Oh. Hello. How can I effectively explain that I forgot to. Uhhh. Actually do stuff on this app? Anyway, there's an Author's Thoughts bit at the end of the chaoter here. Additional info in there. Because of my lack of actually writing stuff here, feel free to criticise me in the comments if you feel like it.
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Vaeril woke up from a long nap. Stretching in his chair and cracking his back, he yawned.
"Kumi? How long did I sleep?"
He asked as he spun around in his chair but there was no one there.
"?"
Standing up, he walked down the aisle of cubicles while rubbing his eyes and yelling out.
"Kumi? Did you go to sleep too? Are you being lazy?"
Just then, he heard a door being kicked open.
Standing in silence for a second, he swore.
"Shit."
And ran off towards the sound.
'She didn't start a run on her own, did she? Does she want to get out so bad that she's ready to die in the process?!'
Thinking so, he jumped up and over a wall of cubicles just to see Kumi standing in front of a kicked-down door.
"Oi!"
He yelled before his feet hit the floor.
"What do you think you're doing?"
He started walking straight towards her.
Kumi on the other hand, while rubbing her chin, looked behind her to see Vaeril approaching.
"Oh, hey Parky. Finally awake?"
"What are you doing?"
Vaeril asked, cutting her off.
"What do you think? I'm training myself. It's better if both of us can detect the door, isn't it? I've been searching for and kicking down these doors for a while now."
At those words, Vaeril stopped in his tracks before letting out a sigh and rubbing the bridge of his nose.
"I'm surprised you didn't wake up after the first one I broke. I can't say that I was quiet nor delicate with any of them. Good nap?"
"Yeah... Good nap. And here I thought you were out doing runs without me."
"Huh? I'm not stupid, you know this. Besides, if I were doing solo runs wouldn't you get pipe shanked in your sleep?"
"I don't know, man."
"Oh stop the worrying mother attitude. I'm training my Skills so that I don't drag us down during the second run. Besides, when is that?"
"When would you like to?"
At that question, Kumi looked over at the door that was still kicked open behind her.
"Not yet. I don't think I'm quite ready yet. I'll need to prepare more."
"Cautious as ever, huh."
"Well, unlike someone, I don't want to experience death, yet. Maybe at some other time."
"Maybe when you're old and on your deathbed?"
"Nope. Maybe when I'm twenty and bored of it all."
"No. You shouldn't talk like that."
"Yeah, yeah. A 'Kid' shouldn't say this or that but telling a kid to die of old age is just fine, isn't it."
"You're making me sound like a hypocrite."
"Aren't you one?"
"Oh shut it. Just tell me whenever you're ready for the next run. I need to get back in shape too."
"Back in shape? You just took a nap though, Parky?"
"Back into mental shape."
"That makes more sense. Still doesn't make much sense though."
"Just focus on your own things, Kumi."
"That is the plan."
Vaeril walked off while scratching the back of his head, visibly pondering about something or other.
'Now...'
Kumi went back to what she was doing.
'Back to the Skill description. Properties.'
{Name: Kumi
Gender: Female
Race: Angelic Devil
Rank: Mortal
Level: 1
—Titles: Dragon Slayer, Demon Slayer, Hero Slayer, Empress's Heir, Calamity Killer, Celestial Lotus Host, Potential Shatterer
Potential: Z±
—Properties:
Vigour: E- (100%)
Mana: F+ (100%)
Strength: F+
Agility: E+
Mind: F+
Endurance: E
Arcane: E-
—Elements: Lightning, Curse, Rot
—Passive Skills:
High Regeneration Level Max;
Free Footwork Level Max;
Brutal Strength Level Max;
Dragon Heart Level Max;
Growth Acceleration Level Max;
Highest Holy Blessing Level Max;
Highest Demonic Blessing Level Max;
Heavenly Demonic Pressure Level Max;
Unknown Level 2;
Caution Level 3;
Stamina Use Reduction Level 5;
Deep Sleep Level 3;
Training Level 6;
Art of War Level 1;
Perfect Fighter Level 1;
Battle Records Level 1;
Unnoticeable Concentration Level 3;
Cautious Intelligence Level 2;
Mana Prediction Level 2
—Resistance Skills:
Time Magic Resistance Level 5;
Weakening Magic Resistance Level 4;
Space Magic Resistance Level 3;
Pain Resistance Level 4;
Heat Resistance Level 3;
Shock Resistance Level 4;
Water Magic Resistance Level 3;
Cold Resistance Level 3;
Bleeding Resistance Level 1;
Mana Loss Resistance Level 3;
Stamina Loss Resistance Level 2;
Health Loss Resistance Level 1
—Active Skills:
Empress's Soul Sword Level 1;
Slash Level 2;
Elemental Power Increase Level 1;
Unreadable Illusion Level 2;
Preparation Level 2;
Preparatory Item Creation Level 2;
Instinct Blocking Level 1
—Personality:
Her {Stamina Use Reduction}, {Training}, {Unnoticeable Concentration} and {Cautious Intelligence} Skills had levelled up slightly. Two new Skills had also appeared.
'How do I explain this 'Mana Sensing' Skill that only 'High Ranking Wizards and Witches' learn to Vaeril?
Well... he'll probably just face-palm and accept reality. This instinct Skill is interesting though.'
{Mana Prediction Level 2}
{Passive}
{By training to carefully and methodically sense the flow of mana in the surroundings, you may partially predict the way mana will flow through nature and through Skills before they are used.}
{Instinct Blocking Level 1}
{Active}
{By training to go against your naturally strong instincts, you can now block them out when necessary.}
{Secondary Effect: On contact with a creature, you may temporarily block out their instinctual reactions.}
'Blocking out my own instincts is a very situational card to play. Still useful if perchance my instincts go against the logical action to take.
It'll help me dodge attacks smoother but, again, only in very specific situations.'
Kumi smiled, looking at the open door that led to Level 1.
Turning around and walking away, she thought.
'I should work on levelling up these two new cards up my sleeve.'
With a pep in her step, she went to have a cup of coffee, planning to continue her training right after that.
...
"Kumi? Are you still not ready?"
"I'm almost done with all my training. But I still want my Skill levels to be higher."
"How much higher?"
"Well, what's the maximum Skill Level?"
"Oh, please no."
"I'm joking, Parkour. Just one more Level."
"Didn't you say that like... three levels ago?"
"It is best to be overprepared. Why don't you work on your own Skills?"
"It takes way too long to just get one level with basic training. I'd be here for a week at least. It's better to train Skills during combat or something."
"Why not fight me then?"
"Sorry. I meant to say 'challenging' combat. Take no offence but I'd obliterate you."
"I take offence and I'm shocked that you overestimate yourself like this."
"Don't you mean I underestimate You, Kumi?"
"No."
"Tch..."
"...Done."
"How the hell do you level your Skills so fast?"
"Do you have the {Training} Skill?"
"Wait... you have That Thing?"
"Yeah. One of the first things the maids and assassins taught me."
"That is disturbing."
"If you think that's disturbing you are not ready to hear about the 'torture bracelet'."
"... No I don't think I am. Maybe next time."
"Anyway, my Skill levels are good enough for now. Let's go on to the second run."
Kumi said as she stood up and stretched.
"Don't you need to rest for a while?"
"I'm fine. Let's go."