At evening, before bedtime, Darien snuck out of the home and wandered away to the same fields with his wooden sword in hand.
Whatever test the next day brought, he wanted to be ready for it. He didn't want to fail it, so he came out to self-train and rehearse some instincts.
Having 10 Attribute Points unapplied, he summoned the system to note the areas of focus.
[Name: Darien Seaborn]
[Mage Rank: Beginner 0/250]
[Knight Rank: Beginner 0/250]
[HP: 64]
[STR: 11]
[AGI: 8]
[DEF: 10]
[VIT: 12]
[STA: 10]
[INT: 19]
Looking at his Intelligence, Darien knew immediately that he had to further boost it if he wanted to make more skills without friction.
He was also concerned with his low HP and couldn't help but picture an easy death from a single swipe from a beast twice his size.
In the end, he invested the 10 Attribute Points with care by allocating 2 points to Vitality to begin taking his HP a bit further, 2 into Stamina so his body wouldn't burn out too quickly from extended movement, and another 2 into Defense to sharpen his responsiveness and reduce the strain of unexpected blows.
The 4 remaining points went straight into Intelligence, knowing that crafting skills would only become more demanding, and he needed all the clarity and capacity his mind could afford.
[DEF: 10 >>> 12]
[VIT: 12 >>> 14]
[STA: 10 >>> 12]
[INT: 19 >>> 23]
[HP: 64 >>> 76]
When he was done allocating the points, Darien felt the increment within him. The cold air of the night gnawed at his skin, but his endurance to it had risen nuancedly.
And that calm clarity that Intelligence offered seemed to expand the room in his mind. Firmly, he hardened his focus and channeled the mental sharpness into the craft of his next skill—or rather, skills.
'I want to master the use of all bladed weapons. I'm swift, agile, and sharp. Using a katana or swords will be my specialty.'
[Ding!]
[Name: Elite Swordsmanship]
[Type: Offense/ Physical Enhancement]
[Level: (3-star)]
[Description: A foundational combat skill that enhances the user's proficiency with bladed weapon. When active, it improves weapon handling, attack precision, and close-combat reflexes. Grants a 500% boost to Strength and 100% boost to Agility when wielding a bladed weapon.]
[Cost: 1200 SP]
'Elite Swordsmanship, hmm? If that's the best my Intelligence can reach, then I shall learn the skill!'
[Are you sure you want to spend 1200 Skill Points to create the skill:
'Yes.'
[Successfully created a new skill!]
The Skill Book for 3-Star Swordsmanship materialized in his hand. He immediately absorbed the skill.
[Ding!]
[You have acquired new skill:
[Skill: Elite Swordsmanship]
[Type: Offense/ Physical Enhancement]
[Level: (4-star)]
[Description: A foundational combat skill that enhances the user's proficiency with bladed weapons. When active, it improves weapon handling, attack precision, and close-combat reflexes. Grants a 500% boost to Strength and 100% boost to Agility when wielding a bladed weapon.]
[Upgrade Potential: Moderate]
After the confirmation, Darien clenched his fist. This was the root of all progress, because he was practically going to have the weapon mastery of a Rank 2 or possibly a Rank 3 Knight!
Furthermore, Darien was excited about the fact that with the 3-star
The 500% Strength boost from the skill would push him well over the strength value required to wield Heatbringer, even though not flay it. He would be able to grip the hilt and swing with control instead of the weapon dragging him to the earth like before.
'Should I… try it?'
Darien glanced around the field and scanned the surroundings with his sharp eyes. The field was dark, with distant home lights far away; the night sky had shrouded the city in secrecy.
The Rare sword was no ordinary weapon, so he had to be cautious whenever he pulled it out for use.
The dusk cloaked him, the shrubs around offering extra cover—if there was ever a time to test it, Darien thought, it was now.
(Item Name: Heatbringer)
(Type: Weapon/ Sword)
(Rank: Rare)
(LV. 1)
(Description: A magical sword that radiates intense warmth and flame. Deals adequate damage. Deals burning damage when activated)
(Skills: Blazing Edge)
After taking the weapon out of his Inventory, Darien dropped the wooden sword and placed all focus on the fine steel one.
It felt heavy and strangely complex to helm, but when he activated
The blade, once too burdensome for his frame, now moved as though it recognized him. He thrust forward, feeling the weight align with his motion, then drew it back with a clean arc.
His footwork steadied, his grip tightened, and with each swing, the sword obeyed as though it had always been his.
The once-unwieldy Heatbringer now danced in his hands!
'Awesome!'
Darien couldn't help but wish he had an affinity for fire. This magical weapon was meant for a flaming shaft that could burn through enemies with blazing authority.
The damage output of this would be leagues above mere steel.
'No time to ogle over swords and swing like it's a festival.'
Darien snapped himself back to focus because he couldn't afford distractions.
There was still one more skill to make, and he was convinced it could give him the edge to survive whatever hurdle awaited. With the remaining Skill Points he had, this next choice had to count.
'Since I don't have great Stamina for long battles, I'd like a skill that makes each strike matter. And I can only do this if the skill shows me where to strike, by pointing out the weak parts in a creature's body. If I know where to aim, then even my basic stats could deal serious damage…'
'A skill that reveals enemy weak points…'
Fortunately for Darien, his Intelligence was enough.
[Name: Hitmark]
[Type: Utility / Special]
[Level: (3-star)]
[Description: A perception-based combat skill that allows the user to visually identify structural weaknesses in enemies or objects. When active, glowing markers appear at points of low defense, instability, or vulnerability.]
[Cost: 650 SP]
[Are you sure you want to spend 650 Skill Points to create the skill:
'Yes.'
[Successfully created new skill]
[Ding!]
[You have acquired new skill:
Darien let out a quiet sigh of relief and also worry after another successful skill had been made. He began to wonder how many Skill Points he had left, and if it would be enough for anything else later.
[Name: Darien Seaborn]
[Mage Rank: Beginner 0/250]
[Knight Rank: Beginner 0/250]
[HP: 76]
[STR: 11]
[AGI: 8]
[DEF: 12]
[VIT: 14]
[STA: 12]
[INT: 23]
For someone who had started with nothing, Darien was proud of what he'd forged so far. He liked the fact he was shaping into someone who could fight and had the promise to become very powerful.
By becoming an Adventurer, he would expose himself to real threats, grow, level up, and also get to hone Primordial Energy.
Still gripping the hilt of his Rare weapon, he looked around the quiet, dim field.
"No living thing nearby, huh?"
He had wanted to test
Reluctantly, the boy sheathed the sword and returned it to his Inventory. With a stretch and a yawn, he turned away from the shrubs and made his way home.
Rest was just as necessary now, because the following day held an important hurdle he couldn't afford to trip over.