Chapter 505: The Arbiter of Life and Death

Chapter 505: The Arbiter of Life and Death

Several years ago, when Iona was leaving to take Nina on her first [Squire] adventure

Everything came down to geography.

The Exterreri Empire was founded near the elven lands, on the shores of the Sea of Stars. Just across the Sea of Stars was Nippon-Koku, home of, among other races, kitsunes.

Which was how Nina had found herself in Sanguino in the first place, the port city on the Sea of Stars.

Nippon-Kokus neighbor was Vollomond, home of werewolves.

When Iona decided to take Nina to Vollomond, they naturally needed to pass over the Sea of Stars and Nippon-Koku. Given that it was directly after the discussion Iona and Elaine had about marriage and life, the thought was at the top of her mind.

Shed remembered that Jake had been from Earth like Elaine, and that he had a number of people he mightve shared marriage customs with.

It would be a great surprise for Elaine, a fabulous loving gesture. None of the girls had been lying to her, and Iona left satisfied, with a plan for a great proposal gift.

It never occurred to her that Jake mightve lied

Whats that? I asked, my tone making my thoughts clear.

Iona started and did a double-take, looking at the collar in her hands.

A collar. I wasnt some pet to be leashed up! Yes, we had a fun bundle of rope in a closet, but a collar was like, eight steps too far.

As I became more aware of the world and my senses and [The World Around Me] turned back on, I was able to get a detailed look at it.

It was fabulous. Ten thousand tiny stitches in it detailed dozens of scenes with the two of us. From when we met in a tavern, to the lake where wed started dating, to montages of our adventures together, it was clear Iona had spent hundreds of hours hand-stitching the entire thing together. It ended with Auri and Fenrir each holding a moonstone on the front.

I immediately regretted my words and the face Id pulled. It was a stunning display of love and dedication, if a little misguided.

A collar. Red and the rest of Jakes girls said it was the typical Earth custom to propose with one. Iona said. They also talked about a red string, but I thought it was too much.

I facepalmed, ignoring the dozens of notifications ringing in my ears.

Jake was lying through his teeth. I said. We dont use collars. Phef. We use rings. Typically two. One for the proposal, and a second for the marriage.

Oh. Iona looked down at the collar, her face falling. I-

I didnt let her finish. I half-leapt out of bed, wrapping my arms around her neck and planting a kiss on her lips. I could feel myself moving differently already, launching myself far faster than Id planned, sinking deeper into her arms than intended. Id clearly gotten a few levels - even 2 wouldve more than doubled my strength stat!

Its lovely. I insisted. I can tell it was made with love.

Not wanting to linger over a potentially awkward moment, I broke the hug, took it, and sat back on the bed.

For you! I proclaimed, and used [Rapid Reshelving] to get the proposal sword Id made onto the bed. It was Ionas turn to look a little awkward, and she coughed.

Elaine, moonlight of my life, I love you, but did you raid a 500 year old book or something? Iona brought the sword up to her eyes, giving it a critical look, then experimentally flourished it.

Hey! I flushed as I protested. It wasnt that old 400. I muttered. Also, be careful with it. Its not well-forged, I did it myself. I dont want you swinging it too hard and breaking it or something.

Iona laughed and sat on the bed with me. I leaned over and nuzzled her.

Were a right pair. I said.

She wrapped an arm around me.

That we are.

We spent a few minutes in bliss.

I was engaged! I had a fiancee! I was going to get married!

Soo do we want to talk dates? When were doing this? Where? What traditions are we going to use? I wanted to know it all! This was so exciting!

Is there anything particularly important to you? Iona asked. Whats critical for a ceremony from your perspective?

We got talking, and started to hammer out various details. I shot an annoyed look towards the door as I detected footsteps pausing outside.Điscover new chapters on n0ve(l)bin(.)com

Some aspects of marriages transcended time and space, elements distilled down to the essentials.

A ceremony.

A promise.

An exchange.

And, of course, there was naturally a huge party. The exact details of each one different from culture to culture, and it was fun starting to figure out what we wanted and how it would go.

Do you want rings? Iona asked. I put my hand out, and Iona started to play with my fingers.

The recent loss of my Deception Ring occurred to me, and I grimaced.

Yes but also no. I end up in fairly dangerous spots, and Id hate to lose it. I want to be with you for a long, long time, and losing the symbol of our marriage would suck. I also didnt have my [Lost and Found] skill anymore.

I was inspired by Arachnes neck tattoos, the sign she had with Night. Also, Artemis and Julius had matching tattoos. That, and our earlier discussion.

We didnt want this until death did us part or anything. I didnt plan on dying, and Iona was practically guaranteed to become one of Selene and Lunariss angels after death. Death would just be an unfortunate speedbump in our relationship, if it came for us at all.

Immortality was weird.

What if we got tattoos instead? Got someone with the right skills to make it part of our image? That way we cant lose them. I said.

Hmmm. Iona was thoughtful. Im initially optimistic about the idea, but the logistics are tricky.

I cant take it anymore! Artemis yelled as she burst into our bedroom. Eeeeeee! My little healybugs ENGAGED! A thousand twenty-four congratulations!! She swooped in, picked me up in a hug, and twirled me around. And it couldnt be to a better woman. Congratulations on nabbing Elaine!

Artemis put me down, grabbed Ionas hand, and started to vigorously shake it. Julius walked in, slowly shaking his head.

Artemis, youre going to have months to plan. Theyre newly engaged. Give them a few hours.

Juliuss implication burned my ears, but Artemis just waved him off.

We were all piled in a heap for weeks after you proposed to me. She countered. I didnt see no privacy then or anything.

So because we had it bad, they also have to have it bad. Julius crossed his arms. I lightly punched Artemiss arm.

Yeah! What was all this about teaching youngins to live better lives, hmmm? It was fun sassing Artemis.

Iona wisely stayed out of it, beaming at me with a silly grin.

Another ding! Went off in my ear.

My class! My skills!

Alright all of you, celebration later. I need to figure out my new skills.

Artemis lit up, and dashed out of the room.

Be right back! She yelled over her shoulder. Iona put me on her lap, wrapped her arms around me, and was a very comfortable seat while I brought up my notifications and started reading through them.

[*ding!* [The Dawn Sentinel - Celestial] upgraded to [The Arbiter of Life and Death - Celestial]!]

[*ding!* [The Arbiter of Life and Death] has leveled up! 768 -> 770. +400 Strength, +400 Dexterity, +800 Speed, +800 Vitality, +1600 Magic Power, +1600 Magic Control, +1000 Mana, +9000 Mana Regeneration from your Class per level! +1 Strength, +1 Dexterity, +1 Speed, +1 Vitality, +1 Mana, +1 Mana Regeneration, +1 Magic Power, +1 Magic Control for being Chimera (Elvenoid) per level! +1 Mana, +1 Mana Regeneration from your Element per level!]

Whoof. Those were some stats and a half. A bit of a shame that it was only two levels, but Id finally hit the tipping point right at the end of the Han civil war.

No more outlying dexterity eating my strength!

[*ding!* [Celestial Affinity] has upgraded to [Celestial Mastery]!]

Not only would I be getting better skills, but my mana would go a lot further.

Celestial Mastery: This skill represents a profound deepening of your connection to the Celestial element. You are the master of the cosmos, ruler of the eternal sky and boundless galaxies. Youve harmonized with the very essence of the stars and the myriad mysteries of the universe. Your abilities are not only enhanced, but elevated to a level where the Celestial and the arcane intertwine seamlessly. Improved Celestial mana efficiency per level.

Excellent! My Celestial class was high level enough that Id really be feeling the impact from this. It was a large part of the math around healing everyone.

[*ding!* [Cosmic Presence] has upgraded to [Aurora Curialis]!]

Aurora Curialis: The Aurora Borealis dazzles the sky like the Aurora Curialis heals the body. Drawing its power from the ethereal beauty and natural energies of the aurora, this skill gently envelops all, promoting rapid natural healing and rejuvenation. The vibrant colors dance around the injured, stitching flesh back together, closing wounds, and helping the body bring itself back into peak physical condition.

The Aurora can not only help and heal, but it can also hinder. Healing can be selectively prevented within the range of the Aurora Curialis. Increased range per level. -16,376 Mana Regeneration. Mana contesting efficiency improved per level.

Id seen enough warfare and there were enough other buffs going around that I wasnt convinced that [The Stars Smile Upon You] was a helpful skill.

I was generally fighting against the high level Classers. That one [Great General] trying to kill me at the very start of the war was fresh in my mind, and the Eventide Eclipse, my closest friends and family, was a small group. I reread the single-target buff descriptions, and noticed that they didnt include a species restriction.

I could buff Fenrir if I wanted.

I wasnt sold on the single target buff over an armor skill though. I figured Id ask my primary target about it.

Hey Iona. Got a question for you. I said.

Sure, what can I help you with? She said.

Ive got the option of two buff skills for you, or an armor skill. Which do you think I should take?

I gave her the detailed breakdown of the three skills, Julius and Artemis listening in.

Armor skill. Artemis instantly said. Always take the armor skill. Itll save your life.

Even with my healing? I countered. I took a sword through the head and survived.

Julius said nothing. I hadnt asked him.

Im going to say the armor skill as well. Iona said to my great surprise.

Oh? Whys that? I asked, genuinely surprised.

Fighting stronger and fasters all very well and good, along with all the other fancy effects, but if youre hitting me with that, Im fighting close to you. I worry about you. All the power in the world doesnt change that. With an armor skill, I can worry less about you, and fight more aggressively, and less defensively. Im less in the protector role.

That brought up another good point.

Sure, but isnt qualifying for your [Vow] to kick in worth something? Will I still qualify? No matter how good my buffs are, nothing compares to the power your [Vow] provides.

Iona nodded in recognition.

You still would, no question about it. A slightly harder to kill healer is still a healer, and youre still the love of my life. Dont worry about me so much, stay safe for you.

Well, that made the decision easy.

I did take [Arbiters Eyes] first though, hoping theyd merge into one of the skills in the few hours I had before a skill faded. To my great disappointment, I didnt get any immediate notification that theyd merged or upgraded.

With everything done, I took a look at my stats.

[Name: Elaine]

[Race: Chimera (Elvenoid)]

[Age: 31]

[Mana: 2,524,790/2,524,790]

[Mana Regeneration: 2,052,061 +(4,318,034)]

Stats

[Free Stats: 0]

[Strength: 1,959 (Effectively: 15,672)]

[Dexterity: 26,643 (Effectively: 283,695)]

[Vitality: 64,167 (Effectively: 1,002,609)]

[Speed: 51,399 (Effectively: 1,011,687)]

[Mana: 252,479]

[Mana Regeneration: 268,618 (+ 431,803)]

[Magic Power: 260,409 (+ 10,025,747)]

[Magic Control: 260,130 (+ 10,015,005)]

[Class 1: [The Arbiter of Life and Death - Celestial: Lv 770]]

[Celestial Mastery: 770]

[Aurora Curialis: 741]

[The Stars Never Fade: 25]

[Luminary Mind: 476]

[Universal Cure: 770]

[Arbiters Eyes: 1]

[Shroud of the Stellar Sea: 580]

[Zenith Everlasting: 566]

[Class 2: [Butterfly Mystic - Radiance: Lv 643]]

[Radiance Affinity: 643]

[Radiance Resistance: 643]

[Nova Lance: 643]

[Lepidoptera: 643]

[Nectar: 643]

[Solar Corona: 643]

[Scintillating Ascent: 643]

[Kaleidoscope: 643]

[Class 3: [Ancient Loremaster of Legend - Spatial: Lv 256]]

[Spatial Authority: 256]

[Manuscript Mastery: 256]

[Blink: 140]

[Loremaster's Library: 256]

[Vault of Ages: 64]

[Rapid Reshelving: 224]

[Astral Archives: 256]

[Lust for Lore: 256]

General Skills

[Long-Range Identify: 448]

[Parallel Thoughts: 294]

[Companion Bond between Elaine and Auri: 768]

[The World Around Me: 174]

[Oath of Elaine to Lyra: 770]

[Sentinel's Superiority: 770]

[Persistent Casting: 600]

[Imbue: 263]