'Lightning Mouse Astral Crystal? What could that be?'
Truthfully told, if Haler paid even a little attention in class, he would realize the treasure he picked up. Besides the Class Keys, creatures from other worlds had three possible drops.
The most common was Astral Energy Crystals. These were crystals that dropped the stats of the creature killed. Although it is usually Strength, Agility, Constitution, and Astral Energy, these crystals can also include different attributes like poison or lightning. The second most common was a *creature* Astral Crystal. These contain the skills of the creature. The rarest would be an Astral Egg. Hatching these eggs would have a creature of similar stats and skills fight as a companion.
Using this knowledge, Haler would have known that the Lightning Mouse Astral Crystal was a skill set. Not only that, but the skill set was already rank 8, one of the highest skills in the Mortal Sequence. The Mortal Sequence had all skills and stats capped at rank 10. Until going through a Class Upgrade Quest, that was the limit of the human body. This step had to be replicated all the way to the Mythical stage which is the extent of human knowledge.
But without knowing any of that, Haler just redeemed the crystal. A force of lighting shot through his veins. Like a coiling dragon, it started surging through his bones. The intensity would have alerted those around him if it were not for them leaving for a lunch break. If the instructor drew out his explanation and made everyone stay over, Haler would have been exposed.
Just as quickly as it came, it also quickly disappeared. The only evidence of its presence was the coat of lightning on his body. Haler quickly opened his eyes and looked at the sparks forming around his body. The world started slowing down. Haler could see individual grains of sand pouring out of the hourglass.
The miraculous state he was in disappeared due to his lack of Astral Energy.
From the bottom of his eyes, he could still see the skill name.
'Lightning Speed huh?'
Haler automatically closed his eyes and assessed his situation. He realized that it was only due to luck his fellow students were not around. Absorbing any type of loot in a public area would be banned until further notice.
Haler stretched his body as if he just woke up and exited the Burdock Magic Academy. Although it was called a magic academy, most of the students that end up graduating do not become Magicians. The rareness in obtaining a Magician Class Key was astronomical for the little village that was Haler's home.
The grandest class that has visited the village was the Mortal Sequence Mercenary Class. That was only due to a quest the Adventurer Association posted for low-level Adventurers. The village's view of the world was extremely small, and knowledge was not given easily. The feats of the Legendary Sequence was only known to the village due to a popular Bard's song.
Although Haler did not know what he wanted to do, he was certain that he wanted to see better sights. The boring village was not exciting enough for him after feeling the surge of killing an enemy. He could not go back after tasting the loot.
Therefore, Haler made his way to his hut with great haste. With his new Astral Art, killing more than one beast was possible. Haler was able to jump straight into sleep because he did not have a family. His mother died in childbirth while his father died while hunting beasts. His father's Hunter Key Class was confiscated by the village head and given to his son. As reparations, the village head allowed Haler to join the Burdock Magic Academy.
[Entering the Mouse Borrow]
The familiar mold of Sunstone and dirt filled his eyes. Without hesitating for a second, Haler picked up a pebble and started his slaughtering.
Using Lightning Speed and pebbles found on the floor, Haler killed two Lightning Mice without injury. They did not drop any crystals or eggs but the speed and efficiency of Haler's killing increased due to them. This was valuable experience for him.
'Now I hide.'
Every time there is the scent of blood, a hoard of mice follows the trail. This was what he learned from his first successful hunt. Now that Haler killed two mice, the tsunami of white should closely follow.
As if waiting for the cue, a methodic thumping sounded. They were here.
Haler dug under the semi-broken bowl and hid there. He was willing to take the chance of getting discovered due to how death was not death in the dream. He always felt lightheaded and looked pale after every death, but he was never dead. This immortality of sorts gave him the confidence to kill that many adventurers, knights, and mages lacked.
Currently, he expended all his Astral Energy using Lightning Speed. Logically speaking, he would have been done for if he alerted the hoard. Therefore, he did his best to hide quietly.
A certain mouse started to sniff its way to the bowl. This action could be seen in different places. Those who were not devouring the head mouse were searching for who killed it. Although they could die too, they were extremely hungry.
Haler's skin tingled as the mouse got closer. He wound up retreating all the way till his back touched the wooden bowl. Although it was dark, the streak of light illuminated a strand of sturdy wood. In real life, it would be nothing more than a toothpick. However, for small Haler, it was equivalent to a mighty spear.
'This is it!'
[Chivalry ⤜ Courage 2/10]
The mouse picked up a scent and quickly tore through the bowl using its claws. Just as quickly, the wooden stick struck its retina. It was dead before it knew it.
[Killed Mortal Sequence Lighting Mouse – Dropped Agility Astral Crystal(9)]
He quickly picked the crystal up before the hoard of mice ripped open his body. By now the pain of getting eaten did not faze him as much. It still hurt but it was manageable.
Haler opened his eyes and a teardrop slipped by his face.
'F*ck! Why does that still hurt?'
That was a lie. Haler could have sworn that each time was more painful than the last. Rubbing the bridge of his nose, Haler went through his loot.
'Agility Astral Crystal? Does it increase my agility stat?'
After staring at the smooth crystal for a bit, Haler crushed it and a pungent stream of energy entered his body. His skin turned red for a second as he watched the energy move in his body. Slowly his skin turned back to the paleness it was, but he felt way lighter than usual. It was like he dropped off invisible weights.
He looked back at his profile.
[Name: Haler]
[Bloodline: Human | 100% Purity]
[Class Family: Knighthood] °
[Class: Proctor of the Fallen | Mortal Sequence] °
『2 increase in stats when around the dead』
『0.1% chance in permanently increasing stats every battle』
『Those who have dealt with the loss of a loved one have enjoy your company』
[Stats – Mortal Sequence]
『STR: 5』[↑20%]
『AGI: 9』
『CON: 6 』
『ENG: 2』
『Talent: N/A』
[Chivalry]
『Courage: 2/10』[20% Increase in STR]
『Courtesy: 0/10』[0% Increase in AGI]
『Justice: 0/10』[0% Increase in CON]
『Honor: 0/10』[0% Increase in ENG]
『Readiness to Help: 0/10』[0% Increase in Talent Potency]
『Avenge the Fallen: 0/10』[Dispensable Points to Increase any Stat]
[Astral Arts]
『Lightning Speed - 8』
[Astral Beast]
『N/A』