I touched my chest, the faint thudding of my heartbeat resonating softly.
However, what I was examining wasn't my internal organ—it was the mana core I had created.
I hadn't finished reading the instructional book on basic magic yet.
Since the mana core is the most crucial aspect of one's development as a warrior or magician, I needed to pay extra attention to this object.
The mana core holds significant control over the manipulation of magic dispersed in the air as well as the mana circulating within one's body.
How does the mana core actually work?
As I've explained about imagination, casting, and in/out processes:
Magicians imagine, align their imagination with the rune language they create, and finally release mana.
But what about me?
If we include casting in the application of magic, then the magic created must adhere to the prevailing standards and rules.
For instance, in the world of Arma, magicians must use rune languages to alter the world's laws and apply their magic.
Now, in this place overflowing with extraordinary magical energy, what if I created magic using natural mana?
Of course, I could do it.
"But the question is which realm I aim to reach. Command magic with your mind, with your will, in accordance with your desires! This is the true essence of magic!"
I shouted gleefully.
"Because I am free from the constraints of the world of Arma, I can create magic freely with my imagination. No boundaries!"
I manipulated my mana core alongside Symphony of Elemental Harmony, forming a powerful wind energy and lifting my body into the sky.
"Fly!"
A wind-based shield materialized in front of my face.
"Let's see how many monsters I can obliterate~."
For a moment, I forgot that I was being hunted by monsters.
"Fireball."
The mana core radiated with a bright black light.
In an instant, a massive fireball, tens of meters wide, formed in my hand.
BOOM!
One by one, the monsters' bodies were torn apart by the fireball, blood of various colors splattering everywhere.
A loud hiss echoed!
A hundred-meter-long snake slithered towards me, raising its enormous body to the sky.
The serpent opened its maw wide, ready to swallow me whole in a vertical strike.
"Why don't you wait your turn like your friends?"
I unsheathed my black sword, coating it with mana and enhancing it with wind magic.
"Raging Gale!"
Swoosh!
Slash after slash tore through the massive serpent's body with ferocious winds.
Hiss!
With just ten strikes, the segmented serpent fell, lifeless.
"Hahaha! Die! Die!"
[Loading basic functions embedded in Host…]
"Eh? Huh?"
I froze in place.
"System! Didn't you already separate from my body?"
[System Version 1.0.0 does not possess the feature to respond to Host's inquiries. Please do not ask questions.]
"Umm, yeah?"
[10%...]
[40%...]
[80%...]
[100%.]
[The Backup System has been fully loaded.]
[Available functions:
1. Enemy status
2. Skill creation
3. Skill storage.]
"..."
Damn it, it's my fault for expecting too much.
"Status."
[Unable to assess Host's status at the moment.]
"I knew it…"
I glanced at a bear-like monster in the distance.
"Status."
[Species: Five Fiery Bear
Realm: Master (Mid)
Skills: Big Bear Punch, Descent of the Fiery Fist, Fiery Incarnate, Ruler Roar, Bear King's Power, …]
"…Why didn't you tell me you could do this earlier?"
I mean, you can even assess enemy statuses! Why didn't you use this feature from the start!?
[System Version 1.0.0 cannot respond to Host's desires.]
Wait, did I just see "Skill Creation"?
[Yes, the Backup System can assist Host in creating skills.]
"Alright, alright."
I activated Devil Change at full power, my body instantly consuming an overwhelming amount of mana, even drawing in natural mana at an alarming rate.
[Trait Devil Change Type Demon King is adapting to the lack of demonic energy.]
[Canceling Devil Change Type Demon King transformation.]
"Let's start with this abundance of natural mana."
[Devil Change is absorbing a vast amount of mana.]
A massive vortex formed around me, and I could feel the mana gathered by the monsters being sucked into my body as well.
[DANGER! Host is experiencing mana overload.]
[Mutation is consuming mana as nourishment…]
My body felt weak, as if my energy was being rapidly drained.
The mana core swelled and contracted rapidly, the constant exchange of mana causing slight damage to its surface.
Natural mana isn't pure mana; it's mana that has undergone various contaminations. That's why not all magicians and warriors can carelessly absorb natural mana and make it their own.
"But not for me!"
The black mana core was so powerful that it could simultaneously absorb and purify mana—something I had just discovered.
After several minutes…
The surrounding natural mana was depleted, leaving behind barren land and the corpses of monsters that couldn't escape in time.
"Not enough, give me more mana!"
I extended my hand, summoning a purple portal above my palm.
I was about to attempt something spectacular.
Beside the portal, I opened a black hole using Glutton, a capability of Symphony of Elemental Harmony, and gradually merged them into one entity.
Because they shared various similarities, the fusion process became easier.
Next was Absorption. Although slightly inferior to the other abilities, its function of drawing mana from the environment or stealing life force from enemies proved crucial.
As I combined these powers, I started to form something akin to a singularity. Upon contact with the light of Gluttony merged with Voidforge Eternia, a small explosion echoed.
"Now for the most important step."
Powerful winds swirled around the purple-black light, forming a protective layer and enhancing its suction force.
Using Wind Manipulation from Symphony of Elemental Harmony, this addition would make the skill I was creating absorb atmospheric energy more efficiently and rapidly.
Finally, Shadow Manipulation.
How could this ability draw in the corpses of my enemies?
Would opening portals beneath them work?
No, that would waste too much energy.
The answer lay in manipulating shadows.
Without another idea, I settled on this solution.
Thick shadows descended into the purple-black portal, forming black tentacles within it.
"Why do I feel like I've just created a monster…"
[Absorption + Glutton + Voidforge Eternia + Wind Manipulation + Shadow Manipulation >>> Predation]
[Incompatibility detected in skill fusion. Effect reduced by 99%.]
[Predation
Type: Skill
Tier: Grandmaster (Entry Stage)
"Defeat your enemies! Steal their power! Until, in the end, only you remain at the top of the food chain!"
Devour foes and claim their abilities! Limited to opponents of the same tier or lower.
Stats stolen: 1%
Due to the Host's lack of experience in skill creation, effectiveness reduced by 99%.]
"So this is the first skill I've created? Not bad! With this, I can fill the gap in the leveling system."
I extended my hand.
"Predation."
Black holes with purple edges appeared in various directions, and grotesque, tentacle-like black tendrils emerged, dragging the monster corpses into the void.
The corpses of various monsters entered the black hole. Inside, highly acidic liquid dissolved their remains.
I could feel it!
Life energy surged into my body, nourishing it. It seemed like my lifespan had increased by hundreds of years in a single activation!
"My stats have increased by about 100 points!"
I clenched my fists, feeling the newfound strength coursing through me.
"Though it has many shortcomings, I'm confident this ability has a high potential ceiling."
I recognized my limitations clearly: experience, knowledge, and combat skills.
Until now, I had dominated my battles using basic abilities wrapped in various tricks.
But with this skill, I could rival even the best Grandmasters.
"Back when I saw the Templar Knight, I only had a 50% chance of victory. But with Symphony of Elemental Harmony and Predation, it might now be 70%."
No one understood my limitations better than I did.
"I hope someone can teach me swordsmanship, magic, or something else."
Focus, Arov.
Blue scales grew from head to toe, forming armor that enveloped my body. My shoulder-length hair extended until it reached my waist.
"Ugh…"
Mana overflowed from my entire body, making me feel like I would explode from the inside.
"Just a bit more… Integrate Symphony of Elemental Harmony into the mutation!"
I clenched my teeth, steeling my resolve, and… Boom!
[A match has been found between Devil Change and Symphony of Elemental Harmony.]
[PERFECT COMBINATION!]
[A new Devil Change Type has been created! Please give it a name...]
A grin spread across my face.
"I shall name it..."
---
(6/10)