Pocket-Bunny (Mammal)
Mutation: Grade-1 (Primitive)
Soulslot Consumption: 2.5 Units
Potential: Grade-3 (Primitive)
Affinity: Spatial
Danger Rating: 1.9
Origin: Endemic
These were the basic attributes of the creature Mir had found in the government database. A few pictures and a video were attached at the bottom of the page, showing a half-foot tall, half-foot wide ball of fluff that vaguely resembled rabbits.
"Murray, are you sure you got your target mutation right? This creature looks like something a toddler would love. And the SDS danger rating... Damn!" Mir almost felt betrayed. He was expecting something with a lot more fierceness, a mutation that could generate a lethal danger rating at least.
An SDS score of 1.9 was fine for a pet, but far from being reliable as a combat assistant.
He couldn't see why Murray would want to go after this creature's mutation, unless the danger rating evaluated by the government agencies was faulty.
"I chose it after a lengthy deliberation. Even Father Vincent was satisfied with my choice. Rookie Transcenders looking for new mutant abilities to acquire tend to ignore creatures like these because of their low destructive potential. That tiny 9 behind the decimal point of its danger rating gets pocket-bunnies filtered out of search results in the popular marketplaces. But don't be fooled by its appearance, little brother," Murray said superciliously.
"My data terminal has access to a private database solely controlled by Sunbreaker's Church. Go through this and bury your doubts. I'll be downstairs with Dad and...erm, Father Vincent."
Murray handed him his data terminal. Then he unsealed another meat jerky and started devouring it as he left the bedroom. Mir started reading the document on screen.
Mutation Details of typical Pocket-Bunnies: The spatial affinity, while not as common as elemental affinities, is still well known for having the potential to host a variety of mutant abilities. Pocket-Bunnies, however, carry the least destructive form of mutation affiliated with spatial abilities. Their grade-1 mutation allows them to create a protective ball of locked space around their body– called a Spatial Pocket, which only they can access freely. This is a defense-type mutation, used mainly to elude the claws of fast predators. When wrapped around their body, the locked space operates like an invisible, but forcibly penetratable barrier, delaying and misguiding any physical attack by a small margin. Some bunnies also use this locked space to store food, but due to its limited size, not much can be put inside.
From current data, the typical Evolution route of Pocket Bunnies is as follows-
Grade-1 Mutation: Spatial pocket size tends to be about 1 cubic feet on average.
Grade-2 Mutation: Spatial pocket size expands to 3-5 Cubic feet based on the genetic predisposition and environmental influence on each bunny.
Grade-3 Mutation: Spatial pocket expands to 9 cubic feet or more.
Gene mapping and similar creatures are used as a reference to speculate about the theoretical existence of Pocket Bunnies above the Rank of Primitive Mutation. It is likely that if such Pocket-bunnies exist, they'd have a higher degree of control over their spatial pockets, perhaps to the point of manipulating it to deal significant injuries to a foe.
Mir finished reading the article and scrolled down, only to find a shitton of internal reference links and citations that Murray's account could not access. He'd have loved to go through more reading materials, but alas...
He returned downstairs while contemplating the significance of Murray's choice of mutation. True to his claim, this ability was not as useless as it appeared on paper. The first and most useful utility Mir could think of for a locked spatial pocket was the secret storage it provided. One could carry weapons inside the pocket and walk into a fight, seemingly unarmed and harmless, only to pull a knife out of nowhere and stab-
Mir reigned in his violent daydream. Ever since Blair had gotten him hooked on analyzing Mutant Duels, this bad habit had taken seed and grown stronger in his heart. Every time he learned the details of a new mutant ability, his mind would begin creating simulations of violent battles, trying to come up with insidious ways to utilize the ability to inflict the greatest possible injury on the opponent.
"Oh, you're done?" Murray's voice brought him out of his thoughts. He waved a hand from the living room and beckoned Mir to go over, shouting, "Father Vincent would like to speak to you."
Their dad was nowhere to be seen. As Mir sat down on the couch facing Murray and the old priest, he caught Murray winking surreptitiously at him.
What the hell was this guy planning now? Mir suppressed his concern and focused on Father Vincent, who had just started speaking that moment.
"I was really surprised to learn that you gave away all of your savings to your older brother just so that he can sprint to his first mutation. It's not everyday I see young people being so considerate of their family. 3000 units is a lot for an underage student," Father Vincent said in an approving tone.
Mir smiled woodenly and glanced at Murray for a brief second, puzzled as to why Murray was using him as a scapegoat to hide his own bank balance.
"I have already filed an application to the Bishop for the grant of an Energy-refinement Technique for your brother. If he manages to use it effectively and awaken a Spatial Pocket, his future position as a Deacon will be more or less secured. The Church will provide him better facilities and benefits of membership. And of course, since you have expressed your interest in joining the Church behind your brother and contributed so much to his growth, I would like to personally invest in your future as well."
Dumbstruck, Mir's focus shifted repeatedly between Father Vincent's kind gaze and Murray's rapid winks.
"I won't hide my intentions here, Mir. It would greatly please me to welcome you into the Church of Sunbreaker when you're of age. If you agree to the arrangement, I can provide you with some resources from hereon, no strings attached except the honor of our words. "