Felix had excused himself from the banquet as soon as he ate his fill. He skillfully navigated his way to the training field he spotted on their arrival, where he planned to test out his new set of skills.
Relieved to find it devoid of any other soul, he eagerly made himself comfortable on the floor and, following the instructions of the old Sage, he activated his class system.
—
[Character Class System]
Name: Felix Thomasville
Origin: Earth
Class: Witcher | SSRank
Affiliation: Sage Candidate
Level: [X]
Title(s): Null
—
[Core Stats]:
[Physical]: 33
• Strength: 8
• Agility: 9
• Dexterity: 6
• Constitution: 10
• Intelligence: 10
• Wisdom: 9
• Perception: 7
• Charisma: 12
—
• Will: 9
• Luck: 1
—
[Skill Tree]
[Weapon Proficiency Lv1| Passive] [Telekinesis Lv1| Active] [Overdeath Lv1| Active/Passive] [Locked | X] [Locked | X] [Locked | X] …
—
The class system was pretty self-explanatory for anyone who played video games, most especially MMORPGs. Though there were a few things that came out different with the class systems.
According to what he eavesdropped from the Sages who were asked for help by the candidates regarding their class systems, the 'level' system was one of the things that came out different.
In the class system, the physical and mental attributes were clearly sorted differently, and this was because they didn't have the same effects and couldn't be obtained or increased in the same traditional way.
The total physical attributes alone were what was measured to advance one's level, of which the mental attributes had no influence whatsoever.
When the total physical attributes (TPA) of a Sage reached a certain threshold set by the system, only then would the individual advance to the next level and unlock a new set of their class skills.
These thresholds were: 50 total physical attributes (TPA) to advance to Level 1; 100 TPA to advance to Level 2; 200 TPA to advance to Level 3; 400 TPA to advance to Level 4, etc.
The threshold just doubled with each level.
Felix currently had 33 TPA, and would be needing 17 extra to advance to Level 1. Easy? No.
That brings us to the non-traditional leveling system, and how it works:
Unlike Vastorians who received no benefits from slaying dark creatures, Sages do, which made them the right people for the job.
Killing dark creatures or even any living thing—except plant life, that is—Sages could absorb residual attribute points from their carcass, which automatically topped up the corresponding attributes.
For example, if Felix were to kill a minotaur—not that he could take on one at this stage, anyways—known for their strength, he was likely to absorb about 0 to 3 strength attributes. This applies both for physical and mental attributes, heavily depending on the nature of the creature, and then luck.
The nontraditional way to increase an attribute was through training and burning oneself out to transcend their limits.
So, for as long as Felix spent his days here at the Sage island—where dark creatures were obviously non-existent—he could only increase his attributes to level up by intense training.
"Oof. Was that too much to take in?" Felix mused, stretching his stiff muscles.
The Title(s) was then simply a recognition and blessing from Goddess Zemira, as they came with bonus perks.
Felix couldn't help but blush when he saw his beginner skill set and read what they could do.
—
[Skill Tree]
[Telekinesis Lv1| Active] [Overdeath Lv1| Active/Passive] [Weapon Proficiency Lv1| Passive] [Locked | X] [Locked | X] [Locked | X] …
—
The locked skill sets were skills to be unlocked when he advanced a level.
Felix flipped himself up to his feet, something he'd learned from when he was a boy. Scanning the field for any sort of weapon, he spotted a dummy sword laying around.
He was about to go pick it up when he stopped himself. Raising his hand towards the sword a few meters away, he willed it to come into his grasp, activating the [Telekinesis] skill.
It didn't budge.
He suspected this would happen as the [Telekinesis] skill description had clearly stated 'within a 10 metre radius'. But he wanted to know what the difference would be.
He slowly began approaching the sword with the skill still active. It remained unperturbed till he was around a meter radius, when it began to twitch. And around eight meters, he could shakily lift it to a height. Approaching ten, the dummy sword was pulled towards him with just enough force, but he failed to catch it off the air and it clattered to the ground.
Felix exhaled a shaky breath, bubbling in excitement, then willed the dummy sword into his grasp once more. At this range, it flew with much force, and he caught it awkwardly midair.
"Woohoo~!" He bobbed up and down in excitement, raising the dummy sword like a trophy. His breasts followed in tow, which gave him the chills and he abruptly stopped. "Eughh~"
Next up was the [Weapon Proficiency] passive skill. And Felix was glad that the system had recognized the dummy sword as a weapon and wasn't dumb, because holding onto the dummy sword he felt he could hack and slash and thrust effortlessly even though he'd never wielded a sword before.
As Felix took a fighting stance and drew in a deep breath to clear his head for maximum focus, the sky suddenly began pouring.
He remained unperturbed even as his clothes were starting to get drenched, and slowly began to move his body along with the dummy sword, which he envisioned to be a real sword.
Every slash, every thrust, all felt familiar like he'd practiced and was adept at swordsmanship. Every movement of his feet and body felt like he was being guided by a mentor. The skill not only made him proficient with moving the blade, it made him proficient with moving with the blade.
He slowly began increasing the pace at which he moved, slashed, and thrust. It felt more like an enchanting dance than swordsmanship as he couldn't help but be engrossed in his movement as he cut through the rain effortlessly.
He couldn't tell how long he was at it for and had lost track of time, when a familiar 'ding' pulled him back to reality.
[+0.5 Agility]
[Weapon Proficiency Lv1 >>> Lv2 | Passive]
[+1 Wisdom]
"Woah!" Felix exclaimed in pleasant surprise.
Though he couldn't exactly feel the addition of bonus attributes, they were still there. And that was all that mattered to him.
He was feeling motivated to even practice even harder, not minding the downpour.
"Do you mind sparring with me?" A voice suddenly spoke from behind him.
Felix quickly spun around, clearly startled, as he hadn't noticed when the person had gotten so close.