Timely Arrival #267

[Dark Arts: the ability to utilize the Dark Arts, a system of techniques based around a darker side of magic typically used for selfish, self-serving purposes. Though not necessarily "evil," Dark Arts tend to focus on harming, cursing, and otherwise complicating the lives of the user's enemies]

[You have gained the power: Create Familiar]

[Create Familiar: the power to turn one willing sentient creature into your personal familiar, imbuing them with your magic, extending their lives to a span similar to your own, and giving you the ability to summon them at will]

[+12 accumulated levels to the Dark Mage Class]

[Dark Mage (level 13)]

[+26 stat points]

[+52 levels to the Dark Arts skill due to prior experience]

[Dark Arts (level 53)]

[Due to reaching a milestone in your Dark Arts skill, you have unlocked the perk: Cryptic Maleficium]

[Crypticus Maleficium: you are able to easily hide your dark arcane arts and aura, disguising the very nature of your magic's essence to protect yourself from any self-righteous prying eyes]

[Due to reaching a milestone in your Dark Arts skill, you have unlocked the perk: Oath Breaker]

[Oath Breaker: once every three years, you can break any magically binding oath you have taken, regardless of the terms of the agreement or powers of the second party involved in the arrangment]

[+25 class levels]

[+75 stat points]

[Stat points: 153]

[+17 levels to the Dark Mage class]

[Dark Mage (level MAX)]

[+8 accumulated class levels]

[+2 levels to The Occultist archetype]

[The occultist (level 2)]

[You have gained the power: Instant Ritual]

[Instanr Ritual: the power to instantly perform any ritual, granted you have the know-how and required materials to complete it]

[You have gained the power: Word Of Power]

[Word Of Power: the power to summon any dark, magical entity in your world without the need for lengthy rituals and offerings, granted you know the target's name and at the risk of offending entity]

'Well, shit...' I mused, scratching my head as I watched my Dark Arts skill go up to level fifty-three as soon as I got it. In all honesty, I expected something like this to happen, which is why I picked the Dark Mage class.

However, I didn't think the skill would get more than thirty levels, as the sorcerer's memories were patchy and full of holes since I had to force them out of his mind.

Still, as the skill leveled up, it patched the holes and gaps in my magical knowledge, which prompted more level-ups, and here we are. Or that's what I assumed, at least.

"Well, I won't look a gift horse in the proverbial mouth with pearly white teeth..." I said with a shrug as I began reading through my new powers and perks.

I received two perks and three powers from the level-ups. useful

The two perks were equally practical, as Crypticus Maleficium would save me a shit ton of time and spare me the headache of dealing with the magic police, aka the Justice League.

Oath Breaker would allow me to slime my way out of any bargains I might strike dark creatures, not that I intended to go around dealing with demons, mind you.

As for the powers, I couldn't help but get mixed feelings about them as I went through the descriptions. When I read the Create Familiar power, I instantly thought of Little Soot but quickly shook it off.

Sure, it would make the little critter stronger and more intelligent and give him a longer life, but would he even want that? He was already living carefreely in the safety of my hideout without any worries or concerns.

Would giving him intelligence and power make him any happier? Or would it only make him miserable instead? I didn't know, and I had no intention of finding out. Not now, at least.

I might do it once he got older and lived through all nine of his lives eating all the treats in the world, but not now.

Instant Ritual, on the other hand, was a no-brainer, and I'd likely use it a lot as complicated magic required more than gesturing and energy channeling to execute.

The ability to perform a ritual instantly without spending hours drawing diagrams and reciting bullshitry in dead languages was undoubtedly a time saver and a boon.

The Word Of Power was something I'd probably never use. I mean, why the fuck would I go out of my way to summon some mystic, dark freak of nature when all I want to do is steer clear of such bullshit.

[You have reached the maximum level for your current class. Would you like to choose the next one now?]

'Well... I could think of a few scenarios where I'd have to do it, but let's hope it never comes to that...' I mused, shaking my head.

"Might as well pick the next class while I'm at it..." I muttered, shrugging my shoulders as I picked the Alchemist class without hesitation.

The Alchemist class would have been my first pick if I didn't have Faust's memories, as it was the safest option and would help me with my work, but I suppose it doesn't matter since I'll pick it now anyway.

[You have gained the skill: Alchemy]

[Alchemy: it is the mystic pursuit of the power of the Philosophers and Panacea, enabling the user to transmute and manipulate the elements of nature and make permanent changes to the state of matter, alongside creating potions for various purposes]

[You have gained the power: Instant Potion]

[Instant Potion: the power to instantly brew any potion, granted that you possess the knowledge and materials required to create it]

[+8 levels to the Alchemist class]

[Achemist (level9)]

[+24 stat points]

[Stat points: 177]

[+10 levels to the Alchemy skill due to prior experience]

[Alchemy (level 11)]

[+5 levels to Ahcemist class]

[Alchemist (level 14)]

[+15 stat points]

[Stat points: 192]

Funnily enough, Faust never dabbled in Alchemy. The level-ups I received were likely from the process of creating Gray Matter, as I had to alter Nth metal and Marvelium in various ways to complete it, not that it mattered.

With the arm finished, I only needed to deliver it to Richard and put this whole ordeal behind me. However, I was somewhat concerned with the intruder who broke into the theatre.

'Might as well see what that's about before finding Richard...'

...

Crime Alley

The League's compound

The Sensei had a blank expression as he swung his sword, exchanging blows with Benjamin. "You are one of the best warriors I have ever seen..." He said as he blocked a swing from Benjamin's sword.

"Your companions are equally impressive, especially that alien, however..." He added, showing a faint smile. "You are no match for me, and the League has dealt with powerful metas countless times..." He went on, his smile broadening as he noticed a dozen assassins emerge from the shadows to ambush Crush.

The League's warriors used various tools to hold her in place long enough to inject her with a weird needle containing a purple liquid.

"Your other two friends are exemplary martial artists. But they are already running out of stamina..." The Sensei said as even more assassins burst into the room from every nook and cranny, ambushing Richard and Cassandra.

"They are vastly outnumbered. What's more, you know better than most that the League's warriors are no mere grunts..." He concluded, hoping to get under Benjamin's skin as he pushed his blade against the latter's own.

He seemed to succeed as Benjamin grunted through gritted teeth and turned to check on Richard and Cassandra. .

Taking advantage of the Benjamin's momentary distractions, The Sensei kicked him in the abdomen as the latter looked away and quickly disarmed him by slashing at his wrist.

However, the Sensei's actions only seemed to anger Benjamin, as the latter suddenly lunged at him with no regards to his beeding arm, slamming the Sensei into the ground.

Benjamin quickly pried the sword off the Sensei's hands, fueled by anger and urgency as he raised it high and prepared to stab it into his opponent's heart.

However, the fight did not end there as David Cane suddenly appeared from within the shadows and lunged at Benjamin, pushing him away from the Sensei. "Nice and easy. Don't do anything rash now..." David said as he retrieved his gun and pointed it at Benjamin's head.

"How unfortunate..." Sensei said, dusting his clothes as he stood over Benjamin. "I see it now. You're too wilful to serve the League's purposes..." He added as he retrieved his weapon and watched Benjamin get back on his feet.

"You and the League can both suck my dick," Benjamin said with a scowl as he looked around, trying and failing to find a way out of his current predicament.

"Very well, then let those vulgar words be your last..." Sensei blankly said as he raised the sword and slashed down at Benjamin's chest.