As Leonardo swung his sword toward the dummy's head, it swiftly dropped, catching his legs in a calculated sweep. Leonardo tumbled to the ground, a surprised yelp escaping his lips as the impact jarred him.

  "You didn't even hit it," Anna remarked with a sigh, crossing her arms and shaking her head.

  Leonardo groaned, pushing himself up from the grass and brushing off the dirt clinging to his clothes. "I just realized," he muttered, wincing slightly, "I mostly ran away from fights in Volnia." He glanced at the dummy, which still in the same stance, unmoving but still exuding a menacing presence. "How'd it move so fast?" he added, dusting the grass specks off his outfit.

  Anna watched him with a critical eye, her expression softening slightly. "It's light, that's all. Look, your manifestation and skill are basically the perfect defense," she said, pointing at the dummy. It stood there, still in the position it had taken after knocking Leonardo down.

  Leonardo glanced at her, clutching his sheath and the experimental sword he was testing. "If you attack it again, it'll definitely tackle you down" Anna says, eyes narrowing at the inanimate foe.

  "How'd you know that" Leonardo replies

  Anna nodded knowingly. "Every story skill comes with what you might call a 'starter pack,'" she explained, gesturing vaguely. "Like mine, Illusionist, gives me enhanced perception, better than anyone who doesn't have a skill catered toward it. That's the basic stuff.

  Elara's skill, for instance, means easier or better projection of skills through an object." She paused, studying Leonardo intently. "Yours, though... Have you noticed anything unique that others don't have? Like a—"

  "I have a handbook," Leonardo interrupted, his tone flat.

  Anna blinked. "A what?"

  "I have this thing I call 'Text.' It answers my questions if I ask them," he replied, fumbling with the sword as he tried to fit it into a sheath that seemed too small.

  Anna raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "So it knows everything? Then why bother—"

  "Trust me, I do NOT want to go," Leonardo cut in, his voice laced with frustration. "But it doesn't know everything. It's limited, mostly Rasvian, currency and languages."

  He cast a wary glance at the dummy, still poised ominously. Anna tilted her head, considering his words. "How many languages?"

  Leonardo paused, the floating text rising before him. [1,324 languages known], it read in a neat, glowing script.

  "One thousand, three hundred, and twenty-four," he relayed, still staring at the text.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Anna whistled softly, impressed. "That's how you're able to communicate with us so easily. I've always wondered why your Kol-Nic is so perfect. Different districts have their own ways of pronouncing words, but you… You speak flawlessly."

  "A Stage Five Story Skill grants that much, I suppose." she repeats again

  Anna's eyes sparkled as she smiled. "You're like the ultimate support character," she said with a playful grin.

  Leonardo dropped to a crouch, eye-level with the dummy, as if trying to decipher its secrets. "Can you add information to your Text? Like, pile it up?"

  The floating text shifted, answering her question: [No, only if the Tour Guide does it].

  "Only if the Tour Guide does it," Leonardo echoed, his brow furrowing. He glanced up as Elara approached, her expression curious.

  "Ask it to explain the manifestations of Rasvian energy," she said, intrigued by the floating script.

  Leonardo nodded. "Alright. Explain the manifestations of Rasvian energy."

  The text shimmered and began to list:

  Manifestations of Rasvian Energy:

  Navigator Rasvian:

  Nature: Specializes in guiding and directing energy flows with pinpoint precision.

  Function: Allows the user to channel Rasvian energy accurately, enhancing control over skill execution, targeting, and manipulation of finer details.

  Amplifier Rasvian:

  Nature: Focuses on increasing the intensity and output of Rasvian energy.

  Function: Boosts the power of skills and abilities, making actions more forceful or effective. It is particularly useful in combat or high-energy scenarios.

  Veil Rasvian:

  Nature: Conceals and obfuscates, creating layers of energy that can hide the user or distort perceptions.

  Function: Masks presence, intentions, or even certain actions. It can be used for stealth, misdirection, or creating illusions, blending reality with deception.

  Transmuter Rasvian:

  Nature: Alters and transforms energy from one type to another, providing adaptability.

  Function: Converts energy between forms, enabling the user to shift tactics or respond to different challenges dynamically. It allows for versatility in skill application and environmental manipulation.

  Ascendant Rasvian:

  Nature: Evolves and refines the nature of matter and energy, pushing beyond natural limitations.

  Function: Transforms basic elements into more advanced states, potentially altering their properties. It is used for enhancement, evolution, and pushing boundaries of what is possible.

  Note: Information might be outdated, as it has been a while since the Tour Guide updated.

  Leonardo stood up, studying the detailed list with a focused gaze. Anna nudged him, eager to see for herself. "Let us see it!" she urged, pushing Leonardo's head aside playfully.

  "Alright, alright," Leonardo relented, willing the Text to be visible to everyone. It floated before them, glowing faintly in the air, the lines of information stacking neatly.

  Elara nodded, her eyes scanning the simplified descriptions. "The Grand Bibliotheca would have thousands of lines just for a single manifestation," she commented, impressed by the concise summaries.

  "It's definitely a simplified version," Anna agreed, her gaze lingering on the last entry.

  Leonardo glanced between them, his mind whirring with the possibilities of each manifestation. Elara crossed her arms, deep in thought. "I'm number one and four," she finally said, breaking the silence. Her tone was calm, but there was an underlying resolve, as if she had just accepted a heavy responsibility.

  Anna turned to Leonardo, her expression serious. "And you? Which one do you think you align with?" she asked, her voice softer now,

  Leonardo hesitated, staring at the floating text. The answers were there, plain and clear, but each word seemed to carry the weight of future decisions, battles yet to be fought, and paths not yet taken.

  "Im number Five" he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. The dummy, still and unyielding, seemed to mock him with its immovability, a silent reminder of the journey ahead.