Ray took a deep breath. "Alright, my 109th regression starts now!" He pulled out his phone to check the date and time: October 15th, 2:45 PM.
"In 15 minutes, my awakening appointment begins at the Hunter Association."
He made his way to the Hunter Association, helping people around him with precise and seemingly prophetic actions. He guided a lost child back to their parents, prevented a minor traffic accident, and assisted an elderly person across the street. Each act was performed with an almost eerie foresight.
Ray arrived at the Hunter Association, a massive structure covering several thousand square feet, adorned with intricate carvings and towering statues of legendary hunters. The building's facade was a mix of modern architecture and ancient motifs, symbolizing the blend of tradition and innovation in the world of hunters.
In this world, people were born with one of two mutations: the Beast Awakening mutagen or the Physical Enhancement mutagen. These mutations were identified by the age of five and played a major role in the awakening process. Those with the Beast Awakening mutagen developed beast-like features and could take on additional powers from their respective beasts by the time they awakened at eighteen. Although they had been revolutionary in humanity's defense, they faced significant racial discrimination, being seen as demons and outcasts due to their appearances. Conversely, individuals with the Physical Enhancement mutation appeared more human and could grow faster through the Aurora System, thus facing fewer societal challenges.
Upon entering, Ray was greeted by the bustling life of the association: veteran hunters discussing their latest exploits, staff members rushing to and from, guild representatives negotiating contracts, and fresh-faced newbies nervously awaiting their turn. The air buzzed with excitement and anticipation.
Ray approached the front desk and handed over the necessary documents for his awakening.
"Ray, can you please sign this form?" said the receptionist, a young woman with sharp features and a no-nonsense demeanor. Her ID badge read "Elena."
Elena took the signed document and glanced at her screen. "Ah, Ray Everlight. You have the Physical Enhancement mutation. Please proceed to Block B, Room 13." She handed Ray a card with his name and a map of the building.
Ray made his way to Block B, Room 13, a sterile room lined with five futuristic-looking capsules. A man dressed in black awaited him and requested his card.
"Ray Everlight, please go to Capsule 3," the man instructed.
Ray stepped into the capsule, and it began to close around him. The capsule's interior was sleek and metallic, with a complex array of sensors and monitors. A voice crackled through the speaker system.
"The origin of the Aurora Virus terraformed the land around it, transforming ice and snow into a metal called aurorite. When heated, aurorite releases a gas that activates the Aurora System, turning individuals into hunters."
The man continued, "The process can be painful initially, but your body will adapt. The current time is 3:08 p.m. We will begin the infusion at exactly 3:10 p.m."
As the clock struck 3:10, people in hazmat suits entered the room, carrying a shimmering ore of aurorite. They placed it in a designated slot, and the capsule was sealed shut. The man in black pulled a lever, and the aurorite began to heat, releasing vibrant hues of green, blue, purple, and pink gas that quickly filled the capsule.
The gas entered Ray's body, creating an intense burning sensation. While the other candidates screamed in agony, Ray remained silent. He had endured this process many times and developed a tolerance for it. Instead of succumbing to the pain, he focused on using the gas to his advantage.
Ray recalled the methods he had learned in previous regressions and adopted a breathing technique to draw the gas into his body more effectively. "The Aurorite is a physical manifestation of the Aurora Virus, and with my mutation, I can use it to draw in the aurora particles into my body to activate my Aura and Magic core."
The aurora gas began filling Ray's body as he first pulled the gas and mentally converged the gas to create a coating around his heart, stressing Ray's body and causing a burning sensation that made him shake.
### Awakening the Aura and Mana Core
Ray focused on converging the gas around his heart, creating a protective coating. His body trembled with the effort, but he persisted.
[C(_)@tul@t#5, you h@ve Aw@k^8ed your @ura !-$tar]
[Aurora System at 43%]
A faint blue fire flickered around his heart. "Yes, my aura is unlocked. Now for my mana." Ray gritted his teeth, concentrating harder. He visualized a 3D puzzle within his core and painstakingly pieced it together. The exertion made him lightheaded, but he refused to give up. He remembered his purpose and pushed through the pain.
As he placed the final piece of the puzzle, a blinding flash of light enveloped him.
[Cong@tul@tions, you h@ve Aw@k^8ed your Mana 1-$tar]
[Aurora System at 88%]
[Aurora System at 89%]
[Aurora System at 92%]
[Aurora System at 95%]
[Aurora System at 98%]
[The Aurora System is booting up.]
[The Aurora System has detected Solomen's will.]
[The Aurora System is beginning to evolve.]
[1%]
[5%]
"Huh, evolution?" Ray muttered to himself.
[12%]
[18%]
[27%]
[34%]
[41%]
[53%]
[62%]
[75%]
[83%]
[91%]
[97%]
[100%]
[Aurora System has evolved. All limits on the system have been removed. User Ray Everlight, has been designated as Hero.]
[You have completed 3 hidden quests.]
{Congratulations on your awakening, Ray,} murmured a voice in his ear.
The capsule hissed as it opened, releasing steam into the environment, which was immediately vacuumed out by the room's advanced ventilation system. Ray stepped out, feeling a surge of power and clarity. The other hunter candidates emerged from their capsules, some looking dazed, exhilarated and some grateful that the pain was over.
The man in the black suit stepped forward, introducing himself. "Welcome, new hunters. My name is Xander. This is the first step in your journey as hunters. Here are your hunter cards," he said, handing each candidate a card. "These cards are your identity and proof of your status. Go to the reception to get your temporary hunting license."
Xander then used his appraisal skill on each candidate as they left the room, his thoughts racing as he evaluated their potential.
"High strength and speed stats. Impressive for a beginner," he noticed in the first candidate.
"Low stats overall. He'd be lucky to even reach E-rank," he mused about the second.
"High stats, but with that physique, he probably wouldn't last a week," he thought, shaking his head slightly as he scanned the third.
"Interesting," he observed with a raised eyebrow at the fourth.
When he reached Ray, Xander's eyes widened in shock. "Aura and a mana core? Impossible! This is unprecedented," he thought, struggling to mask his astonishment.
Ray made his way back to the reception, where Elena awaited. She handed him a temporary hunting license. "This will allow you to enter F-rank rifts before your rank exam in two weeks," she explained.
Elena then guided Ray to another room labeled the "Newbie Hunter Room." Inside, Ray saw rows of weapons and a gallery of floating cards, each holding a skill.
"The Hunter Association gives each newbie hunter a complementary skill card and weapon," Elena mentioned.
Ray examined the options, and recalled his past regressions, formulating his next plan of actions, With a smile, Ray grabs the fire skill card. He grabbed it, feeling a rush of power and knowledge as he absorbed its contents. He then picked up a steel sword, its weight and balance perfect in his hand.
Elena smiled approvingly. "The train to the F-rank rifts is down the hall. Are you ready to go?"
Ray shook his head, a massive smile on his face. "No, I'm going to become a blacksmith first," he said, waving goodbye to Elena. He left the room, determination shining in his eyes.
Elena watched him go, a puzzled expression on her face. "A blacksmith? After awakening? Most of them tend to be head set going into the rifts," she muttered to herself.
Xander walked over, having observed the interaction. "Did he just say he's going to become a blacksmith?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Elena nodded. "Yes, he did. It's quite unusual, isn't it?"
Xander chuckled. "Unusual is an understatement. That boy has awakened both an aura and a mana core. He could become one of the strongest hunters we've seen."
Elena sighed. "What! How? That's impossibly rare."
Xander nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed. Let's keep an eye on him. Inform the higher ups aswell, as it may appear we have a new rookie in hand."