The sun was high, and the heat was on. Monsters hid in their cool burrows while the Rei Widows maintained their thick web under the shade of the Dru tree. The grass around the tree stood straight up perfect for Minoos to munch on. For those out in the sun everything became more difficult, it was like the sun was sapping their energy.

Markus was no different. He sat in the shade munching on three Rei Widows. They had just bred with the queen and had their dicks ripped off. They were destined to die anyway, and the queen didn’t bother with eating them like she did the other males she mated with. Markus tossed the first one in his mouth and a window popped up saying he had 10points. After the final two he had 27 after the noble’s tax.

“How do you do that?” Tiberius asked. The little blonde boy looked in awe at Markus.

“I just do it. You shouldn’t, its my quest you probably don’t have it.” Tiberius looked sad before he started digging. “Why are you doing that?” Markus asked.

“Its my quest. Dig, and I get a point every 100 shovels full.” Markus nodded. He had higher points than his brother, but Markus had an easier quest.

He bought agility then looked at the three 20point items.

PSI Ring – Wear this ring to increase the training speed of all psychic skills by 20%

Inventory – A empty space that fills with monster drops and can store anything the user can carry. Basic, this item is upgradable. 10spaces.

Skill pill – This supplement can be eaten to increase one skill by 5lvs stops at apprentice.

He bought the PSI ring and put the other 6 points in Willpower. It was faint, but he felt his telekinetic grip get a little denser. The ring appeared in his hand. It was just a simple copper ring.

One of the spiders fell from a tree over Tiberius. Markus saw it fall and threw his hand out. The spider hovered there in the air. Sweat began to bead down Markus’s face as he concentrated on holding the spider in place as it wiggled trying to break his control.

This was his brother and his livestock dared to attack him. Markus began to close his fist. The spider let out a cry as it was pulped in the air. Blood began to drip from Markus’ nose as the mental backlash caught up to him.

Telekinesis: Beginner lv23

Willpower +0.23%

The spider’s remains fell and Tiberius stuck out his tongue in disgust as he picked the spider guts from his hair. Markus thanked his lucky stars that his little brother was safe. “What was that?” Tiberius said.

“That was good luck.” Markus said. His little brother ran off with his little shovel bent on digging up the entire world. Pa was probably going to twist his ankle in a hole. He snatched another spider off the tree and shoved it in his mouth.

Eating: Initiate lv1

Nourishment +1%

Vitality +0.01%

A smile crept over his face. He had finally increased a skill past beginner. When it reached Journeyman, it would be like increasing his vitality stat by another point every level. By adept every point in vitality would be worth 10k. That and he would need very little food. Markus just needed to find ever more exotic and powerful monsters. Like jumping to the moon really. He wasn’t a noble, a hero, or even a member of the mage academy. He would always be just another farmer.

Days passed, Pa had loaded up the wagon and told him to get in. They loaded it up with milk, cheese, and behind it 20 haven hogs were following the wagon. It was time to go to Northwind village and sell their goods. The sun had just risen, and Pa promised him they would spend the night there.

Markus tossed a small rock up in an ark caught it with telekinesis and tossed another. It was a struggle, but he managed to keep two in the air. “You are getting pretty good at that. I see the shiny ring. How close are you to initiate?” Pa asked.

“I’m still 40lvs off. But it doesn’t hurt my head to toss the rocks anymore. When I get the 20points I’m going to spend them on a new ability. Can you believe the next stat is over 100, it’s called light resistance?” Markus said. Pa nodded his head.

“Once you get the the basic stats the rest get expensive. Resistances especially. Getting a crafting ability is like shooting for the moon. If you’re not inclined to it. You have plenty of time just relax and enjoy practicing.” Pa said.

After hours of juggling rocks, they made it to the village walls. “Pa I’ve never seen walls so large.” Pa nodded his head.

“They’re tall but not Haven tall. Only 10meters by my count. It’ll keep out the Draccons and the Snaggers but Ogres will just hop them.” Stan’s snake head nodded. Markus was getting a definite confirmation now. It was weird feeling things from other creatures. Even plants gave off a feeling of hunger. Telepathy was only lv10 and already it was causing problems.

The gate guard let them through. “I don’t suppose anything gave you trouble with a Chimera leading you. I don’t need to tell you to be careful Philip, but people will want Stan. Is your farm safe for the night?” The Guard asked. Pa looked at the man funny.

“If they think they can just up and snatch a chimera then they have more than safety issues. Trust me, I don’t have to worry about Stan. My home is where Stan sleeps every day. There is more grease there than anywhere else. They will be fine trust me.” Pa said. Markus looked back at the barrels of grease collected from Stan each worth 500 points.

They pulled up to Old Paul’s. Markus read the sign and had his doubts. “Paul has been buying from us for years. No one gives a fairer price. Let me tell you boy.” Pa had just opened the door when he turned around.” Start unloading while I talk to Paul.”

Markus picked up the heavy barrels. He struggled feeling his balance nearly tip. A pair of dainty hands grasped his back keeping him from spilling 500 points worth of oil. “Careful both our Pas would tan our hides if we spilled a drop of that oil.” Markus put the barrel down gently. A pretty girl his age with brown curls in tom boy cloths stood there.

“You need to brace your legs like this when you lift, see.” She lifted one of the barrels and placed it beside his with ease. “All in the legs.” She said with a grunt.

Markus followed her example while the pigs remained tied to the bag of the wagon. They lifted the milk out of the iced box and then lifted the crate to put the milk back in it. “I’m Markus by the way.” Markus said after remembering he forgot to introduce himself.

“Sara Red,” she said with a noble’s curtsy. Markus laughed, and she started giggling. “Do you have any abilities yet?” Sarah asked.

Markus levitated the pebbles out of his pocket and juggled them. Just thirty more levels and he would be an initiate in the skill with 20points extra. “Neat, I can do this.” She held up her finger and a small spark appeared. “I was thinking about joining the mages academy if I can get a noble house to give me a grant. If I can get it up to apprentice I think I have a chance.” She said.

As Markus recalled Fire was the most common and the most difficult to get a grant for. Lots of competition. If you were already an apprentice in a fire skill, then you were doing good. Journeyman would be a clencher though. He kept his words to himself to be polite. “You can do it.” Markus said. Sara gave him a rosy smile.

After they finished unloading Pa let him follow her to the quarry. Sara was bursting with energy. She grabbed his hand and led him there. Kids their age and a little older were levitating rocks, tossing fireballs, and making water spouts.

“Hey Sara, who’s the new kid?” Some boy three years older than Markus asked.

“I’m Markus I’m from a farm.” The other kids laughed.

“So, a dirty farm boy wanted to know what civilized life is like huh.” The boy said.

“Tom stop being an ass. Markus’s dad is friends with my Pa they have a Chimera and everything.” Tom took on a look that Markus didn’t like he felt shifty.

“Do you hear that; the Farmer has a fancy monster. Big deal, you will probably die from a monster attack before you hit sixteen.” Some of the boys chuckled at the thought of him dying early.

Markus began an uproar of laughter until his voice drowned out theirs. “Dying at sixteen that’s a good one.” One of the boys threw a tiny fire ball at him and it stopped midair. “Funny thing about fireballs, they have no substance.” He crushed it smothering the flames. He felt Tom try to grab him with telekinesis, but Markus grouped his grip together and shattered Tom’s. Tom grabbed his head as blood dripped down his nose. Markus was in luck the boy had been practicing all day and a single shattered field finished him. The other boys saw Tom on his knees gripping his head with blood spilling from his nose. Markus had his hand outstretched and they had the wrong idea and scattered.

“Stop it Markus, you’re hurting him.” Sara said.

“I’m not doing anything Sara. This is just his own fault for going beyond his limit. Happens to me all the time.” Markus said. For a second, she had the crazy eyes like she wasn’t listening, then it started to sink in, and she calmed a bit.

“Stupid boys, I invite someone knew and as Pa says they have to measure cocks.” Sara said, with a sigh. Then glared at Tom. “Its better to leave him here. We’re inside the walls and our Pas are probably looking for us anyway.” Sara said.

“Yea let’s go.” They walked back, and Sara grabbed his hand again.

“Not mad at you.” She said. “I know those boys and they fight over me like dogs with a new bone. Should have known, they would see you as a new dog.” Sara said. Markus shrugged.

“I’m just glad the lot of them were worn out from training and retreated with their tails between their legs. I wasn’t in any shape for a long fight either.” Markus said.

Pa had them set up at a tavern. He had a bowl of a stew spicier than anything he had ever tasted and a mug of sweet ale. The fire in the hearth warmed the room and Pa was busy reading a book beside him. It was late in the night and the tavern was empty.

“I’m proud of you boy. You took to that fight quick and dirty using your head.” Pa said.

“It was luck and the situation, if they had been any fresher they would have steam rolled me.” Markus said. Pa grinned at that like he wouldn’t mind him getting flattened.

“No boy, you got them because you were quick and from what I said fierce. That little girl didn’t brag about you openly, but Paul said she called you a hero right out of the stories defending her honor and such. Boy you did a good deed standing up for yourself. Don’t forget that.” Pa said. Markus nodded his head. He didn’t feel like he did anything worth being called a hero. “I bought you a gift to remember your first visit to Northwind.” Pa handed him a heavy bag of iron balls. They each had a Griffon the official mascot of Northwind on them.

He levitated the metal balls slowly they were much heavier than the pebbles. There were five in the bag and he could barely keep three in the air. “This should get me up to Initiate.” Markus said. “Thanks Pa.” Markus said. The older man nodded and smirked.

“Boy you better be shooting for at least adept if you plan to join the academy in a year.” Markus looked up from his juggling.

“You serious. Psychics aren’t exactly common but its still hard to get a grant.” Markus said. Pa nodded.

“You can do it boy just keep practicing.” Pa said

For the rest of the night until nausea finally hit him he juggled the metal balls.