12.05.592 (+517 Days)
[Walter]
About eighteen months have passed, and now summer is in full swing, its intensity felt in the long, sun-drenched days. The spring crops are nearing harvest, and soon, the outcome of the newly introduced farming techniques will become evident. This season, I successfully implemented the four-crop rotation system across the village. Last year's attempt to introduce it faltered due to a lack of diverse seeds. However, this year, we secured the necessary seeds through a request to the capital. The king, rather than seeking compensation, generously provided them as a gift. Such gestures strengthen his standing among the minor nobility, building goodwill and loyalty.
Given the scale was limited to a single village, the implementation of the new farming system proceeded smoothly. Moreover, assurances of compensation in case of crop failure left the peasants with little reason to resist the change.
Meanwhile, I sat in my chamber, reflecting on the results of the intense training regimen I had endured over the past year. My daily routine was rigid and unyielding. At sunrise, I would wake and attend to my morning tasks before setting out on an hour-long run around the keep to build endurance. Afterward, I would bathe—a habit many found peculiar. For most, bathing was a bi-weekly, sometimes weekly, affair, but my modern sensibilities simply couldn't tolerate such infrequency.
After finishing my morning routine, I would head for a meal before reviewing the daily report provided by Frederick. These reports kept me informed about the state of the village, ranging from harvest projections to minor disputes among the villagers. Once that was done, I would spend the next couple of hours training with Lukas. Together, we focused on refining my Arcana control and exploring new techniques. When my Arcana reserves were thoroughly exhausted, I would take a brief rest to recover.
By noon, my duties shifted toward overseeing the keep's defenses. I would conduct a quick inspection of the soldiers stationed here. Over the months, the keep's garrison had grown into a small but capable force of eight men, including Sir Tristan. Additionally, four permanent guards now manned the village gate, ensuring security for both the keep and the surrounding lands.
After my duties were complete, the rest of the day was mine to spend as I saw fit. Most of the time, I chose to practice either magic or swordsmanship, pushing my limits in both disciplines. Under Tristan's guidance, I had developed considerable skill with the sword, though I knew there was still much room for improvement.
"Status," I murmured, triggering the familiar blue transparent window to appear before me.
Name
Walter Carnell
STRENGTH
9
Level
9
VITALITY
10
Health
190/190
CORE
1.79
Arcana
179/179
Free Points
18
Age
12
Shop Points
0
Title
Master of Cardhan
Skills
[OPEN]
Over the past eighteen months, I had advanced by seven levels. I considered this solid progress, especially since I estimated my strength and vitality to be roughly on par with an average adult. This assumption relied on my theory that 10 represents the standard baseline. My Arcana core had also seen significant growth, edging closer to forming a second core, though not quite there yet. Given that the average age for a mage to achieve a second core is around sixteen, I believed I was well ahead of the curve.
As for the free attribute points I'd accumulated, I had refrained from using any of them. My reasoning was simple: as levelling up would likely become more difficult in the future, saving these points now could prove invaluable later. With that thought in mind, I shifted my focus to assessing my skills.
Skill
Proficiency
Blood of Avalon (Inferior)
16.3%
Arcana Sense
97.1%
Arcana Manipulation
85.8%
Spark
71.5%
Warmth
73.0%
Fireball (Lesser)
61.4%
Astar Standard Sword Art
67.3%
My skill repertoire had expanded significantly. Though the proficiency of the Blood of Avalon had progressed slowly, it had still advanced considerably. Arcana Sense was nearing mastery, with Arcana Manipulation not far behind in development. My fire magic had grown to include three distinct spells, each of which I had practiced relentlessly to the point of exhaustion every day.
As for swordsmanship, I had been trained in the standard sword art of the kingdom—a foundational technique imparted to every novice soldier who chose the sword as their weapon of choice. While basic, it provided a solid groundwork upon which to build, and I had diligently honed these techniques alongside my magical training.
The spell Warmth proved invaluable during the harsh winters, keeping me comfortably warm throughout the season while steadily improving its proficiency. With its Arcana consumption now reduced to just 1.5 per minute—down from the initial 5 per minute—it had become a highly economical spell to maintain. This reduction in cost was a direct result of my increasing mastery over the spell.
I had also acquired Lesser Fireball for a steep 75 silver. Though the price was significant, the loan money I'd received was sufficient to cover such an expense. Currently, the spell consumed 2 Arcana per fireball at my level of proficiency, and each fireball lasted for about an hour if left untouched. Beyond its offensive potential, it served as an excellent source of light in the absence of other options, making it a versatile addition to my arsenal.
Smiling at the results displayed before me, I rose from my seat and made my way toward the soldiers' training ground. My lessons with Lukas for the day were complete, and now it was time for my swordsmanship training under Sir Tristan. "A noble must be skilled in wielding a weapon," he often said. Though an outdated notion, likely originating from the pre-Avalonian Empire era when magic was yet to dominate warfare, the sentiment still held weight for some. In those times, physical weapons reigned supreme, and it was expected that the nobility possess the strength to defend themselves and those they governed.
While I didn't fully subscribe to such an archaic idea, I wasn't about to refuse free lessons in combat. After all, knowledge is power—whether it stems from a sword or a spell.
------------------------------------------------------
"996"
"997"
"998"
"999"
"1000!"
DING!
You gained 1 Strength!
A smile spread across my face as I read the window. Wiping the sweat from my brow, I set the wooden sword down. With this, I felt confident—I was now as strong as the average adult.
DING!
You have levelled up!
Well, about time. It's been almost three months since the last level up.
DING!
You have reached Level 10! System has been Updated!
Shop Unlocked! 100 Shop Points has been granted!
"Huh?" I muttered, scanning through the notifications. After a moment of thought, I realized that reaching Level 10 had triggered an update to the system, unlocking the Shop feature. So, this was where the seemingly useless Shop Points were going to be put to use. But how do I access it?
"Open?" I said aloud, but the skill panel appeared instead.
"Shop?" I tried, and to my surprise, a completely new window popped up.
Skills
Items
Two options appeared before me: Skills and Items. Well, I hoped this wasn't some permanent decision. I decided to go with Skills for now.
Focusing on the 'Skills' option, a new window popped up in front of me.
Skill
Grade
Cost
Flame Touch
D
25 SP
Fireball (Lesser)
D
10 SP
Spark
D
7 SP
Warmth
D
7 SP
…
…
…
At the top, several fire spells were listed, starting from D-Rank. Curious, I decided to scroll down, moving further and further until I reached the very end of the page.
Skill
Grade
Cost
Hellfire Chains
A
10,000 SP
Eternal Flame
S
12,500 SP
Solar Flare
S
15,000 SP
Flame Leviathan
S
20,000 SP
World End's Pyre
S
25,000 SP
The cost of the spells was staggering, and just from their names, I could sense the immense power they held. World End's Pyre—the name alone was enough to make my blood run cold. I didn't even want to imagine the destruction it could cause.
As I scrolled through the list, I began to wonder why the spells I had already learned were so cheap compared to its similarly-ranked ones. After a moment of quick calculations, I realized the price of a spell I had already learned was likely reduced by the amount of proficiency I had in it. That got me thinking—if I could just buy a spell after learning it and improve its rank, could this lead to an easy shortcut?
Curious, I decided to test this theory with "Fireball (Lesser)." It only cost me 10 SP, which was negligible given my current total of 100 SP. The moment I purchased it, another window popped up.
Fireball (Lesser) is at 100% Proficiency. Would you like to spend 350 SP to upgrade the skill to Fireball (Greater)?
Ah, so I couldn't just get the upgrade for free. But still, the fact that Fireball(Greater) would only cost me 350 SP to upgrade which was half the price of the spell if bought directly, felt like a fair trade for now.
Satisfied, I scrolled through the entire page once more. Near the bottom, I noticed a small 'Next' button, which hinted that there was more to discover. With a focused thought, I pressed it, and suddenly I was presented with a new page. This one displayed a wide variety of skills, not just spells. It seemed the options were more diverse than I had anticipated.
Skill
Grade
Cost
Heal (Lesser)
D
30 SP
Dispel (Lesser)
D
30 SP
Enhance (Lesser)
D
40 SP
Arcana Sense
D
1 SP
…
…
…
I noticed the minimal cost of Arcana Sense and immediately focused on it.
Arcana Sense is at 100% Proficiency. Would you like to spend 200 SP to upgrade the skill to Arcana Vision?
Interesting. Arcana Vision.
I continued scrolling, still holding onto 89 SP. As I sifted through the list, one skill caught my attention—'Observe.' It was a D-Rank skill, and at a cost of 60 SP, it seemed like a reasonable investment. Without hesitation, I purchased it. Afterward, I resumed scrolling, eager to see what else the shop had to offer. It didn't take long before I spotted the skill I had been searching for.
Skill
Grade
Cost
Astar Standard Sword Art
D
23 SP
I bought the sword art and soon came the anticipated window.
Astar Standard Sword Art is at 100% Proficiency. Would you like to spend 300 SP to upgrade the skill to Riverton Sword Art ?
Riverton Sword Art. It seems to be an advanced version of the widely practiced Astar Standard Sword Art. The Riverton family, renowned for their exceptional swordsmen, has passed down this art through generations. I suspect that a simplified version of it was taught to commoners, likely by a member of the Riverton family. Over time, this version spread across the family's territory, eventually becoming the standard sword art in that region.
Now that I had mastered the standard sword art, I considered it a notable achievement in itself.
"Skills," I thought.
Skill
Proficiency
Blood of Avalon (Inferior)
16.3%
Arcana Sense
100% [UP!]
Arcana Manipulation
85.8%
Spark
71.5%
Warmth
73.0%
Fireball (Lesser)
100% [UP!]
Astar Standard Sword Art
100% [UP!]
Observe
0%
I glanced at the "Observe" skill. It was likely the one that allowed me to deduce others' status. After absorbing that information, I closed all the windows before me. I had been absent-minded, still holding my sword mid-swing. Tristan and one of the soldiers were looking at me with confused expressions.
"Are you alright, Master Walter?" Tristan asked, his brow furrowing in concern.
I blinked, coming back to my senses. "Yes, Tristan. I was just going through a bit of an enlightenment," I quickly improvised.
"Enlightenment? About what?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"The Astar Standard Sword Art. I think I've mastered it," I said, a sense of pride bubbling up.
Tristan's expression shifted from curiosity to skepticism before he burst into laughter. "Oh, I see. You think you've mastered it already? Well, you've certainly come a long way in just one year of practice. But this is where most people hit a wall. Mastery of the sword art requires real battle experience. It took me twelve years of constant practice to truly master it."
He chuckled again, shaking his head. "You've got a long way to go."
"But I think I have mastered it," I insisted, my confidence unwavering.
"Yeah? How about a spar with Carlos right here?" Tristan suggested, pointing to a boy in his late teens.
He continued, "Carlos has been practicing the same sword art as yours for five years now. You can spar with him and prove that you've gained mastery over it."
I nodded, turning my attention to Carlos. He stood at an average height, though still taller than me, but I was only twelve. I had watched him spar with soldiers nearly a decade older than him, and from what I could tell, he was a prodigy.
"Observe," I muttered under my breath, activating the skill.
Name
Carlos
Title
Keep's Guard
Level
8
STRENGTH
15
Health
290/290
VITALITY
14
Arcana
-/-
CORE
-
Age
18
Skills
[OPEN]
Noticing his lack of stats in Arcana and Core attributes, I deduced that Carlos had not awakened his core yet and had instead focused entirely on the physical aspects of his training. I respected that kind of dedication; it was a path not many took. His emphasis on swordsmanship was clear.
Skill
Proficiency
Astar Standard Sword Art
75.1%
Enhanced Endurance
85.8%
It made sense that Carlos's proficiency in the Sword Art would be high—he had been practicing it for years. Yet, the 75% mark was often a plateau for many practitioners. Without sufficient understanding and real battle experience, advancing beyond that point could be agonizingly slow.
The soldiers quickly drew a circle in the sand to form a makeshift arena. Carlos stood across from me, a confident smirk plastered on his face. His stance was firm, and his eyes gleamed with the arrogance of someone who had seen the battlefield.
However, despite his confidence, I could sense a hint of skepticism emanating from him. I could almost hear the unspoken question: What could a twelve-year-old possibly offer me in a duel?
Tristan stood at the edge of the circle, arms folded, his sharp gaze assessing both of us. "Begin!" His voice cut through the murmurs like a blade.
Carlos didn't waste a second, charging forward with a swift downward strike aimed at my shoulder. I sidestepped and raised my sword, redirecting the blow with a sharp parry. The dull thud of wood on wood echoed across the field.
Carlos gave me a tight-lipped smile. "Quick reflexes."
He adjusted his footing and swung diagonally at my side. I intercepted the strike, my blade sliding along his to deflect it away. His movements were fluid, his transitions precise, but I could see the predictability in his form—the textbook execution of someone trained by the same manuals I had mastered.
The murmurs of the watching soldiers faded as Carlos picked up speed. He unleashed a rapid series of strikes—overhand, sweeping arcs, and sudden thrusts—all meant to overwhelm me. I met each attack, pivoting to avoid the brunt of the blows and parrying with sharp, efficient movements.
Carlos's frustration began to show in his tightened jaw and the slightly harder impact of his strikes.
"You're holding back," I said, keeping my tone neutral.
Carlos narrowed his eyes. "You're just a kid."
He lunged, aiming a powerful horizontal swing at my midsection. I ducked under it, stepped forward into his guard, and swung at his wrist. He managed to pull back just in time, but the stagger in his movement was telling.
"Stay focused," Tristan barked.
Carlos steadied himself and came at me with renewed force. His swings were heavier now, his grip tighter on the wooden blade. I stayed on the defensive, letting him expend his energy, while watching the rhythm of his attacks.
When he raised his sword for an overhead strike, I saw my opening. I deflected the blow with a sharp upward block and stepped inside his reach. With a quick pivot, I tapped the flat of my wooden blade firmly against his chest.
The spar was over.
"Enough!" Tristan's voice rang out.
Carlos stepped back, breathing heavily. He stared at me for a moment before nodding. "You're good. Too good for your age."
I rested my wooden sword at my side, meeting his gaze. "I told you I mastered it."
The soldiers broke into murmurs, some in disbelief, others in quiet admiration. Tristan approached, his face unreadable but his tone approving.
"Mastered," he said simply, before turning and walking away.
Carlos lingered a moment longer, his lips curving into a faint smile. Then, without a word, he turned and left. I stayed where I was, letting the weight of the moment settle. The path ahead seemed clearer than ever.