I devoted the entirety of the first day to a meticulous examination of every skill which presented itself to my mind.
This thoroughness was essential, for I required not merely a catalogue of abilities, but a profound comprehension of the world into which I was to be incarnated. The sheer number of skills was staggering: one hundred and twenty-three thousand, eight hundred and fifty-one distinct possibilities.
In this realm of swords and sorcery, denizens are born with skills preordained. A great many of these appeared, at first glance, to be of negligible utility. I observed such unlooked-for endowments as the ability to imitate the calls of woodland creatures, to wash dishes with preternatural efficiency, to change one's attire with bewildering speed, or even to assume the garb of the opposite sex. Curiosities, one and all.
The skills are divided into five ranks — S, A, B, C, and D — and it is possible, through the normal lottery of birth, to acquire one skill from each rank.
S: A probability of one-in-a-billion.
A: A probability of one-in-a-million.
B: A probability of one in ten-thousand.
C: A probability of one-in-a-hundred.
D: A probability of one-in-one.
For each rank, a separate determination is made regarding acquisition; thus, in theory, one might obtain skills from every rank. However, the probability of securing an S-rank skill is, as stated, one in a billion. When one considers the likelihood of acquiring a full complement of skills across all ranks, the figure becomes astronomical: one in one hundred quintillion.
The privilege of selecting my own skills, therefore, was an advantage whose value could scarcely be calculated. Most souls are born with a single D-rank skill, and consider themselves fortunate. The conventional wisdom governing such selections is straightforward: one chooses the most potent S-rank ability available, and then selects supporting skills which amplify its efficacy.
"For every one in one hundred million souls, an S-rank skill of considerable power manifests. Such an ability, in itself, is sufficient to forge a hero."
An S-rank skill, I perceived, carries within it the seed of legend. Consider, for instance, the following:
[Demonic Sword Summoning]
This skill permits the summoning and wielding of magical swords attuned to the user's capability.
The description appears unremarkable upon first reading, yet the blades thus summoned possess properties which beggar belief. It is said a single swing might cleave a mountain asunder.
[Saintly Aegis]
By enveloping oneself in a radiant golden aura of divine energy, one's offensive power, defensive capacity, and swiftness are augmented to an extraordinary degree.
The magnitude of this augmentation is overwhelming. A child possessing this skill could, I calculate, demolish an armoured vehicle with his bare hands. Its versatility recommends it highly; were one uncertain which path to pursue, this ability would serve as an admirable foundation.
[Seal of Bondage]
By pressing one's palm to the forehead of an opponent, one may inscribe a mark which brings them under absolute control.
Theoretically, one might acquire any number of obedient servants through this method. However, the inscription is resisted by the target's magical power, and the caster must possess superior magical reserves to succeed.
[Monster Genesis]
This skill enables the creation of monsters from various materials. By combining corpses with magical stones, one may fashion an army of creatures tailored to one's specifications.
A skill of considerable imaginative scope, and not a little ambition.
These examples merely scratch the surface; dozens of S-rank abilities exist, each more formidable than the last.
In selecting my complement of skills, a primary consideration must be raw destructive capacity. Even a hero, however monstrous his constitution, cannot be injured without sufficient force. At minimum, I require the ability to dispatch him if I am able to concentrate maximum force upon a vital point while he is rendered defenceless.
The second consideration is versatility and adaptability. The path to a hero's elimination is fraught with unforeseen circumstances; without broad applicability in one's skills, recovery from setbacks becomes impossible.
The skills I selected, based upon these principles, were as follows.
"[Superhuman Recuperation]. This shall serve as my foundation."
S-Rank: [Superhuman Recuperation]
This skill multiplies stamina, magical power, self-healing capacity, and all other forms of recovery by a factor of one hundred at initial acquisition. Proficiency increases this multiplier further.
At first glance, this ability may appear unremarkable when compared to the more flamboyant S-rank alternatives. Yet I have learned, through long experience, the paramount importance of endurance. The ability to persist, to continue functioning when all others have faltered — this is the quality which ultimately determines survival. Magic, the fundamental ammunition of this world, is replenished through this skill. Resistance to injury and illness is conferred.
Furthermore, the need for sleep is dramatically reduced. With stamina restored at an accelerated rate, the capacity for training becomes virtually limitless. Given the established rules of this world, resilience constitutes the most formidable weapon one can possess.
I would never have selected this skill without the goddess's prior revelation concerning the nature of heroes.
"With my foundation established, the A-rank selection follows naturally."
A-Rank: [Weaver of Formulae]
This skill permits the creation of original magical spells.
In the world of my destination, magic is not learned or invented; it is a gift bestowed by divinity. Mortals may employ approximately one hundred preordained spells, each crafted by divine will.
With this skill, however, the boundaries of possibility dissolve. I may fashion entirely new magical formulae.
This signifies limitless potential.
It is a skill which allows me to leverage my knowledge of a world built upon chemistry and scientific principle.
"With [Superhuman Recuperation] selected, my B-rank skill is effectively predetermined."
B-Rank: [Limit Breaker]
All inherent limitations upon growth are abolished.
This may appear formidable, yet in isolation, the skill accomplishes nothing. Hence its B-rank classification. Under ordinary circumstances, transcending one's limits serves no purpose. In the world of swords and magic, even a lifetime of dedicated training will not bring one to the threshold of those limits.
However, when combined with [Superhuman Recuperation], which grants inexhaustible stamina for training, this skill reveals its true worth.
For my C-rank selection, I chose versatility: [Combat Mastery].
[Combat Mastery]
Confers talent and bonuses across all forms of combat.
While its effects are less concentrated than those of [Sword Saint] or [Spear Divinity], an assassin must achieve proficiency with every manner of weapon. Reliance upon skills tied to specific implements would represent an unacceptable vulnerability.
"And for my D-rank... I wonder if the goddess will appreciate the subtlety of this choice."
For my final selection, I chose an ability which appears unremarkable but possesses transformative potential depending upon its application. It may seem, at first glance, a simple power, yet I am confident it shall serve as a trump card in moments of direst need.
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Beyond the selection of skills, I must also determine my magical attributes.
In this world, individuals are born with affinity for one or, in rare cases, two of the fundamental elements: earth, fire, wind, and water constitute the four basic attributes, while light and darkness represent rare attributes of exceptional power.
Magic, as I have noted, is a divine gift.
Through repeated use of spells belonging to a given attribute, new incantations reveal themselves to the practitioner, expanding one's repertoire. I have chosen to claim all four basic attributes.
The rare attributes remain beyond my reach, but the four fundamental elements shall be mine. This choice carries a disadvantage: the acquisition of multiple attributes halves the rate at which proficiency increases for each.
"Should my advancement proceed at half the normal speed, I shall simply train twice as hard. With recuperation multiplied one hundredfold, this presents no obstacle whatsoever."
Thus I elected to accept the disadvantage of halved improvement in exchange for the advantage of wielding all four basic attributes.
By the conclusion of the second day, I had finalized my selections of skills and magical attributes. Yet I felt no urgency to summon the goddess.
I shall revisit my choices after one further day of deliberation. Perhaps a superior combination awaits discovery.
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I subjected my decisions to rigorous re-examination throughout the third day, yet arrived ultimately at the same conclusion: the five skills I had selected represented the optimal configuration.
[Superhuman Recuperation] provides the foundation for enhanced capabilities. [Limit Breaker] ensures no ceiling restricts my growth. [Combat Mastery] refines my movements to the pinnacle of human achievement. Mastery of all four magical attributes, combined with [Weaver of Formulae], grants me the capacity to craft an endless arsenal of spells. And the final skill shall serve as my hidden advantage.
With my accumulated experience as an assassin, I can state with absolute confidence: no superior combination exists.
The goddess materialized before me.
"It appears you have arrived at a configuration which satisfies you."
"I have. After exhaustive consideration, I discovered no combination superior to this one."
"Oh, how refreshingly understated! An S-rank in [Superhuman Recuperation], of all things. Your A-rank is equally unassuming. And I had quite forgotten those D-rank skills even existed... Humans truly are fascinating creatures."
"Does my choice displease you?"
"On the contrary, I commend it. Simply layering obvious, overpowered skills upon one another would prove insufficient against a monster such as the hero, who possesses thirty skills unrestricted by the usual limitations."
The hero, I now understood, is born with thirty skills—commencing with S-rank and A-rank abilities—and physical capabilities which defy mortal parameters. Among these thirty, a minimum of five are S-rank. I am well acquainted with the extraordinary power such abilities confer.
In open combat, victory is inconceivable.
But assassination, pursued with discipline and meticulous preparation, remains within the realm of possibility.
I have selected my skills with the specific intention of eliminating a hero whose thirty S-rank and A-rank abilities operate in maximum synergy.
"The moment of reincarnation approaches. You shall find the experience challenging, I warn you—retaining your current knowledge and personality whilst compressed into the form of an infant is no pleasant sensation. Nevertheless, I trust you shall endure. The Assassin Noble Tuatha Dé will provide ample diversion. Your mother is quite beautiful, by the by. It shall avail you nothing to leer at her bosom with that unsightly expression upon your face! She will pull you close with considerable vigour. Also, a word of counsel: should a child speak with your present articulation, the effect is decidedly grotesque. Shall I amend this for you now?"
The goddess snapped her fingers without awaiting my reply.
My body dissolved into particles of light.
I am to be born anew.
I can only hope the House of Tuatha Dé, the Assassin Noble, grants me sufficient time to acquire the bare necessities and to refine myself into the instrument I must become.