Sun continued to experiment with the aura, exploring its potential applications and the extent of his control over it. With each passing moment, he became more attuned to this radiant force.
"This... The power I feel is simply overwhelming. I can't even begin to comprehend how much stronger I've become," Sun exclaimed, his astonishment evident. He quickly accessed his system to check his current status, and what he discovered left him speechless. The changes that had occurred far surpassed his expectations.
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...
Name: Sun Ether
Level: 1 (0/500 EXP)
Title: Cosmic Traveler
CLASS: (LOCKED)
HP: 1500/1500 (160/sec)
MP: 550/550 (50/sec)
Strength: 24
Intelligence: 21
Stamina: 25
Constitution: 25
Agility: 22
--------------
Free Attribute: 5
--------------
Active Skill: Cosmic Burst (F) [0.0%] | Auraforge (F) [0.0%]
Passive Skill: Cosmic Absorption (F) [0.0%] | Soulforge Ascendance (EX)
========
Skill Name: Ancient Cosmic Inheritance
1st Seal: (Unlocked: Soulforge Ascendance (EX)
2nd Seal: (LOCKED)
...
As time passed, Sun couldn't help but find his status window more and more unbelievable. Curiosity piqued, he decided to examine the description of the newly unlocked skill called Soulforge Ascendance. A clear window appeared before him, showing the skill's details.
...
Passive: Soulforge Ascendance (EX)
Soulforge Ascendance is an extraordinary Inheritance skill that taps into the fusion of mana and strength, surpassing the boundaries of the physical self. With this skill, you can manifest a radiant aura that envelops your body, akin to a mystical forge. This aura has the power to amplify specific parts of your body with immense strength and resilience.
Within the luminous embrace of Auraforge, by selectively channeling the aura to different body parts, you can accomplish extraordinary feats that surpass the capabilities of ordinary individuals and conventional methods of damage.
The strength and resilience of the aura generated by Auraforge depend in the individual's mana, intelligence, and strength. These factors contribute to enhancing the effectiveness and durability of the aura
+500% Mana and +500% Mana Regeneration
+1000% Health and +800% Health Regeneration
+10 All basic attributes.
+10 Attribute per level up
+Active Skill: Auraforge
...
Sun's face lit up with joy as he read the description of the skill. He couldn't believe the incredible power and versatility it offered. Excitement filled his thoughts as he contemplated the remaining seals of his inheritance. How many more powers and skills awaited him?
With this kind of power and Aurelius still lost against his sister, Seraphine, How strong is she then? But for now, his plan was clear—to level up quickly, gather formidable allies, and cultivate their strength together. With a united force, they would increase their chances of victory.
...
In a distant and mysterious corner of the universe, a woman stood with an ominous aura surrounding her. The aura emanated a deep shade of red and black, resembling a swirling void that seemed to absorb everything around it.
Despite the chaotic scene around her, she remained motionless, encased in a transparent chain. The beings around her trapped within the chains struggled and roared, desperately attempting to break free. Only the woman, draped in her veil and exuding the powerful aura, stood serenely with her eyes closed. If Sun were present, he would instantly recognize her.
Seraphine!
Suddenly, the woman's eyes snapped open, and a surge of immense power emanated from her. The area was engulfed in a formidable aura, causing the previously noisy beings to be stricken with fear. Overwhelmed by the intensity of the aura, some of them couldn't withstand the pressure and promptly lost consciousness.
"This... Power... Aurelius!!"
Filled with rage, Seraphine's voice boomed through the air, shouting the name of Aurelius with a fierce intensity. The sheer force behind her words was so powerful that it reverberated through the surrounding space, causing a nearby star to tremble and then violently crumble, erupting into a spectacular explosion.
"Even in death, you defy me! You detest granting me your power, instead choosing to bestow it upon one of your own creations? These chains cannot bind me forever! I will break free and consume everything in this universe!" Seraphine's voice resonated with fury as she expressed her intense anger.
The aura emanating from her grew even stronger, causing an overwhelming pressure that made it difficult for those nearby to bear it. However, despite her immense power, the shackles that bound her and the other beings remained steadfast, showing no signs of weakening or yielding.
Suddenly, a being with red skin and three horns on his head—one in the middle and one on each side—appeared. He had white hair and a handsome face, his body covered in black with hints of red scales extending down to his feet. Surprisingly, he seemed unaffected by the overwhelming aura emitted by Seraphine.
"My Queen, I implore you to calm your anger," the being spoke, his voice steady and composed. "The pressure is becoming unbearable for many of your subordinates."
Seraphine took a moment to assess her surroundings, noticing that most of her followers were lying on the ground, unconscious from the overwhelming pressure she had unleashed. However, standing tall and unaffected beside her was Lumen, a being she had created long ago.
"Lumen, you have proven yourself worthy. The time and power invested in you have not been in vain," Seraphine acknowledged.
"Being confined in this place has allowed me to refine and strengthen my own power. I can only redirect and contain the pressure you emit within my vicinity. If I were to face it directly, I would be powerless," Lumen explained without hesitation.
"Hmm... There is no shame in that, as it is a part of power and mastery. What I am curious about is who is this individual that Aurelius bestowed his power upon? Do you think you can enjoy peace while I am locked up? That will never happen!" Seraphine declared.
With a brief moment of concentration, Seraphine closed her eyes and quickly reopened them. She raised her hand in front of her, and a circular orb formed, radiating a dark red shade with black undertones.
As she continued to channel her aura into the orb, it began to take shape, transforming into a small imp-like creature with dark red hues and two small horns.
*KIKIKIKIKI*
The imp continued to laugh gleefully as it danced around. Seraphine smiled, pleased with the imp's enthusiasm, and issued a series of commands. One of the orders was to locate Sun, the current bearer of Aurelius' power.
After receiving the instructions, Seraphine forcefully opened a small dimensional crack. Although it was too small for most beings to pass through, it was easily accessible for the imp.
The imp swiftly made its way toward the crack, and it closed behind it. Seraphine caught her breath, feeling the strain on her power. Due to the restrictions placed upon her, using her power required significantly more mana than usual.
Forcing open a dimensional opening of any size was a considerable feat, and she could only manage such a small opening in her current state.
"Now, let us see who has received your power, Aurelius. I will ensure they suffer as well," Seraphine declared, as she connected her consciousness to the imp, allowing her to see through its eyes and observe whatever the imp was seeing.
...
Sun stood in the center of the Dimensional Room, his focus on mastering his newly acquired skills. He concentrated, trying to understand the depths of his abilities and how to effectively utilize them.
Sun's body was enveloped in a gentle, flowing aura, like a ripple spreading across water. He observed as the aura dissipated from some parts of his body, gradually concentrating and moving towards his right foot. With focused intent, he directed the aura to his hand, watching as it obediently followed his command.
He quickly realized that manipulating the aura required both focus and control. If his concentration wavered, the aura would scatter, failing to gather where he intended.
And if he lacked control, the amount of aura used could produce unexpected results. In a battle scenario, a momentary lapse in control could result in insufficient aura to fully block an incoming attack.
Another intriguing discovery was that manipulating and utilizing the aura did not seem to consume mana. Perhaps this was due to his limited usage thus far, or because the aura had yet to be used for offensive purposes. Furthermore, Sun noticed that his aura remained undamaged as if it possessed a natural resilience.
With these observations in mind, Sun recognized the importance of honing his focus, control, and understanding of his aura. Only by mastering these aspects would he be able to unleash his full potential in combat and defend himself effectively.
Sun proceeded to examine the Cosmic Burst skill, and to his astonishment, he realized it could only be used as a last resort. It had a lengthy cooldown period of 24 hours, and it also drained a substantial amount of his mana. He felt fortunate that he had acquired a skill that enhanced his mana capacity, as using this skill alone depleted almost all of his mana reserves.
Since the System had become accessible to the public, several updates had been made to his panel. One notable addition was the locked class feature, which would only be accessible once he reached level 5. Additionally, the mana consumption of each skill was now displayed, allowing him to better manage his resources.
Sun pondered over the mana consumption of the Cosmic Burst skill, realizing that it required 500 MP to activate. He noted that it could only be used once before a lengthy cooldown period began. As he contemplated this, a small crack suddenly appeared within his Dimensional room.
[Unknown Energy Detected!]
[Remaining Time to Return in Eden: 00:01:56]
[Forcibly returning humanity to Eden]
The System alerted him to the detection of unknown energy and reminded him that there were less than two minutes remaining until the forced return of humanity to Eden.
As the System issued a series of warnings and notifications that resonated throughout the Dimension, the humans gradually vanished, returning to their respective planets. Sun, too, was encompassed by a familiar glow of light, signifying his departure. However, just before he completely disappeared, he caught a faint whisper of an unfamiliar voice.
"A system? So my brother's creation still exists in this universe," Seraphine's voice echoed through the mouth of the imp. "It's attempting to return you to your respective planets. I believed I had destroyed most of the planets inhabited by beings, but it appears I missed something," the imp, with Seraphine's voice, said with a wicked smile. It raised its small arms and unleashed a surge of deep red lightning towards the ceiling.
[Error Detected!]
[!!!]
[Human - named: Sun Ethan. Forced confinement within the dimension]
[Error]
...
Multiple messages echoed through the room, but Sun remained the only human left within the dimension.
The imp, with Seraphine's voice, expressed shock upon hearing Sun's name. "Sun? The Human called The Guardian. Hahaha, so you're still alive. It seems my brother is taking better care of you. But I will make sure that this is the end for you!"
As Seraphine unleashed a barrage of powerful spells, Sun found himself in a fierce and intense battle. The imp's attacks were relentless, with each spell aimed to overwhelm and destroy him. However, Sun's mastery of Auraforge allowed him to react swiftly, his aura enveloping his body and forming a shield of pure energy.
With each spell hurled at him, Sun deftly blocked and countered using the Auraforge. The clash of energies created a dazzling display of light and power. The air crackled with the intensity of their confrontation as Sun skillfully weaved through the onslaught, his movements precise and calculated.
Seraphine's spells grew more aggressive, their impact shaking the very foundation of the room. Yet, Sun's determination remained unyielding. He focused his energy, harnessing the potential power of the Auraforge to defend against the onslaught. Each block sent shockwaves of energy rippling through the air, dispelling Seraphine's spells with incredible force.
The battle raged on, a dance of power and skill. Sun's unwavering resolve, coupled with the versatility of Auraforge, allowed him to endure the onslaught and mount a formidable defense. As the clash intensified, the room crackled with raw energy, the air charged with tension.
The Imp grew increasingly frustrated, shouting, "I've killed you countless times before if not for these restrictions!"
Sun remained undeterred, responding, "Your arrogance blinds you. You betrayed your own brother for power. But mark my words, the day will come when I am strong enough to defeat you!"
With a defiant grin, Sun's aura intensified, radiating a brilliant light that illuminated the room. He had been patiently biding his time, conserving his MP for this very moment.
With determination in his eyes, Sun decided to use Cosmic Burst. He summoned a gifted weapon of choice. A greatsword that was bestowed upon those who have a system's power. The room quaked as their clash intensified.
Sun's strikes became more precise and powerful with the greatsword in hand. Each swing sent shockwaves through the air, shattering the imp's spells and pushing back its relentless assault.
Their weapons clashed, creating a resounding impact. Sun's skill with the greatsword allowed him to match the imp blow for blow. His attacks, infused with the power of the Auraforge, struck with precision.
The room trembled under the force of their battle. Sun's determination remained unbroken as he fought with all his might.
As Sun shouted, he activated his skill "Cosmic Burst" with his remaining 500 MP, unleashing a powerful burst of energy. With an additional 50 MP, he enhanced his legs, granting him increased agility. He swiftly charged towards the Imp, who had activated a defensive skill.
A black and red circle surrounded the Imp's body, accompanied by a deep red and black aura known as the "Cloak of Darkness." Seraphine sensed the immense power emanating from Sun's attack and quickly reacted. Despite her restricted state, she recognized the need for a defensive skill to counter his onslaught.
However, Sun's speed was unmatched. Before Seraphine could fully activate her defensive skill, Sun had already reached the Imp from behind.
Raising his Great Sword with both arms, Sun's strike combined the sharpness of his weapon and the impact of his skill. The collision shattered the Imp's defensive barrier, resulting in an explosive blast. The effects of Cosmic Burst caused a series of explosions that disintegrated everything in its path.
As the smoke cleared, the disintegrating body of the Imp managed to speak before completely vanishing.
As the Imp continued to disintegrate, it uttered its final words with a mix of anger and determination. Seraphine's voice echoed from the other side, expressing her acknowledgment of Sun's power and her intent to become even stronger upon her release.
"Yeah, you really did receive his power, not only that he gave you an inheritance he planned to give you his everything huh..." Seraphine's voice on the other side said.
"I will expect you to become stronger by the time I was released from this prison! I will make sure to absorb every bit of your power and exterminate the rest of your races. I will leave nothing behind! This is not over!"
"Haha... ha...ha...h.." The Imp laughs it disintegrates completely.
Before completely vanishing, the Imp used its remaining power to imprison Sun within the Dimension. Sun, exhausted from his intense battle and the continuous use of his Auraforge skill, fell to his knees. The strain of the power consumption and the impact of using Cosmic Burst left him on the verge of passing out, but he managed to regain his composure.
Curiosity filled his mind as he pondered the Imp's last action. Suddenly, multiple notifications appeared before him.
[Successfully Defeated: Imp (Enhance)]
[+25,000 EXP]
[x1 Magus Blade (Great Sword)]
[LEVEL UP]... [LEVEL UP]... [LEVEL UP]... [LEVEL UP]... [LEVEL UP]...