Elias rubbed his eyes a few times before he approached the door of the simulation room. The weird quest he just received from the system made him a little apprehensive about what to expect next. He was already worn out from the fight earlier and nursing some injuries; he really doubted he could take on another opponent.
But what choice did he have? None at all.
"Let's just finish this! The simulation is over, so there's no way another beast is going to pop up out of thin air," he thought to himself.
Elias stepped out of the simulation chamber, his heart pounding, and with this, the crowd burst into loud cheer. The screens above replayed his battle against Zephyrax, capturing every intense moment. His photon beam striking down the beast was on repeat, accompanied by roaring applause.
The announcer's voice once more rumbled over the arena.
"Elias Stroud! The only adversary who braved a monster at Level 3, and triumphed! What a show!"
Elias looked up; under the spotlight, he felt small. Hundreds of faces stared into his very soul, with eyes full of admiration. Elias rubbed the back of his neck, totally at a loss for words.
The roars from the crowd still echoing in his ears, a melodious beep reverberated in his mind.
["Congratulations!
You've completed the quest 'Exit from the simulation room!'
Rewards: 300 Convergence Points.
Title ' Rising Star' progress: 40%]
"Title?" Elias was just about to ask the system what this 'Rising Star' title was all about when he noticed someone standing right in front of him.
"Elias Stroud."
A commanding voice pulled him back into reality. Elias turned around slowly and saw Bertholemew Stark. A moment ago, he had appeared so far away from the man; now, in the blink of an eye, he was right before him.
'Wow! Is this some sort legendary movement technique?' he thought, astonished.
Without even realizing it, Elias instinctively stood up straighter. "Sir Stark," he greeted with a nod.
Above him, Stark beamed, his mere presence commanding the space. "You've done well," he said, his deep voice calm, yet somehow powerful. "It's rare to see such potential at your level. Your performance today was exceptional."
Elias shifted uncomfortably under Stark's gaze. "Thank you, sir."
A faint smile curled up Stark's lips. "I'll be blunt. You've caught my eye, Stroud. Under the right tutelage, you could easily outshine from others. I'll take you under my personal wing."
"You want me to be your student?" Elias glanced up, looking surprised and confused. Question marks swirled around his head, doubting whether he was in a dream or not.
"Absolutely! Is that really too much to ask?" Stark grinned back at him.
Elias began weighing his options. Stark's reputation was unrivaled, and being his student would open doors beyond his wildest imagination. He couldn't shake the memory of Celestia from his thoughts. Her warning during their duel resonated deeply within him-a reminder of the importance of caution.
"You can't trust everyone! You are different, and your powers are special, so never show yourself before you are ready!"
A few seconds later, Elias coughed. "Thank you, sir, but I already have a mentor."
There was a moment of silence. Nothing changed in Stark's face, yet it seemed the temperature around them dropped.
"Your loyalty is admirable," Stark said, his voice still even. "But misplaced loyalty can be dangerous. Are you sure you wanna abandon this chance? After all, not everyone could get a question like this from me!"
Elias met his gaze. "I've made my choice."
Stark's smile faltered, a flicker of coldness crossing his features. "Very well. I hope, for your sake, your mentor can prepare you for the challenges ahead."
With that, he turned and walked away, his figure disappearing into the crowd.
*Sigh*
" I hope he won't bear any grudge against me." Elias muttered to himself as a wave if uneasiness washed over him.
---
Later that night, Elias found himself wandering the training grounds, playing his encounter with Stark over and over in his head. The training ground was another simulation facility for those contestants who wanted to practice and hone their skills. He practised light constructs, forming blades and shields from pure photon energy. Despite his focus, the words of Stark lingered.
"Misguided loyalty can lead to trouble."
"Aww, man, why did he have to say that? I really don't want to kick off any drama right as I'm starting the trials!" he shouted, irritation evident in his tone.
He reflected over a number of interpretations that might be associated with that utterance, but nothing seemed to make sense to him.
"Whatever, should check the system!"
"Status Panel"
Once more, the melodic beep resounded within his mind's confines as the large-scale holographic display manifested itself right in front of his eyes.
'I will never get my head around these notifications showing up in my eyes!'
[Empyreal Convergence System: Status Panel Update
---
Host: Elias Stroud
Current Tier: Bronze (grade five)
Sigil Type: [Unique - Undefined Symbol]
Sigil Alignment: Stellar Affinity · （Linked to the Twelve Realms）
Cultivation Base: 70%
---
Core Stats:
Beasteal Qi Reserve: 3,000/5,000
Physical Strength: +250% (Enhanced by Starpower Infusion)
Agility: +200% (Enhanced by Starpower Infusion)
Energy Output: 450% Baseline( Enhanced by Starpower Infusion)
---
Unified Points System (UPS):
1. Realm Points (RP): 12,000
(Used to unlock abilities and progress through realms)
2. Convergence Points (CP): 8,000
(Used for sigil evolution and realm synergy bonuses)
---
Realm Progression:
Realm of Starlight (Mastery: 30%)
Unique Ability: Starlight Convergence ( Level 2)
Next unique ability: Locked.
(Remaining Realms: Accessible through cultivation and taming quests.)
Active Skills:
1. Photon Manipulation (Realm of Starlight):
Precision Energy Constructs: Activated.
Beam Amplification: Active. Energy Cost: 200 Beasteal Qi per shot.
Passive Energy Efficiency Boost: +30%.
2. Starpower Infusion (Starlight Synergy):
Stellar Energy Enhancement: +500% to strength and agility for 5 minutes.
Rapid Regeneration: Restores 40% health during activation.
Cost: 1,000 Beasteal Qi per activation.
Elias remembered how the system had been beeping constantly while he was fighting Zephyrax. He had no idea those sounds were amd they were actually energy consumption alerts that the system was sending his way.
It wasn't his fault, though; the system had just now given him access to the "Status Panel" command. If he had seen it earlier, he definitely wouldn't have made those choices.
"Starpower Infusion," he muttered to himself as he read through the system's description. "The cost is steep, but it's a game-changer in tough fights!" His face lit up.
"Rapid Regeneration! Whoa! This is way too powerful!"
---
Harem Connection:
Celestia (Primary Candidate)
Status: Yet to Bond (Affinity: High)
Taming Progress: 15%
Effect if Bonded:
Celestia gains:
Beast Level: The moment she binds with the host, she directly levels up to level 10, which is the maximum level a beast can attain.
Stellar Unity: Unlocks the Celestial Realm, where both gain a unique, shared ability called Eclipse Nova.
The host receives:
Improved Stellar Affinity: Energy consumption reduced by 20%.
Celestial Protection: Passive damage reduction of 15% in combat.
Bonding Potential: Unlock more as bonds of emotion and cultivation deepen.
---
"Level 10?! I thought the highest was 6?!" Elias exclaimed, his voice reeking of incredulity.
If a level 6 beast could wipe out an entire planet by itself, what could a level 10 do? Could it eradicate whole galaxies or even the universe itself? The more he thought about it, the more chills ran down his spine.
System Quests:
Win the final trial:
Objective: Build a name for yourself in the world of beast tamers on Earth.
Reward: Title: The Rising Star; this title allows the host to have additional 5% reduction of Beastial Qi consumption and increases the luck attribute.
Bond with Celestia:
Objective: Strengthen rapport, complete shared trials, and initiate taming sequence.
Reward: Celestial Realm Unlock, Unique Ability: Eclipse Nova, +20,000 RP.
—
" I really have a long way to go!" Elias sighed as he observed the quests and the rewards. The quests were hard but the rewards were handsome!
—
Footsteps sounded nearby. Elias looked up to see a cloaked figure disappear into the shadows at the edge of the grounds. His instincts flared. But in a moment of a few seconds, he was gone.
Around a hidden area wherethe trials were to take place.
A black-robed figure moved through the fortress with ease as the wind whistled down its corridors. The air started to grow cold as he approached a secluded room. His steps were the only ones echoing through the silence.
A figure pushed open a heavy door and stepped into the room, which was dimly lit. The room was sparsely furnished: there was one large table covered in maps. A man stood at the table, his back to the figure as he stared out the window.
The robed figure knelt, lowering their head. "Master Stark," they said softly.
Bartholomew Stark did not answer immediately; his back was stiff, staring out the window with hands clasped behind his back. The air was heavy with tension.
Finally, it was Stark who spoke, his voice cold. "The boy has proved more resilient than expected. His refusal to join us… is inconvenient."
The robed figure nodded. "What are your orders, Master?"
Stark turned halfway, his eyes glinting in the candlelight. "We have to make sure that he will not get in the way. Distract him, tie him up. And if the chance arises…," he went low, "get rid of him."
The figure shuddered with the weight of the order from Stark. "Yes, Master, understood."
Stark turned back to the window, his face lit up by the faint moonlight. "There must be no failure. See to it the plan goes well."
The figure rose to his feet as his mind whirred with the task at hand. He knew why his master was dead set on recruiting him. It was that sigil… the sigil which was engraved in Elias's hand. That was what he was after.
The door clicked shut behind the robed figure. Alone, Stark stared into darkness. A twisted smile curved on his lips.
" Brat! You dare to disrespect me? Hahahaha!" His whole body vibrated along with the crazy laugh that escaped from his mouth.
" If you didn't have that with you, I may have killed you over a thousand times!" His hands clenched to fists as a suffocating aura erupted from his body.
—
Elias was sleeping comfortably in his bed, unaware of the events that would soon unravel in front of him. The beast sigil on his hand shone in a soft blue light, exuding a peaceful aura that seemed to cradle him in deep slumber, keeping him away from nightmares.
"Mom, I want more chocolates…" he murmured before suddenly shouting, "Why are you even reading this part? Just let me sleep!" He then rolled over, facing away from the observer.