Pico’s eyes unfocused as he looked at what was no doubt a status screen about the Vonns. Then he looked at Bev and said, “Skin reinforcement. Strange choice for someone that uses armor. But I can respect it. That would explain why the bruises are healing slower. And Kennon, it seems you have some minor reinforcement as well. Although to a much smaller degree. How did you manage that?”
Hermis snapped at him, “You know not to ask those questions! Even if we weren’t explicitly told not to by a woman as her last request they are system favored. You don’t ask a system favored their skills.”
Bev perked up at the last line and said, “What does system favored mean exactly?”
Hermis looked at her with a gentle face and said, “System favored are those that the system has deemed to bless in one way or another. Most commonly with fast leveling, leveling farther than normal, or both. The church of the system has a standing policy that no one is allowed to question them for specifics.”
“Why not?”
“That is one of the questions they don’t answer. I always assumed they have some way to create system favored and are keeping it secret. Some sort of fruit? System favor does seem to run in families.”
“I see.” Kennon said. If the average person thought it taboo to ask them about their power that would make things much easier. But if the church took responsibility for them. Things could get ugly quickly.
Hermis continued, “The church actually demands system favored to register at their earliest convenience. But Aithgard doesn’t have a temple. So it will be a while before they let you in on those secrets. Assuming you want them. I assume you don’t. Considering Margie wanted us to send you there rather than the closest city.”
“We would prefer to remain unknown. As much as possible.” Bev said.
“Well, Aithgard is a good place for that. Big enough to blend in. small enough to not attract attention.”
It really did seem like Margie had thought everything out in advance. This seemed perfect.
“Being system favored will explain your level. And the fact that your strength doesn't seem to match it.”
Kennon stared at her, confused. What did she mean by that? Was this about why she was so much faster than them?
“What do you mean about our strength not matching our level?” Kennon said.
“Well, two level tens should have been able to take out that sun tiger easily. Even if it caught you by surprise, and you were injured. Your spell casting is amazing. And you have a lot of mana. But your stats are atrocious. It seems the system decided to lock some of your stats.”
That sounded right. Up until the part about why.
“Is that common for system favored?” Bev asked.
Hermis stared at her. Her eyes unusually hard, as if she was trying to bore something into them. Then with an equally hard voice she said, “no, but it has been known to happen. And it certainly happened to you. The lock will fade in time.”
The way she said that. She wasn’t telling them it might have been the case. But that it was the case. Kennon knew it wasn’t. They had complete access to their soul power, and the abbility to see all skills. They didn’t even have stats. So they certainly weren’t locked.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
She looked in the distance and said, “This is the one thing Margie told me to expect from you. So it is true.”
Oh. that explained it. Margie really was amazing. Finding a way to protect them even after death. This was their alibi. Margie knew they would be weak for their level somehow. And used Hermis to give them an alibi.
Why were they weak for their level by the way? Yes, they had three unused levels. But that didn’t explain it. Kennon pulled up the description of physical empowerment.
Physical empowerment T1
The growth system does not provide fixed stats via leveling. Instead giving you the power to direct your soul to power your body on your own.
Physical empowerment is a basic skill all should learn. It provides a broad improvement to all body functions. Including longevity and mental processing.
At tier 1 it has a base efficiency of 10% maximum.
Size: Variable. Minimum 1
He noticed something. The tier, and base efficiency. Compared to the other skills, physical empowerment was tiny, and simple. Ridiculously easy to weave. They got it nearly perfect the first time around.
But if higher tiers were more efficient with the soul fire devoted to it. And if the primary system wove a higher tier of it, or something like it, into almost everyone.
Were they only ten percent of a normal person's strength? They were, weren't they! That was insane!
They needed the higher tiers, and quickly!
Bev said, "actually, we have three unused levels. If we can have some privacy to spend them?”
“Naturaly. Pico, do they need any more treatment?”
“The potions should be done with their work in an hour. My spells can help top them off after that.”
“It may take us longer than that," Kennon said.
Hermis nodded and they went to their tent. Time to see what three new levels got them!
Suggested skills
Physical empowerment T2
Mental enhancement T2
Sense enhancement T2
Olfactory enhancement T2
Dexterity enhancement T2
Heat vision
Dark vision
Perfect memory
Precise mana
Oh, this was perfect!
Physical empowerment T2
Physical empowerment is a basic skill all should learn. It provides a broad improvement to all body functions. Including longevity and mental processing.
At tier 2 it has a base efficiency of 20% maximum.
Size: Variable. Minimum 2
They unlocked it as a suggested skill! They wanted to try it even without it being suggested. But this was better. It took an extra soul point just to weave. But it had double the power.
A quick check showed the other enhancement skills were the same. Dexterity enhancement was basically the same as the other enhancements. Only it focused on physical precision. But what exactly was perfect memory and precise mana?
Perfect memory
Never forget anything. Ever.
Size: 3
Precise mana
Having trouble perfectly casting spells? This enhances your ability to make mana fit your mental image. It does not help with weaving soul fire.
Size: 5
He wanted them both. He also wanted heat and dark vision. And to have the speed of Hermis.
Choices, choices. Well, doubling their stats should be plenty. No need to be too jealous there. Perfect money wasn’t even a choice. He had to get it. The idea of it not taking weeks to perfect a spell was exhilarating.
As for the vision skills, frankly he just thought they sounded cool. And depending on if he could weave properly, he could get all of them.
This was going to be a very good day.
Thank you for sharing my journey. To help me walk it I have a set up. It is 20 chapters ahead and releases at the same time as the Royal Road chapters.
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