Chapter 93: Profession Skill books
Reidar drummed his fingers against the counter. "Alright, show me. I don’t need settlement-bound stuff. Show me the best fits for someone who moves, someone who needs to repair on the go, but that it is based on magic."
"A reasonable request," Morv’axil said. The interface shifted again, this time displaying a series of names related to different professions, such as blacksmithing or leatherworking. There were many more than just these two, though.
"These represent reasonable professions for a traveling survivor such as yourself, especially someone so focused on magic," Morv’axil said.
He then went on a lengthy explanation. "As I said, professions are gained from skill books, like any other skill. They teach you the fundamentals. The tiers function differently here, however. A higher-tier book does not teach a more powerful version of the profession but rather grants you a higher starting level and a deeper initial understanding. It is an infusion of knowledge. For example, a Tier 1 book will make you start from level 1. A Tier 2 book would make you start at level 11."
"And the price for higher tiers?" Reidar asked since he was just seeing the tier-1 books for various professions.
"The price increases fivefold per tier. A Tier 1 book is a modest five thousand Survival Points. The system deemed these too important to be sold at higher prices."
Reidar did the math. A Tier 2 book would cost 25,000 SP. It was a hefty investment, but starting at level 11 would save him countless hours of grinding basic recipes.
"The book also grants you some basic recipes associated with those levels. The basic patterns the System provides," Morv’axil said. "However, more advanced recipes, those created by other sapient beings, must still be purchased or created. They are intellectual property of their creators, after all."
Show me the tier-2 skill books. The vendor did as instructed. Reidar saw the same list as before, but for tier 2 professions. His eyes then fell on three in particular.
—[«SHOP»]—
« Skill Book: Tailoring (T2) »
Price: 25,000 SP
Requirement: None
Effect: Grants Profession: Tailoring. Start at Level 11. Enables sewing and reinforcement of cloth-based gear, light armor upgrades, and socket integration.
...
...
...
« Skill Book: Woodworking (T2) »
Price: 25,000 SP
Requirement: None
Effect: Grants Profession: Woodworking. Start at Level 11. Enables crafting bows, staves, handles, shields, and structural reinforcements from processed lumber.
...
...
...
« Skill Book: Enchanting (T2) »
Price: 25,000 SP
Requirement: None
Effect: Grants Profession: Enchanting. Start at Level 11. Enables the embedding of magical patterns into weapons, armor, and accessories. Allows socket utilization.
—[«END»]—
"Tailoring allows you to create and repair everything made from cloth. Woodworking allows you to create anything else that wood can be used for. Enchanting... It’s good to give powers to what you make, but it is rather hard to master."
Reidar looked over the list once more. These professions would be useful. Tailoring would help with his cloth gear, woodworking could upgrade his wand and make other tools, and enchanting... Well... putting magic into his equipment was just too good to pass up.
"I’ll take these three," he said, selecting the Tier 2 skill books for Tailoring, Woodworking, and Enchanting.
—[25,000 SP deducted.]—
—[Skill Book consumed: Tailoring (T2). Profession unlocked: Tailor, Level 11.]—
—[25,000 SP deducted.] —
—[Skill Book consumed: Woodworking (T2). Profession unlocked: Woodworker, Level 11.]—
—[25,000 SP deducted.]—
—[Skill Book consumed: Enchanting (T2). Profession unlocked: Enchanter, Level 11.]—
The notifications piled up fast. All that knowledge from the skill books poured into Reidar’s head—how to weave cloth, carve wood, and even draw magic patterns. It just clicked into place.
He exhaled. "That’ll do." He was now a level 11 Tailor, Woodworker, and Enchanter.
Morv’axil watched, patient, unblinking. "With these, Survivor, you hold independence, at least partial. Be aware, though, autonomy frightens rulers, and you frighten them quite a lot already."
Reidar smirked. "Noted." He closed the interface and turned away. He then left the Ranger station and headed for the east gate.
Once there, he saw Aaron standing, waiting, armed with a sturdy set of leather armor and a newly forged short sword at his hip. However, that wasn’t all. Standing beside him was a figure Reidar had not expected to see.
"Mara?"
The healer gave him a tired but determined smile. She’d swapped her stained apron for sturdy travel gear and held a plain wooden staff.
"I didn’t expect to see you here," Reidar said, his gaze shifting from her to Aaron.
"Why are you here? The settlement needs its healer. Besides, I have my own healing skills. My summons don’t get wounded; they get destroyed, so you can’t help them."
Mara’s smile didn’t fade. "I couldn’t let Aaron go into those woods alone."
She glanced his way, and something quiet passed between them. "He insisted on coming with you, so I insisted on coming with him. Someone’s got to keep this stubborn man from getting himself killed."
Reidar looked from Mara to Aaron. The protective edge in her voice, the way Aaron’s shoulders relaxed just a little when she spoke.
<They are a couple...?>
That explained a lot. He focused his gaze, letting the System interface flicker into view.
–Aaron Abstuln– Level 29–
–Mara Icro– Level 29–
They were stronger than most of Havenwood’s defenders but still dangerously under-leveled for the threats that likely lurked in the lake and in the surrounding forest.
Reidar wondered what use they could have against an Elite Abyss Lurker. Aaron was an engineer, not a frontline fighter, or better, he had to learn how to fight, but it was clear he didn’t exactly focus on that.
<Though, he is level 29.> That must have meant he could take care of himself at least.
As for Mara, she was in the same situation. She had to level up and fight to get new skills. However, while Mara’s healing was invaluable in the settlement, it was a support skill, not an offensive one, and focusing on just healing was never the right choice.
Yet, she was determined, her jaw set with a stubbornness Reidar recognized. There was no point in arguing. Besides, they must have thought that getting with Reidar would allow them to level up a little.
"Alright," Reidar said with a sigh, accepting the new complication. "But you follow my lead. No improvisation."
Aaron nodded. "Don’t worry."
Reidar signaled the guards, and the heavy gate groaned open, showing the overgrown path ahead. He swung up onto his Primal Pack wolf, which let out a low, impatient growl. With one last look back at Havenwood, Reidar rode out into the wild, flanked by Aaron and Mara.