11 - Dean's Office [1]
Wendy's abilities were really very interesting ones. After all, she was a heroine, so I wasn't surprised.
Out of the three abilities that were listed before my eyes, [Greater Heal] was the least ranked at B+.
Even as a B+ rank ability, it was a splendid ability and Wendy eventually used it magnanimously, achieving a height in medical care that was remarkable.
Of course, she had reached that level by combining all of her abilities eventually but [Greater Heal] as an isolated skill was good.
[Embrace of Divine Light] was A+ and the one she liked to spam very much because its Essence requirement was something she could handle.
[Guardian of the Divine Forest of Life], on the other hand, was her strongest ability.
Sitting at the S- rank, it was her highest ranked ability and the one that took the most toll on her body.
As a druid, it was not far-fetched that Wendy's ability revolved around healing, light and nature.
These were attributes of her species. Naturally, it should be expected.
I had seen the three listed abilities and out of this superb trio, I can only pick one.
I wish I could have more but from the little experiment I did with Eris', it was certain that I could only manage one ability per person for now.
Maybe it would scale up after I meet some unknown criteria or whatever but until then, I needed to make sure whatever I choose now was something that had significant long term use.
That was my first priority when selecting abilities.
Secondly, the volume of Essence each ability would consume.
If I could get an ability that would sap less Essence from my body and still offer reasonable long term benefits, it goes without saying that I would choose it.
—Click!
I tapped on the screen, selecting the ability that I had made up my mind to pick.
The moment I did, the tab brightened up and those of the other two dimmed, becoming inaccessible for selection.
[Ding…]
[Congratulations!]
[You have acquired the ability — Greater Heal]
[Ding…]
[10x Upgrade! Greater Heal has been upgraded to Heaven's Touch]
[Ability: Heaven's Touch]
[Rank: SS+]
SS+ rank. Of course.
I wasn't even surprised. I simply chuckled.
These ladies were something different.
Had it been an average character's ability I received, maybe I would have hit A rank, at best, with the abilities.
But now, it looked like fortune was smiling generously at me.
First, an EX- rank ability that doubled for offense and defense.
Now, an SS+ rank healing ability.
The only problem left to handle right now was that of the Essence.
I needed large volumes of Essence if I were to ever use these abilities to their fullest extent.
It would have this much in my arsenal and not be able to use it without passing out.
It would be similar to being overpowered on paper but whenever it was time to show that skill, nothing would happen.
It was situations like this that would get a character slapped with the fraud tag back on Earth.
All bark and not bite.
Tch!
The only way I could think of handling this predicament of mine was through artifacts.
Artifacts were tools that helped awakeners and supported their weakness when used properly.
An Assassin class could purchase an artifact that granted or amplified their ability to stay hidden.
Same way, a caster could get an artifact that amplified the output of their essence above what their natural capabilities can handle.
I need to get these artifacts as soon as possible. Otherwise, my caster class would be all for naught.
"Yo, man! Ready to go!"
I raised my head, looking forward and noticing a familiar face smiling back at me.
I recognized this person instantly.
After Wendy, he probably made the most appearances in the original Link's life from what I could get from memories.
…Bran Livingston.
Bran stood there, smiling as he was obviously happy to see that his best friend was alive and well.
Compared to me, Bran was a hulk.
His well sculpted muscles and big intimidating build was well fitting of his Warrior class.
Despite his dominant persona, one wouldn't expect that he would have a soft heart for people.
Bran was indeed a real good guy who looked out for people he was part of his circle.
Standing right behind Bran was Dr Grace, who kept a keen eye on me while also smiling.
Bran turned to her and asked, "I can take him now, right?"
Dr Grace smiled even wider with lightly closed eyes and nodded affirmatively.
"Yes. You can."
"If that's the case," Bran said, turning his attention back to him, "…let's get your things then."
Elated, he smiled at them as well.
I was finally going out to see the world of this novel properly.
Only then could I act freely, at least with more freedom than being stuck inside this clinic.
'Complete all the scenarios and reach the endgame, right? Let's get this started then.'
I got off the bed and began getting ready to go.
****
A three-bladed fan spun around from where it hung down the ceiling of the room, producing the only source of sound for the last couple of seconds.
Eris DeLorentis and Wendy Arclight stood side by side with a barely three meters distance separating them.
Behind Wendy was Mr Thomas, the academy tutor who had run into them tearing at each other's throat.
In front of the three was a man.
This man was seated on a comfortable chair with a table in front of me that carried a lot of papers, quills and ink stones.
The man scratched his beard that was a streak of white and black hair just like his hair that looked like it was gelled back very slightly.
On top of the desk was a fancy name plate that had his position and name written boldly on it.
[Dean Ambrose Wells]
He was the present Dean of this academy for awakeners and the man whom Mr Thomas had come to concerning the matter of Eris and Wendy's crime of unauthorized fighting on academy grounds.
"Tell me, Thomas…" Dean Ambrose said, his voice so deep that one could hear some vibrations if they listened too closely.
"What's that sir?" Mr Thomas replied.
Dean Ambrose leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table and interlocking the fingers of both hands as he critically looked at Eris and Wendy, before finally settling his eyes on Mr Thomas.
"How many credits do they need to graduate?" Dean Ambrose asked.
Hearing the word 'credits', the minds of both ladies sparked and the dean's lips curled slightly into a smile.
He had them where he wanted them.