That had to be a nuke right? I sit up from my bed for the past two months. I managed to get my past life memories into order, it makes me curious how my tapestry looks now. One less thing to make me a target I hope. I think of my previous lark. There was no magic in that world, video games a plenty but the only monsters were the human kind. I lived a rather sedentary life but I always strived to be debt free. That I had a mortgage always did chafe me. Well, guess the bank can own the crater. I try not to dwell on the world I left behind, and the family. I doubt it was only one nuke.
[Arcane Mana Core] gains the Life aspect, skill [Life Mana Core] Basic 1
Life Mana Core - you have a magical aspected core of life energy
Basic - a nascent mental life core
Gain 3 exp
You have gained the skill [Life Mana Sight] Basic 1
Life Mana Sight - the ability to see Life mana
Basic - a pinprick hole is open in your eye to the metaphysical, can only see life magic at a slight distance
Gain 3 exp
Well that's a distraction, now my left eye is blurrier than my right.
-----
Sara bothers Mags for an explanation.
“Why is my left eye blurry? I get the right eye ‘cause its fire on top of my other sights but I have over one fifty perception.”
Mags rolls her eyes, “You think [Soul Mana Sight] is just a fifty perception skill child? Try ten times as much, even I haven't bothered ripping that hole in my eyes yet.”
Sara's eyes grow wide. Mags rummages in a drawer for something.
“What am I going to do, I can't get to six hundred perception anytime soon.”
“More like seven hundred, your soon to be life core is going to add a hundred to your perception debt. Here puts these on.”
-----
The glasses go on, the magic readjusted to my worsening vision. I just sigh. The passive between life core and my soul core decouples. That will slow things. I stop the flow of mana from my reserves as well. My soul is back to fifty-four. I feel like I am heading to Hilgurd for the first time. I think I will pull the tiger and rabbit memories next. I want to ensure there is a great deal of soul before that layer gets snatched again. It annoys me but I will have to include the blood drinker layer as well.
I get my day clothing on, my corset discarded. While it adjusted in tightness, it wasn't adjusting in height. Mags helped to complete my organs journey and set my muscles. It was two weeks of agony, not physically but mentally. I just wanted it back on. I still miss my forever hug. It will be awhile before I can have the money for that embrace. My only solace was the six inches I grew. Mags had said there wasn't a point in hiding my buds any more if I was already looking like I was eleven. It was a happy memory. I do put on my weight sleeves finally. Since my arcane reserves are free I figured it's time to start training again.
I exit my patient room and see Mags. Remembering about debts and health care costs I ask the question I should have asked when I first woke up.
“Greetings lady Mags, exactly how much has my stay been costing me.”
She looks annoyed, “I never claimed nobility, Sara.”
“And yet you are clearly beyond tier three, which means I should at least treat you as if you are, ma'am.”
Mags annoyance grows, “It's a large gold per night, you're different than before, my lady.”
“It is as you say. I finally finished reordering my past life, I'm more myself now, ma'am.”
I've been here for two months, sixty large gold, it's a mortgage all over again. Time to find out how soon she wishes for repayment.
“How do you want to handle repayment, ma'am?”
“I expect you to work as my assistant until your debt is repaid, before I was under contract with the guild to allow any adventurer to have first try to help raise their life magic and to provide free services to adventurers. As of now you are underneath me, any healing you do will still require payment to me. It was my agreement with Thane and you have no room to negotiate.”
“I demand afternoons to myself, ma'am.” Her eyes narrow, “It will be to your benefit, I believe I can earn more than waiting on adventurers to injure themselves.”
“Adventurers injure themselves on a daily basis, but fine if you think you can do better I don't mind you working under me that much longer, o and the trinket on your face costs one hundred-forty large gold.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. She continues on, “No, you can't return them, I don't plan to wait until you have enough perception to manage all the mana sights. I know you're brazen enough to keep adding to them. You should be thanking me, I negotiated free room and board, Thane didn't allow contribution though, otherwise other healing adventurers would want in on the job.”
Thane prefers them to be out in the field.
“Will I be staying here, ma'am?”
“‘Fraid not, patient beds are for patients and you look like you’re ready to move on. I do demand you keep your life core filled. It does me no good if you can't actually help me.”
I swap my arcane core passive draw off soul and attach it to life. That the soul core still isn't responding, seems weird.
“It will be awhile before I can draw from the core, ma'am.”
“Then you will simply need to have your reserves ready as well till then.”
“I refuse to work on anyone who is near dying.” She raises an eyebrow, “I have no desire to absorb slaying exp, nor absorb their souls, ma'am.”
She looks cross at me, “I will attempt to accommodate that, but best prepare yourself for the worst Sara, I can only handle one patient at a time and you are not to allow deaths that could have been prevented. If you don't want them inside your soul I suggest you make sure they live.”
I pale at that, but I understood. I give a nod.
“Now off you go, your work starts tomorrow.”
You gained the title Junior Soul Tender Priestess
Junior Priestess - you just been inducted into a healing order, Soul Tenders, to pay off your debts. Gain Two additional Mental Fortitude and Two additional Presence when leveling up
My eyes widened, I look back at Mags.
“Can't have you doing order work without the proper title now, it covers for you being a mage so best set it now dearie, o and don't worry about the order nonsense only those in the order can see it.”
-----
I set my illusion to be how I looked before my soul decided to find a new home. When I get to the dining area, I am tackled to the ground. I hear the groaning of Alicia, on top of me.
“Ow, sorry I've lost some weight.”
“And gain some height, cat.” She whispers into my ear, “You need to set your race to chimera and your ears and tails are obvious illusions, they're too static. Also cute glasses.”
Shit, I do as she says. I wish I had my other attention to have my ears and tail follow my mood, I'll just have to try my best by myself. I don't think they will pass close inspection but we were trying to sell it as an illusion anyways. Alicia pulls me from the ground and leads me to the group. Xerc and Phenolp are sporting scars on their faces. I wince at that. They both have gone up in level and are tier three adventurers. I look back at Alicia and she is one too.
“My you've gone and aged three years in two months Scratches, I can even see you developing.”
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
Phenolp starts her teasing early, my illusion may hide my blush but her smile tells me my body language says plenty.
“Do you want me to try to heal your scars? Sorry I wasn't there when you attempted the dungeon.”
Phenolp leans forward and I cradle her face in my hands, I make life magic and keep it away from my core. I light up my life eye with my soul eye and see her soul image has accepted the scars, but faces are close to symmetrical and so I simply transpose the image I want my magic to follow. The scar is removed. When I remove my hands she pats her face disbelieving.
“Make sure to stare at your mirror every night to reshape your soul image to your scarless face.”
I give her a smile and turn to Xerc.
“Scars make the adventurer.”
I sigh but that's just soul reinforcing at this point. I watch as Phenolp pulls a knife and moves it to her finger.
“Stop, I'm still recovering, I'll tell you when I can.”
She looks at my ears, then nods. I suspect she will know exactly when I am capable.
“So now you're a [Junior Priestess]?”
I sigh, “Ya, I am under the employ of the priestess until I pay off my debts.”
“How much do you owe, Cat?”
“Two hundred large gold.”
The entire party gives a collective hiss.
“I negotiated having my afternoons free. But I'm still stuck in the hall until I level.”
They nod at that, Qwerty places a plate down for me, I give my thanks to her. I start eating and find the eggs and toast to not be as great as I remembered. I suppose losing so much of my nasal perception would do that. I sigh.
“What's wrong?” Xerc asks.
“All my perceptions are duller than before, I miss it.”
“Do you know when you will fully recover?”
“I might have to wait until after my life core ignites.”
The life core only thirty percent full so far. If I gain a level, I could embody my iron rabbit but it won't be enough to pull out my tiger
“So does anyone want to train?”
-----
“Man, those extra levels of mental fortitude sure are helping. I can barely feel your aura, Scratches.”
More like my soul a quarter of its size, but I let him keep believing. He has a new bucket of pebbles and I am dodging. I weigh far less which makes it easier to move but I have such a shorter window to react too, what with all my senses being muted. At least I can wear the glasses. Mags said they are practically impervious.
You have gained [Dodge] Apprentice 1
Apprentice - rolling dodges don't hurt as much
Gain 2 exp
Well at least it wasn't about blood. This time I get to practice throwing the rocks too. Alicia gets annoyed that my bad aim makes it harder to predict where the pebble goes.
“All the more reason for me to be throwing, you get a bigger challenge and I need the practice.”
I'm glad my turn is already over. I'm sure payback would have been a bitch. My arm aches before its Phenolp turn.
You have gained [Throw Rock] Apprentice 1
Apprentice - thrown rocks wounds bleed more
Gain 2 exp
I roll my eyes at the system.
“Mind if we take a break before Phenolp turn, my arms are tired.”
“You really do have shit skill levels for this.”
I raise an eyebrow to Xerc comment.
“Competent cuts stamina usage by half.”
I shrug and start running around the room.
“Thought you were tired, Cat?”
“My arms are, my legs are not.”
I rotate my aura to keep it on the three as I run. The density isn't high enough for their training if it was the whole room.
You have gained [Pariah Aura Manipulation] Apprentice 9
Gain 2 exp
That hasn't moved in awhile. Guess constant shifting is working that proverbial muscle. I keep running till I get another skill level. I look at my stats and wonder how I am going to squeeze out more exp. Seems my biggest gain could be from raising my [Common]. I'll need to track down Thane.
“Scratches, are you ready to throw?”
I nod and do my best to hit Phenolp, I miss every time.
You have gained [Throw Rock] Apprentice 3
Gain 2 exp
I smile and go to throw the next stone when my chest begins to heat. I drop the stone and clutch my chest not sure what new horrors await.
You have gained [Permanent Arcane Mana Core] Intermediate 1
Intermediate - your core has been subsumed by your Soul Core
Gain 16 exp
You have gained [Soul Core] Apprentice 2
Gain 0 exp
No…I was recovering, don't strip me of my soul again. I am huddled into a ball ready for the worst. For the end. I get nudged by Alicia instead.
“You alright there, Cat?”
I look to my status screen, my soul still fifty-four. I can still access my arcane core. It just feels like it's in the same spot as my soul core. Which, if going by the system, it is. Are all my cores going to end up that way?
“YO CAT, YOU IN THERE?”
I scrambled back from Alicia.
“Ah good, thought we might have to get the priestess.”
“Sorry, my core got the intermediate tier and the system text scared me.”
Alicia quirks an eyebrow. Phenolp joins the conversation.
“There is no intermediate tier for cores. They stop a competent nine. That's what the Adventurer Guild Handbook says”
I attempt to look away, I need to talk to Mags about this.
“Scratches?”
“I don't know what to say to that.”
She gives me a look that says I don't believe you. My stomach growls, providing a distraction. As they were laughing I ran out of the training room to the bar. Being lighter and having more stats makes me harder to catch.
You have gained [Running] Intermediate 4
Agility raised to 125
-----
“Honestly, what made you think running to the food hall would let you escape?”
“Can't talk about it, too many ears.”
I give a toothy grin to Phenolp.
“Not as impressive now that it is blurry.”
I adjusted my ears down to properly broadcast my annoyance. That got a laugh.
You have gained [Illusion Magic] Competent 2
Gain 8 exp
I smile at that, every bit helps. Guess with my mental core free I could work on my mental magic. Robert drops off a plate of mystery meat for me. Its portion is larger than normal. Guess he remembered me asking for more last time. I thank him. It's enough to fill but it doesn't push my stomach. I see Thane walking by. I wave him over.
“Good to see you out and about [Junior Priestess] Scratches.”
My eyes widened at him using my title. I ask my next question with dread.
“Is that going to be the norm for how people address?”
“Of course not, my Lady, they will also say ma'am.”
I just bury my head into my arms. Then my head shoots up, I can't let him get away. He quirks an eyebrow.
“I need a book to raise my common skill past intermediate.”
He smiles at me.
“You already have one ma'am, the mage handbook is made to get its readers to Basic [Magical Common].”
Dammit I should have been reading that last month. Then again I wasn't thinking about advancing then.
“Thank you for um pointing that out, how are things?”
“Good.”
He then turns and leaves. I am not sure how to interpret that. I just shrug.
“My lady, would you like me to order another plate?”
I just groan at Xerc.
You have gained [Bottomless Stomach] Apprentice 2
Gain 2 exp
-----
Back in my old adventurer room. I open the mage handbook and channel my mental mana in it. It's dry text and doesn't really have more than I already know in it. I don't see anything about cores post competent, it's rather strange.
You have gained [Mental Mana Core] Intermediate 1
Intermediate - your core has been subsumed by your Soul Core
Gain 16 exp
You have gained [Soul Core] Apprentice 3
Gain 0 exp
The warmth subsides. It seems it will be a long time before my soul core ignites. I give a look at my soul core. It's not full anymore, but it's not trying to pull my soul in either. I try to move what's in there out but it feels like it's not going to let go either. Annoying that I'll need to refill the damn thing.
I sigh and keep reading.
You have gained [Common] Intermediate 3
Intelligence raised to 197
Really wish I had known this. I keep turning pages, my focus slowing time. I get to the illusion section. Seems if I can go up a tier, I could project sounds. That's neat. Always good to have distractions.
You have gained [Common] Intermediate 4
Intelligence raised to 203
200 Intelligence Minor Boon
Hey another 25 hour cool down just for you, Sara
Still haven't decided what that should be. Guess [Health Regen], my bruises tingle more. I keep reading till I reach Intermediate nine. In the end evolving to [Magical Common] won't gain me much exp. I decide to push my illusion magic instead.
You have gained [Illusion Magic] Competent 5
Gain 8 exp
You gained 4 unallocated stat points
Finally, I move the points into mental fortitude. I get the headache and my skin feels like it's crawling, but there is no soul burn.
You gained lvl 10
Presence raised to 149
Mental Fortitude raised to 201
7 Soul is fed into your Soul Core
200 Mental Resistance Minor Boon
Able to double the resistance of two type of Mental Resistance Resist skills
New Title Slot Opened
Voiceless has been slotted into new title slot
I'm not sure what to react to first. My aura has doubled. It actually feels like there are two of them. I was hoping to use my new soul to swap out some memories from my core but apparently that's out. I suppose fire resist might be best for now for boosted. I hate to do it, but the more soul gain I have the better. I combine my second voiceless with my junior priestess title.
You gained the title Voiceless Junior Soul Tender Priestess
Voiceless Junior Soul Tender Priestess - gives off an aura of worthlessness, you just been inducted into a healing order, Soul Tenders, to pay off your debts. Gain Two additional Mental Fortitude and Two additional Presence and Four additional Soul when leveling up
