Augmented Aspects: Chapter 136 The Commitments (Patreon)

Chapter 136

The Commitments

(Jhonny)

Jhonny left the morning practice more dejected than ever. He had seen twenty new classes awaken before his very eyes. Then when it was his time to go, he choked. Well, he didn’t choke. He went up and had a mock duel with the instructor, just as everyone else had. The only problem was that afterwards, despite doing what he was told, despite being able to copy perfectly some of the other patterns of the participants he saw go before him, he never unlocked a unique class.

Frustrated, he found his way out to a secluded patch of greenery that was just at the edge of the domain being converted from violent desert to habitable lands. Or at least it had been a few days ago, when he first found the spot. Since that point Jhonny had seen the constant effect of the ever changing environment, based on his instructor’s teachings. No, not just his instructor, his Master.

Taking a sword in hand, he swung it, infusing Qi into the blade just as he saw others manage to do earlier. Yet, he could tell that for some reason, his practice was off.

For whatever reason, he just couldn’t get a class to form for him. Then likely he like everyone that had gathered, he was given the option to enroll in one of the four conditionally approved majors. Of course, for him the only major that made sense was Qi Manifestation, which he chose almost immediately. Even though he was warned by Guild leader Mallory not to.

“For those of you who have not unlocked a unique class in Qi, do not accept the Qi Manifestation class. I repeat, do not accept the curriculum. As you will not be able to get the required training within time.” Guild leader Mallory said.

But Jhonny had already accepted the quest, before the instructions not to do so were given.

Personal Quest Accepted: Obtain a Degree from SVC: You have chosen to attend Spiritlight Valhalla College. Your goal is to become certified in your goal within the time frame allowed for the degree path: Qi Manifestation. Current goal: learn and improve the following skills to the desired threshold: Qi Sense (15/50), Qi Manipulation (7/50), Qi Observation (12/50), Qi Movement (0/50), Qi Fighting (0/50), Qi Cultivation (0/50), Qi Formation (0/50), Qi Manifestation (0/50), Awareness (18/50), and Athletics (47/50).

Year 1 Requirements: Two skills to reach the minimum threshold, fifty percent of the skills awakened.

Year 2 Requirements: Four skills to reach the minimum threshold, seventy-five percent of skills awakened.

Year 3 Requirements: Seven skills to reach the minimum threshold, all skills awakened.

Year 4 Requirements: All ten skills are to have reach the minimum threshold, with a noted major of interest to continue.

Rewards: Experience, Title, Soul Bound Degree, Badge, variable.

Looking at the skills and requirements, there were so many that there was no way Jhonny could do it on his own. Worst of all, was the fact that his timer had already started for his one-year requirement, meaning that if he failed, he would either make it so the college would get accredited, or he might forever be denied this personal quest again.

That was why Jhonny decided to do everything he could to create his own unique class. The easiest way to do so would of course be to find out what worked, mirror it as best he could, then work his way from there, at least that is what he planned.

“You know, for someone as naturally gifted as you. I think you are going about this the wrong way.” A female voice called out from behind.

Frightened, Jhonny turned around, his weapon held up in a defensive position, as he didn’t even hear the person get this close.

With his adrenaline pumping, he was ready to defend himself.

Only to relax a moment later when he saw the small instructor who was covered in the equivalent of a ninja outfit. Just as every other time he saw her, she was stunning, her black silk uniform clung tight, accented by silver and white silk arm bands that did more to hide every inch of her skin. Then on her face was a dark black veil that had to be hard to see through, but even still, all Jhonny could see were two and sometimes, like now, a third glowing green eye.

Seeing her Jhonny instantly paused, then regaining his composure he corrected himself and then bowed. “Master.”

“Stop that.” The short instructor said, waving her gloved hand in a dismissive gesture. “Look, I am trying to find the twenty-first Qi Manifestation student, if I had to guess, I would assume you were the one that went ahead and chose that quest, despite what Mallory said?”

Hearing that, Jhonny began to tremble, as he realized that with the system the way it was, of course there would be tracking mechanisms. A few words came to him, ones to deny, to deflect, but he couldn’t, not to her.

“I’m sorry. I saw the quest, and was so excited that I accepted the quest right away, before Leader Mallory told us not to.” Jhonny said, bowing deeply, as he felt he should to his master.

At this point Jhonny was ready for almost anything, a scolding. Being told he would be forced to leave the class, or worse the guild and never return. Yet, the response he got confused him, more than anything.

“Okay good. So, let me guess, you are going to be here until you open your unique class, foregoing your guarding duties?” Master Spiritlight asked.

“What, no? I would never neglect my duties.” Jhonny protested, knowing that neglecting his duties would be the number one way to get forcefully returned to the mainland without ever getting the training he desperately needed.

“Good. Just so you know, for now, you are temporarily assigned to be part of my personal guard group.” The Master said.

“What?” Jhonny was so caught off guard by the statement, that he had a hard time processing the sudden shift.

“Unless you don’t want to guard me?”

“No, it would be an honor.” Jhonny said, bowing once again.

“Stop that, it is going to be hard conversing with you, if you keep bowing every five minutes.”

Hearing that Jhonny jumped up right and began looking at her. Then a new question came to mind. “This means that I will have to…” he began but was instantly cut off.

“Yes, you will have to guard me during my lessons. Being near me and most importantly attending every class and observing everything that goes on within the classroom. Every time I talk to a student, every time I make the students move and exercise, you will have to watch and listen for any hidden dangers.” The master said.

With that, Jhonny, who had been at a loss for what to do stared blankly. This was perfect, no, this was beyond perfect. While it would be nice to just be a student for the next four years, as the initial twenty to unlock Qi related classes, this was potentially better, as it meant that he would be near the Master, while she taught everyone all ten of the skills, he himself would need to master in the same four year time frame.

“Of course, this is only temporary.” The Master said, and with that, his ideas of being able to achieve his goals were shattered.

“Temporary?”

“Yes, temporary, as I fully intend for you to transfer over as a full-time student the moment you awaken your unique class.”

Joy.

There are very few times when words spoken casually had a lasting impact on Jhonny. But this was one of them, right up there with the moment he was told by his then wife that he would be a father. Now, he was told something so casually that he realized that the Master meant these words. No, not only did she mean them, but she herself believed in Jhonny’s ability to succeed, likely more than he himself did. Just hearing her expectations also had the underpinnings of her being a harsh task master, something that was apparent from day one of the training.

“Ye, yes Master.”

Shaking her head, the Master let out an audible sigh, but then continued. “Also, you are very perceptive.”

“Thank you.”

“Almost too perceptive.”

At that Jhonny leaned back in a pause as he tried to take in the words. He felt like he got punched in the gut, as wasn’t being perceptive a good thing, but before he could ask, the Master continued her thoughts. “Yes, you are easily able to see and mimic what others did to be great. Almost as soon as your fellow classmates created their unique skills to earn their unique classes, you were able to mirror them perfectly. Unfortunately, this means that you are forever chasing them, and not walking your own path. So yes, it is good that you are perceptive enough to see what makes them great. But now you must learn to walk your own path and find what you want to do, that will make you truly unique. Then, and only then will you unlock your unique class.”

Poof.

Then just as she had dropped that logic bomb on Jhonny, she disappeared.

Seeing the now empty space that she had held a moment ago, Jhonny looked around, only to find vast open lands before him. Then muttering to himself, he said the only thing he could say at that point, “the ghost.”

Then with his momentary distraction over, Jhonny took a moment to reflect on his Master’s words. Then realizing the truth in them, he decided to get up and rather than mirroring exactly what worked for others, Jhonny dropped his sword and began to move, while letting his Qi flow freely within his body. She was right, well she wouldn’t be the Master, if she wasn’t, but she had shown Jhonny the fundamental flaw within his actions. Namely the fact that to get a unique class, he needed to walk a unique path. It sounded simple, but really it was a lot more complex than he had realized.

Realizing his mistake, he began to move. He had always been bad at dancing. His movements always felt bulky and awkward, which was why he opted to come out here to the edge of nowhere and practice on his own. Without anyone to see him, where he could feel judged.

There was the niggling thought that somehow the Master had seen him, even out here and managed to sneak up on him, despite being out in the middle of nowhere. Yet, that was okay. Somehow, for some reason, he actually felt better knowing that someone like the Master was able to watch over him and provide feedback, despite how awkward he might look while practicing.

That was why, with a bit more motivation to take his steps, he moved with Qi. His muscles were burning due to the internal golden energy. It was golden energy too, that much he was certain about. While he had never seen it, he was certain that the Qi that flowed through his body was golden in color, just as he was certain that the Qi that rolled through other people’s bodies was also golden.

Focusing on this concept, he felt his Qi Sensing skill slowly rise the more he moved. He even got a notification for one of the skills required for his degree.

New Skill Gained: Qi Movement has reached level 1.

Qi Movement is a Strength, Dexterity, Stamina, and Willpower based skill.

Seeing the skill, Jhonny almost jumped for joy, as this was just his fifth Willpower based skill that he had managed to unlock, the other four were all from attending his Master’s classes.

With the joy of success burning brightly within him, he continued moving. Dancing to the beat and rhythm of his own body, and of his own energy that was flowing freely within him.

He made it his mission, that within four years he would do three things. The first was that he would unlock his unique class that was just waiting for him to claim it. Second, he would get his degree in Qi Manifestation. The third and final thing, he would make sure that his Master never regretted putting her faith in him as a student, as he vowed to succeed.

***

(Penelope)

The magic classes were mostly suspended. At least the group of close to two hundred students had been greatly cut down. Everyone over level four hundred was immediately kicked out. Which was why Penelope as a master who was in the six hundreds felt completely out of place being allowed to stay behind with the SVC classes. This reminded her of when she went back to college to get her degree after she left school early to have a kid and start a family, only to then have her husband leave her and the kids for a younger dumber model that would put up with his antics.

Still, life had been good. She remarried, got the degrees she always wanted and went on to lead a successful career as a lawyer. Now though, given her second chance at life, she had gone into doing something she had always dreamed of, Tailoring.

Then just like all of the other students who had arrived the day before, she was offered to choose one of the four degree paths: Qi Manifestation, Magic Fundamentals, Magic Resonance, and Enchantment+.

At first, she wanted to decline the quest, especially as the first three seemed to be far more esoteric in nature than what she wanted. Then finally her eyes saw the final degree plan, then they paused there.

As she saw it, a simple word, yet it practically screamed to her. She thought the need for a degree was dumb, as she already had the Enchanting skill. Then she saw the plus sign next to the Enchantment degree. Mentally she focused on the plus sign and was met with a system note.

Note: It has been identified that you already have the Enchanting skill requirements necessary to reach the minimum standards. As such, you will be offered chances to learn both the Advanced Enchanting, and Master Enchanting skills from your certified instructor.

After hearing that, Penelope felt faint, as her heart began to race as she realized this was the chance she had been after this entire time. Then a mixture of rage, jealousy, and ultimately acceptance filled her as she realized that Cass had already had both of those advanced versions of her Enchanting skill. She wanted to protest, and confront her about hiding such a feat, only to realize that Cass had been demonstrating her knowledge of such abilities all over the place. Her weather rods were the epitome of magical enchanting prowess at its best, yet in her mind she had never given the small girl enough of a chance.

“Age discrimination.” Penelope muttered under her breath, as she realized that learning from Cass, especially for the Enchanting degree field might be exactly what she needed to achieve either a class evolution, or the next phase of her abilities. With that in mind, she accepted the quest, and therefore became simultaneously the highest-level student, while also being the oldest student to achieve their basic degree.

Personal Quest Accepted: Obtain a Degree from SVC: You have chosen to attend Spiritlight Valhalla College. Your goal is to become certified in your goal within the time frame allowed for the degree path: Enchantment+. Current goal: learn and improve the following skills to the desired threshold: Enchantment (54/50), Alertness (42/50), Energy Resonance Alteration (0/50), Magic Theory (0/50), Spell Deconstruction (0/50), Mana Circulation (62/50), Magic Script (0/50), Arcane Understanding (0/50), Magical Awareness (77/50), and Analyze (6/50).

Year 1 Requirements: Two skills to reach the minimum threshold, fifty percent of the skills awakened.

Year 2 Requirements: Four skills to reach the minimum threshold, seventy-five percent of skills awakened.

Year 3 Requirements: Seven skills to reach the minimum threshold, all skills awakened.

Year 4 Requirements: All ten skills are to have reach the minimum threshold, with a noted major of interest to continue.

Rewards: Experience, Title, Soul Bound Degree, Badge, variable.

At first, Penelope thought that the degree would be simple, as she had already spent years Enchanting, but she was sad to see that despite her years of training, she was little more than a year two student. No wait, a quick recount showed her that she didn’t meet the fifty percent skill awakening portion of the degree path.

With this, she paused, then took a moment to stare at Cass who was in the middle of herding the new sets of students into different areas.

Then finally a Penelope felt a question come to her lips that she all but blurted out loud before everyone, before she had a chance to remember her settings.

“Do you know all of these skills?”

The question was so out of the blue, that everyone who had been caught up in idle conversations suddenly hushed to hear Cass’s reply.

“Of course, how else do you think the system would accept them as being valid, unless I had them.” Cass said, with a shrug of her shoulders and holding up her hands.

With that admission, Penelope paused, as she looked at the skills that this prodigy had accumulated through her travels and was awestruck by the sheer breath of them. Before Penelope could voice her admiration for the level of dedication to learn so many skills, another student spoke up.

“Do you have all of them at fifty?”

Chuckle.

“What? You think they would let me teach if I only had those at level fifty? Please.” Cass said, a playful tone filling her voice, before she continued. “You know you need a sixty for your Masters and over seventy for doctorates right?”

With that everyone paused as they suddenly looked at Cass in a new way.

This was the moment that everyone grew quiet as they realized that Cass having two doctorates clearly had to have these skills to at least the seventy point mark.

“So you have them all at seventy?”

Chuckle.

With that Cass audibly laughed, loudly. “Hah, good one. Try doubling that to get it close.”

Penelope wanted to join in on the laugh, but then her tone and what she had learned about the Spiritlight bloodline came to her mind, just as it had for everyone else, where they were all Unbound, as informants about Trenton Spiritlight’s escapades had come to life recently. Meaning everyone had heard that the skill limits for the Spiritlights were at least level 150, and higher for ten really meaningful skills.

This information had spread through the camp like wildfire, as it was all over the outside news for premium subscribers. And while the details of the ten skills that were boosted by the Spiritlight bloodline were kept mum, the fact that they were ten very rare skills, many of which people had never even heard of before was not.

With that everyone paused to stare at Cass, who suddenly paused as she sounded flustered for the first time in this class. While her actions were still hidden by her full body ninja suit, the sudden confusion in her voice was very tangible for everyone present.

“What?” She asked, while her hands were held up in a questioning gesture in the air.

It was at this point that everyone finally realized the monster in guild clothing that stood before them.