A/N: I want to give readers a more thorough idea of what this fanfic will contain. That way, you can save time if you don't like where this is heading. This will include: OP Protag, HP and DxD tropes (though I hope to put a twist on many), limited bashing, kingdom-building and slice-of-life (especially as the chapters get later on). The HP and DxD combined world will be resolved before any other worlds are traveled to (beyond brief visits). There will be a wide range of crossover with novels, games, movies, and anime in the form of items, creatures, and companions.
Reviews and comments are welcome. However, suggestions on items, summons, skills, etc. will likely be ignored unless I really, really like it. Fair warning.
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the works mentioned in this fanfic.
Chapter 1: Welcome, Gamer!
Azalea Lily Potter lay on her lumpy mattress, her dark red hair sprawled beneath her, tossing a piece of wood that broke off her bedframe into the air. Having just returned from her third year of Hogwarts, she contemplated her life up to this point and fantasized about things that might have been and still may be. There were dozens of hobbies and occupations Azalea thought were fascinating. She knew she could excel at any number of them; she was self-assured in her intelligence and talents.
But really…what was the point?
Emotional and physical abuse had caused her to hide the fierce intelligence and thirst for knowledge she'd inherited from her parents - the beating and starvation that ensued from her topping Dudley's scores had made Azalea bury her talents. The happiness and playfulness she'd shown as a baby had long turned to cynicalness and cautiousness. Unlike many abused children who didn't recognize that they'd been abused, Azalea had enough self-awareness and had read enough to admit the Dursleys' actions were abusive - the library was her favorite place to escape the Dursleys. While she hadn't understood the more technical terms, one of the books she'd perused had discussed the signs of abuse. And she most certainly did not think, like many children of abuse came to believe, that she deserved the abuse.
Unfortunately, the knowledge she was abused didn't do anything to fix the situation, nor did it help alleviate the harm the abuse had caused.
When Hagrid had broken down the door that stormy night almost three years ago, Azalea thought it was a sign of things to change. She had been practically shaking with excitement. But she was wrong. Hogwarts was Privet Drive but with a different set of bells and whistles.
Staff that emotionally abused her? Check.
A series of events, most of which were preventable to some degree, throughout each year causing her bodily harm? Check.
Her opinion, wants, and needs cast aside in favor of the adults' plans holding stewardship over her? Check.
To be fair, at least at Hogwarts, she could eat her fill.
Naturally, this all meant that Azalea maintained many of the same habits she'd built up at the Dursleys. She was quiet and observed everything around her, interacting with other students only when they approached her first. Her studies were thorough, each assignment being carefully researched and understood, but to not stand out, her grades were only slightly above average. And mainly, Azalea would endure whatever vitriol and abuse came her way because she knew that fighting it would just make it worse.
Because what was the point in being better, in changing, if the world was just going to keep beating her down?
Of course, the magical world wasn't all bad. Azalea was friendly with many students and would even consider a few friends. And in Hermione, she'd found a true friend. Merlin, Hermione was a godsend.
Then there was the magic. In a word, Azalea found magic to be…breathtaking. Reality could be bent, twisted, and rewritten with but a thought. Beautiful, awe-inspiring, and dreadful creatures had come to being by magic's mere existence. Magic represented Azalea's deepest desires, for magic could do and be anything.
Witches and wizards tried to restrict magic, giving it rules and saying what it couldn't do. It may be naive thinking on her part, but Azalea found such thoughts to be hogwash. An unwilling girl's magic could bind her to a marriage contract because her head of house signed it? Foolishness. A person's magic would never do something that harmed its host, nor would magic as a whole subject itself to mundane laws.
Azalea knew that if she could just master magic, could become better or at least on par with the greatest witches and wizards, she could lead the life she wished. And she knew she had the magical power and abilities to reach that limit one day, provided no obstacles stood in her way. Unfortunately, Azalea faced two tremendous obstacles: Voldemort and Dumbledore.
So what was the point?
Voldemort was an undeniable obstacle to her achieving her freedom. The man, the thing, was bent on killing her. True, he had failed so far despite her being so much younger and inexperienced, and yes, he was nothing more than a wraith or spirit at present. However, given her fickle luck, there was no guarantee the status quo would persist. All it took was one mistake on her part during another adventure or Voldemort regaining his body to kiss her dreams goodbye. And with the way the dangers seemed to escalate each year, well…
Then there was Dumbledore. He was a much more complicated obstacle. In truth, Azalea still couldn't figure out the man's motivations or interests in her life. She had theories, of course. Oh boy, did she have ideas. Was he a secret dark lord trying to eliminate her - maybe he was Grindelwald in disguise? Was he purposefully pitting her against Voldemort and his minions? Perhaps he was too busy with his other positions that he neglected his role as Headmaster. Was he going senile? Or maybe, Dumbledore was the kind and wise old man he appeared to be, and his actions - or inactions - were all for Azalea's benefit. Ultimately, Azalea couldn't determine why he did what he did.
And honestly, the reasoning behind Dumbledore's actions didn't matter. What mattered was that dangers persisted at Hogwarts, and Dumbledore allowed them to happen. With his authority, influence, and power, the risks Azalea had faced these last three years should've been prevented or at least mitigated. But they weren't. And if Dumbledore was as intelligent as everything indicated, it all pointed to willful inaction. Willful inaction that Azalea feared would see her in an early grave.
Therefore, because of Voldemort's looming danger and Dumbledore's singular unhelpfulness, Azalea constantly asked herself, 'What was the point?'
What was the point in trying when her abuse seemed inescapable?
What was the point in trying when adults already 'knew' what was best for her?
What was the point in trying when she probably wouldn't live to see adulthood, no matter her growth?
If it weren't for her friends, Hermione in particular, and her downright stubbornness not to go out as a coward, Azalea would have succumbed to her darkest thoughts long ago.
But everything was about to change.
[What if a means existed to change your path, to grant you control over your life? Would you seize it, no matter what the means were?]
The questions ran through her mind seamlessly as though they were her own. But they weren't. It came from a source much more grand. It came from a higher power seeking a new user for its unfathomable abilities.
'No, not by any means,' Azalea thought. 'I wouldn't do it if I had to hurt or cause others to suffer. I won't be a Voldemort.'
[How much power would be enough? Do you wish for omnipotence?]
Azalea missed the piece of the bed frame as it fell back down, the question giving her pause. 'Omnipotence? No, having that much power would be bloody terrifying. Dumbledore and Voldemort are the strongest people I know, so I'd want to be at least as strong as them. Rather, a fair bit stronger to ensure they couldn't meddle with my life.' She bit her lower lip in contemplation before finally settling her thoughts. 'I want to be strong enough that no one can push me around but not so strong that even Hermione would fear what I could do.'
[And given such power, what would you do with it?]
A warm smile lit up her face as she stared at the ceiling, picturing everything she'd dreamt of doing since she was young.
'I'd live.'
She continued to picture those impossible futures, and soon, the warmth of the second-story room - Vernon having long sealed the vents that would let cool air into the freak's room - made her eyes droop and flutter in drowsiness. As her mind was entering the realm of dreams–
[Congratulations, Gamer, you're selected!]
Azalea snapped awake and tumbled off her bed without grace, her eyes searching for the voice's source. "Who's there?" she whispered, not wanting the Dursleys to hear.
[Gamer system binding initiated. Download in progress.]
[1%]
Pain. Pain unlike anything she'd ever experienced coursed through Azalea. It wasn't just her body that felt it, but her entire being. Her soul, flesh, and mind were being eviscerated, healed, and then eviscerated again, transformed to suit a higher power. She thrashed on the floor, and only through long practice of remaining silent through pain kept her screams to mere whimpers.
Hedwig frantically hooted, her wings flapping against the cage's boundaries, as she looked down at her partner writhing on the ground.
[13%]
[27%]
[Error!]
[Beginning scan.]
[Scanning…]
[Foreign elements preventing binding discovered.]
[Analyzing…]
[Virus found: Tom Riddle soul (fragment).]
[Action to resolve: Quarantine for later destruction.]
[Resolved.]
[Software protection found: Lily Potter soul (complete).]
[Action to resolve: Inactive state turned on and quarantined in a protected file. Further action is to be determined by the host.]
[Resolved.]
[Continuing download.]
[33%]
Azalea couldn't focus on the voice, never mind puzzle out who or what was saying it. For a brief moment, the pain around her scar elevated to hellish degrees before leveling back to its previous state; blood and black ichor ran from it. All over her body, her skin began to tear. Red-tinted tears streamed down her cheeks, and she was finding it harder to keep her whimpers quiet.
How much time had passed? An hour? A few seconds? She knew not.
[79%]
[91%]
[99%]
[100%]
[Download complete.]
[Providing immediate aid to the Gamer to fix the download's damages.]
[Completed.]
[Welcome, Gamer!]
The pain vanished. Azalea moaned in relief as a warm current spread through her body, healing her and restoring her stamina and strength. The tears that had formed all over her body recovered in a flash, not leaving so much as a mark. However, her body and clothes were still painted with blood, her face stained with black ichor from her scar.
"Who…what are you?" Azalea breathed. Crawling forward, she pried up a loose floorboard, reached into the cavity below, and pulled out her wand - she'd asked Angelina on the train to transfigure a copy of her wand that she could use to place in her trunk and therefore fool Vernon, allowing her to keep her real wand with her. She stood and scanned the room, ready to cast at the slightest movement.
[Please calm down. You are in no danger from myself or the System. I am your assistant, assigned to help you navigate your new Gaming System.]
Azalea snorted, still on alert. "Because someone who isn't a threat would, of course, cause that much pain. It's only common sense," she snorted. "That bloody hurt!"
[My apologies. The pain was an unfortunate side effect of the System binding with your body and soul. It will not happen again.]
"Wait…my soul!? What did you do?" Azalea hissed, alarmed. She'd only ever read short references to soul magic. Each of those references was only long enough to mention how dangerous any application of the art was. Frankly, any existence that could casually interfere with her soul was utterly terrifying. "Rather than that, where are you?"
[Like the System, I am a part of you. You need only think it to speak with me.]
Taking a few deep breaths, Azalea tried to calm herself. Seeing that there was no immediate threat or at least no danger she could cast a spell at, she returned to her bed and sat down. Her wand was, however, kept at the ready just in case. 'So what exactly is this System? You said I was a Gamer, and I've been chosen? What did you mean?'
[Only one person in each multiverse may be chosen. Gamers in other multiverses selected you because a Boy/Girl-Who-Lived typically leads eventful and exciting lives, you are mentally stable - there are already plenty of psychopathic Gamers - and the ratio of male to female Gamers needed some balancing.
A Gamer is a person who has been gifted a Game System, the System being the actualization of a Gamer's powers. The System transforms its host to allow them to become and wield the powers of a video game character. These game abilities will enable the host to gain power, skills, and talents rapidly they would otherwise not be able to.
Due to video games being in their infancy and your limited involvement with the mundane world these past few years, it is recognized that an introduction to your abilities is needed. To start, please mentally command: 'Status.']
Azalea briefly contemplated whether or not she should obey. Would saying 'Status' give the System more hold over her? However, provided it had already bound itself to her soul and with such ease, she doubted there was anything more she could do to give the System more power.
'Status,' she commanded. A semi-transparent screen appeared in her vision.
Name: Azalea Lily Potter
Title(s): Gamer
Level: 1
Sex: Female
Race: Human
Combat Class: TBD
Development Class: TBD
HP: 100/100
MP: 100/100
Str: 10
Agi: 10
End: 10
Dex: 10
Int: 10
Wis: 10
Luc: 10
SKILLS:
Gamer's Body MAX
Gamer's Mind MAX
Observe (Limited) MAX
ID Create/Destroy I
Azalea looked at the screen in confusion. The meaning behind her name, sex, and race made sense. The Title could also be understood given what the System had told her. However, she wasn't sure what to make of the level or the series of numbers. Knowing she was confused, the System explained.
[What you see can be viewed as a summary of your abilities without considering your prior experiences or achievementd. Every new Gamer starts at the same level and has the same statistics in Health Points, Magical Points, Strength, Agility, Endurance, Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Luck. Your overall Level is derived from the accumulation of your Combat Class levels. Each time your Combat Occupation level increases, and therefore your general level increases, you will gain an increase in the Stats that correspond to your Combat Class.
Combat Classes are those classes or occupations whose skills and abilities can directly affect your prowess in combat. Primary examples include Mage and Warrior. Levels are increased by defeating enemies or completing quests.
Development Classes are those classes or occupations whose skills and abilities, while being able to assist in combat indirectly, are more related to a craft of some kind. Primary examples include Musician and Potioneer. Leveling is achieved by performing actions in line with the Class's craft.
Skills are passive or active abilities and talents that a Gamer gains through Class progression or by meeting certain preconditions and experiences throughout their life. Passive skills are always functioning. A Gamer needs to think of an active skill's name to activate it. For example, Gamer's Body and Gamer's Mind are both passive skills and are therefore always activated, while you would need to mentally command 'ID Create' or 'ID Destroy' to activate it.
Please consider a topic for more details about Statistics, Classes, Skills, and Levels; the System will provide more in-depth information.]
"Alright…" Azalea spoke hesitantly. She understood everything the System had been telling her but didn't truly understand. The concept of her life now being a video game was far too abstract and nebulous still. Her extent of prior video game knowledge was limited to seeing a couple of video game cartridges Dudley had received for his last birthday. And so, like any student thirsty for knowledge, she asked her 'teacher' for clarification. A nearly two-hour Q&A session followed, where Azalea explored the ins and outs of her Status. The System was patient with her - did it have emotions? - and gave thorough responses.
The numerical statistics were relatively straightforward once she understood the abbreviations. Strength was a simple thing to understand, after all. Of course, they were more complicated than that with how the different stats interacted with each other. Still, Azalea felt she'd gained a quick understanding after her first few level-ups and being able to feel and experience how the status changes affected her.
Titles were rare and could be acquired by overcoming many, often tricky, prerequisites or having many people recognize her for something. Titles come with their own skills and/or status improvements - her three current skills came from the 'Gamer' title.
And speaking of which, skills are incredible! Especially her current skills. A body that won't retain injuries or ailments - unless she wants an injury for cosmetic purposes - and will recover after a whole night's sleep was simply mind-boggling. A mind immune to outside interference like potions and spells was a godsend. With Observe, she could see the status of anything she owned or had a bond with her. And finally, a skill that could create alternate dimensions where she could practice in peace (ID: Empty) or hone and level herself through combat (ID: Undead I) couldn't be described in any other way than cheat.
She was very much looking forward to experimenting with her three current skills.
Combat classes were interesting. Classes seemed to have some hierarchy or rarity; basic classes like Mage or Warrior needed to be 'maxed' before more specialized classes were unlocked. However, higher-tiered classes could also be opened in other ways if specific parameters were met. For example, Azalea could practice with a spear for countless hours, and the 'Lancer' class may be unlocked early without first 'maxing out' earlier classes.
Azalea knew she'd focus on leveling her combat classes as quickly as possible. Mastering these was the key to gaining her anticipated freedom. Through combat classes, she'd see stat improvements and countless skills that she could use to beat back enemies and prevent anyone from interfering in her life. Plus, the combat classes seemed downright fantastic, and she looked forward to seeing what kind of classes she'd unlock.
However, it what the development classes that caught her eye the most. While combat classes would be necessary and their skills impressive, it was the development classes she always dreamed of and longed for. The combat classes would give her the freedom to explore the development classes. Through the development classes, she could become the most outstanding musician or artist of all time. With these, she could do anything, be anything.
Though she still had a multitude of questions, there was one that stood above all others. 'Is there a limit to the System? Is there a limit to how much I can level or how many classes I can complete?'
[No. Gamers have no limits. Whether you fall into obscurity or become a multiversal god, the limitation lies in your choices.]
Azalea smiled, her eyes gleaming in eager anticipation. 'How fast can I level up? Will it take long to overcome Dumbledore and Voldemort's abilities?'
[With a concerted effort to level up or 'grind,' you could overcome their raw power in a matter of days. A word of caution, however, raw power can often be overwhelmed with technique and skill.']
'Fair enough,' Azalea thought, 'but I'll focus on honing myself after I've gotten enough power to focus without interference.' To the System, she then asked, 'Am I fine to enter my first dungeon?'
[A couple of points must be addressed before that. First, to allow yourself a chance to familiarize yourself with Game mechanics, the transference of your major life events into Game experience and skills was delayed. Would you like to initiate the process?]
'Yes.' Azalea was interested to see what she'd gain. She'd had an interesting life up to now.
[Beginning.]
[Analyzing…]
[Born with a magical core capable of utilizing witch/wizarding magics.
Race altered: Human - Witch.]
[A binding on your magical core was placed on her when she was five months old to limit accidental magic. It is still present.
Attribute acquired: Bound Core.]
[You survived the Killing Curse and are the only human to have ever done so.
Title gained: Girl-Who-Lived.
Skill gained: Death Defiance (One time use).]
[Using you as a medium, your mother defeated Voldemort temporarily.
1000 EXP acquired.]
[You've endured years of abuse. Thankfully, your magic and potions taken at the Hogwarts infirmary have fixed most of the problems, but not all. Attribute acquired: Malnutrition I.]
[Since the night of October 31, 1981, you've lived with Lily Potter's soul (complete) and Tom Riddle's soul (fragment) in you.
Attribute acquired: Momma's Girl.
Skill gained: Animancy Affinity IV.]
"Wait, what?!" Azalea exclaimed. "My mum's soul? And Voldemort's? What do you mean I've been living with them!?"
[Hedwig is the first birthday present you remember, and she is also your first friend.
Bond acquired: Owl - Hedwig]
[You became the first Hogwarts seeker in a century.
Skill acquired: Flight Affinity III]
"Stop! Go back to what you said previously," Azalea whispered frantically, forgetting she could communicate mentally. "Pause. Wait. Cease process," she tried commanding to no avail.
[With your mother's protection, you killed Quirinus Quirrell, a wizard twenty-six years older than you, much more experienced, and host to Voldemort.
2000 EXP acquired.
Drops: 1 smelly turban, 1 wand, 1000 gold.]
[Quest: The Philosopher's Stone (Complete)
Primary Objective: Prevent the stone from falling into Voldemort's possession (Complete)
Optional: Trap and prevent Voldemort's soul from leaving (Failed)
Optional: Neither you nor your companions need medical attention afterward (Failed)
Rewards:
1000 EXP
1 magical item gacha
Skill: Trap Dismantling I
Skill: Alchemy Affinity I]
[You can speak Parseltongue, whether because of a power transference from Voldemort or for another reason, it matters not.
Skill acquired: Parseltongue MAX]
[You killed Slytherin's twenty-meter, 1000-year-old basilisk. The wizarding world classifies basilisks as XXXXX creatures, the highest rating that can be given. The basilisk outclassed you so much that an experience modifier of 3 is awarded.
18000 EXP acquired.
Drops: 1 basilisk skin (5.5x21 meters), 2 basilisk fags, 1 liter basilisk venom, 5000 gold]
[You destroyed the portion of Tom Riddle's soul in the diary.
10000 EXP acquired.]
[You were bit by a basilisk and saved by a phoenix's tears. Both substances have infused with your blood.
Attribute acquired: Blood Augmentation - Basilisk Venom.
Attribute acquired: Blood Augmentation - Phoenix Tears.
Skill acquired: Hemomancy Affinity II]
[Quest: The Chamber of Secrets (Complete)
Primary Objective: Save Ginny Weasley and prevent the heir of Slytherin from gaining a body (Complete)
Optional: Kill the basilisk (Complete)
Optional: Kill the basilisk without assistance (Failed)
Optional: Kill the basilisk without being injured (Failed)
Optional: Determine the true nature of the diary is (Failed)
Rewards:
2000 EXP
1 weapon gacha
1 Familiar Summon
Skill: Sword Damage Up I
Skill: Poison Resist II]
[You freed Dobby from his abusive master. As house-elves need a source of magic to sustain their existence, Dobby bound himself to you and awaited your call.
Bond acquired: House Elf - Dobby]
Azalea's lips twitched in amusement and exasperation. 'That damn elf. He could've just said something.'
[You nearly had your soul devoured by dementors on three different occasions.
Skill acquired: Animancy Resistance II]
[Quest: The Prisoner of Azkaban (Complete)
Primary Objective: Learn the truth about Sirius and save him from capture (Complete)
Optional: Use a corporeal patronus to drive back a horde of dementors (Complete)
Optional: Kill at least one dementor (Failed)
Optional: Capture Peter Pettigrew and hand him over to the proper authorities (Failed)
Optional: Get Sirius declared innocent, and have the Ministry award him granted guardianship over yourself (Failed)
Rewards:
3000 EXP
1 skill gacha
1 Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card
Skill: Soul Cleave I
Skill: Sanctuary I]
[You have endured the extremes of fortune and misfortune throughout your life. Becoming a Gamer is the most fortunate occurrence in each multiverse. Acquiring the System has also severed any ties Fate had with you. All this taken into account, you have garnered the gaze of the cosmic manifestation of luck.
Title acquired: Luck's Childe]
[This concludes the current process. You had queries?]
"Yes! Finally." Azalea tapped her wand impatiently against her leg. She'd have to 'Observe' her rewards in a moment, but a giant elephant in the room needed to be addressed before she could. 'How could my mum's and Voldemort's soul have been in me?'
[I cannot answer. This System may only answer questions regarding Game mechanics and functions. Questions regarding the nature of the world around you cannot be answered, for the answer may affect the Gamer's future decisions. The beauty of a Game is not that the System makes the path but that the Gamer makes their path.
For example, the System has created countless Quests the Gamer may complete for rewards. However, the System will only reveal the nature of the Quests after completion. This ensures that the existence of certain Quests will not affect the Gamer's decision-making.
In conclusion, find out for yourself.]
"Fine," Azalea bit out. She understood the System's reasoning and could even appreciate it, but it didn't make her any less frustrated. This was her mum, after all! "Can you at least tell me what you did with the souls? I swear to Merlin if you destroyed her so–"
[Both souls were undamaged by becoming a Gamer. Tom Riddle's soul (fragment) has been quarantined for destruction. Your mother's soul was placed under the System's protection until you decide what you want to be done with it.]
"There's no time limit on the protections over her soul, right?"
[No. Until the Gamer decides what to do with it, the soul will remain in stasis and protected.]
"Good. That's good." Azalea's green eyes gazed downward, unseeing, as she contemplated what to do. While dwelling on her mother's condition, she almost mechanically asked, "You said Voldemort's soul is slated for destruction. Can you destroy it?"
[Affirmative. As Tom Riddle's soul directly interfered with attempts to bind the System to the Gamer, the System's restrictions are lifted, and it may act now. Would you like Tom Riddle's soul to be destroyed?]
"Yes."
[Process initiated.]
[Destruction of Tom Riddle's soul commencing.]
[Completed.]
[10000 EXP awarded.]
Azalea barely acknowledged the System prompt, so deep was she in thought. Could she bring her mum back? She remembered what the Mirror of Erised had shown her: her mum and dad proudly supporting her. She'd do anything to make that vision come to pass, even if she only got one parent out of the deal. Undoubtedly, the Game would have a way, right?
"Does the Game have a way to use my mum's soul to resurrect her?"
[Searching.]
[Compiling results.]
[The System may discuss four of the methods discovered.]
[First, resurrection items are rare drops in high-tiered Instand Dungeons.]
[Second, resurrection items and skills may be found in the System's Shop. They are costly.]
[Third, leveling the combat class, Necromancer, will allow you to use your mother's soul and buried body to revive her as an undead.]
[Fourth, completely leveling the following combat classes will award the skill True Resurrection: Animancer, Hemomancer, Necromancy, Biomancer. True Resurrection would resurrect your mother in her natural, living state from before her death.]
"Hmmm…"
The third option was immediately eliminated; Azalea doubted her mother would appreciate being undead. Besides, working with dead bodies was flat-out unappealing. The first and second options had their appeal since the drops and the gold for the Shop would be gained as she leveled in Instant Dungeons. However, the rarity and one-time use was a definite drawback. It was for those reasons Azalea was drawn to the fourth option.
With her understanding of Latin prefixes - thank you, Hogwarts - she understood the classes corresponded to soul, blood, death, and life magics. She saw the reasoning behind those four classes awarding a resurrection skill, but they still caused her to hesitate. Necromancy was appalling; her experiences with Voldemort and being a mostly mentally healthy person didn't paint death magic and working with bodies in a positive light. Similarly, everything Azalea had read portrayed blood and soul magic as dangerous and dark. Biomancy was the only class that appealed to her sensibilities.
That said, she had already acquired affinities for hemomancy and animancy, so she was already at an advantage if she wanted to pursue those classes. And gaining a skill she could use more than once was a massive appeal. Besides, she could endure anything for her mum, the woman who'd given her life for her.
'Alright, I'll do it. I'll complete those four classes. If they're available, that is…'
'System, what classes can I choose?'
[Listing available classes…]
[Mage] [Warrior]
[Witch]
[Saber]
[Hemomancer] [Animancer]
[Mage and Warrior are the two classes available to every Gamer initially. The Witch class was unlocked for obvious reasons. Saber was unlocked by defeating the basilisk with a sword and acquiring the Saber-related skill, Sword Damage Up. Hemomancer and Animancer were unlocked by acquiring their relevant affinities and closely interacting with related magics.]
'Other than being more specialized and powerful, is there a difference between class tiers? Should I start with Mage and work my way up rather than jumping straight into Hemomancer or Animancer?'
[Advice on what you should do cannot be given. I can only relate the facts.
First, lower-tier classes will often award fundamental skills that greatly assist in the useability of higher-tiered classes. For example, skills that improve magic efficiency or your HP recovery rate.
Second, the number of levels needed to complete a class rise with the tier. For example, the Mage class only needs 50 levels to complete it, while Hemomancer requires 150 levels.
Third, higher-tiered classes give better stat improvements per level-up.
Fourth, successive levels require ever higher EXP to level up. Each level needs 100 more EXP than the level before it. For example, to progress from Level 1 to Level 2, 100 EXP is needed; going from Level 21 to Level 22 requires 2100 EXP. This does not reset from class to class. Therefore, your first class will be the easiest to level.
Fifth, 47,000 EXP has been accumulated. This is sufficient to level your first class to Level 31.]
Azalea mulled it over. Choosing a high-tier class straight away was a no-brainer. Yes, she'd be giving up on some basic skills that would undoubtedly be beneficial. Still, the advantages of a high-tier class outweighed that: she'd get stronger faster, progress towards her goal sooner, and would, she assumed, get more powerful skills.
And, of the two classes, Azalea leaned towards the hemomancer class. The idea of soul magic was more taboo in her mind than blood magic. Plus, she already had the attributes of phoenix tears and basilisk venom augmenting her blood - even without Observing, she already had a decent guess as to what they did.
'I'll choose Hemomancer.'
[Hemomancer class chosen.]
[Development classes available are…]
[Potio–]
'Singer. I want the singer class,' Azalea interrupted before the System could continue. Her combat class may have been chosen to fulfill her goals and to get stronger faster, but at least her development class would be something she wanted, the advantages be damned. There were a lot of careers and talents she'd taken a fancy to, but being a fantastic singer topped her list.
[Vocalist class chosen.]
[Updating Status…]
[Transfering accumulated experience to hemomancer class.]
[Level Up]
[Level Up]
…
…
…
[Level Up]
[The following skills have been acquired:
Blood Circulation I
Blood Needle I
Blood Bending I
Blood Blade I
Blood Imbibing I
Blood Drinker I
Blood Renewal I
[Complete. Please review your status.]
*Gasp*
Her breath escaped her as Azalea felt her status change. There was so much power. Every cell seemed to swell with strength. Her magic was leagues above what it had been seconds ago. It was exhilarating. It was addicting. Voldemort? Dumbledore? She felt she could beat them with ease.
As the level-ups ended, she took a deep breath and shook her head in an attempt to come down from the high. 'Come on, girl, don't get a big head already. You're just at the start of your journey.'
She stood and proceeded to bend and twist her body in experimentation. Everything was more flexible, and her movements more graceful. While she couldn't test her magic yet - stupid underage laws - it was clear her body had undergone a qualitative change. But how much?
"Status."
Name: Azalea Lily Potter
Title(s): Gamer, Girl-Who-Live, Luck's Childe
Level: 31
Sex: Female
Race: Human - Witch
Combat Class: Hemomancer (31/150)
Development Class: Vocalist (1/50)
HP: 1133/1133
MP: 1979.2/1979.2
Str: 113.3
Agi: 45.1
End: 113.3
Dex: 45.1
Int: 147.4
Wis: 147.4
Luc: 84
SKILLS:
Gamer's Body MAX
Gamer's Mind MAX
Observe (Limited) MAX
ID Create/Destroy I
Death Defiance (One-time Use)
Animancy Affinity IV
Flight Affinity III
Trap Dismantling I
Alchemy Affinity I
Parseltongue MAX
Hemomancy II
Sword Damage Up I
Poison Resist II
Soul Cleave I
Sanctuary I
Blood Circulation I
Blood Needle I
Blood Bending I
Blood Blade I
Blood Imbibing I
Blood Drinker I
Blood Renewal I
ATTRIBUTES:
Bound Core
Momma's Girl
Blood Augmentation - Basilisk Venom
Blood Augmentation - Phoenix Tears
BONDS:
Owl - Hedwig
House elf - Dobby
Azalea released a quiet whistle. "Woah, that's impressive."
'Well, at least I think it's impressive. It's not as if I have anything to compare my status to. It certainly feels impressive.'
Seeing and feeling the improvement, Azalea was itching to test her new abilities. Perhaps it'd be wise to take another couple of hours to explore what each new skill, attribute, and title did, but she'd been sitting down long enough. She had always been good, no great, at bookwork, but she was superb in practical application. She wanted to move, to cast magic. Naturally, it couldn't be done in 4 Privet Drive, which meant it was time to enter an Instant Dungeon. It would be the first time she'd use a skill.
'Will the Ministry detect skills,' she asked the System. As eager as she was, having the Ministry breathing down her neck would be a problem.
[No. Your Ministry cannot detect system-based skills. However, using magic not rooted in a System skill and ability will still register on their records.]
"Perfect." Azalea stood, excitement filling her. Her wand held ready to cast at a moment's notice. Frankly, she thought she should probably prepare more, or prepare at all. But she couldn't wait. 'Besides, when I looked at the ID Create skill earlier, the first dungeon is rated for levels 1-5. It should be fine," she reasoned.
It was logical, but Azalea forgot the humor of Luck. Luck, especially her luck, ate logic for breakfast and shit out an irrational near-death adventure for lunch.
"ID Create - Undead I."
A/N: Future chapters may be shorter or longer than this, just whatever the story requires. The release rate is once every two weeks, probably on a Monday.
If you're feeling generous or want to read ahead, please visit: pat reon *.com* /Seraphfall
The next chapter will be posted there within a few days, and I aim for 5-10 advance chapters in the next month or so. 5-10 advance chapters will always be created before I work on another fanfic. A first draft of an original novel is also there.