Runeblade

Kaius hooted in delight as he saw the notification that his next class skill was available for selection. It amplified the rush, the slowly retreating joy that he always felt as he proved himself the superior fighter and was rewarded for it.

Unfortunately, he’d have to wait a little before he checked what options he had available. There were more important things to deal with first. Like the blade that was still stuck in Porkchop’s chest. A volatile construction of system-borne magic, it would fade with time - but it still had to hurt like hell.

He turned, eyes sliding over the shredded and torn ground coated in the lifeblood of the irontusk to focus on Porkchop limping towards him. His jade armour vanished in a puff of aspected mana, revealing the handspan of iron that protruded roughly from his brother’s chest. Red blood ran down its edge in slow rivulets, dripping from its point.

“Shit, buddy, that must hurt.” he winced in sympathy, racing to Porkchop’s side.

“No? You think? I thought that was ticklish.” Porkchop deadpanned, his breathing shallow so as not to disturb the blade.

Kaius rolled his eyes, slapping both palms on either flat edge of the hiltless weapon as he planted one foot on Porkchop’s chest. He heaved back.

Porkchop groaned as the blade came out slowly, blood momentarily gushing before his Health could heal the wound. Pulling it free was harder than Kaius expected, it must have gotten lodged in his brother’s ribs.

“Thanks. That’s much better.” Porkchop said with plain relief, rubbing the rent in his under-armour with one paw.

Kaius saw the holes. Both from the skill, and the ragged circular punch that had been taken out due to getting gored by the irontusk. Without self-repair, they would stay until they were able to get the artefact inscribed with that enchantment, or took it to a leatherworking artisan with the right skills.

Thankfully, due to some reason unknown to him, even if they added the enchantment after the damage, it would still repair. To a point; they’d have to be careful on the rest of their trip.

“I know you’ve got your fancy armour now, but you should still at least try to avoid hits.” Kaius reproached. He hadn’t missed that Porkchop had practically thrown himself at every blow he could.

Porkchop had the sense to look abashed. “I mean… I guess, but its the only way I'm going to get my skill up.”

Kaius shook his head. It was a reason, he supposed.

He looked at the slain Irontusk, its head half removed. Somehow, it looked almost bigger than when it was living. Even limp and cooling, splayed out on the ground, it still had the height advantage on him. He almost couldn’t believe they’d really done it.

“You know, this is kind of the first fight where I’m realising how much we’ve grown. Sure, we decimated everything on our way here, but those fights all felt like something we could have managed while we were still in the depths. Even if only just.” Porkchop said, wandering over to his side.

“I know what you mean. If I'm honest, it still felt too easy.” Kaius murmured. It was one thing to know that they were far above their contemporaries, between his bondskill enhancing his base, his racial trait, Heroic class, and Honours. It was entirely another to slay a beast more than twice his level with relative ease, one that outweighed him a dozen times over at least.

Still, the feat had brought its own rewards, even if it still felt weird that there would be no artefacts waiting for them after such a magnificent fight.

“I assume that you’re ready to pick your next skill?” he asked, turning back to Porkchop.

“I am,” Porkchop replied. “But perhaps we should deal with Ianmus first, he looks a little frantic.” his brother nodded behind him.

Kaius turned, before letting out a chuckle as he saw the half-elf solar mage tearing his way across the plains, practically skipping in his haste as the saddle bags they had left with him thumped against his back. His eyes were wide, expression twisted as it was caught somewhere between shock and excitement. ṞÃ𐌽ŐβĚš

Seeing them looking, Ianmus thrust his staff in the air and let out a whoop of delight, running faster. A moment later he skidded to a halt in front of them, practically fizzing with delight.

“Holy gods, that was incredible! I have never seen anything like it! A beast twice out level…and you just fought it! I thought you would whittle it down, relying on your superior agility to hamper it as you slowly bled it of health, but nope! You just went right at its face! That was so fucking stupid, I love it!” The mage said, practically tripping over his words as they blurred together like he was physically incapable of keeping them in.

“Do you always fight like that?” Ianmus asked, taking a moment to breathe. “I got two bloody levels, all the way to level twenty-nine! Just like that!”

Kaius laughed, joined by his brother’s throaty chuckle. “Pretty much, though usually we’re a bit more careful than that. We got a little…lost in the thrill of it, after so long without a good fight.”

Ianmus nodded emphatically. “I can see why, even halfway across the field I felt like my heart was going to burst out of my chest, and the heat! Never have I felt the Song so keenly.”

“We’ll make a Delver of you yet.” Porkchop chuffed.

Kaius smiled, before he crouched down and cleaned his blade on the grass at his feet, streaks of red smearing over the glossy green. A bit odd, considering he was soaked to the bone in blood, but he didn’t want to gunk up his sheath.

“What about the two of you, did you reach your goal?” Ianmus asked.

Kaius returned to his feet as he smoothly sheathed his sword. “We did, shot all the way to twenty-two.”

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“And you haven’t picked yet? What are you waiting for?” Ianmus asked, puzzled.

Kaius snorted, as if the man hadn’t sprinted towards them like an entire duchy was on his tail. “Felt like it was better to wait for you to get here. Besides, I wanted to ask, this choosing won’t take us back to the class selection space will it?”

“I was wondering the same thing actually, my guide mentioned that it was only for certain skills, but I was a little too caught up in the whole event to dig deeper.” Porkchop said, mirroring his interest.

Ianmus looked at them surprised. Though, in some ways that made sense. The man was an academy mage, the opportunity to grill the system for as much information as he could had probably been as exciting as getting his class was.

“Most won't, not unless it is a skill that requires some level of hands-on practice to learn safely. Usually that relates to spell skills, I assume it is similar for you Kaius?”

He nodded.

“I thought so, it's often the case for less research aligned magi classes. While you won’t fall insensate, most skills will come with a system insight into their function. Depending on the complexity it will leave you quite distracted.”

Kaius nodded, thankful for the explanation. He shot Porkchop a questioning gaze, even if they had just defeated the biggest beast around, it was still good practice to take turns. While he somewhat trusted Ianmus, he was far less confident in the man's ability to defend them in the low likelihood they were ambushed.

Porkchop nodded. “You first, I don’t mind waiting a few more minutes. Let me know if you need help working through anything.”

Kaius gave his brother a smile of thanks, before he took a seat on the plush grass below. It might have still reeked of spilled blood, but they were far enough from the irontusk he was at no risk of sitting in a puddle

“In that case…”

He pulled up the waiting notification.

**Ding! Class skill available for selection!**

Three skill screens popped into view, showing him the next step on his path.

Echo Slash:

Class Skill - Tier I

Affinity: Martial, Mirror

Type: Longsword, Technique, Strike

Selection Available!

Unique

Blurring speed breeds echoes, breathe life into them and see your foes sundered.

This skill allows the user to spend 200 stamina to create a blade echo that mirrors an attack, multiplying offensive capability.

Each level reasonably raises the power of blade echoes.

Each level moderately increases speed of both the initial strike and resultant blade echoes.

Every 20 levels, increase blade echoes by 1.

…

Initiate’s Glyphic Bladerite:

Class Skill - Tier I

Affinity: Arcane, Martial

Type: Glyph-binding, Runic, Armament Enhancement, Longsword

Selection Available!

Unique

Glyphic mastery, bent to solidify the first and most primal bond, that between a man and his weapon. Feed the link, enshrine your blade in your centre, and let the truth of Vesryn bloom.

This skill links the user with their bonded blade, passively increasing the potency of the weapon's enchantments, as well as active abilities that directly interface with their weapon. This link allows the user to sense their blade from a distance. Due to a strengthened bond with the soul, enchantments can be drastically empowered for the cost of 100 stamina for a short period of time.

Enables the user to reinforce their bonded weapon with relevant materials, effects of reinforcement vary depending on materials used.

Each level reasonably increases the strength of active and passive empowerment of enchantments.

Each level reasonably increases passive empowerment of abilities that utilise the bonded weapon.

Each level slightly increases the time of active empowerment.

…

Flowing Fortress:

Class Skill - Tier I

Affinity: Martial, Force

Type: Longsword, Technique, Retributive, Defence

Selection Available!

Unique

The man did nothing but block until they all dropped dead! I’m tellin’ ya, I ain’t going anywhere near him.

This skill allows the user to spend 100 stamina when blocking or parrying to create a cutting crescent of intangible force that slices at their foe, proportional in power to the defended attack.

Each level significantly increases the strength of summoned force blades.

Every 50 levels, increase the size of summoned force blades.

Kaius whistled appreciatively, drinking in their effects. While it smarted that none of the skills were Heroic, he was at least pleased that neither were any Unusual. Unfortunately, it meant his decision would need to be made on merit, rather than relying on the simple supremacy of rarity.

An attacking skill, a retributive defence, and something…stranger.

Hard choices indeed.

“Well? What are your options?” Porkchop asked, almost as eager and curious as he was.

Kaius subvocalized their descriptions. While he had no compunctions of sharing his build with Porkchop, he did not intend to do the same with Ianmus. The man was pleasant, and helpful, but one did not share the deep specifics of their status without a certain level of unshakeable trust.

“Hmmm. I like the sound of Echo Slash; past the first tier that will turn into a LOT of attacks.” Porkchop said.

“I know, but we can also expect it to get more costly as it rises through the tiers. Besides, there's something about the Bladerite that calls to me. It's the link I need with my sword to start its growth, even if we only have one material right now.” Kaius reasoned. He’d been waiting for something like this, though he suspected that most blade related skills would eventually develop a linking capability as they rose through the tiers, especially as one accrued feats regarding the use of a growth weapon.

Yet, why risk it, why wait, when he could start right now?

“Really? The active seems a little… lacklustre. So your blade will get a bit sharper, so what?” Porkchop replied with apprehension.

Kaius grinned, still staring at the description. “That’s only for now. Just think, not only will the skill gain more effects in later tiers, it will also scale with the development of A Father’s Gift. I think it's the right choice.”

“I still think Echo Slash sounds way cooler.” Porkchop mumbled.

“That may be so, but I still think this will be far better in the long term.” Kaius chuckled. “Keep an eye out, I’m going to pick.”

He focused on his choice.

**Ding! Initiate’s Glyphic Bladerite Class Skill Available, would you like to proceed? This choice is pivotal and irrevocable.**

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