Jonan stood before the beast's lifeless form, a sense of relief washing over him as he realized that, against all odds, he was finally out of danger.
The creature, a low-grade Raging Horned Antelope, should have been far beyond his capabilities, yet Jonan had somehow managed to defeat it without a weapon. He could scarcely believe it.
Had it not been for his sudden breakthrough in dexterity, he would have had no chance. But now, standing victorious, he understood why the warriors in his family always kept their weapons close.
It wasn't just about increasing affinity with the weapon, it was also a precaution against unpredictable dangers. Jonan made a silent vow, that from now on, he would keep a weapon on hand, regardless of the circumstances.
In addition to the breakthrough in dexterity, he had also before surpassed the limits of his intelligence attribute. Without it, he would have lacked the calm and strategic mindset to outsmart the beast.
His strategic mind and fast processing had been crucial in surviving the encounter. He realized that he was now on the same level as the geniuses of great clans, those who had also mastered two attributes.
However, despite his victory, Jonan felt a deep sense of helplessness. He had no tools to properly harvest the beast, and while he had the idea of carving his first kill, and feeling accomplished over his first victory, unfortunately, he had to go back, as he realized he had no time to waste, now that he is successful in breaking through his second attribute.
He has to make preparations for his third attribute, which would be strength.
Jonan also decided to get a weapon for his future battles, and a short weapon at the very least would help with such chores. He sighed and made the decision to return to his family castle, knowing that he would need to speak to the family's inventory keeper.
The Starfall family castle was vast, with an ancient and towering structure known as the inventory, a place where all manner of weapons and artifacts were stored.
The building stood proudly with four floors, each dedicated to different levels of power and artifacts, with the most dangerous items locked away on the topmost floor, accessible only by the highest-ranking members of the bloodline.
Jonan entered the inventory and made his way to the reception area where an elder sat, tasked with managing the family's inventory.
The elder's piercing gaze assessed Jonan as he approached. The young man bowed respectfully, then spoke.
"Sir, I seek to select a weapon for my use."
The elder nodded thoughtfully, his eyes scanning Jonan with a practiced air. "Your physique has improved significantly. I can see the signs of your breakthrough, but I must tell you, while you carry the blood of the Patriarch, you are still not extraordinary. You will only be allowed to choose ungraded weapons for now. Should you demonstrate extraordinary skill or prove yourself further, we can revisit this matter. Until then, you may peruse the ungraded weapons, also called mortal weapons. They are still useful, but you should know your limits."
Jonan felt the sting of the elder's words, but he had no choice. He nodded respectfully, knowing that even an ungraded weapon would be a step forward. As he entered the base floor of the inventory hall, he was greeted by rows upon rows of weapons, each housed within ancient glass displays.
The Vault was lined with weapons of all kinds, from simple blades and clubs to more elaborate tools of war. He walked down the vast hall, pausing before a selection of weapons on the first floor.
A wide variety of choices lay before him.
Swords, axes, and spears, all were ungraded weapons, as only the later floors contained higher-grade weapons for use. He tested a few in his hands, feeling the weight and balance.
The blades felt heavy and unwieldy, clearly made for those who had trained for years in combat. He dismissed them one by one, knowing none of them felt right for him.
He moved far deeper behind into the area, where the selection was broader. There were curved sabers, polearms, and even a few crossbows.
He picked up a spear, appreciating the long reach it offered. This could be useful for ranged combat, and he felt a sense of comfort in the idea of striking from a distance. He could also use it for hunting, he realized.
He placed the spear back and moved on, as his gaze settled on a sickle hanging on the wall. It was a simple yet elegant weapon, its curved blade gleaming faintly under the dim light. He picked it up, testing its grip.
The sickle was lightweight and nimble, perfect for short-range combat. Moreover, its design would help him with chores, cutting down small brushes, gathering herbs, and other tasks. It felt right in his hands, and Jonan knew he would need a versatile weapon, one that could aid him both in battle and daily life.
With his decision made, Jonan turned to leave the inventory building, but as he did, something caught his eye.
A flicker of fear gripped him, leaving him momentarily frozen. His gaze drifted upward, drawn inexplicably to the topmost floor. Though nothing was visible, an undeniable force tugged at his attention. His heart pounded, a strange sensation rising within him, he could feel that something at the top of the building was calling him.
He glanced at the elder, but the man's back was turned, preoccupied with his duties. Jonan hesitated, but the pull was too strong.
He had to know what lay on the top floor. A quiet resolve settled over him, and without another word, he began making his way to the stairs that led to the upper levels, his curiosity now overwhelming his caution, but as he was preparing to move, he felt a snort that shook him to the core.
Frightened upon being discovered, Jonan froze in place. A chill ran down his spine as he realized that, even without turning to look at him, the elder could sense his intentions.
It was an overwhelming presence, which he took for granted. Taking a deep breath, Jonan forced himself to calm down. He stepped forward, lowering his head in respect before speaking.
"Elder, I apologize for my actions," he said sincerely, his voice steady but filled with regret.
The elder finally turned, his sharp eyes locking onto Joann's. There was disdain in his gaze. If it was someone else, he would have killed them directly, without even listening to their explanation.
"Mind your manners boy," the elder retorted. "You lack talent as well as ambition, but if you continue seeking things beyond your own capabilities, you will break before you rise. Your will is weak, if you cannot withstand such small temptations, god knows if you can even achieve something."
Jonan clenched his fists, the elder's words, while they were harsh, he couldn't do anything about it, it was his own mistake.
He understood the warning.
He also felt that he grew complacent and a bit proud because of his recent achievements, and for the first time, he couldn't understand, just what was that strange pull that was tugging at his heart.
He could learn about it later on, for now, he felt best to get back to his quarters.
Back on his way to his quarters, Jonan was looking for a way to break through his strength limitations. He knew that to enhance his strength attribute, he would need a battle art that pushed his physical power to its limits.
Recalling from all the strength-type Battle Arts he could remember, he felt it best to go on with Battle Arts related to leg type, as he also felt during his battle with the Raging Horned Antelope, that he is better at fighting with his legs than his fists.
His findings led him to an ancient manual hidden within the library, the Moonlit Reverence.
The technique focused on building unrelenting power through the legs, using the moonlight's energy for steady accumulation of strength.
Unlike techniques that relied purely on brute force, Moonlit Reverence emphasized a foundation of endurance and controlled power, ensuring that each step taken added to a growing reservoir of physical might.
The first step, Lunar Grounding, required Jonan to develop an unshakable foundation. He would have to spend days in deep, weighted squats, holding his position for extended periods until his legs trembled from strain.
With each session, he would feel his muscles hardening, his body adjusting to the demands of the technique. Walking with deliberate, controlled steps, he resolved himself to learn this Battle Art.
This Battle Art also had just three steps to learn, with each step taking vast time to master.
After mastering the first step, he would be able to break through the strength attribute finally, after which only the physique attribute will be left, which will be the easiest for him, as it requires elixirs, which the Starfall Family doesn't have less of.