Marcus opened his eyes to darkness, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar ceiling above him. The dormitory room at Eldavia was significantly smaller than his quarters in Westbridge, with just enough space for a narrow bed, a desk, and a small wardrobe. Unlike the noble students who enjoyed private accommodations, commoners were assigned to the standard dormitories—functional but lacking in luxury.
He had arrived late the previous evening, too exhausted from the day's assessment and registration procedures to do more than deposit his belongings and collapse into bed. His roommate's bed across the small room remained empty and undisturbed, whoever was assigned to share the space with him had not yet arrived.
As consciousness fully returned, Marcus became aware of something different in his mental landscape. A notification pulsed gently at the edge of his perception:
[System Notice: Level 80 reached. Skill Shop unlocked.]
Marcus sat up, instantly alert. This was new. Throughout his fifteen years in this world, the System had provided status updates, occasional commentary, and quest information, but never before had it offered a feature like this.
"Skill Shop?" he murmured aloud, focusing his attention on the notification.
The interface expanded in his mind's eye, revealing a structured menu unlike anything he had previously encountered:
[Welcome to the Skill Shop] [Available Skill Points: 32] [Note: Skill Points accumulate at 1 per level. Previous points retroactively awarded.]
Marcus blinked in surprise. Thirty-two skill points—one for each level since he had acquired the System at level 48. This represented an unexpected resource, one that might help compensate for the limitations imposed by his missing arm.
The menu continued to unfold, revealing categories of available skills:
[Combat Skills] [Magical Theory] [Physical Enhancement] [Mental Disciplines] [Specialized Techniques]
Each category contained multiple skill options, some highlighted as available while others remained grayed out with prerequisite requirements listed beside them. Marcus focused on the Combat Skills section first:
[Combat Skills:]
Enhanced Aura Control (5 SP): Increase precision of aura manipulation by 15%Arsenal Expansion (8 SP): Increase maximum simultaneous weapon manifests by 3Weapon Mastery: Sword (3 SP): Increase effectiveness with sword-type weapons by 20%Weapon Mastery: Ranged (3 SP): Increase effectiveness with ranged-type weapons by 20%Weapon Mastery: Polearm (3 SP): Increase effectiveness with polearm-type weapons by 20%Aura Reinforcement (4 SP): Reduce MP cost of maintained aura constructs by 10%Combat Precognition I (7 SP): Limited ability to anticipate opponent movements, Advanced Combat Skills require specific prerequisites
[System Message: Shopping for skills? How very convenient! If only recovery from traumatic limb loss were always this straightforward. "One new arm, please!" "Sorry, sir, we're all out of arms, but may I interest you in some Combat Precognition?"]
Marcus ignored the System's characteristic sarcasm and examined the Magical Theory options:
[Magical Theory:]
Dimensional Sensitivity (6 SP): Increase perception of dimensional anomalies by 25%Mana Efficiency (4 SP): Reduce MP cost of all techniques by 5%Spell Analysis (5 SP): Increase counter-magic effectiveness by 15%Magical Adaptation (7 SP): Improve ability to modify techniques in response to changing conditions, Arcane Memory (3 SP): Improve retention of magical formulas and patterns, Advanced Magical Theory skills require specific prerequisites
The Physical Enhancement category caught his attention next:
[Physical Enhancement:]
Left Hand Dominance (6 SP): Accelerate adaptation to left-handed techniques by 30%Vitality Surge (5 SP): Increase HP by 10%Mana Expansion (5 SP): Increase MP by 10%Physical Conditioning (4 SP): Improve physical recovery rate by 15%Pain Tolerance (3 SP): Reduce impact of pain on concentration by 20%Advanced Physical Enhancement skills require specific prerequisites
The Mental Disciplines section offered more subtle but potentially valuable options:
[Mental Disciplines:]
Multitasking (7 SP): Improve ability to maintain multiple simultaneous techniques, Meditation Mastery (4 SP): Increase MP recovery rate by 15%Combat Focus (5 SP): Reduce distractions during battle, improve concentration, Analytical Mind (6 SP): Improve pattern recognition and strategic planning, Memory Enhancement (3 SP): Improve recall of information and experiences, Advanced Mental Disciplines require specific prerequisites
Finally, the Specialized Techniques section contained the most expensive and powerful options:
[Specialized Techniques:]
Construct Stabilization (10 SP): Increase duration of construct arm by 40%Artificial Limb Mastery (12 SP): Reduce MP cost of construct arm by 35%Dimensional Counter (15 SP): Specialized counter-magic effective against dimensional entities, Arsenal Synergy (12 SP): Created weapons gain reinforcement effects from each other, Crimson Veil (10 SP): Create protective field of crimson energy that absorbs 30% of incoming damage, Advanced Specialized Techniques require multiple prerequisites
Marcus sat in silence, contemplating the implications of this new system feature. Thirty-two skill points represented a significant resource, but spending them wisely would be crucial. The most immediately tempting options were those that would help compensate for his missing arm, but he hesitated to make decisions based solely on his current limitations.
The sound of footsteps in the hallway outside pulled him from his contemplation. Glancing at the window, Marcus noted that dawn had barely broken—it was still very early. He decided to postpone any skill selections until he had time to consider the options more carefully.
The dormitory room door swung open, revealing a wiry young man with unkempt brown hair and glasses that seemed slightly too large for his face. He froze in the doorway when he saw Marcus already awake.
"Oh! Um, hello there. I didn't expect anyone to be up this early." The newcomer awkwardly maneuvered a large trunk through the doorway. "I'm Edwin Garrick. I guess we're roommates?"
Marcus nodded, rising to help with the trunk despite having only one arm. "Marcus Phoenix. You arrived late."
Edwin looked slightly embarrassed. "Train delays from the Western Provinces. Some kind of magical disturbance along the tracks." His gaze flickered briefly to Marcus's missing right arm but quickly returned to his face with admirable restraint. "Need help with that? I mean, you only—"
"I've got it," Marcus replied, using his construct arm to briefly materialize and help position the trunk. The crimson limb glowed softly in the dim room before dissipating after the task was complete.
Edwin's eyes widened. "That was... impressive. Are you a construct specialist?"
"Counter-magic, primarily," Marcus replied, sitting back on his bed. "The arm is a recent adaptation."
"Adaptation. Right." Edwin nodded, clearly curious but polite enough not to press. "I'm focused on theoretical applications—specifically, the intersection of elemental resonance and spatial manipulation. Not particularly combat-applicable, I'm afraid, but fascinating from a research perspective."
"Sounds useful for dimensional theory," Marcus observed, his interest genuinely piqued.
Edwin's face lit up. "You've studied dimensional mechanics? Most first-years haven't even heard of advanced spatial theory!"
Their conversation was interrupted by a bell chiming throughout the dormitory—the first wake-up call of the day. Other students could be heard stirring in adjacent rooms.
"Orientation begins in two hours," Edwin noted, unpacking his uniform with methodical precision. "The noble students have their separate introduction, of course. We commoners get the standard welcome in the Eastern Hall."
Marcus raised an eyebrow. "You seem well-informed for someone who just arrived."
Edwin grinned, pushing his glasses up his nose. "I have three older siblings who attended Eldavia. I've been preparing for this day for years." He lowered his voice conspiratorially. "Did you know the class divisions here are even more rigid than most academies? Normal, Advanced, and Grand Class tiers, each with their own sub-classifications."
"I'd heard something about it," Marcus acknowledged.
"It's quite the hierarchy," Edwin continued, warming to his subject. "Normal classes are ranked F through D, primarily for students with basic magical potential or those from lesser families. Advanced classes range from C to A, for those with significant talent or notable family connections. And then there's Grand Class, rank S only, reserved for exceptional prodigies or scions of the most powerful magical bloodlines."
Marcus recalled Lysander mentioning something similar during their Emberfall days. The Thorn heir had always assumed he would qualify for Grand Class, given his lineage and talent.
"What determines placement?" Marcus asked.
"Initial assessment scores, primarily," Edwin replied, laying out his uniform with care. "Though family connections certainly play a role. Reputations can be established early here, especially if you catch the attention of a prominent professor or demonstrate unusual abilities."
As Edwin continued chatting, now describing the various campus facilities with the enthusiasm of someone who had studied floor plans in advance, Marcus returned to contemplating the Skill Shop. Those thirty-two points represented an opportunity to significantly enhance his capabilities before classes even began.
The most practical approach would be to focus on compensating for his disability first. Left Hand Dominance would accelerate his adaptation, while Construct Stabilization would make his temporary arm more viable in extended situations. On the other hand, Arsenal Expansion might allow him to recover some of the offensive capability he had lost.
[System Message: Oh, the paralysis of choice! Thirty-two skill points and a hundred ways to spend them. It's like being a kid in a candy store, except instead of candy, it's various ways to compensate for missing a limb. Such fun!]
After Edwin departed for the communal bathing facilities, Marcus settled into a meditative posture on his bed and opened the Skill Shop interface again. After careful consideration, he made his first selections:
[Skill Point Allocation:]
Left Hand Dominance (6 SP): Accelerate adaptation to left-handed techniques by 30%Construct Stabilization (10 SP): Increase duration of construct arm by 40%Mana Efficiency (4 SP): Reduce MP cost of all techniques by 5%Arsenal Expansion (8 SP): Increase maximum simultaneous weapon manifests by 3
This left him with 4 skill points in reserve—a prudent decision given that he might discover more crucial needs once classes began. As he confirmed the selections, a warm sensation washed through him, settling particularly in his left arm and the stump of his right.
[Skills Successfully Acquired] [Left Hand Dominance now active] [Construct Stabilization now active] [Mana Efficiency now active] [Arsenal Expansion now active] [Remaining Skill Points: 4]
The effects were subtle but immediately noticeable. When Marcus experimentally manifested his construct arm, it formed with greater stability and definition than before. A quick mental calculation suggested he could now maintain it for approximately 14 minutes instead of 10—a significant improvement for practical purposes. Similarly, when he created a simple crimson blade with his left hand, his grip felt more natural, the balance more intuitive.
Most intriguingly, when he attempted to manifest his arsenal, ten weapons formed in the air around him instead of the previous seven. While still far from his pre-injury capacity of twenty-four, this represented a meaningful recovery of his offensive capabilities.
[System Message: Congratulations on your purchase of "Left Hand Dominance!" We hope you enjoy your accelerated adaptation to being partially dismembered. Please consider leaving a five-star review!]
Marcus dismissed both his construct arm and arsenal as Edwin returned from the bathing facilities. His roommate was now dressed in the standard Eldavia uniform—a blue jacket with silver trim, matching trousers, and a white shirt with a silver academy crest. The outfit was designed to distinguish commoner students from nobles, who wore gold trim instead of silver.
"Your turn for the baths," Edwin noted. "Better hurry, they get crowded quickly."
As Marcus gathered his toiletries and uniform, he reflected on the strange turns his journey had taken. From his reincarnation in this world to his current circumstances—one-armed, at a prestigious academy, with a newly unlocked Skill Shop and the knowledge that dimensional convergence approached—nothing had proceeded according to any conventional plan.
The communal bathing facilities were already busy when Marcus arrived, steam rising from the large central pool that served the entire east wing of the commoner dormitories. He hesitated briefly at the entrance, aware of the attention his missing arm would draw in this setting. With a deep breath, he stepped inside, keeping his movements efficient and purposeful as he stored his belongings in one of the available lockers.
The expected glances came—some curious, some pitying, quickly averted when he returned their gaze. Marcus ignored them, making his way to an open section of the bathing pool. Self-consciousness was a luxury he couldn't afford; practical concerns like adapting to one-armed bathing routines took precedence.
"Those are battle scars," came a deep, rumbling voice from his left.
Marcus turned to see an enormous young man sitting in the pool nearby. The student was easily the largest person in the room—broad-shouldered and heavily muscled, with intricate blue tattoos running along his shoulders and chest in patterns Marcus recognized as belonging to the Valkarien tribes of the western territories. His dark hair was pulled back in a warrior's knot, revealing a face marked by a single diagonal scar across his right cheek.
"Excuse me?" Marcus replied, not certain if the comment had been directed at him.
The massive student nodded toward Marcus's torso, which bore several scars from his mercenary work—a jagged line across his ribs from a bandit's blade, a circular burn mark from a corrupted focus, and various other marks accumulated during his independent missions.
"Your scars. They tell stories of battles won." The tribal student's accent was thick but his words clear. "I am Coltan Bredant of the Stone Bear Clan. You have a good body, warrior. Strong, despite..." He gestured respectfully toward Marcus's missing arm.
There was nothing sexual or mocking in the assessment—merely the straightforward evaluation of one fighter recognizing another. In Valkarien culture, scars were marks of honor, visual testaments to survival and victory.
"Marcus Phoenix," he replied with a nod of acknowledgment. "And yes, each has its story."
Coltan grinned, broad and genuine. "My people say scars are the body's way of writing its own saga. You have begun a worthy tale." He pointed to the stump of Marcus's right arm. "That one—your greatest battle?"
"My most recent," Marcus corrected. "Not my greatest."
The tribal student laughed, a booming sound that drew glances from across the bathing chamber. "Well spoken! The greatest battles lie ahead for warriors like us."
Unlike the other students, Coltan made no attempt to hide his interest in Marcus's missing limb or to treat it as something shameful. There was only respect in his manner—the recognition of a wound received in combat as something honorable rather than pitiful.
As Marcus finished his bathing routine, adapting to one-handed washing with practiced movements, Coltan continued casual conversation, describing his own journey from the western territories and his ambitions at Eldavia. The tribal student had been sponsored by his clan's elders, who sought to establish stronger connections between their traditional magic and the formal techniques taught at the academy.
"Most here think only of family names and politics," Coltan remarked as they prepared to leave the bathing chamber. "But I see in you a true fighter. If you need an ally who values strength over status, find me in the Combat Hall."
With a respectful nod that seemed almost like a warrior's salute, Coltan departed, leaving Marcus with the curious realization that he had made his first potential ally at Eldavia—and from an unexpected quarter. The direct, honor-focused perspective of the Valkarien tribes stood in stark contrast to the political maneuvering Edwin had described as central to academy life.
Yet as he made his way through the dormitory corridors, navigating the curious glances his missing arm attracted, Marcus felt an unexpected sense of possibility. The path ahead remained challenging, but with these new resources and perhaps a few unexpected allies, even the loss of his arm might ultimately prove to be an adaptation rather than merely a setback.
First, though, he had an orientation to attend, classes to begin, and a reputation to establish not as the renowned Crimson Sentinel, but simply as Marcus Phoenix—a commoner student with unusual abilities and a determination that even dimensional threats had failed to diminish.
[Status Update] [Name: Marcus Phoenix] [Age: 15 years, 2 months] [Level: 80] [HP: 520/520] [MP: 870/870] [Right Arm: Missing] [Arsenal Manifestation: 10 simultaneous constructs (improved from 7)] [Construct Arm: 14 minutes duration at full articulation (improved from 10)] [Left-Hand Swordsmanship: Level 14] [New Skills Acquired:] [Left Hand Dominance - Level 1] [Construct Stabilization - Level 1] [Mana Efficiency - Level 1] [Arsenal Expansion - Level 1] [Quest: Eldavia Integration - In Progress]
[System Message: From one-armed outcast to slightly more capable one-armed outcast. Progress is progress, I suppose! Now try not to spend those remaining skill points on anything frivolous like "Two-Armed Existence" or "Normal Student Life." Where would the drama be in that?]