Scias stretched, every part of his body surged with energy.
"Let's hunt something for breakfast before we continue," Scias suggested to Vel.
"I already caught us breakfast," Vel replied smugly.
He then proceeded to show off his night's kill. A fox.
Scias smiled and praised him. Then got to work.
It didn't take long and the fox was roasting on fire.
After cooking and sharing their meal, they set off southward along the main road.
Like the path they'd followed through the forest, this road showed little sign of recent use.
While he walked at a leisurely pace, Scias began exploring the System's newly unlocked features.
As if knowing what Scias was about to do, Vel returned, perching himself on his shoulder.
"You're heavy, you know?" Scias complained.
"Don't pretend you don't like having me around."
"I do. But not so close."
"There is nothing around us, so stop complaining and get on with it."
'I'm not your mount to be carrying you and being ordered around like this,' Scias thought but he kept it to himself because deep down, he didn't mind at all.
"Let's see what I've got then," Scias said with exasperation.
[System information
Name: Scias Tenebre
Race: Human???
Age: 17
Level: 11
Affinity: Non-Elemental
Class: Arcane Mage (Unique)
Skills: 1 (1)
Abilities: 0 (2)]
'Still Human with three question marks?' Scias thought with curiosity. 'I wonder what it means.'
Vel chirped, projecting curiosity through their bond.
"I'm apparently a questionable human," Scias replied with a laugh. "And it seems I now have skills and abilities to explore. But first, let's see what else is available."
He mentally flipped to the next page of information.
[Titles: None
Quests: None
Familiars: Vel (Brightshade)]
Scias hummed thoughtfully. "Titles and quests. I wonder how one earns titles or receives quests."
He moved his attention back to the System information and switched to the skills section.
[Skills: 1 (1)
Skills are obtained by increasing level and are personalized, based on class, level, personality, preferences, knowledge and understanding. Other personal traits may affect gained skills.
It is possible to get a choice between multiple skills. Only one skill can be chosen in such case.
Skills are stronger than spells and easier to use.
Skills can cause strain to body—some skills may have a cooldown period. To reduce or eliminate cooldown, increase your body's strength.
Skills can scale with level, mana capacity or physical strength.
To use a skill, the skill's name must be spoken with an intent to use it.
Warning!
Because of the class 'Arcane Mage', your skills work differently.
Each five levels, you can have System create a skill of your choice provided it is feasible and follow the rules of this world.
If a skill fails to be created, you can try again until skill is successfully created.]
Scias's pace slowed down as he absorbed this information. "This is fascinating," he said aloud.
"Skills are basically enhanced spells that don't require the visualization and understanding that I need to use spells. Just speak name of the skill with intent. There are some limits to it, but it sounds interesting."
"Also, I apparently have one skill."
Through their bond, Vel projected curiosity about what skill he already possessed.
"Good question. Let me check what I have."
He focused on accessing his existing skill information.
[Skill Creation
The skill allows you to create a skill based on your knowledge, experience and understanding. The less you understand the skill's effect, the less likely it is to be created.
If bare minimum of understanding is achieved, skill with the lowest effectiveness will be created. The more is known about the effect, the more powerful the skill can be.
To create a skill, you will enter a deep meditative state, allowing your consciousness to ascend to a higher plane where skill creation is possible.]
Scias nodded to himself.
"As I suspected. My unique class grants me the ability to create skills of my own design." He paused, noticing the number in parentheses.
"Let's see what this other option is."
[Skill Creation (System)
To create a skill, you need to convey clear meaning or idea and System will attempt to create the skill.
The skill must be feasible and must follow the rules of this world.
Do you wish to create a skill?
Yes/No]
'No,' Scias chose resolutely, choosing the negative option.
'This is too important to rush.'
He continued walking.
The countryside stretched before them, rolling hills with occasional clusters of trees and colorful wildflowers.
"Creating a skill is a significant opportunity," he explained to Vel, who was perched comfortably on his shoulder. "I need to think carefully about what would be most useful."
Through their bond, Vel suggested something defensive.
"Protection could be valuable," Scias agreed. "Or perhaps something that enhances our ability to escape danger. Or maybe a detection skill to avoid threats entirely."
He switched his attention to the abilities section next, curious about what differentiated abilities from skills.
[Abilities: 0 (2)
Abilities can be acquired by leveling up. Each new level grants an option to get a class specific ability, a neutral ability or a random ability.
Abilities are divided into 6 tiers:
Low
Mid
High
Legendary
Perfect
Absolute
An ability's tier and power are fixed.
Higher level increases the chance of receiving higher-tier abilities while reducing the chance of lower tiers.
Class specific ability can be acquired only by the specific class.
Neutral ability can be acquierred by any class.
Random ability selects from all existing class specific and neutral abilities.
Every ability will grant you passive effect that can be disabled at any time.
You can select your first ability now.]
Scias's eyebrows rose. "So I have two ability selections available, presumably from reaching levels 10 and 11."
He focused on the first option.
[Abilities
Class ability: Mana Sense (Mid)
Allows detection of mana sources within a radius proportional to your level and mana capacity.
Neutral ability: Enhanced Learning (Low)
Increases the speed to learn new knowledge by 5%.
Random ability: ???]
Scias weighed his options carefully as they continued along the road.
The sun climbed higher, warming his shoulders.
Vel grew tired of staying put and flew up, occasionally sending back images of the terrain ahead.
''Mana Sensing' would be incredibly useful for detecting monsters and other threats,' Scias mused.
'But with time I should be able to learn to sense mana on my own.'
"Enhanced Learning on the other hand would help with my growth—but only 5%. That seems pretty bad."
He glanced at the random option, tempted by the unknown. 'And a random ability could be anything—possibly higher tier, possibly something uniquely suited to me or something useless. Who knows.'
'Well, let's not be hasty. I can select ability at any time now that we are safe.'
A smile crept onto his face as his thoughts returned to his ability to create his own skills.
After a while, he proceeded to check the information about titles.
[Titles: 0
Titles can be obtained by performing extraordinary feats.
Every obtained title can be unequipped to disable its effect.]
'Hmm, extraordinary feats,' Scias thought, expecting something like this.
'So titles can be unequipped and abilities can be disabled. Can they have negative effects?' Scias contemplated.
'I guess I'll see when that happens.'
Scias moved to the last feature.
[Quests: 0
After awakening, quests are integral part of increasing your level.
Quests depend on your level, current location and other criteria.
Quests can be declined. Once a quest is accepted, it must be successfully completed.
Successful quests offer rewards.
Failed quests result in penalty.]
"So to recap," Scias said, kicking a pebble from the path, "I can create skills from scratch, I've got ability options that range from underwhelming to mysterious, and there are whole systems of quests and titles I've yet to discover."
When he was exploring the System, he kept Vel informed.
Now, Vel swooped down, landing on Scias's shoulder with a chirp that conveyed amusement.
'You could just accept the learning ability and read faster,' Vel communicated through their bond.
"Five percent faster? That's like saying I'll finish a book in nineteen hours instead of twenty." Scias rolled his eyes. "Life-changing."
Vel's mental laughter tickled at the edges of Scias's consciousness.
'What about creating a skill that makes you invisible?' Vel suggested, preening his rainbow feathers.
"Hmm," Scias pondered about it for a moment and then dismissed it with a wave. "I don't like it. What if I created a skill that lets me breathe underwater? Or fly?"
'You have me for flying,' Vel projected with indignation.
"True, but you can't carry me," Scias teased.
"Not yet," came the his confident reply.
Scias considered more options as they walked. "Maybe I should create a skill that generates gold coins. Or summons food."
'That would be cheating,' Vel chirped disapprovingly.
"I know, I know. Probably against those 'rules of this world' the System mentioned." Scias sighed. "What about a skill that lets me speak with animals?"
'You already speak with me.'
"Other animals. Normal ones."
"Boring animals," Vel corrected with a mental sniff.
Scias was about to suggest another idea when Vel suddenly launched from his shoulder, soaring higher with excited wingbeats.
His vision flowed through their bond, and Scias caught his breath.
In the distance lay a collection of buildings with thatched roofs.
"A village," Scias whispered, his pace quickening involuntarily. "Actual people!"
His heartbeat quickened as emotion welled up.
After months of being alone in wilderness, the sight of civilization—even this small village—felt like finding water after crossing a desert.
"Why are your eyes wet?" Vel inquired, circling back.
"I'm just... happy," Scias admitted, wiping at his face.
Vel landed on his shoulder, rubbing his feathered head against Scias's cheek in understanding.
Scias was about to quicken his pace toward the village when a troubling thought crossed his mind. He stopped abruptly, causing Vel to chirp in concern.
"Wait. We should consider something before we rush in," he said, lifting his arm to allow Vel to hop from his shoulder to his wrist.
"Are familiars common in this world? What will people think if they see you?"
Vel tilted his head, multicolored feathers catching the sunlight.
"I don't know," he said through their bond.
"Exactly. We don't know how people might react." Scias frowned, recalling information from the System.
"I remember reading that familiars have special abilities. Can you change your form?"
Vel's confusion flowed through their connection. 'Change... form?'
"Let's check the System for information about familiars."
Scias focused inward, accessing the familiar information.
[Familiars:
Name: Vel
Affinity: Non-Elemental
Species: Brightshade (Rare)
Level: 11
Only beasts can become familiars, creating a symbiotic relationship that benefits both parties. Familiar takes on its master's affinity in addition to its own.
The Brightshade is an exceedingly rare creature possessing remarkable intelligence. This particular specimen displays unusual coloration and appears to have significant potential for growth. The Brightshade has potential to evolve.
A Familiar can change its appearance based on its level.
A familiar bond allows for shared perception, enhanced communication, and combined magical potential as the bond strengthens.
Your familiar's strength will grow by consuming mana cores.
Warning: The death of either party will sever the connection permanently.]
"There it is—A Familiar can change its appearance based on its level." Scias exclaimed.
'Maybe I just... try?' Vel suggested, fluttering down to perch on a nearby rock.
He closed his eyes, feathers ruffling as he concentrated.
Nothing happened.
"Perhaps it requires specific intent," Scias suggested. "Try visualizing yourself as a common bird."
Vel disliked the idea of looking like a common bird but, he attempted it again, imagining ordinary brown birds he'd seen in the forest.
Still nothing.
"What bird were you trying to imitate just now?" Scias asked, watching Vel ruffle his rainbow feathers in frustration.
'Those small brown ones that hop around in the underbrush,' Vel projected, mental images of tiny sparrow-like birds flitting through his thoughts.
'The ones that sing at dawn.'
Scias tapped his chin thoughtfully. "I wonder if you're attempting too dramatic a change. You're the size of a hawk with incredibly vibrant coloration. Trying to shrink down to something tiny and dull might be too much of a transformation for your current level."
"Every bird is dull compared to me," replied Vel proudly.
Scias ignored it and said, "maybe try something closer to your natural size but with simpler colors. What about those bright blue jays we saw a few days ago? They're still colorful, just not like you."
"Worth trying," Vel agreed, closing his eyes again.
This time, his feathers began to shimmer with a subtle glow.
The rainbow patterns slowly melted together, flowing like watercolors until they merged into a uniform bright blue. His beak shortened, and his tail feathers adjusted their shape.
Within moments, where the exotic Brightshade had perched now sat a large blue jay—still unusually large, but nowhere near as attention-grabbing as his natural form.
"It worked!" Scias exclaimed. "You look like an oversized blue jay."
Vel hopped in a circle, examining his transformed appearance with curiosity. "It feels strange. Like wearing someone else's feathers."
"But it's perfect for now. You can resume your true form when we're alone." Scias offered his arm, and Vel hopped up to his customary shoulder perch.
"This will make things easier," Vel agreed, settling comfortably. "Though I miss my colors already."
"They'll return soon enough," Scias promised as they resumed their journey toward the village.
"For now, we'll draw less attention this way. First impressions matter, and I'd rather not start with explaining a familiar to strangers."
They continued down the road, the village growing steadily closer with each step—and with it, Scias's first chance to learn more about this world.