Chapter 86: New Sub-Class
[Profile]
Name: Cedric Stormrider
Age: 21
Race: Human II
Classes: Luminous Sage (Main), Demon Slayer (2nd), Scribe Lv.100/100 (Sub)
Level: Tier 2 - Lv.5
Titles: Veteran Undead Slayer, Son of Heaven, Pioneer, Young Sage
System Authority: Lv.8
Aptitude:
Body: EX!
Energy: EX!
Spirit: EX!
Final rating: EX+
Skills:
Actives: Sword Intent Lv.10, Kickboxing (M), Iron Skin (M), Multi-Stab (M), Air-Hop (M), Focus (M), Lightspeed Lv.50,
Passives: Elementary Sage Physique (U), Sage's Perception (U), Education Lv.75, Demon Lore Lv.75, Slayer's Mark Lv.6, Decode (M), Symbol Mastery (M), Sage Arts Lv.30, Marksmanship (M)
[Mandatory Task:]
: Hell Dive - Survive the Endless Undead Horde for 5 hours twice.
: Rewards - 100% Demon Soul gain, Clearance Streak +1
: Punishment for Failure - Failure Streak +1.
: Record: Clear Streak - 10, Failure Streak - 0
**
Cedric just finished this month's Hell Dive. In fact, he just got out of it. He's still sweaty, slightly exhausted, and very dirty from all the grime and blood he got from fighting the undead horde.
Getting dirty was his least favorite part of his monthly mandatory service but what could he do?
Annoyed at his stench, he made his way towards the bathroom to clean himself up. He practically doused himself with disinfectant too just in case any virus lingered from his body.
And just to be extra sure, he ignited himself on Sunfire. Clearly, he wasn't taking any chances at all. Thankfully, his fire would never hurt him with his affinity and control over it.
As for his equipment, he also purified them with Sunfire, just enough to kill any pesky virus that might still remain there without reducing them to ashes.
After doing all of that, he put on a fresh set of comfortable clothes and ate something while watching a show online.
It's been a few weeks since the Black Sky happened. The city was already halfway through recovery. The walls had been repaired, only a few more checks were needed and they'd be done with it.
People were also starting to return to their regular lives. Peace was slowly returning to the city since they were not under attack anymore. If they were lucky, a Black Sky wouldn't appear for at least 3 years, which was more than enough for everybody to improve just in case another one occurred.
On another note, Cedric felt like it was time for him to pick a new sub-class. He's already maxed out Scribe, and although that looks nice on his profile, it's a sign of stagnation so he should choose a new one now.
'I've got a lot of choices to choose from...' He mused, 'Alchemist, Smith, Engineer, Mechanic, Tamer...the list goes on.'
'And that's precisely the problem.'
Cedric sighed facing this dilemma. There are just too many to choose from that he's having a difficult time picking. Each one had its charms and uses too.
He deliberated for some time and ended up with two professions to choose from: Smith and Alchemist.
Smithing was a rather broad profession. It includes the production of weapons, tools, jewels, etc. It is a very time-consuming profession and requires a great deal of effort to achieve even a small success with.
Alchemy was the same. But compared to Smithing, this one requires hefty financial capital to start its practice at least. All kinds of medicinal herbs and ingredients were expensive, not to mention the materials needed to make medicines.
Cedric was the least worried about the capital. He had more demon souls to use currently and had no way to spend it.
As for effort, he doesn't lack that either. The reason why he chose these two was because he knew that these were the most lucrative professions there were available to him, and with his absurdly high comprehension, mastering them shouldn't be impossible.
"...why am I thinking so hard, then? Isn't this just a matter of which one I decide to learn first?"
That's right. Nobody said that he couldn't learn both...or all professions out there if he wanted to. All he really needed was time and effort to do so. What he's ultimately deciding is which one should come first.
After thinking some more, he has made his decision...
"System, I want to choose a new Sub-Class." He declared.
[Checking profile...]
[Detected that User Cedric's current Sub-Class: Scribe has been leveled up to the maximum.]
[Congratulations! You have received the Title: 'Master Scribe' for this achievement. You may now pick a new Sub-Class.]
[Reminder: Your Scribe-related skills will remain at their current level as soon as you pick another Sub-Class. Since it is detected that you've also maxed out your Scribe-related skills, then User Cedric shouldn't feel burdened about making your next choice.]
[Please declare your next Sub-Class...]
There were instances when an individual could switch to a new Sub-Class even without maxing them out first. There are a few ways to do that but that's not important for now.
If someone does have a way to switch classes, the sub-class related skills will be 'postponed', meaning that even if they practice their skills while having an unrelated sub-class currently equipped, the set skills for their previous sub-class will not gain any experience and won't level up no matter how hard they try to.
This is a rule set by Acala herself and cannot be violated.
Cedric has no qualms about this though. After all, he isn't the type of guy who'd leave any unfinished business unless he has to since that would bother him to no end, and he values his peace of mind greatly.
Therefore, since the situation doesn't apply to him, he doesn't need to feel burdened by his choices.
"I choose Smith as my next Sub-Class." He declared.
[User Cedric has chosen 'Smith' as your new Sub-Class. Confirm? Y/N]
Mentally choosing 'yes', he felt something within him shifting once his decision was recorded.
[New Sub-Class acquired!]
[Sub-Class: Smith]
: Shapers of steel, builders of shelter, maker of tools...Smiths are practitioners of the lesser art of 'Creation'. Making full use of the materials available within their surroundings to create useful things that could improve their lifestyle.
• Class related Skills: 'Crafting', 'Metallurgy', 'Makeshift Trace', 'Smith's Blessing'.
**
『Crafting (Lv.1/100)』
: Also known as the lesser art of Creation. A skill that allows the user to use materials available within their surroundings to make something useful.
: As this skill levels up, the quality of items the user could make increases too.
『Metallurgy (Lv.1/100)』
: Metallurgy is the branch of science and technology that deals with the properties of metals and their production and purification. It involves the study of the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their compounds, and alloys. The goal of metallurgy is to understand, control, and improve the properties of metals and create new materials with specific characteristics.
: The user's ability to handle metals increases with the level of this skill.
『Makeshift Trace (Lv.1/100)』
: Also known as the Smith's Touch. This skill allows the user to learn the inner workings of anything through touch.
: Upon complete mastery of this skill, the user would be proficient enough to know everything about the item just by glancing at it.
『Smith's Blessing (Lv.1/100)』
: This skill represents the expertise of the Smith. For every item you create, there's a small chance of them receiving a Blessing/Attribute. The type of Blessing/Attribute bestowed on an item depends on the intent of the User while creating the said item.
: The quality, quantity, and frequency of this skill increase based on the skill level.
**
Cedric's interface was now swimming with information, but he didn't feel troubled by it. He calmly regarded every single one and dismissed them one by one as he understood them.
There was a rather surprising notice though...
[Detected the User possesses the Unique Passive: Sage's Perception. The skill:『Makeshift Trace』 determined to be redundant.]
[Notice! The effect of the skill: 『Makeshift Trace』 will now be fused with 『Sage's Perception (U)』 instead. Due to the passive skill being at the 'Unique' - rank, the effect of the skill: 『Makeshift Trace』 has been maximized.]
Long story short, since his passive skill was several levels higher than the Makeshift Trace, it was fused to the passive and was maxed out. Meaning that he no longer has to train this.
'That makes sense. After all, I could already do what the skill Makeshift Trace does since I've gotten these eyes. I would be redundant to learn it again.' He mused.
With one less skill to master, Cedric was feeling good. Now he would develop another hobby it seems. Not like that's bad, he couldn't just train all day and night, after all, that'd be a waste of his life.
With his new Sub-Class, the itch to inspect and tinker with items blossomed deep within him. This was a sign that his instincts as a Smith were taking root.
He wasn't that surprised about that. He didn't dislike the feeling either. Sure it was strange but he had full control over his instincts and body functions, so he's not worried.
"Well...I've got nothing to do for the rest of the day, so why not start the grind immediately?"
As he decided that, he turned off the stream and went down to his lab to purchase materials and start tinkering.