Branching Quest -> Branch Quest
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[Ding! A new Branch Quest has been issued to you.]
A Branch Quest...Sounds pretty straight forward, just based on the naming convention alone. It's likely going to present me two, or perhaps more options to choose from, and once I make the choice, it will assign me said Quest. I am not sure if I like these Quest types. How it normally goes is once you make the choice, you won't be able to get the rewards for the other. I don't really want to be tied down like that, so hopefully, that won't be the case here.
It was quite obvious with what the Gamer System is trying to do too, now that it is introducing Classes. Will I be able to switch from Class to Class? I do not know, but I think I am getting ahead of myself, trying to make baseless assumptions. Let's just review the Branch Quest details for now. Sure enough, it was exactly as I had thought.
[Ding! Branch Quest: Choose A Class!]
You have stepped foot into Asgard, and arrived at your first major decision. This choice will determine the direction of your growth. Branch Quests offer multiple paths, but only one may be accepted at any given time. Upon completing the chosen branch, the alternate branch or branches will disappear, but will not be lost forever. Unclaimed Branch Rewards can still be claimed through future Quests, or through a different set of objectives or interactions, depending on what you do after the Branch Quest is complete.
This function is designed in a way to help you choose what you will do first.
[Branch I]
Task: Seek out Loki
Reward: Mage Class
[Branch II]
Task: Seek out Thor
Reward: Warrior Class
[Branch III]
Task: Seek out Frigga
Reward: Spellblade Class
I see. That pretty much explains Branch Quests in a nutshell. If I'm ever presented with a multiple choice question, Branch Quests are designed in a way to help me make a choice so I don't have to mull over it all day long. It's really letting me choose a Class already. And the best part?
While I may receive one of the three Classes now, it said I will still have opportunities to obtain the other Rewards. That means if I chose not to seek out Loki right away, I could later on, and still learn Asgardian Magic under him.
The one surprise I was greeted with this Branch Quest was the third Branch. Odin made it clear I should seek out Loki to learn Asgardian Magic while Thor presented me with his own directive, to seek him out at the Asgard Arena. But to think it is giving me the choice to seek out Frigga...
It is quite a shame what happens to Frigga in the end. Thor even relives her death as he time travels with the rest of the Avengers during Endgame to claim the Reality Stone. But there's many years until that happens. Frigga is very much still alive, and it gave me a choice to seek her out.
I was initially leaning toward seeking out Loki to learn Asgardian Magic, but now...
I couldn't help but smile. I think I made my choice right then and there. Besides, I don't exactly want to follow in Han Jihan's steps where he becomes a full-blown Mage, as tempting as that is. Being able to attack Monsters with an array of Spells is something that I can already do, but I don't want to make my Zanpakuto useless.
Instead of choosing one path over another, why not both?
Is that why the Gamer System is offering me the Spellblade Class? In other terms, a Magic Warrior, where you can empower your fighting Skills through Magic while you attack your enemies!
Do I even need to think hard on this?
[Ding! You have chosen Branch III - Seek Out Frigga.]
[Ding! Branch I and Branch II can no longer be challenged.]
[Ding! Once Branch III is complete, further opportunities may be available to you.]
Just like that, I had chosen Branch III - Seek Out Frigga.
Now the question remains, the Royal Palace is gigantic. Several times that of Azure Point. Where do I even begin with seeking Frigga out?
"So you're our new friend who managed to call the Bifrost. Hello there.", An unfamiliar voice spoke out. Before long, I saw a beautiful woman approach the doorway with a couple service maids following her. Her eyes immediately wandered toward Frieren's Staff that was resting over my thighs. As for me, I was currently seated on the bed as I reviewed the Branch Quest information.
Oi! I can't even enjoy a moment to myself!
"Good day to you.", I said, keeping my tone polite. While Odin might be ruling all of Asgard and the Nine Realms, this woman held as equal standing as Odin presently did. I didn't think Frigga would actively seek me out. I was about to flip over the entire palace in an attempt to search for her. She's one of the most knowledgeable people in the entire Nine Realms, so even if I did attempt that, would I even find her?
Thankfully, I didn't have to worry about that.
"I did not think that a Human from Midgard would be proficient in Spellcasting. I am not sure if the times have changed, but the elements seem to favor you quite favorably.", The woman said, greeting me with a smile. "But where are my manners? I am the wife of Odin, the man who rules all of the Nine Realms. You may call me Frigga.", Frigga continued, formally introducing herself to me.
"It is very nice to meet you, Miss Frigga. I was actually about to seek you out, actually. The Allfather did give me an opportunity to learn Asgardian Magic under Loki's guidance while Thor offered to test my mettle in combat. But you...You're strong in your own right, aren't you?"
"You have a discerning eye. Witches raised me, and I know a thing or two about casting Magic, and how to apply Spells while battling. Are you sure you don't want to seek out my two sons? You'd rather want to learn under me? I am only going to give you this one opportunity. If you do not accept now, you will not be able to learn the Magic I possess. I even know a thing or two about fighting with a sword, though I have not used it much lately.", Frigga said. A serious look remained in her eyes.
"I am willing to accept you as my teacher, Miss Frigga.", I said, and got up from the bed, only to bow in her direction. "And you may call me Myles. I hail from Midgard. But on our own terms, we Humans call it Planet Earth."
"A wise choice, Myles.", Frigga said, and smiled. "I will not be kind to you. If your aptitude fails to meet my standards, I will discontinue my lessons without a second thought. I am sure Loki and Thor will be understanding to see me teach you, instead of my sons. For now, take a relaxing stroll around Asgard, and be ready for tonight's banquet. My husband is declaring you our guest of honor, we will not start training until tomorrow. And while we are alone like this, I shall permit you to call me 'Master', as strange a title as that is. I did not think I would get an opportunity to train someone from Midgard."
"I understand, Master. Thank you for your acknowledgement.", I said, keeping my tone polite.
"Mmm.", Frigga said, and took a moment to observe my current appearance, only to make a gesture of her hand. "And...do something about your look, would you? You Humans from Midgard always have the weirdest taste in fashion. My service maids will help prepare you a suitable attire for you to use during your stay here. You will also receive a set of clothes that is easy to move around once training begins."
"B-But My Lady, we can't just service a Human like this! Aren't you doing too much!?", One of the service maids following Frigga exclaimed with a frown. "What if word spreads around? What if it reaches the rest of the Realms that you accepted a Human as a disciple?"
"That is of no concern to me. Fate brought us here, and I am only responding in kind. Until this Human is ready to step into the rest of the Nine Realms, I shall guide him in an attempt to not veer off the wrong path.", Frigga said, and smiled again.
"It would seem you have thought this through, My Lady.", The second service maid said. "We shall adhere to your wishes. We shall make this Human ready as he can be to not bring shame to the banquet tonight."
"Thank you.", Frigga said, and nodded her head at her two service maids.
"I greatly appreciate this, Master. I kind of stand out as it is. If I can fit in with the rest of the Asgardians, it would be better, in my opinion.", I said, thanking Frigga. "But I do have one concern I would rather want to address now than have it randomly pop up later. I don't think many lies go beyond those eyes of yours. I won't go into the exact specifics, but I have my own way of traversing from Asgard to Midgard, without the use of the Bifrost."
The moment I said that, even Frigga paused in her tracks. A hint of shock appeared in her eyes, but she remained calm and collected.
"You...have a method of travelling the Nine Realms without the Bifrost?", Frigga asked me, unsure of whether she heard that correctly.
"I do. It is only appropriate that I tell you now that you are willing to teach me. I have already done so once before you arrived here. I may come and go at random times, but I assure you, it will not hinder what will happen here in Asgard. It also has its own restrictions. The Allfather had seen it in action already back on the Bifrost Bridge.", I explained, while keeping the details about Fast Travel vague enough to not be needed.
I mean, if Frigga just randomly saw me vanish from the room I was assigned for a prolonged period of time, and couldn't find me no matter how hard she tried, that would definitely raise some red flags. Plus this is Frigga we're talking about here. She's the type of person who even predicts her own death, so not much can get past her eye. I'd rather avoid triggering Soul Protection if I don't need to. Explaining Fast Travel now will just ease things later.
Plus what if I wanted to sleep in Azure Point's twin king-sized bed, huh? I can, now that Asgard is on the Fast Travel list, haha!
"Thank you for telling me this, Myles. Having such a movement technique is quite fearsome. I will warn you now, do not tell a single soul about what you can do. There are many races out there who would love to covet such an ability. And they'd take it by force, and would care little about whether you live or die. Do not use it, especially in front of the Dark Elves.", Frigga said, becoming serious, and even gave me a warning. Now, I did not expect to hear that.
"I understand. I shall take your warning to heart, Master.", I said, fervently nodding my head. I almost dodged a bullet there, huh? It makes sense, though. If someone out there saw me using Fast Travel, there's a high possibility they would want that for themselves. Until I have the strength to fight back on my own terms, I'll use Fast Travel sparingly, or when no one is around.
I lucked out when Thor wandered away after bringing me to this room. I'll need to consider this seriously going forward, and only use Fast Travel should the need arise. I say that, but once it is well into the night where patrols will likely be less frequent, the eyes wandering the Royal Palace will be less at the same time. That might be the best time to use Fast Travel.
Nonetheless, I thanked Frigga.
"Mmm. I will depart for now. Please enjoy a good night's rest after the banquet is over.", Frigga said, only to do a gesturing command to her service maids that were behind her. It didn't take long for more service maids to replace the two who were standing, likely acting as replacements to guide her out. The two who spoke out before remained behind, standing in the doorway in silence.
"..."
"..."
We just looked at each other for a good moment, not saying a word. At the same time, a Gamer Notification greeted me, causing me to inwardly smile.
[Ding! You have completed Branch Quest III - Seek Out Frigga.]
[Ding! You have obtained a new Class!]
[Ding! You may now equip Spellblade as your Class!]
And yet, I could only disregard the Gamer Notification, as I saw the two women, dressed in standard Asgardian fashion, staring at me in silence. The one on the right coughed slightly before speaking to me.
"Don't get the wrong idea alright, Human? We are only following My Lady's orders. Nothing more, nothing less. If you bring but an ounce of shame to tonight's banquet, I will slit your throat without a second thought.", The service maid said with a cold voice.
Sheesh. Is everyone violent here, or something? Why is everyone trying to take my neck!?
"I understand, ma'am.", I responded with a nod.
"Stay here then. We will go get your clothing ready. Do not move a single muscle.", The first service maid said before the two quickly vanished from sight, leaving me be.
It was then I let out another big sigh of relief. I really am going to need to watch every step that I take when I'm here in Asgard. I can't let my guard down for even a single moment...
Still, I did not think I would get to meet Frigga right away. Guess she's my new Teacher now. I wonder what all will I learn from her. Will I be able to tap into the Aether, unlike Loki, who mostly dabbles in ? I don't know.
Either way, I watched on with anticipation, waiting for the service maids to come back so I could dress appropriately for tonight's banquet. I'm also thinking of heading out into Asgard to see what it is like in person. At the very least, I'm not seen as an enemy, so I'm quite looking forward to exploring the leading faction that rules over the Nine Realms!