The Academy of Steel: Volume 2 of the Hero of the Valley by Gary Spechko

Author:Gary Spechko [Spechko, Gary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-12-01T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Content that his build wasn’t off-track, Duncan returned to his routine. He delved the Sawiskin dungeon at least twice a week, took his roommates and Paul through the training dungeon once a week, and practiced his martial skills diligently. His roommates all consulted with Pelleas and provided him with a list of Techniques and items that he shouldn’t sell to the guild if he came across them. With their share of the loot from the training dungeon (thanks to the rare monsters that still showed up pretty consistently for Duncan), they would be able to buy them from him for the same price the guild offered him.

David seemed alternately upbeat and depressed as they spoke about their plans for personal strength. “My affinities aren’t strong enough for fast progression even under the stress of dungeons. It’s going to take me a very long time to max out my Techniques, even at rank four or six. Fortunately, though, I should be able to use enough Technique stones to get a much higher level than my family ever expected. It’s even possible that I might reach level one hundred at some point.” He shook his head, “I don’t understand how you got to a hundred at age eighteen, Duncan.”

Duncan shrugged. “I’m fortunate to have some outstanding affinities. I started training young and I accept greater risks in delving solo, so I progress faster. I get good money out of dungeons, which lets me buy Techniques and gear that give me further advantages. And I train my martial skills to the utmost.”

He continued, “I haven’t seen much of the empire, but it feels like most people don’t get much beyond level thirty. Some good craftsmen and adventurers get to fifty, and the numbers seem to drop pretty quickly after that. Talented guards and some nobles seem to reach eighty or more, probably by using as many Techniques that fit their affinities as they can, even if that results in a less than optimal build. Just the increase in body density, health, and mana as a result can be very useful.”

“That’s what I’ll be doing,” said David. “Pelleas gave me options that will help me in dungeons and when leading troops – and he agreed that the two Techniques you gave me are good choices for me, so thanks for that – but I’ll only be able to raise them to rank six or eight, and that will take years.”

“You need to stop comparing yourself to Duncan,” said Amelia. “What level is your uncle, Lord Taggart? What about the rest of your family, your cousins? The officers in your guard?”

“My uncle’s level sixty-five, at age fifty-one. I guess most of my cousins are not much over level thirty. Our best soldiers are all under level fifty.”

“You’ve shared your soulgem information with us before,” said Duncan. “Are you willing to do that again?”

“Sure,” said David, and they could all see his soulgem information. “Pelleas showed me a trick to put Techniques I don’t have in there at rank 0, so I can track what it is I’m trying to get.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.