It was a mega special gift coming from fae, seeing as they could have used it themselves.
The gratitude pouring from me made them offer me more things, though I had to pump their brakes a little. Between the stone and the stuff they’d already given me, I was already capped with party favors.
The farewell was bittersweet. While Citron was simpler than most districts in Mavriel, it was also very family oriented which I appreciated the most. Fae looking after other fae in a huge close-knit community. The support took a special place in my heart, and it was hard for me to pull away.
But we had to. We had a long journey ahead of us, and we needed to keep moving. Time was ticking for Alzera-Kar, and we couldn't afford to waste it.
“I hope you had your fill of fun,” I taunted Rufian as we walked north.
“Mmm, plenty!” He tittered wholesomely. “Oh, Silas, I need to thank you for suggesting helping those boys.”
“Yeah, how about thanking me by finding the Grimoire so we could fix the dungeon core again.”
“And find my sister, right?”
“Of course.”
“Who would have expected not only an abnormal boar, but one that accelerated my leveling! It is such a merry feeling to know that I am now only two levels to getting my new skill.”
I smiled. “Congrats. I hope your next one is just as badass as that flame bird.”
“Well, how about you, hero? You went from level 42 to level 53. You should have gotten one already.”
“Yeah, I noticed that prompt, but I’m still thinking about it.”
“Hmm?”
“I remember Jezz saying that she skipped a level to max out on one she already had.”
“And you’re thinking about doing the same?”
“Maybe. I’m strongly considering it.”
“Well, fae get to select their new skill from a set of choices. I believe humans don’t have that luxury.”
“Probably because of all of the different attachments we could already add to gears.”
“So if my memory serves me right, you should have Blast Shot, Earthquake, Sonic Blast, Minion, and another for level 30 called Speed Tap, and a level 50 called Mana Immunity.”
I scratched my chin. “Hmm… that’s my problem. Those choices are nice, but maxing out sounds good, too.”
“But why max out a lesser skill when you can max out a better one?”
“The max world level is 200, right? So I have a few more skills I could get. That’s also granted I ever see level 200. So while my starting skills would be trash compared to my future ones, they are all I really have to work with for now.”
“Hero, with your Enrage, you’d be a force to be reckoned with! Speed plus strength? It is a no brainer!”
“But look at the mana requirement. It’s a lot.”
“Yes, only because it’s at level one. It will become better the more you use it.”
“Nah… I don’t know. Trust me, I love the idea of speed. But at the risk of using my other specials? No thanks. The takeaway is too much.”
“Look, I am no expert fighter, but trust me when I say take it. Take the Speed Tap and the Mana Immunity. The more skills in your arsenal, the better. What Jezz did was foolish. You should never sacrifice a skill to max another. Especially if you’re a warrior. You fight for a living, right? Leveling up skills comes naturally. While it may become harder for the higher levels, it will still come. Not to mention, you have a plethora of mana restoration vials! This honestly shouldn’t even be a discussion!”
“The enemy might not always give you a sec to use items, though. And I’ve already met a fucking worm who could disable my inventory. I know what you’re saying makes sense, Rufian, but deciding is not as easy as you’re making it seem.”
“All right, then let me simplify it for you. Are you planning to fight Lucyna again?”
“Definitely.”
“Then take your skills. You will need it.”
What an argument stopper.
Rufian did have a point. Lucyna was fast, and Speed Tap would become useful. As for Mana Immunity, that was more for fighting fae. So maybe if I take Speed Tap and use MI to max out Speed Tap?
“What are you still pondering, Silas?” Rufian asked me as we continued to walk.”
“Thinking about taking ST and spending MI.”
“So you believe fae aren’t as powerful as dragons?”
I chuckled. “You got real defensive just now, Rufian. I’m not saying that. I’ve worked with your sister, so I know what fae are capable of.”
“Then take both.”
“I’m just saying, with us getting the Grimoire—”
