The Traveler: Martial Druid

Chapter 16

"Dearie, you are at an important crossroads of your future. Are you ready to make the decision?"

"Yes, Sensei!"

Aranel nodded her head as she prepared for the ritual.

"Well, then. Let's start with what you know. What is the decision you are about to make?"

"Yes, Sensei! When creating their 4th source every druid specializes in a school of druidcraft!"

"Good. What are those specializations?"

"They are the school of elements, the school of shapeshifting and the school of harmony"

"Great! So explain to me what each of these schools specializes in"

"Well, school of shapeshifting as what might be understood from its name is a school that focuses on using their animal form"

"Expand on that"

"Uhm, a normal druid can only have two shapeshift forms and they are permanent. Meaning, once you choose an animal to be your shapeshift form you can't change it forever. Also to register a shapeshifting form there are two requirements you have to fulfil. You either have to sign a pact with the said animal or you have to kill it. However, there are disadvantages to the first method. If the animal you signed a pact with dies, you can't take its form anymore. Also, an animal can only sign a pact with a single druid. Then again, if the animal dies, your slot frees up so it's not all disadvantages. As for the second method since it is against the ways of a druid the second option is seldom used. But if you go with that method despite that, you would gain a permanent shapeshift form.

For druids that specialize in shapeshifting, any of these rules don't apply. They can shapeshift up to three different forms and they only need to witness their target in person. They don't have to sign a pact or kill it. They can also cast spells in their shapeshift form, unlike a normal druid. So they can be called the most versatile school."

"You are correct, they are also the second most popular school among the druids. Go on."

"Ugh, the school of harmony specializes in healing. Their mana naturally carries healing properties, also their wood element and rejuvenation druidcrafts become more portent. They are known to be recluses and constantly live away from civilization. This is because, after the property of their mana changes, they feel closer to nature rather than mankind. Which is a shame, to be honest as they are great healers. They are also the most populous school amongst the three."

"Good, now the last one"

"Yes! The last school is the school of elements. To start off, this is the school with the least members. This is also due to the strict requirements that you have to follow once you set foot on this path. First of all, your fire, water, earth, wind and lightning druidcraft become more potent. Your mana also naturally carries the property of these five elements. The firepower this school offers is unrivalled but the downsides are even bigger.

The properties of the mana might affect your spirit and as a result, you might suffer from random mood swings. Also, you can't use any druidcraft apart from the aforementioned elements. This includes your shapeshift as well. From the moment you choose this school, you can only sign contracts with demonic beasts that carry these elements. Also, because of the violent properties of your mana, it is harder to rank up. So not any sane druid would pick this school"

"Are you insulting me now kiddo?"

Yes, Aranel specialized in the school of elements so she knew everything Katsuo said was correct but she still felt annoyed at the last part.

"No, Sensei! I wouldn't dare"

Katsuo vehemently shook his head. He didn't want to anger his master. Only he knew how it felt to suffer under her clutches under the guise of sparring.

"So, which school are you planning on choosing? Don't forget. This your only chance and there are no takebacks."

He didn't need to think that hard as Katsuo had made his decision but he thought he should check one last time.

The three schools can be divided into three different classes. Element was DPS, Shapeshift was Tank or maybe an Allrounder and Harmony was Support.

Katsuo didn't want to be a support. His goal was to travel around this world once he was done with his training and he was already weak enough as is. If he chose the support class on top of that it would be unbearable. He wanted to be strong. 

Strong enough that no matter what happens in the future, he could protect those he cared about.

And he couldn't do that by becoming a support class.

Shapeshift was the most logical choice. A normal druid doesn't have a body as strong as the one Katsuo possessed so having the body of a bear while being able to cast spells made up for this weakness. And tanks are notorious for having high health. If he chose this path, he would survive whatever may come his way.

"I will choose the School of Elements like Sensei!"

While it was true that he could survive if he became a shapeshifter, that was not his goal. 

His goal was to survive TOGETHER with his loved ones. And to do that he needed firepower.

He needed to be as strong as a walking nuclear bomb so that no one would mess with him.

"I think the school of shapeshifters would have fit you more but this is your choice"

Aranel smiled slightly and looked proudly at Katsuo. He wasn't wrong when he said not any sane druid would pick the school of elements. They were known as madmen amongst the druids. She thought the same but back when she chose this school she needed power. Under, normal circumstances she would have been a member of the school of harmony. But not everything in life goes the way you want.

Also, her son had that thing called a system. Maybe it could help him offset the disadvantages. That way he wouldn't only watch those around him die without being able to do anything.

Aranel crushed spider thorn, eluvite petals and lastly mixed in the blood of djinn.

These were the main ingredients for the potion of elements.

Once she was done she handed the concoction to Katsuo in a bowl.

Katsuo looked at the black tar-like substance in front of him and gulped. If he wanted to get stronger, he needed to suffer now. Everything was for his own future.

He took the bowl in his hands and downed the whole thing at once.

Just like when he was first creating his source, his body started to heat up. The world was spinning around him. 

He focused on the stars that were orbiting his heart. 

If Katsuo's heart was a Sun, the sources would be stars that were caught in its orbit... this was against the laws of science so he felt like he needed to make a more apt description.

Small shiny things were circling big shiny thing. Humu, humu, this sounded better.

Katsuo's big shiny thing was green and the little shiny things looked like they were a lighter shade of green. At least that was how they were supposed to look. Now, they were shining like a rainbow. It was the elements taking over his heart and birthing a new little shiny thing.

But something went wrong.

His big shiny- ARGH! His fucking HEART was turning green again!!

This was not supposed to happen. 

It should have been a rainbow just like his sources circling it.

*Cough*

Katsuo looked at his shaking hand. It was covered in blood.

*Crack*

Looking at his heart, it was getting covered in cracks like a piece of glass. It was going to shatter!!

He was filled with regret. He didn't want to die like this. Why was this happening!?

*BURST*

Katsuo lost his consciousness as his heart burst apart.