First thing I do is check my notifications from my most recent fight with a so called Decadent.
‘Okay wow, a lot to go over. The level isn’t really surprising, though it’s a shame I couldn’t get to level twenty, as that’s when I get a class-related boost.’
I continue my perusal of my notifications.
‘Nice, the increase in my masteries is always nice to see. My swords mastery is progressing so rapidly that my other skills quite frankly can’t compete. That’s not exactly surprising I suppose, as all I really ever do these days is fight people it seems. I’ll have to try and get a few of them caught up at least a little when I get out of here.’ I think to myself.
Finally I look at my last two notifications, the new common upgradable mastery and the rare mastery, the latter of which gives me pause.
Rare masteries are, as the name implies, incredibly rare, and oftentimes are specialized directly for the user. Though it’s important to note that just because someone can perform the action of a rare mastery, doesn’t mean they are capable of receiving it.
Usually people only receive the mastery for an action when they gain some sort of insight into said action, with that insight increasing with each consecutive rarity.
I guess it’s important to also consider what a mastery actually… well, is.
People often debate on whether the system just categorized and displays your skill or discipline in a specific area, or if the system judges your effort in that same skill or discipline, and gives you a increase in proficiency for each level you attain.
As for what I think, well I’m really not sure, but I would like to think the former, for no other reason than I like to think I earned that mastery level myself, though considering that epic, legendary, unique and legacy masteries are almost never self-earned and rather system given, I’d give more credence to the latter.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
Another popular theory is that the higher the rarity of the mastery, the more the system interferes. This theory in my opinion sounds the most plausible
As for what I think, well I’m really not sure, though considering that epic, legendary, unique and legacy masteries are almost never self-earned and rather system given, I’d give more credence to that last theory.
Either way, what is known for a fact is the main use of a mastery is opening up doors for you that may not have been open previously, such as new classes, feats, traits, and race upgrades.
It’s also a known fact that the system takes into account age as well, that way people can’t just sit at a bottleneck for hundreds of years practicing their masteries in hopes of acquiring a special class or something similar.
Anyway back to the topic of rare masteries, they are usually the backbone of a person’s fighting style. People only usually acquire rare masteries when they’ve used a specific fighting style for enough time, they’ve gained insight into that fighting style, and that fighting style is unique enough to warrant a rare skill.
I say fighting style, but really the same goes for any discipline or activity.
Back to my notifications, the accompanying feat is also very much welcome, as I’ll most likely need everything I can get to clear this damn thing.
So with all my notifications taken care of, I spend a few minute considering where to place my newly acquired 21 AP.
I instantly spend 6 into willpower and dexterity, and then with my 9 remaining points, I dump them into strength, agility and perception evenly.
I take a quick look at my new status.
Name
Rowan Attain
Level
18
Class
Legacy: Skill-less Swordsman
Race
Human/Janin (+)
Formless Skin – Allows one to adapt their skin to take on the properties of any creature of any realm in the multiverse. Requires in depth knowledge and analysis of said creature’s physiology to work. Warning: Does not change musculature or internal processes.
Attributes
Strength – 23 (+2)
Agility – 60 (+2)(+9)
Dexterity(+) – 93 (+2)(+4)(+9)
Endurance – 21 (+2)
Perception – 39 (+2)
Intelligence – 22 (+2)
Willpower – 85 (+2)
Masteries
Common
Swords – 28
Temperance – 20
Stealth – 14
Sprinting – 9
Exercise – 9
Thievery – 3
Deception – 4
Killing – 13
Blending In – 1
Misdirection – 10
Monster Hunting – 10
Spirit Control – 7
Item Understanding – 5
Weapon Throwing (Upgradeable) – 1
Catching (Upgradable) – 1
Uncommon
Assassination – 2
Struggle – 3
Rare
Weapon Teleportation - 1
Skills
Feats
Early Killer - Very slight increased progression towards your Killing Mastery.
Swords Prodigy - Slight increased progression towards your Swords Mastery. +1 to all Stats.
Temperance Prodigy - Slight increased progression towards your Temperance Mastery. +1 to all Stats.
Early Enlightenment - One trait can be chosen related to your core.
Reversal – One trait can be chosen related to your recent ambush.
Punching Up – +1 to all stats.
Starter’s Blade – +3 AP, +3 to dexterity.
Smart Spender – Save all of your SP until level 10. +1 to all stats.
Novice Spirit Controller – Very slight increased progression towards your Spirit Control mastery. Any cultivation abilities are slightly enhanced. +5 willpower and +5 intelligence.
Connected Mind – You may upgrade your race or add a new attribute to your status. +5 intelligence and + 5 perception.
Boundless Determination – Grants the Limitless trait. +10 Willpower and +10 Endurance.
Rare Mastery – +10 AP.
Core
Sword – Your sword resonates with omnipresence.
Traits
Indomitable Swordsman - Receive a slight boost to perception when in a tough situation. Scales based on willpower.
Meager Swordsman - Increased progression towards your Swords Mastery while living humbly.
Sword of Silence - Harder for enemies to detect your sword coming. Very slight increased progression towards Stealth.
Dedication to the Sword – +2 to all stats when holding a sword, -2 to all stats when not. Increased progression towards Swords Mastery, decreased progression towards all other weapon and combat masteries.
Willful Gains – Permanently gain 5% of your willpower in any stat. Affect continues to scale with willpower. (+4 Dexterity)
Skill-less – All SP gained up to this point and onwards will be transferred into 2 AP each. Unable to acquire skills through any means. Bonus (2 * Tier) AP gained per level.
Sword of Will – Gain 10% of your willpower two other stats. Can be changed once a year. (+9 Dexterity/Agility)
State of Concentration - When you achieve perfect concentration under stressful circumstances, increase your agility and perception by 1.5 times. Duration is based on willpower.
Limitless – In extreme circumstance, your endurance will become equal to your highest stat.
Items
Solace’s Soul Shard (Two uses left)
Finally done with my status, I get up and decide to get a look around this place.
‘If I’m gonna work with these guys, I’d better get to know my way around here…’