The Manaverse

North Eastern Penthouse

Granite City

Jut's vision returned just as quickly as Ophelia's divine realm had faded. He was once again sitting in his shower, cross legged, looking at the race selection prompt.

Please choose a Race to Ascend to:

Human - Earth

Elf

Beastkin

Fae

[Title] Bonus Options:

Lionoc

Drakkin

Jut concentrated on each of the options. Every time he did, he got a little bit different information than what Ophelia had provided him.

Race: Human - Earth

Humans are the most common species in the Manaverse. Each Human has their own [Basic Magic Type] [Affinity] which is usually genetic. Humans gain 1 point in each [Characteristic] in an [Attribute Group] when they spend an [Attribute Point]. They gain 1 Free [Characteristic Point] to spend in any [Characteristic]. Humans are locked out of very few [Skills] or [Magic Type]s based on [Race].

Race: Elf

Elves have a higher [Affinity] for the Wind, Water, Fire, and Earth [Basic Magic Type]s. Elves gain 1 point in each [Characteristic] in an [Attribute Group] when they spend an [Attribute Point]. They gain 1 [Characteristic Point] in Agility or Intelligence if they spend their [Attribute Point] in [Body] or [Mind] respectively. Elves gain an additional [Basic Magic Type] affinity.

Race - Fae

The Fae have the most Racial Evolution Options out of all Races. The Fae have a higher [Affinity] for either the Light or Dark [Basic Magic Type]s. The Fae gain 1 point in each [Characteristic] in an [Attribute Group] when they spend an [Attribute Point]. They gain 1 point in both the Intelligence and Wisdom [Characteristics] per [Attribute Point] spent. The Fae may restore Health Points by feeding on other beings.

Race - Beastkin

Beastkin have a higher [Affinity] for the Earth, Water and Wind [Basic Magic Type]s. Beastkin gain 1 point in each [Characteristic] in an [Attribute Group] when they spend an [Attribute Point]. They gain 1 [Characteristic Point] in Strength, Constitution, or Agility per [Attribute Point] spent dependent of which Animal Hybrid they are. Beastkin identify with [Magical Animal] and [Monster] skills.

Despite knowing he wouldn't pick one, Jut couldn't help but read over each of the common races again. The information all lined up with what Ophelia had told him, but he didn't understand enough of the Ascension process to get more than a basic understanding of what all the text meant. The best he could do was guess. He did like the Faes' ability to heal themselves and the extra affinities the Elves received, but he moved on to the other two choices.

Race - Lionoc

Lionoc are descended from the Elf and Beastkin Races, giving them the physical and magical characteristics of both. Lionoc have a higher [Affinity] for the Earth, Water, Fire, and Wind [Basic Magic Type]s. Lionoc gain 1 point in each [Characteristic] in an [Attribute Group] when the spend an [Attribute Point] and gain 1 [Characteristic Point] in Strength and Constitution, or Intelligence and Wisdom per [Attribute Point] spent in the [Body] or [Mind] [Attribute]s respectively. Lionoc identify with [Magical Animal] and [Monster] skills and gain an additional [Basic Magic Type] affinity.

So a Lionoc is basically an Elven Beastkin. I don't know if I want a mane though. Jut thought to himself. To his surprise, Alex's chat window opened.

Still. Extra Magic and an Additional Stat Point per Attribute Point compared to the others? That should be worth some extra hair, right?

Jut was curious if Alex had even noticed his absence. It didn't seem like it. He planned to explain what happened to them when he told Brick about the trip to the divine realm.

He responded to Alex. That's true. However, I'm going to read over Drakkin first.

Race - Drakkin

Drakkin are rare in Manaverse, despite their dominant genes. Drakkin have a high Fire [Affinity]. Drakkin gain 1 point in each [Characteristic] in an [Attribute Group] when they spend an [Attribute Point] and gain 2 Free [Characteristic Point]s to spend in any [Characteristic] in the [Attribute] they increase. Drakkin gain 1 [High Magic Type] [Affinity].

Jut examined [High Magic Type].

Lore Found.

High Magic Types are complex magical energies that drive the universe. Time, Space, Life, Death, and Soul Magics are the most common types. Unlike the [Basic Magic Types], few beings have a natural [Affinity] for High Magic.

Alex popped forward as Jut processed that information.

I say Lionoc. We don't even know how useful the high magic types will be this early on, right?

True. But, we also don't know how exceptional they might be later on either. Jut countered. He wasn't leaning towards either race just then, but he didn't want to discount a possible advantage.

I guess that's true.

Jut argued with himself and Alex for a long time on which of the two would be better. In the end it came down to two reasons Jut chose Drakkin.

The first reason was actually not the magical affinity. His main reason was the freedom to spend the extra characteristic points. He relied on dodging attacks more often than blocking them. That would be even more true now that he was going to learn to fight with a sword. He wanted the option to buff his agility characteristic if he so desired.

His lesser reason was more of a self indulgence. He thought back to being a kid and spending time playing with his friends. He had always said he preferred dragons over any other mythical animal. He even read any fantasy novels that sported the magical, fire breathing beasts he could get his hands on. He wanted to be a dragon if being a human wasn't a viable option.

Confirming his race selection, the Window changed.

You may adjust your body in the following areas:

Hair Color

Eye Color

Skin Tone

Sex/Gender

Scale Color (Drakkin)

Scaling Density (Drakkin)

Next to the list was an image of himself. Jut thought he looked a little different than he remembered, but it was mostly the changes in his weight since the System made him fight to survive. He had lost some of the extra padding and put on some muscle definition. It was barely noticeable, but he could tell.

Jut wasn't disappointed that he couldn't sculpt his appearance, height, weight, or anything like that. He wasn't ashamed of his appearance like he had been when he was a teenager. He had learned to truly appreciate the body he was born with. However, he was glad he could fix one thing about himself that had changed over the years.

As Hair Color was his first choice on the list. It was the only self indulgence Jut allowed himself with his pre-Acension appearance. He clicked the option and a color wheel appeared. As he adjusted the location of the wheel's pointer, his image's hair changed to that color. He let himself see his hair in a variety of colors, chuckling at the green and purple, before selecting a vibrant red color. It was barely outside of the natural red hair shades that were possible. Not enough to be obtrusive, but enough to be discernible.

Jut loved being a ginger. For his whole life, it had brought him compliments and was considered rare which made him feel a little special. He even enjoyed the jokes associated with having red hair, laughing at them with his friends and not minding being the butt of those kinds of jokes. As the years had passed in Granite City's near constant sunshine, it made the red he was used to from childhood fade into the strawberry blonde he had become accustomed to.

Jut grinned as he moved onto the other options.

Jut left his eyes green and his skin tone the pale, red tinged color it had always been. He didn't care about the old world's race definitions. A person was either good or not. Color never determined that result in his experience. That didn't stop him from playing with the color wheels of both for a good laugh.

Jut didn't even enter the gender options. While he was sure many people he knew would be delighted in the possibility of a change that didn't involve surgery, he had never questioned his own identity in that regard. He was curious if there was more than just two options, but went straight to Scale Color instead of checking it out.

The indicator on the Scale Color wheel was sitting at blue. Yet, Jut didn't see anything blue on the tiny image. He spun the wheel and nothing changed. Scowling, Jut went on to the Scale Density option. When he slid the single bar indicator that appeared from the left to the right. The change was drastic.

The small image of Jut gained a thick layer of purple scales over every inch of his body. Jut's eyes bulged and he immediately slid the bar back towards the left. He slowed down when there was only a splash of scaling on his chest before he played with it some more. Hitting around a quarter of the way from the left to the right, Jut found an image he could live with.

The mini Jut had light scaling under his eyes and across his shoulders and thighs. He tweaked the scale's color to accent his green eyes and red hair, using a dark green color that was nearly black.

Jut hesitated for a moment before confirming his choice. He decided he wasn't going to care about not being Human any longer. He wanted to survive more than to be a certain race. Any bonus or benefit he could get to increase his chances at doing so was worth it.

The System window changed again once he confirmed his choices.

Beings need to do something with their lives for their own betterment. The Manaetherical Flow continues to expand through the Manaetherical Cycle:

Ascendant Beings and Magical Creatures consume Manaether to fuel their Health, Mana, and Stamina. They spend Manaether in the form of Skills and Spells. This results in Aether being released into the atmosphere.

Monsters and Nodes consume Aether to restore their Health and/or produce Manaether Manifestations. Upon the death or consumption of their Manaether Manifestations, respectively, Monsters and Nodes restore the ambient Manaether levels in their area.

Monsters hunt Ascendant Beings and Magical Creatures to Ascend while Nodes form around Ascendant Beings and Magical Creatures to drive their development.

Choosing a Path Direction designates to the System how Beings interact with world, allowing it to assist in the Being's growth and use of the tools provided by the Manaetherical Flow.

Your Path Direction choice will determine how you will gain experience and Ascend further. Choose wisely, for changing your Path later, while possible, will create hardship.

OK

Please select a Path Direction:

Combat

Non-Combat

Jut sighed, hesitating. Would choosing Combat make it so he couldn't craft anymore? He wanted to use the forge and make his own weapons like Jonny had. He shrugged and carefully selected Combat before confirming his choice. If he truly hated being combat-oriented, he would deal with the hardship that would come from changing later. Part of living as an adult had taught him that if you make a choice or a decision, you needed to stick to your guns and see it through to the end. The System window changed again.

As System Features improve upon Ascension, and you have a System Feature selection available, please choose one now:

Spacial Inventory (Obtained)

Personal Map (Obtained)

Contact List

Communication System (Obtained)

Spacial Residence

Lore Book (Obtained)

System "Heads Up Display" (Obtained)

Spirit Guide (Obtained)

Mount Slot

Pet Slot

Spacial Armory

Race Change

Sub Race

Jut had thought about this choice a bit since he made his last selection. Again, he drooled over the idea of a Spacial Residence, but he went with something more practical, a Spacial Armory. He already had a cool residence. He also didn't see the need for a mount slot, race change, or sub race. And with how loyal his pets have shown to be, he doubted he needed the pet slot. He did hover over the Contact List for a moment, but the idea of a magical storage for weapons and armor won hands down.

He confirmed that choice to change the System window.

As a member of the Drakkin Race, you are able to select from the following racial gifts. Please choose 1:

Dragon Claws

Dragon Eyes

Jut looked at the choices and blinked. Alex had no further Lore and no information popped up on a close inspection of the choices. He couldn't pass on the choice or delay it either. He went with eyes only because he didn't want claws if they would interfere with his ability to grip stuff. He had always kept his nails short for the same reason.

Upon confirmation, the Notifications ended after one last Window.

Ascension and Cleansing will now begin.

Jut's eyes flashed open and he felt a rush pass over his body. It was like a searing heat that started in his feet and passed over every inch of his body, much as the Spark of Ascension's energy had. The difference was the feeling he got. He felt ill, almost violently so.

When he tried to move, he began to wretch and hack until he vomited. Black, green, and red puss and vile spilled all over Jut and the shower's floor. He was so glad he'd suggested moving to the showers first.

The feeling intensified consistently until it was overly painful. Jut could withstand the pain, but he couldn't stop throwing up. His body felt like it was on fire and he began to convulse wildly for a brief moment. Then he blacked out.