Ned was lazily sprawled on a flat rock, the wilderness humming around him as he squinted at his status window. The holographic interface hovered in front of him, glowing faintly against the midday sun.
Name: Ned Forester
Title: Banished Spectator
Talent: Spectator's Insight (Grade ???), Talaria (Rare)
Level: 3
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Attributes
- Strength: 10
- Agility: 15
- Endurance: 8
- Mana: 15
- Perception: 30
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Unique Skills
1. Reenact
Description: Mimics observed talents by replicating their mana flow and patterns. Success depends on the complexity of the talent, the user's mana control, and compatibility. Copied talents are temporary but can grow more efficient with practice.
2. ???
3. ???
4. ???
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Talents
Talent Name: Spectator's Insight (???, ???)
- Core Ability: Allows the user to observe the flow of mana and analyze its patterns in extraordinary detail. This heightened perception enables the recognition and understanding of complex skills, strategies, and talents.
Talent Name: Talaria (Rare, Physical)
- Effect: Enhances speed and agility by amplifying mana flow through the lower limbs.
- Compatibility: 87%
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Ned smirked, scrolling through his stats. "Agility and mana, the dream team. Too bad I'm still squishy as slime pudding," he muttered, tapping the air to assign his latest points. Talaria's compatibility had nudged up a bit—a result of him running away from every moderately scary thing in the woods. Progress was progress.
As he admired his numbers, a group of silhouettes emerged in the distance. Curious, Ned crouched low and crept closer, weaving between the trees. His Spectator's Insight flickered to life, sharpening his vision and giving him a clear look at the group.
Four figures came into focus: a bulky tank in gleaming armor, a sly ranger, a radiant priestess, and at the center, the unmistakable Usain Bolt. Ned's eyebrows shot up. It was _him_ — the guy who had handed him a talent for free back at the palace. Ned grinned. "What's the likelihood he remembers that little detail?"
He settled behind a bush and listened.
"Lady Clara," the tank said, "Usain Bolt is such a great warrior! Did you see how elegantly he prepared that slime curry? Truly inspiring."
"I agree, madam Clara," chimed in the ranger, whose smirk was as sharp as her arrows. "Also, isn't he just devastatingly handsome? A rare combination, really."
Clara, the priestess, smiled politely but looked visibly annoyed. Her golden robes shimmered in the sunlight, a stark contrast to her evident discomfort. "Thank you, but I don't think his cooking needs such…vivid praise," she said, trying to steer the conversation elsewhere.
Ned's grin widened. "Wow, they're really laying it on thick. Poor Clara." He knew her by reputation: the kind-hearted daughter of Viscount John Cena, a legendary assassin known for his talent of invisibility. Clara was practically the opposite—a soft, innocent priestess who couldn't harm a fly. Or, as the rumors went, spot one.
Ned leaned forward, thoroughly entertained, but his amusement was short-lived. Clara's gaze suddenly snapped toward his hiding spot.
"Who's there?" she called out.
Ned froze. "Oh, crap." He considered running but decided against it. Instead, he emerged with his hands up, a sheepish grin plastered across his face. "Don't shoot. I come in peace."
Usain's eyes widened in recognition before narrowing into a glare. "You," he spat, his voice dripping with venom. Clearly, the guy hadn't forgotten. Ned raised a brow. "Well, hello to you too."
The tank and ranger immediately went into NPC mode.
"Who is this insolent brat?" the tank demanded, puffing out his chest.
"Clearly some lost peasant," the ranger added, her tone dismissive. "We should just scare him off."
Clara stepped forward, her expression softening. "Wait, let's not be hasty. Perhaps he could help us. Wasn't he a prince since a while ago, We're about to enter a dungeon, he must know more about them than any of us, and more allies is always better"
Usain looked like he was chewing on broken glass. "Absolutely not," he snapped, but then his expression shifted. A sly smile crept onto his face. "Actually, fine. Let him join us. More fodder for the front lines."
Ned tilted his head. "Gee, thanks. Really feelin' the love here."
Despite the frosty welcome from Usain and his lackeys, Ned agreed to join. Truth be told, he was planning to hit up the Miner's Quake dungeon anyway. A group of meat shields sounded like a solid upgrade to his solo adventures.
---
The journey to the dungeon was uneventful but gave Ned ample opportunity to observe the group dynamics. The tank and ranger took turns fawning over Usain, who basked in the attention like a cat in a sunbeam. Clara, meanwhile, walked slightly apart from the others, her expression a mix of politeness and exasperation. Ned decided he liked her.
Although he found it weird, he noticed Clara taking occasional glances at him, it was really slight, but nothing goes outside of a spectators eye.
They finally reached the dungeon entrance, Ned couldn't help but marvel. The Miner's Quake was shaped like an ancient mineshaft, its weathered wooden beams framing a glowing portal. The air hummed with latent energy.
"So, uh, how does this work?" Ned asked, gesturing at the portal.
"Simple," Usain replied, his tone condescending. "We step through. Try not to embarrass yourself. And also aren't you supposed to know more than us little prince?"
Ned's grin returned. "A little humor doesn't hurt anyone"
They entered the portal, and the world around them shifted. The air grew cooler, the light dimmer. They emerged in a cavernous space filled with glittering crystals and lumbering golems. The dungeon was alive with the sound of grinding stone and faint, echoing groans.
"All right," Usain said, taking charge. "We stick together. Follow my lead, and don't do anything stupid."
"Got it," Ned said, twirling his staff. "Just follow the guy with the fancy hair. Easy enough."
Usain glared but said nothing.
The first few encounters were straightforward. The group worked together to take down slow-moving stone golems, with Clara providing healing support and Usain showing off his speed-based attacks. Ned hung back at first, observing their techniques with Spectator's Insight. He could feel his Reenact skill itching to activate, but he decided to save it for something more impressive.
As they delved deeper, the enemies grew tougher. At one point, a golem cornered the tank, its massive fists smashing the ground inches from his head.
"Any time now, Lady Clara!" the tank shouted, his voice rising in panic.
Clara hurried forward, casting a glowing shield around him just in time. Ned watched, impressed. "So that's how her healing works. Interesting."
By the time they reached the dungeon's central chamber, the group was battered but victorious. Usain turned to Ned, a smug grin on his face. "See? Stick with me, and you'll survive."
Ned raised a brow. "You mean stick with Clara, right? Pretty sure she's the reason we're not all pancakes right now."
Ned thought it was about time he would show his skills and shut this little guy's mouth.