69: The Price of Power

The soft hum of the droids working outside was a constant reminder to Alex of how far they had come. The hidden base in the mountains was slowly taking shape, with the droids carving out chambers and corridors deep within the rock. Outside, they had already constructed four wind turbines, silently turning in the icy wind to generate the energy needed for their operations. The droids continued to work on additional turbines, ensuring the base would have an abundant supply of power for the long term. As everything progressed smoothly, Alex's focus shifted back to a crucial part of his development: energy arts.

With his new understanding of the energy tiers, he needed to know what techniques and abilities he could acquire—and more importantly, how much they would cost. He had plenty of Energy Credits from the repair jobs, but he needed to be strategic about what he spent it on. Energy arts were key to unlocking the full potential of the tiers, and Alex knew that if he wanted to reach higher levels of power, he would need access to the best techniques.

Sitting at his console, Alex began his search. The network was filled with markets, both legitimate and black-market, offering energy arts for sale. Each technique came with a price tag, and the more advanced the technique, the more expensive it became. He was particularly interested in arts that would complement his growing energy reserves and enhance his ability to manipulate energy efficiently.

He started by looking at techniques for the 1st tier, knowing that he needed a solid foundation before progressing to more advanced arts.

1st Tier Energy Arts

The 1st tier techniques were relatively basic, but essential for any mage starting their journey. These arts primarily focused on minor energy manipulation, small repairs, and basic defensive and offensive capabilities.

Energy Bolts (1,000 Energy Credits): This technique allowed a 1st-tier mage to generate small, controlled bursts of energy. It was a standard offensive ability, useful for defense or attacking at close range.

Energy Shield (1,500 Energy Credits): A basic defensive ability, this shield could block low-level energy attacks and provide a temporary barrier against physical blows. It was a popular choice for those looking to enhance their survival skills.

Repair Technique - Simple Devices (2,000 Energy Credits): This art was crucial for mages working in tech-heavy environments, allowing them to use their energy to repair small mechanical and electronic devices. Alex had already mastered a similar version of this, so he moved on quickly.

Energy Infusion (1,800 Energy Credits): This technique allowed a mage to infuse small objects with their energy, either to power them or enhance their durability. It was useful for making temporary repairs on the go or empowering basic tools.

The prices were reasonable, and Alex had already acquired some of these abilities with the help of the AI's guidance. Still, it was helpful to know the cost of formal training in these techniques for comparison.

Satisfied with his look at 1st-tier arts, Alex moved on to the 2nd tier, where things started to get more interesting.

2nd Tier Energy Arts

The 2nd tier techniques offered more advanced abilities, with a greater focus on efficiency and control. These arts also introduced some elemental manipulation, making them far more versatile and powerful than the basic 1st-tier techniques.

Energy Blade (5,000 Energy Credits): This art allowed a 2nd-tier mage to form a blade made entirely of concentrated energy. The blade could cut through metal and defend against both physical and energy-based attacks. It was highly popular among combat-focused mages.

Enhanced Energy Absorption (4,500 Energy Credits): This technique expanded the user's ability to absorb energy from their surroundings more efficiently, increasing their energy reserves significantly. It was highly valuable for mages like Alex, who relied on constant energy input to maintain their power.

Repair Technique - Complex Devices (6,000 Energy Credits): This ability allowed a mage to repair more complex machines, such as vehicles or advanced technology. It required a deep understanding of both mechanics and energy manipulation, making it a coveted art for those working in tech-dominated environments.

Elemental Manipulation - Lightning (7,000 Energy Credits): This was the first true elemental art on the list, giving a 2nd-tier mage the ability to harness and control small bursts of lightning. It was a powerful offensive technique, often used in both combat and energy harvesting.

Energy Barrier (6,500 Energy Credits): An advanced version of the basic energy shield, this barrier could protect the user from larger, more powerful attacks. It was a must-have for any mage expecting to face stronger enemies or survive in hostile environments.

Alex studied the prices closely. These techniques were more expensive than the 1st-tier arts, but the benefits were clear. The Enhanced Energy Absorption technique stood out to him in particular. It would increase his ability to gather energy from his surroundings, making his training more efficient. The Energy Blade and Elemental Manipulation - Lightning were also tempting, offering both offense and control over natural forces.

Alex paused for a moment, considering his options. He had enough credits to invest in one or two of these techniques, but he needed to prioritize. After all, he had to keep an eye on the long-term goal—reaching higher tiers of power.

3rd Tier Energy Arts

The 3rd-tier techniques marked a significant leap in both power and cost. These arts were designed for mages who had already established themselves and were looking to expand their capabilities dramatically. Many of these abilities involved manipulating natural forces and dealing with high levels of energy.

Energy Harvesting - Natural Sources (15,000 Energy Credits): This technique allowed a 3rd-tier mage to harvest energy from natural phenomena, such as thunderstorms or geothermal vents. It was a crucial ability for mages looking to maintain their energy reserves without relying on external devices.

Storm Conduit (18,000 Energy Credits): An advanced elemental manipulation technique, this art enabled the user to act as a conduit for storm energy, allowing them to direct lightning strikes and harness the raw power of a storm. It was both a defensive and offensive tool, making it highly valuable.

Repair Mastery - High-Tech Devices (20,000 Energy Credits): This technique allowed mages to repair and manipulate the most advanced technology, including military-grade equipment and high-level energy devices. Mages with this ability were in high demand in elite circles, and it was seen as one of the most lucrative arts to master.

Energy Field Manipulation (17,000 Energy Credits): This art gave a 3rd-tier mage the ability to manipulate the energy fields around them, altering the environment to either amplify their own abilities or disrupt enemy attacks. It was incredibly useful for those who needed to control large areas or protect entire groups.

Alex's heart raced as he read through the 3rd-tier techniques. The Energy Harvesting - Natural Sources stood out immediately. It was exactly what he needed to move beyond the limits of the energy absorption mat and start drawing power directly from nature. The cost was high, but the benefits were immense. The Storm Conduit was equally intriguing, allowing him to wield the raw power of lightning itself.

The Repair Mastery - High-Tech Devices was another tempting option. With that ability, Alex could expand his repair operations even further, allowing him to take on the most advanced and high-paying jobs. But the cost was steep, and he knew he couldn't afford everything at once.

4th Tier Energy Arts

Even though no one had officially reached the 4th tier, there were still arts available for purchase, indicating the existence of these rare techniques. The 4th-tier arts were the most expensive by far, and their abilities were nothing short of extraordinary.

Energy Infusion - Large Structures (35,000 Energy Credits): This technique allowed a 4th-tier mage to infuse massive structures with energy, reinforcing them or imbuing them with unique properties. It was often used in large-scale construction or defensive fortifications.

Elemental Mastery - Lightning (40,000 Energy Credits): This technique gave the user complete control over lightning and electrical currents, allowing them to generate devastating attacks or protect themselves with powerful lightning barriers. It was an art of immense power, but few had the energy reserves to use it effectively.

Energy Field - Full Manipulation (45,000 Energy Credits): This was an evolution of the 3rd-tier energy field manipulation, giving the user the ability to completely control the energy fields within a massive radius. It was a rare and expensive art, but those who mastered it could change the course of battles and protect entire cities.

Alex looked at the 4th-tier arts in awe. The prices were astronomical, and while he was far from reaching this level, it was clear that the power of the 4th tier was on a different scale altogether. The Elemental Mastery - Lightning stood out to him the most, offering control over one of the most destructive forces in nature. But it was just a dream for now—he had a long way to go before he could afford, or even handle, such power.

As Alex closed his search, he couldn't help but feel excited about the path ahead. There were so many possibilities, and while the prices were high, the potential for growth was enormous. For now, he needed to focus on the 2nd and 3rd tiers, but one day, he knew he would be able to wield the power of the higher tiers.

He leaned back, thinking of the credits he had accumulated. It was time to make some choices and invest in the future.