Maik started drifting off to sleep almost as soon as he laid back to rest his eyes. The comfort of letting go and relaxing a comforting embrace which he eagerly fell into.
That was until the metaphorical feet of his various minds touched down on a solid floor. The various aspects of Maik's conscious were just starting to take stock of the odd place they were in when he was unceremoniously yanked back to the waking world. The teen blearily opened his eyes to glare at the offending source of the interruption. He yearned to return to that place, hungered, lusted for it even.
James had an apologetic smile on his face as he nudged his friend awake with his foot. “Wakey, wakey.” There was zero apology in the jocks eyes when Maik glared at him, just the self assured smile and a hand to help the late teen up. The jocks tone was a sweet and sour mix of forced enthusiasm for the ever changing situation. “Up and at em. Its not bed time yet. Besides, were relocating.”
Maik's incredulity shifted to confusion by the time he took the proffered hand. Something was getting under his friends skin and that rarely ever happened. A heave later and Maik was upright, yawning and stretching to glance at the time, 4:35. Maik felt another yawn coming on but started talking anyway. “Were moving ? Yawn. To where?”
James gestured towards Maik's belongings and then towards the door for the late teen to follow. “You should grab your stuff first and come on. We brought back the majority of the football team so the teachers figured that things were going to start getting really crowded. To solve that issue they made some arrangements with a few of the other teachers and their students to switch places and now were relocating everyone up to the second floor of the south most building sense its the closest to the stadium.”
James went into more detail regarding their groups earlier interaction while they and the rest of the class packed up and headed out towards their new destination. There were those who griped about having to up and move, especially those who looked like they were approaching the half way point in their transformation. Such was most noticeable with the 2 guys that were changing into dog people. Not wolf, dog people. But others, like Maik, were more subtle.
Is Skip growing pointy ears ? Yep. It would seem so. This prompted Maik to reflect that he wasn't in quite so much pain any more and when they were finally able to stop at the new location he was able to take a moment and look inwards. We are certainly past the midway point. Maybe 65-75%. Thank God. I don't know how much more of this I could stand. Good to feel better. James was giving him a look though, but Maik just brushed it aside.
Instead he addressed the news James brought. “So when is the first round of showers. I want to wash before dinner.”
James shook his head. “We need to make another 3 maybe 4 runs for floor mats first. Come on.”
A groan was Maik's whole hearted reply. “Are you serious ? Helping this many people fix their Chi isn't easy you know. My purple bar is at like...” The teen double checks and winces. “4%, if that. I need food, and sleep, and..”
“And a swift boot in the ass from the sound of it.” The loud and authoritative voice of the Coach drew everyones attention as it shut the late teens complaining right up. “You may have been producing the best results towards helping people with the current problem but there are still others who have been very hard at work today, and their helping. If this 52 year old man can still move mats after running 4 miles today then you can sure as shit help too, now move.” Maik was moving, even if he didn't like it.
James helped with some good-natured jabs at Maik's complaining, but it was to distract Maik from his grumblings. "Oh so you whine at me but the moment Coach scolds you, you gain a spring in your step ? I see what motivates you."
They both gossiped about what a hard ass the head coach was until the 4th and final load of mats was being moved. On the way back they actually found themselves partially separated from the others, either too far ahead or behind the other pairs for them to really be within ear shot.
The jock found that the perfect time to change the subject. “So whats up with you huh ? I saw you taking note of Skip's ears and I have to say that I cant be the only one to notice something a little different about you too. I'm just asking because I haven't decided how I'm going to use the point yet and wanted to learn as much as I could before hand, you know.”
Maik was silent for 14 steps while he mulled things over. Busted. There is no evidence to suggest that he knows our selection, only that he has observed that there is a change. Ohh yeah ? Glance down at how much our chest sticks out now and try that again. Go ahead, I'll wait. Busted. Let us suppose that it is obvious. Lets. Then the best course of action would be full disclosure.
Maik actually snorted a laugh at himself with that thought and James gave him a funny look. Apprehension. We could do that. We could do that... Or, we could say its part of the race change. Taht worked with Boyd. Sounds.... okay ? This is acceptable.
His mind made up. “Soooo. I'm guessing Jose hasn't told you ?" James shakes his head and Maik nods before resuming. "Alright then. First, Jose already gave me an ear full for it but I picked some alteration right off. Namely I'm going for a higher tier race change."
James made a mock affronted face but his grin gave it away. "I would never... But yeah, I can see Jose doing that. He is the careful and considerate type. So what does the higher tier race do for you ?"
Maik sheepishly shrugs. "I... Don't know yet." James actually stops walking for a moment while giving Maik that look. The one that screams, Really man ? Really ?. Maik just shrugs. "I mean, its a higher tier and were still learning how this works so its got to have some benefits rights ?"
James looks away but then shrugs. "Nothing ventured, nothing gained ?" Maik agrees and repeats the saying before James shakes his head and they resume walking. "I don't know if its bravery or you just being impulsive again but you do you. Just make sure to keep me up to date on how its going, alright."
With a big smile and a laugh Maik assures his friend that he will. "Sure thing man. I'll even give you a discount."
James blurts our an affronted noise for real this time. "UHHH ? Seriously man. Come on, don't hold out on me like that."
Inwardly Maik was enjoying his friends mild suffering. Pay back for waking us up. Catharsis. I'm okay with this.
Back in the classroom Maik checked his status again to find that the purple bar was probably at 6%. So tired. Yuck. Our energy recover rate is abysmal. Its likely that the energy is mostly going towards our transformation. We haven't eaten nearly enough to account for all the extra biomass our hips and chest have gained. Don't forget the junk in our trunk. Tired ! HUNGRY !
Davis entered the room to let us know that food was available in one of the other class rooms which had been set up for dinning. A glance at the clock informed Maik that it was now 5:53 and the idea of showering before dinner was just too much effort at the moment. The late teens body was complaining to the rest of him that it was literally eating itself for fuel and complaining loudly.
So the late teen shuffled his way to the eating area and actually demanded a second helping when it came to his turn. “Just go ahead and give me a double order.” It was Stacy and Boyd who seemed to be in charge of serving dinner. They looked at each other and then back at Maik with an apologetic expression and the teen cut them off. “I'm utterly Chi deprived, Tired from manual labor and starving. Who's dick do I have to suck around here for a second helping ?”
Snorts and giggles resounded in the make shift cafeteria but there were a few who were curious as to weather or not Maik would receive any kind of special treatment. Boyd pulled out a couple protein bars and passed them over. Along with Maik's dinner. “Well I was wondering what to give you as thanks for your help so fare so if you really need a little extra that badly then I can oblige you.”
Maik took the proffered food without further a do before making his way to the nearest seat next to Jose, James and Eugene. Then started eating. Despite how ravenously the teen was inhaling his food the Spaniard had to comment. “Dammmmn dude. You need to be careful with talk like that.” Maik just grunted in between mouth fulls.
After the meal Maik was well and truly done with today. Still Boyd delicately but strategically blocked the door to address the late teen. “Daley, as you know we picked up another group and I was wondering....”
Maik didn't so much cut Boyd off as he just turned away from the middle aged man, shuffled over to a corner and started slumping down to sleep right there. Only the late teen never quite made it to the floor because Boyd and Jose quickly moved to help him stay upright while Boyd apologized. “Sorry Daley, How about we get you to bed and we can talk in the morning.”
The teacher helped his student remove his shoes and then left him be, allowing Maik to drift back down into slumber. Down, down, down. On the floor of the strange place once more. It took some time for the various aspects of Maik to acclimate. At first they just kind of stood there in a daze for a few minutes while this strange place took distinct form and shape.
It was Primal who moved first but primal was never good with numbers so it waited for first Creative and then Analytical to rouse and begin exploring, Body politic just observing for now.
The center of the room was a big cylinder that stood about 8 feet tall and was easily 20 feet in diameter that had 2 door way openings opposing ends.. It displayed his character sheet and there were quite a few notifications but Maik collectively ignored those for the moment.
On the floor were several glowing lines that spread out from the central cylinder. These lines had little marking on the floor, like limbs that sprouted off a tree and when Maik focused on them he realized that they were skills, all the tier 1 and 2 skills were represented either by little dots or little leaf patterns on the floor.
Then Creative spotted the first rod that emerged up out of the floor. Little more than a bump really but focusing on it showed Maik that it was the Calculus skill. Looking beyond, the Teen could see that the skill could be followed to an incredible extent. Further beyond were all the different mathematical disciplines he was away of and more that were shrouded in fog. So many more.
As Maik tried to piece the veil with sheer force of will he gained a sense that all the answers of the universe could be had if he but followed this path to its ultimate conclusion. I bet you runes are just math with magic. That is certainly a possibility. One we will need to investigate further. Another floor down here.
Unlike the path of math and bio chemistry, the paths beyond the other tier 3 and tier 4 skills were far more abscure. What is this bullshit. What a fucking tease. We already had a fair understanding of where the study of mathematics could lead us. It would seem that this place doesn't actually show us anything we don't already know. Pointless. I disagree. Having a clear mental construct to keep our progress and skills organized should be quite useful. You have to admit that the aesthetic is pretty cool.
The next floor down housed all the various races, which he could have changed into and were also tiered. Humans, strangely enough were a 3ed tier while the most basic of angels was a tier 5. Just past human was his current status as a hermaphrodite and a few new options including several tier 4 demon races, but it was the 1 tier 5 race that garnered his full interest. The one that opened up when he chose to become an hermaphrodite.
True Lilin – tier 5 – Young adult
The primordial Human, those born directly from the union of Gods original creations Lilith and Adam but who rejected the Garden of Eden and were thus branded as demons.
Lilin earn modification points by a factor of 5 per level advancement and have a minor affinity for all stats.
Special traits
Adaptive physique – A Young adult Lilin hasn't come into the full of their power. Sampling the essence or blood of other living being can allow the Lilin to replicate aspects or traits of the sampled creature.
Supernatural Charisma – The lilin can influence those around them to a greater degree and more easily through a combination or Auric projections that influence others moods and powerful pheromones that can make the lilin more likable.
Double checking the human race, it received modification pint by a factor of 3 and had no affinities, no special traits but also no aversions. Every point spent on a neutral affinity stat would just count as one. It would take 2 pints to advance the stat of a minor aversion but for every point spent on a minor affinity the stat would increase by 2. Okay, but what's the deal with this factor of 5 none sense ? Too much maths. There is probably a difference in the quality of levels that can be obtained ? More research ? More research.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Attempting to go up to the floor above the skills floor yielded no results as that area seemed to be blocked off for now so the 3 aspects of Maik's mind, that actually conversed, focused on the notifications.
Tier 4 skill acquired – sending – Beginner + 4 alteration points.
Congratulations. You have accumulated a sufficient combination of divers magical energy and experience manipulating those energies to advance your power for the first time. Level up. As a [human / young adult] you gain 3 alteration points this level.
Tier 3 skill acquired – Mind body connection – beginner + 3 alteration points. All stats + 3
Tier 4 skill acquired – Chi body infusion – Beginner + 4 alteration points.
Level up. You have accumulated a sufficient combination of diverse magical energy and experience manipulating those energies to advance to the 2ed level. As a [human / young adult] you gain 6 alteration points this level.
Tier 3 skill advancement – Mind body connection – Capable + 6 alteration points. All stats + 7
Tier 4 skill acquired - Chi projection – Beginner + 4 alteration points. Chi stat + 3
Level up. You have accumulated a sufficient combination of diverse magical energy and experience manipulating those energies to advance to the 3ed level. As a [human / young adult] you gain 9 alteration points this level.
Tier 4 skill acquired – Chi sight – Beginner + 4 alteration points. Perception Stat + 3
Tier 4 skill acquired – Minor healing – beginner + 4 alteration points.
Some math and investigation later Maik discovered that the race tier determined every skill below the 4th tier took penalties to how may alteration points were awarded, with tier 1 skills getting a -3. On top of that his alteration point gain was multiplied rather than added.
Race tier Plus skill tier minus Four equals the base number of alteration points earned and then that number is multiplied by the level of the skill.
Likewise, the Race tier is multiplied by the Races level. Do you suppose there are classes too ? Maybe that's on the 3ed floor ? Definitely something to look into. Later. Wait. Do we have enough ?
Creative rushes back down to the alter that represented the Lilin race change option. It would cost Maik 45 points to make the transition. Maik's Primal aspect eagerly votes purchase the upgrade and Creative follows suit right after. Analytical considers Jose's words of warning but they had already come this far.
The race evolution is purchased and the remaining 2 points are used to increase the Chi. stat. With that finally settled Maik accepted the changes before slipping into a deep slumber, the mental space fading to black.
The next thing he knew Maik was being roused by a nudge to his shoulder. With a groan he slowly opened his eyes to see James annoyingly cheerful face. This was quickly followed by the jocks annoyingly cheerful voice. “Well look who's finally ready to rejoin the living. Morning Maik. Sleep well ?”
The late teen sucks in 2 lung fulls of air through his nose before asking. "Unn, time is it ?"
The jock smacks the late teens arm as he replies. "10... maybe 12 minutes after 7. I know they said you just kinda collapsed last night but come on man. There's breakfast."
Breakfast sounded good but Maik wanted to check on his progress first before trying to get up.
Name : Maik Alphonse Daley
Species : Human - Race : Lilin / Young adult
Level : 3
Age :18
Gender : Hermaphrodite
Height : 190 centimeters
Weight : 78 Kilograms
Strength : 91
Flexibility : 99
Dexterity : 133
Endurance : 90
Durability : 86
Intelligence : 152
Smarts : 174
Wisdom : 136
Perception : 150
Charisma : 119
Chi : 186
aura : 175
Tier 4 Special traits
Adaptive physique - Beginner
Supernatural Charisma - Capable
Tier 3 skills
Bio chemistry – Beginner
Calculus – Beginner.
Mind & body connection – Capable
Tier 4 skills
Sending - Beginner
Chi body infusion – Beginner
Chi projection – Beginner
Minor healing – Beginner
Chi sight – beginner
It seemed that major changes such a leveling, physical alterations and rapid advancement of stats was supposed to happen while one was sleeping. A fact Maik was rather thankful for, since it meant that the lilin wouldn't be in pain all day. That feeling lasted all of about 10 seconds as his pants started ripping when he started stretching. “...... Ohhh Damn it.”
The shit eating grin that spread over James's face filled Maik's heart with dread. The late teen just knew that he was in for an epic amount of heckling form his friend after hearing that ripping sound. The smug tone in the jocks voice only confirmed Maik's worries. “... You Umm. Snort. You doing okay man ? Sounds like you might be having some trouble.”
The newly minted hermaphrodite just looked up at his friend with a flat look, sighed and then asked with a flatter tone. “I need some new pants. Any ideas ?”
James was not letting up that easily. “I mean, everyone could tell you had put on some weight yesterday. No judgment. I know you've always had trouble putting weight but to each there own.”
Maik was confused as to where his friend was going with this but just as the late teen was about the ask James cleared it right up. “I would have put my alteration points into something like strength, dexterity, intelligence, heck maybe even wisdom but they Are your points and if you wanted to put them into increasing your weight.....” The jock just shrugs with palms up.
Flabbergasted and a little red faced, Maik tossed the rolled up empty back pack at the jock he had been using for a pillow. “Dude !”
But James was far from done. “Didn't expect it all to go right to your hips did you ? Figured that it would be more of an even spread huh ?”
Maik tried to jump up and go after the mouthy man but the sound of even more ripping halted the herm in place. Unless Maik was okay showing his behind all he could do was growl and glare.
The pause was only temporary. As soon as he realized he could wrap himself in the large towel he had been using as a blanket the lilin was able to get to his feet all be it at the cost of half destroying his pants. However that allowed his friend to take note of how much Maik's chest was sticking out, the sight leaving the jock taken aback.
Noticing where James, and a couple others were looking caused Maik to sigh but there was little time for regrets. Jesus, their not that big. barely A cup. Big enough for boys to take notice. Apparently.
With a lightly frustrated tone Maik tried to change the subject. “Look, where is Boyd ? I can just ask him about..”
James blurts out, interrupting Maik mid sentence. “The teachers have already started addressing clothes. Apparently there was a costume and tailoring group on campus and they have been brought in to help. You would know this if you had stayed awake for the after dinner meeting.” His eyes roamed over the lilins body and when their eyes met again the jock had a suspicious look on his face, though he stepped forward to speak softly. “Still have your manhood ? Or has that changed sense yesterday ?”
Maik was frankly shocked by how forward his friend had asked the question, eyebrows raised. That expression quickly gave way to a smile and a reassuring nod. “Yep, Still have my willy. Now you mentioned breakfast ? I'm hungry.”
The jock continued to pester Maik for more details but the herm wasn't budging. Honestly he was getting a kick out of the mystique. Maik's other friends wanted to join in on the questions as well but it wasn't until Jose asked a practical question that the conversation advanced. "So what can you two tell us about the race changes ?" His question wasn't just for Maik but for Skip as well, since the both of them had clearly undergone physical changes.
Maik eagerly jumped on the new subject and Skip joined in as they explained the higher stat affinities, skill affinities, higher levels of alteration points granted and so on. All the others listened with wrapped attention but it was clear that there was some apprehension among them.
On the other hand, they couldn't just sit on their alteration points either, as Jose explained. "I've been keeping track and it seems that I lost 10% of the alteration points I didn't from yesterday. So its not as though we have forever to make a decision. I don't know about jumping right into a race change but improving a our stats shouldn't hurt. I don't think." They didn't have time for much more discussion after that and parted ways after breakfast.
Boyd came over just as they were dispersing to let James know that Leavery wanted to see him. he then took a moment to look the Maik up and down. “Your looking a lot better today. We've observed that most people who chose there transformations early yesterday had finished them by this morning. I've been talking with several of them and the strange dreams they had last night. So I would like to go over what your experience was. That way I can compare, then bring you up to speed on what was discussed after you passed out last evening.”
Once again Maik went over his experiences in the mental construct space, except for his new gender. In the end it was more than enough to sate the middle aged mans curiosity, a fact evident in his tone. “From what we've gathered thus far this morning that's about what I expected. But, as usual, your insights bring greater clarity to the situation. Speaking of which, How are your Chi reserves looking ?”
The Chi bar was ever present in his second vision. Maik's voice was impressed. “Wow, its at about 92% ! I'm guessing there is a line of people ready and waiting to undergo the fast track ?”
Boyd fills Maik in on the proposed schedule while they walk and starts updating him on what was discussed last night. “We have certain crucial supplies, such as diesel fuel for the generators, Enough food stuffs to last us 3 months and a well for plenty of drinking water. But even with all this, there are a lot of amenities we need to sort out.”
A pointed look at the towel Mail was wearing was used to emphasis the math teachers point. “Clothes being one of them. One of the students you helped so far was part of a tailoring course. More of an extra curricular course for making costumes and outfits but they can take care of this issue at least. Me and the other 2 of the original trilogy will be going around the school and inviting those with needed skills to join but they will need the, fast track, as you put it.”
By this point Boyd had provided Maik with a couple clips to help hold the towel on and led the herm to another of the appropriated class rooms where coach Leavery a small troop of jocks were all reading the instruction sheets the late teen himself had originally produced. “You might think that those experts would be the priority for you to help but we first need to keep order. So the first group your helping are coach Leavery here and some of the senior sports team students as well as R.O.T.C.”
Maik nodded agreement but leaned in towards his teacher. “If you would please to schedule an appointment between me and the tailors ? I could really use some new clothes.” Boyd simply nodded and left the late teen to start his instruction.
Maik surveyed the room and the 26 other people in the packed class room until Leavery stepped forward. The head coach seemed to be looking the herm over and Maik figured that Leaver wasn't much impressed with what he was seeing, based on the mans expression.
Maik found this a perfect time to test out one of his new traits and projected his Chi in an aura around himself that projected confidence an air of confidence. Or at least that's what Maik was going for. Having never really used this ability before he wasn't totally sure what the effect would be so Maik threw in some pheromones for good measure. No kill like over kill.
Leavery was not impressed with the person Boyd had brought. The... boy ? Girl ? That didn't matter. What mattered was that this student was wearing a towel for fucks sake. He was going to give this yahoo a piece of his mind but as he approached the youth suddenly radiated something like the kind of assured confidence his old commanding officer had back in desert storm. Not the same thing... something was a little... off. But it did give the former soldier poise.
Maik capitalized on that pause, strode forward and took the initiative by offering his hand and a warm welcome. “Coach Leavery I presume. I apologize for my current state of my attire. I have suffered a wardrobe malfunction and the rest of my clothes are back home so I'm making due until replacements can be provided.”
Maik double checked his Chi bar and found that the expenditure for using Supernatural charisma was pretty minor.
The full combination of effects seemed to have placated the coach, though Leavery did also look to still be recovering from his exertions yesterday. The still wild Chi wasn't rampant in his body any more, as he seemed to have gained some innate control over night but against Maik's skills the former soldier was slightly more than defenseless. The late teen repressed a hungry smile as he led the coach back to his seat and started the session.
