The mayor explains more of the basic mechanics of the game while pointing out useful NPCs to talk to get quests from. He also says to talk to him again when you reach level 10 to be transported to the Human city-states of either Orissa or Vallaris. Putting the decision off until then Sorin looks around at the other players.
Looking around, Sorin sees that everyone around him is either testing out the AI of the NPCs, raving about the realism of the game, or blasting skills out of nowhere like country bumpkins. It brings a smile to Sorin's face looking at others gawking at the textural detail of the blacksmith's leathery face, or the fact you can smell and feel the environment somewhat.
The DreamSet sends electric pulses to the brain to replicate the scenes all the while keeping the body asleep.
Sorin, however, feels a little stifled as he is used to state of the art gaming Capsules that let you feel the wind on your face and the clothes on your body. The DreamCapules he is used to using had loads of advantages such as longer time can be spent in game without worrying about the lack of nutrition or exercise as well as higher synchronization technology that improves the senses further.
Before you choose your main class, you can switch your main class for a different one to try out the 3 starter skills from each main class; an offensive skill, a defensive skill, and a class skill.
This time Sorin decides to be a summoner for multiple reasons. Since his goal is to experience the world by himself without a party he needs to be relatively well rounded. Summoners can branch off into a variety of sub-classes that focus on DPS, tanking, healing or a combination of the three. Other classes might be able to have a second focus but never all three and still be effective.
Another reason is that of the 8 classes, only the summoner starts out with the Charisma stat unlocked.
Every stat has a passive effect that would be revealed over time, but Charisma increases the affection shown by NPCs and the quests possible to receive from them. Since Sorin's goal is to travel all around Astria, he believes that getting the NPCs positive affection is the preferable path then just playing as a warrior while going around killing everything.
Besides when push comes to shove, once he gets into his new fighting style he shouldn't have many problems in combat.
After making a stop at the merchant and buying a few mana potions and a few other things with his starting 10 silver. Sorin made his way over to the class instructors to pick his class skills for the Summoner.
The Summoner instructor was a chestnut-haired loli with an oversized staff that glowed with a gentle light which happened to tower over her making her look even smaller. She wore the classic Summoner robe which resembled a japanese kimono, but it was too big for her and looked comical.
"Hello Wanderer, would you like to experience summoning magic in all its glory" The loli instructor asked cheekily.
"I would Professor Emily, I have always felt myself one with nature. Are there any pointers you could give me?" Sorin asked even cheekier smile.
"Hoho, so my great name has reached even this tiny place. However advice from me is worth something don't you think?" Professor Emily cooed rubbing her thumb and index finger together greedily.
"Quite right professor." Sorin said bringing out a piece of candy from the merchant, "Will this be sufficient."
Not even before he was done speaking did the little loli move faster than he did when he was killing abyssal demons and pluck the sweet out of his hand and into her mouth. Only after some dangerously erotic expressions that showed on her face as she ate the candy did she recover her composure?
"Sufficient, quite sufficient. That greedy bug brings the best sweets from around the world and gives them away to high-humans like you just to spite me for winning a bet last decade, huff." ranted professor Emily, "Ok high-human I like you so I'll give you a chance, what would you like to know."
In his past life, while Sorin did do many outlandish quests it was one of his guildmates with either high Charisma or high Luck that often negotiated with NPCs so Sorin was a little nervous.
It would become apparent later in the game, but most of the NPCs on the island are high level and have high status back on the mainland. This is because the whole world has a prophecy that millions of immortal humans with high potential would appear on the beginner islands. All of the major states and secret powers have sent prominent representatives to observe the players and to prepare for when they arrive on the mainland.
This little loli is no different. She is Emily Lauriel the daughter of the grand priestess of the kitsune race, or commonly known as demon foxes to layman, and is a Tier 6 summoner lord who is also a prominent professor at a magical college.
The group of bigwigs even casted a spell over the island that transforms all of them to a human form, as most of them are from other races.
So while Sorin still remembered the tips for gaining favor form NPCs, talking to a kid that could also destroy this island in a fit of rage still made the hair on the back of his neck stand up.
"I wish to travel the world, meeting new people, and seeing new things. How will becoming a summoner assist me in this?" Sorin questioned seriously.
It took a moment for Professor Emily to recollect herself and the look she gave him was one of approval. "Summoning is less about magic and more about affection. How beings see you can dramatically influences how they will help you in return. If you want to experience the world, there will be times when you are in need of assistance yourself. Take this cub for example." after a split second and a tier 4 level magic circle later, what looks to be a juvenile panda is being appeared and cuddled next to her.
'Fuck' Sorin ranted internally, 'I thought I was going to die.' Magic circles are categorized into tiers starting at tier 1 at level 1-99 and tier 2 at level 100-199 ect. 'What kind of...is that a fucking yin-yang bear cub from the Worldpeak Monastery. A monastery of level 650 yin-yang bear monks placed on the tallest mountain in Astria. They are supposed to be a race of NPCs how is it...WAIT'
'I have heard before that if you get you affection as a summoner to [Worshipped] to a race, tribe, or settlement you get special perks. Could one of these perks be that you can summon NPCs, that would be so cool! The problem is that you cannot get to [Worshipped] status just by working at it. You need a to find the unique epic quest to go with that area, what was the nickname… affection quest?'
As thoughts blazed through Sorin's mind professor Emily continued, "I found this cute little guy on the back of a slave traders caravan. I took pity on how they abused the animals so I killed all of the slavers and set all of them free except this little guy who wouldn't leave my side. After I helped him see his parents again, he agreed to be contracted as a companion. Now if I ever face danger, when he grows up of course, he can protect me. Do you get it boy?" lectured professor Emily with a unusually stern face.
"Yes I do, thank you professor." Sorin bowed low in thanks.
"Umu, now to prove it go contract something to prove your worth. Let's say...I don't know just something. I'll decide if its good or not."
[Unique Quest Triggered: Emily's Test (D-S)]
[Objective: Contract something that is judged 'good' by Emily]
[Reward: Unknown, depends on completion grade]
[Failure Conditions: Use 5 of the contract scrolls fail to capture anything approved by Emily. Leave Misty Island]
[Failure Penalty: Loose affection with Emily. Cannot class change to summoner]
[Cannot be shared]
[Accept or Decline]
'Hell yes [Accept]'
[Acquired Temporary Skill: Omni-lingual]
[Omni-Lingual: Can speak and understand all languages ever spoken]
[Acquired Contract Scrolls x5]
[Contract Scroll: Rip to instantly cast [Contract Familiar]]
[Temporarily cannot switch to other basic skills of another main class]