The Strongest Spellblade

“Welcome, I am Assistant Professor Darren Burnstock and this class is devoted to the skill of Speech,” my father said in the early morning class. There were only nine other students present, but that made sense. Speech was a foundational social skill and the class offered low levels. I was only taking it because my father was teaching it.

“Social skills are categorized on their own for good reason. Not just due to the skill Social Resistance, but because of their versatility and power. Does anyone not have the skill? If you don’t raise your hand,” he asked. No one raised their hand and he nodded good.

“The trouble with training this skill is that you need someone else and there needs to be stakes that people desire. Nobles often train with candy or pocket money. But I believe all of you are too focused for that. Instead, you will each come up and speak. You can pick any topic you just need to make it engaging. This is not a lesson. So, no lecturing about other skills. I will be pausing you to make adjustments so be prepared to be interrupted by me. Who wants to go first?” my father asked. Every student but me raised their hands. I noted that they all looked a bit older, so not first year students.

The competition was fierce. My father pointed at the nearest teenager who came up to the front of the classroom. “My name is Aaron Blackgate, I am here to talk about the power and history of the Blackgate family.”

“Pause. Raise your chin slightly, make sure you look at everyone directly. Speech is not just a verbal skill but also a skill that influences your body language. How you stand and present yourself is just as important. Continue,” my father said.

“The family came into being with Chester Blackgate 1,422 years ago during the time of the Eldarin Empire. My ancestor was instrumental in the battle of Blackgate pass, where he unleashed a rockslide onto an army of elves, crushing them, and earning a title of nobility,” Aaron continued. I noticed the one elf had a frown on their face.

After a bit more talking Aaron was sent back to his seat and the next person went up. I could feel the slight pressure of their weak Speech skills impacting my Social Resistance skill. Like a light breeze hitting a soft piece of cloth. Both of our skills were weak, but my sensitivity anything relating to my soul, could pick up the minor disturbance.

It was barely noticeable, but I managed to pick up on it since I was paying attention to my resistance skill. When it was my turn, I made sure to adjust my body, following the advice the other students had received. While it wasn’t a direct back and forth with my father, having to speak in front of several other students was a bit stressful.

When class finally ended, I stayed behind. “How was it?” my father asked me.

“Not bad,” I replied.

“But not good?” he asked me.

“Just a bit dull compared to how we worked on the skill before,” I replied and he nodded.

“Don’t worry, this was just for me to get an understanding where everyone is and correct some major issues. Social skills are challenging to level up with older students unless you have something they desire. I plan to give out different types of candy, with more going to the weaker students. Create a trade competition,” he replied.

“Smart and tasty,” I replied with a grin.

“Don’t you have another class?” he asked me.

“Not for another hour. Enough time to chat and get some breakfast,” I replied.

“Well, you are welcome to join me,” my father said and I nodded. We chatted about the school and how I was doing over a well made breakfast. The cooking at the College of Advancement was quite impressive.

“Fun fact about this place, all Professors and most Assistant Professors change their names,” my father said.

“Really?” I asked and he nodded.

“To show their dedication to the College. Honestly it is a bit over the top in my opinion, but these people are planning to make a life here,” he said.

“But not you? You want to recreate the Eldarin Empire?” I asked and he nodded.

“There are several legends in this College that think the same way. I just need time to convince them. With a team of 20 legends I can reunite the human nations under a central banner and with dwarven equipment, nothing will stand in the way of the reborn Eldarin Empire,” he proudly said.

“Yeah, I want nothing to do with that,” I said. That sounded like a massive headache I didn’t want to get near.

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“Just like your mother, but it is fine. If you become strong enough, don’t forget to help our father occasionally,” he said.

“That will be decades from now at the earliest,” I replied.

“Perhaps. But you have already made remarkable progress with your skills and stats, despite not gaining any levels to improve your stats with free stat points,” he said.

“Skills are the foundation of everything. I can’t wait until I start learning spell skills,” I said.

“Surprised you are still sticking with runes,” he said.

“Mother encouraged me to pursue runes. She said they were foundational to reaching new heights. While we might have disagreed about certain things, I trust her knowledge regarding skills and fighting,” I said.

“Indeed, that is what she is good at. Hopefully her descent does not prove her undoing. Your mother has always harbored hatred towards the dungeon since she was a young girl. Losing her family, that really impacted her,” he said.

“And she just left,” I replied, not knowing what else to say.

“Don’t blame her. Your mother is not good with emotions or feelings. Or compromise. What I am trying to say, is that she loves you, but she hates things outside her control,” my father explained.

“She is using me to get over her trauma?” I asked.

“Yes.” That answer made my heart ache. “But that doesn’t change her love for you. She knows she is smothering and rigid, but she can’t be any different. Reaching the level of a Supreme Legend is more about mentality than skill,” my father explained.

“Mentality? Fighting monsters constantly?” I asked.

“Pushing herself to the very edge of what is possible. Risking death constantly. That is why many people fail along the way. A hard worker can reach level 100 and become a Legend. Even a peasant can do so. But to reach level 150 and the sixth class selection to become a Supreme Legend, takes a commitment beyond the ordinary. It takes unrelenting determination and willingness to keep pushing oneself.” I didn’t say anything to that explanation.

“Am I weak?” I asked.

“Your life is yours to live, Justin. There is a reason, so few people become Supreme Legends. One has to want it more than anything else and keep that desire for a long period of time.”

“What about increasing one’s skills high enough? So that one can go deeper in the dungeon and level up faster?” I asked.

“For anyone else that would be completely impossible, but you might have a chance. With how quickly your skills level up, the competition to catch up to you is already lagging behind. But don’t complacent,” my father said.

“I won’t. As long as I earn over 400 skill levels every three months, I will be content with my progress,” I replied.

“Don’t underestimate the elves. While their numbers are few, they learn quickly and have deep foundations. Like soul fruits and other natural treasures,” my father said.

“But two soul fruits?” I asked and he shook his head.

“Your mother is outrageous as ever, but don’t relent. Taking the first spot in your year is a major stepping stone, but it is just the first one. If you want to accomplish your dream of surpassing her, then being number one at the College is the minimum requirement just to begin following her path,” my father explained.

“It can’t be that hard? Can it?” I asked and my father smiled while shaking his head.

“My son, the distance is immense. Far greater than you can imagine. There is a reason every society idolizes Supreme Legends. To reach such heights is incredibly difficult. But don’t let me discourage you.”

“I guess I will understand when I encounter an obstacle,” I replied.

“The curse you were hit with is also a blessing. Removing the temptation to gain easy levels early on. When you finally get to your class selection, I shudder to think of what kind of options will be available,” my father said.

“No one keeps their level low to get better options?” I asked.

“They try. Everyone tries. But the temptation of easy stat points is quite a bit. Those in turn speed up one’s leveling speed for skills. A shortcut everyone takes. That bracelet is a commitment to ascending to heights undreamt of. Gaining levels and classes will boost you when you finally start slowing down,” my father answered.

“If I slow down,” I replied.

“Hmm, everyone likes to think they will keep gaining skills quickly, but the malleability of one’s soul is only so much. However, you will probably go further than others.”

“Just need to get some more soul fruits,” I joked.

“Those things are incredibly valuable. The ones your mother gave you were near priceless. They aren’t something you can get by trading money. They require favors and connections, even then it isn’t simple or easy.”

“I wouldn’t say no to one,” I replied with a grin.

“You are lucky that I know you are joking or I would give you a slap across the backside for such nonsense. Everyone wants soul fruits. Only the people who really need money or have no need trade them away. The green ones would have been useful even for Elena. At most I could get a red one, but that would take too much time, effort, and money,” he replied.

“Ah, sorry. I know I have been lucky having her as my mother, just…I want to keep pushing forward,” I replied.

“Filled with natural treasures. If you graduate the top of your year, I suppose I will have to prepare something of equal value to what your mother gave you. A shame you don’t specialize in social skills,” my father said.

“They are useful, but only against other people, not monsters,” I replied.

“Hmm, many say that, just like math. But don’t underestimate the terrifying power of high tier social skills, even against monsters. Any skills that reach a certain tier and strength are not to be underestimated,” my father explained. “Still, I will need to come up with a graduation present. Perhaps a sword. A tier 3 blade should be doable.”

“Really?” I asked with surprise.

“Hmm, better than a soul fruit. Especially if you start using magic in combination with it. But you have to place number one, beating out all those snotty elves. I won’t accept anything less. I have high expectations of you, just like your mother,” he said.

I liked my Beginner’s Blade. It was just right for me, but it was ultimately a tier 2 weapon. If I wanted to become a true Spellblade, I needed a stronger weapon. Something that would cut through powerful monsters with ease and allow me to unleash powerful skills.