The sun had already begun its descent, casting long shadows across the jungle floor. Clay and Sarah stood by the stream, the cool water running gently past them, the atmosphere thick with the promise of something new. For the first time in what felt like forever, Clay felt a flicker of hope in his chest. The exhaustion that had weighed him down seemed to lift, replaced with the anticipation of what was to come.
Sarah had not let go of his hand since they had joined forces, and despite the unfamiliarity of her sudden appearance, her presence felt like a reassurance, a guide he hadn't known he needed. She didn't seem like the same princess he had briefly met all those weeks ago. She was different now—more confident, more grounded, as if the weight of her role in this world had shaped her into something much greater.
"You don't have to say anything, Clay," Sarah said softly, her voice breaking the silence that had settled between them. "I know what you're thinking. You're wondering how all of this fits together. What's next. But we don't have to rush. Let's take it one step at a time."
Clay glanced at her, trying to read her expression. "One step at a time? That sounds easy, but after everything that's happened—everything I've been through—it doesn't feel like it should be that simple."
"Nothing ever is," Sarah said with a small smile, the corners of her lips twitching. "But that doesn't mean it's impossible."
Clay huffed, more out of habit than frustration. His mind was a whirl of conflicting thoughts, but he couldn't ignore the part of him that felt like this was his chance to make something more of himself. The world he had found himself in was brutal, but with Sarah's help, perhaps he could finally begin to understand his purpose in it.
"Okay," Clay said, his tone resolute. "I'm ready. So what's the first thing I need to do?"
Sarah nodded, her eyes narrowing with thought. "First, we need to talk about the skills you've been given. You've only scratched the surface of what you're capable of, Clay. The Appraiser and Domination skills are just the beginning."
Clay couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. "I've barely managed to figure out how to use them properly. I'm not exactly a skilled warrior."
"You don't need to be a warrior," Sarah said, her voice taking on an encouraging note. "What you need is focus. You've been using your skills instinctively, but they can be far more powerful if you understand them fully. And that's where I come in."
Clay felt his heart skip a beat. "You know how these skills work?"
"I do," she said, her expression growing serious. "But first, let's take a step back. You're here in this world for a reason. You were chosen by a goddess, Faith, for a purpose that has yet to be fully revealed. Your reincarnation isn't just random. It's tied to something much bigger."
Clay's brow furrowed at the mention of Faith. "The goddess who offered me a second chance at life. I remember her, but I don't understand. What does she have to do with all of this?"
"Everything," Sarah said firmly. "Faith has her own reasons for guiding you to this world. She knew you would need help. She knew you would need allies, and that's why I'm here now."
Clay had a thousand questions swirling in his mind, but he bit his tongue. He needed to focus on one thing at a time. He had learned the hard way that rushing into things in this world only led to trouble.
"Alright," Clay said, forcing himself to stay calm. "So, what about these skills? How do I get better at them?"
Sarah smiled, the warmth returning to her features. "We'll start with Appraiser."
Clay's eyes widened slightly. "That's the skill that lets me identify things, right?"
"Yes," Sarah affirmed, stepping closer. "But it's more than just identifying objects or creatures. Appraiser allows you to analyze the essence of things. It shows you their value—not just in terms of strength or rarity, but in terms of potential. You can use it to understand how something works or even how it can be used to your advantage."
Clay's mind raced as the implications of her words settled in. "So, it's not just about identifying items or enemies. I can use it to understand people, too?"
"Exactly," Sarah said. "That's where your Domination skill comes in. Domination allows you to exert control, not just over creatures, but over situations, emotions, even people. But it's not just about brute force. It's about influence and understanding."
Clay nodded slowly. "So, I've been using these skills all wrong, huh?"
Sarah chuckled softly, her eyes filled with amusement. "Not wrong, just… inefficient. But that's to be expected. You've been on your own for so long, trying to figure everything out without anyone to guide you."
"I get it," Clay said, the weight of her words sinking in. "So, what do we do now?"
Sarah took a deep breath, her expression becoming more focused. "Now, we train. We begin to refine your skills, teaching you how to use them to their full potential. We'll start with small things—analyzing your surroundings, learning how to focus your energy. We'll take things slow, but soon, you'll see how much more you're capable of."
Clay felt a surge of anticipation. For the first time in a long while, he wasn't just reacting to the world around him—he was beginning to take control. And the more he thought about it, the more he realized how much potential he had. If he could truly master these skills, there was no limit to what he could achieve.
"Alright, I'm in," he said, determination hardening his voice. "Let's start."
Sarah's smile widened. "Good. Let's begin with the basics. Appraiser is all about observation. The first thing I want you to do is focus on a single object in your surroundings—anything. I want you to use Appraiser to identify it."
Clay glanced around, taking in the dense jungle around him. There were so many things to choose from—giant trees, strange plants, rocks scattered along the stream. His eyes landed on a small stone sitting near the edge of the water.
He focused, letting his mind center on the object. He could feel the familiar pull of the Appraiser skill, like a gentle tug in the back of his mind. Slowly, he activated it.
The stone shimmered slightly in his vision, and the skill kicked in. The words appeared before him, as they always did when Appraiser activated:
[Item: Common Stone]
Rarity: Common
Properties: None
Possible Uses: None
Clay frowned. "It's just a common stone. Not much there."
Sarah nodded. "That's right. But you didn't just look at it, Clay. You felt it. You understood it. You saw its potential, or lack thereof. That's what you need to learn to do with everything around you—every person, every situation."
Clay looked at her in confusion. "But what's the point of knowing something's just a common stone? Doesn't that waste time?"
"It's not about the stone, Clay," Sarah said, her voice calm but firm. "It's about training your mind to focus. You'll begin to see more as you refine your skill. Appraiser will show you the hidden layers of the world—what things are truly worth, what they can become. And once you understand that, Domination will allow you to shape those things to your will."
Clay's mind was spinning as he absorbed her words. She was right, of course. The stone was just an exercise, a small step toward understanding how to see the world differently. But already, he felt something shift inside him. It wasn't about knowing what things were—it was about knowing what they could be.
"So, how do I take this further?" he asked, eager to move past the basics.
"Now," Sarah said with a smile, "we work on focus and intention. Let's see if you can identify something with a bit more complexity."
They spent the rest of the evening training, Clay honing his ability to focus and observe. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the jungle in an eerie twilight glow, he began to feel the faintest stirrings of progress. His mind was clearer, his senses sharper. The world around him seemed to take on new dimensions, as if he were seeing it for the first time.
As they made camp for the night, Sarah sat beside him, her eyes scanning the jungle beyond their small fire.
"You've made good progress today," she said, her voice soft. "But this is only the beginning, Clay. The real challenges are ahead."
Clay nodded, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames. "I know. But now… I finally feel ready."