Chapter 55: Unveiling Strengths

Almost a month had passed since the recruits of the Stone Tower had been granted the freedom to explore the inner perimeter, and in that time, Abel and the rest of Room Eighty had made significant progress. The days of tentative exploration were behind them, replaced by a growing confidence in their abilities and a deeper understanding of the powers they wielded.

For Abel, his transformation had begun to reveal more secrets. The faint glow at his fingertips, once a mystery, now made sense. He had come to realize that the glowing signified a concentration of mana, one that was attuned to his connection with the stars. The starlight he absorbed was more than just a source of energy, it was unlocking something ancient within him. The fragmented memories of the Star Eater horror, which had initially felt like fleeting whispers, now came more frequently, filling his mind with knowledge he hadn’t learned but instinctively understood.

It was as if each night, as he gazed at the stars, he was unwrapping layers of an ancient power that had been passed down to him. He felt the subtle changes in his body. His heightened senses allowed him to hear the faintest rustle of leaves or feel the most delicate shift in the wind. His eyes, sharper than ever, could pick up even the slightest movement in the dimmest light, making the shadowy depths of the Stone Forest feel less menacing. In fact, in the moonlight or under the scattered glow of stars, the forest became almost a second home.

This connection with the stars was not just physical. It was mental, almost spiritual. Abel had begun to understand how to harness starlight to enhance his agility, speed, and even his reactions. He could anticipate movements in battle before they happened, a gift of both his enhanced perception and the knowledge trickling into his mind from his strange transformation. But the true weight of his power came with the understanding that he was inheriting part of the Star Eater’s nature—a creature that consumed light and knowledge.

The nickname "Stargazer," once whispered in hushed tones and used to mock him, had now taken on a new meaning. Recruits in the Tower began to speak of him with reverence, acknowledging his growing strength. It wasn’t long before tales of his nightly vigils under the stars and his keen abilities began to spread. "Stargazer" had become a name of respect, even fear, as Abel's reputation as a skilled and unique recruit solidified within the Tower’s walls.

Throughout his exploration and wanderings within the tower, he felt a sensation of being followed and watched much more intensely, as if someone in the tower was keeping tabs on him. Abel was only able to feel this presence lightly, and only due to slowly digesting his newfound boons. In addition, some of the other members were experiencing the same, leaving them to deduct that maybe the Tower was somehow keeping an eye on their group in case their transformations caused any type of issue. It made sense to Abel, therefore he tried to keep a low profile so as not to make the higher-ups in the tower feel suspicious of him becoming corrupted by their past experiments.

But Abel wasn’t the only one whose strength had grown. Sena, with his hulking figure and the fiery aura that radiated from him, had garnered his own share of attention. His physical transformation had been the most dramatic of the group. His once-brown hair had turned a deep crimson, and there was an unmistakable pressure around him that radiated heat. It was as if the air itself bent to his presence, growing warmer and more oppressive when he was near. His raw strength had made him a force to be reckoned with, and the recruits had taken notice.

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Sena had earned the nickname Crimson Titan, and it was well-deserved. His sheer physical power, combined with his imposing stature and the chain he wielded, made him a fearsome opponent. Many of the non-gifted recruits kept their distance, wary of his temper and the almost volcanic energy that seemed to simmer just beneath the surface. Even the gifted recruits had taken notice, giving him a wide berth in the hallways and casting nervous glances whenever he passed by.

Isabella, though quieter than the others, had also made significant progress. Her connection with her small, gray snake familiar had grown stronger, and she had been feeding it regularly with the spoils of their hunts. The creature was growing, both in size and in the depth of its connection to Isabella. It was clear that her familiar was becoming a more potent force, and there was a glint in her eye whenever it slithered out of her sleeve to devour the remains of whatever creature they had slain. Isabella had also honed her combat skills, wielding her green Katar with deadly precision. She was quick, agile, and unafraid to get close to her enemies, always finding the weak points in their defenses.

Nando, meanwhile, had been meticulous in his preparations. Though the ruins of the Black Alchemists had already been cleared by the time they found them, Nando had gleaned valuable knowledge from what they had left behind. His aptitude for inscriptions and his methodical approach to battle had made him a formidable strategist. He had gathered various resources, using them to further his experiments and create more powerful scrolls. His ability to fuse magical elements into parchment had reached a new level, and he was always ready with a scroll or explosive charm whenever they encountered danger.

Together, the four of them—Abel, Sena, Nando, and Isabella—had become a formidable group. Their synergy in battle was unmatched, and their combined strength was more than enough to handle the dangers of the inner perimeter. They had learned to trust each other, relying on their unique abilities to overcome obstacles and enemies alike.

It wasn’t just their power that had grown, but their reputation as well. Room Eighty had become known throughout the Tower for producing recruits that were not to be trifled with. Other recruits had started watching them closely, some with envy, others with admiration. The balance of power within the Tower was shifting, and it was clear that Room Eighty was no longer seen as a group of ordinary non-gifted recruits. They were rising, and everyone could feel it.

Abel, now more attuned to the subtleties of power within the Tower, could sense the growing tension between the gifted and non-gifted. While the non-gifted recruits like himself and his friends were gaining recognition for their hard-earned strength, the gifted remained in their elevated position, enjoying privileges and resources that the non-gifted could only dream of. The divide between the two groups had only grown more palpable as time passed.

Yet, Abel couldn't shake the feeling that this was only the beginning. There was a storm brewing in the Tower—an undercurrent of unease that Abel could sense but not fully understand. With each passing day, the Tower revealed more of its mysteries, and Abel knew that if they were to survive, they would have to uncover them all. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: Room Eighty was ready for whatever came next.

For now, they continued gathering resources, training, and preparing for the inevitable challenges that lay ahead. The Stone Tower held many secrets, and Abel and his friends were determined to unlock them, one by one.