[Displaying your status, please take a look.]
Name: Vali
Height: 163.7 cm
Weight: 57.3 Kg
Age: 14 Years 0 Months 0 Days
The average stats for 14-year-old is 7 in all metrics.
Strength: 10
Agility: 11
Constitution: 11
Vitality: 10
Intelligence: 12
Perception: 13
Aura Stats ->
Tier: 1
Level: 10
Soul Spirit: Dual Soul Spirit
i) Lightning (Initial Form): Violet Lightning that is extremely tyrannical
ii) Ice (Initial Form): Majestic Icy Aura that can freeze anything and everything
Vali had his eyes closed as a holographic screen appeared in his mind, showing his stats.
"What does the Initial Form mean Nyx?" Vali asked curiously, "And is it possible to have dual Spirit Souls?"
[It is possible to have dual Spirit Souls but it is extremely rare, I would suggest to hid the fact that you have dual spirit soul. A Dual Spirit Soul is extremely rare and can invite unwanted troubles.] Nyx, the AI spoke. [Your Spirit Soul are in Initial Form; it means they are not fully awakening. The Level or Tier of your Aura is not strong enough for the spirits to fully awaken so they have awakened partially.]
"Do you know what is the Final form of my Soul Spirits then?"
[Just like you, I am also unaware. It is recommended for you to grow stronger to awaken your spirit fully.]
"I see." Vali muttered as he stood up.
The snow around him slowly started to disappear and the surrounding became normal again.
"You alright Vali?"
"I have never been better Grandpa." Vali replied with a big smile.
"Can you please ask your AI to share your stats with us Vali, your awakening was quite special." Augustus asked.
Vali looked at his grandpa who nodded, so Vali asked Nyx to share his stats with the personal AI of Drona and Augustus.
Both old men took their time to study Vali's stats.
"You have maintained your body well, with a balanced diet and your continuous sword training has improved your six basic stats." Augustus spoke, "Strength and Agility is good but you can't have strength and agility with a low Constitution, that will make human body very imbalanced. Your Vitality is also high showing how healthy you are, this will determine your healing rate. But I am really impressed by your Intelligence and Perception, a good brain over your head will help you survive and make the correct decisions when you face Chaos Beasts."
"What about Perception?" Vali asked.
"Perception is very ambiguous stat, no one is completely sure what it really measures." Drona was the one who replied, "Some believe it is your sixth sense or danger sense as some may call it, some believe it is your ability to manipulate Aura, there are also few who believe Perception is actually Luck."
Augustus snorted, "Luck is not quantifiable. In my opinion it is a combination of your Sixth Sense and your capability of manipulating your aura."
Vali nodded, "I understand."
"Now your Aura and your Soul Spirit, these stats are really surprising. Then again your awakening shook the nature itself." Augustus shook his head, "Dual Soul Spirit is very very rare. The number of people with Dual Soul Spirit in our Zoran System is less than fingers on both my hands. Also, both of your Soul Spirits are in Initial form, one day when your power level is strong enough your Soul Spirits will also awaken fully."
"Also, you have to take care of one more thing." Drona warned, "It's better to hide the fact that you have dual Soul Spirits and both of them are very unique, it is best to keep one of your soul spirits hidden and only use it if you have no other choice."
Vali nodded, "I know Grandpa. Nyx also suggested the same thing."
"That's good."
"Well, let's go down." Augustus said as he turned off the awakening Machine.
. . .
. . .
. . .
"Well, you are all done." Augustus said as he rotated his chair, "I have registered you with the Government. According to the Government report you have awakened your Soul Spirit and your current Aura Level is 7."
"Thank you, Mr Augustus."
"No big deal." Augustus waved it off, "Your Grandpa is gonna give me a lot of money so I can make more of my new Awakening Machine, I can at least do this much for him."
Drona snorted and spoke to Vali, "When I awakened my Metal Element Soul Spirit, I started at Level 6 and that is judged to be extremely good. Your starting point is already Level 10, this is also very rare occurrence. Not as rare as Dual Spirit but having Level 10 starting point is still rare and it will attract unwanted attention."
"I understand Grandpa." Vali said, "When I join a University in three months, my Level 10 will not attract too much attention. Anyway, I can't go past Level 10 without hunting down a Chaos Beast."
"Speaking of University, have you thought of which University you want to go to?" Augustus asked, "Your High School scores are really impressive, you have completed your High School a year early. When you join the University, you will probably be one of the youngest new joiners."
Before Vali could reply, Nyx spoke in his mind.
[I have browsed through the Nexus and looked at all the universities based on your High School scores. Based on my calculation, you have a high chance of entering Luminous University. Luminous University is rated as the best University in Zoran System, its rating at the top is well justified. Luminous also offers courses like Spaceship Piloting, Mech Piloting, Mecha Creation that are to your interest. Luminous University has produced many warriors that have reached Tier 5 and even Tier 6, they also three alumni that have reached Tier 7.]
Vali nodded as he heard Nyx's suggestion and replied to Augustus, "According to Nyx, I should enter Luminous University."
"Luminous University." Augustus gave a thoughtful no, "I was thinking that too. There are some good teachers in Luminous University, they also own a small planet with ample Chaos beast that are all under 500 years. To enter Luminous University, you need an Aura Level of at least 7 along with good scores in your High School, you have already passed the basic criteria to enter the University. Luminous University fees is also quite high but I think your Grandpa will have no issues."
"I am a Level 93 Tier 5 Warrior, if I can sponsor you then do you think I will have issues with paying my grandson's fees." Drona grumbled, "Anyway, as you have a Dual Soul Spirit, you have to kill at least two Chaos Beast to break through the Level 10 Barrier and similarly at Level 20, 30, 40 and so on. Since you are planning to keep your Ice Soul Spirit, it would be best if you get a stat for the Ice Soul Spirit and get a skill before going to the University."
"So, I can go hunting?" Vali asked excitedly.
"Yup, I will take you with me."
"Awesome!"
ooo0ooo
[As per the data available in Nexus, I believe the planet you should visit is Hunting Ground 37 or HG 37. HG 37 is a snowy planet; the most powerful Chaos Beast are all around 5000 years. But your target should be a Chaos Beast with an age between 100 to 500 years, that is your upper limit.]
'I see. Any particular Chaos Beast that I should look for?'
[There are numerous Chaos Beasts, each Beast will boost to one of the stats and may grant a skill, the same Beast could do three different things for three different persons. By killing a Beast, you can either get no skill, a skill that many others have gained by killing the same monster or maybe a completely different skill. Also, there is no surety on what Chaos Beast we will meet at what area. But after meeting a Chaos Beast I can compute if it will be compatible with you and what benefits it may provide.]
'Ok.'
The planets filled with Chaos Beasts were called Hunting Ground, humans had created many safe zones throughout the planets where people can teleport to and hunt for Chaos Beast. The planets of Chaos Beast were open to everyone but the creation, maintenance and security of a Safe Zone in Chaos Beast was a risky and expensive task so most of the Safe Zone were owned by the Government.
Hunting Ground Teleportation Centre (HGTC), a place owned by the Government and responsible for sending people to various Hunting Grounds through a Planetary Portal. Although the usage of Planetary portals was not cheap the Government had many ways of earning in Hunting Ground Safe Zones, as such all planetary Portals in HGTC were not way too expensive.
Old man Drona led Vali to one of the HGTC for Vali to hunt his first Chaos Beast.
"Grandpa, we should head over to HG 37."
Drona raised an eyebrow and searched for HG 37 in the Nexus, "Ah, the Cold Planet. Yes, that place is good for you. HGTC charges 1000 Credits to go to any HG below number 50 and 5000 Credits for any HG that is above number 50. Once we are in the HG, we can come back through any of the Government Safe Zone. The price to come back is also the same as going to the HG, but in the Chaos Beast planet you can also use other things as payment."
"Other things?" Vali asked.
"Fur, Bones and other things. You'll understand later. Come, let's get going."
. . .
. . .
. . .
The Safe Zone 53 or SZ 53 was more like a small town, filled with people who were either going out to hunt, some gathering teams, some bringing back carcass of the Chaos Beasts they have killed. There were also many shops buying Beast Carcass or selling various items like Weapons. Some were even selling full Mecha.
"I have only seen a couple of people apart from the soldiers wearing a Mecha, why is that?" Vali asked.
"The Mecha you see here in HG are called Battle Suits and not Mecha." Drona explained, "The normal Mecha piloting is not a very hard job, it is like operating a big machine while staying within that machine. Those Mecha only provide a bit of firepower and a shield when you fight enemies, only people with bad Soul Spirits use those Mecha in HG. But the Battle Suits, they are Mecha that are connected to your brain. A Battle Suit will amplify your power, a Battle Suit is like an extension of your body. In normal Mecha you can't use your sword skills effectively let alone your Aura Skills, but Battle Suits are like your own body and you can control it the same way you control yourself."
"Really? That sounds amazing."
Drona nodded, "Yes, battle Suits are indeed amazing but not everyone is gifted to wear a battle Suit. A Battle Suit puts a lot of pressure on your brain and very few are capable of using a Battle Suit, the Mech Piloting course you saw in Luminous University is about Battle Suit piloting, but you can only join the course after they test your aptitude for it. Even I am not capable of using a Battle Suit, if I ever wear one my brain will not be able to sync with the Battle Suit and I will fry my brain. There have been many cases where people with no aptitude have tried to use a Battle Suit but then they went mad or turned to a living vegetable."
"Oh." Vali was scared but excited at the same time, "How do I test my aptitude to wear a Battle Suit?"
"There are a series of tests actually, I am not too sure about it." Drona said with a sigh, "When I took the test, I failed in the very first test so there was no meaning to continue with the test."
"Anyway, let's go hunting." Drona said and led Vali out of the safe zone.
ooo0ooo
HG 37 or Cold Planet was a Cold Desert, there was barely any vegetation in sight, all one could see was the vast ocean of Ice.
[This type of surrounding is best to train your Aura for your Ice Soul Spirit.] Nyx relayed the information, [Although everyone can train their Aura in a normal surrounding, for those with element-oriented Soul Spirit it is best to train in surrounding rich with your element.]
Vali nodded and told wat Nyx said to his Grandpa.
Drona nodded, "That is true, but finding such areas is only possible in HG planets and this place is not suitable to calmly train."
"How do I train my Aura anyway?" Vali asked curiously.
"By bringing out your Spirit Soul and continue using it. Aura is like our muscle, the more you use it the more easier it becomes." Drona replied, "Some believe that by meditating and feeling the Aura flow in your body it is possible to slowly raise your level, but I am not sure on that part. According to me the best way is to constantly use your Aura to fight, the battles will excite your body and as you spend your Aura your body will work constantly to refill you Aura reserve. The constant battles will slowly expand your Aura Reserve and raise your levels."
[Meditation is also a way to train Aura, but you must know the correct way to meditate. I have a Meditation Technique in my storage, you can use it.]
Vali suddenly sensed a new series of information appearing in his mind. It was a way to meditate, a way to sense the Aura in surrounding and then breathe it in, then make the same Aura circulate through the body in a fix pattern before breathing out that Aura.
Drona noticed Vali stopping abruptly and asked, "What happened?"
"Nyx had a Meditation Technique in her storage, she transferred it to me right now. According to her, I can use this Meditation Technique to train my Aura along with training through battles." Vali replied.
'The AI can transfer implant into his brain, what kind of AI is this?' Drona thought to himself, 'Looks like Vali's father is indirectly helping him through this AI Nyx.'
Vali suddenly added, "Nyx also said that even though I am at Level 10 which is a bottleneck, I should still train my Aura and not leave it until I have killed Chaos Beast to earn stats. According to her, if I train my Aura at Level 10 for a month and then kill a Chaos Beast, after breaking through I could reach Level 12 or 13 directly."
Drona hummed, "There have been cases when people have skipped level when breaking through, maybe what your AI said is true."
"Doesn't you AI give you such suggestion?" Vali asked.
'My AI is nowhere comparable to the monster in your brain.' Drona thought but replied, "The Nanochip technology have come a long way, my Nanochip is old and very basic. It does what I need it to do, I don't need an advanced one like you."
"Oh ok." Vali did not ask any further.
. . .
. . .
. . .
Vali and Drona were crouching down behind a boulder as they looked at a Chaos Beast, the Jade Scorpion
"This one is around 40 to 50-year-old." Drona spoke, "Although you should not use it to breakthrough, you can fight it to gain experience."
Vali nodded as he took out his two swords, "I understand."
[The Jade Scorpion is a poisonous Chaos Beast and not an Ice type.] Nyx added. [Its body is developed in a way that it can survive in the harshest cold conditions. The upper part of its body is extremely tough and it uses the two stings near its mouth to attack, the sting contains deadly poison. But the deadliest attack of the Jade Scorpion is its tail stinger that it hides below its body, the tail stinger is extremely fast in attacking and the Jade Scorpion loves using it for a surprise attack.]
'What's the best way to take it down quickly and efficiently?'
[Your swords are not strong enough to pierce through its upper armour. It's best to make it reveal its tail stinger and dodge that surprise attack, then attack the tail joint. If you can somehow flip the Jade Scorpion and attack its lower body then that will work as well, its lower body is not as tough as its upper shell.]
Vali nodded and slowly stood up and approached the Jade Scorpion.
The Jade Scorpion quickly noticed Vali and its eyes shined as if looking at a prey.
The Jade Scorpion was quite fast, it rushed forward and tried to skewer Vali with the stingers near its mouth. Vali in response blocked the stingers with his swords and attacked back, but his strikes were not making much trouble for the Jade Scorpion.
Drona smiled as he watched Vali easily block the Jade Scorpion's attack but failing to do any damage, he could see Vali's frustration. "The Steel Swords are good but are not very effective against Chaos Beast. Now, what will you do?"
Vali meanwhile was really getting frustrated; the Jade Scorpion was much more patient than he was. Vali had tempted the Jade Scorpion to lash out with its hidden tail but the Jade Scorpion was patient, continuously attacking with its front stings even though Vali was able to block the attacks.
'I can't do much damage in this way. . . but what if I use my Soul Spirit. I don't have any skill but I can still manifest my Soul Spirit.'
[Ice would not be very effective; you can try Lightning.] Nyx suggested.
Vali nodded and slowly called out his violet lightning, the two normal steel swords in his hands was slowly covered with lightning, the two steel blades became blades of violet lightning.
Vali grinned and pushed forward, putting more power into his swings. Vali again slashed one of the tough Stings of the Jade Scorpion, but unlike before when Jade Scorpion was able to block, this time the lightning covered sword just slashed through the sting.
The Jade Scorpion screamed in pain as it lost one of its stings, it did not waste a moment and tried to lash out with its tail whose tip was an even deadlier sting.
Vali smirked and rolled away to dodge the tail; he was waiting for it anyway. Once the Jade Scorpion's tail was out, Vali pushed his legs and slashed at the joint of the tail and the rest of the body. In one clear slash, the deadly tail of the Jade Scorpion was cut off.
The Jade Scorpion was now truly helpless as it bled and thrashed on the ground in pain. Vali jumped back and waited and moments later the Jade Scorpion lost its balance and flipped its body like some cockroach, exposing its weaker part of the body. Vali did not let this chance go to waste as he started thrusting his lightning covered swords into the Jade Scorpion's back, after a few thrusts the body went lifeless.
"Lighting up your sword with lightning, that is a good idea." Drona said as he came out from behind the boulder, "Also, your violet Lightning is far more destructive than normal lightning."
Vali grumbled, "You knew that my sword will be useless normally against the Jade Scorpion, didn't you?"
Drona chuckled and nodded, "Those two swords I gave you for training and not for real fights, steel is not enough to cut through a Chaos Beast Skin. I sent you to fight the Jade Scorpion knowing you will get frustrated with not being able to do any damage, you thought to use your Lightning Soul Spirit quickly enough or I would have given you the hint after some time. What I did not expect was for your lightning to be a bit too effective in cutting through the Stings."
"Yeah, it was a lot easier once the lightning was activated." Vali then looked at his two blades and frowned, "But I don't think these blades will be able to handle my lightning for much longer."
"Don't worry, I will get you two Adamantium Blades after we return." Drona replied and then carefully looked at the Jade Scorpion's body.
Vali noticed a visible bluish aura appearing from the dead body of Scorpion.
"The Bluish Aura you are seeing, you can suck in that Aura into your body to make yourself stronger. The stronger the beasts are, the denser the aura is and the longer it takes to completely suck the aura. This aura will remain for about an hour after you kill a Chaos Beast before disappearing into the nature." Drona explained, "Since you killed this Beast, only you can take this Aura. If I try to take this Aura, it will not work."
"I understand." Vali replied, "Say, what if you fight a strong Beast but then I come in and land the final blow?"
"Since you land the last blow, then only you can take the Beast's Aura." Drona explained, "Actually, I am planning to do the same for you. But you have to understand that you must not try to take the Aura of a Beast that is beyond your limits, like a 1000 Year beast at your current level. Also, it's best to not steal a kill from someone that is stronger than you."
"Understood."
Drona nodded and inspected the dead body, "The Jade Scorpion's Stingers contain lot of poison; its poison is also very unique and it can create many effects based on how its processed. Even the top plain shell can make a good shield."
"How are we going to collect the bodies?" Vali asked, "In the Safe Zone I saw a few people taking out beast bodies from a ring while others were dragging huge bodies with them."
"It is not recommended to drag the Beast body with you, the smell of blood will attract even more Beast." Drona replied and then took out a silver ring from his pocket and put it on. "This is a Cosmos Ring, once you put it on and touch the Beast carcass with the ring, your AI can activate the ring and suck the Beast body inside the ring. The wonders of Space Technology."
"Oh, the Space Compression technology. But I heard it is quite expensive."
"It sure is." Drona agreed, "I use to have my own Cosmos Ring, it can keep Beast carcass along with any other item I want, my luggage I mean. That Cosmos Ring cost me around 500 Million Credits and it was with me for a long time, but a few years ago it was damaged during a battle. I was able to take out all of my items from it but it was no longer usable."
"Then what about the one you put on just now?"
"It is a loaned Cosmos Ring, I loaned it before leaving the Safe Zone. I have to pay 20,000 Credit for a single day to use it and the space inside is also not very big."
"20,000 Credits!" Vali gasped, "This is almost like legal robbery!"
Drona chuckled, "Only Government is allowed to loan Cosmos Ring, no one else is allowed to se this business module. Like I said, Government may have reduced the cost of travel to and from the HG planets but they have found many other ways to earn money, this Cosmos Ring loan business is one of them."
Drona touched the dead Jade Scorpion with the Silver Ring on his finger and the beast was sucked inside the ring.
"Let's go." Drona said, "We have to find a monster for you."
ooo0ooo
Vali and Drona were walking side by side, this was their third day in HG 37 and till now Vali had killed a total of three beasts while Drona took care of more than twenty Chaos Beasts that were beyond Vali's level.
Suddenly the ground shook and boulders of Ice rained down upon Vali and Drona.
Vali was completely shocked by the sudden attack; he was still not able to find the attacker. Drona meanwhile just grunted and raised his hand; a metallic umbrella appeared over their head and blocked the Ice boulders.
Vali finally saw a tall translucent Ice boulder moving, it took a second for Vali to recognize that thing was not a simple boulder but a Chaos beast.
[This Beast is known as Iceberg, judging from its size and appearance it is about 500 years old. This Chaos Beast can turn itself transparent to hid in a snowy surrounding, that is how you were not able to detect it. Its body is extremely heavy and its defence is tremendous but it is also very slow. It can create Ice Crystals to attack and those Ice Crystals are as tough and sharp as diamond.]
[I believe this Beast is perfect for you, you should kill it and take its aura.]
"Grandpa, I want to kill this Beast." Vali said, "It is around 500-year-old so it's within my limits too."
Drona nodded, "I was thinking the same. Iceberg Chaos Beast are very rare, they have a habit of becoming transparent and going into long hibernation periods."
Drona created a staff with his metal element and spoke, "Just stay back and let me deal with it. I will call you to kill it once I break it!"
Drona twirled his staff and started walking towards the Iceberg Beast.
'Nyx, what are my chances against this Iceberg Chaos Beast?'
[The Iceberg Chaos Beast has a very tough outer shell, breaking a diamond would be easier than breaking the outer shell of Iceberg Beast. But behind that outer shell is very soft and squishy flesh, the flesh of Iceberg is a rare delicacy and very expensive. The best way to kill this Beast is to break the hard shell near its head and then attack the softer brain behind the hard shell.]
And that was exactly what old man Drona was doing.
Drona shaped his metal into a huge and heavy hammer that he rained down upon the Iceberg Beast head, after about five strikes from the giant hammer the head of the Iceberg beast burst open.
"Vali!" Drona shouted as the Iceberg Beast fell down, "Attack the greyish brain on its head, now!"
Vali nodded as he dashed forward and plunged his sword into the grey brain of the Iceberg Chaos Beast, the beast wailed for a moment before going silent.
A chilly blue Aura rose from the Iceberg's body.
"Sit down and slowly absorb its aura." Drona instructed.
Vali nodded and sat down on the snowy ground, he concentrated on the dense aura and slowly pulled it towards himself. As the blue aura entered his body, Vali felt a cool sensation.
[Use the Meditation technique.] Nyx suggested.
Vali nodded and slowly started to use the new Meditation Technique that Nyx gave him, he breathed in the Aura and circulated it throughout his body, letting the Aura seep into is bones, muscles and organs.
Vali had no idea for how long he mediated and absorbed the aura from the Iceberg Chaos Beast. When he finally opened his eyes, his body felt completely rejuvenated.
[It too you nearly 90 minutes to fully absorb the aura from Iceberg Beast. But it gave quite a few benefits, your Strength and Constitution is increased by 1. You also received a new skill.]
Name: Vali
Strength: 11
Agility: 11
Constitution: 12
Vitality: 10
Intelligence: 12
Perception: 13
Aura Stats ->
Tier: 1
Level: 10
Soul Spirit: Dual Soul Spirit
i) Lightning (Initial Form): Violet Lightning that is extremely tyrannical
ii) Ice (Initial Form): Majestic Icy Aura that can freeze anything and everything
Aura Skills:
Crystallize: You can create any shape from Ice and it will be as tough and sharp as diamond.
Vali grinned as he raised both of his hand, two swords made of pure Ice slowly formed in his hands, the Ice swords were shining and the edge looked extremely sharp.
Vali dragged his new Ice Sword on the Iceberg's hard shell and his new Ice Sword was able to make a deep scratch on it.
"Those swords look really sharp." Drona spoke up, "Even Adamantium would not be able to make such deep marks on the shell of Iceberg Beast."
"Yeah, it's awesome. Like you do with your metal, I can also make all kinds of shapes with my Ice." Vali grinned, "All of them will be as sturdy as Iceberg shell."
"You have found a good skill, especially with a rare monster like this one." Drona sighed, "But it's better you keep this skill of yours hidden as we don't want your Ice Soul Spirit revealed to everyone, at least until you are strong enough."
"I know." Vali replied, "Still, I now have an awesome skill."
Drona just snorted as he tapped the Iceberg body with his Cosmos ring to suck it in, "There isn't much space left in my Cosmos Ring. Let's go back to the Safe Zone, we can also feast upon the Iceberg meat, it's been ages since I last ate Iceberg meat."
"By the way, after selling the Beast Carcass that you have collected till now, how much can we earn back?" Vali asked.
"If we keep the Iceberg Beast meat which I am planning to do, after selling everything else and paying the processing tax along with the loan amount for using the Cosmos Ring and the cost of coming and going from the HG planet. The final profit should be around 1 Million."
"1 Million, that is not bad."
Drona sighed, "That's because most Beasts were killed by me. Stronger beasts that could give me a challenge are found in HG 80 onwards, they sell for higher price but the portal cost to those planets is also high. In fact, in HG 80 the cost to loan a Cosmos Ring for a day is 1 Million, let alone other taxes."
"So, can't strong people earn profit by killing Beasts weaker than them?"
"Nope." Drona replied, "If I was alone, I wouldn't have been allowed to come to HG 37, but I was allowed here because I came with you. I still paid a fee of 50,000 along with the fees to use the portal, that 50,000 was the tax for letting me come to a planet with beast weaker than me. So, in essence I barely earned anything."
"Ah, I understand now."
ooo0ooo