After returning home, life settled into a comfortable routine. Robert continued his studies, focusing on spellcasting and crafting. He aimed to produce five items per run, a more modest goal that allowed for some leisure time.
Elara''s birthday arrived with much fanfare and an unexpected surprise. "Robert, something incredible has happened!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "The System says I''ve earned two feats and a title! That''s not normal." She handed him her device, pointing to the newly acquired accolades.
Feat: Pioneer of the New World
Description: Granted to a user who, before fully unlocking the system, travels to another universe and becomes the first child to unlock it there.
Reward: +5% XP, +1 Tier to class and profession options.
Feat: First Traveler
Description: Awarded to the first user to journey to another universe from their original world.
Reward: Unlocks or advances by 1 Tier, the Magical Sphere of Travel.
Title: The First Child
Description: Bestowed upon the first child to fully unlock the system''s potential, a pioneer shaping the future.
Reward: +5% XP, +5 free stat points, +2 unlocked skill points.
"That''s extraordinary, Elara," Robert replied, his voice filled with awe and admiration. "So let''s talk about what comes next. If you were still with your family, what would be the game plan?"
"Momma always said, ''Skills are the foundation, levels are the fruit,''" Elara lamented, her voice heavy with regret. "I was meant to be building my skills, not just chasing levels."
Robert listened, his heart aching for her. "Show me what you''ve got," he urged. Elara, with a sigh, opened her skill page.
<table style="border-collapse: collapse" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">Name</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">Tier</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">Rank</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">Description</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Literature(System Common)</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">General skill related to Learning common languages and dialects</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: right">Reading</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">LEARNED</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Subskill in Reading(System Common)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: right">Writing</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">LEARNED</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Subskill in Writing(System Common)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Cooking</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">General skill related to preparing meals and using basic cooking techniques</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Fishing</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">General skill related to fishing techniques and bait preparation.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Bargaining</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">General skill related to Negotiating fair deals and trades.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">History(Mordia)</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">General skill related to Knowing the stories and legends of the world (Mordia)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: right">Local Lore(Aeria)</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">LEARNED</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Subskill related to the lore and legends in the village of Aeria and the surrounding area.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: right">Regional Lore(Scaloria)</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">LEARNED</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Subskill related to the lore and legends in the kingdom of Scaloria and the surrounding area.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Hunting</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">General skill related to tracking, trapping, and preparing small game.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: right">Tracking</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">LEARNED</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Subskill of hunting dealing with the tracking of game.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: right">Trapping</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">LEARNED</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Subskill of hunting related to the trapping of game.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: left">Climbing</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">General skill related to scaling cliffs, trees, and other obstacles.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: left">Swimming</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">General skill related to the proficiency in water and basic water rescue techniques.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: left">Sewing</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">General skill related to basic clothing repair and creation.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: left">Foraging</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">2</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">General skill related to Identifying edible plants and fungi.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: left">Magical Sphere of Travel</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">9</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Magical skill related to travel, such as teleportation and portals</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: left">Magical Sphere or Illusion</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">9</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Magical skill related to the creation of sensory experiences, such as false sights, sounds, or touch.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: left">Magical Sphere of Healing</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">9</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Magical skill related to the healing of injuries</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: left">Magical Sphere of Elemental Air</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">9</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Magical skill related to the manipulation and control of air.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: left">Magical Sphere of Light</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%; text-align: center">1</td>
<td style="width: 24.1012%; text-align: center">9</td>
<td style="width: 24.0999%">Magical skill related to the control and manipulation of light.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
"So, first things first," Robert began, scanning the list. "We need to level up some of these basic skills. Magic will come naturally with practice, but the others... well, I do enjoy a good fishing trip. Now, what about your System skills, Elara? What level is your inventory?" Elara looked sheepish. "It’s only level one. You can’t upgrade it until you fully unlock the System." Robert smiled reassuringly. "No worries. That’s an easy one. Just keep putting things in and taking them out, and you’ll level up in no time. In fact, I’m close to leveling mine up too. Just a few more days."The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
"So, do you want to focus on leveling these skills or learning new ones? I should warn you, the System seems to have missed a few I think I should have, like Running. I mean, I ran track in high school and college."
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 60.513%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">It takes power to give skills, and the System''s being a bit lazy, we could request a review if you want.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
"Depends," Robert mused. "Would I end up with a hundred new skills that are worthless?"
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 69.5699%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">It depends on how you define worthless, take Running, for example. At higher levels, you could outrun nearly anything and run for hours without tiring. However, most of the new skills would be simple Tier 1 Level 1 skills. Some would be worth it, some probably not.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
"Oh, what the hell," Robert shrugged. "Go ahead and ask. Worst-case scenario, I have to scroll through twenty pages of skills."
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 15.549%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Request Skill List Review!</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 10.9805%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Review Underway!</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 13.4651%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Setting Baseline!</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 14.988%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Scanning User History</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 27.8119%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Extracting System-Defined Skills from User History!</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 25.4876%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Identifying Skills That Are Not Yet Defined!</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 17.8734%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Building Additional Skill List!</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 8.49586%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">List Built!</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 29.3348%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Identifying New Skills To Create Database Entries for!</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 9.45766%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Task Complete!</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Robert''s head throbbed as a wave of new information washed over him. After a few minutes, he regained his focus and checked his new status sheet. "Okay, Hal, I guess I understand. Some of these will be useful, like Running, but I''m not sure how Technical Writing will help me when I get where I''m going."
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 54.8223%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">To be honest, no skill is 100% useless, sure, Computer Engineering might not be as useful in a low-tech world, but your military training and survival skills will be invaluable anywhere. So, the review was worth it.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
"I can see that," Robert agreed. "Well, good news, Elara. I can teach you some skills, like Archery or Survival. I can show you my skill sheet and you can choose what you''d like to learn." Elara, her eyes wide with excitement, leaned in to examine Robert''s skill sheet. A myriad of skills, each with its own level and description, appeared on his screen. She traced her finger along the list, her curiosity piqued. "Archery sounds interesting," she mused, "but I think Survival skills might be more practical. We don''t know what kind of dangers we might face out there." Robert nodded in agreement. "That''s a wise choice. Survival skills are always a good investment. I can teach you basic first aid, tracking, and shelter building. It''s a lot to learn, but it''ll be worth it."
"However, we won''t have much time today," Robert added. "It''s your birthday, after all." Elara''s eyebrows shot up in surprise. "My birthday?" she asked, confusion etched on her face. "Birthdays are important here on Earth, and the family will want to celebrate," Robert explained. "Did you not celebrate birthdays in Aeria?" "Just specific ones, I guess," Elara replied, a touch of sadness in her voice. "My System day would be one of those." "Well, worry not," Robert reassured her with a warm smile. "We''ll make it a day to remember. In fact, I expect Sara to show up soon to whisk you away for a day of shopping."
Just as he predicted, Sara burst into the room. "Robert, you''re not working her on her birthday! I know she needed to go over some System stuff, but that''s enough for today. Come on, Elara, it''s time to experience the joy of malls, food courts, and beauty salons!" she declared with a mischievous grin. Elara tilted her head, perplexed. "Food court? Are we visiting the local leader? I thought Stacey said you didn''t have nobles here." Robert chuckled. "A food court is just a place in a mall with lots of different food places. It''s kind of like a market, but only for prepared food." Elara pondered this for a moment. "So, it''s a market within a market?" she asked. Sara laughed and grabbed Elara''s hand. "Come on, it''s easier to show you than explain. And Stacey''s waiting!" With that, they were off.
Title: Skilled Trailblazer
Description: Awarded to those who pioneer new paths in the realm of skills. This title recognizes individuals who have successfully introduced novel abilities to the System, expanding the boundaries of what is possible. Their innovative spirit and mastery of their craft have earned them this prestigious honor.
Reward: +5% Exp toward skills, +2 unlocked skill points.
<div>
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 49.3722%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">You''ll want to save a lot for your plan, but I''d suggest putting a point into Charisma and a few into Strength. You use your sword a lot, and a bit more strength wouldn''t hurt.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
"That makes sense," Robert agreed. "So, one point into Charisma to bring it to 15, and five points into Strength. I''ll save the rest."
<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 16.1902%" border="1">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td style="width: 100%; text-align: center">Sounds reasonable.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Robert spent the next few hours immersed in his spellbooks, committing several new spells to his System Spellbook. When the girls returned, he couldn''t help but smile. Elara''s hair had been styled, her nails were freshly manicured, and a radiant smile lit up her face. It was clear she''d had a wonderful day. Later that evening, they celebrated with cake and birthday songs. Elara received gifts from Robert and Sara, as well as presents from his family that he''d brought back. She may not have fully understood the tradition, but her gratitude was sincere. As they spent the rest of the evening together, it was clear that the birthday celebration had brought them all closer.