[User: Zeke Orland]
[Race: Human]
[Level 2 (27/30 EXP)]
[Strength: 47]
[Agility: 44]
[Aether: 28]
[Fortitude: 6]
[Paths: Martial Arts (1/12) inactive | Aether Voltage (22/22) active | Groundbreaker (1/32)]
[Skills: Fists of Fury(Proficiency 100%) - Aether Control(Proficiency 66%) - Voltage Zap(Proficiency 100%) - Spark (Proficiency 15%) - One-star Side-kick(Proficiency 92%) - Life Motus(Proficiency 35%) - Rune of Life (Proficiency 1.5%) - Voltage Arrow (Proficiency 30%)]
[Available PE: 3]
Zeke was inside his apartment, staring at his Status Window, though his mind was wandering elsewhere. His search for Amelia was, ultimately, fruitless even after confronting Amy. Although it felt satisfying to inflict the same pain she subjected others to, it still did not quell the uncontrollable rage swelling within him.
Now more than ever, he understood the unfairness and misery of life, especially if one lacked the necessary power, literally or figuratively.
“She’s dead. Dead.”
He let out a heavy sigh then laid on the couch, his lips quivering ever-so-slightly. Amelia and He might not have been the best of friends, but their shared circumstances were what gave birth to their recent but strong friendship. They sympathized with each other’s woes and that was enough for someone like him to feel a bit happy. Unfortunately, things came crashing down at a dramatic pace, leaving him unable to deal with the consequences of his actions.
As he covered his face with his hand, the youth mumbled to himself,
“I tried my best… I did.”
His words, albeit clarion, were unable to purge his clandestine thoughts, which were haunting him.
“The killer… did he really kill her? If yes, then why was her body missing? It doesn’t make sense.”
After arguing with himself for an hour or so, the teenager jumped to his feet and slapped his cheeks to sober up.
‘No matter. I will find the truth myself. First, I need enough power to deal with the killer.’
Instead of wallowing in self-pity and blaming himself, Zeke set out to train and increase his stats even more.
During his two confrontations with the black mist, he was able to inflict some damage. However, trying to actually defeat that madman was easier said than done, even with the help of the System.
Back in the warehouse, he had seen Julia in action. He saw how she easily overpowered the bodyguard and how she moved with a ridiculous speed.
Her ability, though not particularly intricate, was extremely strong. It allowed her to control her speed to the millisecond, thus granting her the freedom to deliver rapid and monstrously strong physical attacks.
Instead of getting some rest, Zeke left his apartment and went to the nearby park to complete the Daily Tasks then train in his new and old skills.
Amongst them, Rune of Life, was perhaps the most useful; It functioned as a separate storage that could be accessed to unleash other skills without consuming his own Life Aether. Admittedly, it required a lot of time to fill up, and the process itself was painful, but it was worth the cost.
The second was ‘Voltage Arrow’, which was similar to ‘Voltage Zap’, but it was more potent and could be controlled even after using, meaning that, with enough concentration, Zeke was capable of altering the projectile’s trajectory mid-air.
[Daily Tasks (3/3) completed: +3 EXP | +1 PE]
[You leveled up!]
[+3 Aether]
[+3 Agility]
[+3 Strength]
[You obtained ‘1 skill point’]
[Skill Points: A resource used to upgrade any available/unlocked skill.
Skill Points are rewarded once every 3 levels.]
[Available Paths of Extinction:
Pyromancer Path (5 PE)
Hydromancer Path (6 PE)
Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
Electromancer Path (10 PE)
Fighter Sub-Path (2 PE)
Pugilist Sub-Path (4 PE)
Inexhaustible Path (10 PE)
Pain Junkie Sub-path (3 PE)
Sreyzhanian Rune Path (8 PE)]
The only new available path was the Sreyzhan Rune Path, which definitely had something to do with ‘Rune of Life’. However, as was its wont, the System did not deign to offer any explanation, thus it was left for Zeke to speculate.
Lucrative as the many paths might seem, Zeke already decided on the next objective; The Inexhaustible Path.
His body became considerably stronger, but he still lacked the necessary Stamina to exercise for more time. Zeke was aiming for a bit of flexibility in his fighting style as he needed to be ready for the opponents that use long-ranged abilities and those proficient in close-quarter combat like Julia or Maxine.
Moreover, when he challenged Rodrick, he only used ‘Life Motus’ and ‘One-star Side-kick’, so the spectators did not know about the other, more powerful skills. Only Samuel and Julia were the exception.
Talkative as both of them were, Zeke doubted they’d go around rambling about his abilities.
Julia was a battle-thirsty maniac and Samuel was competitive but otherwise honest and a seemingly just individual.
Zeke didn’t like Julia nor her way of her doing things, but he had to admit that, although she was, wittingly or not, oppressive, she wasn’t as bad as Azmer or Rodrick. After all, she never actually hit him when he was a Defect.
----------------------------------------
The next day, as soon as Zeke left his apartment, he found Detective Vans waiting for him.
“I’ll take you to school… and we’ll talk on the way.”
Zeke did not object and obediently got inside the old and barely functioning car.
“You seem to be a magnet for trouble, Zeke. How can you go alone?”
“Julia was with me.”
“Hah!”
The man scoffed at his words, looking a bit angry. “I’m not a kid, Zeke. Were it not for her, you would’ve been in big trouble.”
“Does it really matter… sir?” Zeke was uncaring about the consequences.
“I couldn’t waste time. They kidnapped and tortured an innocent girl and what were the police doing? Looking for evidence.”
Vans glanced at the gloomy black-haired youth, his impression of him changing with every passing day. First, when Samuel had introduced him, Zeke seemed like a quiet and harmless kid. However, that was far from the truth, especially after Vans saw Amy’s state.
The girl was still unconscious and recovering in the hospital.
“You could be charged with assault.”
Zeke chuckled and shrugged his shoulders, “I was merely defending myself.”
“That’s not what the witness claimed.
“Witness? And who might that be, sir? The bodyguard? Or Julia?”
“..”
After a brief and tense silence, Zeke spoke again, “I understand that you’re only doing your job, sir. But I refuse to stand idly by while those in power toy around with the people around me. Defects have always been a target and incidents like will repeat themselves.”
“Is that why you attacked Amy? To send a message? It sounds childish and irresponsible.”
“So what? With all due respect, sir, would you not have done the same if it was Samuel? Would you really do nothing if it was your son instead of Amelia?”
“...”
The detective could not respond, he directed his eyes to the road and drove in silence.
Soon, they arrived in front of Erys, but before Zeke get off, Vans asked,
“Did you parents check on you? I’ve called them to the station after the killer attacked you.”
“Oh…”
Zeke hesitated and then responded, “I don’t care if they come or not. Thanks for the lift…. Sir.”
…
“You had the audacity to leave me alone yesterday!”
It was time for Professor Nayro’s lesson and while Zeke was minding his own business, Julia approached him. She pursued her lips and feigned anger, but her comment was ignored.
“Ever heard of tact? As a man, you should never leave a girl alone in a lonely and dark place.”
“You’re more than capable of protecting yourself. Then again, I don’t need to say that, do I?”
“Hmpf! Still. I’ve helped you deal with them.”
“For the hundredth time, I didn’t ask for your help.”
“...”
Julia stared at him, her curious eyes glued to the visible blue rune on the back of his hand.
“This is part of your ability, yes? How does it function?”
“Julia! You’re going to be my sparring partner, right?!”
Rebecca, the short girl with curly blonde hair appeared from out of nowhere. She was Julia’s best friend but she was quite an obnoxious snob.
She had the same mentality as Azmer and would often ridicule those of lesser talent than hers, specifically Defects.
She glanced at the stone-faced Zeke then frowned, an expression of contempt plastered all over her round and baby-like face.
“You’re talking to him… again?”
“Hm? Yes.”
Julia seemed oblivious to the change in atmosphere as she softly smiled and stretched her body, eager to begin the lesson.
“I want to spar with Zeke today.”
“What? B-but why?!”
Rebecca pouted her lips, looking sad and wronged. She clung to her friend and incessantly begged her but, unfortunately for her, it didn’t work.
Zeke, who could hear everything, did not comment as he did not care who would be his sparring partner. Moreover, Julia was strong and would therefore be a worthy adversary… it was an opportunity to test his physical limits and see how he could improve himself.
Soon, the spars began; each pair would demonstrate the results of their training so far through a friendly match.
The first two were Rodrick and Azmer, however, their fight was brief and uninteresting as neither went all-out. Evidently, Azmer won with the use of his Pyromancy, which was significantly superior to Rodrick’s Wind Gust.
Impatient and excited to finally face off against Zeke, Julia convinced Nayro to go next. Thus did the two march to the center of the arena and await the Zyth’s signal.
“Remember, this is meant as practice. These words are specifically for you, my girl!”
“I know! Come on already!”
She waved her hand at him and changed her stance, one leg in front of the other and her hands raised and clenched. On the opposite end, Zeke was standing straight, his eyebrows creased.