After Xavier linked the Cards to his Class Deck one by one, he calmly endured the massive information influx. Xavier learned the basics of his new Cards within minutes. Following that, his body underwent a few transformations. He gained experience in climbing and understood how to hold his breath for 10 minutes without any problems.
However, the biggest changes originated from the Minor Physical Resistance Card and the Lesser Danger Sense Card. A ‘new’ sense was added to his existing senses and his body grew more physically resilient than before. The changes didn’t alter the cells throughout his body, but they were still big enough for Xavier to note the difference.
Once the linking process had been completed, Xavier contemplated what he should do next. He had five empty Class Card Slots, and three empty General Card Slots left. Other than that, most of his Cards could be replaced easily.
However, there was not much for him to do…other than training. He might have learned the basics about his new Cards from the information influx, but he had yet to learn how to use them properly in a battle. Xavier had to grow more accustomed to them and turn the Cards into extensions of his body.
A single thought should be more than enough to activate them. Every second was important in a battle so it would help him immensely.
Multitasking was something Xavier was decent at. However, he was not exceptionally good at it. That would have to change now that he had so many Cards to use. His Energy Pool was also way too small given that most of his Cards required Energy to be used.
Fortunately, Xavier could change both factors to a certain degree. He had yet to integrate the 24 Soul Essences he’d procured from hunting with Glut.
He licked his dry lip and smiled brightly.
Finally, I can reinforce my Foundation Orb again!
Since he knew what he needed the most right now, Xavier didn’t hesitate to use the Soul Essences in his possession.
Integrate 14 Soul Essences into the Star of Energy
70/100 → 84/100
Integrate 10 Soul Essences into the Star of Wisdom
50/100 → 60/100
A flood of Energy surged through Xavier’s body. However, instead of passing through him to reach his abdomen, the energy paved its way to Xavier’s chest. It disappeared in his chest that felt like someone was pulling it apart, tearing it from the inside out.
The energy that would have filled his Energy Pool, and expanded it, entered his Soul World right away instead. Xavier didn’t have an Energy Pool anymore. His energy was stored in his Soul World where it was purified and refined into World Energy.
Come to think about it…it felt like the Soul World can store more energy than my Energy Pool could. It takes a while to refine World Energy, which makes it harder to use Cards in quick succession, but it feels like my energy storage is much bigger.
Xavier had yet to finish experimenting with the changes the Soul World had initiated in his body. A lot had changed, but none of the changes felt malleable. There was no rush to get to know everything at once either. Xavier could take his time to study his body and the changes within him to adapt accordingly.
However, Xavier noticed one wondrous thing.
Improving the Star of Wisdom enhanced his quick thinking and memorization. Usually, it was also helpful to have a higher Wisdom Foundation to attain enlightenment and comprehend complex structures. That was also why with a decently high Wisdom Foundation, Xavier had been able to push Air Bullet to the Max Level and experiment wildly with the Common Card.
However, now that his Wisdom Foundation increased further, Xavier noticed that more World Energy was being refined at a time. The refinement process was a little bit faster than before as well. There wasn’t a major difference in speed, but it was enough for someone like Xavier to note.
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Xavier closed his eyes and focused on his Innate Ability. A vast expanse appeared in his consciousness. It looked peaceful and quiet, other than the cocoon of blazing flames that levitated a few centimeters above the ground. Ignoring the blazing fireball, Xavier focused on the surroundings. A huge landscape filled with green shrubs and grass stretched on for as long as he could see. The grass blades swished as a gentle breeze swept past it. There was even a small river flowing through the pains, the sound of flowing water adding to the sense of calm. Though interestingly, the river seemed to originate from the core of the Soul World. It was flowing through the vast expanse unobstructed, the water seeping in through the soil and reaching every little crevice.
Glut was in his evolution cocoon as Xavier named it.
“Is the Soul World larger than before? Oh right, it said that the Soul World would grow alongside my Foundation.”
As long as his Foundation increased, his Soul World would expand and grow more vivid. That was great.
Xavier opened the screen to the Foundation Orb, and his smile grew even wider. The Soul World and the World Energy Card were truly a blessing for someone like Xavier.
Foundation Orb
[Star of Vitality – Novice 50/100]
[Star of Strength–Novice 40/100]
[Star of Agility – Novice 40/100]
[Star of Dexterity – Novice 25/100]
[Star of Perception – Novice 25/100]
[Star of Energy – Novice 84/100]
[Star of Wisdom– Novice 60/100]
His Energy and Wisdom Stars were rather high compared to his other Foundation Stars, but that was expected. Xavier had numerous Cards to use, which required a high Wisdom Foundation to use many Cards simultaneously and in quick succession. As for the Star of Energy, Xavier loved to experiment with his Spell Cards. His Cards required a considerable amount of energy to be utilized. Training and experimenting would take much longer if his energy was always running low.
Now that his Foundation Orb had been upgraded once again, Xavier could rush out of the wilderness and go for a hunt. At least, that was a possibility. However, instead of rushing out, he decided to use the rest of the day to train with his new Cards and study them to the best of his ability.
Several hours passed in the blink of an eye. Training was not as interesting as it had been with Glut around. Now that Glut was busy evolving into a stronger being, Xavier was bored.
He busied himself by training tirelessly, but that didn’t fill in the hole Glut left.
Energy Blade is pretty powerful with World Energy, though Melissa was right when she said that Shadow Blade is a difficult Card and that Camouflage is not as powerful as it sounds. It will be tricky to use these Cards properly.
Xavier lay in his bed and stared at the ceiling, his thoughts going astray. The Cards he linked to his Card Deck weren’t bad. It was just that he was unfamiliar with them. Once he understood their special characteristics, it wouldn’t be an issue to fight against monsters with a much higher Foundation rating. At least, that was what Xavier was certain about.
He didn’t realize when he fell asleep, but the next day he woke up early in the morning. The first rays of sunlight shone brightly through the glass windows. Xavier groaned in displeasure but he got up from the bed nonetheless.
After he used a bit of water from the water tank to wash up, Xavier put on the familiar armor. He fastened the Ruby Katana to the belt and added a small pouch that was used to hold two glass vials. They were filled with viscous dark-green liquid. Both potions were attempts at concocting a healing liquid that accelerated the natural regeneration rapidly. It had decent potency, but the downside was that one would feel extremely tired two hours after consuming the potions.
While it was fine to consume the potions in a safe environment, it could become a burden if consumed in the wilderness. What if you encountered some powerful monsters when the detrimental effect of the potion hit you?
Xavier only carried these potions for emergency situations. He doubted he would have to use them anytime soon, but his mother wouldn’t let him leave without the potion pouch. If he could give his mother some reassurance by taking a small pouch with him, why shouldn’t he bring it? It was not like the pouch restricted him in any way.
Once he was done, Xavier went to the cafeteria, which was nothing more than a few open stalls with dozens of wooden benches and tables spread across the street. At first, it felt a little bit weird to eat in the middle of the street on some stolen benches, but that was how the survivors in Haven lived now. Many things were out of the ordinary, but they adapted. They overcame all issues and learned to move on.
Even now, the survivors tried their utmost to improve their lifestyle. They might never be able to relive the luxurious life of the past, but they could make the best out of what they had.
Xavier dived straight into the wilderness. He activated Camouflage and paved his way through the streets until he reached the entrance to the forest.
Just as he set foot on the wet soil of the forest, a tingling sensation passed through his body.
This was something that never happened, but Xavier could instinctively tell what was going on.
Danger Sense!