A promise
After waking up together, way later than normal, Jay and Mia gave each other a short kiss.
They knew how it would end if they kissed even a second longer.
Jay had no idea how he could feel this way with her as she had been something like a foster mother or big sister until yesterday.
But now he had the strong feeling of possessiveness for her.
Mia seemed to have the same problem as she couldn't keep her eyes off him, contrary to until last night.
Lying nude next to each other they cuddled for a short moment.
"Say, what are you going to do about Alexis now?" M.
"What do you m..." J.
"Phaha! ...Just kidding... you know the two of us had something going here and there..." M.
Mia was back to her sly and teasing style, he liked so much. But as he was panicking to her question she couldn't help but bust into laughter.
"But really, please don't leave me out from now on. You're the first man for me since Fandral, an I plan to leave it at that..." M.
With this she sat up and walked to the restroom.
As she closed the door, Jay checked his log to find a reason for their feelings to evolve like that.
There it was again, the
"[?ia???las Blessing] has affected Mia"
had popped up in the last line.
Scrolling to the top and starting to read through all the skills he integrated last night, Jay got a hunch to what may have happened.
The first skill he integrated was connected to the same goddess that granted this blessing.
***
[Champion]
Received after a blessing by a god
and fulfilling their personal task.
Experience necessary halved for the Champion.
All Stats +20%
***
If she had the same or a similar blessing as him, this could mean she affected him like he did her.
It was not that it mattered to him if it let him be with the beautiful half elf more often.
The other skills he integrated read according to her being a Champion:
The highest of them being [Light Magic LVL 6] and [Chant shortening LVL 6], though Jay was sure he couldn't integrate her skills completely.
Either he was still too low in level or he might integrate them then next time when they were together.
But he was sure to find out in the not so distant future.
As for offensive magic, Mia was a little lacking. Her role had been a support and healer so she only had [Arcane Magic LVL 2] and [Shadow magic LVL 2], which got integrated into his already existing shadow magic and leveled it up to LVL 4.
Additionally Jay integrated [Barrier Magic LVL 3] and another special skill called [Enhanced Magic Resistance].
Further inquiring would have to wait for later.
Jay was a little confused about her having the [Staves LVL 3] skill, as he thought it would be pure melee, but thought it might also be good for casting.
He would check it out when he got his hands on a Staff he could use.
The same was true to the last skill he integrated that night: [Wand LVL 5].
What Jay definitely learned this time was that skills took different time to integrate depending on their level.
The night had wielded enough profits aside from the skills he gained or upgraded.
He even integrated her racial skills, deep in the night.
Jay had bee surprised of her willingness at first, but as he thought about her having been Diabella's oracle, it seemed rather logical. Opening the small notification in his log, the notification popped up.
***
Racial Traits integrated:
Halfelf:
Dynamic (I) – Mana and Stamina +10%
Bilingual:
Thalassian (elvish)
***
The notification looked different to the human ones, as it only stated one race without sub race.
On the other hand it granted him another language and a massive bonus to his resources. The (I) behind the racial skill irritated Jay a little, but he didn't question a gift.
With further testing planned for the future, Jay sat up and opened his systems menu. Checking on his own status, he got a little surprised from the development:
Status
__________
Jay Yanoz, János, J. [LvL 15 (12790/59500)]
Job: Sorcerer LVL 11
Job 2: Magic Swordsman LVL 8
Job 3: Philanderer LVL 5
3490/3490 HP 2140/2140 MP
***
O
/[ ]\
/ \
Equipment:
-
-
-
-
*Essential Ring*
***
Status:
VIT 110+
AGI 99+
STR 109+
INT 104+
WIL 95+
DEX 110+
CHA 93+
LUK 30+
Statuspoints left: 21
***
Skills:
Basic:
(Common)
-enables to talk, read and write Common
(Thalassian)
[Night vision]
-enables colorless vision in total darkness
[Camping LVL 1]
-Rest outside well
[Hunting LVL 1]
-enhances damage against animals by 20%
(Tracking LVL1)
-allows to easily track targets lower than your Level
Lumbering [LVL 2]
-proficiency with Axes risen: Damage +20%
[Trickery LVL 1]
(Pickpocket LVL 1)
[Night skills LVL5]
-enhances pleasure given by 70%
(All night long LVL3)
-you can go on 3 Times without pause after 1st Climax
(Sexual Stamina LVL3)
-enhances the sexual stamina by 100%
(Lubed)
(to be set...)
[Haggling LVL3]
(Overcharge LVL2)
(Discount LVL1)
-get a discount of 5% on each purchase
[Alcohol tolerance LVL2]
[Cultivation]
gain EXP by intercourse
Physical:
[Martial Arts LVL 4]
[Staves LVL 3]
[Sword LVL 2]
(Slash LVL 2)
[Two-handed Axe LvL 2]
(Cleave LVL1)
[Dagger LvL 3]
(Stab LVL 3)
(Piercing LVL2)
[Bow LVL 2]
-enhances the damage done with bows by 40%
(Aimed Shot LVL 1)
(Double-strafe LVL1)
[Thrown LVL 2]
(Throwing LVL3)
[One-handed Mace LVL 2]
(Crushing Blow LVL1)
[Shield LVL 1]
(Shield Bash LVL 1)
[Wand LVL 5]
[Parcours LVL 1]
-enables to cross obstacles more efficiently
Magic:
[Reflect Magic]
-reflects all magic at the cost of 10% of that magic
[Chant shortening LVL 6]
-shortens a chant up to LVL 6 by 60%
[Silent cast lvl.3]
[Mana Control LVL 3]
-accelerates the distribution and acquisition of Mana
[Mana Manipulation LVL 1]
[Wield Magic LVL 2]
[Spell Weaving LVL1]
(Spell Fusion LVL 1)
(Mana Shield LVL 2)
[Fire magic LVL 4]
-fire spells cost 20% less mana
(Fireball LVL 3)
-cast a Fireball dealing high damage
has a chance to inflame the target
(Firewall LVL 1)
-cast a Wall of Fire burning what ever touches it
[Air magic LVL 2]
-air spells get cast 18% faster
(Lightning Strike LVL 1)
-charge lightning on a target dealing consecutive damage
has a chance to electrocute the target
(Chain Lightning LVL 1)
-cast lightning on a target and jump on dealing lessening damage
has a chance to electrocute the targets
[Earth magic LVL 3]
(Stone Shards LVL 3)
-hurl stone pebbles towards a target with high speed
(Earth Wall LVL 1)
[Arcane Magic LVL 2]
(Arcane Missiles LVL 1)
[Light Magic LVL 6]
-Healing spells enhanced by 40%
(Heal LVL2)
-accelerates the healing of a target by 200%
(Instant Heal LVL1)
-heal a target visibly for high Mana consumption
(Light Barrier LVL1)
(Great Heal LVL 1)
[Conjuration lvl.2]
(Summon Imp)
[Shadow magic LVL 4]
(Shadow Bolt LVL 3)
-hurl a shadowbolt towards a target devouring energy
[Space Magic LVL 1]
(Portal: Gold Creek)
[Barrier Magic LVL 3]
Special:
[Battle Intuition]
chance to land a critical hit +20%
[Battle hardened]
additional ([Base LvL]*100) HP
[Analyze LVL 2]
The number of information shown depends on the skills level
[Multijob LVL 2]
-set two second jobs
[Hero]
Experience gained doubled (incl. Party members)
All Stats +10%
[?ia???las Blessing]
-rep?a??d ?kin??i? may ?a?? ??? co??any ??ore y?u
[Champion]
Experience necessary halved for the Champion.
All Stats +20%
[Enhanced Magic Resistance]
____________
With all of his stats around one hundred, Jay had gotten considerably stronger.
It would take him only a few battles more for the next job change.
"What are you thinking about?" M.
A soft voice echoed next to him. Mia had finished her business and returned to his side on the bed. While she was already wearing a light blue dress she eyed him hungrily once again.
Smiling while shaking his head, Jay closed his Status screen and rose from the bed after he gave Mia a quick peck on her lips.
"I was just wondering how strong I really am... Like, in comparison to other adventurers." J.
"Pretty strong if you ask me! My estimation would be you rivaling or even topping the strength of a whole party of your level. And that would be only if you don't consider all the skills you have... " M.
" You know about them? I didn't think you have a inspection skill as well...?" J.
"...or you would have taken it in as well? Hehe,... no. Alexis had told me of it and considering how active you've been... I guess its quite the number.
We should get some breakfast soon. I bet they are already waiting for us. I neglected my duties long enough..." M.
With this Mia climbed out of the bed and took the two steps to the door.
Looking back over her shoulder one last time she gave Jay a wink and went out of sight.
Donning his clothes quickly after he searched them in the room, Jay followed Mia downwards to the dining hall.
She was already seated at the set table. Marcus and Ellie had not only managed the inn this morning but also prepared a abundant breakfast for them.
Seated facing the bar, Jay greeted the chef as he walked out of the kitchen. The thumbs up Marcus gave him was only visible for Jay.
Even the remaining adventurers and guests had gotten a little silent when Jay had arrived at the end of the stairs, showing they all had a hunch to what made the landlady be late.
...Or who.
It seemed only Ellie had no idea to what had transpired as she set besides them and asked where they had been.
When they had finished their meal, Mia suddenly shoved a small round token over to Jay. It was red and had a diameter of about two inches.
After a questioning look to her, she started to explain.
"It's a token some aquainted Innkeepers had invented on a whim decades ago. Show it when you book a room and at certain Inns you might get a discount." M.
"Thank you. But you know,... I'm pretty well off...."J.
"Don't worry, I thought that much. Either way, it's something I'd like to gift you." J.
"Then thank you again. How do I use it?" J.
"When you go to Arathor I suggest staying at the Gilded Rose Inn and showing it. For further Inns I don't really know. It's been a while since I left this place..." M.
"So, it's not a one time use?" J.
"Of course not! Though I suggest not showing it openly as it's pretty rare since we all can give out only one. The exact number is something I don't know and ain't no longer interested in though..." M.
"I hope I can repay your kindness sometime in the future..." J.
Lowering her face a little for a moment to hide her slight blush, Mia answered with a mischievous grin.
"Oh, I'm sure you will... just promise to come back when you are done in the capital!" M.
"Of course, how could I not return to such a beautiful woman like you?.." J.
Jay got her hint and would make sure to come back and spend some time with her.
Afterwards he went back to his room and packed his belongings.
Giving himself a thorough wash and donning his armor, Jay took a peek into his inventory. After searching for a short while he found what he was looking for.
As he would be traveling, a bit of luggage would seem appropriate and a storage pouch was way beyond his possibilities.
At least it should seem this way.
That was why he took out a backpack he looted in the cult's camp. It was a magical item like the one he found in the underground temple, though this one was less refined and did not freeze time inside.
Even the small bag of holding and the royal satchel in his inventory had this feature while offering way more space in comparison.
Putting a rolled blanket on the backpack and wearing it, Jay gave one last glance to his room.
He was pretty sure he wouldn't be using it anymore in the future, but it had given him shelter for the last weeks.
Arriving in the dining hall, Jay said his goodbyes to Marcus, Ellie and Mia. The latter followed him outside and got a little surprised by him summoning his black horse.
After kissing a last time, Jay mounted it and rode towards the north.
It took only moments to get out of sight from the Inn and not much more to be out of town. Riding on for a few minute, Jay became bored and decided to check on his new acquired skills.
As the [Champion] skill already gave him a explanation, the first thing he checked was the special skill [Enhanced Magic Resistance].
It doubled the magic resistance that came with the acquisition of a elements magic skill. Fire magic gave him a certain resistance to fire and fire magic for example.
With his magic refection active, this absurdly strong skill was of no real use to him.
[Light Magic LVL 6] gave him quite some boons though.
It not only ranked up (Light Barrier), (Great Heal) and (Instant Heal) to level 3, it also boosted (Heal) to level 4.
More than that, two new skills appeared in the list. (Revitalize LVL1) was a skill that not only recovered lost health, it also replenished the stamina, while (Renew LVL1) did exactly what it was called and boosted healing over time with a buff.
How this principle of new and ranked up skills worked seemed even more complex to Jay the more he leveled up.
Happy that finally [Arcane Magic] went up a level, Jay was a bit downhearted as he only got (Arcane Blast LVL1) which would deal high damage to close enemies and push them away.
Not much help to his style, Jay dismissed the spell for eventually leveling it in the far future.
The same was true for the next skill he concentrated on. [Barrier Magic LVL 3] offered him (Negating Barrier LVL2), (Physical Reflection Barrier LVL1) and (Counter Magic Barrier LVL2) that might be awesome for anyone else, but for a high mobility combatant and caster, they proved not too good.
That was why he was finally happy as he read the description of [Staves LVL 3].
It not only boosted the damage with staves and offered him better insight in fighting with a stave, it also used the stave as a high level magic conductor.
Though it offered no combat abilities it focused on versatility.
Now Jay only needed a stave.
The last thing Jay checked was the now [Conjuration LVL2] that granted him (Summon Void). Within the loot from the cultists, Jay had finally found the required soul stones and would make sure to try summoning in the near future.
Even if it was not a good match to his fighting style, a possible tank or distraction could come in handy.
The acquisition for soulstones was finally revealed as well, as he had just to use (Soul drain LVL1) which he integrated to shadow magic.
Grinning wide while happy about his new skills, Jay soon saw the walls of Arathor.
This horse sure was damn fast.