[First, let's start with the Mindarch's touch and your course ïn the Islands of Greatness, known as Gate 2 or vice-versa]

[You've defeated 163 foes in Gate 2 in total, earning you 133 Mana Essences of various grades. This doesn't include the fight against the Low Lich, who summoned a bunch of lackeys who have no touch on this temple. Souls are the reasons why it happens, and your number is lower due to the foes that you've eaten]

[By difficulty, situation, and circumstances, the fighting and worthy Tiers of success have determined order and your points. Tiers and failures are detrimental to the point system but also very important or heavenly. Some take their worth and power for the Sky, others for mud]

[Your evaluation is at 9,450 Points according to the set of your individually based path that includes a pair of Variant Islands, but your Level is mostly derived from your points and successful potential. Your killings and points are detrimental to your level and points are within the rules of this temple]

[Example and reason: points represent purchasing power in this place. Low-level fools shan't have a touch of high-grade essences, thus points are lower. Your level is small because of your less-than-fodder level might. Higher-level individuals can purchase more potent essences, thus their points are astronomically higher. It is due to a sense of balance. Therefore, a lot of points and purchasing power are adjusted by Mindarch in every reward Room or the Vault up to the Level, balance, and rankings of the treasures. In a true sense of balance, it is a worthy idea that stems from many sides of this world]

[How original indeed]

“That is interesting,” Murai said. “I can basically take it as my points are rewards themselves or my validations to this place. Seems reasonable. Getting a million wouldn't be possible anyway.”

[Both Variant Islands were successful at the Satisfactory Tier. Keys had been granted and spent, yet their expenditure has been met with... an error and blunderous ways away from the norm. The Keys are unique to this temple. Their worth is foreign]

[They haven't been nullified and rather taken as notices]

[In terms of the bare minimum of allowed rewards, bypassing the Encounter is still active, yet some troubles occurred within the readings, and margins for error couldn't cope with the changes]

“Wait, what does that mean error and foreign!? They are my rewards!”

Lisa looked at him with some disappointment and kept her silence. She was curious about what will happen. So far, she couldn't help but think something nasty was bound to happen because of this voice.

[The Boosts effectively actives the capacity of your achievement in one of the most battle-focused Gates amongst the starting Gates, which is a bummer if it means something else, or a great merit due to your powerful progress and growth]

[For now, let's begin with the potency and change according to the readings and your achievements in this Gate. They have been tremendous in calculations]

[YOU!]

[Level up]

[Level up]

...

[Level 23 has been achieved]

[A Title has been granted]

[Utter Monster: Grade C Title]

[Effects: Body Attributes are effectively boosted by 10%. Body Abilities will be strengthened for eternity due to your beastly Bloodline and this Title grants powerful notice to the mind. Will +10. All Attributes besides Wisdom have been increased in efficiency, including the bigger threshold to Vitality that affects the Bloodline of your Species the most]

[Cause for the Title: battling, reading of your Bloodline and history, taking damage, fighting for the damned feathered life of yours, and countless tactics and shed of blood]

[That is for your first Title...]

“Haven't I got a Citizen Title? Lisa said it was a Title long ago, and so did Rain from my first meeting of a... Blessed? Huh!?” Murai can quack how he could when the surge of power and voice continued without listening to him. It seemed his questions arrived to no ears.

[Secondary increases of individual attributes are next]

[Strenght +10, current Strenght: 77]

[Dexterity +10, current Dexterity: 71]

[Vitality + 14], current Vitality: 82 - The effect of the Utter Monster increased its efficiency significantly. The Wall is closing...]

[Will + 10, Current Will: 57]1

[Sou Power + 5, current Soul Power: 45]

[Soul Force has been increased by 10 points thanks to your unhinged progression and soul-based attitude. Trials and courage ensured its success, so...]

[Robust Spirit +1 Level, current Level 8]

[All Robust Spirit identity spells have been increased in power, but unchanged in their basis and foundation because of their high class and sensitivity]

[Strike of the Will is incalculable... Strange...]

“Huh?” Murai wasn't sure what implications it had, but anything about souls-based powers wasn't half that bad. He took it for something that was yet to grow or become very important due to his issue with his flesh. Perhaps it could be something like Peak's Fury that changed without its usage? He wasn't sure about the rules of their changes, so perhaps it won't change if others can't calculate his soul or head. That would explain a lot of things.

[Breach of protocols has been notified and taken into the equation. A new note has been found and deemed as unclear and mandatory]

[Wisdom Attribute has been destroyed]

[A new Title has been acquired]

[The One Who Knows]

[Wisdow's destruction grands a new Attribute: Knowledge]

[Knowledge: +1, current Knowledge: 1]

[+98 Knowledge]

[A Wall has been met and due to the significance of knowledge, it has been halted]

[Effects of The One Who Knows and its reason: Due to the intellect and depth, it is the knowledge that describes wisdom. A change has been issued]

Murai was once again surprised and disappointed. A change in attribute was a new thing to him. Wisdom and Knowledge sounded about the same to him, so he wondered what it meant, but the voice didn't say anything more about it, or what this second Title meant.

[Corresponding body and bloodline-related abilities had been recalculated, new additional spells and finding of important aspects are next]

[Beak's Blitz has been increased in power. +2 Levels]

[Fatality has been found and calculated]

[The current form of the Blitz is following...]

[Beak's Blitz: It is an accumulative strength of the Anatidae beak attacks that tampers with physical potency, speed, momentum, Bloodline, strikes that go through the spine, core, neck, head, and overall velocity]

[Official stakes in building up the Fatality under Blitz's unique move: 10 hits {caused or taken by the beak} are up to the Weak Fatality, 30 hits are up to the Strong Fatality, 60 or more hits are within the limitations of the Fatality, your flesh, head, or potential. It can fail, hits can lose their efficiency in reduced momentum, and Fatality could dissipate like the Peak]

[Effectiveness of the Fatality adheres to Blitz's leveling. Your current knowledge of this ability is effective]

“Not bad at all!” Murai would cheer if he could. Surging power was turning quite strong, so he wondered what else was about to change after all that he killed and endured. Perhaps he will get something about his Shaping? He got the first look into his Heavenly Shaping by unlocking that Manual, while his Levels were in great limits.

[Second beak-related power has met its unique condition]

[Beak's Peak has achieved Level 20. Its new Evolutionary Path has been unlocked and granted]

[Starting the process of chance and choice...]

“CHOICE?” Murai quacked as if shocked and afraid, almost shuddering as if he saw the sky turn red.

[Panacea and your current Bloodline have multiple layers and choices upon the rising power of your Peak. It works differently from the normal evolution path like Beak's Fury or Mana Detection, as Peak has certain privileges as prime power of your species, alongside other things]

[Unlike the Fury, which was specifically set into new motion by Mindarch, Peak has better privileges by following leveling progression and a unique approach due to your species. The Peak doesn't change much. It can't do that by its origin and ideals, but it can shift in many ways akin to a spell]

[Such abilities are always more potent and nicer than the cheapest ways to overcome certain limiters or lacking acts]

[Level 20 Peak gives you a choice out of three possibilities under your Bloodline, accomplishments of your Peak, and overall power of your physicality and your higher-than-average attributes]

[Choice 1: Peak Layering]

[Choice 2: Peak Explosion]

[Choice 3: Peak Strike]

[Which one do you want to unleash and learn?]

“I can decide for real... Oh, my dreamy seventh hell!?” Murai was shocked. He had never gotten such a choice out of this Will of the Battleworld. A lot of things about the Boosts weren't up to their taker. Everything was set in stone, yet some bits of what Battlewill said seemed somewhat... decent. A choice was due.

He was surprised by good reasons, which Lisa took with no surprise. She winced beside him and spoke to his soul, hoping her voice wouldn't butcher or anger anyone, Murai included.

“Don't worry about it, Murai Hisagi. Choices are rare additions that can come in many ways. This is about your species and the leveling process you did with your Peak. State your wish. This is an extremely good news! Choices are rare in terms of bloodline-related abilities. Means you have a pretty good foundation and Bloodline, while this choice means an inheritance and a gift akin to a Blessing.”

Murai took her words for what they were: a little helpful. “Aren't a lot of Boosts like that?”

“Well,” Lisa paused in an awkward timing, “yes... That is true.”

Murai couldn't decide on his choice so she mentioned something else after noticing that Will of the Battleworld was silent, waiting, or calculating something.

It was as she thought. Murai finally cracked something that he was bound to. It was good news for her and something gratifying.

“You can ask for further validity of these choices. Information requests do that. Battlewill mentioned it not that long ago. You see... It's valid right now. Not before. I could've mentioned that before, but what's the point? ” She excused herself again, noticing that Murai was a little bit angry deep down in his soul. Because of the ongoing boost, he didn't make his anger physical.

Murai took it with a sneer and did as she said. “What are the choices? Peak is Peak, so what to make of that?”

His quacks seemed to work.

Some noises spread and Will of the Battleworld spoke in its reasons but in a rather shaky, squeaky, and machinery voice.

[Requests granted]

[Peak is the strength of the beak and mana, stemming from the brutality that Anatidaes can unleash from their core, momentum, necks, spine, and flow, and pointing it to a single way ahead. For the next course of the Peak after its initial leveling process at Grade C, there are many variants of them in their mighty changes]

[Layering]

[It is a popular way to handle many things in many Paths and abilities. For Anatidaes, Peak Layering is simple like what many paths or species decide on. Numbers are often a nice weapon and the elemental method of increasing the strength of the spells is by working with layers. In numbers, there is strength]

[In Peak, it works wonderfully by layering Peaks on top of one another, giving it more power, savage flow, toughness, rougher truth to the core, quality of Vitality and Strength, and your body takes Layering as a hidden massive storm that can impact physicality and the outside world]

[It isn't recommended for a Child to layer it too much]

[Explosion]

[Concidently, it has a similar style to the Peak that you've seen in Levandis's little toy. Yes. We watch and know everything. Hah!] Mechanical squeaky voice laughed as if making fun of someone. It sounded far too emotionless and dry.

[Peak Explosion works mainly through the external workings of condensing mana and neck's movement, making this Peak visually striking and massive in terms of mana. Peak in this variant has less flexibility than all the others combined. It has a tougher flow, but it is full of power that could become substantial and rather simple in its approach, turning the Beast Core into insanity and unleashing a devasting strike that doesn't require too much attention other than going all out]

[Unlike Layering, this is an ability with clearer setup and tougher handling. It is amongst the strongest Peaks that inherits its strengths to the following choices and leveling changes. It can be the most devastating]

[Strike]

[This is one of the most complicated Peaks to master and figure. What makes its aspects isn't the norm, or when it comes to the other Peaks. It has a focus on flexibility, speed, and range, so this Peak lacks the strength, but it assumes more power in other forms. It has certain ranged properties and Shaping potential by dulling certain savagery to other uses. Such a Peak can be heavy, dense, and sharper than the others. It is easy to learn at first, but tough to master, and harder to truly put to greatest use]

[That is that]

[Peak is Peak, but it has its usages now, so choose yours]

Murai was spooked. He loved all choices far too much than he anticipated.

And he also learned a ton out of a few messages. It mentioned good examples and great information about the difficulties of each Peak and how they performed.

Forcefully sitting in the stress of the Boost and this message, he glanced at Lisa aside. “Seems to me such choices would be better if these were under every evolved ability or everything. Why did Fury or Detection not get this?”

“Have my guesses,” Lisa said. “Simple. They have no choice due to difficulty, growth, or balancing sense of limits. Peak is special because of your beak or Bloodline. Fury wasn't strong enough for this choice, or you weren't using it enough. You used Peak extensively. Detection is a magical ability, while Sonar is.. still magical, but it is possible to see it across other species, let alone races. Mana isn't so petty, you see. Birds have them very often, but it depends on their mana and their other aspects. Blitz wasn't a choice as this voice said. And yes. I agree choices are good. Like evolution! This should be the norm.”

He kept staring at her, even though he felt shaky when she agreed with him.

“I won't decide for you.” She said bluntly. “Do what you like. There are bound to be no terrible choices.”

Sighting, Murai knew that, but he was curious what she would think was best. Peak Explosion and Peak Layering sounded the best. He wasn't lacking in range because of his overall magic, so Peak Strike was out of the question. Peak's brutality was far too good to change. It was his best close-quarters weapon.

So he chose the best of it, even though it was subjective.

“Peak Layering.”

[Acknowledged]

[Beak's Peak has evolved to Peak Layering]

[Peak Layering: Same as with the normal Peak, the layering grands ability to add more flow and power, thus channeling is decreased significantly, its efficiency is highlighted, and depending on the input of your mana, layering might get easier or more difficult]

[Low Output: Range of channeling half a second to two seconds]

[Medium Output: Range of channeling, three seconds to four seconds]

[High Output: five seconds and above]

[Layering has a limit of ten Peaks, with each Output being important to overall strength. It is your current limit so think of Layering as a potent tool that could shatter your neck, body, and mana if you aren't careful. Or try it all. Who cares, right?]

Murai grunted something but liked how this new Peak sounded.

[Lastly, this Layering is not subject to Peaks alone. All sorts of abilities could have it, as it is a popular method of increasing power in the Battleworld. For you, it provides a unique set of leveling progression. Peak leveling will add new layers, add improvements in Outputs and channeling, and Peak's overall quality could shine as you move towards Level 50]

[Learn, train, and improve it on your own]

[Grade B]

[Level 21]

“Impressive!” Murai cheered. “Nice.”

Boost was far from being over.

[Now, for the magic]

[Power threshold has been slowly creeping into the Limiters, thus many things moved to a new direction that is subject to the rules of the Codex, species, and you. Mindarch and we worked side by side... unfortunately, creating or deciding on the new formats and norms]

[However, your Mana Flow is stagnant. Further strengthening requires a stronger source of mana. Care for your Beast Core is recommended and improving it is mandatory]

“Whatever. Don't need that. Continue and give me what I want!” Murai long ago realized that his action of halting his Beast Core's progression regressed his possibilities. It was a miracle it didn't give him massive troubles in Gate 2, which was something Lisa acknowledged but hardly voiced. It wasn't as if Murai had only mana for himself.

If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

This message was exactly what he expected, and Mindarch or Will of the Battleworld can't help it. Cores were one of the most important powers of magical beasts or people in general. Increasing them was subject to them alone. Wil of the Battleworld rarely increased the Success of the Mana Cores, while the Grade of Mana Flow was nothing but an acknowledgment that the flow of mana was getting better.

Murai squeezed it shut without giving it any chances since his Fusion was bound to shake the norm of this world.

They could forcefully improve it if it was laughably weak, or evolve it. They could do it! Grand it. Change the living as evolutions did for eons.

But out of some respect or plot, they kept Murai's core intact and unchanging. That was perhaps for the better since they couldn't touch one thing that was as unnatural as it could get.

Artificial Core and his Core Defying Fusion Technique weren't of this world, while Murai's ideas and other things were the same. Still, he got some levels for his various spells and magic-based abilities because they weren't of high level or Grade anyway. He also got some other readings he expected, extending already established abilities or spells.

Mana Sonar got a couple of levels for the start because he used it very often in this Gate. Soul Read was the same with two new Levels. Mana Arrow and Mana Spear got five Levels each, and Flame Shot got four.

Mana Pool was increased by 100 points. Affinities remained the same, similar to the locked abilities like Soul Lock, or Soul Manifestation.

[Next, there have been some forceful touches by Mindarch interventions. They were looked at thoroughly, forced, adjusted, or accepted]

[Mana Shaping has been expanded by service of Heavenly Shaping Manual found in this temple]

[Level 20 has been reached]

“I knew it!” Murai cheered in his mind.

[Unique sets of skill sets and Heavenly Shaping individual properties and privacy have been administered as Private Manual. It hasn't seen its glory in a long time, so take care of it because it is outside of the Codex. You've seen its cases and its depths, so discover them on the way to your future, as the owner and taker of the Heavenly Shaping Manual]

[On the core, Heavenly Shaping is the same as Mana Shaping, but because of its ancient teachings, it has various unique learnings and sets of expectations, or styles, constructing it a Legacy Manual. Many of its problems and stakes have been calculated and known since more than fourteen millennia ago when Pillage Emperor created this technique]

[Frankly, we know what it does, and what it means]

[Under its pages lays many stages, minor abilities, perks, or moves that shall be locked and unlocked under your grasp. It will be stated under our acknowledgment, but its power is fundamentally yours]

[Heavenly Shaping is unique. It shan't be overcome by Boosts or gifted our blessing]

[Overall, Heavenly Shaping will involve all of your mana-based spells and abilities. There is some limiting factor when it comes to your body and Bloodline, so it isn't clear under any readings history or plausibilities under our research]

[Thus, Mana Shaping changed to Heavenly Shaping]

[Grade: Unique]

[Level 21]

[Leveling of Unique Grade Fundamentals is unlike the norm. Heavenly Shaping has certain edges and limits to the overall course of the Codexes and limits]

[Improve it and give it some edge or training]

[Future awaits it as it is now your primary method of handling all mana. Too bad if it is terrible, isn't it?]

[Hopefully, your Beast Core won't complain to you later]

“Wait! Got it acknowledged, but...” Murai said in shock.

Lisa rolled her eyes. “Heavenly Shaping, huh? You've got it fair and square. Good. This seems normal to me, but it should be troubling in readings since you haven't gotten much out of it yourself. No time, no gains. You will learn through it in the upcoming Gate. I swear that to you.” She said, speaking to him as if she was a lofty queen.

Murai figured that himself, so that was why he was a bit surprised it got even changed. He wasn't even aware that Shaping would change at Level 20. He thought it would remain the same without any evolving and act as a foundation with simple acknowledgment like Mana Flow. But it can gain some edge or something neat. Foundation to magic sounded way too general to be under any evolving.

It was one of the rare things Lisa told him about in recent days that had at least some point. Without changing, Shaping was known by its name alone. Perhaps some title, explicit name, or implicit before Shaping would be the biggest changes. Like getting some Shaping mantras by unique affinity-based Shaping Manuals and so on. The change would end in a name like Fire Shaping, Chaos Shaping, Void Shaping, Blood Shaping, and so on.

Heavenly Shaping sounded... far too lofty, or exactly how Pillage liked it.

[Heavenly Shaping is a unique power, so for the time being, it will get a flexible nature without further readings. Learn and do what you ought to do with the legacy set by the Pillage Emperor]

[Its privacy ensures a certain privilege as you've unlocked its power from a Unique Level Mana Tome, known as Technique Manual. Congratulations. You've found yourself a treasure that is worth a fortune, deaths, Breaches, and many heights]

“Oh well...” Murai sighed. “I guess I will have to learn more about it and give Pillage more visits.”

“Visits?” Lisa frowned and jigged a bit closer to him, even though the Boost was in her way.

“Not now.” Murai shot her down because Boosts weren't over.

If he remembered correctly, there was one more spell that was close to the limits. It happened at last! His blissful timing of history and his memories. His numerous tribulations paid off.

[The last thing that reached its first limit is a combat spell: Proper Mana Blade. In its normalcy, it is neat, strong, and simple. There is no change in its validity, power, or time, but it is time to change its core vision]

[Proper Mana Blade has been changed to Sharpblade. Its density and Shaping over the varying Mana Flow and Sharpness Affinity have reached enough power. It qualified for a new structure. It won't change much because of the nature of Sharpness, but Sharpblade is a similar story to Beak's Fury that changed to Blitz.]

[It has incredibly elevated Shaping, Sharpness, and handling ceiling, similar to the differences between Fury and Blitz]

[Sharpblade isn't the normal change from the Proper Mana Blade because of your mana, core, styles, Sharpness, and overall readings. It is much better than the average Mana Blade because Sharpblade is set by your strong and newly changed Shaping that can touch and improve all of your spells or mana abilities]

[Also, its creations were set upon intense and insane handling, a potential that seemed not enough for Mana Blade, regular Shaping, Sharpness, and your style]

[Thankfully, you've got the changes gathered, so the Proper Mana Blade changed to a significantly improved Sharpblade]

[Its strength, potential, and Sharpness has been increased exponentially.]

[Grade C]

[Level 21]

“Oh! A C? Is it on par with the Blitz? Close enough, I suppose. Nice.”

“It was great under your Shaping. That is why your kills with it have been overkill with such things as Proper Mana Blades.” Lisa explained the obvious things she had said to him numerous times.

[Due to the Sharpblade's existence, you can now accept and follow a Martial Art Path or some kind of Swordsmanship. Would you like to choose from the recommended swordsmanships under your Bloodline legacy?]

Murai paused.

Lisa's face visibly shuddered and convulsed. She didn't expect such treatment in any way.

Yet it happened.

“Nah,” Murai refused, thinking that choice wasn't for him. He had his head full of memories of various mana-based swordsmanships, and his memories with Sharpblades were estimated in numerous lives. Few things could stop him from giving his memories some tries.

And hearing some suggestions was unnecessary.

But there was a bummer in the way.

His body was bound to a fitting choice and suggestions, meaning that the Will of the Battleworld could gift him a blessing of knowledge, and give or save him a lot of time. Murai had a unique life, which might trouble his memories. He wondered what swordsmanship he should choose, or if he was in a good spot to think of it.

[Very well. Choices have been extinguished. Paths have been nulled]

[Choose yours and act on them under your care, create one, or get going without one. That is fine too, considering your reliance on us is validating, for you are reliant as Blessed and someone who needs us]

Murai accepted his choice.

His magic was rich in potential, but it could be much better because of his Cores. Murai was a bit stingy in his tactics. There was no helping it. He was overly focused on mastering and familiarizing a few things at the same time while squeezing his magic down. Such tactics weren't popular in many parts of the world because Boosts helped with many changes and shifts for those wanting it.

Boosts ensured some help, familiarity, efficiency, and learning. Those taking it as such had a quicker rise to power than average. Leveling and evolving some abilities followed the same trend and worth, though one could follow them under their distinct ideas and less reliance on outside influence.

If Murai was honest, he was half-depending on the Boosts themselves, and half on his own efforts and skill, which then influenced the Boosts and those readings.

Ultimately, Murai got what he deserved, or perhaps even more because of his squeezed potential. Titles were new to him, and he got two of them in total. Leveling and the rest of his transformations were just accomplishments akin to achievements.

The blessing of the Boosts was the knowledge itself while evolving abilities were bound to transformation. They happened because of Murai's achievements and were gifted by it as well. Without it, could he learn evolving abilities by himself?

Yes.

It was a bit difficult process, but it was a truth to how one perceived the Boosts.

Gradually, that idea will awaken a monster with no bounds.

[Well, this has been.... good?] The squeaky voice said hesitantly next, shuddering bits of the power floating around the room.

Murai was still thinking about what he had gotten. Lisa was unknown, silent, and not telling anything. The Titles shook her and the way this Boost acted gave Murai many things.

[Further actions and ideas are restricted... Citizen. B-breached? What is this?! Mindarch!? What are you doing!? This isn't what is promised]

[What in the time!] Mindarch's voice spread around the room, cleansing the Will of the Battleworld's various tones with new ones. They mashed together, shouting and speaking at the same time, turning the whole Boost and room into chaos and a weird aura. This time, Mindarch was the invading force.

[Go away! The minimum gains of this Boosts of the Battleworld have been issued. It won't change! It is done. Finished. Shoo! Go away] Will of the Battleworld forced.

[I bet this isn't fitting to end this one on such a note. So much more is missing when it comes to this one. Say what you are hiding and limiting! I know you do it!] Mindarch demanded.

[What? Why!? What is this Authority? Is Levandis taking this to the lengths she doesn't want to bear?]

[Shut up. Speak up.]

[This is a Breach of privacy! Out... before...]

The grey fog spread around the walls and Mindarch pressured the truth.

[Wait... Wait... Issues can be resolved. Finished too! Citizen is problematic fellow. Finishing the Parts of the Encounter still takes some fort of the interest and the situation under his acknowledgments and achievements are finite like his age. You knew it yourself, fool!]

[That, I know.] Mindarch acknowledged. [They don't. You don't know the height of it as well.]

Murai and Lisa were listening to an interesting show, even though the surroundings tensed and they felt like two little candles in the middle of an insane storm.

[Gaining full assessment and access is complicated like all things with Breachers and... other problems. You know why it happens. Don't pretend you are more than what you are, tool]

[That is good. Whatever. I learned enough with this little reading. You all are keeping some rules still. I will seek them eventually or Breach them myself. See ya.] Mindarch grunted and disappeared, leaving Will of the Battleworld fuming in anger and squeaking noises.

“What the hell was that about?” Murai wondered.

“I think he wanted to help you,” Lisa said, frowning.

“With what?”

“I think... some things are still hiding and looming over your head more than we thought. Mindarch seems to know something we don't. I am curious and upset it is so strong.”

[Ugh! That wasn't necessary at all. Mind the Mindarch to be a bother. There are still voices to be heard] Will of the Battleworld continued and pretended that everything was fine.

It wasn't.

[Citizen, are you willing to hear a slight heads-up for the potential readings? Mindarch crashed our party. A crisp knock on the future is thus granted as you wonder about the troubles he mentioned. It isn't fitting to go deep for now, but... it is what it is, and I am... Wait! What ar....] The voice suddenly turned vivid, turning deeper, and asked a question without any annoying soul constructs in sight.

It wasn't a regular practice, which Lisa understood. Murai frowned in his expression, hearing everything the same.

Should he put his Will to the test and ask more questions? Would the answer be true, or did Battlewill speak by coincidence or excuses? He was still questioning its tones and state of existence.

Could he even talk with this... messenger that seemed to change in its range of tones, as if more people were behind this mess?

“Oh... Yes? Sure. I am willing. Talk? How can we even talk? Huh.”

[You always could. We just didn't bother. Ugh] Then, the voice turned back to normal as if business was more important. [Apologies. The authorization has been denied]

“What the fuck is going on?!” Lisa suddenly shouted, pissed and angry, furious and questioning this whole situation more than Murai did.

[Authorization has been denied under Rule X01. Course: Ruler]

[Continuing the message]

[A slight heads-up is the following: numerous new equipment pieces have been detected and denied. Their attributes, abilities, Grades, and everything else will be delivered at a later date]

“Hey! Don't ignore me!” Lisa demanded, but this voice didn't care for her at all.

[Furthermore, major changes in the sub-species evolutions have also been detected, along with the subjective flow of workings of mana, unauthorized processes, and Breaches that adhere to the Taboo Powers. At least a pair of evolution choices will be seen through, allowing you to see requirements for the new set of evolution, their Walls, limitations, and other things]

[You have been denied]

[Information is nulled]

[It will get clearer at the due date. The Body Section will be opened, allowing you to see the worth of the attributes, certain spells, titles, blessings, or equipment. That will go after your part of the Encounter is over, this temple is gone, Encounter is changed, for they are a Breach of Protocols]

[Abilities will get stronger, following the potential evolution of your choice. Of course, you might refuse them and wait for your Limiters to get better evolutions to your choices. The choice is yours, after all, but one shouldn't be stingy and question the way of nature. Influence Items are the same]

[Lastly, further changes in your tries, comprehensions, paths, and upgrades over your tries may give birth to new changes at due or unknown time, or yourself. Time is fast, and you aren't quick, or too quick and problematic in certain areas. Breaches do that, while... authorizations touch the rest] The tone turned hesitant. [Care for your points next, unless you want to regret it]

Then, the voice disappeared or turned its attention beyond what Lisa or Murai could comprehend. It was possible. Mindarch did something he shouldn't have done.

Certain things were turning weird, the flow began to change, and be it Breaches in authorizations that everything under Will of the Battleworld acted with, troubles that lurked in the shadows or straight in the open fields were hard to tame.

Outside of Lisa or Murai's views, they waited.

However, Lisa wore a hideous expression, as if knowing what just occurred, or knew the meaning of how troublesome this all was.

Murai wished to speak of it, but then, the room turned to the void, the world turned upside down, and Boost exploded from outside to his insides, hitting him with such a force that he shuddered and squeaked like a toy. It was more savage than ever before, due to a massive shift that finally came to his life.

Lisa wanted more.

She was greedy,

She also realized that the world wasn't ready and obscured Murai in every kind of way.

But it couldn't stop everything.

It felt like an endless storm to Murai. Everything was affecting his mind and body, including his soul. All the readings and messages he had gotten changed, giving him comprehension, of the effects of both titles and the blessing of this world itself.

He cherished it all, unlike many other Breachers.

A massive surge of intangible waves and hands enveloped his body, going deep to touch his soul space and mana space, and knitting everything under the power within this world. It was changing him, shaping and molding him according to the Laws of this world.

It was giving him things he hoped for, yet he took it weirdly. The world, emotions, and his body were all twisted up in power that wrestled with some authority, creating pain and storming changes in his advancements.

And it went on... and on. Not stopping, it kept going for minutes that felt like hours. His body collapsed to the table, but he forced his mind to work through it like going through many Ends.

Until that idea collapsed as well, and the world turned blank. There was nothing... He was nowhere. Dreadful Void and Null were here, or everywhere, endlessly hungry for more of nothing.

It kept happening and kept going for a time that felt like infinite seconds, or it was days that felt like seconds? Murai wasn't taking it well, as his soul went through touches like this before. By whom? Where? Why did it feel comforting and so intense and insane that he felt like breaking into thousands of pieces?

What shouldn't have happened? What should?

He felt different, until the world and his feeling turned around, upside down, or stretched out.

He felt like a rollercoaster through the Chaos Space, but it wasn't that in the slightest. This was weirder. Then, he woke up, unsure if he was even sleeping or simply felt weird or drunk. Eyes heavy, he took the Boost like a typical person for the first time.

Lisa looked worried beside him, knowing that he shouldn't be like this. Something weird was happening in his or her mind, changing her more.

Her current face was no longer ugly, but worried and confused instead.

“What happened?” Murai asked, barely able to flinch a feather and quack together. At least his Will still worked with weak noises coming out of his beak, or Lisa heard his Will anyway. Lorry aside from them barely mattered.

“I have no idea. Which is a problem.” She grunted. Lorry wasn't under the picture. Scared skull was hiding under some gems, pretending to be part of this Gold Room as some decoration.

Murai gained a lot his time around, yet the workings and situations weren't the greatest.

“Mindarch!?” Lisa suddenly shouted, ignoring Murai's change and shifting to something bigger.

Nothing happened. She couldn't sense or know if something changed, so she turned to Lorry who kept pretending to be a skull decoration.

Murai got to his feet slower than usual, observing his body that still had its hoodie. He had trouble figuring out any obvious changes. Had he grown? Doubtful claim. Feathers did increase in fluffiness and glint, but the color scheme didn't change. He was still the same height, while... he felt weak.

Usually, Boosts felt refreshing.

He felt weak spiritually, but in body, he felt... dull. After Gate 1, he gained a lot of power because he was in a good position and his levels, while this time, he finally overcame many other starting limits. This was the first time he felt tired after taking Boosts to his body.

Then, his mind stiffened.

Knowledge felt heavy as if he fell numbed and forced into a box too little for him.

What was that feeling?

He went beyond Level 20, which was a good starting stage for most insane species, but Lisa hardly found it important. There were dozens of more interesting things besides that. Leveling held limited value to his overall picture. His talent was far too foreboding to make more sense out of them, though Murai would disagree with that.

He will gladly grow on his own or with something like Boost if it was fine enough. The ending results will wait for later, in time when his change shifts.

Murai took a deep breath and overcame the weakness.

It seems my core is an issue. Spells and magic are restricted by this powerful entity-bullshit. Not the body, it seems, or other things like my soul is included? I can grow without something foreign thing, yet could I do it that well right now? I mean... this life is stupid. Beak got yet another upgrade, so why am I complaining? Got two Titles as well! Some things are simple, others aren't, so is it good? Hell, maybe all things are clutched like my head right now. What a bummer...”

“Don't you find it strange?” Lisa asked him, frowning and looking around the ceiling. By now, most of the forces of Boosts disappeared, leaving the room glistering with valuable loot.

“Be more specific. What is strange, walking on two and wearing a hoodie?” He wished to chuckle, but his joke was a bit dry.

“Seriously?” Lisa rolled her eyes.

“Yeah. I am kidding. Encounter is still a problem, right, or is it something else? I thought it wouldn't be that bad because of Mindarch's trust, but this voice mentioned some nasty things. Mindarch is a problem like me, or Amalius is...” Murai frowned, speaking quietly and sitting down. Glaring at the table as if it were the sky, his wonders weren't the smallest.

Lisa was silent, thinking about this situation, but she did hear Amelius's name. She was still confused.

“What those tones were about? They sounded like multiple people. Their feelings were different.” Murai asked her.

Lisa's eyes widened and she floated closer. “Have you felt something wrong about them? Anything specific?”

“Define feelings. Everyone has them like aura or voice. To me, it seems completing this Part of the Encounter is crucial, and Mindarch hasn't changed it too much, or... something is... much more problematic. What? Have you heard those voices yourself, right?”

Lisa nodded and didn't like the way it sounded.

“As far as I could guess, finishing my touches to my core is hardly a problem for them. It is my issue, so is it about the chains? Everything needs a lot of them to run a world, especially if it is this... worldly.”

“What do you mean?” Lisa asked hesitantly.

“I am worried about the Path and my choices! I got an offer for something, so what was that?”

“It was an honest offer, I think...”

“You don't sound that confident about it.”

“I am not! Choices and workings with Will of the Battleworld state a lot of things. What you are or do and create are different things. I mean, you are crazy but not stupid. Refusing such advances is what most lofty people do. It is not due to greed but pride. You are not reliant on it, yet you kind of are, or... not at all? It feels like you are taking advantage of something, but... the world is watching. I think...”

“Isn't it how it should be?” Murai said coldly.

“Isn't it about pride? This world and Gods are all like that.”

“Pride?” Murai laughed and coughed, feeling feel. “What a joke. I don't care about an overall picture, you see. Since complications are floating far above my head, I've decided to not worry about them. It is for the better. For now, my core is not possible and what my power is doesn't matter to my soul. I do what I always could. Thus...” He glanced around the room which was darker without any candles. The glitter of essences, gems, or some coins created enough light.

There were thousands of them! Millions of them!

That was the last thing that mattered. The points acted like a more material accomplishment than the power that came with words or some touch of this world, or Gods.

“Well, the ending was a climactic and weird..” Lisa declared her weaker interest and got where he was coming from. She floated close to Murai, hearing everything she wanted, what Murai caused, or uttered. Wrapped like the voice of a messenger, she decided to shift many of her ideas and what she wanted to do.

Not thinking too much about it wasn't a wrong approach when their time and situation weren't stable. She still had Gate 3 to worry about.

Seeing her face, Murai couldn't help but ask about it. Who else was the past Blessed than Lisa? “I have numerous questions about this Boost, Lisa.”

“You sure do...” She said hesitantly.

“Will you talk about them, or are you gonna be stupid bitch?”

“Try me!”

“I can converse with Will of the Battleworld, or... these tones? Is it like Mindarch? Did you know about that or them?”

“Of course, I know it all, but it isn't about talking or knowledge. It is about their point and other arrangements, or people or specifics. If it can take our voice, it is possible to ask. Codex secures that idea. Those tones are its people. Workforce. They said they could talk to you, but they never did for some reason. Well, besides that evolution of yours a while back. There is a knock to it in your soul. It is hiding for a new term, as it is allowing readings.”

“Then...”

“Tsh! Tsh!” Lisa clicked her nonexistent tongue, pulled her palm before his face, and pointed with her point finger at him playfully. “You are one hell of a mess. Everything needs time like your core, while the skull lying in a pile of ingots better pretend to be a floating lantern or I will kick its throat.”

Immediately, clutter of metals echoed and Lorry cluttered his teeth, laughing. It was far too awkward, but he didn't know what to do other than that. He was mindful of this whole situation more than Lisa.

“Don't mind Lorry. Lorry does Lorry's job. Lorry is a slave. Lorry doesn't know a thing Lorry is...”

“Shut up,” Lisa grunted and looked at him as if he was a fat big... “I will not let you slide away.”

Murai looked at them in confusion. They had some problem, he reckoned, while the truth over the current situation mattered less than their worries.

He got a lot out of this Boost. What else mattered? He shouldn't question problems that happened without his awareness.

“You are in the beginning layers of many problems, Murai Hisagi.” Lisa turned back on him, eyes squinting and face cold. “I doubt you make sense to me, but this world is one hell of a mess that doesn't make sense either. It can't take care of you, I think. Then, I doubt you get me or it that well yet, but how about trying? I haven't told you much since you deserve the freedom of your choices, and to see things gradually is bliss that comes from experience. You are a troubled individual. Can you take me on that offer?”

“I don't mind it that much,” Murai said calmly. He was still feeling weird and dull. He wanted to observe his Soul Space straight away, while the power of the Boosts left lingering touches that made his body itchy and weird. His attributes were quite high by now, but what was high? He wasn't even aware of what or how much their numerical advantage mattered, or what was Knowledge, or his Title, The One Who Knows.

At least his magic was about to undergo a big overhaul thanks to Heavenly Shaping.

It meant a rather sensitive topic due to his imminent threats. A change in fundamentals could lower his fighting efficiency for a while. He was forced to re-learn something new without a choice.

Frankly, refusing it was optional.

But the Boosts shifted and forced that choice away, so how free was Murai in his choice? It was one of many questions that he wanted to ask her.

Lisa knew his worries, but not his questions. She played it cool for now, hiding her own worries under a carefree smile. “Patience is what I held and believed in. Always. It's not worth it to be too fast with you, but you are a special kind of weird. You know that, right? Not in your way, but our way.”

Hearing her tone and serious face, it looked weird on her.

Murai hesitated with whatever he wanted to retort with. She might be right that he was a prick that wasn't always sensible. To her especially, but it wasn't wrong or bad. It was the same between them, equal, albeit not welcoming for one of them.

Begrudgingly, Murai stretched and figured his life was turning better yet weirder.

Perhaps having a friend in this mess was better than a forced companion.