The training ground hummed with energy, the air thick with an unspoken tension that mirrored my own. I stood before Master Zovran, his gaze unwavering and filled with the quiet intensity of someone who had seen it all.
Yet, today, something in his demeanor felt different, weightier. He wasn't just my personal mentor for UG, but a gatekeeper to the knowledge of true power—power beyond the comprehension of most awakeners I've known.
"You've come far, Avant-Dar," Zovran began, pacing slowly around me.
His footsteps echoed in the cavernous hall, the floor beneath us engraved with ancient symbols that glowed faintly with our energies.
"But there's more to learn, more to unlock. You've learned balance, but you've barely scratched the surface of what you can achieve with your dual system."
I nodded, trying to suppress the thrill of anticipation surging through me. Since upgrading my ZUA System to the 12 Zodiac System, I had sensed a shift—my abilities felt more potent, but they were elusive, like a muscle that needed to be trained before it could fully flex. Today was the day I would learn how to wield that power.
Master Zovran halted and faced me, his sharp eyes locking onto mine. "You know about skills and abilities," he continued, his voice steady. "But what you've learned so far is elementary. Most awakeners can manifest only Basic and Ultimate skills. Those are the limits of the ZUA System."
His words hung in the air, thick with implication.
"But," he said, raising a hand to emphasize, "you, Avant, are no ordinary awakener. Your dual system of Astrology System and 12 Zodiac System grants you access to something far more powerful—the ability to manifest skills beyond Ultimate. We're talking Epic, Mythic, Divine, and the rarest of all—Celestial skills."
The weight of his words hit me like a meteor. My mind spun as I processed the enormity of what he was saying. I had always known there was something different about my abilities, but the idea that I could go beyond what most awakeners ever dreamed of? It felt unreal.
"How do I unlock them?" I asked, my voice steady, though my heart raced with anticipation.
Zovran's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Patience. You can't simply summon these advanced forms. They have to be unlocked through mastery—complete mastery of your energy. You must learn to control and manipulate the full power of your Celestial energies, both your Ophiuchus energy and the Zodiac energy in your system."
I frowned slightly, remembering the countless training sessions I had undergone to balance my dual affinity energies. "But I've already learned to balance them," I said. "Isn't that enough?"
Zovran shook his head. "Balance is just the beginning. Now you need to concentrate that energy. It's not enough to wield your power—you need to focus it, channel it with precision. The Dual System gauges how efficiently you can do this. When you hit 100% mastery, you'll be able to unlock the advanced forms of your skills."
He raised a hand, and the air around him rippled as if bending to his will.
"Energy density. Accuracy. Efficiency. These are your new benchmarks. It's not about brute force anymore—it's about how fast and how precisely you can control that energy. The higher the concentration, the more potent your skills will become."
I absorbed his words, knowing this was no easy task. Zovran's teachings always came with a catch—he wasn't just asking me to be stronger, but to be smarter, more disciplined. My mind raced, trying to grasp the depth of what he was saying.
"How do I know if I've reached 100%?" I asked, determined to understand every aspect of the challenge ahead.
"The system will tell you," Zovran said, his voice calm but firm. "Command it to release the advanced form information for your skills. But," he added with a raised brow, "there's a catch. The system will warn you first. You'll need to fully unlock the form before you can even attempt to learn it."
"And how do I unlock it?"
Zovran's eyes gleamed, a hint of pride creeping into his usually stoic demeanor. "That's the real challenge. You'll need to channel all your energy into a single skill—without releasing it. It's a test of focus, Avant. You have to pour every ounce of your concentrated energy into that skill until the system detects 100%. Only then will the advanced form unlock."
I nodded, though a surge of doubt gnawed at me. Full control of my energy was one thing, but focusing all of it without losing control? That was a different beast entirely.
"Let's start," Zovran said, gesturing to a wide open space in the center of the training ground. "I want you to focus on one of your skills first. You can choose any."
I started to command my system interface. I checked the Astrology system first and opened my skills.
[System Status]
Name: Avant Vaelus Dekus
Royal Name: Avant-Dar
Title: Celestial God (Trainee)
Affiliation: none
Weapon: none
Celestial Energy : Dual
Cosmic Points: 3,545,000
Astrology System
Ophiuchus Affinity: Creation and Destruction
Rank: Cosmic
Trait: Celestial
Lineage: Royal House Vaelus
Title(s): Celestial Heir, President (MOR)
Cosmo: Asclepius
Academy: Asclepius Royal Academy (ARA)
Academy Class: Junior (Temporary Status)
Academy Squad: 13
Academy Affiliation: Marfik Ophiuchus Royal (MOR)
Skills (Active):
Ophiuchus Binding Chains (Divine), Celestial Starfall (Divine), Precision Strike (Celestial), Vortex of Creation (Ultimate)
Abilities (Passive):
Celestial Resonance (Mythic)
Domain Skills:
Ophiuchus Revival (Mythic)
Ophiuchus Guardian (Mythic)
Ophiuchus Wrath (Mythic)
I decided to focus on Celestial Starfall—the ultimate technique of my Ophiuchus Affinity. It was a devastating move, summoning a shower of celestial stars to rain destruction upon my enemies. But today, I wouldn't be using it to fight. Today, I would try to unlock its true potential.
I took a deep breath, closing my eyes as I called forth my energy. The familiar rush of power surged through me, tinged with the unique duality of Ophiuchus—a force of both creation and destruction. I could feel the pull of both energies within me, swirling and intertwining like cosmic currents.
I could feel the celestial energy brimming inside me, teetering on the edge of release. But I couldn't let it go. Not yet. I had to hold it, contain it, and channel it into Celestial Starfall.
Sweat beaded on my forehead as I focused, every muscle in my body tense with the effort of keeping the energy in check. It was like trying to hold back a tidal wave with nothing but sheer willpower.
Ophiuchus Celestial Energy: 18%...32%...55%...80%...
The energy thrummed within me, desperate to escape, but I couldn't let it. Not until I reached 100%.
"Focus, Avant," Zovran's voice cut through the tension, steady and unwavering. "You're close. Just a little more."
I gritted my teeth, pushing harder, forcing the energy to bend to my will. My mind screamed with the effort, but I refused to give in. I had to control it. I had to master it.
Then, just as I thought I would lose control, I felt it—a click, like a lock turning in my mind.
100% Celestial Energy detected. Unlocking advanced form of Celestial Starfall.
The system's voice echoed in my mind, and I felt a surge of triumph. I had done it. I had unlocked the next level.
Suddenly, a rush of new information flooded my mind, details of the advanced forms of Celestial Starfall. My eyes widened as I absorbed the knowledge.
Stellar Cascade—a relentless barrage of stars, perfect for overwhelming larger forces.
Astral Judgement—a single, massive star that obliterates everything in its path.
Falling Star Nova—a chain of explosive stars that ripple outward in waves of destruction.
Meteoric Shieldbreaker—a concentrated attack designed to pierce through even the strongest defenses.
Each one more powerful, more devastating than the last. But there was more—a sense of something greater, something beyond even these forms.
Detecting new form...
Evolving Celestial Starfall to Stellar Cataclysm...
Stellar Cataclysm (Celestial)
Warning: Condition not met...
Unlocking failed.
Zovran stepped forward, his expression unreadable. "You've unlocked the advanced form," he said. "But there's more, isn't there?"
I nodded, still reeling from the surge of power and knowledge. "Yes. There's something...more."
Zovran's eyes gleamed with understanding. "That's the nature of Divine skills. They grow with you, evolve as you master them. You've unlocked the Divine level now, but one day, you may reach the Celestial level—the rarest and most powerful form."
I couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement at the thought. The path ahead was daunting, but it was also filled with limitless potential.
"But remember, Avant-Dar," Zovran said, his tone turning serious again. "This is just the beginning. The more advanced the skill, the more energy it requires. If you want to use these new forms, you'll need to master your energy control even further. And in combat, every second counts. You'll need to be fast, precise, and efficient."
I nodded, already feeling the weight of the challenge ahead. But I welcomed it. This was what I had been training for, what I had been working toward. The power was within my grasp—I just had to master it.
As I stood there, energy still thrumming through me, a new thought struck me.
"Master Zovran," I began cautiously, "if I can unlock these advanced forms...does that mean others can too? Could there be others out there with skills like mine?"
Zovran's expression darkened, a shadow passing over his features. "Perhaps," he said slowly. "But not all who seek power are as disciplined as you. The path you walk is dangerous, and there are those who would use these abilities for darker purposes."
A chill ran down my spine at his words. I had always known that the Zodiac Universe was filled with dangers, but now, with this new power, I was beginning to understand just how high the stakes truly were.
"Be careful, Avant," Zovran said, his voice low and serious. "The higher you rise, the more enemies you'll attract. But also...the more allies you'll need."
I nodded. I had come this far, and I wasn't about to turn back now. The path ahead was filled with challenges, but it was also filled with possibility.