Zeal

"Ding! Congratulations on reaching level 12! You have gained 1 skill point. Remaining skill points: 9."

Taelan Fordring immediately ended his meditation. The sweltering month of July had passed, and after a month of staying home, he had finally reached level 12.

Over this month, just as his father had predicted, he had learned Blessing of Freedom and Hand of Salvation. Furthermore, thanks to Solarian's diligent instruction, his knowledge of Occultism had made significant strides, allowing him to fully master the spell abilities Mental Lock and Energy Detection.

The Mental Lock ability completely transformed the Holy Bolt skill, allowing it to track locked targets. When Taelan focused his mind, he could even make it perform serpentine maneuvers, turning the straight-trajectory Holy Bolt into a precision-guided projectile.

Energy Perception was a passive ability; generally, it was a class ability awakened by mages, though in truth, it stemmed from the study and mastery of energy within Occultism. Energy Detection, however, was an active ability that allowed the user to possess an enhanced version of Energy Perception for a period of time.

Taelan Fordring couldn't wait to click on the skill tree and open the combat skill tab. He first added a point to Sacrifice, which was a prerequisite for the core skill Zeal, then added one point each to Zeal and Charge, leaving him with 6 skill points remaining.

Sacrifice

Increases damage and accuracy at the cost of life.

8% of own damage

Current skill level: 8

Accuracy: +69%

Damage: +285%

Sacrifice receives additional bonuses from the following skills:

Redemption: +15% damage per skill level

Fanaticism: +5% damage per skill level

Zeal

Allows a single attack to strike multiple enemies.

Current skill level: 8

Attack power: +80%

Damage: +120%

5 attacks

Mana cost: 2

Zeal receives additional bonuses from the following skills:

Sacrifice: +12% damage per skill level

Charge

High-speed impact against an enemy.

Current skill level: 8

Damage: +435%

Accuracy: +155%

Mana cost: 9

Charge receives additional bonuses from the following skills:

Vigor: +20% damage per skill level

Might: +20% damage per skill level

After learning these skills, Taelan felt his strength increase by a significant margin. By unlocking core skills at level 12, he had entered a phase of rapid growth that would last until level 30. Every powerful skill he learned would greatly improve his survivability.

Due to the existence of the equipment Blessing of Tirion Fordring, Taelan Fordring postponed learning Blessed Aim, as it only increased his own accuracy when no aura was active. When combat occurred, he would currently activate Aura of Might or Prayer Aura, but when facing future enemies like Orc Warlocks and the Scourge, he would choose Cleansing Aura.

Seeing the +80% attack power displayed on Zeal made his obsessive-compulsive side very uncomfortable, so he invested two more skill points. Zeal became:

Zeal

Allows a single attack to strike multiple enemies.

Current skill level: 10

Attack power: +100%

Damage: +132%

5 attacks

Mana cost: 2

Zeal receives additional bonuses from the following skills:

Sacrifice: +12% damage per skill level

Hmm, that feels much better!

Taelan Fordring spent the entire afternoon at the training grounds familiarizing himself with his new skills. His combat style was now shifting from that of a Warrior toward a spellcaster, and his methods of attack were becoming diversified—primarily physical attacks, supplemented by Holy Light magic.

In the evening, Tirion Fordring returned home after a day of patrolling and dismissed his apprentice, Barthilas, for the day. After greeting everyone in the house, he led the family to the training grounds, knowing his son was devoted to the study of the Holy Light and Occultism every day. His tutor had even claimed that his talent for Occultism rivaled that of some Archmages in Dalaran.

Therefore, Tirion Fordring intended to spar with his son today to see if he had made any progress.

The family of three, including their tutor Solarian, stood by. She habitually leaned against a tall Lordaeron Maple tree at the entrance of the training grounds, watching the father and son standing opposite each other with a leisurely air.

Tirion didn't use his warhammer, but instead raised a standard shield. He decided to properly establish his fatherly authority—teaching the boy a lesson through defense. Let him know there's always someone better, and pride is the beginning of failure.

Taelan raised his shield with a practiced air, gripping his longsword. His father didn't yet know he had mastered brand-new skills. He wanted to seize this opportunity to give him a surprise and, at the same time, apply these new abilities in actual combat.

So he calmed his mind. He began to circle Tirion, simultaneously infusing the standard longsword with Holy Light, a benefit of studying Occultism. It was equivalent to a Paladin's Seal, except Taelan's Holy Light was more overbearing; his Holy Light power could greatly enhance the weapon's attack power and sharpness! Tirion immediately infused his shield with Holy Light as well, saying, "Good boy, even without a Seal, a weapon empowered by Holy Light is no worse than one with a Seal. Come at me, let me see how strong you truly are!"

Karandra, standing to the side, clenched her fists and cheered for her son!

Seizing the moment Tirion spoke, Taelan Fordring lunged forward with a thrust, his Holy Light-enhanced weapon even making Tirion feel a slight burning sensation.

He quickly raised his shield to block. Taelan Fordring didn't collide with his shield but took a step back. The tip of his sword then glowed, and a Holy Bolt shot out, heading straight for Tirion Fordring's left shoulder. Tirion Fordring knew his son's Holy Bolts, under the control of Occultism, could lock onto enemies. He hurriedly moved his shield up, intercepting the Holy Bolt. With a bang, the Holy Bolt exploded upon impact, momentarily halting his movement. At this moment, Taelan Fordring lunged forward again. Tirion Fordring immediately dodged agilely.

Next, father and son engaged in a fierce battle, one attacking and the other defending. After Taelan Fordring took a heavy blow from the shield, the two separated. Tirion Fordring reminded him, "Son, although Paladins have Pursuit of Justice, we are known for our short reach. While your Holy Bolt compensates for the lack of ranged attacks, against spellcasters like mages who have many control skills, we often can only passively take hits!"

Taelan Fordring replied, "Yes, Father. I will go all out next. Be careful! Don't get hurt!" Tirion nodded. A true warrior cannot underestimate any enemy!

In the world of swords and magic, surprises were everywhere!

Then Taelan Fordring activated Blessing of Tirion:

Your next attack will always hit, and each critical strike will deal 300% weapon damage.

Then a powerful Holy Light emanated from him, and he charged forward, leaving a trail of afterimages as he rushed towards Tirion Fordring.

"Intercept?" Tirion thought this rapid displacement, which could be activated during combat, must be Intercept. However, Taelan Fordring said, "Holy Charge!" With a clang, Tirion Fordring truly felt injured. This strange damage seemed impossible to mitigate with defenses; it was true damage!

Power of Nephalem: Retribution takes effect!

Then Taelan activated the Violet Pendant. Having closed in on his target, Taelan immediately launched a Mortal Strike. Tirion knew this Holy Spell was unreasonable. It ignored Evasion and Block and would definitely hit the opponent's face! Thus, the two shields collided. Tirion's strength was clearly superior to his son's, and he immediately pushed his son back.

But Taelan raised his right hand. "Hammer of Justice!"

Tirion Fordring knew his son's Hammer of Justice was exceptionally effective. Fortunately, this thing wasn't an instant hit, so he immediately used Divine Protection. Then he was stunned on the spot! He silently counted 1-2-3 in his mind, calculating the recovery time. As soon as the time was up, he immediately used Hammer of Justice and Holy Light Spell, symbolically healing himself a bit, to let his son experience the combat style of a high-level Paladin!

Just then, an Aura of the Blade appeared beneath Taelan Fordring's feet. Then, a large amount of Holy Light surged from his hand and his longsword. It was impossible to see clearly what he did, but five afterimages formed along the trajectory of the sword's swing, and in an instant, all five afterimages struck the shield!

The Holy Light-empowered shield immediately let out a sound of being unable to bear the load. Then, under five consecutive slashes, it split into two halves!

"Zeal!"

Please vote! Thank you!

Two consecutive posts, first posted then revised!