Power and Jealousy

Mana surged through Erik's brain and flowed into his body as the feeling peaked.

He immediately realized he had just created his first neural link. 

<Oh my god…>

He couldn't believe it. For the first time in his life. A wave of satisfaction he had never felt before washed over him.

<I'm finally moving forward…>

This was much more than just making a neural link, in fact. It was proof that finally his life was turning for the best. 

He focused on trying to figure out to what power this neural link was associated. The others didn't have this problem since they only had one power. They would know straight away to what brain crystal power it belonged to. He had two powers, though, so he had to figure that out.

In the end, he confirmed the neural link belonged to his birth brain crystal power.

<I wonder what kind of improvement this neural link will bring to my power,> Erik thought.

Neural links let mana move through the body better and made their bodies and powers stronger. They also reduced the amount of mana needed to use the brain crystal powers. But beyond these basic benefits, neural links could cause unexpected changes to abilities that no one could predict.

"Status," Erik said. 

—[Erik's status]—

[Host Information]

NAME: Erik Romano

AGE: 16

POWER LEVEL: 27

SYSTEM LEVEL: 7

EXPERIENCE: 662/1,139

DNA POINTS: 350

HEALTH: 620/620

MANA: 530/530

{Attributes}

STRENGTH: 11

INTELLIGENCE: 9

DEXTERITY: 7

ENERGY: 26

Available attribute points:

{Powers}

[Biological Super Computer Powers]

- Brain Crystal Manipulation

Brain Crystal Power Extraction

(Allows the absorption of brain crystals, making the host able to gain the power contained within. Notice: The DNA must be changed in order to allow the body to use the power. See DNA extraction.)

Brain Crystal Power Strengthening

(Allows the gaining of the energy attribute points)

(LOCKED)

(LOCKED)

(LOCKED)

(LOCKED)

DNA Manipulation

DNA Extraction

(Allows the absorption of foreign DNA, making the host able to replicate it inside his own body. Notice: Changing the DNA is a slow process, and it is required to use new brain crystal powers.)

DNA Strengthening

(Allows the gaining of the Strength, Intelligence, and Dexterity attribute points)

(LOCKED)

(LOCKED)

(LOCKED)

(LOCKED)

Analysis

(Gives the host information about his surroundings, plants, creatures, and ores.)

Brain Information Injector

(It allows the injection of information directly to the brain. Based on touch)

Device Manipulation

(Allows the host to manipulate electrical and mana-driven devices. Based on touch)

[Host's Powers]

Plant Growth: Eσ2E-RANKED

(This power allows to make plants grow faster. The speed, the quality, and the size of whatever the user targets depend on the amount of mana used.)

Sharpening: Eσ1D-RANKED

(Makes everything sharper according to the quantity of mana imbued into the item or body part.)

{Skills}

- Mathematics Knowledge (ADVANCED)

- Geography's Knowledge (MANNARD CONTINENT) (ADVANCED)

-History Knowledge (ADVANCED)

-Chemistry Knowledge (BASIC)

-Biology Knowledge (INTERMEDIATE)

-Literature Knowledge (ADVANCED)

- Art History Knowledge (BASIC)

- Economics Knowledge (INTERMEDIATE)

- Music Theory Knowledge (BASIC)

-Kyokar Hand-to-Hand Combat style (BASIC)

—[End]—

As he expected, his overall stats increased. He got a point in each stat aside from energy. 

<I better go to bed. I'm kind of tired…>

It didn't take much for him to wash himself, eat something quick, and go to sleep.

—***—

Erik woke up the next morning after a good night's sleep, feeling energized. He quickly got through his morning routine, checking off his daily quests while eating breakfast.

He went to school. There, he saw the students streaming through the gates. Some walked, while others stepped out of flying cars that landed in the drop-off area.

Erik hated all those people for many reasons, and jealousy was among them. He wished he had a car, so that he would not have to take a train every single day. However, his bitterness faded since he got the system. Now he had something more valuable than a car—his new power and the biological supercomputer.

Last, his awakener status.

Walking through the gate, he saw other students watching him with interest.

<Bastards… Now that everyone thinks I awakened, they are starting to change their minds about me…>

"He came."

"He awakened and still got an E-ranked brain crystal."

<Maybe I should not have jumped to conclusions.>

These guys were the usual motherfuckers they were.

"If I were him, I would be so embarrassed to kill myself."

"What a useless trash; even an awakening could not fix him."

Though, by logic, he would still be fated to become more powerful than them. Yet they were still talking.

Erik heard the comments. He knew why they were saying those things. Well, aside from being pricks, it was also true that most awakeners got huge power boosts when they got their new brain crystal power.

But Erik's case was different. He hadn't awakened normally. Instead, he got his power through the biological supercomputer. This meant he missed out on the usual mana boost that came with awakening. Still, he knew this setback wouldn't last long; in fact, he increased his mana a lot. From one energy point to 26.

He was not the same as before. Better, he would keep changing.

The other students didn't know any of this. They just saw him as weak and an embarrassment to awakeners.

Erik walked through the gate, ignoring the harsh words. 

Near the building entrance, he noticed Conal, Orson, and Logan watching the scene unfold.

Their faces showed obvious resentment. After all, they had to spend a month on cleaning duty as punishment for the cafeteria incident. That someone they considered beneath them had caused this punishment also made them feel worse.

Erik walked past them and went to class. 

…

…

…

<I can finally go to the farm.> 

Finally, lessons ended, and Erik headed out. As he did, Amber, Floyd, and Gwen saw him leave.

"Erik!" Amber said, causing nearby students to stare in surprise.

"Erik!"

But he couldn't hear her; he was too far.

"Amber!" 

Gwen didn't like what her friend was doing.

"What?"

"Watch where you are!"

Amber noticed other students staring at her in surprise—it was unexpected to see a popular student like her calling out to Erik.

Feeling self-conscious about the attention, Amber quickly stopped and joined her friends as they walked to the cafeteria.

—***—

A dangerous creature moved through the bushes and trees near New Alexandria.

It looked like a huge hedgehog with green spikes tipped in black. Its cat-like face and stocky body made it stand out among the thaids living there. 

What was worse, it was carnivorous.

The residents of New Alexandria didn't know it yet, but the creature was heading west toward their city. 

The creature stumbled upon a clearing in the woods. Beyond it, a vast expanse of golden wheat fields. Intrigued, the beast approached, searching for prey.

Moments later, it detected a scent that triggered an instant response. It charged but hit something invisible. Confused, it shook its head, not understanding what stopped it.

It tried again but couldn't get through the invisible wall. The thaid pushed against it, and kept walking along it for miles until suddenly, the invisible blockage ended.

The creature slipped into the wheat field and disappeared, leaving no sign it was ever there.