Warning: System heavy chapter incoming!

The adrenaline surge of victory filled my head and I felt Nievtala’s brief touch on my mind, her approval deliberately tamped down and controlled. I looked at Sybil, raising my fists in celebration, but she was too focused on controlling our newest “domesticated” prey. The magical aid given by Sybil and Shemira specifically was beyond invaluable, since domestication took generations and so much more time than we could afford to take. Even so, the cost to subjugate our prey taxed Sybil and Shemira both, and I watched them both sag as they spent every bit of their magical reserves to calm the beasts before us.

With my primary objectives completed, I gestured for those keelish that stood closest to me to begin the feast. I quickly glanced at my [System], learning that these our latest conquest were called Oxfiends, and the one I’d killed was an “Oxfiend Bull Paragon”. As I continued looking through my [Status], I was surprised to see just how many [Skills] I’d progressed in and demanded that each one to present itself all at once.

[Skill: Quaking Claw; an active Skill that sends a concentrated flow of sonic magic to a specific location. The sonic magic’s vibrations cause the affected area to vibrate in a way that facilitates cutting and tearing. When paired with a sharp extremity or sharpened held tool, Quaking Claw will show its greatest effectiveness. This Skill can evolve. Requirements: Develop a more complete understanding of sonic waves and how to influence them while they are not directly in contact with the Skill holder’s body. Progress: Complete.]

[Skill: Debilitating Diatribe; allows the Skill holder to use their words and lace them with magic to sap energy, excitement, and morale, as well as to occasionally incite obedience in the listener. Once a Skill holder holds both the Skill Debilitating Diatribe and Innervating Address, the holder can discern which individual listening to give either effect. This Skill can evolve. Requirements: Use Debilitating Diatribe as the primary catalyst for the surrender in a hostile force of at least 100. Progress: Complete.]

[Skill: Pack Tactics; a passive skill granted to some leaders whose position comes with a physiological change and/or evolution, especially if their evolution is tied to combat and military guidance. This Skill blesses the holder with an innate understanding of command, allowing for clearer communication on the battlefield, as well as a rudimentary understanding of tactical advantage. Skill Evolution requirements; command 10 large scale battles, each ending in the Skill holder’s foes’ complete defeat. Note: to qualify as a “large scale battle”, the Skill holder must be in command of at least 50 troops. Progress: 6/10.]

[Skill: True Dominance; a passive Skill granted to those who have demonstrated and begun to perfect the ability to force others to obey and submit to the Skill’s holder. Those who have gained this Skill are beginning to understand the path of the tyrant, and this Skill assists them in that path. This Skill grants an improved aura that incites loyalty, obedience, and fear in others. This aura begins to force even those with the strongest will to submit their will to the holder, and allows the holder to more easily dominate those who stand before them, even without violence. This Skill can evolve. Skill evolution requirements: assert and establish dominance over five leaders of groups of at least 100 individuals. Progress: 2/5]

[Skill: Adversary; a passive Skill granted to those who have demonstrated their determination to conquer. This Skill grants an aura that incites weakness, aggression, and paranoia in those the Skill’s holder has deemed an enemy. This aura allows the Skill holder to more easily break the morale of those targeted. This Skill can evolve. Skill evolution requirements: Defeat a foe with a greater Stat total than yourself, without substantial support from any other creature. Progress: 7/10.]

[Organ: Fathomless Sonilphon; an exceptionally advanced version of the rare magic manipulating organ, Sonilphon. This organ is developed by those who have moved past elementary understanding of what sonic magic can do, and are understanding what sonic magic is. The Fathomless Sonilphon’s reserves for magic are expanded greatly from that of the Profound Sonilphon, and the Fathomless Sonilphon’s rate of ambient magic conversion to sonic attributed magic within the organ is enhanced beyond that of the Profound Sonilphon. Additionally, any development of a new Skill related to sonic magic and the Sonilphon will be rewarded with bonus Stats. This organ can evolve. Requirements: evolve two Sonic Magic Skills beyond their initial tier of power. Progress: 2/2]

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

So many changes all at once, but there were three things that caught my eye most especially: [Quaking Claw], [Debilitating Diatribe], and [Fathomless Sonilphon]. Skill evolutions!

[Skill: Quaking Claw has evolved to Skill: Destructive Wave.]

[Skill: Debilitating Diatribe has evolved to Skill: Disastrous Discourse.]

[Organ: Fathomless Sonilphon has evolved to Organ: Perpetual Sonilphon.]

[Evolution of Organ: Fathomless Sonilphon has granted the user +20 Magic.]

[Skill: Destructive Wave; an active Skill whose bestowal indicates that the holder is reaching towards the peaks of previously explored proficiency with Sonic magic. The Skill holder is capable of influencing sonic waves even when outside of the direct influence of their body, and this Skill’s acquisition will display an increase in the holder’s ability to influence all forms of sonic waves, even those nonmagical in origin. The most basic usage of this Skill will allow its holder to send bursts of sonic magic to a location directly within the bounds of their reach, or even beyond, and cut, tear, crumple, or dissolve that which is afflicted. This Skill cannot evolve, but it can be advanced.]

[Skill: Disastrous Discourse; an active Skill whose bestowal indicates that the holder is advancing towards the position of a demagogue, a leader whose words shake the souls of their foes to cowardice and stir the hearts of their followers to violent retribution. The acquisition of this Skill will bless the holder with an increase in the holder’s ability to influence all forms of sonic waves, even those nonmagical in origin. The most basic usage of this Skill will allow its holder to break the will of their dissidents, harness the hurt of the masses, and drive the rebellious to obedience. This Skill cannot evolve, but it can be advanced.]

[Organ: Perpetual Sonilphon; a pinnacle evolution of the rare magic manipulating organ, Sonilphon. This organ is developed by those who have moved past elementary and even advanced understanding of what sonic magic can do, and now understand what sonic magic is. Now, the organ’s holder must conduct true research into the effects of their magic, of the presence of sonic waves in the world, and the mysteries of Elioloi. The Perpetual Sonilphon’s reserves for magic are very nearly limitless, and the Perpetual Sonilphon’s rate of ambient magic conversion to sonic attributed magic within the organ is so profound that even when emptied completely, the holder will quickly be able to use their magic once again. Additionally, any development of a new Skill related to sonic magic and the Sonilphon will be rewarded with bonus Stats. This organ cannot evolve at the holder’s current evolutionary level.]

So many changes… I struggled to fully understand how my body had changed, and while I contemplated as much, I felt my sonilphon swell within my chest. My lungs struggled to expand, my heart thrummed with worry, my throat swelled closed, and my stomach twisted. I gasped, trying to keep myself standing as my body suddenly changed so vastly. It was only after several minutes that I could finally stand steadily, and Vefir had already rushed to my side. I waved him off as I forced myself to take several deep breaths.

“I’ll be fine. Just reaping some benefits from the hunt that were surprising.”

“I suppose that is acceptable, Alpha.” Vefir conceded after he sent a pulse of his magic through me and found no ills to be healed. “But do remember that your continued survival and health is more important than the rest of ours combined.”

I couldn’t hide the frustrated flick of my tail, and Vefir chuckled as he jogged away. Only then did I realize that long enough had passed that Sybil, keeping both eyes on the frightened herd that stood surrounded by ravenous keelish, had stepped close to me.

“Just the genius I was looking to speak with.” I said, smile obvious in my voice. Sybil cocked her head and looked directly into my eyes. “You wanted to talk to me about my [Status]. Now, finally, let’s talk.”