Chapter 28: Does Gramps Have a Thing for Elves?

Chapter 28: Does Gramps Have a Thing for Elves?

'What the hell just happened?' I ask with utter confusion.

The situation was absurd; I became some monster companion, got an emblem forced on me, and then subsequently removed, entrusted with a fancy plant bag, mercy-killed an elf under compulsion, usurped an emblem, and I've gone up three levels. I tried to calm my neurotic tendency by reading the new emblem.

This emblem was a reward chosen by the progenitor of the Elf race for triumphs worthy of the Gods and inherited by all descendants.

The progenitor elf was a master magus and wished his descendants to follow in his footsteps in mastering the arcane.

Magic and Mana related Traits and Skills are easier to acquire and receive a bonus to earned experience.

All mana costs, including upkeep, are reduced by 25%.

Mana regeneration receives a minor increase.

This emblem cannot be equipped.

This emblem will be usurped through death.>

'What bullshit is this? I was born being bullied by a child armed with a bucket and a knife. Meanwhile, all elves are born destined to be master magicians?'

'I can understand why someone tried to kill her if something as amazing as this is transferred through death. That's a crazy thought... I wonder if someone complained to Gramps about how overpowered elves were, and that last line was added as a concession.'

'I mean, now I have this absurd emblem. Although, doesn't this paint a huge target on my back? Now, not only am I a monster slime, but I also have some legendary elf emblem. I need to level up [Identity Block]... And get out of this forest.'

My immediate plan was to head east and get far away, but I wanted to try both my new forms before departure. The elf form was a mess; I could tell it was trying to copy Sylthaeryn, as she was my only point of reference, but it looked like she had crawled out of a vat of acid and missing a leg.

After going back and forth through ideas and traits, I decided to buy [Enhanced Intellect] and [Enhanced Vitality] and then keep my final point for an emergency like buying [Magic Resistance (Lesser)] or possibly [Dark Vision]. They weren't the most exciting choices, but I wanted durability and mental capacity if I was heading into unknown territory.

Increases mental processing and memory capacity per trait level.>

Increases your lifeforce per trait level.>

The vitality increase was hard to judge, but the intellect was noticeable as it reduced the maintenance on [Shapeshifting Mimicry].

Speeding along as my wolf with reinforced limbs was my best way to travel by far, and I just reached the pond, but I wanted to go past the pond and into the unknown. However, the sun wasn't cooperating, and it was about the time I'd usually settle down and practice before bed.

'Actually, I changed my mind. I want to keep traveling during the night, so let's grab [Dark Vision].'

Enhances vision to perceive in conditions with either little or no light.

Vision distance is 20% per trait level.>

My surroundings immediately lit up with near-perfect clarity, and I could see the clear dividing line where my [Dark Vision] expired and my normal vision continued. Journeying through the night was a new experience, and after what seemed like hours of uninterrupted travel, I spotted what looked like a cliffside in the distance through the breaks in the treetops. During my nighttime run, two more surprises popped up.

'I have been using my mana constantly since I got it, especially reinforcing my wolf legs, but I can't help but think this is because of the elf bullshit... Seriously, Gramps, do you have an elf fetish or something?'

Now that I had a new landmark spotted, I decided to make a temporary tree home and get some rest. While I didn't feel bodily fatigue due to my nature as a slime, I was concerned about what mental fatigue would do and decided to err on the side of caution.