Online Game: Starting With SSS-Ranked Summons-Chapter 291: S+ Rank Talent

"The sun has come out...it's almost time for my classes." He muttered as he watched the morning dew.

Arthur decided to end the hunting session and teleported back to his guild.

...

[Race:] Primordial Draconis

[ID:] Aetherion

[Level:] 20

[Talent:] Space (SSS)

[Health Points:] 240

[Mana Points:] 440

[Magical Damage:] 440

[Physical Damage:] 30

[Damage Resistance:] 24

[Attributes:] Strength 30, Agility 30, Vitality 24, Intelligence 44

[Skills:] Singularity Collapse (Mythical), Space Lock (Legendary), Dimensional Slash (Epic), Quantum Existence (Superior)

[Attribute Points:] 2

[Skill Points:] 0

...

As he made his way to the Academy of Mera, Arthur decided to check on his summons' status and see what they had gained from their recent levelling up.

'Aether gained a new skill and its superior rank. This little dragon is honestly too op.' He thought as he expanded the skill details.

<Quantum Existence>

<Rank: Superior>

<Active>

Description:

The dragon wraps itself (or an ally) in layered spatial folds, causing attacks to phase through them as they briefly exist in an adjacent dimension. Lasts 10 seconds.

Cooldown: 5 minutes.

—

'...'

Arthur whistled softly. 'Ten seconds of invulnerability with a five-minute cooldown. Not bad at all.'

He made a mental note to test the skill's limits. The phasing effect would likely depend on the attacker's strength and spatial awareness, but even against powerful opponents, it should provide a critical advantage.

[Talent:] Control(S+)

[Health Points:] 220

[Mana Points:] 340

[Magical Damage:] 27

[Physical Damage:] 30

[Damage Resistance:] 22

[Attributes:] Strength 30, Agility 26, Vitality 22, Intelligence 34

[Skills:] Pollen (Legendary), Crystal Mind (Superior), Shared-Link (Superior)

[Attribute Points:] 0

[Skill Points:] 0

—

"A perfect infiltration summon," Arthur murmured

When combined, Bloom's three skills created a formidable control system. Pollen allowed it to seize control of enemies' minds, Crystal Mind enabled it to maintain multiple puppets simultaneously, and Shared-Link created the network connecting everything together.

'With Bloom, I could potentially control an entire enemy's back line, although the strength seems to cap at epic bosses under its level. I haven't tested superior-bosses but Bloom should be able to control at least one or two.' Arthur realised.

Although surprised that Legendary summons didn't have SS-rank talents but merely upgraded to S+, he was nonetheless satisfied. The combination of skills was what made Bloom truly formidable.

The Legendary skill Pollen was the airborne agent that allowed Bloom to seize control of enemies' minds. Crystal Mind enabled the plant to separate its consciousness among many different controlled beings without losing its identity. Shared-Link tied it all together, creating a network of puppets under a single will.

...

Arriving at the Academy of Mera in Caldera, Arthur made his way to his first lesson of the day.

Blacksmithing.

Unlike some classes that left him indifferent, this one genuinely intrigued him. The applications were vast, and mastering it could give him a significant edge both in crafting equipment and understanding magical enchantments.

The academy's forge was already alive with activity when Arthur arrived. Heat radiated from multiple furnaces, and the rhythmic clanging of metal filled the cavernous space. Several students had already gathered, watching Master Forge demonstrate a technique on his anvil.

Elara Ashencroft stood near the front of the group, her royal posture unmistakable even in standard Academy attire. Her blonde hair was pulled back in a braid, though a few strands had already escaped in the forge's heat, which made her even more mesmerising.

As the princess of Caldera, she could have easily demanded special treatment, but Arthur had seen that she preferred to be judged on merit alone.

"Hey, you're early," Arthur said, stepping beside her as they watched Master Forge hammer a glowing piece of metal.

Elara turned, her eyes catching his. "So are you," she replied with a small smile that contained just a hint of teasing.

"NO TALKING!" Master Forge bellowed, punctuating his command with a thunderous hammer strike that sent sparks flying across his anvil.

Despite his rage, his hands never faltered in their precise movements.

Elara's smile widened even as she fell silent, turning her attention back to the demonstration. Arthur did the same, though he caught the sidelong glance she gave him.

Their unusual friendship had been developing since the start of the academic year.

A few minutes later, Sarah Draketower joined them, nodding a greeting rather than risking Master Forge's wrath with words.

Her recent tournament loss to Ash Ashencroft—Elara's cousin—had only strengthened her resolve to improve.

The three of them had gradually formed a group.

When the last student had shuffled in, Master Forge set down his hammer with dramatic precision. He was a mountain of a man, with arms thick as tree trunks and a beard that seemed perpetually singed at the edges.

"Today," he announced, his voice carrying a soft accent that rounded his vowels, "you will forge your second weapon." He swept his gaze across the assembled students. "This time, your weapon better be somewhat useful, otherwise..." His thick finger jabbed toward them. "You will pay for the materials!"

The students grimaced and gulped collectively.

"Hopefully I don't mess up," whispered a nervous boy standing near Arthur.

As the students dispersed to their assigned stations, Arthur's interface flashed with a notification:

[Ding! You have triggered the D-Level quest: Crafting Journey. Create a useable sword that Masterforge will be satisfied with. Duration: 1 Hour. Reward: Blacksmithing (Uncommon) Failure: 5 gold coins]

Arthur's eyes sparkled at the mission. Though "satisfied" was a dangerously subjective criterion when it came to Master Forge, the reward was well worth the risk. An Uncommon rank Blacksmithing skill would significantly accelerate his progress.

He moved to his station, mentally reviewing everything he'd learned about metallurgy both in class and through his own research. This wasn't just about passing the assignment—it was about optimisation, about squeezing every possible advantage.

"Begin!" Master Forge shouted, and the forge erupted into activity.

Arthur started by examining his materials. Each student had been provided with the same basic allotment: raw iron, small amounts of carbon, traces of mithril for strengthening, and access to the forge's flames. The difference would come from technique and control over mana.