As soon as she focused on it, a new explanation popped up.
Siphon: Using skin to skin contact, you may permanently absorb 1% of one chosen attribute and skill experience of your target. The target will recuperate their attribute and skill experience after a set amount of time, receiving a .5% increase to those siphoned areas.
What the what? She could steal someone’s attributes and skills? She was mildly comforted by the fact that they would get something out of it too, but it seemed…strange. It also felt like the system wasn’t telling her everything, but she supposed that was part of the whole trial and error process.
Coming back to herself, she realized she’d been seemingly staring into space for at least two minutes. Jessica and Kaylee were having a whispered conversation that she wished she could hear, but unfortunately, that didn’t seem to be one of her strengths. Maybe she could develop it? How did that work?
“Sorry about that. Can you tell me how skill experience works?” She quietly interrupted their whispers.
Jessica and Kaylee smiled, and it was Kaylee who answered this time. “Yes, miss. Of course. Skill experience is gained by…well, doing just about anything. Your skills will form as you practice, and then you’ll gain experience by doing it. It’s pretty straightforward.”
I guess that makes sense. I mean, I didn’t do a whole lot in my last life. Unless peeing through a catheter counts as a skill. Do they even have catheters here? I guess there’s no such thing as browsing the internet either. Maybe I could have gotten a reading skill at least… Oh well.
She mused to herself as she nodded, trying to get a grip and organize her thoughts. What she absolutely needed to know was the situation of the world. With all the weapons she’d seen, it didn’t seem like this was a particularly peaceful place. She also needed to figure out what she would do to get by, and maybe see if there was a library or something so she could just look up the information herself. Fortunately, Jessica saved her from her musings by trying to explain things simply to her.
“So, now that you’ve seen your profile, there are a few things you should know. You’re in the capital of Caoi, which is Abala. The kingdom is ruled by King Derrick and Queen Ashanna. More specifically, this is The Green Dragon, one of the dormitories for students of Dracona Academy.” They looked a little guilty at this, and she could pretty much figure out why. She wasn’t supposed to be here, and they’d have to tell whoever was over them. Still, she was determined to get as much information out of them as she could before that.
“This academy… What do they do there?”
Kaylee looked a little starstruck when she responded. “It’s sponsored by the King. They accept the most talented people from all over the kingdom to train them!”
Jessica cut in at that point, looking a bit more down to earth. “They’re usually the sons and daughters of the aristocrats. There are a few truly talented people who get chosen every year through the selection process, but most of them get in through recommendation. The king pays for their training and lodging since he declared ‘they are the future of the kingdom.’” She glanced at Kaylee and sighed at her wishful looks. It was obvious that Jessica was the more down to earth one, and Kaylee had all sorts of fantasies going on inside her head at the moment.
Jade ignored the daydreaming Kaylee and focused on the pertinent information. “So, what you’re saying is I could stay here if I get accepted to the academy through this selection process?”
This seemed to snap Kaylee out of her reverie, and she guffawed. “Yeah, but you’ll never make it…” She clapped a hand over her mouth, looking panicked as Jade chortled inwardly. She couldn’t honestly blame her… I mean, look at me. I’m just a waif compared to normal people, even Kaylee herself, who’s probably considered skinny. Why would she have any reason to think I’d make it into what’s basically the noble faction?
Outwardly, Jade just smiled at her. She wasn’t going to scold her for making a perfectly reasonable judgment call. What she wanted to know was if they took people in for things other than brawn. She figured she might be able to develop that aspect eventually, depending on how her special ability worked, but for now, she needed to use her brains.
Jessica came to Kaylee’s rescue, as well as Jade’s. “Actually, you might have a chance. They tend to let most travelers in if they have a special ability. Do you?”
Jade nodded gratefully. “Yeah, I do. So where do I go to find this selection thingy?”
Kaylee, as if trying to make up for her earlier faux pas, immediately turned helpful. “It’s not too far from here. You just need to go to the upper city hall and register for their tests and the interview. It’s still going on for the next two days.”
She smiled at Kaylee, trying to communicate that she didn’t hold a grudge without bringing it up specifically. “Thanks. I know you’re busy and I’m grateful for your help. Is there a library I can go to?”
“You can read?” Jessica stared wide-eyed at her.
Jade winced. Apparently, the demarcation between the rich and the poor was more stringent than she had hoped. She shrugged helplessly. “I could before. Here, I’m not so sure. I guess I won’t know unless I try?”
Kaylee nodded thoughtfully as she replied, “I guess that makes sense. There’s a library, but it’s not easy to get access. It’s close to The Red Wyrm, one of the other dormitories, about five blocks north of here.”
“Thanks. I think I’ll try and start there, maybe look around a little before I go for the test. You guys have been so helpful…so I guess I should probably go with you to meet your boss? You know, to see if I can stay here for a few days until I get on my feet and join the academy?”
They both looked a little skeptical at her unconscious tone of certainty that she would make it into the academy, but well…she was a traveler, so they didn’t call her on it. What if she really made it into the academy? They would much rather be on her good side. Finally, seeming to conclude their unspoken argument, Jessica nodded. “Yes, I think that would be for the best. But uhm… Do you have anything else to wear? For instance...shoes?”
Jade stared blankly at them before saying honestly, “I have no idea. Let me check.” I really hope whatever god sent me here at least gave me some normal clothes… She awkwardly stumbled her way to the dresser, silently reveling in the fact that she could WALK! It didn’t matter how awkward she was, the fact that she could do it on her own was amazing! Therefore, she ignored the concerned gawks Jessica and Kaylee were sending her way as she started opening the drawers and rifling through them.
To her relief, there were several pairs of pants and undergarments in the various drawers. Though she had no idea what they were made of–her previous practical experience had mostly taught her about jeans, scrubs, and hospital gowns–they looked comfortable enough. However, not seeing any shirts, she remembered the other door in the room. Stumbling her way over while Jessica and Kaylee looked to be visibly restraining themselves from jumping up to try and catch her when she wobbled, she opened the door victoriously.
Jackpot! In the closet were several shirts or tunicy things hung up, as well as a freaking awesome cape, a simple flowy dress, and something else which was drapey and she didn’t know the name for. There were also some wicked looking boots on the floor. Triumphantly, she turned back to them and announced, “I do have other stuff!”