Yuki stepped out of the shop, the weight of the skill books pressing against her palms. They were more than just objects—they were her gateway to power, to knowledge that could reshape her fate. As she adjusted her grip, the bustling city came alive around her. The sun hung low, bathing the stone streets in hues of amber and gold, while the voices of merchants, customers, and passersby melded into a steady rhythm of life. Yet, she remained detached, her thoughts consumed by what y ahead.

  Her steps were measured as she wove through the crowd, her mind distant. The books in her arms carried immense potential, each one a promise of strength and mastery. They were not just tools but keys to unlock the mysteries of magic she needed to master. Among them, the Spellcasting skill was the most significant—a cornerstone for her pns.

  Yuki had spent hours poring over her options, and her path was clear. By honing her spellcasting abilities and pairing them with [Elemental Coating: Necrotic TI], she could push her affinity toward necromancy. Repeated use would deepen her connection to the element, and if she could expand her repertoire of magic skills, it would further her chances of gaining not only new affinities but also rarer, more potent mana abilities. These were critical steps in her ultimate goal: advancing her [Necromancy Affinity] into [Soulmancy Affinity], a power that would bring her closer to reviving Lirien.

  The weight of her mission filled her chest as she reached the inn, its familiar wooden facade offering a brief sense of sanctuary. The warmth of the hearth greeted her as she entered, accompanied by the muted hum of patrons enjoying their evening. Yuki crossed the room without pause, climbing the stairs to her rented quarters. Each step brought her closer to the solitude she needed to focus, the books pressing heavily against her arms.

  When she reached her room, she closed the door softly behind her, the sound a quiet barrier against the outside world. The room was bathed in the soft orange glow of sunset filtering through the window, casting elongated shadows across the walls. She set the books down on the small table near the bed, her fingers tracing the edges of the covers. The cool, smooth leather felt alive under her touch, as though each book held its own heartbeat.

  Yuki’s gaze lingered on the stack for a moment before she took a deep breath and sat down. She reached for the first book: [Uncommon Skill Book: Spellcasting]. Its surface shimmered faintly in the dim light, exuding a presence that reminded her of the ring she had taken from Hakura’s corpse. That familiar pull stirred something within her, urging her to proceed.

  As she opened the book, a system prompt immediately appeared before her eyes;

  [System Notice: Do You Wish To Use the Item [Uncommon Skill Book: Spellcasting] to Unlock the Skill [Spellcasting TI]?]

  Without hesitation, Yuki selected "Yes."

  A warm sensation spread through her chest, growing steadily until it filled her entire being. It wasn’t just the absorption of knowledge; it was as if the essence of of the skill itself was weaving into her body and soul.

  [Skill Acquired: Spellcasting TI]

  Yuki exhaled slowly, the weight of the book now feeling lighter in her hands. She set it aside, her thoughts already turning to the others. Methodically, she used the remaining books: [Meditation TI], [Mana Sense TI], [Expel Mana TI], and [Inject Mana TI].

  When the final book was closed, Yuki leaned back, her mind brimming with the practical knowledge each skill offered. [Spellcasting TI] provided her with the precision and control necessary to weave magic effectively, a vital foundation for using magic utilizing [Affinities] [Elemental Coating: Necrotic TI], which she pnned to use extensively to gain the Necromancy Affinity. [Meditation TI] would help her regenerate mana and make her training better. With [Mana Sense TI], with it she could perceive how the mana flows around her body when she uses [Elemental Coating: Necrotic TI], which should also hopefully help her gain the [Necromancy Affinity]. [Expel Mana TI] and [Inject Mana TI] should also help her tier up [Spellcasting TI] which should eventually help her tier up [Necromancy Affinity] to [Soulmancy Affinity].

  Descending the stairs, Yuki passed the innkeeper at the desk. “Miss Yuki,” he greeted warmly, “how can I help you this evening?”

  “I’m looking for the Adventurers’ Guild,” she said, her voice steady.

  The innkeeper nodded knowingly. “It’s just down the street, past the marketpce. You’ll see their banner hanging above the entrance.”

  Yuki thanked him with a small nod before stepping outside towards the streets of the city before making her way towards the Adventurers Guild.

  Yuki stepped through the heavy wooden doors of the Adventurers’ Guild, the warm glow of nterns illuminating the space beyond. The atmosphere inside was alive with energy—a stark contrast to her own sense of detachment. Adventurers of various races and backgrounds filled the rge hall, exchanging stories of their test conquests, debating strategies, or discussing the newest contracts posted on the rge bulletin board that stretched across the far wall. The smell of worn leather, sweat, and the faint scent of parchment and ink filled the air. She could hear the ctter of weapons being pced on the counters, the rustle of paper as contracts were signed, and the low hum of conversations blending into a constant buzz.

  Despite the liveliness, Yuki couldn’t shake the feeling of being an outsider in this bustling world. She moved quietly through the room, her eyes scanning the adventurers around her. Many seemed eager, excited for the challenges ahead, their faces bright with the anticipation of a new quest or adventure. Her own expression remained unreadable, her mind focused not on the people but on the system she would soon engage with, the quest she would soon take.

  As she approached the counter, a burly receptionist with short-cropped hair and a quick smile greeted her. He was sorting through a stack of papers when Yuki approached. He looked up from his work, his expression flicking between recognition and curiosity.

  “Welcome to the Adventurers' Guild, Miss. What can I do for you today?” His voice was gruff but friendly, the tone of someone used to handling all manner of people.

  “I’d like to sign up,” Yuki replied, her voice low and steady.

  “Can you read?” His voice was casual, but there was a hint of expectation in his tone.

  Yuki blinked for a moment, her expression remaining neutral. “Yes but not the local nguage,” she answered simply, her gaze flicking briefly to the papers in front of her.

  Without missing a beat, the receptionist reached beneath the counter and pulled out a small, elegant pair of gsses. He handed them to Yuki with a nod. “These should help. They have the Transte Language skill engraved on them. You should be able to understand the text once you wear them.”

  Yuki took the gsses, feeling their delicate frame between her fingers. She pced them on, and immediately, the letters on the paper before her transformed into something comprehensible. It was as if the nguage shifted, allowing her to read it with ease. She nodded, understanding the function of the gsses. Afterwards the receptionist nodded and slid a form across the counter. "Fill this out, and we’ll get you registered. While you do, let me tell you about the guild system here. We’re not the only guild in this city—there are several others, each with their own specialties. There’s the Warrior’s Forge, a guild for those seeking to hone their martial skills, the Mystics of the Arcane, focused on magic and spellcraft, there's also the merchant's guild, and then there’s the Summoners Coalition, which specializes in summoning, taming and training magical beasts. Our guild here is a general one, taking on a wide variety of quests. You’ll find just about everything here.”

  Yuki listened carefully, her eyes narrowing slightly as she processed the information. She was more interested in the specifics—how she would fit into the system, what kind of quests she could take, and how this would all help her on her path.

  As she filled out the registration form, the receptionist continued, "Once you sign up, you'll be assigned a rank based on your current ascension level, and you can start taking on quests. Quests come in different tiers, and you’ll earn reputation and rewards as you complete them. Some will help you grow stronger, others will open up more complex challenges.”

  Once she had finished, Yuki handed the gsses back to the receptionist, her expression unchanged.

  The receptionist took the gsses from her and pced them on his face, his eyes scanning the form she had filled out. After a brief moment, he nodded, satisfied. “Everything seems to be in order,” he said with a smile. “Now, if you could pce your hand on this orb, it will verify your ascension level.”

  Yuki looked at the orb curiously. It sat on the counter, a smooth, glowing sphere of pale blue light. Without hesitation, she pced her palm on its surface. The orb pulsed under her hand, and a soft light enveloped her skin. The receptionist studied the orb carefully, his eyes narrowing as the light shifted.

  “Ascension level 2,” he confirmed, looking back up at her. “Everything checks out.” he then handed her a card "Here is your guild card"

  With a satisfied nod, he reached into a drawer and brought out a small pouch. “Before you go, would you like to purchase some potions or perhaps a set of enchanted gsses for your travels?” he asked, his tone offering the items without pressure.

  Yuki considered the offer for a moment. Potions could be useful, and the enchanted gsses might provide further assistance with reading in the future. “I’ll take both,” she said ftly, reaching for her coin pouch.

  The receptionist nodded and handed her the items after she paid 10 gold coins. With the transaction complete, Yuki took the potions and gsses, securing them in her bag.

  With everything settled, Yuki turned toward the quest board. Her eyes scanned the contracts, and then they paused on one that caught her attention.

  “The Mysterious Cave”The description was simple, but intriguing: A cavern has been discovered on the outskirts of the city. Strange occurrences have been reported nearby, and there are rumors of hidden monsters. Investigate the area and report back with any findings.It was marked for Initiates, with a reward of 10 silver coins.

  The quest seemed like the right pce to start. She tore the parchment from the board and made her way back to the counter, presenting the quest to the receptionist.

  He took the contract and filed it away with a practiced motion. “Quest accepted. Best of luck.”

  As Yuki turned to leave, a system window fshed before her:

  [System Notice: Quest Accepted – “The Mysterious Cave”][System Notice: Reward; 10 silvers and 20 unallocated stat points]

  Wait i can get stat points?