'The 2 [Psyches] are related to my 2 deaths. [Cold Mind] is related due to my death on Earth, when I was hit by a truck it was painfully cruel as I bled out. Gradually I might have gotten anemia of some sort which affected my mind and made my body very cold. [Cold Mind] doesn't actually have anything relating to the cold but it's related to the lack of emotion and life.
[Shadow Manifestation] is related to the [Nightmare Eye] that killed me. It took away my life using shadows, and made it painfully cruel by filling my lungs with that dark gas...was it a mind-affecting power or physical-affecting? Maybe it was possible to turn my shadows into a gas state... I didn't know before but my concept must have revolved around the shadows that took away my life, this is probably why it is easier for me to make shadow weapons that take life and even easier for me to make shadow hands, unfortunately, they couldn't pass through objects so using shadow hands weren't that great even it was easier to use.
I need a foolproof power, something that an enemy can't defend against. Probably the power to phase to physical matter like the [Nightmare Eye] and as for the truck...hmmm it seems far fetched but Truck-Kun...why am I even considering this... so the truck symbolized transmigration of souls or targeting souls specifically. It is very related to the mind.
Yeah, I need my shadows to phase through, being permeable to matter and my mind powers to damage an enemy's soul...
Eh...
EH????'
1-Star [Shadow Phase]
Shadows from [Shadow Manifestation] can phase through physical objects by gaining a semi-physical attribute. Shadows in this state can penetrate more but have less damage.
1-Star [Mental Frostbite]
Not literal frostbite. Physical attacks made are laced with the attribute of mental damage which affects the soul. The processed pain hurt like frostbite, searing cold, and burning mint.
'No, it can't be that I've been doing this wrong this whole time, scientists would have already discovered the way of getting abilities if this was that easy. No... maybe it was reasonable that no one noticed this as something possible because they all thought Espers would naturally gain new abilities the stronger they are. And Espers would inherently gain abilities instinctively.
I seem to be a different case...is it because of [Cold Mind]? My mind never concentrates on one spot but practically functions to keep thinking and processing information all the time. As for sleeping, the thought process is fully shut down, not giving chances for thoughts on abilities to form or concentrate into a central point... The time I got [Mind Immunity]...was when my mind went into chaos!
This makes tons of sense after hearing the number of times some test subjects back then had additional abilities most of the time after having naps. This...this is unreal...', Kaitlynn felt like she had done something so ignorantly.
Again she had done another big mistake that she was completely unaware of... It made her feel the sting of life back on Earth
She gritted her teeth out of frustration but the next instant her mind cleared as she dampened the frustration, trading it in for motivation.
'The reason for my failure on Earth was because of my wrong state of mind. In other words, [Cold Mind] could also be my single plea to be like those protagonists in anime...'
She started increasing her adrenaline which influenced the operation of her body. She reaches out as shadows manifest, she then controlled shadows to see if they could change states. Surprisingly it could. The gaseous shadow then formed into needles!
'I see, my shadows can take on physical properties like gas but once it turns into needles, they become solid.', She observes as the needles clashed against each other while others pierced the monsters. Her lack of control is attributed to her being half-heart, mostly placing her attention on the already-formed weapons which started to look like they had minds of their own.
But... I have already tried changing the state of the shadow before... sometimes I see the shadows of clouds and yet they manifest as solids... even when my ability recently advanced, I have tried it one or two times to no avail. My reasonable guess is that the scope or utility of my abilities increases the more abilities I get, and my abilities strengthen or become more potent when it advances.', Kaitlynn mused in her head.
'Now for when more abilities can be achieved. It is commonly known that another ability can only manifest after the previous ability reaches 2-Stars but...', Kaitlynn's abilities appear in her mind.
3-Star [Shadow Manifestation] 1-Star [Shadow Phase]
4-Star [Dark Mind] 1-Star [Mind Immunity] 1-Star [Mental Frostbite]
'Is it perhaps because the ability before the previous ability of [Mental Frostbite] was 4-Stars? This can make sense as it is much easier to awaken another ability before a 2-Star ability can even reach 4 stars.', After making this conclusion, Kaitlynn felt better after sorting off her thoughts and consolidating the knowledge she had gained from this experience.
Soon Kaitlynn started the non-stop massacre. This place was perfect because not only were there the right monsters but the amount of them also increases due to their high reproduction.
She will be occasionally using [Shadow Phase] and [Mental Frostbite] but they were undoubtedly useful for larger targets than the current arsenal he has.
Her next thought process was that since [Shadow Manifestation] had higher utility after advancing. How much did [Dark Mind] advance in terms of utility?
She had already found the answer. Her thoughts could split up into different thought processes. Normally it would only be one thought process trying to assess multiple amounts of information but now that different thought processes could be used, she had an easier time controlling her arsenal.
Unfortunately, this took a load on her Mentality. A good thing throughout this ordeal was that her Mentality increased in quantity every time [Dark Mind] advanced. She also experienced qualitative change every time he abilities increased, and also received small increments in both quantity and quality every time her abilities increase by a star.
To wrap up, the huge power leveling she just had was a huge ass load of strengthening.
------------------------------------------------------
Audelia, Drax, and Sirena, these three went to a lush and bunched forest full of oversized leaves and branches as opposed to their stems. This forest was full of fruits that are rich in mana, attracting a lost of creatures whose abilities were in the branches.
Mutated [Carnivore Flower], [Hermes SkullTrap], [Vine Spider], and [Fruit Monkey] are commonly seen in this place.
Audelia just went over an important spell that is good for both combat and support. 2-Star [Check Up].
Normally the spell is oriented for single targets but if the runic attributes are changed using the [Arithmetic Method], it is possible to change the target to a wide area, costing both the effectiveness of the spell and the huge amount of mana consumption.
[Check Up] is a spell that sees life force or vitality in a person, its effective in surgeries because it can search for leaking life force which also translates to injury or bleeding. It also checks on stamina by seeing how 'dim' the vitality of a person looks like. For Shinji it was very dim, if it weren't for the huge amount of life force in him, it would seem like he was actually close to death.
If used in combat, [Check Up] can be used to identify enemies and find point in the body with high concentration of vitality, aka a weak point.
But Audelia and Drax were stunned after using [Check Up], everywhere there was lush life force. Occasionally there would be more vitality here and less vitality there but it made their field of vision confusing. Sirena follows up by making the spell too, seeing the same problem, only that she could still use her powers to pinpoint the actual monsters.
Sirena gestures to the other two and points up. Audelia and Drax look up, the former seeing the monster first and point at the monster for Drax to see while the latter understood and leaped up the branches.
2-Star [Flash] + 2-Star [Temper] + 2-Star [Tungsten] = [Tungsten Bullet]
Sensing the danger, the Hermes TrapSkull bared its mouth to attack, it fell toward Drax, aiming to swallow the human whole. Drax respond with a grinned widely and punched out to the open jaw.
2-Star [Shock] + 2-Star [Temper] + 2-Star [Copper] = [Copper Shock Impact]
The fist reached inside and tore through the insides of the monster, but the most adverse effect was the huge shock that has spread throughout the monsters body, frying the cerebral due to how close Drax's fist was to its brain.
"GRAHHHHHHHHHHH!"
The monster's noise was loud, not so loud, but loud enough that monsters in the nearby area would be attracted. Rustles in the leaves became louder as Fruit Monkeys appear one after the other.
Drax couldn't go back to the ground without encountering a few of them. And if he were to fight one of them, then the other would have the opportunity to catch up. Knowing this Drax didn't hesitate to kick on a branch and swiftly drop down, worried that the girls might get attacked.
1-Star [Reinforce] + 2-Star [Temper] + Enlarged 2-Star [Iron] = Modified [Iron Enforce]
After a few second did a Fruit Monkey appear behind him, spitting a clump of bullet seeds with incredible hardness and abnormally sharp tips. Drax turned mid-flight and swung and incredibly thick metal arm blocking the attack while at the same time creating a large weight to fall down at a faster speed.
With large metals on all 4 of his limbs, he fell at great speed escaping the trailing Fruit Monkeys on his back. Next thing Drax knew he heard a shout.
'Don't run to us! Deal with the increasing amount of Fruit Monkeys! We can handle these ourselves!', Sirena gritted her teeth as she send a message via [Mind Connection]. She didn't want the situation to become worse just cause she can't defend herself.
[Mind Connection] was able to create networks of thoughts to pass through for communication.
'Drax, deal with the monsters up there. I've gotten enough training from Senior Dongmei. We can handle this for a while.', Audelia assures Drax through the connection made by Sirena by swinging her sword and injuring a sneaky Vine Spider.
The green spider in camouflage was sneaking up but its vitality was highly concentrate in one spot due to its small size, making it a relatively easy target for Audelia.
Drax realized the mistake and how counter productive he was, 'Yeah, this is a team work thing. I need to get used to knowing what they can and cannot handle. They're also growing stronger. Not as fast as me but they have their own trials to face. So to help them...', he put on a determined look.
Intensified 2-Star [Flash] + Intensified 2-Star [Temper] + Hardened 2-Star [Tungsten] = Modified [Tungsten Bullet]
Intensified 1-Star [Reinforce] + Intensified 2-Star [Temper] + Hardened 2-Star [Iron] = Modified [Iron Enforce]
'I'll have to deal with those monkeys fast. Now how do I get angry again?', Drax couldn't activate [Beserk] at will so he went with plan A.
Massacre until its triggered.
He met with first contact as several monkeys spewed numerous and speedy seeds. Drax crossed his arms and forces his way through the barrage and arriving close to one of the monsters.
"Eat my fist!", Drax once again went into battle junkie mode, smashing the poor skull inside itself and killing the monster easily.
"All of you eat my fist HAHAHHAHAH!", Drax laughs knowing that we will get the aggro instead of his friends, 'Since the monsters are coming because of the noise. I'll just be the noisiest to attract most of the enemies to me'
While Drax was punching around, Sirena casts [Water Bomb] to undodgeable enemies and casts [Hydro-Spiral] at critical times. [Pressure Blade] was used most due to its high attack.
Unlike [Water Bomb], which has a wider effect on enemies, A normal [Pressure Blade] is much smaller and reach only about a quarter of a meter and extends to a half of a meter at maximum. She utilized her ability [Mind Reading] to sense the thoughts, actions, intentions, and behaviors of the monsters to assess they're direction, position, and movements.
'Shinji's assumptions were correct...my ability [Mind Reading] was much more than just hearing the thoughts of people. I can also read their mind making actions, generating intentions, and in prolonged reading, I can even read behaviors...
Apparently I could do this because I wanted to understand Shinji so much... I can't deny that', Sirena started heating up as if she got caught red handed but she soon calmed down after killing another monster. This was no time for day dreams.
Both Audelia and Sirena have their own means to combat against the monsters and Drax could have some leeway in dealing with the gathering monsters.
Drax soon got into [The Zone] as he became more one minded and calm, being decisive yet smart, he kited the monsters as he whittled down the numbers with each punch. There were Mutated Carnivore Flowers swinging, although they were slower, they're long and flexible tongues were hard to deal with in mid-air.
"Woah!", A tongue caught Drax in between the bombardments of seeds. A mutated monster not only have differing hunting behavior but they also have increased in certain stats[1] and methods. A Mutated Carnivore Flower can hang on trees using their tongue and swing like monkeys making their tongue even better and stronger.
Drax was pulled towards the monster but what he reciprocated the gesture with a metallic fist, "Surprise Motherf*cker![2]", It was knocked back and heavily injured, losing control of its strength.
Drax then swung the plant around like swinging a flail, hitting the surrounding monsters and blocking the seed bullets going for his head.
1-Star [Heal Up]
1-Star [Stamina Up]
2-Star [Lesser Rest]
2-Star [Lesser Recovery]
2-Star [Lesser Heal]
With the given breather, Drax bailed and ran, deactivating the spells on his arm so as not to consume too much of his mana, 'A Prolonged battle is bad. The [Berserk] skill would be of great help by now', Drax sweats profusely.
He was strong, he can admit that, but he can't overload everything so he dashes through the trees and kept kiting the numerous monsters, they were about threescore by now with most of them being Fruit Monkeys.
Drax widened his eyes when a Vine Spider suddenly appeared at the side, "!?", He instinctively bicycle kicked the spider away but it made is slow down for a moment because of his bad position, the moment he regained his position he saw a bombardment of seeds in his vision.
2-Star [Iron] + 2-Star [Temper] = [Iron Wall]
"Ah sh*t, here we go again.[3]", Drax did a simple spell of conjuring a giant iron wall to block all the attacks.
Intensified 1-Star [Reinforce] + Intensified 2-Star [Temper] = Modified [Metal Enforce]
[Target]
[Slinging]
He took out knives from his magic pouch, 'I should have a belt to place these', He then kicks off from the Iron wall and reaches a higher branch. In a second he began throwing knives that he added with spells. Some of them hit their intended target and tore through like butter, his accuracy was great but it didn't mean the agile monster couldn't dodge.
"Tch", Drax drew out several more knives and added another spell to the first two.
1-Star [Reinforce] + 2-Star [Temper] + 2-Star [Flash] = [Enforced Metal Bullet]
The knives flew at much higher speed making all the knives hit their intended target, some missed their vitals while the rest heavily injured or killed their target.
'What kind of metal did Shinji make these weapons out of. Even my metal spells would break under 3 enhancements if there is nothing to support them.', Drax sighed as he once tried making projectile metals and using enchantment spells but they couldn't support the magic and broke down.
He kept kiting while throwing every single knife till he had none left, 'Well I'm out. Time to fight again.', Thinking so, he turned and his arms turned back into metal.
Suddenly, a surge of emotions gripped him.
'[Mind Connection]', Something transferred into his brain, it was the 'emotions' of the monsters.
Sirena smiles as she hid behind a tree with Audelia defending her against a few monsters. An exclusive support she had that can help Drax.
Using [Mind Reading] she could 'read' or in other words 'know' the emotions of the surrounding monsters. To make it even stronger, she used [Mind Connection] to transfer the feeling from the monsters, of rage, of anger, of bloodthirst. And finally transferred it all to Drax using [Mind Connection].
[Beserk]
'I see. So everything before was just a warm up for levlling my abilities.', Drax face contorted, his eyebrows furrowing but his grin widening, "Round 2, Baby!"
With her job done, Sirena switches with Audelia. Audelia then directed her attention to Drax.
Intensified 2-Star [Lesser Rest]
Intensified 2-Star [Lesser Recovery]
Intensified 2-Star [Lesser Heal]
Intensified 2-Star [Lesser Boost]
Intensified 2-Star [Lesser Energy]
'It seems in the end, I was the one that needed help... I won't let you down!', With that sentiment Drax rushed forward fearlessly and this time, the branches were painted red... or fruity?
------------------------------------------------------
"I know I shouldn't be saying it now but I would like to affirm my worries. Is there a reason for you all to trust Shinji so much?", Adalinda asks after their group subjugated another pack of [Summer Treants].
Dongmei resolutely answers, "Of course, because I love him. Trust is not something I won't lack. As for credibility itself. If he has convinced Mentor Ambrosio and Headmaster Hideo, I am inclined to trust him in the same way."
As for Lin and Albert, they both looked at each other first before the former turns to Adalinda to respond to her question.
[1]: [Stats are a gaming term which quantifies the value of a certain paremeter in games such as Strength, Speed, Intelligence, Wisdom, Defense, Agility, Luck, Endurance, Flexibility, Health, Mana, Qi, Stamina, Sanity, etc.]
[2]: [Its a meme where a man goes, "Surprise, Motherf*cker"]
[3]: ["Ah sh*t, here we go again."]
.
.
.
Author's Note:
To make a Christmas special or no? I'll think about it but it might come late cause...*Looks at the date, Dec 29*. I might be able to make a 1K chapter special in a Christmas event I think. I mean, I think too much of the future rather than the current story of events.
Basically these cast of characters right now are only half of what I have in store for the future, and I have made many 'vague' arcs. Such a disappointment on my side really.
Anyway, I'll keep reading LotM cause unlike you guys I have a life, lmao-
Ok actually I want to say this but I appreciate you guys (and gals, who knows) for like, not insulting me? I mean I was wholly expecting people to call me crazy or insult me but I feel so laid back and happy because of you guys, just giving tid bits of comments here and then or just probably reading the story for a pastime, just dealing with the b*llcr*p I keep spewing out of my a*s.
I think that's pretty much all, I still have a lot to write, even for next year too. Unfortunately my upload schedules have finally become whack. Its like I can't make a chapter in a week even though I has the power to.
We'll see how it goes so :P