71: The Buzz of Elementis

The outpost was buzzing with activity as usual. Outside, people hurried through the cold streets, tending to their daily tasks, while the constant hum of the wind turbines and distant machinery provided a backdrop to Alex's world. But today, Alex wasn't focused on the outpost's usual activities. His mind was elsewhere, locked into the virtual world where an entirely different kind of buzz was building.

Sitting in his small, dimly lit workshop, Alex leaned forward, watching the console screen closely. The AI had uploaded the weaker versions of his energy techniques—sold under the alias Elementis—to the market just a few days ago, and now it was time to see how they were being received.

"AI, show me the latest discussions on social media about the Elementis techniques," Alex said, tapping his fingers idly on the desk. His heart raced with anticipation.

The AI instantly complied, pulling up various feeds, forums, and posts across multiple social platforms. The screen filled with an endless stream of messages, some from mages discussing the techniques, others reviewing or speculating about them. Alex's eyes darted across the text, catching bits and pieces of conversations that made him smile.

Elementis Techniques: The Early Feedback

Alex focused on a popular mage forum where a new thread had been gaining attention. The title alone made his pulse quicken: "Elementis Techniques: Hidden Gems or Overhyped?"

He clicked on the thread and quickly scanned the first post:

"I've been using the Energy Saber Jr. for about a day now, and I gotta say, it's surprisingly effective for the price. It's obviously a weaker version of a more advanced art, but the precision is what stands out. It's not just raw power—it's more about control. Anyone else tried these techniques yet?"

Beneath it, dozens of comments followed:

"I've been using Energy Ripple, and while it's not the strongest, the push-back effect is solid. Great for beginners or low-tier mages like me who are just getting into energy manipulation."

"Yeah, same here. Static Field is cool for its price. Doesn't deal a lot of damage, but it's perfect for fending off close-range attackers."

"Honestly, for the price, these techniques are a steal. They're simple but effective for what they are. I'm thinking whoever this Elementis is, they've got a background in advanced arts but are catering to the little guys."

Alex couldn't help but smirk at that last comment. It was exactly what he had hoped for. The people buying his techniques were low- to mid-tier mages, hungry for abilities they could afford, and Elementis was filling that gap perfectly. But more than that, it was clear that people were already speculating about the origin of the techniques. They recognized the finesse behind them.

As he scrolled further, he found a more in-depth review posted by a popular social media influencer known as KyraStrike, a mage who regularly reviewed new techniques and had a large following.

KyraStrike's Review:

"I've been testing a few of these Elementis techniques, and here's my take so far:

Energy Cloak Jr.: For a weaker version, it's pretty good. It doesn't completely hide your energy signature, but it's enough to throw off most low- to mid-level detectors. Perfect for stealth missions if you're not up against higher-tier opponents.

Energy Saber Jr.: Like others have said, the precision is what makes this one stand out. It's not just brute force—there's a lot of control in how you wield it. The energy flow feels smooth, and it's easy to maintain for a low-tier technique.

Conduit Spark: This one was my favorite. It's a weaker version of a technique I've seen before, but the ability to transfer small amounts of energy is surprisingly handy, especially in team-based scenarios. I used it to give a small energy boost to one of my partners in a duel, and it made a noticeable difference.

Overall, the Elementis techniques are definitely worth looking into if you're in the low to mid-tier range. They're affordable, they work as advertised, and they seem to be crafted with care. I'm curious to see what else Elementis has in store—whoever they are, they clearly know their stuff."

Alex leaned back, his heart racing. KyraStrike's review was gold. With her influence and following, a positive review like that could drive even more sales. He hadn't expected such a quick, positive reception to the techniques, but it seemed like Elementis was already making a name for itself.

He scrolled further down and found another post, this one speculating on the identity of Elementis:

Speculation on Elementis' Identity

"So who do you all think this Elementis is? These techniques don't feel like they're made by someone just starting out. They've got too much polish. I'm thinking this person's an advanced mage, maybe even from one of the elite circles, who's trying to break into the lower-tier market."

"Agreed. The precision of the energy flow is too smooth for a newbie. Whoever it is, they've had access to advanced arts—no doubt about it. But why sell weaker versions? It doesn't make sense unless they're trying to make money or lay low for some reason."

"Could be someone experimenting with a side business. Maybe even a former elite mage who's trying to make a name for themselves in a different way."

"Whatever the case, Elementis has got my respect. These techniques might not be the strongest, but they're smart. And in the world of energy arts, sometimes precision is more valuable than brute force."

Alex couldn't help but grin. The speculation was flattering, and it meant people were already thinking of Elementis as someone who knew their craft. That was exactly the image he wanted to build—an aura of mystery and competence.

Building Momentum

The buzz around Elementis was growing rapidly. As Alex continued to watch the conversations unfold, he saw more and more people chiming in about the techniques, sharing their experiences and reviews. The market stats showed a steady increase in sales, and the social media chatter was reflecting that growth.

"AI, show me the sales metrics so far," Alex said, his voice calm but eager.

The AI pulled up the data, displaying a graph that tracked the sales of the Elementis techniques over the past few days. The curve was steadily climbing, and the number of repeat buyers was increasing as well.

"Sales have increased by 40% over the past 24 hours," the AI reported. "The techniques with the highest demand are Energy Cloak Jr., Conduit Spark, and Energy Saber Jr. Repeat customers have been purchasing multiple techniques."

Alex studied the data closely. It was clear which techniques were the most popular, and that gave him insight into what people were looking for. Stealth, control, and energy manipulation—those were the top priorities for most mages in the lower tiers.

He sat back and thought about his next move. Now that Elementis had gained some traction, he could slowly start introducing more techniques—perhaps expanding into mid-tier abilities. The goal was to keep the momentum going, but without drawing too much attention too quickly.

The Conversations Continue

He turned back to the social media feeds, where the discussions were still in full swing. Another forum had started a thread about strategies for using the Elementis techniques in combat:

"Anyone have any tips for using the Elementis arts in a duel? I've been trying out the Pulse Burst, but I'm wondering if there's a way to combo it with something else for more impact."

"I've been pairing Pulse Burst with Energy Push. Knock them off balance first, then hit them with the rapid-fire pulses. It's worked pretty well for me in sparring matches."

"Try combining Static Field with Needle Spark. The field stuns them if they get close, then the needle can hit weak points once they're disoriented."

"Yeah, I've been running a similar setup with Barrier Shield and Energy Saber Jr.—hold them off with the shield, then go in with precise strikes. Works great for defensive plays."

Alex's mind buzzed with possibilities as he read the strategies people were coming up with. Seeing how others were using his techniques was both exciting and insightful. It gave him ideas for future developments—he could create combinations that were even more effective or tweak existing techniques to offer better synergy.

Looking Ahead

As the hours passed, Alex continued to monitor the growing conversations around Elementis. It was clear that his techniques were making waves, and he was slowly becoming a recognized name in the energy arts market. The steady sales, combined with the positive feedback and speculation about his identity, meant that Elementis was well on its way to becoming a respected brand.

But Alex knew this was just the beginning. The market was vast, and there were countless mages out there looking for the next big technique. Elementis would give them what they needed, and in the process, Alex would build a fortune in Energy Credits.

"Let's keep an eye on this," Alex said quietly, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "We're only getting started."

As the console hummed in the background and the conversations continued to flow, Alex couldn't help but feel a deep sense of satisfaction. Elementis was out there, making its mark—and Alex was ready for whatever came next.