Cardiovascular – Endurance during lower stress activity (Like running long distance).
Anaerobic – Endurance during high-stress activity (Like sprinting).
Memory – Mental capacity to store information.
Calculations – Speed of processing logical processes.
I now had a tool to help measure my progression while I trained. With this, I would literally level up in real life and be able to figure out the most efficient way to do so. Though part of me missed skills, spells, and abilities from the games I was used to, knowing that leveling up here meant my body would also grow more than made up for it.
Next, I unsheathed my sword. All I had to do was look at it with purpose and a popup window appeared.
Type: English Style Short Sword
Materiaclass="underline" Bronze
Make: Short Sword
Quality: Rank F
Note: Quality is based upon how it ranks against all materials and makes of weapons.
Example: The short sword you use has a maximum Rank of F with the material Bronze. Using Iron the maximum raises to Rank D. Using Steel the maximum raises to Rank C. To achieve a higher Rank than C you must use a weapon with a more effective Make.
This would come in very handy indeed. With a better break down of the item and understanding what makes something higher quality, it was much less likely I would get taken advantage of when buying and selling items.
“Lucius!” Victoria cried interrupting my line of thought. She was jogging our way from the tower she had manned. With the battle over she had come to join us.
I thought she was going to run right into me; most likely to strangle me. Thinking better of it, she stopped short and brought her arms to her chest.
“I’m mad at you,” she huffed.
She picked a bad time to join us. I couldn’t stop smiling. “Sorry. At least I didn’t get hurt.”
Staring down her nose at me, she jabbed her spear into the ground and unsheathed her sword. “Not yet you mean.”
I took a step back. She actually looked threatening. Not that I believed her. Should I?
A twitch at the side of her mouth turned into a smirk, then a full belly laugh.
“See, you’re not that mad,” I replied, hiding my relief.
“I don’t know how you haven’t died yet, Lucius.”
“I have great babysitters.”
“I really can’t argue with that,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“Well, at least you can form your guild now.”
She turned her head to the side like a confused puppy. The realization hit her. “You’re right!” Her posture relaxed. Forgetting me, she started to flick through her menu. I had a feeling I wasn’t off the hook.
“Where’s my thank you?”
Looking up, she glared at me with a spark of humor in her eyes. “I’ll pretend you didn’t say that.”
***
The player line split down the middle, as Cornelius, followed by a few men, marched toward us. These men were also abnormally large, but not quite as large as the man himself. They all wore newly acquired bronze chainmail and full helms, striking a soldier's stance as they halted before us. They were bronzed colossuses gracing us mere men.
“It seems like congratulations are in order,” Cornelius said, in his gravelly tone. Turning to each of us in turn, he greeted us by name, except when settling on me.
“It seems I haven’t been introduced to the hero of the hour. You must be Lucius?”
Before I could speak, Victoria answered. “If I may,” she said, stepping between us like a good hostess.
“Lucius has been a member of our group since the first night we faced the goblin raids. That night he saved me from being trampled by the hobgoblin leading the militia. Afterward he took it upon himself to cripple the monster before being greatly wounded himself. It’s probably obvious, but he didn’t take it lightly.”
“That it is.” He bowed his head, thanking her, before extending his hand.
I reached out and shook his hand that was larger than a baseball mitt.
“I remember seeing the replay of what you did that first night. It takes a lot of guts to come back from that and do what you just did.”
My mouth was suddenly parched. I forced myself to meet his eyes.
“Thank you, sir.”
Kline smacked me on the back in congratulations.
“You too, Kline,” Cornelius said. “I think a reward is in order. Is there anyone else in your group that isn’t here?”
“No sir,” I answered.
“I’m not sure what I can give that you don’t already have. We have been in the world of Freedom the same amount of time and you are among the top players. Even then, is there is something you would have of me? I’d like to reward you.”
When no one was quick to answer he looked to me. “Lucius. What about you?”
It just wasn’t accurate to say Cornelius was just another player. There were more players following him than any individual in Willingham, if not in all of Freedom. The training he could provide alone was nearly priceless, and he seemed open to train anyone. There was a lot he could provide, but there was one thing that he could probably do that no one else could.
If Victoria’s banking idea worked out, then having friends with nearly unlimited funds would go a long way toward having everything I needed. I had been a semi-pro gamer long enough to know it would have been nearly impossible to continue at the level I was without someone backing me so I could play full time after high school. In Freedom, it was no different.
“We are looking to form a guild. Victoria has some very interesting ideas that I think you could help with.”
Her head snapped to look at me. With her brows raised, she mouthed to me, “Thank you.”
If she was thinking the same thing I was he could help with recruiting, which would also bring traffic to the bank. Having him there to train the recruits would be a huge draw.
“Is that right? I’m not sure what help I could be, but I’d be happy to do what I can. Is there anything I could do for you personally?”
“No, thank you. I just need to get stronger. Being a member of a strong guild will provide everything I need.”
“I understand. There is some advice I’d like to offer as well. An old friend of mine is going to be one of the trainers. He will be available now since we have finished the event. After competing with him for thirty years he is the only man I have never been able to defeat. I’m sure you have heard his name: Achilles. I think you should find him. He can help you sort things out. Tell him I sent you.”
My eyes went wide. Since gaming took on a major role in competitive entertainment, athletes became less popular. There were exceptions though. The best in the world at anything brings with it a certain amount of prestige.
In MCAA, the Melee Combat Arts Association, there were a handful of names that were as famous as the highest level gamers. Cornelius was one, but Achilles soared above all others. Wearing full suits of armor and wielding every weapon you can imagine, these athletes fought full contact gladiatorial style.
“Thank you for the advice.”
“I will warn you though. He isn’t without his quirks and isn’t quick to accept anyone. Mentioning my name should give you an edge, but you will still have to prove yourself. There is no better trainer you will find.”
Kline nudged me and said so only I could hear, “He’s known for being a little extreme, but if you can get past that, Cornelius is right, he’s the real deal.”
“What of the rest of you? What would you have of me?” Cornelius added.
One after another, each group member echoed what I said about helping with the guild until he landed on Victoria last of all.
She looked at me as if embarrassed to be put in the situation, but I knew better. How she was planning to use him I wasn’t entirely sure. There was no doubt in my mind she already had a couple hundred things in mind though.
I nodded her on.
“What would you have of me, my dear?”