Before I could even begin to scroll the selection of classes. I heard my Grandpaâs voice.
âThe bird is still alive. I think we should put it out of its misery. Would you like me to do it for you?â
âI got it.â
I had no problem killing the sharks earlier, but after what just happened, the act of killing in general now has a bit of a sting to it.
And based on how things are looking, this wasnât going to be something I could avoid in this new world.
There was no doubt in my mind that my Grandpa would be alright with it or at least hide any of his troubles better than I could.
Even my father. He was a no nonsense type of man and there was nothing he wouldnât do if it meant protecting mom and me.
So I steeled my heart and swam over to the body of the massive bird. It was only now that I truly realized how big this bird was. And it had to be, for an actual person to ride it there was no way it couldnât be anything other than massive.
Though I realized the problem quite quickly. I was here to put the bird out of its misery, not put it in more unnecessary pain.
It was already tired and likely lost a whole lot of blood, but if I were to walk over and there and start stabbing it with my small dagger, sure Iâd speed up the process, but Iâd also put it in more pain.
I heard movement behind me and saw Grandpa shaking his head with awkward expression on his face.
âMaybe itâs best to just leave it alone. I donât think either one of us can give it a clean death with what we have.â
And he wasnât wrong.
Both spears were who knows were at this point, and the red riders didnât seem to have any more on them.
In fact apart from their armor and the spear they threw at us, they didnât have much else.
Swimming away from it and the body that I was purposefully ignoring which was still attached to its saddle. I once again focused back on the notification Iâve been the looking forward to.
Please choose your Class!
General Classes
1. Warrior (Rooted)
2. Mage (Rooted)
3. Rogue (Rooted)
4. Hunter (Rooted)
Heartborne Classes
1. Polearm Initiate (Rooted)
2. Scout Initiate (Rooted)
3. Tide Initiate (Rooted)
Ohh so this is what Grandpa meant when he said there were more options out there. What are Heartborne classes?
No answer?
Figured as much.
Well, I think I understand exactly what the general classes are from all my extensive reading, but letâs go through all four of them anyway.
Warrior
A direct combatant trained in melee weapons and frontline tactics. Balanced focus on strength and endurance.
Mage
A beginner in the study of arcane forces. Specializes in basic spells and mana control.
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Rogue
A nimble fighter who relies on speed, positioning, and precision. Excels at striking exposed targets.
Hunter
A ranged combatant skilled in tracking and engaging from a distance. Trained in basic survival and bow use.
Yup all of them are pretty much what I would expect from their names. And if the Heartborne options didnât exist, I think I likely wouldâve went with Warrior or Mage.
But lucky for me, they do exist.
Polearm Initiate
An entry-level class focused on learning the fundamentals of polearm combat and reach control.
Scout Initiate
A foundational class built around movement discipline, terrain awareness, and early reconnaissance.
Tide Initiate
A beginning class for those instinctively aligned with the movement, rhythm, and pressure of water.
Polearm Initiate is the one Grandpa chose. Does that mean everyone gets the exact same Heartborne classes? Or maybe itâs just tied to the fact that I like the spear as well? I mean, Iâm definitely much more of a trident guy, but itâs still a polearm.
Hm. Iâll ask Grandpa what he was shown afterwards.
Either way, after reading all three of them, I think general classes are named as such for reason. They arenât really specific or all that narrow when compared to something like Polearm Initiate.
That is a class very clearly centered around spears and the like.
But a warrior could probably use spears too Iâm guessing.
Then there was the class I had my eye on since I read the description.
Tide Initiate.
If Heartborne classes are spawned based on things I like, then this one makes all the sense in the world.
I loved being in water.
Ever since I was little itâs been a love of mine. To be in or near water of some kind. Whether it was a pool or a lake, or what was best of all, the ocean, I loved it all.
So to see a class related to water was practically a no brainer.
You have selected Tide Initiate (Rooted)
Please select your Skills! (0/2)
1. Surging Step
2. Pressure Sense
3. Ripple Guard
4. Stillflow
5. Aqueous Pull
Ah we get skills!
Wait, is that how Grandpa managed to absolutely launch that spear? I knew he couldnât be that strong.
Anyway, letâs see them all.
1. Surging Step
Briefly accelerates movement in a chosen direction. Performs best in water.
2. Pressure Sense
The user gains a faint awareness of movement and force within a short radius.
3. Ripple Guard
Redirects a portion of incoming force away from the user, reducing damage slightly and staggering nearby lifeforms.
4. Stillflow
The user calms their breathing and posture, slowing stamina drain and reducing visibility slightly while stationary or walking.
5. Aqueous Pull
Generates a faint water pressure around the hand or weapon, increasing grip strength or improving drag control during swings.
Damn I can only select two of these huh.
Alright I definitely need surging step. Anything that lets me move away from danger faster, or chase after a target quickly is probably a good thing. But for the second skillâ¦Every single one of them has good uses.
Letâs rule outâ¦Aqueous Pull.
It has benefits but I think I can do without that for now.
That leaves three other skills that will all be highly beneficial now and in the future.
Hm.
Well, if Iâm already picking one that can help me both run away and attack, then why not keep that theme going.
Ripple Guard should allow me to do something similar if Iâm understanding itâs description properly.
Alright letâs not think about it any further or Iâll be here all night.
I confirmed my choices, and then more notifications replaced them.
Ding!
1787XP Gained!
[Level +4]
Damn thatâs a whole lot of XP forâ¦for killing the man.
â¦Letâs just look at my status now.
Status
Name: Fred Williams
Born World: Earth (ENWPI70059)
Race: Human
Age: 17
Grade: F
Level: 8
XP: 508/555
Stat Points: 8
Traits
Trait 1: Oxygen Efficient Lungs (Rooted)
Trait 2: Locked
Trait 3: Locked
Class
Current Class: Tide Initiate
Class Grade: F
Class Rarity: Rooted
Skills
1. Surging Step
2. Ripple Guard
Attributes
Strength: 7
Dexterity: 5
Vitality: 6
Endurance: 8
Mana: 5
Willpower: 5
Perception: 5
Intelligence: 5
8 unused stat points eh.
Alright, letâs not leave everything else at 5 for too long. Iâll put a point into each of the untouched attributes, and then two more into Endurance and the last one in Strength.
Once more the heated sensation took hold of my body, and this time it could almost be classified as burning.
Again, it helped that I was in water, but I really need to remind myself that unless I desperately need to use a whole bunch of stat points at once, then itâs best to do a couple at a time if I possible.
Anyway, a lot has happenedâ¦hopefully with all of these added stats, that will be enough for us to make it home.