NOVEL NEXT 18. Skills and Stats Redux
Bonny extricated herself from her companions and sat up to find Grandmother Oak standing nearby. She jumped up and hurried over, embarrassed.
“Sorry, I didn’t know you were waiting on me.”
“There is no need for apologies or rushing around. I enjoy the sun and breeze.”
“I meant, uh, well.” Bonny waved at her companions, still tangled together.
Grandmother Oak laughed. “I have lived here for eons and many hundreds of thousands of animals and kin have sheltered here. Sex and birth under my tree not new. Do not be ashamed.”
“Oh, uh, ok. Did you finish what you were called away for?”
“Yes, it seems the goblins are expanding. Some of my kin have been injured and will join me soon. Unfortunately, we may have less time than hoped. Open your status, please.”
Bonny did. “Status!”
Name: Bonny
Race: Outworlder / Rabbit-kin
Age: 22
Health: Healthy
Soul: Healthy
Affinity: Demonic Master
Class: Lesser Medic/Demonic (alternatives available)
Skills: (1 available)
Panacea (lesser)
Sacrifice (demonic)
Triage (lesser)
Wound Transfer (demonic)
General Skills: Agility, Dancing, First Aid, Running, Walking, Outworlder Knowledge
Equipment: Big Red - Bonded, Growth (Epic/Demonic)
Power: Below avg
Control: Above avg
Stamina: Above avg
Magic: Low
M Contr: Below avg
Mana: Low
“Demonic and Elemental influences are not assigned by the System, but are recognized by it. So, for example,” Grandmother Oak paused and made a gesture like plucking an apple from the air. She handed a small seed to Bonny. “Eat this.”
Bonny took it and examined the translucent seed shaped object, then put it into her mouth. When she bit down, the seed dissolved into a drop of the purest, clearest spring water she had ever tasted. It immediately evaporated, absorbed into her, before she could swallow.
“That was a water spirit. A single spirit, that offered to help you. If you examine your core, you will find a small touch of elemental magic in addition to the stronger demonic magic you already possess. If you check your affinities, you should see it reflected as well.”
Bonny did.
Affinities: Demonic Master, Elemental Novice
Grandmother Oak continued, “You are not yet a master of elemental magic, but if you seek out and befriend spirits, some will consent to combine with you. Over time, you will advance and master it as well. For now, you only have access to water magic, so look for others if you desire. You had a shortcut to demonic mastery, but be careful of it. Have you absorbed the Wrath spirit?”
Bonny shook her head. “I tried, but it didn’t work.”
“Did you try biting it, like the elemental?”
“Uh, no. That seemed gross.”
“Do it. With demon spirits, you may need to force them, but you can try tempting them with strong base emotions as well. Once you have it, you can compel it to bind with Lust. Now, what skills do you have available?”
Bonny focused on skills and read them out.
Skills Available: (alternatives available)
Bandage (lesser)
Mending (elemental)(lesser)
Pain Management (demonic)(lesser)
Ward (demonic)(elemental)(lesser)
“You can verify, but Bandage should stabilize wounds and Mending will heal them. Ward will protect you and your patients during healing, or whenever, really. Pain Management is obvious, but I doubt you want to use demonic magic for dealing with pain.” Grandma Oak laughed.
“What does alternatives available mean?”
“The System narrowed the list to what it thinks will be most useful to you. You can always reject them and look at other skills. You should know that the demonic magic will be much stronger than the other two, because of the influence within you. Elemental magic will be very weak.”
“I’ll choose Mending (lesser). That should give an alternative to Sacrifice, right?”
“Yes, and speaking of, Sacrifice is a staple of demonic magic. It can do many things, depending on how you call it. I believe you used it to heal Eloisss?”
Bonny nodded. “The magic seemed confused at first, then stronger when I focused on healing.”
“Good. That’s the spirit within you. Remember, you are the master. It must do as you command, but it will require compensation. Now, work on absorbing the Wrath spirit again. You will need to be stronger for what is to come.”
“Thank you, Grandmother Oak.” She smiled up at the dryad.
“You are welcome, Rabbit Bonny. Now go.”
Bonny headed back to where her friends were still sitting by the trunk. They had moved the backpacks near the table and were going through them. The three scales and her dildo were nearby.
“Hey guys, what’s up?” Bonny retrieved one of the scales and sat at the table, surprised to find a fox under it. Bonny watched the fox as it yipped, struggled to get out of her way, then ran off.
Eloisss and Miu seemed oblivious to the sudden commotion. “We’re sseparating out itemss to return to my tribe or usse. There iss some armor here that may fit you, if you want.”
Bonny glanced down, having forgotten that she was still naked. Not wearing clothes seemed natural at this point.
“Uh, is it weird if I don’t want any? Goblins are kinda gross and I don’t want to wear their stuff.” She held up the Wrath scale. “I mean, look at this thing.”
Miu purred, “I like no clothes, nya.” She looked Bonny up and down, then winked. She was still naked too.
Bonny laughed and leaned over to kiss her.
“Well, Grandma Oak said I should try this again. Wish me luck.” She stuck the scale in her mouth and bit down.
There was a resistance, then a pop as it broke apart and dissolved. Now that she knew what to look for, she felt the spirit as it seeped into her body, suffusing into her being.
