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Chapter 18: Levels from the Lich, and Food!
Chapter 18: Levels from the Lich, and Food!
Chapter 18: Levels from the Lich, and Food!
Astrid raised her arms. The feeling of soft fabric brushed up against her skin. A yawn forcefully left her mouth. Mmm, good morning world. Astrid tilted her head to the side as the sun’s rays were already trying to say hello. The windows were already opened, bringing with it a gentle breeze of salty, fishy ocean. The hunting calls of the seagulls and the flapping of their wings signalled the start of the day.
Clambering out of bed, she approached the chair by the window cill. An excited smile appeared on her face. Now give me my levels!
You defeated a - Spawn Undead Knight - level 17!
You defeated a - Spawn Undead Archer - level 21!
…
You defeated a - Spawn Lich - level 63!
Extra experience is awarded for defeating an enemy vastly above your level!
Experience is reduced for fighting within a group.
You have levelled up!
You have levelled up!
…
Psychokinetic level 19 -> Psychokinetic level 26
Illusionist level 10 -> Illusionist level 20
Gained 80 stat points.
Skill level up!
Psychokinesis level 9 -> Psychokinesis level 10 [ Max ]
Crash level 8 -> Crash level 10 [ Max ]
Mind Barrier level 4 -> Mind Barrier level 5
Psychics Power level 5 -> Psychics Power level 7
Psych Domain level 4 -> Psych Domain level 6
Illusion Detection level 1 -> Illusion Detection level 4
Mental Warfare level 1 -> Mental Warfare - level 4
Illusionary armour level 1 -> Illusionary armour - level 3
Two of your skills have reached maxed level for [ Stage 1 ]
Requirements for Psychokinesis [ Stage 2 ] not met.
Requirements met for Crash [ Stage 2 ]
Evolving Crash to [ Stage 2 ]
Active Skill - Crash: Violently trigger your psychic mana to deal massive damage.
| [ Stage 2 ]: Extra damage. Lesser mana consumption.
Level 63—I really killed it? I thought it would be a higher level, considering Kaylan and his party were struggling.
Astrid put the thought to the back of her mind and focused on her System messages. She wasn’t surprised that she didn’t meet the requirements for Psychokinesis [ Stage 2 ]. Legendary skills were unique after all.
Her eyes peered at the additional text within the Crash Skill description. That would have been handy before. A fire lit up within her mana container. The thought of using Crash hundreds of times made her palm itch.
You have gained the Title - Mind Scrambler -
Mind Scrambler: Wow, you showed the Lich who was boss, huh? “Look at me, I can become a goddess.”
| Mind attacks are 15% stronger.
| 20% resistance against mind attacks.
| +10 intelligence.
| +5 wisdom.
Astrid’s face turned scarlet. System stop mocking me, stop reading my thoughts! Stop, stop, stop. So embarrassing! Burying her head in her silky pyjama sleeves. Select that one, dammit.
Okay, for my stats, I need to think. The image of her catching up to the Lich because of low strength was stuck in her mind. If for whatever reason she had no mana, it would force her to rely on nothing but her body. She needed a safeguard, at least. Astrid scratched her head.
You now have 50 constitution.
You now have 30 strength.
You now have 30 dexterity.
You now have 120 intelligence.
You now have 69 wisdom.
Milestone reached: 50 constitution!
You have gained a general skill!
General Skill - Thick Skin: Your skin has grown thicker. +5% physical defence. [ Stage 1 ]
Astrid felt a slight tingle at the new Skill. She quickly lifted her sleeve to check that her skin wasn’t ruined. The young woman used the tip of her finger and scraped her fleshy arm before releasing a sigh of relief. I was worried for a second, thought I was going to grow bark for skin or something.
Milestone reached: 100 intelligence!
Conditions met, Mana Mind evolving to Stage 2.
Tier 2 upgrades:
Mana Refresh: Instantly restore up to 50% of your mana once a day.
Mana Conduit: Regenerate mana 10% faster.
Mana Defence: +10% increased magic defence.
Oh, those are all so good. Astrid looked at the choices as her groomed eyebrows scrunched together. These decisions are hurting my brain. Mana Defence was good, but she could slow or just stop spells completely with her Mind Barrier. If it did not catch her off guard, that was. So it was between the first two. Mana Refresh just had the one use, but it would be incredibly potent in a high mana usage fight. Whereas Mana Conduit was used at all times with no restriction.
Ah, I think Mana Conduit would be the best. Better to have something used at all times rather than a situational burst.
Mana Container -> Mana Conduit [ Stage 2 ]
Okay, more power accomplished! Also look at my muscles now! Astrid flexed her newly bulging biceps, although small, she could feel the might it brought with it. Compared to before, anyway.
A chapping of the door sent her eyebrow up. Her mind meandered towards the door as she gazed at the specs of matter. They were in the form of a dress, and they stopped at a certain height.
“Leena, come in.” Astrid said without turning around.
The door opened with a slight creak. "My lady, I can't believe you fell asleep in the bathtub again! What if you drown? How will I deal with that in my conscience!" Leena stormed in with a plate full of delicious pastries.
Astrid slinked her shoulders and sighed. "I was wondering why I was wearing my pyjamas—and in my bed."
"Well, it is surprising to see you up so early, you know, considering." Leena placed the tray of breakfast on the table in the room's corner.
Astrid shot up at the smell of the fresh pastry. Scrambling over to the table, she clawed at one of the pastries and gobbled it down.
"Watch out Astrid, it's hot!" Leena shouted.
"Ahhh!" Astrid inhaled and exhaled repeatedly, swirling the cool air around her mouth. It's hot… but so tasty. Does mother put something else in them? I heard that the lower district has some food enhancements. I wanna try some now!
"You're going to give me a heart attack one of these days." Leena sighed. "I'm glad you're back safe and sound."
"It's good to be back and listening to your nagging again." Astrid said. "When is the Wayfarers exam?"
"Four days from now, my lady." Leena continued. "But for today, Lady Sinwen has planned a shopping trip. I hear you're visiting the Labelle Epoch."
Astrid’s eyes lit up like little beacons. "Let's go find mother." She walked to the door when her maid's voice appeared behind her.
"My lady, your clothes."
"I-i knew that. I was just testing you, you can keep your allowance for this month. Well done." Astrid quickly got into a fresh dress. It lacked the armour of her previous dress, but she had the sun to thank for that. The dress stopped just above her knees. It was light, plain, and blue. She liked blue.
"My allowance was mine to begin with." Leena's brows twitched as they left.
Astrid strolled down the street with Eli by her side. Leena and four guards followed closely behind.
Unlike before, a lot of the nobles were meandering around the streets, showing off their new questionable fashion choices. One man was wearing a suit that was far larger than it should be, and judging by his friends wearing the same thing, it must be in fashion. Somehow.
"How can they wear such a thing?" Astrid said to her mother in a voice that wasn't trying to be privy.
"It's a status symbol, sweetie, like everything else they do. You know what the noble circles are like, everyone trying to one up each other in boredom." Eli whispered.
"They should be conscripted." Astrid scowled. "I didn't see them in the Underbelly when I was covered in fish guts."
The man spun his head around at the voice. He was about to say something until his eyes lay upon the crest of Sinwen etched onto the guards hearts.
Quickly bowing his head, he opened his mouth. “Lady Sinwen, the day has brightened even further upon your arrival. It’s a fine day for a stroll.”
“Indeed, it is, Baron Stephens.” Eli smiled and nodded her head.
“And lady Astrid. I’ve heard of your great deeds already from your mission in the Underbelly. A lot of us are already singing your praises.” Baron Stephens bowed once more.
“I can see that.” Astrid said. “I didn’t take you for a fisherman.”
“Sorry my lady but, I beg your pardon?” Baron Stephens knitted his brows in confusion.
“I mean, with the size of those trousers you could use them as a fishing net.” Astrid joked.
Eli tried to hold back her laughter.
Baron Stephens chuckled. “Well, it seems like the fashion for this month isn’t to your fancy?”
“I guess you could say that.” Astrid nodded. The conversation between her mother and the other men continued on for what felt like a lifetime.
“Well, we’ve got to go. Don’t wanna be late.” Astrid pulled Eli’s hand as they walked past the gentlemen. Before they could say their goodbyes, they were gone.
“Nobles and their need for talk.” Astrid gnashed her teeth. “I wonder if I should just levitate them out of my way next time.”
“Now, where would be the fun in that?” Eli’s muffled laughter broke free. “You wouldn’t have been able to get a jab in otherwise.”
“I suppose. But it would also be funny seeing his arms flail around in the air.” Astrid said.
"You're not wrong there." Eli continued. "But best you don’t do that. Anyway, tell me about your mission and your powers of ‘Levitation.’"
“Ah,” Astrid’s eyes lit up as she grabbed hold of Eli’s arms. “Where do I start?”
“Preferably from the beginning?” Eli said. She placed her arm around Astrid’s shoulder.
Astrid recounted the story of everything that happened down within the Underbelly. Astrid flailed around her arms, mimicking her Psychokinesis. As she did so the leaves on the tiled pathway swirled around them. Eli patiently listened to everything Astrid was saying. Some moments her mouth would open agape. Then she would ask Astrid to go into further detail about more dangerous activities, as Eli’s face would frown in worry.
Eli sighed. “I have to come clear about something… After all, I have concealed nothing from you, and I don’t plan to either.” She continued as Astrid gazed at her. “Me and your father organised Daniel’s team to approach you. We tested if you would do your own research on them to see if they were trustworthy. As a Sinwen, we allowed you to go on that mission. We don’t want you to feel we treat you any differently from your brothers or cousins…”
Astrid watched as worry filled her mother’s face. Shaking her head, Astrid wrapped her arms around Eli’s shoulders.
“I knew, mother. I’m not stupid.” Astrid said.
Breathing a sigh of relief, Eli nodded. “I know you’re not, sweetie. I was just worried you would be angry with us, that’s all.”
“You’re always worried.” Astrid replied.
“It’s my job as a mother to worry.” Eli stroked Astrid’s long, golden braid. “Ah, we’re here already.”
Astrid, with a smile, looked up at a white marbled building. Green vines climbed, neatly trimmed. Two gentle lamps flickered at either side of the arched doorway. A man in a black suit bowed, placing his hand to his chest at their arrival. Looking up, a balcony offered a full view of the Shopping District, it was adorned with royal-red curtains, fastened with golden tassels.
Labelle Epoch. It was hard to get a reservation, even for the Sinwen Family.
“Lady Sinwen, lady Astrid. It’s a pleasure to have you at our fine establishment. Please, this way.” The man opened the door and motioned for them to go inside. The guards stationed themselves outside.
Walking in, Astrid was met with the gentle aroma of the earth. The entire restaurant had a wooden and nature vibe. Unlike the fancy marble bricks. It was like walking into a forest that just happened to be a restaurant.
They were ushered upstairs and into a VIP room, away from the prying eyes of others. Sitting down at the dark wooden table, it wasn’t long until a pudgy man walked in wearing a long white hat and a coat to match it. He was clean shaven, and despite being the chef, his coat showed no signs of spills or splatters.
“My precious customers, it is a pleasure to see you again.” The man was the head chef, Labelle Epoch. Raphaelle Tremblay. A Master Chef, only the top nobles were lucky enough to even get a whiff of his masterful cooking.
“Raphaelle!” Astrid dashed forward and hugged the podgy man. Her arms stopped halfway around his waist, not able to go any further.
“Thank goodness you came back in one piece.” Raphaelle shed a tear from the corner of his eye. “They grow up so fast, isn’t that right, Lady Sinwen?”
“They do indeed.” Eli said lightly.
Last time here, I wasn’t a System user. Astrid gazed up at Raphaelle. “Give me everything on the menu!”
The taste of his dishes were only the icing on the cake. It was the stats and buffs he provided with his food that made Astrid rub her hands together in anticipation.