Materia Maker

Young was on a roll, and by that a materia making roll was meant. It began with testing the waters to make some better materia. He created nearly two dozen lesser materia in an attempt to get better at the process. After half a dozen trial and error runs, he realized that the more qi he placed into his seals the better his results. Naturally, he felt a bit silly after realizing something so basic -- so he made up for it by making more materia.

After this, while reducing his saturation rate, Young had an epiphany. Why couldn't he just use the white lightning to make materia? After all, Spark had done so, it shouldn't have been an issue -- or so he thought. After failing his third attempt, Young realized that his own qi simply wasn't strong enough to encapsulate the lightning.

After much more trial and error, Young realized that by using his saturated energy, he could make the process work.

[Holy Lightning Materia (Large) Rank 3 Quality 321 x1

Grade 9 lightning energy, 100% pure. However, due to the creation process of the materia, the quality is not as great as 'Spark's'.]

"Grahh! This bastard is really trying me!" Young shouted as he read the description of his first successful Holy Lightning Materia craft. It was true, there was a massive difference in the quality of his materia and the ones Spark gave him. Still, the materia proved to be very useful. Young used it to make another set of bracers with the same materials, the results were drastically better.

[Spark Bone Bracers

Rank 1

Armor : 150/150

Abs. Def. : 3

Element : Lightning (Grade 1)

Effect : Shock React

Beast bone bracers infused with holy lightning.]

Young decided to absorb the second pair of bracers when he received a new tutorial alert.

"Soul Sea Grade [1] The grade of your soul sea determines how large it is and by extension, what can be housed within it. Your current Soul Sea grade is 3. This allows you to store up to six spirit items of any type. Soul Sea grade can only improve though rising in rank and only occur during the breakthrough process."

"Hmm. I currently have… three weapons and two armaments. Can I really overlap bracers like this though?" Young thought as he glanced down at the new pair. The system didn't seem to say anything about a conflict, so perhaps there wasn't an issue?

Young continued making Holy Lightning Materia. He had no particular use for them at the moment, but he knew they would come in handy at some point. He also theorized that by lessening the energy within the lightning mass, perhaps Spark would wake up sooner. Another unintended side effect of making material was slight qi gains. Every two to three would yield +2 qi.

All in all, Young made fifty two Holy Lightning Materia, the best rank he could manage was 3,though most were rank 2. He made a helmet using bone and his best materia to finish up the armament he could do for now. After roughly three hours of creating materia Young found that he was exhausted. Though he wasn't physically exerting himself, it seemed that mental work was just as taxing. The moment his stamina dipped below twenty five points he became sluggish and any lower would make him unbearably sleepy. With this in mind he decided to rest.

However, even in his dreams Young could not find rest. He replayed the memories of dashing through the forest as he sprinted away from the monstrous feline. He could feel the creature's claws slicing into his chest like a hot knife through butter. The weight of the creature's paw as the force of the blow sent him sailing into the ravine below. Ultimately he was caught in the sensation of endless falling as he awakened from his slumber with a start.

"Uh. Are you okay?" The familiar white text alert appeared before him.

"Spark!" Young said excitedly. He coughed abruptly, ashamed that he'd shown so much interest before continuing.

"Hello. Did you rest well?" Young asked.

"Yes, thank you. I'm feeling a bit better. Did you….do something? I feel as if I regained my energy much quicker than I anticipated."

"No. Not really. Well, I did make a few materia from the holy lightning." Young added.

"You did? That's surprising. I never figured your qi would grow that quickly. You were able to encapsulate it and condense it yourself?"

"Well, no. I used the lightning energy to encapsulate it. I don't know how to condense energy."

"Oh--that's right, you haven't unlocked your affinity just yet. I forgot. Well, in that case -- would you like to learn how?" Spark asked.

"Of course. I've been waiting for this!" Young said excitedly.

"I see. Then, in that case, it's time for your breakthrough. Join me in the soul sea."

--------------------------------

Soon Young receded into his inner world and along with Spark prepared for the event he'd been eagerly awaiting.

"Many believe breakthroughs to be tests requiring some keen insight or capability but the reality is, to breakthrough you need to surpass your limits while stabilizing the newfound power. It sounds simple, but its deceptively tricky. That being said, there's a trick for making a breakthrough that works without fail. That is, to train yourself relentlessly until you feel you've reached your personal limits. Then use a powerful, high grade energy to push you over the edge--so to speak.

Luckily for you, you have a powerful mass of energy right here…" Spark explained.

"Yea.. I noticed the information about making breakthroughs tend to be very vague. I wonder why that is?" Young questioned.

"Simple. Because humans like to complicate things and make them more difficult than they need be. Some do it for ego, and others do it for clout. I have no such attachments, my only requirement is that you don't die."

"You make it sound like you aren't human." Young replied.

"At this point in time, I'm not sure what I am, but I have never once 'felt' human." Spark replied.

"Now, after looking at your status, you did quite well to do as I asked. Your qi could use more work, considering that your next rank will be more qi intensive...but that's not a major issue. Though it's rushed, I believe you're ready. It's time for your breakthrough." Spark said.

"Great. So what do I do?" Young asked.

"Well, as I've said… you simply have to avoid dying. Your task is simple, you need to assimilate as much of this energy within your body, for as long as you can tolerate. I'll steadily increase the flow, your task is to find some measure of stability in the storm… that's the best I can describe it. Your body is ready, now your mind and soul must be tempered. Are you ready?" Spark asked.

Young honestly didn't know if he was ready, but it didn't matter. He realized after the day's events that his strength simply wasn't adequate. If he hoped to ever escape the jungle and master the lightning within, there was no choice but to forge ahead.

"I'm ready." Young responded, a look of determination in his expression.