[Stats] & [Map]

Having slept in an unfamiliar place, Charles woke up before the sun rose. He didn't get out of the bed itself, but looked at the cute Ava hugging his arm. He stroked her hair and looked at her with tender eyes, as he thought of the unimaginable things the child had to experience. He decided to stay still for a little more time, meanwhile he could also check his stats out.

He opened the [Status] screen.

[Status]

[Sparky

Level: 14

Class: Grade 0 Sorcerer (1/10)

Trait: Lightning (Paralysis)

Skill: Rank 0 :- Lightning Chain(Lv9)

Rank 1 :- Static Shock(Lv4) ]

[

Stats :-

STR: 10 (+27)

DEX: 10 (+27)

INT: 10 (+27)

PHY: 10 (+27)

WIS: 10 (+27)

CH: 10 (+27)

LK: 10 (+27)

Class stats:

Lightning affinity: 100 (+270)

Paralysis: 0 (+0)

Mana : 100 (+270)

Free stat points: 140

Stats multiplier:

Factor: Charles Emil Novark

STR: 12

DEX: 15

INT: 16

PHY: 13

WIS: 21

CH: 13

LK: 1

]

Charles was overwhelmed by the information he got from the [Stats]. He learned that a stat of 10 is the peak of a mortal in his continent. In the case of knights, a knight's starting point is 11 stats or between 11 and 20, depending on a lot of factors like talent, acquired strength etc. He also learnt that with each increase in level, besides gaining 10 stat points, all stats will increase by a unit. The exceptions being each 5 and 10 levels, where the stats will increase by 5 and 10 units respectively.

He also learnt that his free stat points could be used only to increase the normal stats. Class stats increase by corresponding units with increasing levels. For two of his class stats, [Lightning Affinity] and [Mana], they increase by units of 10. But he was confused by the stat [Paralysis]. He couldn't even figure its use or power, but he learnt that it was not exactly zero, but very much less than one billionth. And the addition to this stat, was also negligible. He inferred that by the time he reached Lv100, the [Paralysis] stat may reach one billionth. Charles was truly curious about this stat.

He also gave special attention to the fact that, increasing levels was not the only way to increase all his stats. He could also train or do something that helps like consuming heavenly fruits and stuff to increase his stats. He also learned that stats make the most difference in a fight with equally levelled beings and in fights of low level against high level, as the difference of stats can somewhat bridge the gap formed by difference of levels. This is where he learned a crucial thing, the [Stats Multiplier].

The stats of his character are multiplied by the stats of his original body. Class stats being an exception, since he does not have such stats, being a squire.

Although, Charles felt that he was unlucky due to him having poor talent, he still felt the system more than compensated for that. And his first death as Sparky, and subsequent incidents, did not made him feel that he was always lucky either. He vaguely felt that the term 'luck', had a whole other meaning.

The frequent mention of Grades had him in doubt from yesterday night. He was only able to figure out that it referred to a particular level of existence. Since he and everyone and everything he knows and had seen were Grade 0. He had formed a resolution in his heart to learn more about this and discover higher grades of existence and unlock the secrets they hold.

After having distributed his free stats equally among all the seven stats, he got up, waking Ava up as a result. He told her to freshen up and that he will be back with breakfast. After making a round trip to Novark Manor and back in a few hours, he presented Ava with a refreshing and sumptuous breakfast.

While Ava was having her breakfast, Charles had his focus on the last function he unlocked the previous night, the [Map].

As he opened it, he could see a three dimensional view of the location where he was at. He also learnt that he could change the view as he wished. Since he didn't know the names of any location here, including that of the village he was in, there were only question marks on the details of location. Whatever he witnessed, in this village, was recorded accurately. There was a special mark indicating the location of his base 'Ava's home'.

When he zoomed in and zoomed out, he saw that some places he had not seen were also marked. Seeing some of the locations deep inside the forests and the names 'Abandoned Nests 1', 'Abandoned Nests 2'etc and 'Goblin castle', Charles figured out that the memories of dead goblins were integrated into [Map]. He also saw the symbol of the goblin head in their nest locations and under various colours indicating the level of danger for his current power like a game. The easier ones were marked in green colour text and symbols, white for normal difficulty, yellow for medium and red for high difficulty. He also saw ones of black colours, which he thought indicated absolute death for his level. The region of influence under the goblin nests and scouting range were all marked in the same colour scheme. There were also icons of treasure on the [Map].

Apart from all this, the truly amazing feature was that, he could zoom into the location of treasure. If its in a house, he could open the doors or get an inside view of the house and see what the treasure is and where exactly it is hidden. This feature worked for the active goblin nests too. He could see all the traps set clearly and a recording of the scouting done by them and even their routine. It was not omnipresent, but limited to the memories of the dead goblins. He checked one of the abandoned goblin nests and saw scrolls and gold and silver coins, trinkets and other treasures. He estimated that the treasures of a single abandoned goblin cave, was more than the annual income of Baron Novark.

Charles was ecstatic. Now he could hunt these despicable creatures and enjoy their treasures. After Ava finished with her breakfast, he walked around the village holding her hand. Ava was in the human form and even though the villagers didn't welcome her warmly, she felt that the people no more looked at her in scorn. Perhaps, they may have felt that she was a child after all and endangering her life the previous night might have sprouted guilt in their hearts. Whatever be the reason, Ava was happy. Even the mean children who called her monster, were looking at her in jealousy, as she was able to walk with the 'powerful lightning magician'.

Charles had arranged a meeting with the villagers to clear the prejudice that they have on Ava. He didn't hope to change their mind, but left an arrow of words that pierced their hearts and minds:

"Imagine, if I was not yesterday, many of your children would have turned orphans, and to survive they would have to move to a foreign place, where they might be seen as symbols of bad luck and be treated the same as you people treated Ava. Always keep in mind that, what goes around comes around."

...

Charles did not stay back to see the villagers' attitude. He contacted both the knights he fought with yesterday, and learned from them his location.

He learned that he was in Droves Village, close to the borders of the only human nation of Guera, the Starlon Empire. The village was close to the well known forbidden place for all animal life, Abyssal Forests in the south and the monster territories in the eastern forests. There was a fort further east that separated the war-zone between humans and monsters. To the north and south west were another two villages and further west was the closest city.

He also tried to get the cultivation methods of knight here and was told that, the methods were free and everyone practiced the same and the difference in power came about from resources, talent and physique. He learnt that the empire was kind of an human alliance. The foundations of humanity in the continent was built and stabilised by mages, who were deeply respected by all humans and feared by monsters.

The Starlon Empire provided resources, land, nobility and other merits based on merits accrued from the war with the monsters. To maintain hereditary positions, all the generations must have participated in the war and have slain monsters, with the number of kills determining the level of position.

To sum up, humans and monsters were in a war whose beginning was forgotten in the sands of time.

Since the method was available for everyone at a price, Charles also received one in thanks. Normally, the method would have cost a bit of gold coins, but for the poor, they can receive one for free by joining the army.

Charles understood why the villagers were prejudiced against Ava. But he received promise from both the young and middle aged knight, that they will not treat her like that again. Charles even though didn't have a mind to believe them based on their deep-rooted views on everyone that is not human, but he understood that his status as a mage was like the priest of a church to a group of believers. If he deems one is sinful, they will be killed or worse by the fanatics, and if he deems the sinful innocent, they won't question the priest and blindly obey him.

Even though the people of Guera were not fanatics, they deeply respected mages for their contribution to humanity. And mages in general do not involve themselves in the life of commoners, and if a mage work against humanity, the rest of the mages will hunt that mage down. So it can be said that Starlon Empire, is the beacon of hope of humanity and those who try to destroy it, will have to face the entire human force of Guera.