Chapter 74 Another Me!
With them now busy with training inside the tower, I finally have free time.
Now then, let's see the shiny stones I have.
Lying on my bed is the relics and the other stones, starting from the Mushroom Relic I got back from the merchants up to my latest one, the Shadow Relic.
Since the Ogre relic and the Mushroom King's Relic gave me a skill back then, I have a feeling the other one's could too.
So let's look at each of them, system.
[System Inspection....
Name: Mushroom King Relic
Name: Troll Relic
Name: Storage stone
Name: Troll Leather
Name: Mimic Relic
Name: Shadow Relic ]
And Finally,
[System Notification:
Due to the combination of Relics to create an Epic race a new Relic will be created...
Loading..Loading...Error..Error..Cannot show...
Retrying...Retrying...Error...Error.. Retrying...Completed!
Name: ??? Relic
Type: Growth type
Rank: Unknown
Due to insufficient Authority the host can only be given partial details. ]
System...are you finally broken? I thought while laughing.
[System Response:
Shut up or I'll forcefully take your Relics. ]
My laughter died in my throat. "W-Wait, I was joking! You're the smartest, most intelligent system in the universe!"
[System Response:
I'll let you off for now. ]
Haa....
I let out a sigh, quickly changing the subject instead it decides to take back it's decision.
Now, system please?
[System Notification:
Granting the skills associated with the Relic shards to the host... Completed.
New Skills!
Illusion (Active): Mimic Relic skill. Can create illusions based on the host's desires. With enough mana, it can turn a losing battle into a winning advantage through bluffing!
Mana Cost: 300 per 5 minutes
Duplicate (Active): Mimic Relic skill. Creates a copy of the host. Depending on the mana supplied, the clone can last anywhere from a few hours to over a year.
Mana Cost: 300 per 30 minutes
Regeneration (Passive): Troll Relic skill. Enhances the host's natural regeneration rate.
Shadow Magic: Shadow Relic skill. Grants the host control over shadow-based spells and attacks.
Mana Cost: 100 per use
Tips: Mana cost for Shadow Magic and Ice Magic decreases as they level up.]
I grinned. "So, Shadow Magic and Ice Magic are on the same mana cost curve at Level 1, huh?"
The other skills looked promising, too. Illusion and Duplicate would give me an edge, whether for escaping ambushes or gaining tactical advantages. Regeneration would help in drawn-out fights, and Shadow Magic? That just sounded plain cool.
"Alright," I said, stretching. "Time to test these babies out!"
....
First up, Illusion
I sat cross-legged on the floor and activated Illusion. A shimmering image began forming in front of me.
"What should I make?" I muttered, then an idea struck me.
The illusion solidified into a regal version of me, decked out in a crimson cape, a crown glittering with jewels, and a ridiculously large sword slung over her shoulder. She looked like a warrior queen stepping out of a battlefield victorious.
"Yes! This is it!" I cheered, clapping my hands in delight.
The illusion moved as I imagined, standing tall, pointing her sword toward an imaginary enemy. Then, with a dramatic flourish, she declared, "Bow before your queen!"
I nearly fell over laughing. "This is going to be so fun in real fights." Or pranks, hehehe~
But I wasn't done. I focused, trying to see how far I could push the skill. The regal figure dissolved, replaced by an enormous dragon. Its scales glinted in the light, its claws sharp enough to make me wince.
"Rawr!" I whispered, giggling at my own theatrics. The dragon spread its wings and let out a soundless roar.
"Okay, let's get even wilder."
I layered multiple illusions—soldiers marching behind the dragon, banners fluttering in the wind, and a dark, stormy sky. It felt like I was directing a movie.
However, after a few minutes, a wave of fatigue washed over me, and the illusions flickered.
[System Notification:]
Mana insufficient. Illusions deactivated.
I collapsed backward with a laugh. "That was totally worth it."
---
After an hour of rest I tested out the next skill:
Duplicate!
A perfect copy of me materialized, stepping forward with a smirk.
Me/her was looking at me from top to bottom so I also looked at me/her.
She wore the clothes we got from the merchant lady before, same as me but lighter in color and lost some details here and there. I was dressed right now, in what could be described as just coarse linen T-shirt and brown pants with my hair was tied up in a ponytail.
It was the usual commoner clothings of the middle ages.
"Well, aren't you a sight to behold," my duplicate said, mirroring my crossed arms.
"Flattery won't get you anywhere," I shot back, smirking.
For the next half-hour, we tested everything. First, I had the duplicate mimic me exactly, from gestures to speech. Then, I let it act on its own, curious to see how independent it could be.
But then another me showed up behind me, which made me realize it was using Illusion magic on me.
More proficient too, I didn't even notice!
The duplicate grabbed a pillow and bonked me over the head. "You're too easy to prank," she said, laughing.
"Oh, it's on!" I yelled, grabbing my own pillow.
The ensuing pillow fight was legendary, with feathers flying everywhere. By the end, we were both sprawled on the floor, laughing.
"Okay, one last test," I said, sitting up.
The duplicate stood still as I funneled more mana into it, testing its longevity. Its form grew sharper, more solid. I poked its arm—no longer ghostly, it felt real.
"Impressive," I murmured.
"Of course I am," the duplicate said smugly.
I rolled my eyes. "Great. Even my clone is full of herself."
---
Regeneration
For this test, I took a small knife and hesitated. "This better work," I muttered.
I made a tiny cut on my palm and watched in amazement as the wound closed instantly, leaving no scar.
"Sweet," I said, flexing my hand. "Goodbye, scars. Hello, perfect complexion!"
But I wasn't done. I tested it further by letting the duplicate spar with me. My regeneration healed minor bruises and scrapes almost as fast as I got them.
"No more need for potions!" I said, dodging a punch from the duplicate.
---
I cancelled my Duplicate and let it dissipitate for now, it was sad seeing me go but the system said she's not dead and told me to stop being dramatic it said she's just gonna be floating inside my mana core until I decided to call her out.
The system also said that my clone won't forget about what happens after they are created. Which means I now have a twin! And possibly more later!
Shadow Magic
Finally, I activated Shadow Magic.
Dark energy swirled around me as shadows came to life, twisting and stretching under my control. At first, I created simple shapes—a spear, a shield, a rope. But as I practiced, I grew bolder.
"Let's try something big," I said, focusing hard.
The shadows surged, forming a massive pair of wings on my back. With a dramatic flap, I sent a gust of wind through the room, knocking over a chair.
"This is amazing!" I shouted, spinning around.
The shadows shifted again, forming into tendrils that snaked across the floor. I willed them to grab a book and bring it to me, grinning when it worked perfectly.
But my excitement got the better of me. I tried to form a shadow sword, only to lose control. The tendrils whipped around wildly, knocking over more furniture.
"Ahh! Stop, stop!" I yelled, frantically canceling the skill.
Everything stilled, leaving me surrounded by a mess.
[System Notification:]
Reminder: Reckless use of skills may result in unintended consequences.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it," I muttered, rubbing my forehead.
I guess I can't do both until I level the skill up, huh?
---
I flopped onto my bed, exhausted but exhilarated.
"This day will be marked as the day I, Aria, became overpowered!" I declared dramatically.
Even those squirrels in the forest would have to watch out now.
"Muahahaha!" I cackled, imagining myself as the ultimate ruler of this realm.
The system chimed in, almost like it was rolling its eyes.
[System Response:
Don't get cocky.]
I snorted, grinning at the ceiling. This was just the beginning.
Little Theater:
Small Theater
System: "Host, your clone is smarter than you."
Aria: "She's me! Of course, she's brilliant!"
Clone: Smirking "Correction: I'm the better you."
Aria: "...."