[You have found an Athlete Core! Combine it with your Socialite Prismatic Core to gain the following Advanced Class: Exemplar.]

  Exemplar: Others may not like it, but you are what peak performance looks like. The Exemplar embodies top physical condition and charismatic leadership. They inspire their teammates and party members through their athletic prowess and presence, excelling in challenges of body and mind.

  Weapons: Rapiers, Canes, Hands, Discuses, Javelins, Gladiuses.

  Rise to the Occasion (Class Skill): The Exemplar always knows exactly how to step up, especially when their team is down. Perform a gravity-defying leap, boosting your Power and Charisma by +6 for 120 seconds, while all party members gain +6 Charisma. All negative status effects on yourself are neutralized. Cooldown: 30 minutes.

  Affinity: Unchanged.

  Aspect: Advantage.

  Before this, Justin hadn’t even known Athlete was a valid class. He wondered what sports there were in a world like this. Jousting tournaments, perhaps? Magical discus throwing competitions? He already knew gladiatorial combat was definitely a thing, at least in ancient Eldareth. Admittedly, he hadn’t spent much time exploring the recreational side of this world, and there was still a lot more to learn.

  Judging by the description, it seemed like this would be a strong choice, too. It would be a way to amp up his damage while still retaining his evasion bonuses from the Gentleman Focus. Rise to the Occasion came with a decent buff, and unlike the others, lasted a decently long time without having a long cooldown. He could use it several times in a Vault run, for example, but not spam it inordinately. And it was always nice to have a way of dealing with negative status effects.

  It also benefited party members. The extra Charisma would give them the confidence to fight harder.

  This, too, he felt could be a contender. He had expected many of these cores to be completely incompatible with his own. But so far, he had accessed five and had gotten five viable options.

  He couldn’t help but wonder if his Prismatic Core was making any combination possible. Eldrin himself had said that not every combination was doable, but so far, he had yet to encounter one. There was no way of telling that from the interface, though.

  Justin then remembered something. He reached into a side pocket of his pack, producing the green Rogue core he had gotten from the Vault Mimic. He’d had to stash it there because he was running out of space.

  “Thought you could hide from me, huh? Well, let’s see what this one does.”

  

  [You have found a Rogue Core! Combine it with your Socialite Prismatic Core to gain the following Advanced Class: Special Agent.]

  Special Agent: The Special Agent is a master of espionage, moving flawlessly through the highest echelons of society. They are a whisper in the grand ballroom, a charming smile with a hidden dagger. They blend the Socialite’s grace with the Rogue’s cunning to uncover secrets, neutralize threats, and serve their agenda with lethal elegance. At higher levels, they unlock the expertise to fabricate unique gadgets to help them in their dealings.

  Weapons: Rapiers, Canes, Daggers, Poisons, Gadgets.

  For Your Eyes Only (Class Skill): Choose one item cored to your character. Others cannot see its enchantments, properties, tier, effects, or significance, and will perceive it as completely mundane, no matter their own skills or boons. The first item on which you use this skill is boosted to Platinum-tier. Cooldown: One hour

  Affinity: Unchanged.

  Aspect: Advantage.

  Justin smiled. He really enjoyed the flavor of this one. It fit his image perfectly—the dashing, mysterious gentleman with secrets.

  At first glance, the class skill seemed a little underwhelming. The one-time item boost was definitely nice, but it was also that: one time.

  So, he considered the actual mechanics of the skill itself. Indeed, he’d gotten into a lot of trouble because of people detecting his unique enchanted items. First, there had been Reginald Fairfax, the Merchant shopkeeper at the Gentleman’s Enclave in Windfall. Nothing had come of that interaction, but it proved that there were classes that had abilities that could scry others’ items.

  The noble Percival Harrington had challenged Justin for his Amulet of Equilibrium not minutes later. If that had gone wrong, it could have been disastrous.

  Then just now, there had been Ashralok, who had detected the Sapphire Star through the Karedos flames. Even if the Star shielded itself from general scrying, she likely could overcome that with Ascendant scrying abilities.

  This skill would ensure that even Ascendant abilities couldn’t scry the Star. Which would get gods like her off his back.

  It was a way to keep control, and it wouldn’t have to be limited to the Star. He could use it on any enchanted item as the need arose. This gave him a key advantage, especially if he had an item that could be devastating that he didn’t want discovered.

  As for the free upgrade, there were many things Justin could choose from. He had a couple of canes, for example, that were silver-tier, or even his Ring of Hygiene, which stood to be boosted even further. A platinum Cane of Valoria would probably gain amazing defensive benefits, while his Sunsting Cane, which had been collecting dust in his pack, might become a decent offensive option.

  It was a nice bonus that would be immediately beneficial.

  He had to say he was tempted by this one. Very tempted.

  He reached for the next core.

  

  [You have found an Archer Core! Combine it with your Socialite Prismatic Core to gain the following Prismatic Advanced Class: The People’s Arrow.]

  Prismatic Advanced Class? Was this a sign that the Prismatic Core was opening a possibility that wouldn’t be there otherwise?

  He read the description.

  

  The People’s Arrow: The People’s Arrow is a charismatic leader who combines the grace and influence of a Socialite with the inspiring skill of a master Archer. They become a voice for the unheard or a champion for a chosen cause, using their social standing to gather support. They rally followers to their banner with every well-aimed shot and eloquent speech.

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Weapons: Canes, Rapiers, Ranged Weapons, Daggers

  Rallying Shot (Class Skill): For 60 seconds, your Coordination attribute is boosted by half of your Charisma. For every successful shot, boost your party members’ Charisma by +1, up to a maximum of your level. Cooldown: 30 minutes.

  Affinity: Unchanged.

  Aspect: Advantage.

  This was definitely intriguing, but it would require a complete playstyle shift. Justin was comfortable being up close and personal with his cane by this point. Adding archery on top of that would add utility, and presumably he might receive a boon that gave him proficiency right off the bat.

  But nothing in the class description said to expect that. This class was only viable if he was looking for a U-turn. Which at this point, he wasn’t.

  “Cool class,” he murmured. “But not for me.”

  The next core in line was yellow. A Charisma class. If this one was usable, then it all but proved his theory. Normally, two Charisma cores should not combine, but with his Prismatic Core? Well, anything was possible.

  He grasped the Merchant core.

  

  [You have found a Merchant Core! Combine it with your Socialite Prismatic Core to gain the following Prismatic Advanced Class: Entrepreneur.]

  Justin smiled. “By the gods. It is possible!”

  He read the description.

  

  Entrepreneur: The Entrepreneur is a charismatic visionary who blends high-society influence with sharp commercial instincts to build and lead flourishing enterprises. They don’t just participate in markets; they create them, leveraging their network and resources to turn bold ideas into profitable realities.

  Weapons: Canes, Rapiers.

  Angel’s Pitch (Class Skill): When pitching to a prospective patron or investor, intuitively recognize the angles to hit to better ensure success. The overall persuasiveness of your pitch scales with your Charisma. Cooldown: 24 hours.

  Affinity: Unchanged.

  Aspect: Advantage.

  Justin was reeling from the fact that he could combine with another Charisma core. The only question that remained: did he want to be an Entrepreneur?

  He considered the Class Skill. It was definitely leaning into the social side, something he hadn’t truly made use of for a long time. If he chose this class, he’d be going into business. Setting up shop, securing financing, and almost all of his future skills and boons would lean into that.

  Could he see himself doing that? Someday, perhaps. But it meant hanging up his adventuring hat, at least for now. And that probably wasn’t happening anytime soon.

  But maybe there was another solution.

  “If this Prismatic Core will combine with anything,” he wondered, “then what’s stopping me from finding a different Charisma Core?”

  Of course, this would mean holding off on his Advanced Class for now, and it would also mean waiting a long time for the next option. As long as he still gained experience and could bank it, it was an option.

  How many more Charisma classes were there to choose from? He knew there was Diplomat, Cleric, and Bard. And he had the feeling there were at least one or two more options.

  He also wondered if he could combine another Socialite core.

  “Decision paralysis,” he said. “All right. On to the next.”

  He reached for the next core, Warden.

  

  [You have found a Warden Core! Combine it with your Socialite Prismatic Core to gain the following Prismatic Advanced Class: Gilded Guardian.]

  Yet another Prismatic class. This one promised to be interesting.

  Justin read the description.

  

  Gilded Guardian: The Gilded Guardian combines a Socialite’s charismatic presence with a Warden’s unbreakable resolve. They are adept at magically drawing and weathering “attacks,” be they social slights, political maneuvers, or direct assaults, protecting their reputation and their charges with equal tenacity.

  Weapons: One-Handed Weapons, Staves.

  Imperative Challenge (Class Skill): Issue a challenge to a single enemy, its power scaling with your Charisma. If they fail to resist, they are compelled to focus their attacks primarily on you for sixty seconds, with their attacks suffering a 50% damage reduction against all other targets in your party. Cooldown: 10 minutes.

  Affinity: Unchanged.

  Aspect: Advantage.

  A second Prismatic Advanced Class to choose from. With this one, Justin would be leaning even more into the tank role. Which made sense. He wasn’t sure exactly what a Warden was, but Kargan was a Blood Warden, so maybe it was a mage-tank.

  It would be a good pick for someone firmly stepping into the role of leading a party, which definitely was what he had been doing. With his Charisma, it was hard to imagine much of anything being able to resist Imperative Challenge, and he could simply keep the enemy busy with dodges while his party members brought it down.

  A very strong contender. He moved onto the next, picking up the blue core.

  

  [You have found a Wizard Core! Combine it with your Socialite Prismatic Core to gain the following Advanced Class: Lexicant.]

  Lexicant: The Lexicant wields the Foundation Language of Vranthillis, the linguistic key to creation itself. To them, reality is not merely to be understood, but to be persuaded. Blending a Socialite’s commanding grace with a Wizard’s command of arcane languages, their Charisma doesn’t just sway mortal minds. It convinces the very fabric of existence to reshape according to their spoken will. Others use magic; a Lexicant holds a conversation with creation. And creation listens.

  Weapons: Canes, Rapiers, Staves, Rods, Daggers.

  Font of Creation (Class Skill): Reduce cooldowns for all cants by 30% for one minute. Cooldown: 10 minutes.

  Affinity: Unchanged.

  Aspect: Vranthillis (Foundation Language)

  Justin felt a chill reading that description. Of course, this was Valdrik’s Advanced Class, and now that same type of power could be his as well.

  But it felt wrong to follow Valdrik’s path, even if he did something different with it. Indeed, the Class Skill would be all but useless to him, since he didn’t know a single cant. And it seemed learning those wasn’t a product of getting them from the class, but rather studying. Valdrik had mentioned learning hundreds of cants, but he had been in the Aetherion for twenty years.

  Did Justin really want to spend all his time reading dusty tomes?

  Justin moved on to the last core.

  

  [You have found a Mystic Core! Combine it with your Socialite Prismatic Core to gain the following Advanced Class: Aura Weaver.]

  Aura Weaver: The Aura Weaver perceives and influences the emotional and spiritual energies that flow through social interactions. They combine a Socialite’s charm with a Mystic’s empathic insight, shaping the unseen currents of any gathering by adopting “Aura Forms,” which allow them to channel their emotions into others.

  Weapons: Canes, Rapiers, Daggers, Rods, Scepters, Fans.

  Adjust Aura (Class Skill): For one minute, attune to the emotional auras of those in your vicinity, distance and power scaling with your Charisma and Perception. Hostile emotions are dampened, while general receptiveness to your suggestions is increased. Cooldown: 4 hours.

  Affinity: Unchanged.

  Aspect: Aura Forms.

  Justin studied the description with interest. The Aura Weaver seemed to focus on emotional manipulation by magical means, a different kind of social control than what he was used to. This is where he feared it veered into morally questionable territory. Someone who had no qualms about ethics could certainly get away with a lot of shady stuff.

  While it certainly had its appeal, especially in defusing hostile situations, it didn’t feel like it matched his style. It seemed more suited to someone playing a support role rather than his current frontline position.

  “Intriguing concept,” he murmured, “but it’s not my cup of tea.”

  With all eleven cores examined, Justin sat back and took a deep breath. He had far more options than he’d anticipated, a veritable feast of potential futures, and several of them were powerfully appealing.

  The Voice was right. The next chapter began now, and this choice was irreversible. It was time to narrow them down.

  His Prismatic Core was the key to unlocking possibilities others could only dream of. The fact that combinations like Socialite with Archer, Merchant, or Warden yielded “Prismatic Advanced Classes” was proof of that.

  It made the allure of waiting, of holding out for that perfect Charisma core to synergize with, a real temptation. He could pack up these cores, sell or trade them for new ones, and bide his time.

  But for how long? Weeks? Months? Besides, the array before him already contained options that felt tailor-made, offering unique strengths he hadn’t even conceived of.

  No, this decision needed to be made now.

  “Time to read go over the pros and cons,” he said.

  With that, he began to filter. This was going to be a very tough choice.