Lucian opened the system panel and focused his thoughts on the shop icon. The interface sprang to life, lines of text scrolling past his vision. He mentally selected the shop, eager to explore the items it offered.
The screen before him lit up, displaying a vast selection of categories and subcategories. It was almost overwhelming.
[System Shop Interface]
Points Available: [10,000]
Rank: [F-SSS]
Shop Categories:
1. Vampire Abilities (Your Trait Skills)
2. Spells
3. Knowledge
4. Items
5. potions
6. Skills
7. Experience
Lucian's eyes darted between the categories, curiosity piquing as he hovered over Vampire Abilities. With a mere thought, the system opened up a list of abilities designed for vampires. His brows furrowed at the prices. Some were affordable, but others seemed outrageously expensive.
[Vampire Abilities]
Blood Manipulation (F-Rank) – 500 Points
Night Vision (E-Rank) – 1,000 Points
Blood Clothing (D-Rank) – 3,000 Points
Vampiric Regeneration (C-Rank) – 10,000 Points
Blood Frenzy (B-Rank) – 15,000 Points
Eternal Night Mastery (S-Rank) – 50,000,00 Points
Ultimate Blood Mimicry (SSS-Rank) – 1,000,000,000 Points
Lucian's head felt heavy, eyes widening at the numbers. He ran a hand through his hair, feeling a slight pressure building in his temples.
"These prices... am I supposed to sell my soul for that SSS-rank?" Lucian muttered to himself, feeling a bit overwhelmed. There was no way he could afford anything beyond a basic skill with his current 10,000 points.
He gulped, glancing at his balance again, and then raised a question mentally. "Hey system, how many skills do you even have?"
The system responded almost instantly, its tone indifferent yet ominous.
[Infinite. Don't forget, host, I have devoured entire existences at various points.]
Lucian felt a chill run down his spine. "Right... you're not as useless as I thought," he admitted grudgingly. But the steep prices were a different matter. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was barely scratching the surface of what this system truly held. The costs reflected that – power wasn't cheap, and neither was knowledge.
As he skimmed through the categories, his mind returned to a more immediate concern: the language barrier. If he was to survive and thrive at the academy, he needed to understand the language in the textbooks. He could bluff his way through conversations, but academic reading? That was different.
"System," he called out, "you should have something that can help me learn the language, right? The one used in the books."
[Indeed. I have nearly infinite languages in my database, including the one you require.]
Suddenly, the system shop shifted, presenting him with a new panel for languages.
[Language Proficiency]
Beginner Proficiency (English) – 500 Points
Intermediate Proficiency (English) – 6,000 Points
Advanced Proficiency (English) – 10,000 Points
Grandmaster Proficiency (English) – 50,000 Points
Lucian squinted at the screen, puzzled. "Why are language skills so expensive? I could buy a decent combat skill for the same price," he grumbled aloud.
The system's voice chimed in, sounding almost like a tutor reprimanding a student.
[Host, the shop does not differentiate prices purely based on power. Skills are also valued by rarity, usefulness, effectiveness, and whether they are considered forbidden or secret. Language is a vast skill – mastering it opens endless possibilities. A language is more than just words; it's knowledge, culture, magic incantations, and history. While the language you're looking at now may seem ordinary, rarer tongues like Draconic or the ancient Primordial languages would cost you far more.]
Lucian sighed, massaging his temples. "Alright, alright. I get it. Knowledge is power and all that." As much as he hated to admit it, the system had a point. Languages could unlock a lot more than just reading books; they were gateways to rituals, spells, and deeper understanding of the world.
But looking back at his points, he frowned. With only 10,000 points, he was limited. After a moment's hesitation, he made a decision. He couldn't afford to be humiliated on his first day at the academy. Basic literacy wouldn't cut it. He needed to be competent.
"System, buy intermediate proficiency in English," Lucian thought, his mind made up.
[Confirmed. Purchasing Intermediate Proficiency (English) for 6,000 points.]
[Remaining Points: 4,000]
Lucian felt a subtle shift in his mind, as if a door had opened and knowledge began trickling in. He could suddenly understand words and phrases more easily. The once unfamiliar letters and symbols now made sense, and he felt confident that he could at least read and write at a functional level.
He exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the decision lift slightly. The system's vastness still loomed before him, but at least now he could navigate the written world of the academy without looking like a fool.
"Not bad," he muttered under his breath, his thoughts clearer now. "At least I won't embarrass myself in class tomorrow."
lets see i still have 4000 points left should i buy something now...no lets wait well see it tomorrow... Lucian thought it would be better to save it for emergency