CHAPTER 70: MAX [GOLDEN TICKET BONUS CHAPTER]

"DING!"

The familiar chime echoed through his consciousness like a victory bell, bringing with it the rush of power that accompanied major advancement.

[Congratulations! Spearman Class has reached Rank 10 (MAX)]

[Class Mastery Bonus: 20 Stat Points, 10 Skill Points]

[There will be no more daily quests.]

’What! Why!’

[Daily quests were always meant to help you grow. You have over 100 stat points. You met the requirement to stop giving stat points out daily.]

[Additional Skills Unlocked!]

Jack was clearly annoyed with this. If he had continued to use his stat points he could continue to fork 2 skill points a day.

Putting this out of his mind...

Jack’s eyes snapped fully open. His pulse quickened as anticipation surged through his veins.

’Finally!’ he thought, his lips curving into a grin that was all teeth and satisfaction.

The raven stirred on his headboard, Corvin’s obsidian eyes reflecting the chamber’s crystal light as the creature sensed his master’s excitement through their soul link.

’System, show me the Spearman class skills!’

[Spearman Class Skills Available]

[Spear Barrage: Unleash three thrusting attacks in rapid succession. Damage is determined by Strength × 1.1 per strike.]

[Cost: 10 Skill Points]

[Mana Cost: 15]

[Spear Synergy: Increases all spear-based damage by 1.5×. Passive ability.]

[Spear Mastery: Enhanced weapon control and technique proficiency. Passive ability.]

[Piercing Strike: A devastating thrust designed to impale opponents. Damage is determined by Strength × 2.]

[Cost: 10 Skill Points]

[Mana Cost: 20]

Jack’s breath caught in his throat as he processed the options before him. Each skill represented a significant enhancement to his combat capabilities, but the passive bonuses from Spear Synergy and Spear Mastery would provide constant improvement to every aspect of his weapon work.

’Purchase all four skills,’ Jack commanded without hesitation, watching as 40 skill points vanished from his total.

[All Spearman skills acquired!]

[Current Skill Points: 85]

[Warning: Skills require training to reach maximum effectiveness]

The knowledge flooded into Jack’s consciousness like water filling an empty vessel, but it felt different from his magical abilities.

He could feel his hands adjusting their grip unconsciously, his stance shifting to better accommodate the new techniques flooding through his mind.

’Now let’s max these skills out,’ Jack thought with predatory satisfaction. ’I have more than enough Vile cores to spare.’

[Consume 40 Vile cores to maximize all Spearman skills?]

[YES] or [NO]

’Yes!’

[40 Vile cores consumed]

[All Spearman skills are now at MAX]

[Current Vile cores: 968]

The transformation was immediate and overwhelming. Jack’s understanding of spear combat expanded exponentially.

His hands tingled with the memory of movements he’d never made, his muscles twitched with the phantom echo of techniques he’d never practiced.

But it was the system notification that followed that made Jack nearly leap from his bed with excitement.

[SPECIAL ADVANCEMENT ACHIEVED]

[Class Mastery Milestone Reached]

[Choose one class skill to convert to Utility Tree]

[Selected skill will be available regardless of equipped class]

[This is a one-time opportunity per mastered class]

Jack’s hands trembled as he read the notification, understanding crashing over him like a tidal wave of possibility. If he could transfer a skill to the Utility Tree, it would be available no matter what class he had equipped.

’Spear Synergy,’ Jack thought without hesitation. ’That passive 1.5× damage multiplier to all spear attacks would be invaluable regardless of what class I’m using.’

[Spear Synergy transferred to Utility Tree]

[Skill now available with any equipped class]

[Congratulations on your first permanent skill transfer]

Jack couldn’t contain his excitement any longer. He jumped to his feet, ignoring the protest from his battered muscles as lightning crackled unconsciously around his fingertips.

The power flowing through him was intoxicating.

But he wasn’t finished yet.

’System, I want to max out my Overcharge skill using Vile cores.’

[Overcharge currently requires 24 Vile cores to reach maximum level]

[Confirm consumption?]

’Do it!’

[24 Vile cores consumed]

[Overcharge skill maximized]

[Current Vile cores: 944]

The familiar notification appeared again, offering him another chance to permanently enhance his capabilities.

[SPECIAL ADVANCEMENT ACHIEVED]

[Lightning Mage Class Mastery Milestone Reached]

[Choose one class skill to convert to Utility Tree]

This decision was even easier than the first. Jack’s smile turned predatory as he considered the possibilities.

’Branded,’ Jack thought with vicious satisfaction. ’The skill that multiplies damage by three and guarantees hit accuracy. No matter what class I’m using, that will make me exponentially more dangerous.’

[Branded transferred to Utility Tree]

[Skill now available with any equipped class]

–

Three weeks had passed since Sera’s arrival at the Kaiser estate, brutal training that had pushed Jack’s body and mind to their absolute limits.

His muscles screaming in protest against movements that had once been effortless.

"KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!"

The sharp rapping at his chamber door interrupted his sleep. Jack quickly composed himself, though he couldn’t entirely suppress the grin that wanted to split his face in half.

"Enter," Jack called out, Corvin hopping back onto his shoulder with practiced ease.

Seraphina burst through the door with barely contained excitement, her usually perfect composure cracked by obvious enthusiasm. Her cheeks were flushed with exertion, as if she’d run through the entire estate to reach him.

"Young Master!" she exclaimed, her voice carrying a breathless quality that spoke of significant news. "The shop opens today! The grand opening of Kaiser Holdings!"

Jack felt his pulse quicken with anticipation mixed with concern. They’d been planning this for over a month, but the timing was more critical than Seraphina realized.

"And the hair products situation?" Jack asked, though something in Seraphina’s expression suggested he already knew the answer.

"Even better than we hoped," Seraphina replied, her eyes sparkling with barely contained delight. "Word has spread throughout the neighboring kingdoms that hair care products have become incredibly scarce. The usual suppliers have been experiencing difficulties getting ingredients."

Jack’s grin widened. They had cornered a market that was already experiencing shortages, positioning themselves to fill a void that their competitors couldn’t address.

"The timing couldn’t be more perfect," Jack mused, his mind already racing through the profit calculations. At five gold pieces per bottle, with over two thousand units ready for sale... they were looking at potential revenues that would make even his family’s substantial wealth seem modest.

"There’s more, Young Master," Seraphina continued, stepping closer with the conspiratorial air of someone sharing a precious secret. "Lady Genevieve received correspondence from nobility throughout the four human kingdoms. They’re all requesting private audiences to discuss exclusive purchasing arrangements."

Jack’s eyes widened as the scope of their success became clear.

"The store opening is scheduled for midday," Seraphina explained, producing a pocket watch that gleamed with obvious quality. "Your mother suggested you might want to dress appropriately for the occasion. Representatives from multiple noble houses will be in attendance."

Jack nodded. First impressions would be crucial for establishing their brand’s reputation among the nobility who could afford their premium prices.

"Have my formal clothes prepared," Jack instructed, moving toward his wardrobe with renewed energy. "Something that projects success but not arrogance. We want them to see us as established professionals, not nouveau riche upstarts."

"Of course, Young Master. The midnight blue jacket with silver threading? It complements your eyes beautifully and suggests both wealth and restraint."

As Seraphina bustled about preparing his attire, Jack caught sight of himself in the full-length mirror that dominated one wall of his chambers. The young man looking back at him was someone he barely recognized.

Three weeks of Sera’s brutal training regimen had transformed his physique from that of a bookish noble into something approaching a professional warrior.

His shoulders had broadened significantly, his arms showed the defined musculature of someone who spent hours daily in practice.

Scars marked his forearms and hands, pale lines that told stories of training accidents and deliberate lessons in pain tolerance.

Each mark was a reminder of Sera’s teaching methods, her philosophy that true learning only occurred when failure carried genuine consequences.

’She’s turned me into a weapon,’ Jack realized with a mixture of gratitude and apprehension.

"CRASH!"

"CLANG!"

"THUD!"

The sounds of combat echoed from the training grounds below, carried through his crystal windows by the morning breeze. Even at this early hour, Sera was already at work, probably putting some unfortunate volunteer through the same hellish regimen that had become Jack’s daily reality.

"Young Master?" Seraphina’s voice carried a note of concern as she noticed his distraction. "Is everything alright?"

"Just thinking about how much has changed," Jack replied, accepting the formal jacket she offered. The fabric was exquisite, clearly crafted by master tailors who understood that clothing could be both beautiful and functional.

"The change has been remarkable," Seraphina agreed, her voice carrying genuine admiration. "The entire household speaks of your transformation with pride. You’ve become everything a Kaiser heir should be."

Jack felt warmth spread through his chest at her words, but underneath lay the growing awareness that expectations were mounting alongside his capabilities. The more powerful he became, the more people expected from him.

"CAWK!"