After the grand commotion in the assessment room, Su Lingxi and Guild Master Roderick returned to his office. Roderick began to explain the guild's ranking system.
"Based on what you showed us, it should be enough to give you a high rank. But as per our rules, a solo mage, no matter how strong, shall be given the maximum rank possible, which is Gold Rank. However, based on your current readiness, I will bestow upon you the Steel Rank first," Roderick stated.
Curious about the ranks, Su Lingxi asked for more information. "Can you tell me about the ranks then, Guild Master?"
Roderick nodded. "There are ten ranks. The lower ranks are Copper, Bronze, Iron, Steel, and Silver. The higher ranks are Gold, Platinum, Mithril, Adamantine, and Orichalcum."
"I see. Thank you, Guild Master," Su Lingxi replied gratefully.
Roderick then tossed a bag of coins to Su Lingxi. "That's yours. Consider it a gift from me."
Su Lingxi thanked the guild master and left the office, feeling a sense of accomplishment and gratitude. With her newfound rank and the support of the Adventurer's Guild, she was ready to embark on her next adventure, eager to prove herself and continue her journey of self-discovery.
Excitedly, Su Lingxi arrived at the clothing store and introduced herself to the owner. "Ms., here is our latest line of clothes for mages," the owner said, presenting the various garments.
Su Lingxi's eyes immediately fell upon something intriguing. "What is that?" she asked, pointing to a dress with a hooded cloak.
"It's our experimental clothing. It's imbued with Manipulation Magic. The dress can transform into a skirt for close combat," the owner explained.
Su Lingxi's excitement grew at the prospect of such versatile attire. Eager to try it out, she inquired about the price. "It's 50 gold," the owner replied.
Though shocked at the price, Su Lingxi couldn't resist the allure of such a unique and practical garment. Without hesitation, she made the purchase and wasted no time in trying it on.
As she donned the dress, she felt the subtle hum of magic woven into the fabric. With a flick of her wrist, she activated the transformation spell, watching in amazement as the dress seamlessly shifted into a skirt, perfect for maneuvering in combat.
Thrilled with her purchase, Su Lingxi thanked the store owner and left the shop, feeling confident and ready for whatever adventures lay ahead, now equipped with her new, magical attire.
As Su Lingxi walked back, she couldn't help but admire the elegance and majesty of her new dress. The color palette, a perfect blend of white and gold, resonated with her sense of style. The hooded cloak, with its circular design outlined in gold, added a touch of regal charm.
Arriving back at the Adventurer's Guild, Su Lingxi wasted no time heading towards the quest board designated for Steel rank adventurers. Her eyes scanned the available quests, searching for the one with the highest reward.
"I'll pick the one with the highest reward then. There. I just need to kill a group of Fire Minotaurs, and the reward is 50 silver coins? I need to level up and rank up quickly," Su Lingxi thought to herself, determined to make the most of her newfound status.
Ripping the quest from the board, Su Lingxi returned to the receptionist, Laura, with a sense of purpose. "I'll do this quest, Ms. Laura," she declared confidently.
Laura's eyes widened in surprise as she took in Su Lingxi's transformed appearance. "W-Wow! Is that you, Ms. Su? You look even more beautiful in that dress!"
Su Lingxi felt a blush creeping up her cheeks as she awkwardly thanked Laura for the compliment. With a newfound sense of confidence and determination, she set off to complete her chosen quest, ready to prove herself as a capable adventurer in her stunning new attire.
Excitement surged through Su Lingxi as she consulted the map provided by the guild. With the real-time dot indicating the location of her quest, she quickly recognized the area it was where she had been before, just a little closer to the forest.
Impressed by the map's accuracy, Su Lingxi wasted no time. With a flick of her wrist, she activated the transformation spell on her dress, shortening it to its more practical version. With renewed agility, she set off, amazed by the sudden burst of speed.
"I-I can't believe it! I'm faster, so much faster!" Su Lingxi exclaimed, exhilarated by her newfound agility. In just a matter of five minutes, she arrived at her quest area, the adrenaline coursing through her veins.
Taking a moment to catch her breath, Su Lingxi scanned the surroundings, searching for any signs of the Fire Minotaurs. With her senses heightened and her magical attire empowering her, she felt more prepared than ever to face the challenges that lay ahead. With determination in her heart, she pressed forward, ready to confront the fiery beasts and prove herself as a capable adventurer.
As Su Lingxi stealthily perched on a tree branch, she scanned the area, her keen eyes finally spotting the group of Fire Minotaurs. Despite their imposing appearance, she couldn't help but admire their fierce and majestic presence. However, she knew that she had to defeat them to complete her quest.
Crafting a spear from pure Light Element with the help of her Creation Mastery, Su Lingxi marveled at her newfound ability. "Looks like with the help of Creation Mastery, I can bypass the requirement of having a skill, but the effectiveness is reduced by half. If I want to fully utilize them, I have to master them or have a skill," she mused to herself.
With the Light spear in hand, Su Lingxi took aim and threw it towards the Fire Minotaurs below. To her astonishment, the spear, despite its non-existent weight, broke the sound barrier, creating a sonic boom that echoed through the forest.
The spear struck the first Fire Minotaur with incredible force, causing a powerful explosion that leveled the surrounding area for miles. Su Lingxi found herself propelled into the air by the shockwave, her senses overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the blast.
As she hovered in the air, shocked and dumbfounded by the devastation she had caused, Su Lingxi realized the true extent of her power. With a mixture of awe and trepidation, she prepared herself to face whatever challenges lay ahead, knowing that she possessed the strength and determination to overcome them.
As Su Lingxi expressed her regret at not bringing back a part of the Fire Minotaurs, Guild Master Roderick intervened, asserting, "No, this scene is enough evidence."
Su Lingxi turned to him, surprised. "So you came to watch me?" she inquired.
Roderick nodded, his expression contemplative. "So this is the power of the Light Element, huh? Quite destructive."
"Indeed, even I got surprised by it. It's good that I discovered it here and not in the village," Su Lingxi admitted.
"Indeed. I'll promote you to the Gold Rank. These kinds of enemies are worthless for you," Roderick declared.
"Thank you," Su Lingxi replied gratefully.
With their conversation concluded, Su Lingxi landed gracefully on the ground, and together with the Guild Master, they made their way back to the guild. As she walked, Su Lingxi couldn't help but feel a sense of pride and accomplishment at her newfound rank, eager to embark on even greater adventures as a Gold-ranked adventurer.
With her newfound status as a high-ranking adventurer, Su Lingxi enjoyed the privilege of having a private room at the Adventurer's Guild. As she rested in her secluded space, she decided to assess her inventory by commanding the system to open it.
A new system panel promptly appeared, displaying the contents of her inventory:
2 Random Ranked Item Cards
2 Rare Skill Cards
1 Random High Ranked Weapon Card
1 Random Low Ranked Skill Card
1 Part of a Character Card
1 High Ranked Skill Card
1 Random Weapon Card
1 Element Card
1/? System Fragment
With a keen sense of curiosity, Su Lingxi pondered the potential of each item and its implications for her future adventures. Each card and fragment held the promise of enhancing her abilities and unlocking new possibilities, further propelling her on her journey as an esteemed adventurer.
Su Lingxi's curiosity piqued as she examined the Element Card in her inventory. With a sense of excitement, she decided to use it, triggering a prompt from the system.
"The Host will be able to choose a Sub Element for the Current element the Host has," the prompt stated. "For the Chaos Element, there are two more sub-elements: Destruction and Transformation. For the Divinity element, the next Sub Element is Fire, Water, and Earth. What will the host choose?"
Without hesitation, Su Lingxi exclaimed, "Destruction! Who wouldn't pick that?"
A new system panel promptly appeared, signaling the creation of a new Element Pool. Su Lingxi braced herself for the familiar sensation of pain, but this time, it felt different bearable, almost insignificant compared to before. She welcomed it without hesitation.
As the process completed, another system panel emerged, confirming the creation of the Destruction Element. Su Lingxi's heart raced with anticipation as she realized she now possessed the power of Destruction, a force to be reckoned with on her journey as an adventurer. With determination in her eyes, she couldn't wait to test out her newfound abilities and explore the endless possibilities that lay ahead.
As Su Lingxi read the daunting prompt, her heart sank with apprehension. "What price?" she murmured, her voice trembling with uncertainty. A new prompt materialized on the system panel, revealing the sacrifice demanded for mastering the Creation Element: the removal of one of her emotions.
Su Lingxi's mind whirled as she contemplated the weight of this sacrifice. Emotions were the essence of her humanity, guiding her experiences and shaping her interactions with the world. The prospect of relinquishing one of them filled her with a profound sense of loss and unease.
Taking a moment to compose herself, Su Lingxi carefully considered the emotions listed before her. Each one held significance, representing a unique facet of her identity and personal journey. Choosing which emotion to sacrifice felt like an impossible task, as each held its own value and meaning.
With a heavy heart, Su Lingxi made her choice, understanding the irrevocable change it would bring. Bracing herself for the consequences, she resolved to pay the price for mastering the Creation Element, knowing that her path forward would be forever altered by her decision.
As Su Lingxi lay on her bed, her mind filled with contemplation and anticipation. "I chose Envy in the end," she murmured to herself, pondering the significance of her decision. "I wonder if that's a good choice. If mastering a founding Element requires sacrificing an emotion, then there are two more decisions I need to prepare for in the future."
Turning her thoughts to her inventory panel, Su Lingxi focused on her need for a weapon. "The Orb of Weaponry didn't manage to come back to me, or maybe I'm just too far for now. I need a weapon," she mused aloud. "System, I'll use the Random High Ranked Weapon Card."
A new system prompt appeared, surprising Su Lingxi with its revelation. "Due to the latest development of the host, the system will grant the Host to choose a rank," it announced.
"WHAT! NICE! THEN I CHOOSE THE HIGHEST RANK! THE CHAOS RANK, IF I REMEMBERED IT RIGHT!" Su Lingxi exclaimed, her excitement palpable as she eagerly anticipated the arrival of her new weapon.
"The host has picked a Chaos Rank weapon," the system prompt stated. Su Lingxi's excitement grew as she eagerly awaited the arrival of her new weapon. When it finally appeared, a new system prompt flashed across the panel: "One of the Elemental Weapons has descended to the world. The host shall name the weapon to transform it into a Spiritual Weapon."
Su Lingxi stared in awe at the weapon before her. It radiated an aura of immense power, its form shifting subtly as if it were alive, attuned to the chaotic energies it embodied. The weapon seemed to pulse with potential, waiting for her to give it purpose and identity.
Taking a deep breath, Su Lingxi pondered the perfect name, one that would encapsulate the essence of her journey and the power she now wielded. After a moment of contemplation, she spoke with conviction.
"I name you Azrael," Su Lingxi declared, her voice resonating with authority and determination.
As the name left her lips, the weapon seemed to pulse with newfound energy, its form shimmering with an ethereal glow. Su Lingxi felt a surge of power emanating from Azrael, a bond forged between wielder and weapon.
The air around them seemed to hum with anticipation as Azrael embraced its new name, embodying the essence of its chosen moniker. Su Lingxi sensed a profound connection forming between herself and the weapon, a partnership born of mutual purpose and destiny.
With Azrael at her side, Su Lingxi felt invigorated and ready to face whatever challenges awaited her on her journey. She knew that together, they would conquer the trials ahead and emerge stronger than ever before.
As Su Lingxi gazed upon her newly christened spiritual weapon, an idea began to form in her mind. With Azrael by her side, she felt emboldened, ready to test its power against the most formidable challenges. However, the late hour forced her to postpone her plans for the time being.
Seated in her room, Su Lingxi's thoughts turned to her unallocated stat points and skill points. It was an opportune moment to enhance her abilities, ensuring she was fully prepared for the trials ahead.
As Su Lingxi reviewed her character stats, she couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement at the potential for growth and improvement. With a considerable number of stat points at her disposal, she knew that strategic allocation would be key to maximizing her effectiveness in combat and exploration.
Considering her current strengths and weaknesses, Su Lingxi deliberated over how best to distribute her stat points to further enhance her abilities. She recognized the importance of maintaining a balance between offense, defense, and utility, ensuring that she remained versatile in any situation.
Su Lingxi's Stats
Name: Su Lingxi
Title:
Level: 17
Path: Forbidden Path
HP: 310
MP: 240
STATS SP: 0
Strength: 62 Dexterity: 50
Constitution: 20 Intelligence: 20
Wisdom: 20 Charisma: 20 Luck: 20
SKILLS SP: 5
Passive Skills:
Mana Essence LVL: 0
Active Skills:
Radiant Shield LVL: 0
Invisibility LVL: 0
Unique Skills:
The Orb of Weaponry LVL: 0
Satisfied with her choices, Su Lingxi felt a renewed sense of confidence and readiness to take on the challenges that lay ahead. With her character stats and skills optimized, she knew that she was prepared to face whatever trials awaited her in her next adventure.
After the day's events and careful planning for her future adventures, Su Lingxi felt the weight of exhaustion settle upon her. With her preparations complete and her mind at ease, she allowed herself to succumb to the embrace of sleep.
As she drifted into dreams, visions of battles won and challenges overcome danced through her mind. With Azrael by her side and her skills honed to perfection, Su Lingxi felt a sense of peace and determination wash over her.
In the quiet of her room, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight, Su Lingxi surrendered to the gentle rhythm of sleep, knowing that tomorrow would bring new challenges and triumphs on her journey as an adventurer.