Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 11: Chapter 11: A Mage’s First Experience

The 2-point increases to his Intelligence and Spirit brought two distinct changes.

First, the 2-point increase in Intelligence raised his maximum Magic Power Value by 60 points. Then, because of the effect of [Heart of Balance], this extra Magic Power was balanced with his Life Value.

In practice, this meant he regained 30 Life, and his injuries healed even more.

The second change was the increase to his maximum Willpower, which rose from 55 to 75, a result of the simultaneous 2-point increase to both Intelligence and Spirit.

The so-called [Willpower] was a comprehensive representation of the two Attributes of Intelligence and Spirit.

Its counterpart was [Stamina], a composite index of Power and Constitution.

In the game, both of these attributes were a type of ”resource,” consumed when using certain Skills.

But in reality, Jon felt they were probably not that simple.

’Maybe that moment I felt the flames slow down was related to the increase in my Willpower?’

He mulled it over for a moment, trying to recapture that subtle feeling.

But unfortunately, it was no use.

So Jon could only set aside these abstract mental speculations and turn his attention to his Skills panel.

Just like with his class, a new Skills page had appeared behind the original one for a Warrior. But when he opened it, there was only a solitary ”Magic Mastery” and nothing else.

This was to be expected. Jon hadn’t learned any Mage Skills, so it was only natural for the page to be bare.

He wasn’t too worried, though. With his vast questing experience from his past life, how could he be afraid of not finding Skills to learn?

Quest rewards, special NPCs, even hidden bonuses—the outlander already had a plan forming in his mind.

’I remember... there’s a bookstore in Birch Town. After completing a quest, you can get an Ancient Book that’s actually an excellent-grade Spellbook...’

’Once I’m a bit stronger, I’ll go get it!’

As for now, it was time to check out his first—and currently only—Mage Skill!

——

[Magic Mastery - Apprentice LV. 1: Consume Magic Power to enhance an attack. A single attack can consume a maximum of 4 Magic Power to deal an additional 20 Magic Damage.]

——

Ordinary. Utterly simple.

The description alone was exactly what Jon had expected.

Everyone was like this in the novice stage. Whether you were a Mage, a Warrior, or any other class, you lived by auto-attacks until you got proper Skills from quests. The only difference was that each class had its own ”enhanced auto-attack” that fit its theme.

The Warrior Apprentice had the passive [Weapon Mastery], which slightly increased the power of melee auto-attacks. Similarly, the Hunter Apprentice had [Archery Mastery], the Brawler Apprentice had [Brawling Mastery], and so on.

But for the almighty Mages, to compensate for their feeble Power and lack of weapon proficiency, the game designers had mercifully granted them an active type of [Mastery] that added damage to attacks by consuming Magic Power.

But that was just for ”balance” in the game.

’In reality, is it really that simple?’

After experiencing the changes brought by the increase in his Intelligence and Spirit, Jon couldn’t be so sure.

He stood up, hefting the severely warped Mountain-Cutting Saber. His gaze fell on two unprocessed tree stumps in the hut.

’Enough speculation. It’s better to test it myself!’

Without hesitation, his first strike was with pure physical strength.

He recalled the feeling of his predecessor chopping wood, tensed the muscles in his arms, and brought the blade down hard.

CRACK!

The blade bit into the dry stump with a dull thud, but the blade itself let out a grating groan. It sank deep and then stopped, stuck. He had to brace his foot against the stump to pull the blade free from the wood. ’This worn-out thing really is useless.’

Jon shook his arm and stared at the ragged cut on the stump, his brow furrowed.

Then, he focused his intent on [Magic Mastery - Apprentice] in his Skills menu.

’Let’s do this...’

He chanted silently, following the strange feeling to activate the Skill, and chose to consume 2 Magic Power.

Instantly, a peculiar sensation washed over him.

An agile, current-like force surged from deep within his body, flowing through his arm and into the battered blade, causing its slightly bent edge to shimmer with a faint blue light!

This time, as he raised the saber to strike, the feeling was completely different!

His arm seemed lighter, yet it held even greater explosive force.

THWACK—!

The blade flashed, and the sound was no longer a dull thud but a crisp, clean crack!

There was no noticeable resistance. The blade sank effortlessly into the heart of the stump, smoothly splitting it in two.

The two halves of the log fell neatly to either side. The cut surface was smooth, with almost no coarse fibers showing.

What surprised Jon even more was that throughout the entire swing, the recoil he felt in his arm was greatly reduced, as if most of the resistance had been negated by an invisible force.

He glanced down at the Mountain-Cutting Saber in his hand. The blade was still warped, the edge even slightly chipped, but its terrible condition seemed to have been temporarily offset by the blue light during that last strike. ’It can protect the weapon, too?’

Jon stared at the smoothly cut stump on the ground, his eyes shining with brilliant understanding.

”So that’s why those Combat Mages could beat people with a stick and never need to change weapons... I see now!”

Infusing a weapon with Magic Power during an attack didn’t just add Magic Damage; it also temporarily strengthened the weapon, making it sharper and sturdier!

The advantage this would provide in a direct confrontation was self-evident!

But now, he had a piece of that power for himself!

BUBBLE BUBBLE~

The water was boiling.

The young man suppressed the urge to test out a few more swings and sat back down by the fire. He pulled out the jar of Chu Blood Grass Essence from his clothes, sprinkled a few pinches into the pot, then tore the last of his dried chicken into strips and threw them in as well.

This [Magic Mastery] was great, but unfortunately, he couldn’t use it much right now.

Due to [Heart of Balance], that last strike had simultaneously consumed 1 Life Value and 1 Magic Power Value, dropping them both from 117 to 116.

It didn’t seem like much, but it was a tangible cost.

He wasn’t well-off at the moment; he had to be meticulous about every little expenditure.

’Better to wait until I’m in better shape before I use it freely!’

Once the soup in the pot came to a rolling boil again, giving off an enticing red hue, he drank it down mouthful after mouthful, heedless of the heat. He didn’t even mind the strange, sour, medicinal smell that hit his nose.

’When you’re starving, you can’t be a picky eater.’

Soon, the Chu Blood Grass began to take effect, making Jon feel warm all over. A small green icon appeared in his status bar.

[Blood Circulation: Life Value recovery speed +10/hour. Duration: 6 hours.]

Although it wasn’t enough to get him back to full health, it was sufficient to see him through the night.

After drinking his fill of the hot, meaty soup, Jon’s mental fatigue largely subsided, only to be replaced by a wave of physical exhaustion.

He patted his belly, added a few more logs to the fire, then gathered all the tattered furs left in the hut around himself, huddling into them.

”Tomorrow, I’ll head into the mountains first, get some herbs and meat. Once I’m fully prepared, I’ll set off to scout the Abandoned Mine!”

”For now, sleep!”

The young man, clutching his saber and still wearing his armor, drifted into a deep sleep amid the stench of rotting hides.

Outside the window, the wind and snow seemed to slow their pace as he slept, as if afraid of disturbing his sweet dreams.

Was it? Or was it not? Who’s to say?

In any case, his story was only just beginning.