’t be too hard to push him off. Their wedding wasn’t to take place until after she turned eighteen anyway.” Slowly, his hand unclenched and he waved it to try and release some tension.
“She was supposed to start living there next month, though.” Porter brought up.
“And Danielle was getting more erratic as that day came closer. No, he doesn’t get to take her.” Calmar said, firmly.
Porter tilted his head to look at his charge, “Is that you talking as family, or…”
“Shut up.” Calmar ordered.
Porter did so.
Name: Danielle Rosecrest
Age: 17
Race: Human
Class: Noble 3
Class EXP: 48/400
Experience Bank: 0/1000
Unspent Attribute Points: 0
Statistics
Physical
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 12
Agility: 12
Endurance: 10
Constitution: 10
Mental
Intelligence: 14
Insight: 10
Charisma: 12
Perception: 10
Magic
Mana: 3
Mana Control: 1
Mana Power: 1
Skills
Assessment: Tier 0, Rank 4
Unarmed Combat Tier 0, Rank 4
Cheap Shot Tier 0, Rank 1
Mana Sense: Tier 0, Rank 1
Traits
Noble Birth
Experience Conversion
Experience Absorption
Moderator’s Veil
Second Chance
Spells
Healing: Tier 0 Rank 1
Scan: Tier 0 Rank 1