6 Chapter 6

Ethan felt the next three days drag along at an excruciatingly slow rate. Every chance he had, he'd practice using his arm, or using Scan. Both were becoming easier, but then it hit him.

'It's getting really boring.'

Ithana hadn't reappeared since she had left him, and Adrail could be heard every so often, seemingly training somewhere nearby.

Ethan couldn't leave the area he was in, as a dark elf would push him back, rather hard, each time.

As the third day began to draw to a close, Ethan had begun to drift off to sleep, when two people burst into the tent he was in.

"Stop this Adrail. I know we leave tomorrow, but we've put this off for too long. You promised me you'd do this."

"I see no reason to fight this human. He's too weak for me to even attempt sparring with."

The two continued to bicker until Ethan propped himself up.

"The hell is with you two? Arguing in the middle of the night?"

Ithana stood next to what appeared to be Adrail. He was more brutish than other dark elves, but still held that strange exotic grace in every movement.

"Mighty cocky for someone confined to this room."

"Adrail, no."

"Mighty cocky for someone who yells all alone every day."

Ithana took a moment to realize what Ethan said, but Adrail instantly glared eyes of murder at the soldier.

"Fine. I'll fight him, here and now."

"No, outside."

"You know I meant outside."

Ethan was beckoned by Ithana as they slipped back outside.

'They're pretty close. No wonder he's pissed his position may be taken away.'

Ethan finally got to step outside, his eyes instantly going round. Around a couple dozen tents could be seen near him, each illuminated within or without. Tall trees darkened the sky overhead, but stars could be spotted between certain branches.

'It's really serene here. Reminds me of when I used to go camping.'

He followed the two dark elves, their steps drifting between tent after tent until they finally entered a clearing. A few makeshift dummies could be seen nearby. Each littered with arrows, or deep gouges.

'Training area was actually pretty close.'

"He actually kept up? Huh."

Adrail walked off a moment before reappearing with a long pole slung over his shoulders. One end had a deep black spearhead attached to it.

'So he's a spear user. Oh boy.'

Ethan rubbed the sleep from his eyes as Ithana stood off to the side.

"First to knock the other down three times is the winner. No complaints? Fine. Let's get this over with."

Ethan instantly held up a hand.

"Can I stretch a little first? I need to loosen my muscles since you caught me just before I fell asleep."

Adrail smirked towards him.

"Take all the time you need."

'Cocky as hell.'

Ethan began to stretch out each of his muscles, acting like it was all he was doing.

'Stats. I waited long enough.'

Before his eyes appeared a pretty detailed status screen, but it instantly darkened.

'To view this info in greater detail, please choose a class.'

He raised an eyebrow as three choices were made available to him.

-Fighter

-Damage Physical

-Melee Weapon Proficiency

-Low Magic

-Speed Middle

-Mage

-Damage Magical

-Magic Weapon Proficiency

-High Magic

-Speed Low

-Rogue *

-Damage Cross

-Multi-proficient

-Middle Magic

-Speed High

'A star on rogue? Probably because I already own proficiency with that class.'

His eyes scanned Adrail, causing a small bit of info to appear.

'He's a fighter type. Level sixteen... damn. That's no fun. I already know I'll go rogue, especially since I'll need the speed to survive this fight. His level difference is where we have a problem.'

Ethan looked back to his choices, Rogue already highlighting itself as the final choice. The rest of the info finally became available, although it quickly shifted before his eyes. A new message appeared.

'Class Chosen: Rogue. Status changed to accommodate new class.'

-Ethan Quinn, 23

-Level 3, 27%

-Class: Rogue

-HP: 175/175

-MP: 125/125

-SP: 200/200

-Strength 13

-Dexterity 18

-Mind 13

-Agility 23

-Luck ???

-Unallocated: 10

The information shrunk down drastically.

'No vitality or intelligence? Odd.'

A new message appeared.

'Unable to view substats, such as vitality or intelligence. Class Choice: Rogue does not permit adjustments to these stats, but they will grow as you do.'

'This system has a crush on me. It's too easy to get my confusion cleared up. Now what's with luck?'

No message appeared this time, so Ethan chose to ignore it. For now.

'I'm gonna hate myself for this so much.'

-Agility 33

-Unallocated: 0

'I just need to out speed him and find an opening to knock him down. Three times. Shit.'

His menu closed, causing a message to appear.

'Quest Complete - Familiarize yourself with the system'

'Reward: Rogue Starter Set'

Ethan looked past the message, accepting the reward, but chose to open the set later.

'Can't have loot appear in my hands in front of them.'

A new message appeared.

'Basic Rogue Skills Learned'

-Critical Stab Lv. 1 Active Skill SP: 10

-A critical attack with a dagger. Requires dagger. Guaranteed critical strike unless enemy is greater.

-Snipe Lv. 1 Active Skill SP: 7

-A critical attack with a bow. Requires bow. Guaranteed critical strike.

Another message appeared.

'Due to increase in Agility, as well as memory of lessons, a new skill has been created.'

-Capoeira Lv. Max Stance/Active SP: 5/min.

-Neither a master nor a novice, you've learned the art of Capoeira. Requirement: Unarmed

'W-wait. Really? That nightmare is coming back to help me now? Fine.'

The messages finally began to rest as he looked over at Adrail, who had become increasingly annoyed.

"I'm ready now. Sorry."

Adrail leapt to his feet from a cross-legged position, landing with his feet spread far apart and his spear held out.

"Took too damn long you wretch."

Ethan shrugged as he stepped forward.

'After all of this, and they still didn't wanna bring up the fact that I'm weapon less. Plus... he won't be knocking me down with that spear.'

He sighed softly, his eyes becoming slits.

'Time to kick his ass. Capoeira.'

He bent his body slightly, his limbs becoming much less tense as he began to step side to side slowly, but gaining speed and rhythm.

'Hehe. I'll dance this to my own beat.'

In an instant, Ethan sidestepped Adrail's spear thrust, bewildering the dark elf as he flipped up onto his hands, a heavy boot meeting his face.

In the blink of an eye, Adrail was on his back.