8mi Chapter 129: Early Offer
Chapter 129: Early Offer
[Location: Island Of The East: Monster Infested - North Side Beach - IDS Transporter Way Point.]
[Wednesday, 5:30 PM]
Valeria Ayres.
A name that signalled future incidents within the story.
There'd be the stolen artifact debacle, where she'd accuse multiple people before inevitably being proven wrong.
Jan, of course, would solve the case.
Later, though, she'd redeem herself somewhat during the Tower arc where she'd hold her ground during countless invasions with her guild.
Fans even told me that they seemed to like her role in that part...
But seeing her here felt odd.
She fit the 'female lead' role– above-average looks, the distinct red hair that showed her potential romantic importance.
And of course, there was her future crush on Jan.
That particular plotline was one I had no interest in revisiting.
Logically, the high number of female characters likely meant an over-reliance on that particular trope.
Since I'm well off being alone, I'd rather focus on seeing the end, than trying to find 'true love'.
"Look... I'm not here to bother you, but could you return this to your classmate?"
I showed her Thiago's sword. She examined it without touching, then asked,
"Your classmate, Thiago."
She gave me a suspicious look. "You didn't come across him, right?"
Of course, I did. He and his buddies tried to jump me earlier.
Not something I planned to admit.
"No. Just noticed the sword left on a tree stump after he teleported away."
Valeria took a moment to consider it, then took the sword.
A good sign – at least that task was done.
She left to find Thiago, mission accomplished.
Now I was free to focus on getting through the rest of this day and back to the Academy.
...
...
...
clap!
"Okay, guys!" Kolek announced. "The results were official: Class 1-A won by a landslide, with a final score of 589 to 411."
A surprising margin, considering their lower overall rankings.
Whispers circulated among the students as they analyzed the results. Comments drifted over.
-I guess it was close.
-Especially seeing how much stars 1-A had it wasn't that bad.
-Well I'm just praying this semester practical exam isn't like the one.
Kolek, overhearing the chatter, added an update. mentioning that theory exams were in two weeks, followed by the practical the week after. That meant it was time to start preparing.
Shortly after everyone gathered around the IDS transport system as Class 1-A going first, then 1-B afterwards.
***
[Pinnacle Academy, Male Dorms: Room 4-A]
Back in my dorm room, I rolled out on the bed, mentally sorting through my upcoming concerns.
First was the Paris trip – there was a potential fight with a semi-demonised human, but Jan's recent power-up meant I likely wouldn't need to intervene.
roll...roll...roll...
THUD!
ack...
Rolling through my bed comfortably a change in position had me hitting something sharp under my pillow.
Right, the key from that dungeon crawls with Jan and those others.
discover-MVLeMpYr-novels
I pulled it out, holding it up for closer inspection.
"Strike registered. Power insufficient. Trajectory incorrect."
No surprise there. I took a breath, centring myself, and struck again.
BANG!
This time, there was a tiny more force behind the blow, but the angle was still off.
"Strike registered. Trajectory improved. Power below threshold."
Strike after strike followed. Some were complete misses. Others landed, but the AI's critiques were relentless. Sweat dripped down my forehead, arms starting to ache.
Normally, I'd give in to the fatigue, but this time, stubbornness took over.
Adjustments were made after each failed strike: a firmer grip, a slight shift in foot placement. Slowly, the AI's critiques shifted.
"Strike registered. Power sufficient. Trajectory acceptable."
Not praise exactly, but it was progress.
FWANG!
[Swordsman [Grade 10]: 1/10 | Mastery: 0% >>> Mastery 1.2% (1.20%)-]
The system alert chimed a tiny sound that held a surprising amount of satisfaction.
The change seemed insignificant on paper, but after those two gruelling hours of repetition, that 1.2% felt significant.
Visible proof that my efforts were producing some results, however small.
as I was about to launch myself into another set of repetitions the AI's voice cut through the air.
— Student Detected... Analyzing student... Complete... Welcome: Jan Ates (Rank 1)
haah...
A sigh escaped me. "Really now?" I muttered.
Turning, I spotted Jan, and the wide grin plastered on his face was almost enough to make me frown.
I already knew what was coming next and I was not sure If I wanted to leave or if he was going to let me leave.
____________
{Axel Saint Rel Laurence STATS:}
Age: 17
Talent: Marksman Of Weaponry [Grade 8]
>Health: 104
>Strength: 59
>Stamina: 74.5
>Speed: 73
Intelligence: ? [Unlocks after theory exam]
Mana: B+
[Special Stats:]
Archer [Grade 6]: 4/10 | Mastery: 42%
Swordsman [Grade 10]: 1/10 | Mastery: 1.2%
Luck: 51.08%
???: ? / ?
[NEW!][Skills And Techniques:]
[Skill: Divine Severance: A powerful aura attack that unleashes a crescent-imbued slash capable of severing strong defences. (Note: this skill can only be used while Trickster at Arms has been activated or has swordsman grade at [Grade 5] or above.)- ]
[NEW!][Special Passive Stats:] Sixth Sense [Grade 9], Monster Hunter [Grade 4], Perceptive Mind [Grade 3]
[NEW!][Passive Stats:] Precision: 46%, Tenacity: 3.45%, Evasiveness: 3.25%, Mana Control [Grade 6]
[Special Abilities:] Deadeye [Grade 9], Sixth Sense [Grade 9], Aura Concealment [Grade 8], Clockwork of Time [Grade 3],
[Standard Abilities:] Piercing Shot [Grade 10], Vulnerability Reader [Grade 8], Quick Shot [Grade 9], Projectile Disarm [Grade 4], Trickster At Arms [Grade 5]
[Items owned:]
[Grade 2 [???] Cloak of Invisibility - Condition: Very Good - Enchantments: Evasive Charm: IV, Thornmail: III, Elemental Shielding: III]
[Item: Silent Abyss Key Rarity [???] - Contents: Contents Of this Key Is Unknown.]
____________
Authors Notes:
- As Rel's mastery for each special attribute goes up it get's harder for him to earn points towards his gradings for them.