Chapter 8 (Patreon)

Reading Lv 5Allows for the rapid assimilation of information in the language you are familiar with.

Scales with INT and WIS statRarity: CommonType: ActiveEffects:+2% Increased comprehension and reading speed per levelI looked up from my chemistry textbook as the oven timer went off. I was catching up on the last of the reading assignments Amber had sent over via text.Slipping on a pair of fluffy mittens, I opened up the oven, and a wall of heat washed over me as I pulled out the tray of brownies.It was my fifth batch of the stuff, and after two days of non-stop baking, I was cautiously optimistic about this one.

The smell alone was enough to make my stomach growl.I carved up a corner piece, blew on it, and popped it into my mouth. A pleased hum escaped me as I chewed.Moist. Chocolatey. Rich without being overwhelming. Not bad at all. Not great either. It could’ve used a little more time in the oven. I suppose I’ll have to tweak it on the next run around.My skill seemed to approve of my notes, and I got another level up.Cooking has reached lv 5.You’ve consumed a (common quality) brownie.+20 HP and SP over a minute.+o.5 HP and SP/5 sec (Cooking skill bonus)

I grinned.

Now we’re talking. That’s the highest bonus I’ve ever gotten out of the skill. This will be a hit in school, assuming my theory is right.I cut up the rest of the brownies, splitting them into nine other servings, wrapped them up in parchment paper, and stowed them in my inventory. Then, I went about the business of making my workout smoothies, breakfast, and lunch.

Three fruit and protein powder shakes, pancakes and coffee, and a sandwich.All in all, it took me less than 20 minutes, and another 7 in clean-up. I was done by 4:30, leaving me nearly three hours to exercise.

Switching to my gym clothes, I walked into the garage.I’d made some changes since my first fight. The heavy bag was gone, replaced by a reinforced sack filled with sawdust, stone, and metal bits. Every hit had me nearly biting my tongue in pain and shaved a sliver of health, but it was worth it. It was an easy way to level my pain resistance along with my other martial skills, my strength, and vitality stats. I t also got me used to getting hurt.The speed bag hanging beside it was for my footwork, dexterity, and perception. Getting my ass handed to me like the absolute newbie that I was made it pretty clear that those were my weakest points.Finally, there was a massive slab of metal leaning against the wall just next to my weight rack. It was for my more potent spell experiments, at least until I can figure out a safeish place to test my powers away from home.I had a few options worked out, but none of them were without risk.I started off with a 50 minute session that consisted of high-intensity sprints and heavy weightlifting, and some light mana skills training in between sets.I lined up mana shields and tried to use bolts to tear them down in between sets. Then, I filled up my empty resource pools with meditation and a smoothie.

The second session lasted a whole hour, and had me sipping my second smoothie intermittently to keep up with the high energy and health drain.You’ve consumed a common-quality banana protein powder smoothie.+18 HP and SP over a minute+0.5 HP and SP for 5/sec

It was pure torture. I constantly hovered below a quarter health, stamina, and mana as I flung punches and kicks into a new heavy bag and drilled my fighting skills and footwork with an otherworldly focus.

The last session was pure mana skill practice. I’d long run out of smoothie by now and subsisted on old coffee and meditation to keep me topped off.

I punched and kicked through my shield with long telegraphed strikes as I tried and failed to release mana from my fist at the point of impact. I also tried experimenting with the different shapes, sizes, and orientations of my mana shields. I got one almost completely horizontal and even stood on it. It snapped almost immediately, unable to bear my full weight.

The failure gave me ideas for practical movements skills that diverged from the typical gamer repertoire.

By the end of the session, I managed to get mana manipulation up to level 8. The gains in control and precision let me cross out two new skills from my growing shortlist to complete before I gave this Superhero thing a real go.

ID createPower Strike

Spinning mana bolt

Dash

Mana chain

Mana platforms

Power Strike Lv 1

Rarity: Common

Type: Active

A powerful physical technique that channels mana and stamina into a singular devastating strike.

Effects:

50% base damage +5% per level.

-5% wind up per level (improved execution speed over time)

Cost: 20 SP, 20 MP

Spinning Mana Bolt Lv 1

Rarity: Common

Type: Active

Compress mana into a ball, rotate it, and propel it forward with your willpower at extraordinary speed.

Effects: Scales with INT and mana input Improves in power, speed, and control per level Cost: 20 – variable

ID create or Dungeon was number one on my list for obvious reasons. The original Gamer got his own after a few levels, and after two days of trying and failing, I was starting to think I’d be no different.

That meant I’d have to get myself in a few more fights or stop a few more crimes in progress before it showed up. After that, I can concentrate on running dungeons, leveling up, and raising my skills. I had very specific benchmarks to clear before I could make serious contact with the GDA. Boxing has reached lv 9 Meditation has reached lv 7 Taekwondo has reached lv 8 Running has reached lv 8 Mana bolt has reached lv 5 Mana shield has reached lv 6 Pain Tolerance has reached lv 7 Spinning Mana bolt + 4 VIT +2 STR +1 DEX +2 END +1 PER +2 INT +1 WIS Overall, it was a solid session. Name: Danny Hale Level: 3 Class: Gamer Occupation: Nil HP: 230/230 MP: 200/200 SP: 220/220 — Strength (STR): 20 Dexterity (DEX): 18 Endurance (END): 22 Vitality (VIT): 23 Intelligence (INT): 20 Wisdom (WIS): 17 Perception (PER): 13 Luck (LCK): 27 — HP Regen: 8.5 HP/min MP Regen: 9.1 MP/min SP Regen: 11.1 SP/min — Points: 20