Time went on. Gradually, several more kids of different ages became interested in our trainings, I selected those on whom I did not mind wasting time, the rest were driven back. In addition to Russell and Anna, three more guys and a girl appeared. I kind of was their boss, although that's not certain. In any case, we trained with and without weapons. I also insisted that they learn professions to speed up the achievement of the first level.
Half a year later, I finally reached the first level. For some time I could not make a choice, but I didn't want to drag it out either. Firstly, because further progress was impossible until I chose a class, and secondly, I was still inferior in strength even to Marie, which means that I could be swatted like a fly.
To my surprise, most of the classes were grayed out and I simply could not select them. Barbarian, Bard, Priest, and Paladin required corresponding alignments, which I did not possess. For example, the Paladin had to be lawful / good. Although my alignment was neutral, as the Druid demanded, however, there was also a need for some kind of "connection with nature", which obviously I did not have, about the same story with the Ranger. To my surprise, even the sorcerer was not available, and the requirement was "blood memory", whatever that means.
As a result, besides the Monk, only the Wizard, Rogue and Warrior were available. However, I already knew that the Wizard is a rather narrowly specialized class, Wizards can choose only one of the schools of magic and many spells from other schools are not available to them. In addition, the manual contains descriptions of some spells available at the first levels and their damage is deplorable. Powerful spells will not appear immediately. Casting a spell for a few seconds that does no more damage than a short bow shot is not the best prospect. The number of spells at the first levels of magicians is very limited. Moreover, while casting the spell, you need to stop, no casts on the run. I can hardly imagine how I can survive, in fact, my survival will be entirely dependent on the team.
Rogue relied too much on his concealment skills, if not seen he is almost undefeatable, but if found, he is just a piece of meat on a cutting board. And finally the Warrior in general did not have any requirements and was probably the most widespread class, but that does not mean it was weak. The Monk's requirement was a "stable soul" whatever that meant, and fortunately I met this requirement, so the choice was obvious.
After the choice of the Monk class, a window of attributes appeared, as it was said in the manual, each person at the first level will be able to distribute 30 points of attributes at their discretion, however there was a limitation. For example, when the strength parameter reached 14, then for a further increase it was necessary to spend already two points of attributes instead of one, and when the strength reached 16, respectively, already three attributes needed. I ignored charisma, but increased other characteristics to the maximum until I reached this barrier. Unless the intellect had to be left at 12 so that it was enough to add two extra points to dexterity, for some reason, for dexterity, the limitation began only at 16.
Next, I chose skills, there was class skills and non-class. Non-class skills are, for example, spells knowledge, which obviously was more necessary for mages, so skill points could be added there only with a huge penalty, so I ignored them. True, it was not necessary to immediately spend all the skill points, so I left a few in reserve and took only what will definitely be useful in the near future. At the first level, you could add no more than 4 points to any skill at a time. Further, it will be possible to add only +1 to the skill per level.
Dodge 4 (Dexterity modifier) - Every 5 skill points without taking into account the modifier increases the defense coefficient by 1. Helps to maneuver easier in battle.
Healing 4 (Wisdom modifier) - Slightly increases the body's recovery rate. Slightly Increases the amount of healing you can get using recovery items such as bandages or healing potions.
Detect 4 (Modifier Wisdom) - Allows you to detect creatures that use the skills of stealth and quiet movement.
Parry 4 (Dexterity modifier) - Slightly increases your ability to block attacks and counter attacks.
Discipline 4 (Modifier Strength) - Allows you to resist the skills Disarm, Knock Down, Aimed Shot. Improves balance.
Then there was a list of already acquired abilities(feats) and I could select 2 more feats from the general list.
Feats I already had were:
Qick mastery. The skill type is racial. Conditions - human. Human race get additional feat at the first level as well as one additional skill point per level.
Class Weapon Mastery (Monk)
Monk speed - your speed is increased by 5% (5% per level in the monk class)
Improved Unarmed Strike.
Flurry of blows.
There were of course a lot more feats to choose from, but I was a little disappointed. There were no particularly useful feats on the list or those that would give serious advantages.
I chose the most useful one in my opinion.
Blind Fight - You are able to better sense the enemy even with your eyes closed and in poor visibility.
Second feat was saved for later.
When the choice was made, the body glowed for a moment, after which the light scattered. I felt the change, although it was not overly exaggerated. However, I was distracted by a message in the status window.
You have fulfilled the hidden conditions of the Monk class, the speed of obtaining the Monk class abilities is doubled.
You gain the ability: Monk Boost - Monk's wisdom modifier increases the Monk's defense rating. (Monk Level 2 Class ability)
You get the ability: Reflect arrows - You are able to reflect ranged attacks, success depends on the reaction. (Monk Level 2 Class ability)
You gain the ability: Monk Speed - Your speed is increased by 10%. (Monk Level 2 Class ability)
It was a pleasant surprise. It was unclear what the hidden conditions were, but of course I was glad that I met them. A rare sincere smile involuntarily appeared on my face, because the likelihood of my survival has slightly increased.
Jack 14 years old
Level 1
Race - Human
Class - Monk
Personality - Lawful Neutral
Strength 14 Modifier 2
Agility 16 Modifier 3
Constitution 14 Modifier 2
Intellect 12 Modifier 1
Wisdom 14 Modifier 2
Charisma 8 Modifier -1
Exp 0, Next level 1000
Protection factor(defence rating) 15
HP 30
Weapon - Unarmed
Attack bonus = 3
Damage 1-6
Fortitude 3
Reactions 4
Will 3
Spell Resistance 0
Effects - No
It was the modifier that influenced all-round improvements from their respective attributes. The amount of HP was different for each of the classes. For example, a Warrior received 10 HP per level, Barbarian 12, Sorcerer 4, and a Monk 8. But since the constitution modifier was 2, it also added 2 more HP per level, as a result, it turned out 10 HP per level.
The attack bonus affected both the speed and accuracy of hitting, and the damage. For example, if the attack bonus is low, and the enemy has a high defense rating, then the damage will tend to the minimum more often.
The Monk was the only class to receive +1 fortitude, reaction, and will at every level. Judging by the manual, this significantly increased the likelihood of survival.
It's time to visit that ugly "librarian" Raf, I've been here for quite a while and found out that this gloomy old man was also a local caretaker. It turned out that he was in the area of 10th level in the Druid class, and this class required a neutral alignment. I could only wonder how this mummy with an eternally disgruntled mug could be a neutral person. There is a possibility that he ceased to be neutral and he lost the opportunity to progress in his class. In any case, I was glad that I had not risked angering him once again earlier, otherwise it could have ended badly.
I stood at the entrance to the library, sighed and knocked. Soon I heard permission to enter.
- Dear Elder Raf, I'm sorry to bother you. I reached level one today and came to report it.
- Hmm? - it seemed his eerie face relaxed a little. - Okay punk, come here.
I approached Raf, meanwhile he pulled out some kind of scroll with runes. The runes looked more complicated than the ones on the cover of the book.
- Attach your status fingerprint to the scroll.
I did as I was told and saw my status again, but it became clear to me that not only I but also Raf saw it. Exactly how much information he sees, I could see from the notes he made. He wrote down my name, age, race, class and level. Apparently this information was limited, although this is not certain.
- That is it brat, Monks are supposed to registered with the warriors guild. Your information will be sent by me and when you get to any of the cities of the kingdom, your data will already be in the guild's database. Thanks to this, it will be easier to get into the city, but you still have to come to your guild personally and I advise you to do this before you get the second level, otherwise it is better for you to stay in the village forever or live in the forests. Although for those who have not reached the age of 20 they can make an exception, but I would not risk it if I were you. Now get out and don't come back.
- Thank you elder, may I ask ...
- Get out!
Well, trying to get at least some additional information out of this asshole ended in failure, what a surprise. I dutifully left the room and no longer began to annoy the old man.
Not so long ago I made another pair of Sai daggers from iron. So I took them out and decided to play with them on the way home. However, I saw a message in the status.
"There is no feat Weapon in both hands, a penalty to damage and attack by 50% will be imposed"
At first I was upset, but after thinking about it, I decided that the problem was not big. I use these daggers primarily for parrying and redirecting attacks, because it would be foolish to try to contact my opponent's weapon with my bare hands. But I can still use them for these purposes, and strike with my fists. I turned to one of my "subordinates" and checked the theory, everything worked as it should. At the same time, I checked the use of bows, and the penalty applied to them, now the Ranged Weapon Mastery feat was missing and my Class Weapon Mastery feat did not allowed even shortbows usage without penalty. At the same time, I could use throwing darts and homemade shurikens without any problems, obviously they were included in the list of class weapons for a monk. In general, I will definitely not become an archer in the near future, or maybe never at all, we shall see.