{Perhaps you would prefer a Demi-Human form?} Syn said. It turns out the reason she was so quiet was that she was running tests on the system and checking for any flaws. She was also the System Master's apprentice, which made sense.
'Ah, like Kin and his buddies?' I was referring to the dead panther, leopard, and tiger, which were currently stuffed in my inventory. Currently, we war walking through the forest towards my old home.
{Yes. You were not reincarnated as a beast to become human again. A Demi-Human form would grant you the flexibility and fingers of a human. Your Humanoid form could be useful, but in the west, forms like that are used sparingly- like if you wanted to rescue someone from the humans.}
'I wasn't a fan of novels that had non-human MCs just for them to become human again. I approve of this new form.' I said.
{Then I will assign a quest to you.}
•Quest Window:
[Current Quest: Absorb the souls of "Kin and his buddies."
•Recommended Level Requirement: 10+
• Reward:
Demi-Human Form
500 EXP
'Absorb their souls? Did you not see [Partial Soul Absorption]'s description? I'll be meeting a fake god, the devil incarnate, and the grim reaper. And I have to keep my calm while doing this too!'
{Exactly.}
'Whatever. That'll have to wait until later, seeing as we are here now.' I said, popping into the familiar clearing where my former home was. This was where I would practice my magic.
It turned out that the upturned tree was an Ironwood and Witch tree combination, meaning that it was almost impossible to destroy it. It made sense there weren't any trees in the clearing- this tree would be dominant in any forest.
It was also the best test dummy.
Opening my status, I mentally clicked on |•Magic Skills•|
•Magic Skills:
•Affinity: The Combination of Light and Dark.
•Mana abilities: [Mana Shield][Mana Control][Binding][Mana Enhance]
•Affinity skills:
==========
•Elemental Skills:
•Geo: [Normal Earth Manipulation(Weak)][Earth Spikes][Earth's Pulse][Gaia's Gift][Earth Shield]
•Hydro: [Normal Water Manipulation(Weak)][Water Bullet][Water Drain][Water Shield]
•Pyro: [Normal Fire Manipulation(Strong)][Flame Guardian][Flame Wall][Pyro beam]
•Anemo: [Normal Air Manipulation(Weak)][Wind Shears][Whirlwind][Tempest]
•Electro: [Weak Electricity Manipulation]
•Cyro: [Weak Ice Manipulation]
==========
'Interesting. Each tier of elemental manipulation has its own ranks. Since my fire manipulation is at the strong level of the normal zone, I should practice it first. My affinity is intriguing too.' I thought, but then another idea popped up.
'Syn? Can I combine [Demon Flames] with [Pyro]?'
{It is possible.}
[Do you wish to combine the skill [Demon Flames] and elemental mastery [Pyro?]]
[Y/N]
'Yes.'
[Gained skill [White Flames]]
[[Demon Flames] is no longer active]
'Okay. Now, let's try [Flame Guardian]!' I thought. A tornado made out of flames spawned behind me. It wasn't a tall tornado, but it radiated heat. The tornado morphed into a bulky figure in clad shiny white armor, and a flaming helmet. It had claws for fingers, an unstable flaming sword in one hand, and did not have a lower body. It floated like a ghost.
When I took a step forward, it followed me. An imposing figure, but was it even alive? I looked at a tree near the edge of the clearing. I willed the guardian to attack the tree, and it moved ahead of me, horizontally slashing its sword. The tree did not burn, the top part of it just fell. Such a clean cut.
[-25]
'That's my mana?'
{Yes}
I deactivated my ability.
I tried out all my abilities, and they worked as expected but were harder than fire. For some reason, [Gaia's Gift] was greyed out. I could barely use electricity or ice, as I was planning on using electricity and tempest as a further speed boost.
Now then, for the quest.
[Aura sense activated]
An unmistakable aura of bloodlust was radiating towards the clearing through the forest. This aura of killing intent was directed toward me. Examine activated -which meant whatever creature let out that aura was getting closer.
•Status:
•Name: None
•Species: Mutated Midnight Wolf
•Gender: Male
•Age: 2 months
•Rank: C-
•Emotion: Excited
•Health: 1099/2500
•Mana: 250/500
•Level: 15(500/4000)
•Class: None
•Strength: 225
•Intelligence: 43
•Wisdom: 44
•Agility: 55
•Dexterity: 67
•Defense: 200
•Stamina: 240
•Vitality: 179
•Skills: [Leap][Sprint][Accute hearing][Chomp][Kick][Stealth][Pain resistance(high)][Poison resistance(low)][Invisibility][Tough Hide][Mana Detection][Aura][Rush][Rage]
»|•Magic Skills•|«
•Blessings:
•Titles: [Stupid][Tough][Killer]
•Status points: 0
'Hmm... He seems to be in a weakened state. Whatever that is, I can take em! Especially with my new [Magic Skills]!'
I backed away as the creature stalked towards me. Did it think that I couldn't sense it? Pretty stupid. Perhaps I could hide in my old home and use it as cover while I attacked it from a distance.
'I really hope this isn't related to the Spine Wolves Darth talked about... It really wants to kill me!' I thought as the hulking creature emerged through the trees.