Year 0002, The Imperium
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The third month of the winter season has now concluded.
They are now heading towards the thirteenth and final month of the year.
It was a transitional month between the winter and spring seasons, between the year's end and the new year's beginning.
---
Jonathan could now slowly move around the house, as he slowly regained his strength.
The others were also doing their thing, training and such to pass the time, while they still have nothing to do.
They have also started incorporating the adults in their daily training regime.
They have now come into a better understanding of what the kids are doing.
They also saw how sturdy and strong August and his friends were, which made them also want to do it.
While the other two children have also finally come around to the idea of such a thing, after they saw their peers do it every day, and felt left behind in their new home.
Adam who is now 12, the age same with Erik and Isabel who is 10, are both training with tank and support roles.
Adam actually found Uncles Jonathan and Christopher to be rather cool.
As bravely stood on the front lines defending against the enemy's attacks while protecting their friends and families at the back.
While technically speaking Bren was also a semi-vanguard, he is not a pure tank like the two uncles.
His style was a hybrid between a support tank and an attacker.
While Isabel found her father's class a lot cooler, so she also took that route to become an archer, who can also fight in close range if necessary, truly another well-balanced class like August.
That is why she is now learning under her father and also with August, who is an all-rounder class and a battlefield commander.
And also under Erik, who is their scout and sub-commander, especially when August is not around the vicinity of the battlefield.
---
As for August, he has been training and learning vigorously, knowing how to understand, use, and incorporate magic into his style of fighting, all under the tutelage of his master, Aetherwing.
It was a much-needed training for August, who had just previously winged it on his own in his learning and training of said magic, while he had already incorporated it with his own unique fighting style.
In which Aetherwing saw as inefficient and wasteful, early on his tests with the boy.
Although right now it is still effective in some cases.
But sooner or later it is going to become inadequate and would sooner or later become a disadvantage that might even cost the boy his life.
As he would have to face the potential legendary beasts in this forest and the surrounding forests or even beyond, towards the Great Caldera of Arkanus.
So he wanted to optimize the boys use of it early on while also improving his power output.
---
Right now, since the beginning of his training, he has gained a deeper and more profound insight into magic and the elemental affinity that he has.
He could now conjure the elemental affinity of wind a bit better, since he already has a skill [Wind Blade Lvl. 2].
Which has also leveled up recently,
[Wind Blade Lvl. 3],
+ 50-80 DAMAGE PER WIND BLADE,
+ WHICH NOW CAN PRODUCE 5 BLADES,
+ AT THE COST OF 45 MP.
He could now also produce slight winds on his hands that he uses to deflect incoming attacks.
And he could now even coat his weapons and armor with mana, although it wasn't that great, but it is still something. (mana sword, arrows, bows, etc.)
It feels like there is an added damage when he does coat his weapons with mana.
And also he discovered that coating his body with mana, which acts like an additional layer of armor as the damage that he would receive was reduced in half, all at the cost of his own MP.
Later on, he heard and saw it from his master, as he showed him that when he got pretty advanced down the line, even he could coat it with an element.
Which is much harder to do, by the way, as it was the final and advanced stage for mana users like him.
And only masters and grandmasters would have a more profound understanding of such things.
Right now he was also being currently taught how to handle the lightning elemental affinity like Aetherwing.
His one-shot skill and most favorite low-level skill is [Piercing Bolt] from his master and guardian beast, Aetherwing.
Would surely be a scary thing to face off against in the battlefield.
---
His current learning and understanding of these things are all subsurface and very basic, but he was fast to catch on and learn.
Which surprised Aetherwing, as the boy is not well-read (still illiterate outside his SYSTEM), but he has great and natural instincts for such things.
He also realized early on with his tests that the boy has a very strong elemental affinity and connection towards fire, and it was his primary affinity.
But for some reason the boy has also gained an elemental affinity towards his own specialties, which are the wind and lightning elemental affinities.
It was a surprising thing for him, since a double elemental affinity being like him was already born with both wind and lightning elements as his primary affinity, which is already a very rare thing.
Since most beings that were born in this world generally have a single primary elemental affinity.
While in the off chance, like the mythical beings like Aetherwing and deities like the dragons.
That could also be born with two to three primary affinities of the elements.
Except for Emperor Janus, who is a half-god/human, and he could technically also learn other elements just by being a half-god.
But for August, who was only born with his primary elemental affinity, which is fire.
To be able to learn two new secondary elements of the wind and lightning affinity.
Aetherwing was shocked by this discovery.
August was indeed truly the most unique being under the heavens and the rarest existence of them all.
Most probably the only one in existence in the entirety of the Centuury.
---
How peculiar; it was his first time witnessing such a thing.
Sure, Aetherwing is also one of those peculiar subjects, much like the Ancient Dragons and maybe some other one-in-a-million species.
But this was a first in the history of Centuury, to have a mortal being gain a second elemental affinity after they were born.
Oh well, the world is vast; surely this is not an isolated case, is it?
Hmmm .... Now he wondered and thought if he could also learn a secondary elemental affinity just like the boy as he continuously watched the August train.
Sadly, though, the boy could only learn wind and lightning elements from him.
He would have to find someone else as his master for his primary element affinity of fire.
---
Maya Village has been the safest it has been since the arrival of Aetherwing and his flock.
But it still would be nice if August had a gear of his own; he needed a new one in case a fight/battle would occur.
That is why he needs new equipment, so he looked at his SYSTEM with puppy eyes, pleading for it to make him a new set of armors and weapons.
[ S Y S T E M MANAGER DOROTHY: HAAAAA...ALRIGHT MASTER]
...
...
[ S Y S T E M ADMIN MAGNUS: CERTAINLY MASTER, I WOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE FROM THE MATERIALS THAT ARE CURRENTLY IN STORE IN THE WAREHOUSE.]
"Hooo, the voice has changed from a female cold tone to a cool-sounding grandpa!"
Said August.
[...]
Just outside the other house/warehouse, the raw materials needed for the new and upgraded equipment were flying here and there.
And there was a holographic sight of an old man who was joyfully banging his hammer on the anvil; he was in a very pleasant mood while doing so.
---
*NEW ACCESSORIES, EQUIPMENT, AND UPGRADE!!! :
*NEW!!!
• [NOVICE - PREDATOR'S FANG AMULET]
It is filled with the mana heart of the two predatory beasts that the host has slain. And also its determination and unwavering spirit in the face of certain death!
+ 500 MP POINTS
+ 50% MP RECOVERY RATE (PER HOUR)
+ 50 WILLPOWER
+ RESIST INVASION OF LOW LEVEL MENTAL SKILLS
---
• [NOVICE - FOREST HUNTER "GUARDIAN" (RARE) ARMOR SET]
-An upgraded version of the previous Novice Hunter "Guardian" Set, which now includes the Veteran and Commander 'Grimfangs' added on top of the Commander 'Skitterpig' on the six cardinal body armor parts. (Head, Torso, L./R. Arms, and L./R. Legs)
-The armor set looks very menacing, as it now incorporates and combines the fierce look of the Grimfang and that of the Skitterpig. The hide and leather are thick but comfortable to wear. On top of it are the bones from both beasts; they were polished and strengthened even further, making it like plate armor defending the most vital parts of the host's body. It seamlessly transitions and adds a beautiful contrast between the darker hides and leather and the bony colors of the bone plates while still remaining functional. It also added a Grimfang-esque mask to wear on the face while wearing a hooded cape on top of it, adding the feeling of death.
• [STAT]: (*6) HEAD, TORSO, LEFT ARM, RIGHT ARM, LEFT LEG, RIGHT LEG
+ 30 VIALITY
+ 30 AGILITY
+ 30 SPEED
+ 30 MOBILITY
+ 30 STRENGTH
• [SUB-STAT]:
+ 50 ATTACK
+ 50 DEFENSE
*NOTE!!! PERCENTAGE SUB-STAT WILL ONLY TAKE EFFECT ON FOREST REGIONS.
+ 35% STEALTH
+ 20% CRITICAL CHANCE
+ 15% CRITICAL DAMAGE
+ 20% AMBUSH CHANCE
+ 15% CRITICAL DAMAGE
• ADDITIONAL STAT AND SUB-STAT WHEN SET IS FULLY EQUIPPED:
• [STAT]: (*6) HEAD, TORSO, LEFT ARM, RIGHT ARM, LEFT LEG, RIGHT LEG
+ 20 VITALITY
+ 20 AGILITY
+ 20 SPEED
+ 20 MOBILITY
+ 20 STRENGTH
• [SUB-STAT]:
+ 25 ATTACK
+ 25 DEFENSE
*NEW!!!
• PASSIVE SKILL UNLOCKED:
° [BESTIAL RAGE]
+50% DAMAGE MULTIPLIER, AUTOMATICALLY ACTIVATES WHEN HP THRESHOLD IS BELOW 20% HP, LASTS FOR (3 MINUTES)
° [FEAR THE BEAST]
+ ENEMIES WOULD FEEL INTIMIDATED IN THE PRESENCE OF THE HOST.
• GUARDIAN BEAST (RARE) SET, FEATURE:
+ UNLOCKS 1-15% OF THE GUARDIAN BEAST'S POWER
+ GAINS ACCESS TO LOW-MID TIER GUARDIAN BEAST AETHERWING'S SKILL DATA BASE
° LOW TIER—CAN USE ONE LOW TIER SKILL ONCE A DAY
° MID TIER—CAN USE ONE MID TIER SKILL ONCE A WEEK
• PRE-REQUISITE:
° LEVEL 15
° 3/10 GUARDIAN BEAST FAVORABILITY
---
*NEW!!!
• [NOVICE - THE HYBRID HUNTER, BESTIAL WEAPON SET]
A new weapon set that incorporates predator and semi-predator materials on the weapon/s.
° BOW AND ARROW
-The bow is made from the flexible and sturdy wood that can be found in the forest; its beautiful design has a wolf and a boar at each of its ends. It was easy and smooth to hold and drew its bowstrings. Its strings were made from a combination of the beast's sinews.
-The fangs and tusks of non-Commander Rank beasts were used as its arrow tips, while the wood is made from the same materials as the other build, while its fletching is made from the Peregrine Eagle chicks molted feathers.
• [SUB-STAT]:
+ 60 ATTACK
+ 20% CRITICAL DAMAGE
- 20% ARROW WEIGHT REDUCTION
° QUIVER (x2)
- A very intricate storage for the arrows that incorporates a beautiful design and functionality in mind.
It can now store 50 arrows while also reducing its weight when stored inside the quiver.
+ STORES 50 ARROWS PER QUIVER
- 20% OVERALL ARROW WEIGHT REDUCTION WHEN STORED
° SWORD AND SHIELD
-The short sword is made from the combined fangs and tusks of the Skitterpigs and Grimfangs.
Which was sharpened and tempered greatly, even rivaling those which are made of steel. While the hilt and its scabbard were designed with intricate shapes that also are easy to hold and can be stored seamlessly.
-The shield is made with their sturdy bones, which are polished and strengthened even further while being intertwined with the strong ancient wood that can only be found in the untamed forest. It has a leather strap that can be used to store it in the back of the host while it is not in use.
• [SUB-STAT]:
+ 100 ATTACK
+ 100 DEFENSE
° DAGGER (x2) AND SPEAR
-Made from the combined fangs and tusks of Skitterpigs and Grimfangs, there is also now an additional dagger that can be stored in the front chest armor of the host.
While its wooden handle was made from a strong yet flexible type of wood that can be found in the forest.
-The spear was also of the same quality and build.
• [SUB-STAT]:
+ 25 ATTACK (DAGGER)
+ 75 ATTACK (SPEAR)
• ADDITIONAL SUB-STAT WHEN WEAPON SET IS FULLY EQUIPPED:
+ ACTIVATES WHEN SHIELD IS EQUIPPED, ACTIVE [SHIELD BASH] SKILL, (+3s STUN)
+ 50% DAMAGE INCREASE
+ 50% DAMAGE REDUCTION
ACTIVATES WHEN HP THRESHOLD REACHES BELOW 20% HP
---
[DING! THE EQUIPMENT CHEST IS NOW FILLED WITH NEW AND UPGRADED GEAR; PLEASE CHECK IT OUT!!! ]
Out there was the smile of a very pleased old man, who had crafted for his host a new piece of equipment.
August rushed inside towards the chest that was sitting in the corner of his room, and there he saw his new equipment.
"Damn! Not only does it look good, but it also has very nice stats/sub-stats added on top of it."
He would have to test it out next year during the spring season to his heart's content, on top of his newly learned magical knowledge.
He thanked his SYSTEM for this wonderful gift.
"Thank you very much!"
Magnus smiled from ear to ear as he saw his master was very pleased with his work.
Dorothy could only shake her head, and she sighed.
[BOYS! AND THEIR FASCINATIONS WITH THE COOL THINGS. ]
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NEW!!!
[INFO PANEL: MASTER AND STUDENT]
+ 20% LEARNING SPEED, UNDERSTANDING OF SUBJECT, AND MASTERY
+ 0.5 ADDITIONAL INCREASE IN TRAINED STAT UNDER THE MASTERS PRESENCE, IF HOST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES THE STAT TRAINING
+ AN INCREASE OF GUARDIAN BEAST FAVORABILITY TOWARDS WARD
+ SHARED UNDERSTANDING WITH EACH OTHER]