13: Stop-motion-animation

[Year 14 Month 2: 1 month has passed]

[Blessed: 1909 – 17 – 63 + 56]

[You have gained 3 levels]

[You are level 30]

As I did my best to monitor deaths in both settlements, I suspected the 63 that had died on top of the 17 adventurers were the last of the group from the cathedral. While I hadn’t received an upgrade in quite a while, I suspected something was coming soon.

None of that was as important as Salfi’s class. The idea that she received [Apostle] was simply absurd. I had expected something vastly different than what I had observed with Osbert, but to the extent that it had turned out? No way.

After she had completed the entire Penelope debacle, trust me, she had some strong words for me once she had woken up. Some of the more colorful insults I had to mentally wash out of my mind. Penelope can be rather venomous for such an otherwise kind woman.

It took several days and conversations with Salfi for her to calm even the slightest bit.

Salfi was taking it considerably better, at least, after the initial shock of it all. With some of her abilities not having much of a description, I set up a small warded zone that she could train and practice in without any interruptions.

Osbert and I had a conversation on the ramifications if any information would get out about her, and in turn me as a new [Apostle] would threaten the already established religions. While we were both afraid someone would have a skill to see her class, neither of us would try to sequester her away.

The best chance she would have to stay alive would be to level, and quickly. As such, she took on a few beasts near Gorn at first, and only after gaining a few levels and getting a grasp on her skills did Salfi enter the dungeon.

I made sure Sahil gave her the weapon we created together before the elven apostle could get too far in the dungeon. While it was a little late due to some poorly timed dormant periods, it was perfect for Salfi.

Osbert expressed his approval, as he was worried she would push herself beyond reason. He had even accompanied her on the rare occasion, not directly interfering, but making sure she had a safety net for when she inevitably fell.

Osbert is truly concerned for her. Having entered the late thirties in levels, several of his skills had upgraded, although he didn’t share all the details.

There is also the topic of aging. Osbert’s cellular decay had slowed. While I hadn’t noticed it at first, his body was more accepting of the healing mana emitted from the pillars and obelisks I had scattered around the area.

I suspected it had to do with his skill upgrades and levels combining with his specific class. I didn’t have enough data to make a truly educated guess, but it didn’t stop me from thinking it.

Frankly, the slowing of his aging was a major relief, as he was a major pillar of support for the others, and while we didn’t see exactly eye to eye on some topics, we both agreed on protecting those we could.

The real question was whether he would begin to become ‘younger’ as he became more powerful.

What level would a mortal have to reach for that to happen?

[Year 14 Month 6: 4 Months have passed]

[Blessed: 1885 – 35 + 74]

[You have gained 3 levels]

[You are level 33]

Salfi hit level 20 in her class right as winter began to set in. Having discovered that her ability [Tether] could be used to link herself with a single ‘entity’ around her, enabling her to share a stat. Whether that was health, mana, or even perception.

If they are a willing person, it would instantly link. If it were a beast or monster that was certainly hostile, she had to be at a much higher level to affect them.

I had also noticed a sharp increase in the amount of experience I had been gaining once she began to delve, so I presume her class gave me more experience than other blessed or even marked.

Alas, nothing else of note really occurred, and so I let [Dormancy] sweep me out of consciousness.

[Year 14 Month 8: 2 Months have passed]

[Blessed: 1924 – 53 + 157 ]

[You have gained 2 levels]

[You are level 35]

With another surge in population, Runehold had grown by another thousand or so people. Things were heating up on the other side of the continent, with several countries on the brink of war. Many attempted to leave before they were conscripted into the military.

The thing I was most excited about was a skill I gained immediately at level 35. The system granted me [Animate Golems]

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

Pulling up the description, I read over it.

[Animate allows for the creation of golems. Golems can be animated metallic minerals and other basic minerals, such as stone or dirt. Some materials require a higher consumption of mana to maintain. Golems do not cost any mana while inactive.]

Curiously, there was a follow-up notification.

[Warning: If the Golem is too large for current mana storage and regeneration to support, you may enter dormancy if completely drained]

Okay, so don’t be dumb. It’s strange that this skill in particular has a warning attached to it.

I mentally focused on the obscured training grounds I had set up for Salfi several months ago. Looking for something I could test my ability on, there was a large hill of dirt that had been slowly accumulated as Salfi kicked up dust when practicing.

Instantly, I felt a tremendous pull on my mana, and right before it bottomed out, I saw a notification.

[Attempted Golem diameter: 27,673 kilometers]