2 The Second Time

Lying in bed, the young girl gasped for breath, her disheveled ashen blonde locks tumbling in disarray. Her mind remained a swirling maelstrom of chaos and bewilderment, having tasted the bitter sting of death not once, but twice, in a mere span of minutes.

Her gaze fixated upon the text prompts that incessantly flashed and vanished before her eyes.

'It looks like you two don't like each other.' a smile formed on her face as she watched the two systems bicker and fight as if they were a couple of kids fighting for a toy.

Even though her memories were hazy and full of holes, she could still remember the general outline of the witch system, its quirks, and its functions.

'Witches are only over-glorified craftsmen, they can make potions and tools defying common sense, but their combat powers are subpar. Well, they aren't defenseless but compared to mages or battlemages, they are weaker.'

That was at least what she knew, however now she wasn't sure of it anymore, 'It upgraded and evolved.'

"Status!" her cheerful, crystal clear voice resounded like a bell through her plain, empty room.

Beep! Ding #!?#*

//<>

Erro-failure

Negotiating!

<>//

Beep ding!

True Name: Tiariel Morduine

Soul species: ???

Vessel species: Space Human

Witch level: Novice

Psionic level: Latent Esper

Esper Points: 5

Witch Points: 5

Vitality (VIT): 8 << Represents the ability of the vessel to survive injuries

Strength (STR): 6 << Represents the muscle strength of the vessel

Agility (AGI): 9 << Represents reflexes, reaction time, and muscle flexibility

Defense (DEF): 7 << Represents the ability to resist damage without getting injured

Endurance (END): 10 << Represents the vessels resistance towards tiredness

Intelligence (INT): 15 << Represents the raw computing power of the brain and soul

Will (WIL): 34 << Represents the strength of the will used to bend the reality

Magic (MAG): 36 << Represents the power of magic and strength of spells

Energy (ENE): 32 << Represents the energy used to fuel magic and esper abilities

'Ohh, it looks like they really made some kind of a deal. The stats are mostly shared, except for the magic that belongs to the witch system and the will that belongs to the esper system.'

The girl lay back on her bed, spreading her arms and legs as she made herself comfortable. Her head turned towards the ceiling as she continued reading through her status.

'Witch system is not what I need now. Sorry, but to work with you, I would need materials and tools. Now come esper system, show me what you can do!'

Beep!

<<<>>>>

Choose your starting talents:

<<<>>>>

The girl stiffened in her movements, her mind focusing on the choices floating before her eyes. She carefully read through the three options before her over and over, knowing that her life depended upon her choice.

Outside her cell, a set of footsteps echoed through the empty corridors, drawing closer to her room with alarming speed. Panic surged through Tia, intensifying the pressure mounting within her.

'I want to spend all of my points on one talent as I need something strong, that can help me survive this encounter. I can cross out telepathy...'

The approaching steps abruptly halted just beyond her chamber's threshold, the pale glow of three eerie green lights ominously flickering to life, one by one, on the locks of her doors.

'I have no time for this!'

Beep!

<<<>>>>

<Basic Telekinesis I> learned!

<Basic Telekinesis II> learned!

<Basic Telekinesis III> learned!

<Basic Telekinesis IV> learned!

<<<>>>>

Agonizing bursts of pain erupted within her heart, compelling her hands to shoot towards her temples, clutching them tightly. The pain seeped through her, a slow, pulsating torment that infiltrated every fiber of her being as if her very brain cells were undergoing a metamorphosis.

The doors began to slide open, gliding smoothly along their metallic rails. Tia's gaze fixated on the unfolding entrance, her eyes emitting a faint glow while her heart thundered within her chest, each beat resonating loudly as adrenaline surged through her veins, fueling her body.

'You have killed me, do not expect any mercy from me.'

The black silhouette once again slid into the room, the blue-glowing gun slowly rising up.

In a heartbeat, Tia's pale hands swung towards the figure. Her perception extended beyond her fingertips, a tingling sensation spreading outward. Though dulled and imprecise, it proved sufficient for her purpose.

An unseen energy surged forth, colliding with the man and propelling his body forcefully against the wall behind him.

<<<>>>>

Proficiency of <Basic Telekinesis IV (0%)> increased by 5%

<<<>>>>

"Ahhh!" a bright blue light flashed in the room, the man pulling the trigger as he launched backward, his head smashing against the hard concrete wall.

A brilliant blue flash erupted, engulfing the room in its incandescent glow, accompanied by a piercing hiss as the plasma bolt seared through the ceiling, leaving behind a smoldering aperture.

In an instant, the building's alarms blared to life, their shrill wails echoing throughout the premises. A vivid red light bathed Tia's room, exposing the prone figure in the black nanowire suit slumped against the wall. A sizable crimson stain painted the surface, permeating the air with the metallic scent of blood.

Gradually, the man stirred, his legs flexing as he endeavored to rise, his arm lifting the blue-glowing gun once more.

"Damn you, I will not let you kill me a second time!" the girl rose out of bed, her long hair waving behind her as she moved her hand again.

The invisible force threw the man against the wall with a loud bang one more time.

<<<>>>>

<Basic Telekinesis IV (5%)> --> 8%

<<<>>>>

"Aghhh!"

Inarticulate grunts tumbled from the man's mouth, but Tia pressed on, her lilac irises ablaze with intense crimson light, her mind spiraling into a frenzied state. She fought with every ounce of her being, battling for her very survival.

Her focus sharpened, intensifying her concentration. With unwavering determination, she directed the unseen force directly at the man's eyes, perceiving the sensation through her ethereal senses. It felt akin to squishing a pliant gummy, the pressure building within her mind.

In the next instant, the man's eyes erupted, crimson streams of blood spilling forth, staining his face and cascading down in a macabre display.

<<<>>>>

<Basic Telekinesis IV (8%)> --> 15%

<<<>>>>

"Ahhh, you bitch!" The man's agonized screams filled the room as he relentlessly pulled the trigger, each discharge of the bright blue plasma illuminating the space with searing intensity.

The lethal bolts of energy whizzed indiscriminately, scorching holes into walls and ceiling, their piercing whistles and resounding crashes filling the air.

"Damn him, why won't he give up!" Tia seethed, frustration and fear intertwining within her.

Reacting swiftly, she flung herself towards the ground, narrowly evading a plasma bolt that seared dangerously close above her head. Panic seized her wide-eyed gaze as she embraced the cold floor.

Extending her ethereal force beyond her corporeal form, she connected with the man's fingers, and with a surge of willpower, she unleashed a pulse of invisible energy.

The intangible force seized the man's digits, applying unyielding pressure to their joints. In an instant, the bones snapped with a sickeningly grotesque sound.

<<<>>>>

<Basic Telekinesis IV (15%)> --> 18%

<<<>>>>

"Agggh!" He screamed again, and then a cacophony of cries and insane shouting of the patients echoed through the hallway.

'How they can think that I belong here with these screaming madmen!'

The bright blue bolts stopped flying, with the man panicky trying to pull the trigger with his disfigured and snapped fingers, making painful grunts.

"Haha, the revenge is sweet!" Tia smiled at the man, her eyes brightly glowing.

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