"Interesting," thought Alexander as he compared the differences between the types of finish on the hides. "Really... I can't say why, but I'm sure I'd prefer to wear clothes made from the higher quality hide."
This discovery left him with a strange feeling, especially when he said it out loud. It wasn't because he was developing a taste for clothes, much less because he was regaining his taste from his past life; it was because he discovered that a simple alteration in the cut made so much difference.
The hide that was removed and processed using |Disassemble| was better in every way, even in things that shouldn't have any relation, or seemed not to have any relation, to the skill.
"This world has similarities to Earth, but it operates under its own rules," he concluded. "If I keep thinking too much about all the details, I'm really going to go crazy."
Trying to get one more thing out of his head and set it aside, Alexander decided to focus on what he could control, like learning the other spell in the skill tree and allocating the 15 free attribute points he had earned.
Learning the other spell in the skill tree was easy, as he had done it before, but assigning his free points took a little longer. It wasn't something very complicated; he just needed time to figure out how to add them to his attributes as he wished.
Ding!
[You learned the basic spell |Water Jet|]
[1 point added to Vitality]
[6 points added to Strength]
[3 points added to Agility]
[5 points added to Intelligence]
Allocating his points made him feel very good. As soon as he placed points into an attribute, his body began to change to match the attribute's new value and became stronger.
It was to be expected that this successive increase in power in such a short time would make anyone happy, but for Alexander, it was different. He wasn't just happy with his increase in power; he became physically/bodily happy.
It was as if a huge wave of adrenaline and dopamine was being released in his body. Feeling the changes in his body, he wanted to see the changes that had occurred in his status.
『 Status 』
Name: Alexander Ocean ♂
Race: Human
Age: 14
*Level: 3/10 (70 XP / 128 XP)*
Class: Water Mage (Apprentice)
Talent: Evolutionary Metamorphosis
Metamorphosis Species: Goblin
Condition: Good
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
*HP: 22/22*
*Mana: 19/20*
*Stamina: 08/11*
*MP: 20/25*
Attributes:
Vitality: 11
Strength: 10
Agility: 10
Dexterity: 05
Intelligence: 10
*Charisma: -5*
Luck: 01
Free Attribute Points: 0
Equipment:
[Sturdy Iron Dagger]
Equipment Skill(s):
Proficiency Skill(s):
|Throw (Beginner)| … |Run (Beginner)| … |Mana Control (Beginner)| … |Ambush (Beginner)| … |Disassemble (Beginner)|
Scalable:
Passives:
Actives:
Spells: |Invigorate (Beginner)| … |Minor Lightning (Beginner)| … |Water Jet (Beginner)|
Combat Techniques:
Growth Points: 0
Special:
Passives: |Attribute Control| … |Calm Mind| … |World Language|
Actives:
Proficiency: |Appraise (Beginner)|
Enhancements:
Titles:
This time, Alexander was able to look at his status more calmly and in detail, as he now had some prior information to compare. For example, he confirmed that (HP) and (Mana) grow at a rate of 2::1 relative to (Vitality) and (Intelligence), respectively; as well as (Stamina) growing at a rate of 1::1 with (Vitality); and (MP) growing at a rate of 1:1 with increases in (Vitality) and (Intelligence).
He also noticed that most of his skills and spells came with an indicator (Beginner), which he wasn't sure what it represented, but he had a vague idea.
Alexander noticed one last thing when he looked at the status. He had made a mistake while filling out the survey.
The main reason he chose the water element was the (MP) buff that this element would give him. But when he did that, he believed that (MP) referred to magical power or magic/mana points, as it usually did in RPGs, and not to (Mental Power).
Fortunately, the shot didn't completely backfire. (Mental Power) was also extremely important for a mage, and the buff was very generous.
Taking advantage of his status already being open, Alexander used |Appraise| on the spell |Minor Lightning| and on the new proficiency skills he had acquired.
[|Minor Lightning (Beginner)|: Channel and fire a small lightning bolt from the palm of your hand. Cost: (3) mana and (1) MP.]
*[|Ambush (Beginner)|: Aids in concealment capability when attempting an ambush and increases the first ambush damage. Cost: (1) MP/Minute.]*
[|Disassemble (Beginner)|: Aids in the process of obtaining raw materials when processing animals, monsters, and beasts.]
Ding!
[|Appraise (Beginner)| leveled up to |Appraise (Intermediate)|]
After using the skill |Appraise| several times, it finally leveled up and became stronger. And after doing so many things, Alexander decided it was time to start ending the day.
For his last task, he returned to his goblin form, wrapped most of the meat, dry leaves, and branches in a set of hides, and walked carefully deeper into the grove.
As he walked through the grove, a thought came to his mind: "What a strange world. Before, I was having problems with the weight, but now I'm fine even in goblin form. All because I added some intangible points to the representation of my strength..."
Alexander could see moderately well, even with little light, in goblin form, which was very good for him, because the dense vegetation further reduced the already scarce night light.
After walking for about 10 to 15 minutes, Alexander considered the spot suitable and stopped. But only to look for a small tree that was still green and had some firmness, to withstand the weight of the meat.
As soon as he found a suitable tree and placed the meat on its lowest branches, he cleared the area all around it, made a containment circle with stones as best as possible, placed the leaves and dry wood around the tree, and used |Minor Lightning| to set fire to the leaves.
After making sure the fire wouldn't escape the stone containment, Alexander left and left the meat there to dry with the heat of the fire while the smoke kept insects away and helped mask the smell of the meat.
"It's a good thing this area has very green trees and little wind, so I don't have to worry about setting the whole grove on fire," he thought on his way back. "If no creature comes to take the meat and everything goes as expected, tomorrow morning I'll be able to eat dried meat."
"This approach should still attract the attention of any nocturnal creatures in this area," Alexander concluded. "And that should make me safer."
Upon returning to the clearing, he made a small campfire to roast the meat he had left as bait to test if it would attract anything... Since no creature took it, he roasted and ate it before lying down, trying to be hopeful. "I hope tomorrow is peaceful."
