Resuming the training, I passed out. Not once, not twice, not even three times. I continued and continued until I couldn't count anymore.
"|Fear Resistance| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
I heard it over and over. Over and over.
"|Fear Resistance| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
Until then... My persistence came to fruition.
"|Fear Resistance| has reached the level limit. Would you like to evolve it?" [Spirit Guide]
Awakening from another session of fainting, I shot up when I heard that.
("Finally!") [Solace]
Seeing my strange excitement, Master looked at me strangely.
"Hm? Something the matter?" [Vincent]
"Uh... Can I take a break for a sec?" [Solace]
"..." [Vincent]
Still looking at me with a questioning gaze, he raised a brow.
"Sure..." [Vincent]
"Thanks." [Solace]
"Thanks what?" [Vincent]
Looking at Master with an unamused expression, I sighed.
"Thanks... Master." [Solace]
"Good." [Vincent]
Though it may have annoyed me a bit, I immediately turned my attention to my status.
("|Analyze|.") [Solace]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Name: Solace
Race: Forsaken Spirit
Gender: ???
Age: ???
Level: 23
Health: 2300/2300
Mana: 1500/1500
Strength: 400
Agility: 300
Intelligence: 200
Willpower: 600
Status: Stable
Skills: |Mystic Tongue Lv. 5| |Analyze Lv. 1| |Appraisal Resistance Lv. 1| |Liquid Bullet Lv. 3| |Ashen Arrow Lv. 5| |Flame Cannon Lv. 3| |Wind Edge Lv. 4| |Cleanse Lv. 1| |Kindle Lv. 1| |Night Vision Lv. 1| |Earthen Shield Lv. 1| |Reinforce Lv. 1| |Paralyze Lv. 1| |Mimic Lv. 2| |Status Concealment Lv. 1| |Item Box Lv. 1| |Sound Interference Lv. 1| |Enchant Flame Lv. 1| |Fire Resistance Lv. 1| |Blazing Fist Lv. 1| |Liquid Barrage Lv. 1| |Convergence Lv. 1| |Shock Resistance Lv. 1| |Wardrobe Lv.1| |Mana Detection Lv. 1| |Mana Breathing Lv.3| |Terra Javelin Lv. 1| |Imbue Alarm Lv. 1| |Cold Resistance Lv. 2| |Fear Resistance Lv. 20| |Nausea Resistance Lv. 1|
Unique Skill: N/A
Titles: |Contracted Spirit Of The Unfortunate Summoner| |Unresting Experience Trainer| |Challenger Of The Strong|
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
("Huh?") [Solace]
My eyes widened with surprise.
("Why is it level twenty?!") [Solace]
Recalling the max level of |Appraisal|, I was certain all skills had a limit of ten.
("Even my Willpower?! It became my highest stat!") [Solace]
I had seemingly thought my stats had also hit its limit, but apparently not. It had quite literally doubled in strength.
("This just makes me even more excited.") [Solace]
Considering |Fear Resistance|'s high level, I was very excited about its evolution.
("Spirit Guide, I'd like to evolve |Fear Resistance|.") [Solace]
"Request to evolve |Fear Resistance| accepted. Would you like to confirm?" [Spirit Guide]
("Yes.") [Solace]
"Confirmation accepted." [Spirit Guide]
After the confirmation, I felt that familiar bubbling feeling inside. Thinking about it now, my first explanation of boiling water minus the heat was a bit weird. To make it easier, it kind of feels like bathing in a carbonated drink. ...Not that I've tried it or anything.
"Processing... Process completed. Verifying... Verified. Verifying integrity... Integrity verified. Initializing... Initialized. The skill |Fear Resistance| has successfully evolved into the skill |Mental Fortitude|.." [Spirit Guide]
The bubbling vanished as soon as I heard those words.
("Mental Fortitude?") [Solace]
"Response: The skill |Mental Fortitude| allows the user to stand against attacks on the mind. This includes general instincts along with the skills |Brainwash|, |Intimidation|, |Mind Control|, and many others." [Spirit Guide]
("...Does it also guard against mental illnesses?") [Solace]
"Response: |Mental Fortitude| is a skill capable of nullifying afflictions of the mind such as hallucinations, memory degradation, and many others." [Spirit Guide]
("...That's awesome.") [Solace]
With this one skill, I practically just became immune to... I dunno... Alzheimers and the like I guess.
"You look quite pleased." [Vincent]
"Huh?" [Solace]
It seemed that I had a smile on my face without realizing it. Maybe I was a bit too happy with my new skill.
"Yeah. I'm so happy that I want to continue my training." [Solace]
"...Is that so?" [Vincent]
Snapping his fingers, the sky seemed to move backwards. Not too soon after that, I felt a familiar sense of fear coming up the mountain.
"I don't know about you, Master, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to pass this one." [Solace]
I stood up, ready to face the sword king. The fear wasn't as strong as before, which boosted my confidence even more.
"My dear disciple. Though I don't doubt your words, you must remember the gentlemanly rules." [Vincent]
"Are you referring to rule twenty?" [Solace]
"A gentleman must not dwell in overconfidence." [Vincent]
I smiled at his reply.
"Then we're fine. Rule number sixty nine: A gentleman shall not overestimate or underestimate themselves." [Solace]
"Heh. It appears my dearest disciple has learned to have a forked tongue." [Vincent]
"...Though I don't know what that means, sure. Just you watch." [Solace]