The first encounter
Growing up, mathematics wasn't something that Van would say was a priority. He knew his basics but he didn't go further into it. He didn't think he'd need to.
He only got into it after his parents died in an accident and he had to be the one to manage his financials. He was bad at it otherwise the shop would still be there, and he wouldn't be traipsing in an unknown land in an unknown world.
In this case mathematics is his only friend from the old world.
One could say that the situation wasn't too bad, though. Rather than rotting in some unknown ditch, Van got another chance at life. Perhaps this time, he will get it right, maybe find a nice girl, start a family. Get his own little kids. Start a small shop somewhere. Spend the rest of his life peacefully becoming rich and happy.
It's just... A fleeting dream left over from the despair of his old life. People would probably say a thing or two about his aspirations but they could all go down another ditch for all Van cared. As far as he was concerned everyone was chasing their own happiness and that was what mattered in life.
Analyze!
Alteran Berry
'Edible. Good for reducing swells. Slightly sour and spoils easily. Often mixed with honey and spices to make jam.'
This analyze skill, he might have underestimated it. Not only was he able to copy a unique skill, it provided him information on just about anything. A skill that will make him rich!
That and he has managed to run from any monster that tried to attack him by hitting them with his skill Entangle(Van) and dashing off.
Analyze!
Elderbush Tree
' Famous for it's Bark which is oft used for corkage. 12 years of age."
Aside from that the skill provided him a compedium of stored data on things he already analyzed. It was probably the best skill that he could ask for.
Analyze!
Ferokan poop
' Poop from a Ferokan mount, a week old. Can be used as fertilizer.'
One thing about his skills was the incredible increase in his cognitive experience, it's like he unlocked the Sherlock Holmes in his head.
During his travel he had spotted several instances of this Ferokan poop ranging from a month old to the now week old poop.
Given that these poop seemed to come from different sources, it would seem like there is now a large possibility of meeting people really soon.
Analyze!
Grass
'This is just normal grass. Recently been grazed into by a herbivore."
Analyze!
Error...
Analyzed failed not enough mana
Van trudged forward as he realized he had run out of mana again. He had been walking for hours. He was immersed in the changes in his perspective that it didn't feel like he had.
One thing was certain when he looked at a tree, he didn't just see a tree but he saw the angles of the tree. When he saw a bird he didn't just see the bird but also the calculated way it used it's wings to create enough drag to lift itself, even the velocity of the bird.
There was that small change in how he saw things that was disorienting yet so fascinating. As if he had woken up and only seeing things for the first time. He was seeing the world differently now a world of shapes, lines and numbers. Fleeting into it and out of it as if his world was an ever changing tide flowing into his consciousness.
He remembered once, he saw someone do Autocad, the world felt like that right now. The world was as if it's just a collection of lines flirting back into the real world and back into that world of lines and shapes.
He glimpsed a visage of a person and admiring the lines that made the person's being he forgot to stop moving forward.
Crash!
This! Van was again evenloped in a familiar warmth! Given the situation he had also instinctively cast his skill. Analyze!
' Karin Branwen Artfworn Lvl 30
Race: Fire Elf
Rank C+
Occupation: Lancer
Title: Novice Knight Chevalier of the Vermont Empire
HP 527 + (265)
Mana 485
Stats:
Str:45 +(8)
Agi: 52 +(10)
Wis: 15 +(25)
Int: 17
Cha: 25 +(25)
Vitality: 32 +(8)
Passive Skills:
Steadfast(C-): Bonus of +8 vitality and strength. Passive 12% defence bonus
Lance Knight(C+) : Bonus 50% damage when using Lance and spear type weapons. Increase agility by 10 when using Lance weapons
Blessed Scion(A+): immunity to curse. Provide 66% elemental resistance. Bonus to wisdom + 25 Charisma +25'
Other(3)
Analyze too low to see active skills.
Would you like to replace entangle(Van) with ??? (C-) Yes/No
He didn't get to reply as he was shoved back, idly Van realized what the warm feeling was!
"Cur!" an angry spitfire of an elf exclaimed! She had Fiery red hair, a fierce and beautiful countenance and a very, very angry frown. She had her Lance pointed towards him! Ready to impale at a moment's notice.
"I didn't do it!" On purpose he tried to add but he was already being besieged.
This was his first meeting with the Knights of Vermont.
#_#_#_#_#_#
A boisterous laugh interrupted Karin's spirited assault and Van had to gulp as his Analyze once again was activated.
'Victor Saga lvl.???
Race:Human
Rank: A-
Title: Justice of the Empire'
What ridiculous pressure! Just by laughing he had in effect pressurized Karin to stop mid strike! The man stood 6 and a half feet tall, heavy frame. His face was middle aged, handsome and hearty. He had a very warm countenance.
This was the face of overwhelming strength, Van realized. A boss character has appeared all of the sudden! This pretty much distracted Van from the fact that in this world there were such creatures as elves!
"Good day friend, are you going to Holstein?" He asked as he got in between Karin and him.
Van nodded, a bit enthusiastic in the fact that he can get information now.
"This is Karin, My name is Victor." He offered his hands. "Those two are Henry and France. " Victor gestured to 2 men towards the side.
Van glanced at them and they looked to be very similar looking dwarves. Analyze! Analyze!
Henry Lvl 27
Race:Dwarf
Title: The Sword (Twin Dwarven Knights)
France Lvl 28
Title: The Shield (Twin Dwarven Knights)
It seems like these were a group of knights. For Van this seemed like the best opportunity to get directions on the safest route.
"Actually I'm not sure how far I have to go to reach Holstein. Are you guys also headed that way too?" Van prompted, hoping to get some companions. The more people, the safer it would be for him.
"We're investigatin' some unrest in de area. " Henry chipped in gruffly. "Have you been wanderin' abouts dis area here fer long?" the other dwarf added.
"Why are you talking to this pervert?!" interjected Karin the fuming elf.
"Karin, don't be rude. It's just a mistake on his part." Added Victor helpfully giving Karin a stern stare, Van nodded vigorously in tandem throwing in a quick apology too.
Karin harrumphed half heartedly accepting the apology and sulked away dejectedly.
" Did you come from Hardwood forest all the way here alone?" Victor asked walking with Van as they followed the path ahead.
"Yeah, I guess so." Van confirmed tentatively.
"Have you seen anything odd?" The large man probed, his eyes locking in on Van as he said so.
Odd... How would he know what is odd... Van complained inwardly.
"I saw some Fire Slimes along the way." It might not be odd, but it was a fact. Van encountered more Fire Slime along the way than any other creature, thankfully slime weren't aggressive by nature or he would have been in danger.
"Fire Slime..." Victor pondered a bit and politely thanked Van for the information. With that the group settled in and they quickly traveled towards Holstein.
Van happily sighed, he can finally relax. A smooth journey was in sight, he peeked over Victor's dependable frame and resisted the urge to shout in joy. Nothing like a bodyguard to make you feel safe in an unfamiliar environment.
#_#_#_#_#_#
Holstein was a mining town, filled mostly with dwarves and humans mining stones and gems for a living. Being a Dwarven town, it had many a great forge heating up the small town.
However far away in one of the abandoned hills, in one of the abandoned mines a set of Fiery eyes opened.
"The knight comes." a deep gutteral voice muttered, scaring all the wildlife and monsters in the vicinity of a mile or so. "This dragon, has waited long enough."