______________________________________
[[LEVEL-01]]
//Name: Liore Perro
//Age: 13
//Class: [Farmer]
//Status: Healthy
[[STATS]]
//Strength: 2
//Dexterity: 3
//Intelligence: 3
//Perception: 3
//Stamina: 3
//Resilience: 3
//Magic: 2
[[PASSIVE]]
[Primeval Awareness] -> [Ears]
[Slayers Aspect]
[Favored]
[Battle Theory] -> [Sword Theory]
[Threat Detection]
[Mana Sense] = [Weak]
[Mana Storage] = [Minor]
[[SKILLS]]
[??????-??????]
[Leap Stride] + [Spring Kick]
[[CLASS QUESTS]]
[Plant A Seed]
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I read through my window again and aga meticulously, making sure there are no hidden details anywhere or something else I must have missed when skimming it. But nothing is there that I didn't already see before. And the fact that there isn't anything new makes this all the more frustrating.
Ser Ethel and Lord Felix have finished their meal, taking focus away from me so I can check my window without them beaming.
Because of this, my food has largely gone untouched since that revelation a moment ago. Which makes me incredibly sad, both for my stomach and the hard work Mr. Teovar put into it. But the notion that I might have a wildly unique skill somehow took priority.
I sigh so heavily that it vibrates the table. Pressing my fingers into my temples and rubbing hard enough to feel my skull underneath.
Ser Ethel offers me a sympathetic look as she leans back in her chair, the wood creaking ever so slightly. "I take it there's no luck?"
I shake my head simply before lowering it in dejection. "Absolutely nothing."
The nobleman nods slowly while wiping down his face with his napkin. "I had assumed so. You have been very forthcoming with your mentor, so I assume he would have stated if you knew you had such a skill."
Raising my head back up so I can slump back in my own chair. "He's the person who knows about me the most. Which is why I wanted him here for this..."
"Believe me, I know. He was quite adamant that he be here for this conversation as well. But I made it very clear I wished to interview without his input." The nobleman admits plainly. "I know that he is your confidant and your protector. His knowledge and experience are quite vast. But he is not infallible."
The corners of my mouth nearly breach the edges of my jawline with how deep my frown is. "B—but I—I don't know enough to be good at talking about this. I don't know how much I can really give that would be helpful." My hands have started to tremble, so I grip the edge of the table to ground them.
Lord Felix glances over to Ethel, who moves her chair a bit closer to mine. Her expression is warm but has a sternness to it. Like a teacher. "That is sort of the problem. I think you might be relying on his input too much."
My face scrunches up in confusion. "What? How does that make any sense? He's my teacher, of course I'm going to listen to his input."
Ser Ethel nods slowly. "That is true. And as far as I can tell he has done a good job teaching you. To an extent..." She says a little more honestly. "We've had some very long talks with him over the last couple of weeks about you and your training and what he thinks of your skills. And while he certainly does have some imperative observations. I do also think his influence has skewed your logic somewhat. And has given you some unfair expectations."
I recoiI a bit from that, shaking my head and averting my eyes from the [Knight]. "You don't have to tell me this. He and I have already had this conversation. I know he worked me harder than he did Leone or the other [Guards]." My hands grip tighter to the table just to keep them from shaking too much. "He's already eased off to give me a break."
Ethel gets a bit tight lipped. "Yes, he has mentioned that. But that is not the only issue." She states plainly. "That man is one of a kind. Been to places I've only heard of in stories. Seen things so beyond the norm for us that it's a wonder how he has stayed sane." Her eyes seem to watch me very carefully as she speaks. "I've only known him for a couple of weeks, but the things he's told me over a few drinks have made my blood run cold more than once."
"So what? He already told me about the war and what it was like in the Lapse. What does this have to do with what he teaches me?" I ask with a bit more agitation evident in my tone that I can't control.
The [Knight] frowns slightly and sighs, "Because his sense of normal is warped, Liore. There was no moment more evident of that than the whole Healer's Draught business. Which he shouldn't be giving to you to begin with. It's just setting you up for failure."
I turn back to look up at her with a confused tilt to my head, "So you think I should have just been crippled for the rest of my life every time I got severely hurt?" Purely unable to hide the snark in my tone.
Ethel's expression breaks further down into irritation. "Ideally he shouldn't have been putting you into that position to begin with. But giving you something that strong, especially so early on, is making you too overconfident. And the last thing you want to do is become reliant on something that costs upwards of fifteen silver tenths for a bloody swig!" She raises her voice slightly at the end, but it's enough to make my skin jump.
"Taking a twelve year old to go hunt a god damn Sawtoothe! The absolute madness of the man to think that is okay. And to convince your poor mother of it as well." The [Knight] fumes, her composure deteriorating rapidly.
I grimace, my head lowering as her tone overwhelms mine. "He took me because he knew I could handle it..."
"AND WHAT HAPPENED?! You were taken out by an adult jackalope, which he stood back and watched you fight on your own! Without proper equipment that is meant to protect you from attacks like that. And if he didn't have a mindboggling amount of a hyper-rare healing concoction that he uses like fucking cold medicine, you would be DEAD!"
I flinch at the boom of her voice on the emphasis of my likely demise. A tightness in my chest and throat from the anxiety, feeling like it's strangling me. I want to retort, but I have no words. I can't find any that make sense. "No. That—was my fault. I made a mistake. It's not his fault..." I mutter, even as my memory swims of Thorpe telling me himself that he shouldn't have been pushing me that hard. But I can't think of anything else to say. I'd rather just blame myself than have it all piled onto him.
"Yes, you made a mistake. And it was an important lesson to learn. But it's not a lesson you should be learning against a monster that can kill you in a millisecond!" Ethel bangs a fist down onto the table, sending a cold sweat down my back. "And then pitting you against an apex predator like a Sawtoothe. It's absurd!"
"But I killed the Sawtoothe! It wasn't that bad. He knew I could handle it." I repeat with a bit more resolve. Thorpe obviously distracted it so I could get the first strike in and weaken it, but I still defeated it and I am not letting her take that from me.
The [Knight] sighs and nods reluctantly, my response seeming to derail her tangent somewhat. "Yes, and that is very impressive. As is your contribution to the fight with the Kite. But that is beside the point." She deflects while folding her arms over her breastplate. "I am not trying to diminish your capabilities, Liore. It is obvious that you are very well disciplined. He certainly did well with that. But that does not excuse the recklessness. And not just with you, but with your brother as well. Who nearly got you both killed because of that mans negligence!"
My nails have bitten into the table at this point. Unable to look up at Ethel or the nobleman sitting quietly at the other end. I had thought we were going to be talking about me and my broken class, not shove a bunch of blame Thorpes way. I can handle being lectured about my mistakes. But I can't stand listening to someone bed mouthing a person I care about. Even if they might be right…
Ethel sighs, taking a breath for a moment. "We just want to get your side of things without him inserting his theories into it." She states a bit more calmly, Lord Felix nodding along from his side as Ethel continues, "It's not like I hate the man. Far from it. But it has become increasingly clear that he is severely out of touch. And I think he's a terrible influence on you."
My teeth grit as my frustration finally boils over, my fists coming down to slam on the table and rattling the plates. "Are we here to talk about me or not?!" I bark out before I can stop myself, swiftly turning my head up to glare at her.
The [Knight] seems slightly shocked at the outburst before her brows angle inward and the age lines on her face get deeper. "Young lady, this is about you—"
A twitch in my cheek at that maternal tone she takes really hits me wrong. "DON'T TALK TO ME LIKE THAT!" Shooting to my feet quick enough to knock my chair over and causing Lord Felix to jump in his seat. My agitation breaks through any anxiety that might have stopped me. "You are not my mother!"
Ethel looks even more sternly at me and opens her mouth to respond, but I beat her to it. "Shut it! I came here to talk about what's wrong with me. What my part in all this nonsense is. NOT to turn me against the only person who ever treated me seriously. Who actually encourages me and doesn't make feel like I'm cursed or need to be hidden away!"
Ethel and Lord Felix both keep their mouths shut, watching me carefully and with a lot more concern written on their features as tears start welling up in my eyes.
"If not for his influence, I'd be hiding in my house, terrified that God was trying to punish me!" My voice cracks painfully, becoming raspy and broken. "So don't you dare tell me he's a bad influence when it's the only reason I'm still here!"
My eyes shift back and forth between the two of them, glaring with every bit of fury I had balled up inside. "You don't get to show up here and tell me what I shouldn't have been doing. Because I did it already!" I growl. "Whatever part Thorpe had in me being like this, I don't care. I'm over it! I was over it a year ago."
Silence passes over the room. Long enough for the ringing in my ears to subside and my breathing to slow.
I finally let myself take in a full breath for a moment. Watching them both for a moment to read their reactions. Lord Felix is, of course, difficult to read. But I can tell Ethel is mulling something over pretty intensely.
So I clear my throat, feeling my nerves coming back bit by bit once the anger is expended. "I get that you are concerned about me. But I am just fine as is. I've made it this far. So there is no need to waste your time trying to steer me off course." I state plainly. "If you want to know my side. Fine. I will tell you. But there really isn't anything else that I haven't already told him."
For a moment, they are both still quiet. The nobleman's eyes seem to search my face, as if reading a book. And after a brief glance towards his [Knight] who meets it, he speaks. "My sincerest apologies, young Miss Perro. We seem to have overstepped our bounds a tad. As you said, we were simply concerned with your well-being. And as Ser Ethel noted, we have no ill will towards Mr. Thorpe. Far from it." He begins, bowing his head quite respectfully towards me. Ethel doing the same a bit reluctantly. "Let us not sidetrack ourselves further. Agreed, Ser Ethel?"
The [Knight] takes a deep breath through her nose and nods to her Lord briefly before looking back up at me, but with some slight determination. "But. Just hear me out on one thing. And this is something I already offered to Auguste, and he agreed it would be good for you. But I'd like to do a few lessons with you while we are here. Some from Steppan as well. Especially for combat against other humans." She states plainly, lifting her hands up in slight surrender. "If, of course, you are willing to give us the chance. I am not attempting to replace him. Just add on."
My nose scrunches up somewhat, cause I'm definitely still angry at her. But the prospect of learning more fighting techniques is just too good to pass up. And I have a very strong feeling I am going to need it. "Okay. That—that would be nice, actually."
Ethels expression relaxes, and that warm smile of hers returns a little. "Then please. You have the floor. I won't try to lecture you anymore." She assures, but catches herself and chuckles. "At least I'll try..."
I can't help but visibly pout at that last part. But I just shake my head and lift my chair back up onto its feet before lowering myself down into it.
After composing myself for a few more seconds, I go over what happened to me almost four years ago now. From Leone sneaking out and following him, to falling into the ruin and finding the book, to dying from that infection and getting saved by the Order. All of which they had already heard from Thorpe and my mother. But I guess having the firsthand account does make some difference.
After explaining the how, I gave them as best of an idea as I could as to what my class can do. Which is to say, the most bare-bones idea ever.
"As far as I can tell, all of my class-specific skills have to do with monsters. Taking certain skills from them seems to be my main ability, but I haven't been able to figure out what the exact trigger is for getting one. I spent a whole year killing more jackalopes or things like saber badgers, but never got anything else." I shrug honestly. "It wasn't until recently, when I killed the Sawtoothe, that I got [Threat Detection]."
Ethel nods, looking quite fascinated with it all. Which I suppose is better than being concerned. "But your class still says [Farmer] and yet you don't seem to be able to get any actual farming skills at all. But you can still use their tools?"
"I guess so? It doesn't make my brain feel weird to hold a trowel or something. But nothing I do completes my first class quest. In fact, it doesn't even give me instructions anymore. Just says 'You have strayed'. Which really messed me up for a while." The corners of my mouth angle down a bit. "Still does. But not as much as it used to."
The nobleman hums low, his fingers threaded together on the table in front of him. "As well, you haven't leveled up at all. Level 2 is the easiest to reach for every class. It should have only taken a few months after your awakening. So either your actual level is hidden along with your other Class—or you aren't able to do it at all. Which would be incredibly alarming."
Ethel shakes her head with a somewhat nauseous expression. "That part is the most immediately troubling, yes."
My brow raises at that. "Out of everything, it's my level not going up that worries you?"
The [Knight] sighs, leaning over the table to rest her chest down on her arms. "Think about it. If your level were still going up, you would still be able to blend in pretty well. Would just have to disarm. Most people with [Inspect] wouldn't see anything wrong. But since it isn't going up, and as you get older…" She gestures over to me as she notices that I'm arriving at her point on my own, evident by the grimace now plastered on my face.
"The more suspicious it will be. And the less excuse I have for it." I mutter, swallowing nervously. "What do I do then?"
Lord Felix strokes the curl of his mustache. "Well, a level of secrecy must be kept. Your worries about the Church's reaction are most definitely warranted. The [Inquisitors] are always on the prowl for cursed individuals. [Bandits], [Necromancers], [Vampires], and intelligent monsters in disguise, to name a few. And they are not kind to any of them"
My eyes widen at that last part. "I didn't even know there were monsters that could do that…"
Ethel tilts her head, her mouth slanting a bit. "There certainly are. But they are exceedingly rare. [Shapeshifters] don't tend to take human forms very often if they can help it. And most of them live on the Beast Isles."
A shudder rolls up my spine at the notion of monsters disguising as humans, and I just hope that my imagination isn't as accurate. But putting that aside, my life is only going to get more stressful moving on. "Even if I wear that pendant of secrets, it still shows me as level 1. Which would just be even more suspicious for a [Knight]."
The two nod in agreement before Lord Felix lets out a slow controlled breath through his nose. "You will have to be very careful if you ever leave this village. Using the [Secrets] enchantment is also very risky. You'd be arrested on the spot if it's discovered. Best to use it sparingly, only in emergencies."
Ser Ethel grunts and aims a finger at me, "And you should have it changed to [Scout]. It would suit your fighting style much better."
I raise my brow at her, but nod as well, "I would ask how I do that, but I'm guessing the answer would just be to ask Thorpe."
Ethel smirks, leaning back in her chair. "You are correct."
Lord Felix waves his hand dismissively and gives a twirl of his finger in the air for emphasis. "Now let us circle back again. Obviously, Miss Liore does not have access to any [Farmer] or holy class skills. And yet she somehow blessed the soil outside so well that it's resistant against poison and plague. So there is certainly something else going on."
The nobleman's brows roll while he ponders, drumming a finger against the table. "You had said, though, that there is still one skill left hidden to you?"
"Yes, my lord. An active skill. But to be honest, I doubt that it's the blessing given the theme around my other ones. As well, if I used that skill, then it would have revealed it for me like it did the others." I answer a bit apologetically. It would certainly have been a much easier conclusion to the mystery here. But alas, things are never really easy for me.
Lord Felix sighs, his calm facade slipping. "I figured as much. Then the most we have to go off of is that the blessing seems to be strongest in a corner section where your mother stated you planted several dozen radishes."
I purse my lips at the mention. I haven't thought about those radishes in years. Mama did say they grew pretty fast, but that is what radishes tend to do. "Yeah. That was the only time I really interacted with the soil. But that was years ago. And you said blessings don't last that long."
"I did say that. And yet this one has not only lasted for several years, but has also spread to the other fields. Albeit, unevenly." He remarks, returning a hand to tease his mustache. "Which your mother very astutely surmised that it spread that way due to the salt sand the [Bandits] have been periodically distributing around the fields. But it has spread enough to be able to protect a good portion of your villages harvests"
A frown tugs at the corners of my mouth a bit. "Which is good. But I just wish I knew how I did it. And maybe I'd be able to help more."
Ethel offers a shrug. "Well, from the sounds of it, it might be something we can test. Just get you to plant a few things and see if the blessing appears?" She comments, giving a glance towards Lord Felix.
The nobleman nods simply. "Indeed. During your free time tomorrow, Miss Liore, I should like to test that." He states before his eyes narrow in my direction. "As well, when my [Analyze] charge returns, if you permit me, I would like to see if it may be able to gleam more about your hidden class that is otherwise obscured."
I blanche briefly at the request, my first response catching easily in my throat before I'm able to clear it. "Uh. Yeah, yes, absolutely." I manage to stammer out as my hands start feeling too sweatie again. When he described the [Analyze] skill to me before i hadn't even considered that it might be able to see more than I can. Which of course I'd love for that to be the case. But some part of me is kind of terrified to find out.
Lord Felix gives a satified hum in response. "Marvelous. But for now, I think we have taken up enough of your time."
A shuddering breath escapes me as I feel my shoulders already relaxing, the tension subsiding knowing that this stressful meeting is finally over.
Lord Felix and Ser Ethel stand back up from their seats, the nobleman brushing himself off and smoothing out his clothing. "Please, enjoy the rest of your food first before you head back out. I apologize if the tension upset your appetite. But I would hate for Mr. Teovars hard work to go to waste."
A gasp escape my lips as my attention redirects down to the plate of food still sitting idly in front of me. But surprisingly, it has stayed warm enough to enjoy. Not that I wouldn't happily eat it cold, though. "Uh. Yes, thank you, my lord. I will do that."
Lord Felix chuckles and gives a wave of his hand as the [Knight] opens the door for him before he exits. Ethel offering me a smile and a wave as well as she steps halfway out. "I'll speak with Auguste about those lessons and get back to you at a better time. So be ready!"
A bit of excitement wells up as I return the smile, my fork already back in my hands. "I will be!"
The [Knight] shuts the door, leaving me in the quiet dining area of the guest house with what has definitely become lunch now, rather than brunch. And as mad as I got at first, the meeting wasn't that bad, I suppose.
Ethel's concerns about Thorpe are starting to weigh on me, though.
I'm realizing I might have been pretty lucky so far with who has found out about me. But that also makes me all the more nervous for when I meet others who don't take it so well.
But I will worry about that later. Right now I have more important things to concern myself with.
Presently being the food, of course.