Ronan read the name of the skill contained in the scroll and its rarity. Princess Petalania had said it was a rare skill, but that was obviously not the case.

Inscribed Skill Scroll [Blade Maestro (Epic)]

When used, this scroll will grant the user the skill [Blade Maestro (Epic)]. Upon use, this scroll will be destroyed.

The princess laughed, seeing his confusion. "Sorry, annoying terminology. I meant rare as in hard to find. That skill is one that really doesn't pop up a lot. It doesn't actually come in any rating beneath epic. If I had a legendary one I would offer it, but I don't know if the system would even allow that before the second step."

Ronan nodded in understanding. He already knew that some skills were better than others, even in the same rarity tier. He suspected there were also skills that were simply qualitatively better and didn't come in lower versions, and this skill proved that hypothesis correct.

"I can take a guess, but what does it do exactly?" Ronan wondered whether it was a direct attack skill or some kind of passive.

The princess tilted her head to one side and her eyes flashed blue for a half second. When they became yellow again she frowned and then started muttering to herself. "Shoot! I left the description at the castle. But trust me, it's really strong and perfect for you." Her hands waved in the air as she tried to defend the skill. It was kind of cute. "Do you know about the weapons expert skill series?"

While Ronan had pretty intimate knowledge of the said skills, possessing two of them himself, he wasn't sure he should reveal that. It was sensitive information. "Nope. What do they do? Make you some kind of expert fighter the moment you receive the skill?"

The princess laughed, a light and airy sound. "Sort of. They teach you how to wield a particular type of weapon, attack and defend using it, and even move more efficiently with it. The more specific they are, the more powerful, usually.

"Anyway, blade maestro is sort of like that, but inverted. It makes you a near-innate genius with most bladed weapons and increasing its rating only improves your talent, regardless of its lack of specificity. There are other effects, but I forgot most of them and as I said, I stupidly forgot to bring the note from our collection along with the scroll."

Ronan twirled the scroll between his fingers, considering his options. "If you give it to me would that be the only sponsorship gift I could receive before the second step? You were limited in rating when you gave me the four skills last time." He had other things he wanted, and despite how tempting this skill sounded, he wasn't sure it beat his existing plans.

He perked up when the princess shook her head. "Nope, I actually got an increased allowance after your success in the first step. That's how this whole sponsor system works. Also, the sponsor limit is bigger now that you've completed the first step. You could take that and then also a few more things. I take it from your question that you already had something in mind?"

"Yeah, I was wondering if you had any crafting or forging skills. I wanted to try my hand at making my own weapon." Ronan had been considering it for a while, but making weapons and armour wasn't the only thing he had in mind with this request.

The princess hummed. "Are you sure? I don't think that's the right decision for someone on the path. You should have got a good weapon as a reward for the first step and there are plenty on the gladiator market, no?"

"Yes and no. The weapon was good, but not suited to me or my fighting style. In fact, the rare bow I already had was technically better for my purposes. And I have a personal reason for wanting to make my own gear rather than buying it." That reason being that he could give it exactly the bonuses and stats he wanted before branding it.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

Not that he would become a forging expert instantly, but the earlier he got started the better. Nothing was as powerful as compounding gains.

"I see. Well, I would advise you to take more combat or utility skills but if you think it's the best suited to you I won't force your hand. If you want a high rarity crafting skill it might be the only other thing I can give you apart from the skill scroll. Did you want something generalist or specialised?" The princess seemed conflicted but went along with Ronan's plan nonetheless.

He realised he hadn't considered this. Something for crafting weapons would probably be best, as that was what he felt would have the most impact as a permanently branded item, but he knew the value of consumables wasn't something to be discounted.

There was also the fact that Ronan wasn't planning to simply take the skill the princess gave him and use it. He had quite a few skills that were crafting-oriented or crafting-related in nature and he had some ideas for alloying them. How that combination worked would depend on the skill he received from her.

He made up his mind. "I think something generalist for crafting. It doesn't even have to be specific to gear. As high a rarity as you can manage, and I'm happy for it to be my only other sponsorship reward apart from blade maestro."

The princess sighed and shook her head. "I hope you know what you're doing. I don't want my most promising gladiator in a century to die because he was too busy looking at the big picture and missed the sword at his throat. I'll have a look through the collection, but unfortunately any of the truly unique skills are going to be locked up back home."

Ronan understood her fear but ultimately it didn't matter to him. Even if he did die in the second step, it would just be a hiccup in his forward momentum and a boost to all of his multipliers. In fact, dying at this point would probably help him grow even quicker than continuing to push through the Path of the Gladiator.

He reclined in the chair while the princess was searching through whatever means of storage she had to access so many skills while on the move. He checked the timer of how long he had before the second step. About a week and a half. Once he received these skills from her he would spend the rest of the time cultivating.

About eight seconds later the princess perked up. "Okay, I found something that should suit your needs. I think it being somewhat generalist and not a combat skill helped me in terms of the allowance, so I was able to get you an epic rarity one. Hopefully it helps you do whatever you think it will. Here, catch." Another skill scroll appeared in her hands and she tossed it to Ronan.

Your sponsorship rewards for the second step have been agreed upon between you and [Princess Petalania]!

+Inscribed Skill Scroll [Blade Maestro (Epic)]

+Inscribed Skill Scroll [Crude Crafter (Epic)]

The name didn't inspire him with confidence, but there wasn't a huge issue. Hopefully the Chronos Forge could fix whatever drawbacks the skill had. "Thank you very much. I'll make sure these get used to the fullest."

The princess nodded. "I'll be rooting for you. Enjoy the rest of your break and good luck, Ronan. Our time is up." The princess waved a green hand as her apparition burst into green motes of light that slowly faded.

Inscribed Skill Scroll [Blade Maestro (Epic)] has been consumed!

You have received the skill [Blade Maestro (Epic)]!

Blade Maestro (Epic): Basic knowledge of how to wield and carry all bladed weapons is ingrained into the user of this skill's mind. Knowledge of advanced blade techniques is granted to the user of the skill. To become the master of the blade first requires one to understand its every facet. Mastery gains for all bladed weapons are increased by a minute amount.

Inscribed Skill Scroll [Crude Crafter (Epic)] has been consumed!

You have received the skill [Crude Crafter (Epic)]!

Crude Crafter (Epic): Some dedicate a lifetime to the mastery of a single pursuit. To forge swords or spears, or even carve intricate puzzles. Others prefer to be adaptable. Knowing how to do a little bit of everything is sometimes better than being an expert in a narrow field. The user of this skill will gain basic knowledge of almost all crafting materials and how to use them to create an item that will serve their purposes, even if it ends up breaking after one use.

Ronan sat in silent thought for a while after receiving the skills. He wasn't entirely sure he was happy with the crafting skill, but it ultimately didn't matter much that it had some weaknesses. He didn't plan to use it as-is.

Dismissing the notifications, he took out another gladiator shard and sat on the plush carpet. It was time to get cultivating again and see if he could reach or break the second threshold of prismatic soul cultivation.

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