Chapter 601 - Radiance Class Up (Patreon)

It was classing up time! I’d capped out both [Sage of Tomes] and [Seraph of the Dawn], and with the recent battle against the dragon - plus surviving the Cataclysm and everything that happened since I last classed up - made me confident I had more than enough accomplishments for some good classes.

Some class ups I knew exactly what I wanted going into them; I knew what I wanted my classes to do and be for me. Right now though, the world was my oyster, large and open to explore. There were no threats on the horizon, no problems I needed to solve right now. No looming threat of violence or starvation, barring the odd wild animal attack. Given how we’d just killed a fucking dragon, I was feeling pretty good about my power and skills. I doubted I’d completely remove my offensive abilities, but I was open to all sorts of offerings. I had super special one-time permission from Auri to take a phoenix class if I wanted to! 

“Love you too, Auri.” I told the little rascal. “You can take a human-related class if you want to.”

“BRRRRPT!!!” There was not enough Fire in the world to express her indignation at the thought that she might want to take a human class. I cheekily winked at her, and her cheeks blew up as she stomped cutely.

It was also possible I’d find the groove that I wanted to stay in for the rest of my life. My classes had changed themes less and less over time, simply refining the focus a small amount. I’d been on the [Butterfly Mystic] theme for over a century with magic, discovery, and exploration married together. 

“Love you!” I told Iona, squeezing her hand. She rolled on top of me and kissed me deeply.

“One for the class up.” She winked roguishly at me. “Love you too, bookosaurus.”

She rolled back over - holding my hand the entire time - and was out like a light, the softly glowing lights of her own class up appearing around her. Auri, Fenrir, Artemis and Nina were on guard. It would be overkill if they hadn’t already come over for snacks and games.

I snuggled up to her, putting my head on her chest, and let myself fall into the world of my soul.

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Librarian was there in our School robes, symbols denoting our accomplishments woven in, while a glint of mischief and merriment glimmered in her eyes. She was sitting cross-legged on one of the checkout desks, and the library was as neat and ordered as I’d ever seen it. Books were artfully arranged, shelves color-coded by type of class, and there wasn’t a speck of dust to be seen anywhere.

“Elaine! You made it! I’ve been waiting so long!” Librarian hopped down and ran over to me, her robes billowing as she moved. She grabbed my hands and we started to jump in excitement at seeing each other again, like a pair of school girls.

“Librarian! I did, I did! I’ve wanted to come for AGES but it wasn’t really the right time before but now it is and I’m just so EXCITED to see you! This is great!” I dropped her hands and fiercely hugged her.

Naturally, since she was me, she hugged back.

“Are you ready?” A grin slipped into her voice. “Are you excited?”

“Am I ever!” I said. Librarian grabbed me by the hand.

“Then let’s go!” She said, pulling me up the stairs as we ran and giggled up, stomping like a herd of rhinos. 

Libraries were supposed to be a quiet place… but it was only us in here. Staircase after staircase we ran up, passing the rooms where I’d made my old selections, a trip down nostalgia lane. [Firebug] and [Pyromancer], [Ranger-Mage] then [Butterfly Mystic], before passing by [Seraph of the Dawn]. Then we got to a pair of large doors. Six sheltering wings were carved around it - there was no such thing as ‘budgets’ or ‘practicality’ in the world of my soul.

I gasped as Librarian dramatically opened the door.

Nevermind the sunlight streaming in through the other windows, nevermind the staircase that led up to more class ups, the walls and ceiling of the room were pure glass, a million and one shining stars twinkling down on us.

There were no bookshelves. Instead, the books flew through the air like a flock of birds, going first one way, then another. Heavy leather bound tomes, light novels barely a dozen pages thick, classically bound books with stodgy letters, all flew through the air.

I jumped up at a book with green lettering that came close, managing to snag it out of the air. 

Renewer of Nations - Radiance the title boldly proclaimed. I put it down on the table, and slapped it down when it tried to flop off the table and escape.

“Really?” I ask Librarian with a raised eyebrow. She chuckled.

“Ooooh, you’ve seen nothing yet.” She promised. 

Renewer of Nations: The Renewer of Nations is dedicated to restoring life, healing the land, and guiding the rebirth of civilization after Immortals have wiped the slate clean. Drawn to areas where the neglect of elvenoids or the rampaging of monsters have turned formerly lush environments into barren wastelands, the Renewer will channel the power of the sun to encourage life and growth to flourish, bring animals back, and restore the balance of nature. Renwers know that unchecked growth can lead to problems, and will prune both plants and people when needed.  +8 Dexterity, +64 Speed, +64 Vitality, + 128 Magic Power, +256 Magic Control, +8 Mana, +64 Mana Regeneration per level.

It was a fun class to be sure, and a brilliant idea, but it just wasn’t for me at all. I wasn’t going to be bringing countries back and regrowing plants. It wasn’t like I was the only one, I’d only done it once, and it was a pretty dramatic departure from my current class. The low quality made sense - it had just been a random book I’d grabbed, as opposed to a real, thoughtful selection. It helped hammer home just how absurd my classes and qualities were. Light green would’ve been crazy for me as a teenager and younger, and yet I could only pull a face now at the stats.

Also, ‘pruning people’ sounded like a euphemism for murdering a lot of people, which was a hard no. I’d also seen cities completely overtake an area, and no druids came knocking on the walls with complaints. I wondered how bad things would have to be for them to step in?

A reminder why I usually had Librarian filter for me, but hey! This was fun! Monster books! I let the book go and it rejoined the flock, flapping indignantly as it flew away. I instinctively reached for my wings, only to find them not there. Right. No skills inside the world of my soul. I eyed the books high up as Librarian slowly grew more mirthful in the background.

“Wait.” I put the pieces together. “Wait. How am I supposed to get the books?”

Librarian was full on cackling now. Cackling. I had a bad feeling about this…

I mean, I could just ask her to present the books I wanted to see. Give her a search criteria and let them fall into my lap - literally. Where was the fun in that? Where was the joy, the adventure? We had time here, I had the ability to play with Librarian and enjoy her gauntlet.

It wasn’t the 256 class up where I thought it might be the last time I saw her. I knew I had eternity now, an eternity to see her again. At the same time, our time was limited. There were only so many class ups before I was done, before we’d said our farewell for the last time. Before either fate or divinity took me.

What did it hurt to play the game? To take on new and novel challenges?

I ran and jumped excitedly for some of the books, whooping as I practically flew through the air. There was a different dimension, a different element of fun, when I was effectively mortal. The speeds that were a humdrum normality turned thrilling and exciting once again, and being unable to fly, teleport, or otherwise reach out with my mind to simply grab the books made the chase exciting once again. I hadn’t had this much fun in ages!

I caught a few of the books and got a read through them, with only two vaguely catching my interest.

Phoenix of the Rising Dawn - Behold the Phoenix of the Rising Dawn! You bow before the absolute magnificence that is the peerless phoenix, most noble of all the birds! They burn the brightest, soar the swiftest, and all who witness their beauty are struck dumb! Clad in the golden glow of your radiant companion, you will go forth as one of the phoenix’s chosen! Eternal flames will dance upon your skin, darkness will flee before you, and come the rising of the dawn star, you will be born anew, shedding death itself in a burning inferno! +2 Strength, +1024 Dexterity, +1024 Speed, +1024 Vitality, +4096 Magic Power, +4096 Magic Control, +4096 Mana, +4096 Mana Regeneration per level.

Hang on, wait, fucking what!? I got a phoenix rebirth skill?! That was supposed to be racially locked! I read it more carefully, that one casual line leading me to flipping furiously through the book.

“Hey Librarian, sorry, is there a chance I can get every aspect of this skill listed in one spot?” I asked her.

She lazily waved her hand, and a handful of pages sacrilegiously tore themselves out of the book and hovered in front of me. I snatched the first one out of the air and started to read.

It… was technically not a phoenix rebirth skill, but it was darn close. Upon ‘dying’, my body would explode into scattered ashes, which would be reconstituted upon the next sunrise. There were the motherload of all catches though.

First off, it was possible to take the ashes and bury them, drown them, or otherwise interfere in a way that would prevent them from coming back.

Second, I’d need to convince Black Crow to let me go back. The book suggested a game for my life, but I wasn’t exactly on great terms with Black Crow//White Dove in the first place… I could see them laughing their beaks off and denying me, no matter what I won or how.

Lastly, I was pretty unkillable already. I didn’t want to test it or challenge the greater powers, but I suspected anything that could kill me would end me so thoroughly that even the scattered ashes would struggle. Like if I was burned by cursed fire, the flames would stick to the ashes and burn them away, completely killing the slot.

The class was good, but I wasn’t sure about joining Auri in the ‘living a life on fire’ department. Having a bath would be awkward.

Radiant Wife - Marriage. The sacred bond that ties people together. To have and to hold, to love and protect, in sickness and in health, for life and beyond. The Radiant Wife draws upon an inner light to shine warmth, affection and the unbreakable ties of devotion upon her spouse, her family, and companions. Cherish the bonds of love, and triumph before all adversity. +32 Strength, +32 Dexterity, +32 Speed, +32 Vitality, +32 Magic Power, +32 Magic Control, +32 Mana, +32 Mana Regeneration per level.

I was inclined to dismiss the class at first, but the subtle details started to come together into an interesting picture, one that had me lift up a table leg and pin the flying book under it so it wouldn’t go escaping.

The book, the class, was about love. About family. I’d get experience from cuddles! I’d level up helping Auri in the bakery - it wasn’t all about Iona. Sharing a smoke with Fenrir could let me hear that magical ding!. Helping my friends, mentoring an apprentice, and loving Iona would all contribute to my levels. In other words, I’d level simply from the best things in life, as opposed to the worst. There was also a [Spoons of Love] skill! I knew mom had something like that!

The grief over her loss was like a familiar friend. It still hurt, but the wound had long since scarred over. Her name was carved deep into stone, a memory that persisted and refused to be forgotten.

Best of all? It was still a [Mage] class. I kept basically every skill I currently had, barring my spear skill, although I wouldn’t be offered any other offensive skills.

It was just so radically different and on-target to what I thought a good and happy life should entail that I wanted to entertain the option.

Looking back up, it was clear from the text on the books - I swear Librarian was slowing them down so I could see them - and what I expected to see offered, that the absolute best books were flying high and fast, entirely out of reach for me. It wasn’t like there were shelves or anything I could climb - the walls were pure, smooth glass, without even needing support or anything. 

It was a slightly novel experience, not being able to lift the tables up and stack them. I backed up and examined the situation, trying to figure out how to adapt, improvise, and overcome, as any good Ranger should be able to do.

I looked around some more, and did a double-take when I saw Librarian holding out an oversized butterfly net with a grin. I took it with a matching smile, and tried to crack my knuckles. Three attempts later I gave up on it, and tried to preserve as much dignity as I could.

Ah, who was I kidding, my dignity was going to be dead at the end of this.

I climbed the stairs - no railing, of course - bent my knees, and when a flock of books came by, threw myself out into the void, my eyes locked on the prize. I hurtled through the library, wind in my hair, wildly thrashing the butterfly net around, and nabbed a book.

Crashing down to the floor didn’t matter. It was the world of my soul. As there was no magic, equally there was no pain, no injury. Just the thrill of capturing a new book!

I went hunting four more times, only catching three books, and only liking the looks of two of them.

Dawnbringer: For the weak, the night is the ultimate terror. It oppresses the senses, banishes the safety of knowing, and serves as a cloak for the many predators that stalk its fields, as the sun with its warmth and nourishment hides far away. No more. Return the ever-watching gleam of clarity, of safety and of warmth. Return the ability to learn and explore, to be curious and to grow. Where you go, all can sleep in peace, for there are no terrors of the night where you bring Dawn to vanquish it. +256 Strength, +256 Dexterity, +256 Speed, +256 Vitality, +4096 Magic Power, +4096 Magic Control, +4096 Mana, +4096 Mana Regeneration per level.

This was clearly the ‘natural evolution’ of my current class. It kept the angel theme, continued to give experience for exploration, discovery, and combat, and… had nothing really new to it. It went on the desk, and I shot Librarian a Look.

“I’ve got enough now that I don’t want to have to keep fishing them out to check them.” I told her. She nodded in agreement, and thick chains materialized out of the desk to bind the book down. It struggled and fought against its bindings. Not exactly the way I would’ve done it… but on reflection, it was exactly how I would’ve done it. 

Aspirant Slayer of Lun’Kat: You have aligned yourself with the Twin Goddesses of the Moon’s Paladin, and your partner has been given the ultimate task of ending the Deceiver's long reign- a hopeless endeavor, if not for you. Your history with the beast is longer than any other, final witness as you are to the forgotten race of Wood Dwarves when Nolgrod fell under Her wrath. Your legend began when you did what few in history have ever matched: rob the dragon's hoard and escape unscathed. You have slain one of her distant kin. Your Radiance has fouled her illusions before; now, they will flee from your very presence. You have mended her flesh in ages long past, the knowledge of her body still carried within you; now, that same flesh will not survive your ire. Take this class, and do what so many millions have tried and failed in the past: Free the moons, and defeat the one responsible for their captivity. +8192 Mana, +8192 Magic Power per level.

Hoooooly focused Class. 

It was always possible to ‘punch up’ thanks to the System. The tools needed to ‘punch up’ changed depending on each person’s build, but I know I was vulnerable to a heavy Mirror Classer, for example. 

A class explicitly calling out a single monster was scary in its implications.

My first instinct was to recoil from it. No matter that we’d managed to off a dragon ourselves, it had been five to six against one, and most of us had hundreds of levels in a high quality class on the dragon. It still hadn’t been a quick and easy fight.

My second reaction was I wanted the class, just for my wife. The thought was fleeting, and the follow up was like a bucket of ice water poured over me.

How many people had taken a class to off Night or Lun’Kat over the eons? I didn’t know, but I did know both of them were still alive and well. The thought naturally led to another one - I had a bunch of System weight, were people being offered classes to kill me? A scary thought.

I eyed the flock of books, the thrill starting to turn into a chore. The thought of needing to hunt down every book was daunting. 

“Can you grab me any other strong classes I’m missing, that I’d be interested in?” I asked Librarian. She brightened up.

“Sure!” She pointed to the flock, and one of the books zoomed over. 

[The Busy Bee] was the title of the book. I opened it and read it carefully.

I almost wanted to say it was a joke class, but it wasn’t. I’d been Healy-bug for a long time, and [Firebug] was in the class’s history, this was merely an extension of that. I’d done a good amount of pollination work after the cataclysm - a lack of bees was unfortunate - and the class would move in a bee-focused direction. Feathers would become independent stinging bees, like in [Butterfly Mystic], but they’d be able to literally pollinate plants as well as independently do minor bee-like tasks. Honey wasn’t off the menu, but the power, control, mental load, and persistence made it less than viable. Also, mangos!

It was solid, fun, but not what I was going to take.

I started to look through my options, also keeping in mind what I was planning for my third class.

[Renewer of Nations] was out fairly quickly. It wasn’t the path I wanted to walk, and while there’d be a good burst of experience now, I suspected and hoped that it would rapidly dry up. I wouldn’t be stuck - Auri would drag the class along kicking and screaming - but between the low quality, lack of opportunity, and frankly not being all too excited about it, it was an easy cut.

[Phoenix of the Rising Dawn] was solid. A little more combat-heavy than I’d like, but not absurdly so. Instead of journeying, exploring, and discovering new things, I would be more heavily rewarded for trips to the Phoenix Peaks with Auri as opposed to finding a hidden valley with rare flowers. It was a contender, but I doubted it would go the distance to become my final choice.

[Radiant Wife] was going to need some serious thought. I really, really liked how it gained experience and what it did, but did the quality and stat gain have to be so miserable!? I supposed I was only a ‘normal’ wife in many senses. It wasn’t like I’d done something mythical in that role, and the low quality made sense… it was just depressing. However, I had taken weaker quality classes in the past though that fit me just right, choosing to be true to myself over raw power. 

Unless I wanted to take my third class in a different direction and use this to backfill… but then I’d lose a modest amount of my fighting abilities. I needed to fight less and less these days, thanks to my friends and family, but the need to be independent and protect myself was still deeply ingrained in my psyche. Being ‘helpless’ as a child, being dismissed as a teenager, and needing to fight for my life time and time again during my formative years had left a mark. I knew myself well enough to recognize it and where it came from, but it didn’t change my discomfort at casting it aside. I didn’t want to have to resort to knifing people thanks to the tyranny of stats to defend myself - Radiance was so much kinder, both to myself and my enemies.

No, I was keeping the ability to fight. 

[Dawnbringer] was the natural evolution. Part of me rebelled at the idea of continuing along the same path. Had I really not grown? Had I really not evolved in the decades since I’d taken the class? 

At the same time, I could argue I knew myself. I knew what I wanted from life, I knew what made my soul sing in joy. There was no shame in continuing on, in enjoying the grass I’d made so green.

[Aspirant Slayer of Lun’Kat] was right out. Nope. Wasn’t doing it. That was easy.

To my mild surprise, it had come down to [Phoenix] and [Dawnbringer]. I didn’t think the phoenix class would’ve gone the distance, but that just showed what I knew. Always keep an open mind.

Even though it was a finalist, it paled in comparison to [Dawnbringer]. The [Butterfly Mystic] in me was sad that I wasn’t flitting off to explore new grounds and new territory… but [Dawnbringer] was truly about doing exactly that! A contradiction, but one I was willing to accept. 

I knew myself, I was comfortable in my skin.

“Let’s become a [Dawnbringer!]” I excitedly told Librarian.

“Yes!” She agreed.

We checked the book out, then the entire library rippled as I changed from my second class to my third.