CHAPTER 34: 50,000 SKILL POINTS

Jack remained seated on the edge of the impossibly soft bed, staring at the young woman in front of her.

Lyra Moonwhisper moved with the fluid precision of flowing water, setting the tray on a marble table that probably cost more than most houses.

The scent that rose from the covered dishes made Jack’s stomach clench with sudden, ravenous hunger. It was a rich, savory aroma that only master chefs could accomplish.

"You’ve been unconscious for nearly three days," she said. "The royal physicians were concerned about the damage from channeling divine power. Most mortals who attempt such feats either die instantly or spend the rest of their lives as drooling invalids."

Jack’s hand instinctively went to his chest, where Draven’s pendant lay hidden beneath the simple white robe.

The metal still felt warm against his skin, a constant reminder of the price he’d paid for power.

"Most mortals don’t have a good reason to risk it." He said while staring out into space.

"Protecting family." The words left her lips with something that might have been approval, though her expression remained as unreadable as winter ice. "A noble sentiment. Naive, perhaps, but noble nonetheless."

She gestured toward the tray. "Three-horned deer Wellington. The potatoes are grown in soil blessed by earth mages and harvested only during the new moon. The royal kitchens spare no expense for their distinguished guests."

Jack looked at it and it reminded him of beef welling from earth. Only the rich would be able eat things like this on a daily basis.

Jack found himself almost smiling despite the circumstances. "Is that what I am? A distinguished guest?"

"You’re what you choose to be, Lord Kaiser." Lyra moved to the crystal windows. "A guest implies the freedom to leave. A prisoner suggests unwillingness to stay. A chosen one, however..."

She paused, letting the implications hang in the air like incense. "A chosen one belongs to something greater than themselves."

Jack stood slowly, testing his balance as residual dizziness threatened to topple him. His legs felt like they belonged to someone else.

He was stronger than before, but strange, as if the divine lightning had rewritten something in his body.

The beef wellington was a masterpiece of culinary art. The meat was so tender it practically dissolved on his tongue.

It was, without question, the finest meal he’d ever tasted. It was also a demonstration of power so casual it made his teeth ache.

"The kitchens prepare meals like this three times daily for all chosen ones," Lyra observed, while watching him eat. "Along with access to the finest weapons, armor, magical instruction, and political education available in the known world. The crown invests heavily in its assets."

"How long have you been a chosen one?" he asked between bites.

"Since I was six." The answer came without hesitation, but something flickered behind those pale eyes. "Artemis chose me after I managed to put an arrow through a sparrow’s eye from two hundred feet away."

Jack tried to imagine being ripped away from his family at that age, molded into a weapon before his personality had fully formed. The thought made the exquisite food taste like ash in his mouth.

"Any regrets?" The question slipped out before he could stop himself.

For a moment, Lyra’s carefully maintained composure cracked. A glimpse of the child she’d been before the crown had claimed her. Then the moment passed, and she was once again the untouchable chosen one.

"Regret is a luxury I can’t afford," she said simply. "I am what I was made to be."

She moved toward the door with that same fluid grace, pausing only when her hand touched the crystal handle. "You have one hour to eat and get yourself together. Then Aurelius will want to see you. I suggest you use the time wisely. First impressions matter here more than anywhere else."

The door whispered shut behind her, leaving Jack alone with his thoughts and the lingering scent of jasmine.

Only when he was certain she was gone did he allow himself to slump back against the marble table, the weight of his situation settling over him like a burial shroud.

System, I think it’s time we had a serious conversation.

[What concerns you Jack?]

’Status update. Everything. I need to know what changed while I was unconscious.’

The familiar blue screen materialized before his eyes, but the information it contained made him sit down hard in the nearest chair.

[Status Update]

Jack Kaiser: Level 18 (19,630/27,500)

Class: Lightning Mage Rank 7 (8,240/50,000)

Strength: 30 (+35)

Stamina: 20 (+25)

Agility: 30 (+25)

Vitality: 30 (+25)

Endurance: 20 (+25)

Magic: 53 (+25)

Mana: 300

HP: 480

Skill Points: 200

Stat Points: 60

Reputation Points: 100,027

Magic Talent Rank: S

Martial Talent Rank: S

Affinity: Lightning

Blessings: Draven’s Pendant

Titles: Dragon Slayer

Skills: Analyze (level 8), Polearm Mastery (level 8: 27%), Thundershock (level 3: 12%), Spear Toss (level 4), Lightning Steps (level 3: 16%), Lightning’s Embrace (level 2), Lightning Shock (Level 1), Mana Regeneration (MAX), HP Regeneration (level 1), Thunder Clap (level 2: 45%), Thunder Stomp (level 3: 12%), Call of the Lightning (level 2), Branded (Level 1), Overcharge (level 2)

Jack stared at the numbers, confusion replacing his initial excitement. Level 18. He’d gained nine full levels from slaying Spiralus.

But his stats... they were back to what they’d been before channeling all that divine energy.

’System, what happened to my enhanced stats? I had over 200 in strength, my magic was nearly 300...’

[The divine enhancement from Draven’s blessing was temporary, Jack. Your body was not permanently altered by the divine lightning. It was merely channeling power beyond mortal limits for a brief period.]

[Your base stats remain unchanged, though you did retain the experience and levels gained from the battle.]

He wasn’t the demigod he’d thought he’d become, he was still just Jack Kaiser, admittedly more experienced and skilled. The god-like power that had obliterated Spiralus was borrowed, not owned.

But it was the new title that caught his attention, glowing with a faint golden light.

System, show me the details on Dragon Slayer.

[Title: Dragon Slayer]

[Description: Some heroes need quests, prophecies, and magical swords. You just needed to be really, really angry.]

[Effects: +5 Strength, +5 Endurance, +30% damage against all draconic creatures]

Despite everything that happened, Jack found himself grinning.

’Reputation points... Over a hundred thousand? What happened there?’

[Analysis: Word of your victory over Spiralus has spread across all four human kingdoms. Current estimates suggest your actions have been witnessed, recorded, or discussed by over two million people.]

[Additional note: Several religious organizations have begun worshipping you as a divine avatar. This may complicate future political negotiations.]

Jack rubbed his temples, feeling a headache building behind his eyes. Two million people knew what he’d done.

Religious cults were forming around his name. Every ambitious noble, power-hungry kingdom, and desperate adventurer would want to either recruit or eliminate him.

Oh my, I’m going to have my own cult. This is ridiculous. How much worse can this get.

System, break down this reputation situation. What exactly are people saying about me?

[Analyzing public discourse across four kingdoms...]