"Shit!"
The electricity went out of control. Cracks started to form in the bullet and an intense heat could be felt. It looked like it could explode at any moment.
Zane ran to the window and tried to throw it out. Unfortunately, the bullet magically stuck on his hand like a magnet.
"Get off!" He swung his hand outside the window hoping the bullet would fall off. Just then, Nova appeared!
He jumped on Zane's shoulder and stared at the bullet. Before Zane could pull him away from the ticking time bomb, he leapt forward and ate it.
"What?" Zane was unable to grasp the situation.
Then, Nova spat out the cracked bullet. Fortunately, the bullet didn't look like it would explode anymore.
"Phew! It didn't explode." As Zane let out a sigh of relief, Nova suddenly started to glow in purple. Like the bullet, sparks of electricity could be seen minus the explosion part.
'Did he absorb the mana? I don't remember if he had a skill like that.' He activated [Scan].
[Name: Nova (Lightning Form)
Species: Silver Wolf
MP: 100%
Stamina: 92%
Condition: healthy
Innate Skill:
>Alpha (locked)
Skill:
>Syphon]
'Lightning form? Syphon? That's new.' Zane saw two additions to Nova's status. He focused on Syphon to check its description.
[Syphon
The ability to absorb mana. There is a 1% chance of obtaining a form attributed to the element of the absorbed mana if any. Continuous absorption of an obtained mana can increase its mastery. The higher the mastery, the less mana required to use the form.
Forms:
> lightning - 0.3%]
"He absorbed lighting and got lighting form! " he was shocked. He picked Nova up and said
"Why don't you stay here and help me?"
"Arf. . . Arf!" He barked as if he agreed.
"Good boy." He then took out another bullet and tried again.
Strands of light came out of his palm and enclosed the bullet, coating a layer of light around the bullet. Unlike his first try, he decreased the amount of mana used.
The rune he drew was slightly dimmer compared to the first one but that was what he wanted.
The rune slowly shrunk and hovered toward the bullet. This time, the rune was successfully imbued on the bullet. Sparkes didn't appear and the bullet did crack.
"Is it done? It's not gonna explode when I touch it right?" He asked Nova even though he knew he would understand.
Nova just looked at him confused.
"Now, let's try this out! " he loaded the bullet into his rifle and aimed it at the wall.
*Whoosh!* as the bullet left the barrel, a coat of electricity appeared. When it hit the wall, it burst into lightning, leaving a dent and burnt mark in the wall.
"I didn't think this through." He regretted testing the bullet indoors and in his room at that.
"At least it works. Now to make more."
That day, he made a total of 20 bullets which is 4 magazines. He did fail some and almost exploded, but Nova was there to help.
After he finished, he started to feel dizzy.
"What?" He remembered that using too much mana might cause dizziness or at least that is what he learned from watching movies.
"Right, that might be it. How much mana did I use?" He used scan ok himself.
[Name: Zane Felix
Species: Human
Mp: 14%
Stamina: 74%
Condition: healthy
Innate Skill:
>Absolute Vision
>??? Unknown???
Skill:
>Scanning
>Weapon Master
>Hand to hand Combat]
'I successfully created 20 bullets and failed a total of 5 times. Making 25 bullets cost me 86% of my mana? ' then he felt dizzy again.
'I'll think about it tomorrow. I'm tired.' He then went to bed.
.
.
*Beep!*
*Beep!*
*Beep!*
*Beep!*
*Beep!*
"Huh? I'm going to be late!" Zane, who was almost exhausted from his mana, woke up late. Class starts at 9 am and it's currently 8: 48am.
After brushing his teeth and changing, Zane ran to class without even having breakfast again.
.
.
In the classroom,
As Zane arrived, he heard his classmate gossiping. It's not uncommon but this time, their topic is about him!
"Is that him?"
"I think so."
"He doesn't look weak but I don't think he can win."
"Do you think. . . . . . . "
Then, Halie walked to him and asked,
"Did you challenge him? Why?"
"I have my reasons." It was for money of course.
"Let's go cancel it, I'll help you."
"Like I said. I have my reasons. And I think we just met yesterday. It shouldn't affect you in any way."
"Fine then, go get yourself killed!" She then went back to her seat furiously.
'What's her problem? We're practically strangers.'
During class, Zane could feel someone staring at him. As soon as he turned in the direction, that someone looked away, acting as if nothing happened. It was Halie.
After class ended,
"Would you stop that?"
"I'm not talking to you."
"Saying that also counts as talking to me."
"Starting now!"
"Alright then. Bye." Zane then went to the cafeteria for lunch.
On the way there,
'Why is she following me.' Even without activating his skill [Absolute vision], he could sense that Halie was following him. His senses seem to have been heightened. It was either that or she's just really bad at stalking.
'Just ignore her. She might go away.'
As time passed by, there were two stalkers instead of one.
'What's their problem? Should I report them? Nah, I'll just outrun them.' Then, he used his skill [Absolute vision] to find a suitable path.
'There.' As soon as he planned his path, he began to run.
.
.
On the girl's side,
"He's running! Let's catch him before it's too late." As she was about to chase after him, her friend stopped her.
"I'm here exactly to stop you from doing stupid things like that! Just let him be. It's not your problem anyway."
"But he might die."
"Enough, Halie! They just look alike! "
.
.
Back to Zane's side,
'Lost them!' He was panting.
'I really need to work out more. Should I head back? There's still an hour before the match.' He thought while leaning against the wall.
'I'll just head to the arena. I don't have anything better to do anyways.' He then went to the arena.
.
.
Minutes before the match, in the waiting area,
As Zane was preparing for his match, the door suddenly pushed open.
"Don't die." Halie came in and said with tears in her eyes.
"I won't"