Chapter 1
Yesterday had been the day my core was activated. The small pebble in my chest burst to life, filling my body with power that would pave the path for my future. Twice as strong as before, I ran my fingers through my hair. None of that mattered after the class I had been given. Master of Crafts: This class is unique. As a Master of Crafts, you will gain essence from any craft you take part in. Knowledge of the many crafts will be limited at first, but as you gain crafting professions, you will be gifted with the knowledge centered around them. Unlike any other class that only gains two to four professions, I can gain an unlimited number. The amount of essence I’ll be able to pull in is going to need be well hidden for how fast I’ll grow. When my father learned I didn’t have a combat class, I was removed from the family. Mother was beside herself, crying the entire day as my future was ruined. There was no place next to my father if I couldn’t fight. Stupid cultivators that only believe in power! Thinking about how the cultivation system worked, I could at least smile. With my class, I could learn many different crafts that would give me essence. That essence would not only level the profession, but mainly, it would add a layer to my core, increasing my cultivation level. It wasn’t like I had a core for each profession either. They were part of my core, building their own experience while making me stronger. And with how many crafting professions there were, I could grow that much faster. Better yet, when my professions leveled, I would gain more knowledge in those professions. I just wished that I didn’t have to discover the professions first. Cooking, harvesting, and construction were easy in town. But as for the rest, it was going to take time and experimenting. Cooking: Level 1: You have learned the basic recipes that even children can cook. Although, unlike them, you have limited knowledge of seasonings, spices, and proper balance of ingredients. Practice more to grow your knowledge and level up to gain more recipes and a stronger base. Harvesting: Level 1: Whether you are cutting down trees or harvesting crops, you now know the basics on where to cut. Harvesting is a vast topic and you will need to experiment to learn more. Continue your profession to level up and learn better ways to harvest. Construction: Level 1: You now know the basics of how to level the ground, create planks, beams, and posts, as well as many other basic functions to building. Let your imagination run wild in order to increase in level and gain proper knowledge of the profession. That’s the best thing about my class. I’ll grow a core powerful enough to rival my father. And much quicker than he ever grew. Given enough money to buy supplies to see myself off, I only returned to get the few belongings that I could. The countryside awaited me, the sprawling landscape of verdant hills, craggy bluffs, and deep valleys. My father’s estate took up many acres and was far removed from the town. But he had said in no uncertain terms that I was to leave his domain. If it was up to him, I would enter the wilds. Maybe, just maybe if I could test myself, he would accept me back. Yes, that is what I’ll do. I’ll go to the wilds. Shaking off the morose feeling of leaving my mother, I covered my cart and grabbed the handles. With my increased strength, I was able to pull the cart without issue. My stamina would last long enough to make it through the day, and if I was lucky, I would be able to join a caravan and leave the kingdom. Unlike the other side of the world, I lived in a feudal system where cultivators ruled as lords. Now, I was going to a place that even they wouldn’t dare set up. The wilds would be the perfect place to start a new life. Untamed land that I could make my own. Land that was free for the grabbing if one was willing to survive against the beasts and monsters that roamed the vast forest. It was the only place in the world that one could find monsters outside of dungeons. They varied wildly in difficulty, but I knew how to fight, even if I wouldn’t gain any essence from the kills. Step by step, I walked down the path, my cart bouncing in the ruts. A thin trickle of water ran down the hill, filling the grooves of dirt for my wheels to splash. Morning dew still clung to the tall grass of the open fields as the valley I entered was filled with deciduous trees of all varieties. Buds were starting to open on the branches as the snow and ice at the bottom of the valley gradually melted. Pulling my coat tighter, I felt the chill of the valley settle in my bones. My breath didn’t fog, but it was a near thing. Sinching my coat into place, I returned to pulling my cart, wanting to get out of the valley as quickly as possible. Spring will end soon thankfully. I’ll be able to reach the wilds just in time to enjoy summer and fall before needing to bunk down for winter. Preserving wild foods will be key to my survival. Hill by hill, I crossed the domain. The days began to pass as time was counted step by step. My muscles protested day after day, but each night it was safe as I pushed on. Twice, I joined a caravan, seeking comfort with others as we moved from town to town. I never stopped at the inns, nor restaurants. The little coin I had was going to be saved for emergency supplies once I found a village close to the wilds. There were plenty to choose from, but I wouldn’t be settling inside one. No. I wanted to prove to my father that I could survive just fine without him. Maybe one day I would earn an apology. All the while, I would build up my core and work through every craft that I could. As my class dictated, I could have a small proficiency in every craft, I only needed to learn them. The more I crafted, the more essence I would gather for my core. Starting at level one, I could add a layer over time and evolve into level two. With an increase in level, I would be far stronger. The best part was that each individual craft could be increased, gaining me new blueprints and recipes. Knowledge would be key to building my own home. Step by step, I used my days to repeat my thoughts on the information I already had available to me. Simple cooking recipes had clicked
