Emmanuel stepped aside, giving the stage to the next speaker, a tall figure with a composed expression and sharp features. "Please welcome Cika, who will guide us through understanding skills and how they shape our journey here in Valeris," Emmanuel announced warmly.


    Cika stepped forward, nodding at Emmanuel before facing the crowd. Her voice was clear, her eyes sweeping over us with an intent gaze. She held herself with a quiet confidence, her back straight and her hands clasped loosely in front of her, exuding a calm yet commanding presence. Each movement was deliberate, as if she wanted to convey both authority and reassurance. "Greetings, everyone. Today, we''re going to talk about skills—how they''re gained, how they can be increased, and what makes them unique in Valeris." She paused, letting her words settle. "Skills are gained from experience and knowledge, just like in our previous worlds, but here they can be visually tracked. You develop them through hands-on learning, observation, and practical experience. However, there''s something more here—sometimes you can also gain skills as rewards."


    She gestured towards an easel where a large parchment was displayed, showing a glowing tree-like diagram. The trunk had "Core Skills" written at its base, with branching paths labeled "Subskills," "Mastery," and "Psionics." The branches represented different ways skills could develop: ''Subskills'' were specialized abilities that branched off from core skills, such as ''Knife Skills'' as a subskill of ''Cooking'', ''Hunting" or even "Woodworking.''


    ''Mastery'' indicated the complete proficiency in a particular skill, like reaching the highest level in ''Gardening'' to unlock advanced cultivation techniques. ''Psionics'' referred to using mental energy to enhance learning speed, such as increasing comprehension or efficiency in crafting. This diagram illustrated how each skill could evolve and the potential interconnections among them.


    When you complete certain quests, you may receive skill points that can be assigned to any skill of your choosing, depending on the quest. This is not as common, but it does happen. These points are flexible, and how you use them can significantly impact your progress. It''s one of the unique benefits of our world. However," she emphasized, "they can only be used on skills you have already unlocked."


    She paused, scanning the crowd. "How many of you have noticed the ''Skills'' section in your interface?" A smattering of hands rose cautiously. "Good. For those who haven''t, I encourage you to open your interface later and take a look."


    "You''ll see your unlocked skills, their levels, and even a progress bar that tracks how close you are to the next level."" I had not noticed this before but once I focused on the skill I saw the bar. "Here’s the critical part: experience alone won’t raise your skills. Intentional practice and focused effort are essential. For example, if you want to improve your Cooking skill, simply watching others cook or reading about recipes will provide some foundational knowledge, but it won''t increase your skill level. You need to get your hands dirty—chop vegetables, prepare meals, and repeat the process to see real progress. The same applies to skills like Navigation. Understanding maps theoretically is one thing, but going out, getting lost, and finding your way back will elevate your practical understanding and truly increase your skill. In Valeris, the system rewards consistent and intentional actions, so each skill level is a reflection of not just your experience, but the quality of effort you put into it."


    The crowd buzzed with murmurs as people exchanged glances. Cika raised her hand to quiet them. "Now, some of you might wonder, ''What happens to the skills I already had before arriving here?'' That''s a good question. Skills from your previous world can be transferred, but there is a catch." She paused, her eyes narrowing slightly. "The systems and rules here are different, so those skills remain blocked until you come across similar abilities in Valeris. Once you experience or practice an equivalent skill here, it will start to unlock, allowing you to use what you already know more effectively. This is why over the next eight weeks, we will be introducing you to many different professions, each with its own set of associated skills."


    She smiled faintly, as though sharing a secret. "For some of you, when introduced to a skill, you may find your skill level instantly jumps. That''s because it matches with something you already knew—a recognition, if you will, by the interface that you have prior experience. However, if this is your first session here, you likely haven’t experienced that yet. There is still a block on those skills until you go through the unlocking process."


    Someone raised their hand hesitantly. "Excuse me," a young man called out, "if skills can be blocked, what happens if we need them urgently, like for survival?"


    Cika nodded, her expression softening. "An excellent question. The skills themselves are not entirely blocked; you can still use them, but they will be limited without the psionic abilities attached to them. For example, if you were an excellent hunter before arriving here, you could still hunt, but without psionics, it would feel like hunting in your previous world—effective but lacking the special enhancements. Once you meet with a Skill Counselor, your skills may jump to a higher level if they align with your previous experience, and you''ll unlock psionic benefits that make those skills more powerful. However, skills will only fully unlock when you perform or experience them directly. For instance, if you had not unlocked ''History'' before today, listening to a lecture this morning might have unlocked it. You can further develop skills by studying at the library, talking to people, or attending lectures. Master-level teachers also provide an accelerated learning experience, making it beneficial to work with them if possible. While you can still learn on your own or from lower-level individuals, the rate of skill growth may not be as fast compared to learning from a master."This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    The room filled with quiet murmurs as people turned to one another, expressions of curiosity and concern passing between them. Cika held up her hand, signaling for silence, and continued. "This process requires each of you to speak with a Skill Counselor. The counselor will help you unlock any latent skills from your previous life. After today’s session, you will be given a time to meet with your Skill Counselor, so you can begin this process.


    For those of you with children under the age of five, their Skill Counselor appointments won’t happen until they turn five. When that time comes, everything they have learned here will suddenly align in their skills, all at once, at the exact hour matching the time they were born on your old world. It is best to make the appointment with the skill counselors at least a week in advance of that date."


    I gave a worried glance at Ana. Her birthday was less than a week away. The thought of missing an appointment or mishandling her transition filled me with unease.


    Cika paused, allowing the information to sink in, and then stepped forward, her voice dropping slightly as if to make her next point more personal.


    "Now, about mastering skills. Mastery is something you should reserve for professions you plan to pursue and for your special personal interests. Some individuals master more than five skills, but those people are the older generation—those who have been here for thirty or more years. Mastery is not only difficult but also unnecessary for most of us. For most, mastering three to five skills is entirely reasonable."


    She paused, making sure the crowd understood. "This doesn’t mean you can’t learn other skills, but focusing your efforts will help you grow effectively. The rest can simply be for fun or as supplementary skills.""


    She let her gaze drift over the crowd. "Your level in a skill isn’t just a marker of your experience—it’s more than that. Many of you may have already noticed that when you gain a skill level, your understanding improves as well. It’s like a bonus. The effort you put into gaining knowledge doesn’t just reflect what you’ve learned; it multiplies it. For instance, someone who spends days working on something here and gains a skill point might find themselves suddenly possessing the knowledge or abilities that would have taken a month to acquire in your old world. This applies to physical skills as well; for example, someone training in swordsmanship might find that once they reach a new skill level, their reflexes improve drastically, as if they had spent months practicing advanced moves. The same goes for crafting skills like woodworking—mastering a new technique here might give you an instinctive understanding that would take much longer in your previous world."


    She paused, her lips curving into a slight smile. "That’s the power of psionics—the ability to improve your mind through your own mental energy. Psionics accelerate your understanding and capability beyond what is normally possible."


    A hand shot up in the crowd. "Are there limits to how much psionics can boost our learning?"


    Cika tilted her head thoughtfully. "Yes and no. Psionics amplify what you already have, but they are not a replacement for effort. If you approach a skill with dedication and focus, the results will be extraordinary. But if you neglect practice, no amount of psionics will make up for it."


    She took a deep breath, her eyes brightening. "After today’s session, take some time to reflect. You’ll receive two new quests. The first quest will set an appointment with your Skill Counselor. The second quest is about gaining essential skills. These skills are divided into two categories," She points to another sheet of paper with other skills listed:


    <ol>


    <li> Domestic Skills: cleaning, cooking, sewing, carpentry, and gardening.</li>


    <li> Survival Skills: first aid, basic foraging, fire-building, navigation, and fitness.</li>


    </ol>


    "Domestic Skills and Survival Skills. You will need to reach Level 2 in each of these basic skills. Some of you may already have these skills, and they will be unlocked once you meet with your Skill Counselor. Though I have fitness listed here, it could be any physical fitness activity from running, horseback riding, to swimming, and weapons training. I look forward to seeing how each of you grows."


    I was getting good at catching when notifications appear because I recieved 2 more quests. Now that I thought about it, the light wasnt really what made me notice but there was an insistince almost like an itch or tap that there was something new to see. I glanced and saw that I had 2 new quests:


    Skill Counselor Appointment


    Essential Skills Training


    Cika walked off stage, and Mica returned, stepping up to the center of the stage with an encouraging smile. "Alright everyone, thank you for your attention today. Now it''s time to get started on your quests," Mica announced, her voice carrying a warm enthusiasm. "Please check your interfaces for your counselor appointment schedules and any starting quests you may have received." She paused, giving the crowd a moment to react. "If you have questions or need guidance, there are guides stationed at the back of the room who are ready to assist you. Remember, your Skill Counselor is available to help you transition smoothly, so make sure to take full advantage of that opportunity."


    Mica''s eyes swept across the room, ensuring everyone understood. "For those of you with young children, please see the receptionist at the Skills Foundery to set up appointments for their future session. We want to make sure every child’s transition is as seamless as possible." She gestured toward a side of the room where a few desks had been set up, each attended by a counselor ready to assist parents.


    "Alright," Mica clapped her hands, "You’re all set to begin. Good luck on your journeys, and remember, mastery takes time and practice. Take things one step at a time."


    There was a moment of silence and people took in all that they have learned.