Chapter 7 Training 1
--The next day--
Sitting in my apartment, it was apparent I was too cocky from my hunting trip, not knowing the insides and out of my system, let alone all my skills. My system's new customization now had tabs for each function, as three new functions were visible: quests, crafting, and titles.
System functions
[Stats][Skills][Storage][Quests][Craft][Titles]
[Quests] were pretty simple. It was any current quest I've taken or given by the system or anyone else. [Crafting] was a tab. I could craft items with the help of the system, but it would only be low basic things if I took up actual crafting jobs like smithing, alchemy, sigil craft, or the like.
While [Titles] were something I could equip that could do some crazy things like stat boost, immunities, or even affect others to a degree, to unlock them, I'd have to task to get it like if I hunted over a hundred of a monster id get the slayer tag of that being giving me bonus effects when facing them.
There was also a change to my [Skill] menu as now I could obtain skills from the system itself that would be completely compatible, as well as some only it could teach me. I could also use my skill points to upgrade my skills instead of leveling them but just using them over time. Opening it up, looking at it, I looked at it for a bit before going to my [Storage]
I swiped my hand on the interface before pulling out the aura manual I was rewarded with. Taking a calming breath, I opened up the book reading, and it wasn't a skill book per se but, if one could comprehend what was written then, one could learn many skills from it. As if in a trance, the words I was reading started to blur, as well as the sigils and runes, as everything faded away in a dark gray light.
Suddenly, I was standing in a vast, endless sea and night sky filled with stars and a permanently eclipsed moon and sun. Looking around, I saw nothing but my reflection in the water I stood on, the floor of water under my feet rippling before going calm to mirror the sky."I...Is this...my soul...space?"
My words echoed before becoming a whisper in the air. I begin to wander, getting used to this all stopping. I closed my eyes and put my right hand on the middle of my chest, feeling a deep warmth inside. Opening my eyes, I lifted my left hand and kept onto this feeling. I felt it slowly travel out of my hand as blazing gray and white flame covered my hand. This wasn't a flame made by mana, but this was my soul, my aura.
Soon, the flame started to morph and change from a square to a sphere before stopping on a diamond. This shape felt the most natural to me. It felt like it was me. The book did state one must form one's aura from nothing to make a core here, something solid to stay here to better connect with one's soul and aura. This purple diamond felt like the perfect beginning form of my soul core. Putting more thought and effort into it, the raw gem chipped and fractured away.
The extra chunks fell into the water, making it glow softly as all I was left with was a broken, cut gem, but it was beautiful despite being broken. All may not want it, but I and I wanted it alone. I gently held my soul core...no my heart in my hands, slowly letting it go as it floated in the empty space.
It throbbed and grew slowly to its was at 8 meters, towering over my body, giving off a warm flame in the cold, beautiful space. Smiling, I knew I was done here, in this space of my heart and soul, closing my eyes one last time.
Waking up, blinking my eyes away, I saw that the book was still on my lap, the pages empty as it had served its purpose. It faded back into the aether from which it was made. Looking at my phone, I saw I was only asleep for 5 minutes at best.
Talk about surprising. I assumed I'd been out for hours. Well, it doesn't matter, as I'd be taking these next few days to be training. There are many things I'd need to learn about this new body of mine, as well as use and get familiar with all my skills before I use any of my ten stat points or five skill points.
First on that list was mental and spiritual training. I may know how to use my aura now, but it still needed to be faster to use in the heat of battle. Crossing my legs and putting my hands together, I focused on all my enhanced senses, staring at my wall and trying to see all I could before closing my eyes.
Everything was black, and a soft ringing of the lack of sound went through my eyes as I meditated and tried to push all my senses. Soon, everything was buzzing. A light, almost invisible aura flame ignited as I felt, heard, saw, smelled, and even tasted everything around me, everything being sent to me by my aura. This new way of processing info was indescribable before I was flooded with notifications.
~~[Predators Body] has leveled up now lv2~~
~~[Predators Body] has leveled up now lv 3~~
~~[Predators Body] has leveled up now lv 4~~
~~ User has generated skill [Aura senses]~~
~~[Aura senses] has leveled up now level 2 ~~
~~ User has generated skill [Meditation]~~
Swiping away all the pop-ups beside one as, I was already aware that [Aura senses] were a skill that lets me sense others from my aura and relay them back to my body or just a sensory skill, but [Meditation] was more interesting.
[Mediation Lv:2] is an active skill and does not require any cost. It can be used to help the user recover lost mana and stamina at a faster rate. Additionally, this skill can enhance mental awareness and help channel one's energy.
With this new info, I activated [Mediation] as my main goal was to feel my mana and be able to use it to enhance my body like once before gaining the system, before heading to the guild to train my body.
I had a long way to go and a lot of catch-ups to do better to start now than never. I grew serious in my resolve to be stronger and have a life I could control. No more pain, no more betrayal.
My mind flashed to the thought of a blond-haired woman, us both smiling, happy, before it soon went to scenes of me being run through with a spear, only to see the face I trusted..I loved. To betray me and walk away with another.
At that moment, I swore off love and my weakness, unable to keep the one I love, only for her to be stolen by someone stronger. She did love me, but her love for him and his power was far more significant.
My right fist clenched so hard that my nails quickly drew blood, and gray flames blazed from my bloody hand. I will cast out my weakness, my despairs. I Will Change This fate of mine that always takes and takes. No, I will take it will.
I WILL DEVOUR IT ALL!