The rank-up process from E to D-rank did not provide the same vast skill choice that going from G to F did, but since the Talent evolved, one new skill was provided, suitable for the powers the Awakener wanted to exercise.

This meant that James had one last choice to make. Ethereal Champion was an indubitably powerful Talent, and even just with the skills he had decided upon, it would allow him to stand head and shoulders above those of his rank.

But the most significant promise of his chosen Talent was that it would temporarily allow him to leave the physical plane. That alone would make him untouchable; all the while, he could still use his own skills.

It was a tantalizing power that James couldn't wait to get his hands on. Thus, he didn't hesitate to begin reading the new choices.

Ethereal Champion signature skill choice:

Ethereal Harmony: This skill enables you to align your physical form with the ethereal plane, granting the ability to phase through solid matter and evade attacks effortlessly. Ethereal Harmony can be extended to objects or allies you touch, allowing for strategic repositioning or escape. Its mastery over the phase between realms ensures safety during transit, preventing accidental entrapment within solid materials. This delicate balance between realms is essential for surprise maneuvers or accessing secure locations, making it invaluable for infiltration or swift exits from hazardous situations.

Ooooh yeah. I can imagine a hundred situations when this would have been extremely useful. Just the thought of being able to sit back and spam attacks is fantastic. I have no doubt it will gobble a ton of mana to make up for the absurd utility, but this is the perfect skill for me. I constantly get over my head.

Soul Echo: Soul Echo allows you to project a spectral duplicate of yourself into the ethereal realm. This duplicate can scout ahead, pass through obstacles, and relay information to you telepathically. While the echo possesses no physical form and cannot interact with material objects, its presence is perceptible to other ethereal entities, making it an ideal decoy or surveillance tool. The skill's unique application of ethereal energy makes it possible to explore dangerous areas or enemy territory without risk to your physical self, providing strategic advantages in surveillance and planning.

This sounds very useful, but it would be redundant to me, especially considering that my enhanced senses already serve as a good scouting skill. Sure, I'm limited to a particular area, but this is not so much better than I'd pick it over Harmony. I can see myself choosing it as a complementary skill next time, though, so we'll see.

Etheric Resonance:

This skill empowers you to harness the energy of the Ether to resonate with the core frequency of magical constructs and barriers, weakening or dismantling them from within. Etheric Resonance can also be tuned to disrupt opponents' spells or temporarily enhance the potency of your magical abilities. By attuning to the fundamental energies that bind the ethereal and physical planes, you can create localized disruptions that serve as robust countermeasures against magical attacks or fortifications, offering both offensive and defensive capabilities in magical engagements.

Basically, it's a better Etheric Manipulation for specific circumstances. I'm sure I could develop it if I took my time, but it would mean shifting my style again, and I like what I'm doing now. Anyway, Ethereal Harmony, it is.

Choosing Ethereal Harmony seemed logical and intuitive to James since it fit seamlessly into his tactics. He hovered over the selection, a moment of hesitation giving way to decisive action as he confirmed his choice. The void around him pulsed once, acknowledging his decision, and then began to fade, the transition back to reality. His senses screamed to him, the sudden onslaught of feedback almost overwhelming.

James blinked, trying to adapt. He found himself once more within the derelict resort's lobby, the musty air and the chorus of nocturnal swamp life grounding him back to the physical world. Night had fallen while he navigated the choices laid out by the System, the darkness outside the broken windows complete except for the faint glow of moonlight reflecting off the waters of the Everglades.

Lauren was conspicuously absent, her own rank-up likely having concluded before his. Mr. Julian, however, was present, a smile gracing his features as he turned to greet James with a nod of approval. "Well done," he said, his voice carrying a note of genuine pride. "Take the night to rest. The power you've just unlocked will take time to master, and while I know you're eager to test the limits of your new abilities, patience now will ensure you can explore them safely in the days to come."

James couldn't suppress a grumble at the advice, the thrill of his newfound power itching at his fingertips. Yet, he knew the old man was right. The sheer scale of the increase in his capabilities wasn't something to be taken lightly. A misstep now could have consequences far beyond personal injury; it could endanger those around him or do enough damage to the area to call the attention of something much stronger than him.

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

And while the old man promised to get us through his month alive and well, I don't want to test his patience with that kind of behavior.

With a resigned sigh, James nodded, acquiescing to the wisdom in Mr. Julian's words. He made his way to the room he'd claimed as his own, navigating the darkened halls with a sense of familiarity that had grown over their short stay. Going through the motions of his nightly rituals, James spared a thought for his other teammates, wondering how they were faring. He settled down for the night, the exhaustion from the day's events finally claiming him as he drifted into a deep, restorative sleep.

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The morning greeted him with the warm light of the sun filtering through the broken windows, chasing away the shadows of the night. James awoke feeling refreshed, a sense of anticipation for the day ahead energizing him as he made his way to the lobby.

Holding myself from extending my senses was much more challenging than I expected. I'm just so used to knowing everything that's going on around me… I almost had a heart attack when I heard that cockroach scuttle by. Well, at least my ordinary senses are good enough that I no longer get surprised by stuff.

Mr. Julian was already there, seemingly having ventured out at dawn to procure supplies from the nearest semblance of civilization. A fire crackled merrily in a makeshift pit, surrounded by stones gathered from around the once-grand entrance garden. Several cuts of steak sizzled over the flames, the aroma filling the air and promising a hearty breakfast for the challenges ahead.

Lauren greeted him with a slanted smile, her bemusement at Mr. Julian's cheerful domesticity evident in her expression. They settled around the fire, observing the eccentric old man move around with the fluidity of a chef as the food cooked.

It's not something I think about often, but having such high stats means that it's so much easier to do any task. An Awakener can do mundane skills like cooking or cleaning with much more precision than the average person despite having almost no experience. Luckily, there is no danger of S-rank Awakeners coming to steal a cook's job. They can make more in one afternoon than a five-star chef can make in a month. Probably a year, to be honest.

The steaks, when done, were nothing short of delicious. It seemed the old man was always full of surprises.

As they enjoyed the breakfast, Mr. Julian steered the conversation toward their recent advancements. "Now that we've fortified ourselves for the day," he said, keenly looking at James and Lauren, "I'd like to hear more about the new heights you've both achieved. James, why don't you start?"

James, still savoring the last bite of his steak, nodded. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, the magnitude of his transformation still fresh in his mind. "My Talent has evolved into Ethereal Champion," he began, his voice carrying a hint of pride. "It's not just a direct enhancement of my psychic abilities. My psychic abilities have increased significantly and I've gained control over ethereal energy, temporarily allowing me to phase shift. I suspect my experiments with mana will also come much easier now.”

Mr. Julian raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Phase shift, you say? That sounds like an exceedingly advanced skill. It's an ability that should serve you well once you have determined its limitations. And there will be, as such power is never without its cost."

James nodded, feeling a surge of excitement at the prospect. “I know. Ethereal Harmony might allow me to phase through solid matter and easily evade all kinds of attacks, but there must be drawbacks. I have a whole new dimension of movement at my disposal, and I can already think of many ways in which it will make me better. I suspect it will guzzle down mana like nothing else to make up for its sheer absurdity.”

The old man nodded, agreeing with the assessment. He then turned to Lauren, who had silently assisted the back and forth. "What about you?"

"My Talent has taken a turn for the... unusual as well. I've ranked up to The Lurking Deep." She answered. Her voice held a hint of smugness, which didn’t surprise James, as he knew she enjoyed being mysterious. "It's enhanced my shadow magic significantly, and I have acquired a few new capabilities that should round me out well. I also now have a terror aura."

At James' curious glance, Lauren hesitated for a moment before grinning. "I can demonstrate if you'd like."

With a word of caution from Mr. Julian to be mindful of their surroundings, Lauren focused, allowing a sliver of her newfound power to surface. The atmosphere around her shifted palpably, the air growing colder as her visage seemed to blur and darken. James, despite his mental fortitude, felt a chill run down his spine, an instinctive reaction to Lauren's aura that bypassed his control.

Her once-familiar face seemed to lose its humanity, replaced by something far more sinister. Her eyes became glassy, with the irises darkening into a bottomless pit. Her hair moved independently, seemingly picked up by an invisible wind. Her skin became bone white and seemed to stretch over her features, granting her an inhuman elegance. Light seemed to dim despite it being the morning, as sinister things lurked in the shadows.

Yet, through his psychic senses, James recognized the artificial nature of the fear he was feeling, understanding its source and managing to compartmentalize the sensation.

The demonstration was brief, with Lauren quickly reining in her aura. The oppressive atmosphere dissipated as soon as it had appeared. Mr. Julian, having observed the effect with a critical eye, nodded appreciatively. "Impressive," he commented, "and potentially very useful in the right circumstances. Instilling fear in your opponents can tilt the scales in your favor before a fight even begins."

The discussion then turned towards the practical applications of their new skills, with Mr. Julian offering insights and suggestions on integrating them into their existing combat strategies. The old man's knowledge, drawn from years of experience and experimentation, provided them with a broader perspective on their capabilities. "I believe I can see a path forward for you both. I couldn't begin planning beyond the bare bones without knowing what exactly you'd turn into, but now that that's done, we can start the real training."

James resisted the urge to groan. It wasn't that he didn't appreciate the old man's help. Having an S-ranker dedicate their time to his growth was a privilege few had. But it would be nice if Mr. Julian could keep the sadistic smile to himself.

Oh well. I'm in too deep now to back down. I might as well get as much out of it as possible.