Verena was speechless. Of all the times, why did it have to be now? But what came next just made her even more dumbfounded.
Class Condition: Have sexual intercourse with an individual with whom you have a powerful emotional connection.
Reinitializing System...
...
...
Complete! System fully online!
Class Unlocked: Avatar of Connection
[Avatar of Connection]: You are the embodiment of the heart and mind. Your bonds give you power, and those around you receive power, in return. Each [Bonded Companion] gives and receives myriad bonuses, based on acquired skills.
Initial Skills: [Lover's Boon] and [Bond of Power]
[Lover’s Boon](Active Skill): Forges a permanent connection with an intimate lover. Target must have a deep emotional connection with you, and you must have had intercourse, at least once. Target permanently becomes a [Bonded Companion], and receives all associated benefits.
[Bond of Power](Passive Skill): Each [Bonded Companion] receives a 5% increase to all experience gained. For each [Bonded Companion], you gain a boost to each of your stats equal to 10% of their corresponding stat.
Verena stared for a long moment, her mind nearly short-circuiting. "What!?"
Marianne was startled, looking at Verena, next to her, in bed. "Hey, what's wrong, love?"
Verena felt a small flutter in her heart, but she had more pressing concerns. "Look at my system page."
Marianne was immediately stunned, and Verena opted to do the same.
Name: Verena Tavanor
Race: Vampire
Gender: Female(Hermaphrodite)
Age: 70
Titles(0): -
Companions: Marianne Whispwind([Battle Maid], [Bonded Companion])
Class: Avatar of Connection
Level: 1
Strength: 12 (10+2)
Dexterity: 26 (16+10)
Agility: 20 (12+8)
Vitality: 31 (28+3)
Intelligence: 18 (14+4)
Will: $%*<
Charisma: 48 (43+5)
Arcane: 12 (8+4)
Passive Skills(1): [Bond of Power]
Active Skills(1): [Lover’s Boon]
They were both deep in thought, trying to understand why this had happened. The system, however, wasn't finished yet, it seemed.
Ding!
New Titles unlocked!
Applying Innate Titles: [Noble Scion], [Noble of Agoria], [Countess Heir], [Ancestral Progenitor(Dracula von Tepes)]
Alert: Multiple latent Titles detected! Applying now.
Title unlocked: For your dedication in improving the lives of your citizens, you have received the title [Champion of the People].
Title unlocked: For gaining the trust and loyalty of a [Battle Maid], you have received the title [Battle Maid Liege].
Title unlocked: For your unparalleled determination and dedication, you have received the title [Fiery Heart].
Verena sighed. "Okay, now that that's done with I ca-"
Alert: Latent Prestige Title detected! Applying now.
"What!?"
Prestige Title unlocked: Your system has been active for over fifty years before unlocking your class. You have gained the title [Late Bloomer]
[Late Bloomer](Prestige Title): For your struggle in unlocking your class, you have received a boost to keep you from falling behind. Increases experience gain by 10%. When receiving stat points via level up, gain 1 additional point.
They were both stunned. As her [Battle Maid], Marianne could see these notifications, if she was actively viewing Verena's status page, so she was seeing everything Verena was.
"My lady..."
However, before Marianne could find the words, the true bombshell dropped.
Alert! System interference detected! Your Will is being suppressed by an external force.
Error! Interference with a [Primal Avatar] detected! Threat to system balance identified.
Seeking Redress
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...
...
New Prestige Title created!
Prestige Title unlocked: You have unlocked your potential, despite deliberate attempts by a hostile force to suppress you. You have gain the title [Unbreakable Will].
[Unbreakable Will](Prestige Title): You are wholly immune to all effects that would negatively impact your Will, or alter your perception.
Verena's blood went cold. Suppressed by an external force!? Rage built in her core. However, something odd happened. Despite the burning anger, Verena still felt completely in control. Then, it dawned on her. She immediately opened her system, only concerned with one value. A value that made her eyes nearly pop out of her head.
Will: 66(62+4)
"Sixty-two!? What the hell kind of base stat is that!?" It was truly absurd. Sixty-two was a number that was usually not reached until at least level forty, more likely, level fifty or sixty. Even Marianne, with her [Power in Death] skill, only had her two primary stats above that, and that was factoring in bonuses from skills. When considering base stats, Marianne's highest number was her Dexterity, at fifty-one. In other words, Verena's starting Will was more than ten points above the primary stat of a level thirty-nine individual. "I didn't think an initial stat that high was even possible."
Alert!
"Oh, for fuck's sake, what now!?"
Latent experience detected: Applying experience gained from [Oathsworn Battle Maid] Marianne Whispwind.
Level up! You have gained 2 stat points!
Title [Late Bloomer] triggers: Bonus stat point gained!
Level up! New skill point available!
Level up! You have gained 2 stat points!
Title [Late Bloomer] triggers: Bonus stat point gained!
Level up! New skill point available!
"Well, at least this one is a good thing." Marianne reaches out, putting a hand on Verena's shoulder. "It looks like the system still logged the experience you got from me for the assassin and Morel, but it just couldn't apply it until you got your class." Usual methods of gaining experience wouldn't work at all until the individual unlocked their class. However, certain special means of gaining experience would still register the experience, and simply apply it when their class was unlocked.
"Okay, maybe that's everything...?" Verena had a hesitant, but hopeful, tone of voice.
Alert! Further interference detected! An external force is affecting your surroundings!
"Fuck..."
Error! Interference with a [Primal Avatar] detected! Threat to system balance identified.
Seeking Redress
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...
Error! System overreach imminent! Engaging safeguards.
Alert! System safeguards prevent further direct action. Redress currently impossible.
Verena was so numb to the absurdity, by now, that she just moved on from questioning it. "Redress is impossible? Wait! What do you mean interfering with my surroundings!? What are they doing!?"
Alert! Incoming communication from #@*&%.
A soft, feminine voice sounded in Verena's mind, "I'm sorry it's taken so long, little one. My power over your world is quite limited, and I had to use most of my strength just to get you this chance. I can't give you any more help for quite some time, and I can't tell you much, without triggering the damn safeguards."
Verena looked around, startled. "What? Who are you? What are you talking about?"
"I can't answer that. I'm sorry. The system doesn't like when we get involved directly, so I can only act directly against what my enemies have directly done. Unfortunately, [SafeguardsEngaged]. Fuck! Sorry, but I'm already toeing the line. This is all I can tell you. They're going to come for you. You probably have a few weeks. You need to hide, and you need to run. I've given you everything you need, but I can't tell you how to do it. I'm running out of time, and the system is pushing back. Trust Marianne! She's-[Communication Terminated]
Verena blinked several times. "Is it possible to re-lock a class?"
Marianne looked at her in confusion, not having heard anything the voice had said. "What do you mean? What did I miss?"
Verena explained what the voice had said to her, causing Marianne to sigh heavily. Then, she reached out, rolling Verena over and pulling her in close, pressing Verena's back against her front. "It's late, love. If we really have a few weeks, then we can wait until morning to figure this all out. Just rest."
Verena sighed. "I don't think I can sleep, right now."
Marianne, however, just kissed her neck, pulling her closer. "You can. Just focus on us, and let yourself relax."
Doing as she said, Verena let herself get lost in the comfort of her lover's body against hers. Within a few minutes, she was out cold. Marianne smiled, resting against Verena's back. "Sleep well, love. I don't know what this all means, but I do know one thing. Whatever it is, I'll be right there, next to you."