The blue ranks were on their way to the training grounds.

“Which class do you think you will choose?” Veric asked Kadyn.

“How could you not tell me that you are baron’s son? Will I have to use a title or something when addressing you now?” Kadyn asked dejectedly.

“Yes, from now on call me god-emperor arachnid the master of all eight-legged creatures!” Veric shouted and laughed uncaring for the reaction of other children. He didn’t know why but he felt the need to act childishly. Maybe the new body influenced his behaviour or maybe as an adult, he simply surpassed it and now he had an excuse to act out.

When Kadyn heard him say those words he also started laughing. He was an easy-going guy however, his father would always warn him about the nobles and their underhanded methods, they could commit lesser crimes without being punished or take advantage of people with no repercussions.

His father fled a large city and opened a shop in the city of hammers in order to escape a noble that wanted him to become his “personal blacksmith”, basically taking away his freedom and forcing him into labour indefinitely.

When Kadyn heard that the baron’s son was going to attend the school he decided to avoid the young noble like the plague. When he heard that Veric is the son of Krado Martel during their first lecture, he became fearful that Veric was playing with him and now that the truth is out in the open, Veric will bully him or use him. But when he heard what Veric just said he realised that Veric doesn’t have the brains for using others.

“So what class are you thinking of choosing?” Veric repeated his question.

“I am not sure. On account of my big fingers, I will definitely not make a good archer, I think I would prefer close combat and most of the good swordsmanship related techniques are reserved for nobles. So it leaves me with spears, daggers, axes, maces and hammers. I think that a fighting style involving a mace and a shield would suit me considering my strength, stamina and endurance are the highest.”

“Why not something related to hammers? You look like you have swung them quite a bit in your life.” Veric asked surprised that Kadyn would choose maces over hammers. The difference might be superficial to some however, that was not true for the system.

“When I was younger my father made me swear the [Oath Of Pure Fire And Steel] in the temple of Akshan. It increases my affinity with hammers outside of combat which improves my craftsmanship by a big margin but if I use hammers during combat my hands will lose a lot of dexterity and I will become too clumsy to use them.” Kadyn replied.

‘So it seems like the gods are capable of controlling the system in some way. Was the system created by the gods?’ Veric thought however he didn’t dwell on the issue because he knew that it was unsolvable for now. Even if the people were told that the gods created the system it doesn’t necessarily mean it is true.

“I see, so why did you decide to become a warrior instead of a blacksmith?” Veric asked surprised by Kadyn’s choice of profession.

“You heard Frode, the competition in this town is really high. Normally a large city has a handful of blacksmiths and only one or two of them are worth their weight in salt but in Yorel, 10% of the total population is made up of blacksmiths and most of them are really good, to the point other nobles are upset with the baron because of how much talent he is hoarding.”

“I have sworn an oath and spent my entire life in a forge and it is still not enough to catch up to the truly talented people within my generation. My older brother on the other hand seems to have inherited more of my father’s talent so he will inherit his shop when my dad gets older.”

“I have more than 6 smithing related skills and even 2 blacksmithing related special traits but my father dissuaded me from picking the blacksmithing class. So far I have a choice between classes called [Apprentice Blacksmith], [Apprentice Swordsmith] and a class called [Apprentice Blacksmith of Embers].”

“that last one is quite a rare class and if I lived in a normal town or city I would have gained some renown for achieving it so young. However, in this town, it is quite normal for children to have that class as an option.”

“So based on the fact that I have no real future as a blacksmith, I have decided to become a warrior. The baron offered very favourable terms and also promised anyone who finishes his academy to be entitled to a discount when purchasing land from him.” Kadyn replied. Veric noticed that Kadyn was somewhat sad about the fact Kadyn wasn’t good enough to become a blacksmith but at the same time he noticed that Kadyn had a robust determination to become stronger.

“Why don’t you choose a blacksmithing class and then move to a different city or town when you get older?” Veric asked not understanding why Kadyn would abandon his profession so quickly.

“If I want to open a show in a different city I would need funds and connections with merchants in order to create a proper supply line. Additionally, the blacksmiths in that city would make it hard for me to do any of that stuff.”

“There is also an easier route to becoming an established blacksmith in a city. You just need to be under the protection of a local noble who will benefit from your hard work while giving you scraps in return.”

“Our baron is known for taxing the merchants that enter the town quite heavily while giving the people and especially the blacksmiths a lot of freedom. The merchants don’t have a choice but to pay the heavy taxes because nowhere else in the country do they have an option of purchasing products of such high quality.” Kadyn explained.

“Do you want to become an adventurer?” Veric asked.

Adventuring was a profession similar to that of a mercenary, however, what differed adventurers from mercenaries was that they often ventured into uncharted territories. Dungeons, crypts, catacombs, tombs, mausoleums, caves and territories that are under the control of monsters or undead rather than humans or other higher races such as elves.

A mercenary was often nothing more than a sword for hire or a personal bodyguard for a noble or a merchant. A soldier with no true allegiance.

“I am not sure, the idea seems exciting, I would have to work for the baron for at least 5 years after I finish the military school anyway. Within that time I should gain enough experience to become a proper adventurer but at the same time, if I decide to buy land for cheap, my family will be able to grow deeper roots in Yorel. I am sure that he wants most of us to buy land here and continue working for him since if we protect Yorel we will also be protecting our own lands and families.” Kadyn replied.

Veric was impressed with the maturity that Kadyn displayed during their conversation. He was a lot more calculated and reasonable than any 12-year-old from earth Veric could remember.

Both of them knew that with the emergence of a new dungeon baron’s influence would grow thus, he would need skilled soldiers to defend his lands from other nobles.

Kadyn knew that he would be treated well and working for the government always come with certain perks and authority which could be useful.

At the same time, it would mean that he would lose a lot of freedom. As someone who grew up in a small town or more precisely a small forge, his heart longed for a life of freedom and adventure.

Kadyn looked to be experiencing internal turmoil. Veric patted him on his back and said. “Don’t worry about it now. Once I become the baron I will exile you from this town so you will be forced to become an adventurer.”

“You a baron? Last time I checked you are 3rd in line. Unless you are about to go on a killing spree, I don’t see how that will be possible.” Kadyn replied jokingly.

“My eldest brother Oswyn might soon become a big shot and most likely will become a marquess, Elora my older sister will join his court which means that if nothing unpredictable happens Rigon will be next in line to become the baron,” Veric replied.

Kadyn’s face became somewhat twisted in disgust at the idea that Rigon will become the next baron. “You can’t be serious?” Kadyn asked somewhat surprised by the idea.

“I am, I hate him for personal reasons but why would you be unhappy about him becoming the next baron?” Veric asked.

Kadyn became visibly more uncomfortable with the question. “ I am sorry I really can’t tell you.”

“Don’t worry about it I don’t hold it against you,” Veric said knowing that badmouthing Rigon to his brother would be naive and stupid. He didn’t blame Kadyn for being tight-lipped about the issue. It did however make Veric very interested in the rumours about his brother.

Veric nudged him with his elbow and said. “We should hurry up. I don’t want to be late for our first training session. Hopefully, they will go easy on us.”

***

It was lunchtime right after their first session of training. Veric and Kadyn were sitting together with the rest of their roommates at the dining table in the large dining hall designated for all of the students.

Each of them was given a large portion of meat, vegetables and water however, none of them had an appetite to even touch the food.

They were forced to run and perform callisthenics for hours without rest. Their muscles felt like jelly made of pain and suffering, whenever they tried to pick up cutlery their fingers would shake and refuse to obey.

Their drill master was an owner of a class-specific skill that would usually be used during battle to increase the morale of the soldiers and push them to their limits, but when used during training it pushed them to train through pain and exhaustion. Due to his high willpower, Veric was somewhat able to disobey but it only led to a headache so in the end, he decided to submit to the harsh training.

‘This was child abuse.’ Veric thought and looked out the window, he noticed that it was only a few hours past noon and that they still had at least four hours of grappling and weapons training. This fact filled his heart with despair.

“I can’t believe they made us run for 2 hours straight without any breaks as a warmup. I feel like my legs are made out of jelly and my lungs are filled with blood.” Frode complained while his sweaty head rested on the wooden table.

“I think I have sweated more today than I ever have in my father’s forge,” Swen said while eying the water without the ability to lift the mug and quench his thirst.

Kadyn grasped the large piece of meat with his shaking hand and took a big bite. He chewed the meat with little interest almost as if the meat was flavourless. After swallowing his first bite there was a visible change in his demeanour, he looked slightly more energetic, he quickly devoured his portion of the meat and wiped the grease from his face.

“Guys you have to eat the meat. The taste is not the best but I feel a lot better.” He said and stretched his muscles showing everyone that he no longer felt as sore.

“Huh?! My strength, constitution and Vitality increased by 1!” Kadyn exclaimed in surprise looking at the golden light of the system.

When the lads at his and neighbouring tables heard this they quickly started to devour their portion of meat. Some without the ability to use their hands and arms.

Veric used [lesser telekinesis] to control the knife and the fork, to feed himself.

Sure enough, after eating most of the red somewhat undercooked, flavourless meat Veric’s muscles felt less sore and he received a system message.

You have exceeded your strength and stamina through repeated exercise. You have repaired the damage to your muscles with an excellent source of nutrition.

Strength +1

Constitution +1

Vitality +1

Before finishing the last bite of the meat veric infused some of his mana into it and then absorbed it back into his core. ‘Prometheus do you have any idea what this is and why it is so good at improving our stats?’

Kinslayer

I do not know what animal this meat comes from.

This meat contains abnormal amounts of aether and mana. I am guessing that this meat is somehow capable of mending damaged muscle fibres while increasing their thickness and durability.

‘Aether huh, interesting? I am sure that the system said Aether is responsible for the magic that involves life, death, time and space. Is it naturally occurring or did someone cast a spell on it?’ Veric asked considering different routes the increase in stats could have been achieved.

Kinslayer

The meat is strongly bonded with aether so it is far more likely that the animal from which this meat came had superb self-healing abilities.

I hypothesise that once the meat is consumed the aether inside of it is unable to distinguish between human tissues and tissues of the creature it came from. The aether then mends the damaged tissues and improves them. I am unsure how this process takes place because your mana doesn’t interact with your body so it is difficult to test that hypothesis.

Veric looked at the children around him and realised that he has around 150 test subjects on which he could test how the mana and aether in the meat are capable of mending and improving damaged tissues.

‘This meat could be the foundation of some healing spells.’ Veric thought and popped the last piece of meat into his mouth and started thinking about what would be the best way to go about performing the tests. His father didn’t allow him to look through his mother's notes which pushed him to perform more experiments and tests of his own to create more spells.

“Kadyn, could you give me your hand?” Veric asked.

“Why do you want my hand?” Kadyn asked somewhat surprised.

“I want to create a healing spell based on the meat we just ate. I think that if I use my mana to scan your body's reaction to it in the future I will be able to use my mana and aether to achieve a similar effect without the need for the meat.” Veric answered honestly.

“Why can’t you scan yourself? You ate the meat too.” Kadyn asked not understanding why he had to be the test subject.

“It’s because my mana doesn't affect my body. Let me demonstrate.” He said and lifted his right palm which started to release white fumes similar to dry ice at room temperature.

“What is that? What are you doing?” Kadyn asked surprised by the appearance of the cold white fumes.

“I am using a freezing spell right now, anything I touch will turn into ice, almost instantly.” he said and picked up a carrot, his least favourite vegetable, which quickly became covered in hoarfrost he smacked the carrot against his plate and the carrot exploded into a thousand tiny pieces.

“Wow!” The boys exclaimed in unison.

Veric then touched his left forearm with his right hand for a few seconds and then released the tight grip. The forearm was completely unchanged.

“See, I would scan my body but I can’t so I have to use you instead,” Veric explained.

“I am not gonna let you freeze me like a carrot,” Kadyan said and shook his head.

“Not all of my mana is used for freezing. I can also do this.” He said and used [lesser telekinesis] to throw a parsnip at Kadyan's plate.

“See it didn’t shatter. Please just give me your hand. I don’t want all of the effects of the meat to disappear.” Veric demanded.

Kadyan looked at parsnip for a few seconds and in the end, he decided to trust Veric.

“Let me know if you feel any discomfort,” Veric said and closed his eyes.

“Will do arachnid. Please don’t freeze my hand.” Kadyn worried that something strange will happen to him.

The mana felt some pushback when trying to penetrate Kadyn’s skin however, after a few seconds of trying Varic managed to push through that strange barrier. Veric’s mana was loosely diffused and not concentrated like when using [lesser telekinesis].

“How does that feel?” Veric asked worried that he might be accidentally ripping through Kadyn’s blood vessels. Unlike the mana used by the artefact which was able to move freely around the human body. Veric’s mana was more suited for moving objects.

“I am fine, my skin is tingling slightly, it feels similar to when you wake up after sleeping on your arm all night” Kadyn replied.

“I am going to continue then,” Veric stated.

‘He is not feeling any pain so it should be fine, I won’t scan his torso in case I somehow disrupt the electrical impulses in his heart and cause him to die. His arm should be enough to collect the data I need anyway, ’ Veric thought and slowly moved the mana around Kadyn’s arm. Once he reached his shoulder he re-absorbed the mana into his core.

‘Did you manage to get something useful?’ Veric asked Prometheus in his head, hoping for good results.

Kinslayer

It will take me a while to analyse all of the data. I suggest collecting more samples.

“Hahaha. Who is next?” Veric asked with an exaggerated evil grin playing the role of an evil scientist performing illegal experiments on humans.

Name

Veric Martel

Vitality

9(19)

Class

[Nessari Arcanist]

Constitution

9(19)

Race

Nessari

Strength

3(7)

Level

23

Agility

5(11)

Experience

185/465

Dexterity

3(6)

Health

146/149

Intelligence

430

Stamina

149/149

Wisdom

427

Mana

11118/26146

Willpower

36

Aether

55/180

Titles(5)

Special traits(3)

Attribute points

60

Skills(8)

Spells(5)