The days leading up to Mr. Ishtar's confirmation of my admission to Aetherfall Academy were a whirlwind of trial and error as I delved into the intricacies of my Mimic Eye. Over four grueling days, I tested its capabilities, uncovering both its potential and limitations.
The first lesson was sobering: I couldn't replicate a UA (Unique Ability) from another person. Perhaps the toll on my body was too great, or maybe UAs were deeply personal, tied to the essence of an individual's soul. They seemed to be woven into the very fabric of their being, shaped by unique experiences, desires, and the unquantifiable spark that defined them. Despite my best efforts, I couldn't replicate Mr. Ishtar's UA. Skills, however, were another matter. While I could mimic them, limitations abounded. Skills from individuals far beyond my level were inaccessible, and I was restricted to replicating those ranked D or C. Additionally, the process appeared to hinge on specific materials, a fact I only uncovered through repeated failures.
One attempt stood out vividly. I tried to replicate Cú Chulainn's legendary spear, Gae Bolg. Despite meticulous focus, the system rejected my attempt with an unyielding notification:
[System Notification]
[Power of Replication: Failed]
[You do not own any materials related to the Origin]
It became clear that I needed a replica spear or some artifact tied to Cú Chulainn to serve as a catalyst. The Power of Replication, though invaluable, came with numerous conditions. Rare materials, precise alignment with an object's origin, and my own stamina all posed significant challenges. Even Clairvoyance, which I could replicate, only succeeded because my unique eyes could harness it.
Through Mr. Ishtar's books, I gleaned valuable insights into the nature of skills and abilities. Skills, while teachable and transferable, could also be created through catalysts. High ranking weapons often endowed their wielders with special skills a benefit I'd experienced first hand with Erythrotenebrae. However, this depended on the bond between weapon and wielder. Abilities, on the other hand, were lesser forms of skills, tied to one's stats and species. For example, elves excelled in healing and nature-related abilities, while giants possessed abilities rooted in immense strength.
Skills themselves were further categorized. Elemental Skills tied to magic and natural forces. Beast Skills, common among Beastfolk and merfolk, aligned with primal instincts. Abyssm correlated with abyssal or malevolent beings. Blood Arts, the vampire specialty, intrigued me most. However, the books offered scant details beyond a single assumption: Blood Arts likely consumed blood or life essence. These revelations deepened my understanding, but many mysteries remained unsolved.
On the fourth day, as I sifted through my findings, Mr. Ishtar returned unexpectedly.
"Ezekiel, come. Let me teach you something," he called out, a sly grin on his face.
"Ah… sure," I replied, startled but intrigued.
He led me to the mountains where he had previously demonstrated his UA. As we reached the clearing, he raised a hand, signaling me to stop.
"Ezekiel, with the Aetherfall Academy orientation approaching, we need to prepare you properly," he began, his smile growing more mischievous.
A nervous chill ran down my spine. "Sure… does that mean I've been accepted?" I asked cautiously.
"Yes," he confirmed. "And to celebrate, I'll train you in combat."
"Combat?" I echoed, equal parts curiosity and dread.
"Books might level you up quickly, but combat is essential. Very essential." Without waiting for a response, he began chanting:
"Oh bring forth the forces of nature,
One to bring destruction to this accursed land.
Might and fear, engrave them in this poor soul.
Let them witness the wrath of a saddened mother.
Let them witness the drought that brings despair.
I call upon the children of the great beings."
The ground trembled as his chant concluded. Tremors fractured the earth, and massive stone arms emerged from the surface. The arms belonged to towering giants of rock and ore, their glowing cores pulsing like beating hearts.
"These are my summons. The system will recognize them as entities that grant experience. Try to defeat them," Mr. Ishtar said, his grin widening.
I tightened my grip on Erythrotenebrae. "That's quite the spectacle," I muttered.
The giants advanced, each step causing the ground to quake. Their immense forms loomed over me, deliberate and coordinated in their movements.
"This is insane!" I shouted, gripping my blade tightly. The crimson-black weapon seemed to hum in anticipation.
"You'll be fine, Ezekiel," Mr. Ishtar called, observing from a safe distance. "Remember, you don't just fight with strength. Use your mind. Adapt and strategize!"
The closest giant raised a massive arm and brought it down with the force of a collapsing mountain. I barely leaped out of the way, the impact sending shockwaves through the ground and nearly throwing me off balance.
"That's easier said than done!" I retorted.
Activating my Mimic Eye, I began to discern patterns. The rhythm of their attacks, the delay in their movements, the subtle shifts in their stances—all began to emerge as part of an intricate dance.
[Eyes of Analysis activated]
The first giant reared back for another swing. This time, I sidestepped at the last moment and closed the distance, slashing at its core. Sparks flew as Erythrotenebrae bit into the stone, leaving a deep gash.
The giant roared, shaking the battlefield. Another swung its arm, forcing me to roll away. My stamina dwindled rapidly. I needed a new strategy something to absorb their relentless attacks. My thoughts turned to the Blood Arts described in Mr. Ishtar's books. Vampires harnessed their life essence to create powerful defences. Though I wasn't a vampire, I had blood and life essence. It was a gamble worth taking.
Focusing on Erythrotenebrae, I recalled the text: "Blood is the source of life, a catalyst for power. The ancestors of the vampires forged their arts from the essence of their being, binding vitality with magic to create techniques of unmatched potency. Only through understanding this bond can the art manifest."
Activating my Mimic Eye, I directed it inward.
[Analyzing… Origin recognized: Vampiric Blood Arts.]
A surge of heat coursed through me. My veins burned as if Erythrotenebrae were drawing something from deep within. The blade's crimson glow intensified, wrapping around me like a cocoon of searing heat. The air shimmered with the blade's energy, and the faint hum of its power was joined by a rising, resonant thrum that seemed to sync with my racing heartbeat. The system chimed:
[Skill Replicated: Blood Aegis]
A shimmering red barrier formed around me, pulsating with the rhythm of my heartbeat. It felt alive.
With Blood Aegis protecting me, I deflected the first giant's massive fist, the barrier dispersing the energy outward. The second giant hurled a boulder, but I dashed forward, the shield flaring as I redirected the projectile. Timing my movements with the patterns revealed by Eyes of Analysis, I struck their cores one by one.
By the time the final giant roared in fury, the toll of the battle was clear. Blood Aegis flickered, my stamina nearing its limit. Summoning the last of my strength, I activated Clairvoyance, layering it with Eyes of Analysis. Time slowed, revealing the giant's movements before they happened. I dashed forward, dodging debris and striking its glowing core.
[Skill Activated: Rapture]
The final blow unleashed a surge of energy, Erythrotenebrae's blade cleaving with the force of colliding waves. The giant crumbled into rubble, silence falling over the battlefield.
Panting, I stood amidst the debris, my chest heaving and legs trembling under the strain. A wave of exhaustion coursed through me, yet a strange exhilaration lingered a reminder of the narrow victory I had clawed from the brink of failure. The crimson glow of Blood Aegis faded, leaving me feeling vulnerable yet accomplished. Mr. Ishtar clapped from the side-lines.
"Well done, Ezekiel! Quick thinking and adaptability. You've exceeded my expectations," he said.
I glared at him. "You call this training? I almost died!" Despite myself, I couldn't help but grin.
"This is just the beginning," he replied, his mischievous smile returning. "The real challenges are yet to come."
As my status window appeared, I couldn't hide my amazement:
Name: Ezekiel Rhea
Age: 17
Level: 25
UA: Mimic Eye
Stamina: 15
Strength: 17
IQ: 26
Mana: 0
Mind: 28
Skills:
Rapture: C Clairvoyance: D Blood Aegis: A [New]
"A vampire's Blood Art, huh?" Mr. Ishtar remarked. "It seems Erythrotenebrae served as your catalyst."
"A catalyst?" I echoed, still processing the events.
As i was thinking on why Erythrotenebrae serves to become the catalyst. What if?
"Mr. Ishtar, did Erythrotenebrae came in contact with a vampire before me?" i ask confused.
"Yes. It was blessed by a royal vampire's blood," he explained.
"Royal blood?" I asked, astonished.
"She was my fiancée," he admitted, his expression softening. "But circumstances forced her into an arranged marriage. This weapon was her parting gift."
"May I know why?" I asked, intrigued by the revelation.
He sighed, gazing at the horizon. "She was my fiancée, a vampire royal of unparalleled grace and power. Her lineage traced to the ancient bloodlines that governed the Midnight Sovereignty. Royals like her were bound by duty to their clan, and our engagement was unconventional—a union born of love rather than politics. Her father, however, had other plans. As the sovereign ruler, he decreed that she marry a duke to secure an alliance and protect their dominion from external threats. Despite her protests, tradition and responsibility overruled her desires. This weapon, imbued with her essence, was her final gift to me before she was wed. It symbolizes our bond and the sacrifice she made for her people."
"That is… quite unfortunate," I said, sheathing Erythrotenebrae.
"She was my first and last lover in my aging life," he said, his gaze still fixed on the sky.
"Where is she now?" I asked softly.
"Fulfilling her duty as one of the vampire royals. Perhaps nurturing her own family now," he said, his voice tinged with sorrow. Then, his expression shifted, an irritated smirk crossing his face.
Before I could react, six new stone giants emerged behind him.
"Since I've shared my past, let's see how prepared you are for the future," he said with a wicked grin.
All I could do was pray I'd survive to see tomorrow.
That night after surviving Mr. Ishtar's torturous training, as exhaustion finally overtook me, I reflected on the day's events. The Blood Arts, the bond with Erythrotenebrae, and the gruelling combat had pushed me beyond my limits. Yet, I felt a sense of growth a deeper understanding of my abilities and a burning desire to continue improving. As Aetherfall Academy loomed on the horizon, I vowed to face whatever challenges awaited me with unyielding determination. The journey had only just begun.