Beyond the Immolation skill, the Riverwood Mage Tower held another secret. Unlike the deeply hidden Immolation, this other item was relatively well-known among players who started in Riverwood.
That secret was the prerequisite quest item for one of the Mage's advanced class-change paths. It resided within the Riverwood Mage Tower, specifically with the young Mage.
This fact became widely known because the unlock condition wasn't overly difficult: players simply needed to raise their Favor Points with the young Mage to a certain level to naturally receive the prerequisite item for the quest.
Rhys knew this, yet he had no intention of grinding Favor Points to meet the prerequisite. If the young Mage's favor required vast sums of Chronocoin, it wouldn't be a problem for Rhys. With his deep knowledge of The Epoch of Endings, earning Chronocoin was relatively straightforward.
The issue was, the young Mage's favor didn't hinge on large amounts of Chronocoin. His daily living expenses were minimal; most coins went into the tower's upkeep. Consequently, the gifts he appreciated weren't particularly hard to obtain and thus weren't expensive.
The frustrating part was, the young Mage valued understanding and passion for the Art above all else. This couldn't be bought with coin. The only way was to work for him – diligently, faithfully – for two full months to meet the prerequisite for the class-change quest.
In his past life, Rhys had done exactly that. He'd toiled honestly as the young Mage's laborer for over two months without a hint of slacking off, all to secure this item for Willa. NPCs in The Epoch of Endings possessed terrifyingly high intelligence, nothing like rigid programs. Trying to slack off in front of the young Mage meant risking Favor Point deductions and delays in receiving the quest.
It was precisely because of this extreme level of realism that Rhys felt he could try a different angle to obtain the class-change item. Even if he failed, he'd only lose some Chronocoin. And if it merely shortened the required labor time, that would still be a significant win.
He pushed the Chronocoin forward, meeting the young Mage's gaze directly. His eyes held no trace of greed for the money, only pure yearning and dedication to the path of magic.
This wasn't an act. Rhys genuinely had little desire for Chronocoin. His lifespan was long, and he knew numerous ways to earn more; these coins meant little. In contrast, that class-change quest was vital. Only by obtaining it could the path Rhys had charted for himself truly begin.
"This is...?" The young Mage looked bewildered. "The Immolation spell was my master's life's work. He instructed me that if I ever encountered a truly dedicated soul, I must not accept payment."
"You recognized this spell at first glance, proving your affinity with it. Combined with my master's final wish..." He shook his head firmly. **"I cannot accept this payment in good conscience. Please, keep it."
The young Mage's voice was clear, devoid of any trace of desire for the Chronocoin.
Rhys observed him and sighed inwardly. Undeniably, this was a good man. Before the players arrived, Riverwood might count its blessings to produce a single Mage apprentice every three or four years. Yet the young Mage persisted in maintaining this dilapidated tower. Though old, it was immaculately clean – Rhys could see the care poured into it.
This dedication stemmed not only from it being his master's legacy, but also from the young Mage's own profound love for the Art. If this wasn't a good man, who was?
Rhys shook his head, pushing aside the tangled thoughts. "Then keep it for the tower's restoration," he insisted. "I believe Riverwood deserves a renewed Mage Tower. A beacon, so others may see and remember: a great Archmage once stood here."
Building rapport required hitting the right notes. Flattery aimed wrong could backfire. The young Mage cherished his master and the tower above all else. Rhys's words touched both, naturally fostering goodwill.
The young Mage fell silent for a long moment.
Watching him, Rhys felt a flicker of impatience, but kept his expression neutral. He knew urgency was counterproductive here; haste bred mistakes.
After an extended pause with no reaction, Rhys stood, preparing to leave. If this approach failed, he'd return tomorrow to grind Favor Points. No matter the time wasted, he was determined to obtain that class-change quest.
"Wait."
The young Mage turned, rummaging beneath his desk. After a moment, he produced a deep blue ring and placed it on the table. "I accept the Chronocoin. But I cannot take something for nothing. Take this."
"Don't dismiss it for lacking magical resonance now," he urged, his gaze intense and serious, clearly fearing Rhys might underestimate its importance. "Believe me. A day will come when you need it. Do not discard it."
Rhys accepted the ring, elation surging within, yet his face showed only puzzlement. "What is this?"
"A token," the young Mage answered simply. "Knowing more now serves you ill. Just understand this: it will prove useful to your future self."
Rhys nodded. How could he fail to recognize it?
This was the very item he needed for the first step of his plan – the prerequisite token for the Mage's class-change quest.
[???]
[Properties: ???]
[Effect: Activates at Level 20]
[Affixes: None]
No system panel was needed. Rhys knew its name: Sapphire Circlet.
Beyond being a level 20 Mage class-change token, using it unlocked access to a special advanced class – not the foundational "Archmage" path.
In The Epoch of Endings, everyone began with the same foundational classes. Status, wealth, or innate ability held no sway; the starting class options were limited and fixed for all. Hidden starting classes simply did not exist.
No matter how rich, powerful, or skilled, everyone trained from the same baseline – even a reincarnator like Rhys.
But Level 20 marked a watershed moment. It was the game's brutal method of stratifying players who began on ostensibly equal footing. The reality was harsh: whether you possessed the means to acquire a special class token through wealth, keen insight, or outright theft, owning one granted you the chance at a special advancement.
The Epoch of Endings offered no pretense of balance. The gulf between classes could dwarf the difference between a human and a dog – at least both were carbon-based. Even different advancements within the same base class could be worlds apart. Different classes? The disparity was astronomical.
This divide only widened with each subsequent class change, eventually forming an insurmountable chasm. Without a special class, prodigious talent alone couldn't secure a spot on the late-game leaderboards.
Fortunately, a special class's difficulty of acquisition generally matched its power. They demanded either exorbitant cost or razor-sharp perception. Mediocre special classes existed, true – less a true advancement, more a filter weeding out those unwilling to seek even the most common path.
The Sapphire Circlet unlocked a mass-produced class-change quest. Yet few knew its associated instance dungeon concealed a path to an exceptionally rare special class. That specific class was Rhys's true objective.
Tucking the Sapphire Circlet away, Rhys composed himself. Though he'd spent his remaining Chronocoin today, the gains were monumental. A tune hummed softly on his lips, he made his way to Riverwood's gates.
The appointed time neared. Members of Bloodmoon Pack already stood waiting at the entrance. Spotting Rhys, Windrunner strode forward, enveloping him in a hearty, back-slapping embrace, as if greeting a long-lost brother.
Rhys returned the embrace. Beneath the surface of this amicable display, dark undercurrents had already begun to swirl.