Rose, engrossed in her interface, glanced up briefly before returning her attention to the list of skills. Her mind worked quickly as she evaluated her options. The offensive focus of her abilities was undeniable, but the absence of defensive or passive skills was glaring. She hesitated as she considered how best to address the gap in her capabilities. She glanced at her stats and called those out before moving into the new skills available.

Name: Rose Arrington

Race: Human

Level: 25

Rank: E

Path: Path of the Fylgja

Class: Tempest Weaver

Health: 710

Mana: 1560

Stamina: 550

Strength: 47

Agility: 44

Constitution: 71

Intelligence: 156

Willpower: 131

Endurance: 55

Luck: 10

Available Points: 0

When the first batch of skill options appeared for her Race level one, she was unsurprised to see what it offered…

Race Level 1 Skill Choices:

Wind Blade:

A sharp, slicing attack that uses compressed air to strike enemies from a distance.

Firebolt:

A focused projectile of fire that deals burning damage to a single target.

Water Jet:

A high-pressure stream of water that delivers precision strikes and disrupts enemies.

She chose Wind Blade without hesitation. She lacked any wind-based attacks so far, and her class specialization revolved around harnessing the full spectrum of elemental powers.

New Skill: Wind Blade (Uncommon)

Description: Harness the power of compressed air to unleash a slicing projectile, striking enemies with precision and force. Wind Blade combines speed and sharpness to deliver effective ranged attacks.

Effects:

Cutting Edge:

Deals moderate slashing damage to a single target with a 20% chance to inflict a bleeding effect for 5 seconds.

Piercing Gust:

Has a 15% chance to bypass a portion of the target's armor, increasing effectiveness against heavily armored foes.

Rose shared her selection with the group before revealing her next skill choice. She still had Fire Bolt and Water Jet, so she skipped rereading those.

Race Level 5 Skill Choices:

Ice Armour:

Armor encases the user in a thin but durable layer of hardened ice, reducing incoming damage by 25%.

Rose squared her shoulders, eyes steady on Elder Dorgran. She flexed her hands as if testing the cold.

"Ice Armour seemed like a no-brainer. I needed more defense."

New Skill: Ice Armour (Uncommon)

Description: Summon a layer of protective frost that encases your body, shielding against attacks while providing strategic advantages in combat.

Effects:

Frost Shielding:

Reduces incoming physical damage by 25% for the duration of the skill, protecting the user from close-range assaults.

Chilling Touch:

Enemies that strike the armour in melee combat are slowed by 15% for 5 seconds, hindering their movement and attack speed.

Elder Dorgran inclined his head. "Ah, a wise choice, especially since you previously lacked defensive skills. Balancing offense with defense often spelled the difference between victory and defeat."

After discussing her previous selection, Rose turned her attention to her third set of options, all of which were entirely new skills. She read out the choices to the group:

Race Level 10 Skill Selection:

Volt Dash

: Instantly relocates the user to a new position while releasing an electrical blast that stuns nearby enemies.

Shockwave

: An earth-based skill that disrupts the stance of anyone caught within its radius.

Thunderclap

: A sonic attack that ruptures eardrums and disorients opponents, leaving them with a debuff.

Elder Dorgran stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Fascinating options, each with its own unique advantages. Remember, in the chaos of battle, the right skill at the right time can turn the tide in your favor. Choose wisely."

Rose didn't hesitate. The importance of mobility in battle wasn't lost on her, especially given her lack of defensive skills. "I'm going with Volt Dash. It gives me the quick movement I've been lacking," she announced before moving on to the next set of choices.

New Skill: Volt Dash (Rare)

Description: Harness the power of lightning to instantly reposition yourself on the battlefield. Volt Dash allows the user to relocate to a targeted position within a 10-meter radius, leaving behind a surge of electrical energy that disrupts and disorients enemies.

Effects:

Electroshock Burst

: Releases an electrical blast at both the starting and ending points, dealing 120% base damage and stunning enemies within a 5-meter radius for 2 seconds.

Static Overload

: Applies a 10% reduction to enemy attack speed for 5 seconds to any foes struck by the electrical blast.

Lightning Reflexes

: Grants a 20% increase in movement speed for 5 seconds after the dash, allowing quick follow-up attacks or evasion.

Cooldown: 30 seconds

As she scrolled through, one skill immediately caught her eye: Arcane Reservoir. A passive ability that she knew would be invaluable. "That could be really handy."

Race Level 15 Skill Selection:

Arcane Reservoir

: Harness latent arcane energy to enhance your mana regeneration both in and out of combat.

Shockwave

: An earth-based skill that disrupts the stance of anyone caught within its radius.

Thunderclap

: A sonic attack that ruptures eardrums and disorients opponents, leaving them with a debuff.

Elder Dorgran nodded approvingly. "A wise choice, young Rose. The essence of magic lies in the ability to sustain one's power. Mana is your lifeblood as a spellcaster, and this skill ensures you'll have the resources to cast your spells when it matters most, reducing your reliance on consumable items like mana potions."

New Skill: Arcane Reservoir (Uncommon)

Description: Tap into a wellspring of arcane energy, enhancing mana recovery to ensure a steady supply both during combat and in moments of rest.

Effects:

Enhanced Recovery:

Increases passive mana regeneration by 30% when out of combat, allowing faster recovery between encounters.

Sustained Flow:

Enables mana regeneration during combat at 50% of the normal out-of-combat rate, ensuring a consistent resource supply during extended battles.

Activation: Requires 5% of the user's total mana to remain locked, maintaining the flow of arcane energy to power this passive ability.

Rose felt a surge of anticipation. With these new skills, she was becoming a more rounded and capable adventurer. Now she just needed the opportunity to put them to the test.

Race Level 20 Skill Selection:

Scrying:

Allows the user to spy on distant places or people through reflective surfaces, offering unparalleled insight and surveillance.

Runecraft:

A versatile skill that enables the storage of magical energy in engraved runes, with potential applications in both combat and utility.

Barriers:

A defensive skill focused on creating protective shields, which are helpful in warding off attacks or fortifying positions.

Faced with a trifecta of new skills to choose from, Rose found herself at a crossroads. Barriers, a straightforward defensive skill that had lost some of its appeal since she acquired Ice Armour. Uncertain, she turned to Elder Dorgran for guidance.

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Dorgran stroked his beard thoughtfully before speaking. "In my experience, Scrying offers flexibility. You can either focus on a specific target or scan a familiar area; your proficiency determines the skill's effectiveness. Runecraft, on the other hand, is something I know quite intimately. During my time with the dwarves of our homeworld, I witnessed the depth of this craft. For a human to possess this skill is a rare privilege."

He continued, detailing the intricacies of Runecraft. "It is the mystical discipline of infusing tangible inscriptions with magical properties. By using ancient symbols, known as runes, you can forge stable, semi-permanent magical effects activated at will. While it lacks the spontaneity of traditional spellcasting, Runecraft compensates with its utility; you can set up magic in advance for a variety of situations."

Finally, Dorgran spread his arms as if unveiling a grand tapestry of possibility. "With Runecraft, you could craft anything from ward stones and binding runes to communication stones linking distant cities. Your imagination is the only boundary."

Rose's eyes gleamed with enlightenment. Each skill had its merits, but Runecraft offered an enticing blend of creativity and tactical advantage. It seemed the perfect complement to her evolving skill set.

Rose pondered her choices, her mind racing. Scrying offered a kind of situational awareness that could be incredibly useful for recon or tracking. But Runecraft, with its depth and versatility, appealed to her innate love for creative magic. After hearing Elder Dorgran elaborate on its potential, her decision became clearer.

"I think Runecraft resonates more with me," she finally declared. "It seems like a skill where I can really dig deep and continuously discover new applications. It offers both utility and tactical advantages."

Elder Dorgran smiled warmly, the crinkles around his eyes deepening. "An excellent choice, Rose. Runecraft is an ancient practice steeped in tradition and boundless potential. With it, you can tailor your magic to suit any circumstance, turning your creativity into a tangible advantage on the battlefield. It's a skill that will grow in power and utility as you grow in wisdom and experience."

A sense of satisfaction filled Rose as she selected Runecraft from her skill list, cementing her decision. She could almost feel the ancient arcane knowledge settling into her consciousness, like a book long left unread suddenly flung open to reveal its secrets. This was more than just an acquisition of a new skill—it was a step toward becoming a more versatile and self-reliant adventurer.

New Skill: Runecraft (Rare)

Description: Master the ancient art of engraving magical runes, transforming ordinary objects into vessels of arcane power. Runecraft allows the user to inscribe runes that store energy, enhance abilities, or unleash effects when activated.

Effects:

Rune of Storage:

Grants the ability to store magical energy within an inscribed rune for later use, preserving up to 20% of the user's maximum mana.

Empowered Glyphs:

Inscribed runes can enhance weapons, armor, or other items, granting a temporary boost to a chosen stat or imbuing the item with elemental damage for 10 minutes.

Triggering Sigils:

Create runes that activate upon specific triggers, such as proximity, time delay, or physical contact, unleashing effects like minor explosions or elemental blasts.

Activation: Runecraft requires time and precision to inscribe runes. Each rune consumes a portion of mana proportional to its complexity and remains active until dispelled or its energy is depleted.

She looked up at her companions, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I can't wait to see what sort of runes I can craft. I have a feeling this is going to open up a whole new world of possibilities for us."

Turning her attention back to her available skill choices, Rose found that Elemental Burst had appeared in place of Runecraft. While intriguing, it felt somewhat redundant; she had already begun mastering multi-elemental attacks on her own. Her eyes lingered on Scrying. A soft, almost nostalgic feeling welled up within her. The skill offered her a chance to assuage a lingering concern: Sinclair's well-being.

Race Level 20 Skill Selection:

Elemental Burst:

Unleashes a concentrated explosion of elemental energy, dealing area-of-effect damage and applying a corresponding elemental effect to enemies within range.

With a resolute click, she selected Scrying, internally yearning to use this newfound ability soon to check on him and ensure he was safe. It wasn't just a skill to her; it was a tether to those she cared about, a magical link stretching across the distances that separated them.

New Skill: Scrying (Uncommon)

Description: Unlock the power to bridge distances and uncover secrets through reflective surfaces. Scrying enables the user to peer into faraway places or track individuals, providing valuable insights into hidden or distant locations while revealing what lies beneath the surface.

Effects:

Reflective Vision:

Allows the user to view distant locations or individuals through reflective surfaces, such as mirrors or still water, for up to 1 minute.

Mystic Insight:

Grants a chance to uncover hidden details, such as magical wards, traps, or concealed objects, when observing through scrying.

Elder Dorgran greeted Rose's decision with a warm, approving smile. "Ah, so you're finished with your Race skill selections. Do you have three class levels to pick from as well?"

Rose nodded her head. "I haven't quite gotten my class to level 15 yet. Only managed to get 14 after learning how to make a new spell called Ice Orb. So that should get me the rewards for levels 1, 5, and 10."

Class Level 1 Skill Selections:

Volt Shield:

Grants a compact, arm-mounted shield surrounded by a two-foot radius of electrified spikes, repelling attacks and dealing minor electrical damage.

Static Sense:

Allows the user to emanate a static field, detecting movement within its range and alerting to nearby threats.

"I've decided to opt for Volt Shield," she continued, her tone reflecting her inner confidence. "It adds a new layer to my defense, making me not just the protector of myself, but potentially of others as well, should the need arise."

New Skill: Volt Shield (Rare)

Description: Harness the power of electricity to create a versatile arm-mounted shield. Volt Shield provides both offensive and defensive capabilities, combining sturdy protection with electrifying counterattacks.

Effects:

Electrified Barrier:

Generates a compact, arm-mounted shield with a two-foot radius of electrified spikes, capable of repelling melee attacks and dealing minor electrical damage to attackers.

Energy Reflection:

Reflects 15% of the damage from energy-based attacks back at the attacker, providing additional defense against ranged or magical assaults.

Charged Repulse:

Emits a surge of electrical energy when struck, knocking back enemies within a 3-meter radius and briefly stunning them for 2 seconds.

Activation: Volt Shield remains active as long as the user maintains focus, draining a small, continuous amount of mana to sustain its effects.

"A well-considered choice, young Rose," Elder Dorgran commended, nodding appreciatively. "And what do you have in mind for your subsequent skills?"

Class Level 5 Skill Selections:

Hearthstone:

Allows the user to designate a specific area as a sanctuary, shielding it from monsters and enhancing regenerative abilities within its radius.

Hellfire Vortex:

Summons a whirling inferno that deals devastating damage to all within its range, posing a threat to both enemies and allies alike.

"So, which one will it be?" Elder Dorgran asked, leaning forward in anticipation.

"I'm choosing Hearthstone," Rose said, the determination clear in her voice. "Its utility in establishing a safe zone for longer journeys and enabling rapid recovery seems invaluable. Plus, it fits more with my tendency to plan strategically rather than rely solely on brute force."

New Skill: Hearthstone (Epic)

Description: Create a sanctuary imbued with protective and restorative magic. Hearthstone offers a safe haven where allies can recover, shielded from external threats and bolstered by powerful regenerative energies.

Effects:

Sanctuary Shield:

Establishes a protective barrier around the designated area, preventing monsters and hostile creatures from entering for up to 10 minutes.

Restorative Aura:

Enhances health and mana regeneration for all allies within the sanctuary by 50%, accelerating recovery during and after battles.

Empowered Focus:

Allies within the sanctuary gain a 10% boost to spellcasting and ability effectiveness, amplifying their combat and utility skills.

"A wise choice, indeed," Elder Dorgran nodded, visibly pleased with her thoughtful decision-making. "With such a diverse array of skills, you're shaping up to be a formidable adventurer."

"Alright. Let's wrap this up with the last set." Rose stated that while she opened the last notification, she read the new skill, skipping over Hellfire Vortex.

Class Level 10 Skill Selections:

Mirror Image:

Creates three illusory duplicates of the caster, each capable of casting weaker versions of the user's spells to confuse and overwhelm enemies.

"I really don't like the sound of Hellfire Vortex. I will be taking Mirror Image," Rose stated, only to hear Alice snickering about the world not needing more of he,r even if they were only temporary. Which she gracefully ignored even though she did smile to herself before reading off the full skill.

New Skill: Mirror Image (Rare)

Description: Harness illusion magic to create duplicates of yourself, confusing enemies and overwhelming them with a barrage of coordinated attacks. These reflections mimic the caster's movements and spells, adding chaos to the battlefield.

Effects:

Illusory Duplicates:

Summons three mirror images of the caster that mimic basic movements and cast weaker versions of the user's spells, dealing 30% of the original damage.

Decoy Confusion:

Enemies targeting the caster have a 50% chance of hitting a mirror image instead, diverting attention and reducing incoming damage.

Explosive Dissipation:

When a mirror image is destroyed or its duration ends, it releases a small burst of arcane energy, dealing minor area damage to enemies within 3 meters.

Just as Elder Dorgran was about to offer some final words of wisdom, a sudden gust of wind blew through the room, carrying with it a sense of urgency. The door burst open, and a trio of scouts, their faces lined with dirt and exhaustion, staggered into the chamber.

"Elder Dorgran, urgent news!" one of the scouts panted, struggling to catch his breath.

"Speak, what has happened?" Elder Dorgran demanded, his tone shifting from mentorship to military command in an instant.

"It's the Orcs, Elder. Patrols of them, heavily armed, are heading in this direction. And from what we could gather, they're not just passing through. They're organized, and they mean to attack," the scout revealed, his eyes wide with a mix of fear and resolve.

Elder Dorgran stood, his face hardening like a slab of granite. "Prepare yourselves," he declared, locking eyes with Alice, Rose, and the others. "It appears we'll be putting your new skills to the test sooner than we'd all hoped."

As the scouts rushed back out to spread the alarm, the atmosphere grew tense, each individual lost in their own thoughts and fears. The room seemed to close in, as if echoing the impending danger. This was no longer just about skill choices and individual paths; it was about survival, it was about war.

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