The ride back to the Silver estate was quiet, peaceful in its own way. The wind that rustled the pine trees now carried an air of finality, as if the world itself acknowledged the shift in Celeste’s fate.
When they arrived at the keep, the household staff greeted them with quiet bows. No fanfare. No trumpet. Just the respectful silence reserved for those returning from sacred rites.
“We’ll reconvene at dinner,” father said. “Everyone should have time to rest, think, and reflect.”
Celeste nodded and made her way up the stairs to her room. The moment she closed the door behind her, she exhaled. Her legs moved on their own, carrying her to the edge of her bed. She sat down, her fingers curling into the sheets.
Status, she thought.
The window appeared before her again, soft and translucent in the air.
Status Window
Name: Celeste Silver
Class: Mage
Title: -
Level: 1
HP: ∞
MP: 120
Stats:
? STR – 10
? DEX – 10
? CON – ∞
? INT – 8
? WIS – 8
? LCK – 7
Available Stat Points: 5
Active Skills:
? Chain Lightning
? Lightning Cloak
? Heal
? Counter
? Sword Draw
Passive Skills:
? Martial Master
? Strategist
? Immortality [Hidden]
? Lightning Aura
? Focus
She focused on each active skill. As she hovered over them mentally, detailed descriptions unfolded.
Chain Lightning – Releases a bolt of lightning that jumps from one enemy to the next, dealing reduced damage with each jump. Mana cost increases with each additional target.
Lightning Cloak – Surrounds the caster in a field of electrical energy. Enemies that strike or approach too close are shocked and momentarily stunned.
Heal – Restores health to a single target. Mana cost scales with severity of wounds. Cannot regenerate lost limbs.
Counter – A reactionary skill. Parry the next incoming physical or magical attack and reflect a portion of the damage back at the attacker.
Sword Draw – A rapid, single-motion sword technique that draws and strikes in the same instant. High critical chance if executed from rest.
Next, she turned her attention to the passive skills.
Martial Master – Enhances unarmed and weapon-based combat instinctively. Allows adaptation and fusion of techniques from all known martial forms.
Strategist – Improves battlefield awareness, enemy prediction, and tactical decision-making in real time.
Immortality [Hidden] – Prevents death from all known sources. The user cannot be aged, dismembered beyond repair, or killed. Stops aging at 18.
Lightning Aura – Enhances electric-element spells and movement speed when spells are actively channeled.
Focus – Increases concentration under stress. Reduces spell-casting delay and boosts accuracy during combat.
Her eyes moved to the stat line again. Five available points blinked faintly.
After a moment of thought, she distributed them carefully:
+2 to INT. +2 to WIS. +1 to LCK.
Status Window
Name: Celeste Silver
Class: Mage
Title: -
HP: ∞
MP: 120 (+20) → 140
Stats:
? STR – 10
? DEX – 10
? CON – ∞
? INT – 8 (+2) → 10
? WIS – 8 (+2) → 10
? LCK – 7 (+1) → 8
Available Stat Points: 0
Her gaze drifted to her HP and CON.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Both still bore the strange symbol; ∞.
No number. No cap. Just the sign of infinity.
Immortality, she thought. It must be that.
She lay back for a moment, staring at the ceiling. Her mind felt clear, sharper than it had ever been. Maybe it was the Strategist trait settling in, or maybe it was simply certainty. She wasn’t just imagining a path forward anymore, she was walking it.
A soft knock at the door interrupted her.
“Lady Celeste,” a maid’s voice came gently through the door. “Dinner is served.”
“I’ll be there,” Celeste said, dismissing her status window with a thought.
—
The dining hall glowed with warm firelight. The Silver family gathered around the long table as steaming platters, wine, and water were served.
Conversation resumed over the clink of silverware and quiet sips.
“So,” father began, setting down his goblet, “if you’re set on the Knight’s Crucible Academy, we’ll need to begin preparation immediately.”
Luke nodded. “I can help with orientation. As a Senior Cadet, I know the instructors and most of the drillmasters.”
“And I just finished my Initiate Trials,” Onyx added proudly. “I’ll be Mid Cadet in two weeks.”
“Would it help Celeste to see what you’ve accomplished?” Mother asked, looking between her sons.
Luke gave a nod. “Of course. Here.”
He lifted his hand slightly and gave a silent command. A glowing window appeared above the table.
Status Window
Name: Luke Silver
Class: Defender
Title: -
Level: 21
HP: 340
MP: 80
Stats:
? STR – 18
? DEX – 14
? CON – 22
? INT – 10
? WIS – 12
? LCK – 11
Active Skills:
? Taunt
? Shield Bash
? Iron Body
? Break Line
? Rally Cry
Passive Skills:
? Fortress Heart
? Steadfast
? Battle Insight
? Pain Resistance
? Leadership
Celeste leaned forward, taking it in with a curious gleam.
“Your class evolved from Fighter?” she asked.
“To Defender, yes. At level 10,” Luke confirmed. “You’ll get your own evolution once you reach the threshold. And again at level 30."
“Show her yours, Onyx,” mother said.
With a grin, Onyx mimicked his brother.
Status Window
Name: Onyx Silver
Class: Shadow Rogue
Title: -
Level: 12
HP: 170
MP: 100
Stats:
? STR – 11
? DEX – 17
? CON – 13
? INT – 11
? WIS – 10
? LCK – 15
Active Skills:
? Sneak
? Backstep
? Dagger Throw
? Shadow Veil
? Tripwire
Passive Skills:
? Quick Hands
? Foresight
? Agile Recovery
? Nightstep
? Opportunist
“What are titles?” Celeste asked.
Luke was the first to answer. “They’re not part of your class or level. They’re distinctions. Acknowledgements by the system or society for something unique you’ve done.”
“Some are automatically granted,” mother added. “Others must be claimed through trials, merit, or reputation. Titles can provide small bonuses. Recognition. Sometimes fear.”
Onyx grinned. “They also look cool. Mine’s gonna be Shadow Trickster if I get enough points in LCK.”
Father smirked. “Titles are earned. Just don’t trip into yours.”
Everyone chuckled.
Mother set her wineglass down. “The Crucible will challenge you, Celeste. Mentally, physically, magically. Your unique combination of skills may earn you special attention; both good and bad.”
“Especially from rivals,” Luke added. “You’ll be underestimated by traditional Mages and challenged by Duelists. You’ll have to work twice as hard.”
“I can do that,” Celeste said.
Onyx leaned forward. “There’s a club called the Bladewalkers. They specialize in magic-melee hybrids. You should try to join.”
Father tapped the table. “Before clubs, we’ll start training at home. Early mornings. Form drills. Staff simulation fights with your brothers. We’ll get you used to unpredictability.”
“Will I be allowed to use lightning in drills?” Celeste asked.
“Outside the main hall, yes,” mother replied. “The warded courtyard can withstand most spell work. Until then, practice mana control without full activation.”
Celeste nodded.
She wasn’t just preparing to survive.
She was preparing to thrive.
She watched her family, each of them contributing, discussing, planning. No one dismissed her decisions. No one tried to fit her into a mold. She felt the warmth settle in her chest like steady embers.
“I won’t disappoint you,” she said quietly.
“You won’t,” father replied, his gaze steady. “You never have.”
