Chapter 40: Re: Awakening

As soon as the Quest panel showed up, another smaller prompts appeared.

[Template]

Details: During the mission, there will be two templates that will be generated. One will be based on your true power and the other will be a blank template. Leveling up in <<Aincrad>> can only be done by switching to the blank template while it can't be done using your true template. Once the mission is over, the blank template will synchronize with your true self.

Note 1: Switching between templates has a 10-minute cooldown.

Note 2: You can bring five (5) abilities and five (5) items to be synced in the blank template. Every ten levels, the abilities/items that can be brought increases by one. Once chosen, they cannot be replaced.

[Template: True Self]

Name: Shiro

Level: ???

STR: 225

AGI: 219

(Special Attributes)

WIS: 1,260 (Mana/Aura)

[Template: (Blank)]

Name: (Blank)

Level: 1

STR: 15

AGI: 15

WIS: 15

[Synchronization]

Items: (Blank)

Abilities: (Blank)

Digesting the large amount of information that he got, Shiro realized that this is a mission best suited for beginners. Even though he never knew of <<Aincrad>>, he felt that it'll be much better than doing missions at Shinji's and Romani's world.

The only reason why he breezed through it is that he never encountered any servants during the mission. Since he possessed attributes far surpassing a normal human, it became much easy to eliminate Zouken Matou.

"Hm... I think we should wait for Kuroneko first before deciding on what to do with this template thingy."

"That's what I thought too."

"Then, I'll be off to wash the dishes."

Carrying the used plates to the kitchen, Shiro disappeared from Kal'tsit's sight.

*****

"Hoh... So it's the same world as my [Fragrant Olive Sword]. What a coincidence."

Right now, Shiro is lying down lazily on his bed as he read through the various pdfs containing the light novel "Sword Art Online".

"Unfortunately, ten volumes didn't explore <<Aincrad>> completely. I guess it's time to rely on our inferences again."

In the light novel, <<Aincrad>> only consisted of two volumes. Even though there's another series (8 volumes) called "Progressive" that focused on it, there's still not much information in it. Though, it's still very helpful due to the fact that the known bosses up to the 75th floor is present in it.

Some are only mentioned vaguely in the novel, but it's still better than having no information.

Then there's also the mechanics of <<Aincrad>> which he found interesting. True to its core, Sword Art Online is based on many MMORPGs, allowing him to draw many inferences from it.

"The [Gaming Laptop] did help me in some ways. Right, I still haven't played Kouzuki's visual novel..!"

Realizing that the laptop can do more things than just gaming, he planned to explore it further after this mission. Looking at the [Synchronization] tab, he started thinking about what he would pick.

"I should choose two of my Reality Marbles and Projection for the synergy effect." He thought as he remembered how his other Reality Marble acted similar to a database that stored a weapon's data. In hindsight, it could 'analyze' nearly anything that he brings into the marble. When not materialized, it could still take in effect by using a Structural Analysis spell.

"For the last two... Counter and Bullet Time can work."

Magic attribute doesn't exist in Aincrad, though he got it as a special attribute--something that can be his absolute advantage when the mission starts.

"The robes, staff, mask, and this gun should do..." Taking out [Intrinsic Reaper (S)], he began inspecting its details. Its design looks like a sleek silver handgun, with some runic symbols inscribed on its sides.

Purple lines are present on its handle, serving as the mana converter of the gun.

[Intrinsic Reaper (S)]

Details: A magic gun created by a teacher for his student. It can convert mana into 'magic bullets', a form of spell that can produce different attribute effects depending on the command sent into it. The speed and range of the said bullets can also be controlled through commands.

Note 1: The gun has a supercharged state called [Maximum Charge].

Note 2: In this state, mana will be drained from its user and the surroundings, increasing the effectivity of the 'magic bullets' by 500%. Lasts for 10 minutes. After this state ends, the gun's capabilities decreases by 50% for 30 minutes.

"Choose them... Confirm. That's it."

[Synchronization]

Items: ???, ???, ???, Concealment Mask, Intrinsic Reaper

Abilities: Eternal Sovereign's Throne, Library of the End, Projection, Counter, Bullet Time

Closing the interface, he took out two things from his storage. One of them is the "Buff Upgrade (A)" that turned into a white light before upgrading "Blazing Heart (B)" to "Blazing Heart (A)". In that instant, he felt more attached to the fire elements of Terra.

"Quite a huge increase, I see." He experimented with it by summoning a flame that wrapped his finger. "The quality and quantity of it increased."

After making the flame disappear, he held the small dagger in his left hand, which is the "Concentrated Bloodline Key (S)". Simply put, it allowed the awakening of latent bloodline hidden in one's body.

To do so...

Stab-!

The sound of his flesh, his heart more accurately, sounds painful, though he tried his best not to mind it. It felt very painful right now, to the point that he almost shouted in his room.

Strangely, no blood dripped from his chest, nor there are any wounds. His pupils changed colors as he laid down to a more comfortable position. Orange, deep red, and light gold. He gasped for air deeply as sweat beads dripped down from his forehead.

Shiro didn't let go of the dagger as his eyes widened when he felt something resurfacing deep within him. His body, mind, and soul resonated with the 'thing' as bits of vague memories appeared in his head.

Black and golden lights enveloped him as he lost consciousness in his bed.

*****

Right after Shiro's awakening, certain entities took notice of it--two, in fact. One of them being Akagi who got ecstatic after 'seeing' him more clearly and the other one...

"...Shiro?"

A woman muttered his name whilst sitting in a spot surrounded by mountains of books. She sat in a beautifully sculpted wooden chair as she placed the book in her hand on top of a table.

Her violet pupils shook slightly in surprise as she looked at a certain direction. In the eyes of others, she would look like in a daze, but that's far from the truth. Her reading glasses shone slightly as more power erupted silently form her.

Star clusters zoomed in of her sight as she tried her best to find Shiro. She knew that it wouldn't be able to fully find him due to the sheer amount of distance that prevented her powers from peering into his location.

The wills of several universes aren't easy to be messed with, after all. A few might not be a threat against her, but hundreds of them can trouble her.

Still, she managed to grasp his general location.

"Few thousand universes, but it should still be fine."

Standing up from the chair, her long blonde hair fell up to her waist. After giving a notice of her departure to others, she silently left this world as the library disappeared along with her.