Chapter 3: Practice
On the third day of my awakening, it was the conclusion of my role as a corporate slave. I planned a meeting with my associates for my business proposal. However, disappointed with the idea of my retirement plan: a café or restaurant business. It failed to captivate my adventurous spirit.
I would rather engage in thrilling exploits, hunting endangered animals in the vast Savannah while outwitting the pursuing authorities. That was my idea for an exciting retirement plan.
I wanted a different path and dedicated my time to mastering my newfound abilities. A god was waiting for acknowledgment or perhaps defiance. I was determined to navigate the dynamics of this divine arrangement.
Looking for loopholes which I learned through years of navigating corporate rules, thinking that it could help me bend the laws of the divine. I thought of asking for assistance from a friend in the Law firm. However, the laws of the divine differed from that of man.
The pursuit of mastering supernatural abilities became my priority, it is a means to an end to my situation. Whether through obedience or clever subversion, my interactions with the gods will be extraordinary. As I practiced, my mind danced with possibilities, I envisioned the day when the gods themselves became the pawns of my grand plan.
In the peaceful ambiance of Shayne's backyard near the workshop, an unexpected guest arrived from the heavens. Unlike the venerable "All-Father," this envoy looked young.
"I bring you tidings from the All-Father!" the messenger announced, hovering before me.
Filled with reverence, I bowed in acknowledgment of the All-Father's generosity and kindness. However, the messenger, dissatisfied with my display of deference, corrected me sternly, "I am just a messenger, do not bow down to me! And, you don't need to hide your true nature from us! Demon!"
His demeanor left me astounded. If the messengers of gods were so tactless, I wondered how the inhabitants of this world managed to maintain politeness and obedience towards them. At least they could have better relations with them, I can't help but pity the denizens of this world. It may be that the pantheon had been lacking in terms of relationship with their subjects.
My momentary admiration for the divine beings waned, replaced by skepticism at their indifference and lack of hands-on approach to their dominion. Lazy bums, indeed, I thought, my amusement tinged with a hint of sarcasm.
"What brings you here?" I inquired curiously about the sudden visitation of the divine messenger.
"I am here to oversee and help you develop your abilities. Don't you dare to use it against the All Father's will!" the messenger issued a stern warning, emphasizing the potential consequences of defiance.
"Of course, I won't!" I hastily assured the messenger, though his skeptical gaze lingered, a display of lack of trust.
The messenger cleared his throat, his expression shifting to a mixture of impatience and duty. "I am sure by now you already know the system."
In an attempt to feign ignorance and glean more information, I played the clueless card, asking, "What system?"
An audible sigh escaped the messenger, his patience seemingly running thin. "I don't want to waste my time here. Defend yourself!" With those words, he unsheathed a double-edged sword, and the air crackled with tension as he launched a relentless assault.
Swiftly, I evaded his strikes, weaving through the onslaught with agility honed through years of corporate life. During moments of respite, the messenger employed tactics, attempting a surprise attack by leaping from the top of a nearby tree. My reflexes, quickened by the urgency of the situation, saved me from an ambush.
"For a corporate slave, you sure are nimble. It seemed like your awakening is about to mature, or should I say half-awake!" the messenger commented, sheathing his sword as a momentary truce settled between us.
Just as the confrontation eased, the system manifested in front of me like a heads-up display (HUD), projecting information directly into my field of vision. The sudden appearance of this interface heightened
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Welcome Lord Elios!
You have unread notifications!
5 messages unread!
Would you like to read them? [Y/N]
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"Yes!" I exclaimed, acknowledging the presence of the messenger and the instructions that accompanied him. The system displayed a total of six messages, one already read and five unexplored, carrying essential information ranging from tutorials and tips to abilities and insights into the intricate workings of the system.
"Listen carefully! Those five messages start from tutorials, tips, abilities, and other information about the system. You can read those later while we do more practice about your abilities and the system!" the messenger directed, efficiently closing the system after delivering his message.
"Interesting!" I remarked, the prospect of delving deeper into the system's capabilities sparking a sense of intrigue.
The messenger, intent on guiding me through the basics, once again opened the system. A solemn reminder accompanied his instructions, emphasizing that the system's assistance had its limits, absolving it of responsibility for potential consequences like exhaustion, breaking laws, or facing punishment for rule violations.
"Concentrate your thoughts now. Picture in your mind the system for it to appear in front of you," the messenger ordered, prompting me to visualize the system.
To my amazement, the system materialized effortlessly before me, a testament to the increasing familiarity with my newfound abilities.
"Now that you were able to turn the system on. Calm your senses and release the tension from your brain. It will take a lot of getting used to," the messenger advised, urging me to relax and adapt to the nuances of utilizing the system.
As I heeded the advice and eased my senses, the system vanished, signifying a successful attempt at controlling its manifestation.
"Good, now I want you to turn on your system again, and I will teach you something important!" the messenger prompted, prompting me to activate the system once more.
The system, seemingly autonomous, navigated itself to the skill tree—a structure reminiscent of video game interfaces, revealing layers of potential and growth.
"You should see in the skill tree your LP or learning points. Those points allow you to learn or improve new skills and present skills. The level of these skills won't matter if you don't master them. Make sure you practice your skills after you level them up. A skill with a huge level and a good mastery will be as devastating as a skill above its tier," the messenger explained, shedding light on the mechanics of skill development within the system.
Examining the skill tree, I noticed three distinct branches: offensive, defensive, and passive skills. The offensive tree offered abilities like telekinetic shock and projectile throw, the defensive tree included skills such as telekinetic blast and barrier, and the passive tree boasted the Rapid Regeneration ability.
"I transfer your screen now to a different panel!" the messenger announced, guiding the system to showcase the summon and auxiliary capabilities.
Within this realm, I observed the SP or Summoning points and numerous silhouettes representing potential auxiliaries and summons.
"Listen closely! Summons may disappear within a period. Auxiliaries, however, stay with you as long as they don't die in a battle or when you release them. They can also be your companion that will follow you anywhere. Choosing between a Summon or an Auxiliary is up to you and how you use them in your strategy," the messenger elucidated, providing insights into the dynamics of summoning allies to aid in my endeavors.
A notification flashed, unveiling two newly unlocked Auxiliaries—a tank-type with a sword and heavy armor, and a support-type, lightly armored and nimble, capable of providing first aid and other support roles.
"I will give you ten minutes to organize your skill tree. After that, we will have a battle in this space," the messenger declared, preparing for the impending challenge.
"Very well!" I concurred, poised to arrange my skills, summon/auxiliary, and passive attributes. With a total of thirty learning points, I prioritized mastering the Telekinesis core skill, spending five points on it. My offensive arsenal expanded with the addition of Rapid Projectile Release, which I chose to master for seven LP, foreseeing its potential tactical advantage in medium-range combat.
Turning attention to the defensive skill tree, I selected Telekinetic Blast, envisioning its utility in repelling enemy attacks. The passive skill remained unchanged, with Rapid Regeneration seeming strategically advantageous.
For summon/auxiliary, I opted for Leniah the Lancer, visualizing her as a front-line defender capable of tanking attacks in melee range.
Having organized my skills, I awaited the messenger's next directive, eager to put my newly acquired knowledge and abilities to the test in the impending battle within this mysterious realm.
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Offensive skills
Slot 1
Telekinesis lvl.5 (Core)
Mastery: Level 1
Cool-down: 10 seconds
Focus points: 10 used in activation, used FP will be refreshed during cool-down.
Slot 2
Projectile Burst level 2
Mastery: Level 1
Focus points: 5 used in activation, used FP will be refreshed during cool-down.
Cool-down: 15 seconds
Defensive skills
Slot 3
Telekinetic blast (Counter) lvl. 3
Mastery: Level 1
Cool-down: 20 seconds
Focus Points: 15 used in activation, used FP will be refreshed during cool-down.
Passive: Rapid Regeneration (No focus points used. 1-minute cool-down.)
Auxiliary/Summon: Leniah the Lancer (20 focus points used for her summon. Unless the summon is undone or the auxiliary dies, the used FP will not refresh.
Total Focus points [25/45]
[User is under restrictions!]
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With a sense of anticipation, exactly ten minutes later, I deemed myself prepared for the challenge. Closing the system, the messenger responded by unsheathing his sword and conjuring a shield, assuming a battle-ready stance. As he pointed his sword at me, the environment suddenly transformed.
Everything morphed into a mirrored dimension. The messenger explained that this shift served that our battle remained secluded, this was to ensure that bystanders wouldn't be harmed or be able to see us.
Embracing the challenge that lay ahead, I cracked my knuckles and stretched, injecting a touch of bravado into the moment. Taunting the messenger, I declared, "Let's get it on!" The mirrored dimension awaited the clash of our abilities, setting the stage for a duel that would unravel within the confines of this otherworldly arena.