Cas' eyes remained closed yet an interface encompassed all he could see.
"Before your journey begins, lets familiarize you with the system here in Xternity. What you see is your Mind Menu, a simple thought provides access to the various options, you'll also find detailed information on quests, items and characters you encounter during your journey. Based on your DNA profile we've selected ideal body composition, growth rate and base statistics. All aesthetics are system generated to ensure compatibility with age progression and starting location. As you explore Xternity various paths will open but to ensure a fulfilling journey your starting location is pre determined in order to maximize ones potential. Lets now introduce you to the combat and growth system here in Xternity.
Character: Casimiro
Title: None
Class: Undetermined
Level: 0 (0/100exp)
HP 100/100
Strength: 9 - Measures physical damage, improves physique and allows for feats of brawn
Dexterity: 8 - Measures agility, improves reflexes and determines counter rate
Defense: 6 - Measures damage reduction, toughness and determines status effect durations
Intelligence: 10 - Measures intellect, perception and ability to discern information during conversation or studies.
Stamina: 8- Measures Endurance, overall health and is factored in during grueling combat
Luck: 11- Determines encounter and drop rates, factored in upon quest completion, when opening chests and during precarious situations
Mana: 2- Amount of otherworld energy, determines ability to cast spells and perform enchanted attacks
Equipment
Main Hand: Wooden Sword (Common) +1 Strength
Off Hand: None
Head: None
Shoulders: None
Chest: Ripped Rags (Common) +0 Defense
Gloves: None
Pants: Childs Subligaculum (Common) + 0 Defense
Boots: Barefoot -1 Dexterity
Abilities-
Wallop- A wild swing with a sword, lacks technique but effective in a pinch (Cooldown 30 seconds)
Basic Parry- Quickly uses held weapon to block one attack completely preventing all damage. (Cooldown 1 minute)
(Training Module-Childhood)
Xternity provided a feeling of familiarity inherent to Cas, his mind accepting the parameters of this experience in the same way you learn to breathe. Cas felt he lacked any choice in the matter regardless, best to accept what was happening and figure out what to do later. Cas closed the mind menu with a thought and was met with the birth of a new world. He was a child again, playing with a wooden sword in a courtyard, he instantly recognized the architecture, domus, it was if he had been thrust into ancient Rome. This world was alive! Across the courtyard he could see a bustling marketplace, people moving all about, a column of soldiers marched along the paved courtyard perimeter, he saw a washerwomen cleaning clothes near an elegant fountain, her forehead beading sweat as she scrubbed stains. Every person he looked at displayed faded info,
Character: Juno
Occupation: Washerwomen
Class: Slave, owned by Titus Benedictus
HP 98/100
" A simple women who does what she is told."
Cas was taken aback, what the fuck was this... Pondering his predicament he noticed a group of three well dressed boys heading his direction.
As they approached the biggest boy who Cas surmised must be the leader called out "Check out the caenum fellas, haven't seen you around before, must be one of Eleutiro's new slaves. Well scum, got nothing to say?" He snickered, a smirk full of ill intent plastered on his face. Cas went to speak but was cut off "Look he has a toy, what do you say we take it from him and cram it up his rear?" they spread out clearly having done this to a few poor souls.
Cas checked their info
Character: Gusto
Class: Melee Fighter
HP 100/100
"The ring leader of the local bullies, Gusto has been ruining unsuspecting victims days since the day he started walking."
Gusto rapidly approached, his companions choosing to stand back and watch the action. "I'm gonna make you bleed" Gusto uttered cocking his right hand back to take a swing. It was a diversion, Gusto's left hand slapped Cas hard across the cheek.
-5hp appeared in Cas' mind menu, the sting from the blow was very much real. Cas could taste the faint trace of blood in his mouth, anger boiled inside him.
I guess I need to teach this punk a lesson, Cas thought as he swung his wooden sword towards Gusto's knee
Wallop!
-10 HP, Gustos knee faintly glowed yellow
"He fuckin hit me! I'm really gonna kill you now!" Enraged Gusto unleashed a right hook aimed directly for Cas' nose
Parry!
Cas blocked the blow with the blade of his wooden sword causing Gusto to let loose a childlike screech, he waved his injured hand trying to soften the damage as his hand flashed a hint of red.
-5 HP, Gusto's hand is injured, all damage received will be reduced
"Aghh you broke my hand!" Gusto's voice shook with anger, his gaze going from left to right until settling on a jagged rock. "Now you're going to pay, get him boys!" Hearing Gusto's command his accomplices rushed Cas, one on each side.
Character Leo
HP 100/100
Character: Adrian
HP 100/100
Character Gusto
HP 85/100
Main hand: Jagged Rock (Common) +5 strength Capable of Inflicting Critical hits
Outnumbered Cas took a step back, he could run but these guys would make his life hell going forward, Leo approached first from the right and was met with a strike to the ribs
-15 HP
Adrian lunged from the left, raising his knee and plowing into Cas full force knocking him onto the ground.
-10 HP
Cas sucked air, he was in trouble, Suddenly Gusto was above him, hands raised preparing to drive the jagged end of the rock into Cas' head. Cas rolled, barely avoiding the rock as it stuck into the ground. Springing to his feet he lashed out delivering two rapid blows to Gusto's arm and shoulder
-10HP -5HP
Without wasting motion, he swung the wooden sword around his back striking the side of Leo's face sending blood and a tooth flying.
-30 HP Critical hit, opponent is stunned for 10 seconds
Continuing his attack Cas rushed towards Adrian who assumed a defensive stance
Leaping off the ground Cas used Wallop! Crashing his wooden blade into Adrian's shoulder and driving the boy to his knees, taking the advantage he swung in an arc striking the boys neck completely disabling the bully.
-30HP Critical hit! -70HP, opponent is unconscious. +50 exp
One down Cas thought as a strike connected with his temple
-10HP +5 damage to the user
Gusto's injured hand limited the attack, anger permeated the boys facial features, Cas sensing opportunity use his left hand to grab the front of the boys shirt followed by a jarring headbutt that exploded Gusto's nose in a hail of snot and blood.
-35HP Opponent is dazed, accuracy lowered for 15 seconds
"IM GOING TO KILL YOU!" Gusto boomed
"Not today you're not" Cas countered using the moment to place a blow against Gusto's injured knee following it up with a whirlwind swing that connected with the bully's jaw knocking him out.
-35HP Opponent Disabled. +50 exp. Level up, received 5 allocable attribute points.
Leo, regaining awareness absorbed the scene before him, quickly deciding he wanted no part of a one on one turned his tail and ran.
"Okay, I'm not completely helpless in this world." Cas celebrated failing to notice the patrolmen's spear as it whacked the back of his head.
-100 HP You've been knocked out
System Message: Congratulations "Childhood Completed" Tallying Scores....
Calculating... Grade S
Learned Basic attack-Whirlwind- Swing your weapon in an arc around your body, capable of inflicting critical hits and stun for 10 Seconds (Cooldown 45 seconds)
5 Allocable attribute points available, please select stats to increase
While he didn't understand exactly how his attributes factored into his success, Cas understood the basics and decided to apply two points to dexterity, two points to defense and one point to strength.
(Training Model-Class Selection)
Transitioning between these events was nearly unnoticeable, Cas had aged, experiencing rapid physical development as grueling training memories flashed in his mind and muscles. His life would've been hard had he actually lived through it instead of merely developing. He surmised he was part of a collection of trainees being honed for battle, his senses improving with each passing second, as the world around him materialized he understood his place, he was nothing more then property.
Character Felix Poplicola
Title - The Cultavator
Class- Lanista
Level 20
HP 5120/5120
"A grim man, capable of extreme discipline, after suffering a career ending defeat in the coliseum he was hired by Eleutiro Pontz to turn slaves into gladiators"
Standing in line, hands by his side, Cas felt honored, he had trained for years in the Ludus Lararia, honed in blood and sweat Cas could feel the effects the grueling training had. His senses were sharper, his physique chiseled, the combination of the virtual experience and his human acquired knowledge provided a sense of capability. He was ready for what was to come.
"Today you graduate, after years of my guidance you have ascended from scum to muck" Felix's voice carried an aura of authority, he was proud of his ability to punish, to tame, to cast boys into men. "I've determined where your focus is to be pointed, most of you are lucky to know which end of the gladius to hold and will remain with me. Some will be sent to join the town's legion, Alas, there is one individual amongst you whos shown signs of transcending the common destiny their blood had planned for them, step forward Casimiro."
Instinctively Cas strolled center stage, his brethren remained steadfast, not a hint of jealousy from any of the other trainees. "This one attends sir!"
"Good... Your esteemed owner, Eleutiro, at my behest, has chosen you to learn a specialized form of combat, you will remain a slave, yet you may rise high if you continue to apply the effort I've instilled. Feast your eyes!"
As Felix's words trailed off the gate to the training yard opened, led by a retinue, permeating a regal aura, a young lion stepped through.
Class Selection complete: Beast Tamer unlocked.