Ray sprinted out of the hunter association, the afternoon sun casting long shadows as he navigated through the bustling streets. His heart pounded with anticipation, the fire skill card clutched tightly in his left hand and the steel sword he'd acquired from the association gripped firmly in his right. The weight of his new abilities buzzed within him, and his mind raced with possibilities. He had lived this moment before, countless times, but this time was different—he knew exactly what needed to be done.
As he weaved through the crowds, Ray glanced around, ensuring he wasn't drawing too much attention. With a quick mental command, he activated the Aurora System. "Status open," he murmured under his breath, and the familiar interface materialized before his eyes.
[Aurora System: Status]
[Name: Ray Everlight]
[Age: 18]
[Vitality: 1 (10/10)]
[Strength: 1]
[Defense: 1]
[Mana: 1 (10/10)]
[Speed: 1]
[Skills Possessed: 0]
[Aura Core: 1 Star
Increases Strength: +10%
Increases Regeneration: 5% per 60 seconds
[Damage Dealt to Enemies: +5% boost]
[Mana Core: 1 Star
Mana Capacity: +10% increase
Mana Regeneration: 5% per 60 Seconds
Magic Damage: +5% boost to all magic-based attacks]
Ray scanned his stats, noting the modest yet promising enhancements. His gaze shifted to the fire skill card in his hand, and with a focused thought, he activated it.
"Learn Skill," he whispered.
The card glowed with a fiery brilliance, dissolving into motes of light that merged into his body. A warm sensation spread through his chest as the knowledge of fire manipulation settled into his mind.
[Congratulations! You have learned Fire Magic.]
[Skills Possessed: 1]
Fire Manipulation [0/100] EXP
Level 1: The user can create small flames at their fingertips, igniting flammable objects. The flames can be maintained for up to 30 seconds. (MP Cost: 5, Cooldown: None)
Just as Ray was about to close the system, a notification caught his attention.
[Reminder: You have 3 unclaimed rewards.]
"Rewards?" Ray muttered, puzzled. "The Aurora System never had a rewards system before... or gave out quests."
He thought back to when the system had evolved, integrating Solomon's Will. "Is this one of the effects from having Solomon's Will?" Intrigued, Ray dove deeper into the system.
[Solomon's Will—EX]: The user's growth of Skills and Proficiency will grow by a multiplier of x1.1
"Interesting," Ray mused. He then turned his attention to the unclaimed rewards, feeling a mix of curiosity and excitement.
[Rewards Available for Claiming]
[Awaken Aura Core — Complete: Reward 1,000 Luminara]
[Awaken Mana Core — Complete: Reward 1,000 Luminara]
[Awaken as a Hunter — Complete: Reward: Random Tier 1 Monster Core]
Ray's eyes widened as he read the descriptions. Luminara, the currency that powered the world's economy, was invaluable for purchasing goods, potions, weapons, and even services from blacksmiths or alchemists. The monster core, on the other hand, was a powerful item that could significantly boost a hunter's stats, or be used in crafting unique and potent weapons. A Tier 1 monster core, though the lowest in rank, was still worth a substantial 300 Luminara.
With a determined nod, Ray made his choice. "Claim all rewards."
[Balance: 2,000 Luminara]
[Generating Random Tier 1 Core]
[You have obtained a Colorless Monster Core.]
A white, shimmering orb materialized in Ray's hand, its surface swirling with faint trails of light. Without hesitation, Ray crushed the core in his palm. Ethereal vapors escaped, swirling around his fingers before being absorbed into his body, filling him with a surge of energy.
[Your Mana Stat has increased by 0.1.]
[Current Stats]
[Vitality: 1 (10/10)]
[Strength: 1]
[Defense: 1]
[Mana: 1.1 (11/11)]
[Speed: 1]
Ray's heart raced as the influx of energy settled, slightly boosting his mana reserves. He clenched his fists, feeling the subtle yet tangible improvement in his capabilities. The weight of the sword in his hand felt lighter, and the world around him seemed just a bit more vibrant.
Ray knew where he needed to go next—the blacksmith shop where he would forge his next path. Having lived this moment before, he recalled the intricate details of the shop and the man who owned it. His memories of past lives told him this shop would play a crucial role in his journey.
He arrived at the blacksmith shop, a modest building at first glance, but one steeped in history and power. The shop's wooden exterior was reinforced with thick iron bands, and the entrance was framed by a pair of massive anvils, each engraved with intricate runes that glowed faintly in the dimming light. Above the door, a sign hung with the name "Strongforge" emblazoned in bold, fiery letters.
Ray paused, taking in the sight. His knowledge from the future told him this was no ordinary shop. Strongforge was a place where legendary weapons were born, a forge where power and craftsmanship intertwined to create tools that could change the course of history.
Inside, the air was thick with the scent of burning coal and molten metal. The sound of hammer strikes echoed from the back, a symphony of creation. Weapons of all kinds lined the walls, each one a testament to the skill of its maker.
Ray's eyes were drawn to a massive figure at the forge, hammer in hand. Thorin Strongforge, a giant of a man, was at work, his muscular frame covered in a thick leather apron stained with soot and oil. His beard was long and braided, with streaks of silver running through its dark brown strands, and his eyes, sharp and calculating, seemed to hold the wisdom of centuries.
Thorin paused and looked up as Ray approached. "What brings you here, lad?" His voice was deep and resonant, carrying the weight of authority.
Ray took a breath, steadying himself. He knew what he had to do. "I'd like to become a blacksmith here," he said firmly.
Thorin raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable. "You, a blacksmith? You've got the look of a hunter, not a smith. This isn't a trade you pick up on a whim."
Ray met Thorin's gaze, determination burning in his eyes. "I understand that, but I'm willing to prove myself. Let me show you what I can do."
Thorin folded his arms, skeptical but intrigued. "And how do you plan on doing that, boy? You think you can impress me with some fancy trick?"
Without a word, Ray opened the Aurora System interface in his mind, navigating through its menus with practiced ease. He accessed his luminara balance and selected the option to acquire the blacksmithing skill on loan for one hour. The transaction cost him 1,000 luminara, a hefty price, but Ray knew it was worth it.
Immediately, memories of his past regression as a blacksmith flooded into his mind—the techniques, the feel of the hammer, the way to read the metal's temperature by its color. It was as if he had immediately relearnt the years of his craft in mere seconds.
Ray stepped forward, drawing the steel sword he had taken from the hunter association. "Let me reforge this sword," he said confidently.
Thorin grunted, more intrigued than he cared to admit. "Fine, let's see what you've got."
Ray moved to an unoccupied forge, quickly setting to work. He channeled his fire magic, a soft glow surrounding his hands as he focused his energy. With a low hum, he directed 5 MP into the forge, the flames flaring to life, their intensity increasing under his control. He placed the sword in the heart of the fire, the metal slowly beginning to glow as it heated up.
As the blade reached the desired temperature, Ray closed his eyes and drew upon his aura, a shimmering, light-blue energy that flowed from his core and into his hands. He concentrated, infusing the aura into the blade, the visible stream of energy merging with the molten metal. The blade began to shimmer with a pale blue light, the aura intermingling with the steel in a way that few blacksmiths could achieve, a technique usually reserved for masters of the craft.
Thorin watched with widening eyes, his skepticism melting away. "Aura infusion... and at such a young age? By the gods, this boy is no ordinary smith."
Ray focused intently, his heart pounding as he hammered the blade, each strike resonating with the combined power of his fire magic and aura. Sparks flew with every blow, the blade reshaping under his skilled hands. He worked methodically, folding the metal over and over, tempering it with his aura until the sword glowed with a refined brilliance.
Once the blade was reforged, Ray opened the Aurora System again, this time spending 300 luminara to purchase a colorless tier 1 monster core. The core appeared in his hand, a small, crystalline orb that pulsed with faint energy. Ray gripped the core tightly, channeling his fire magic once more to imbue it with flame energy. The core began to glow, taking on a fiery hue as it absorbed the magic.
With a deep breath, Ray placed the core into the hilt of the sword, fusing it with the weapon's essence. The blade pulsed with power, the core's energy resonating with the aura infused within. A final flash of light erupted from the sword as Ray completed the forging process, the weapon now gleaming with an otherworldly brilliance.
Ray stepped back, admiring his work. The once simple steel sword had been transformed into something far greater. The blade now granted +5 strength to its wielder, but more importantly, it had gained a new ability: an additional 10% damage boost when the user activated their aura. It was a weapon worthy of a seasoned hunter, not a mere novice.
Thorin approached, his expression one of genuine respect. "Well, I'll be damned... You've got talent, lad. More than I've seen in decades."
Ray, still catching his breath, turned to Thorin with a hopeful smile. "Does that mean..."
Thorin nodded slowly, a rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Aye, you've earned it. I'll teach you, boy. But be warned—this is no easy path. You'll work harder than you ever have before."
Ray's heart soared with excitement. "Thank you, Thorin! I won't let you down."
Thorin chuckled, a deep, hearty sound. "See that you don't. Now, as a start, let's make that skill permanent."
With a wave of his hand, Thorin activated a glowing rune on the nearby anvil and a canister reveled itself to the presence of Ray It held a skill card, allowing Ray to learn the Blacksmithing skill for real. "Learn Skill"
[You have learned the skill of blacksmithing.]
Level 1: The user can forge simple metal items such as basic tools, weapons, or armor. The quality of these items is basic, with minimal enhancements.
(MP Cost: 5, Cooldown: None, Probability: 100%)
Thorin clapped Ray on the shoulder with a hand that felt like it could crush stone. "Welcome to the forge, Ray. Now, let's get to work."
Ray grinned, excitement and anticipation flooding through him. He had taken his first step towards changing the future, With Thorin Strongforge as his mentor, Ray knew he was on the path to creating a chance for humanity to survive against ChronoGravitus, allowing humanity to change its fate.