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“Done! Move! Move!” The newbie Asari student shouted while already dashing for the next objective.
The path to the objective was filled with obstacles and dangers. None of the obstacles were dangerous by themselves, but they had to cross the path as quickly as possible and didn't have the luxury of taking things carefully. And even if the obstacles were not enough to hurt, they were enough to slow them down. Combine this with the local inhibition against movement techniques, and it had the makings of a pretty decent gauntlet.
That didn’t stop the duo from dashing through. As they reached the next objective, the Asari went for the stone stele used to give hints, while Seraphiel took a protective position. Every time they reached an objective, the danger would be different, and this time bolts of fire started raining on them from all sides.
“Fujin!” Seraphiel called out quickly and made a couple of gestures and a green barrier suddenly surrounded them, intercepting all the flaming projectiles. Thanks to her Shiten Kekkai Skill, the barrier was a lot sturdier than it seemed at first glance.
“We need to light the braziers around the platform!” The Asari called out.
All the objectives provided potential solutions, and even those without any fire-related Skills could use the fire bolts raining on them to light the braziers. The two of them didn’t have to though, as Seraphiel just waved a hand, igniting all seven braziers at the same time with Pyrokinesis. “Done!” She called out and they dashed forward with her partner.
The other schools had quickly realized that defeating her alone was too difficult, so they decided to focus the newbie events on team events instead. Unfortunately for the other schools, it wasn’t like the other students at Mahora were bad, and her versatility covered for any gaps. The other schools didn’t lose quite so badly anymore, but they still lost.
The klaxon sounded, signaling the end of the gauntlet. They would find out the results later, as if there was any doubt.
[Congratulations! [Path of the Seer] has leveled up from 49 to 50! Free Stat Points +60.]
[Congratulations! [Kidō] has leveled up from 48 to 50!]
[Congratulations! [Pyrokinesis] has leveled up from 46 to 47!]
[Congratulations! [Psionic Affinity] has leveled up from 49 to 50!]
[Congratulations! [Telekinesis] has leveled up from 49 to 50!]
[Congratulations! [Electrokinesis] has leveled up from 49 to 50!]
[Congratulations! [Psionic Infusion] has leveled up from 49 to 50!]
[Congratulations! [Fortify] has leveled up from 49 to 50!]
[Congratulations! [Destructor] has leveled up from 49 to 50!]
[Congratulations! [Danger Sense] has leveled up from 49 to 50!]
Ooh, finally her other Class hit the level 50 as well. The benefit of having almost all of your Skills capped was that they would often level up as soon as the Class did. Now both of her Classes had reached level 50, meaning she could evolve them when she had some time. Most of her Skills were also capped. She wasn't sure if that was important, but she wasn't taking any chances. She didn't want to miss out on evolving her most important Skills just because she hadn't been thorough enough.
“Good work.” Tynas, her Asari partner commended. “As usual.”
“You too. We made a good team.” Seraphiel returned the compliment. The Asari stood a little straighter, knowing Seraphiel wasn’t just saying that. They had worked together on three events before and knew neither of them was the type to give empty praise.
“I see you finally reached the point of Class evolution. I’m sure you’re eager to get to it.” Tynas smiled knowingly.
"Don't mind if I do." They had been returned to the waiting room, and Tynas took a bit of distance to leave her to it, while Seraphiel accepted the prompt in her head asking if she wanted to start her Class evolution.
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“Sister!” Lucifer greeted her exactly the same, and it seemed the place was the same as well, a swanky penthouse. He was in the middle of mixing drinks behind the bar.
“Luci.” She nodded while shrugging her shoulders and stretching a bit. It felt good to be back in her old body, even if only briefly. She slid down on one of the sofas and allowed herself to relax.
“I noticed that you ran into some old acquaintances.” The System wearing her brother’s face smiled in a sneaky way while walking back around the bar before sitting down across from her.
“What of it?” She asked.
“Well, nothing to get all that guarded about!” He said with a chiding tone. “I just wanted to point out that this would only become more common as you go up in level. I can’t share too many details mind you, but…” He made a ‘figure it out for yourself’-gesture.
“I wouldn’t be too shocked if some of my old friends were among the Champions.” She realized straight away.
"Got it in one." He pointed at her with a finger while holding a glass of something alcoholic in the same hand. He pushed a glass of an old favourite of hers towards her, and she didn’t bother declining.
“Well, I already heard about Shepard and Negi, so…” She shrugged while taking a sip. Luci had the best drinks.
“On that note.” He leaned forward. “You know I would never judge. In fact, I’m downright proud. But you do remember that you’ve been involved with more than one of them.” He looked more concerned than anything, though he smirked a little at the word ‘involved’.
“Eh, it has been ages for them. They’ve moved on.” She dismissed the concern.
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“I wouldn’t be so sure, but suit yourself. Just pointing it out.” He didn’t push, but his tone made it clear he wasn’t quite so convinced.
“How are things for you?” She asked sneakily, changing the subject.
“What do you mean?” He asked, looking a bit flummoxed.
"Well, the downside of taking my brother's appearance is that I can read all his tells. I know you have some kind of plan going on with all this, and since I’m involved, I’d like to know how those plans are going.” She grinned at his shocked face.
“Calling them plans is a bit grandiose, but I do have some ideas about how to benefit from the situation. I should probably tell you that the gods are already aware of your presence. Oh, my apologies, I should be more specific. They’re aware that there’s an extra Champion, but they don’t yet know it’s you, or who you really are.” Luci revealed.
“I assume they’re just as unaware of who summoned me?” She got a confirming nod. “Well, I suppose it’s only a matter of time before they find out. Am I likely to face some kind of backlash?”
"From the gods? No. Everyone is free to summon whomever they wish as a Champion, and just because your summoner is unknown, that doesn't change that you're a legitimate Champion. Now, if your real identity becomes common knowledge, some of your old enemies might aim for you, but it's not quite as simple as one of the top-level Champions just wandering over and murdering you. That's just not done. Anyone trying something like that would have a real rebellion on their hands as it goes against the very fabric of how things are done in this universe. That's not to say they can't create trouble though." Luci warned her. "Also, you'll start to run into low-tier Champions around the time you hit your third Class evolution."
She frowned. “That reminds me. What’s the difference between the Champion tiers? I know it has to do with power, but how are they divided?”
"Well, generally same tier Champions are pitted against each other. Low-tier Champions are those freshly summoned and don't have enough power right out of the gate, or not summoned at all. People born in universe, so to speak, selected by gods that aren't powerful enough to summon their own Champions. Mid-tier Champions covers the vast majority of Champions, while high-tier Champions are those that clearly have power vastly greater than most others. These are usually the ones that lead their god and people into dominant positions for long periods of time."
“Alright. Seems clear enough.” She nodded.
“Now, you’re here for Class Evolution. I’m assuming you’re happy with your current Classes and don’t want to reset either one of them?”
“Yeah, I’m happy with the two. Well, happy as I can be. It’s a bit challenging to use some of my old Skills.” She complained a bit.
“Don’t worry. The higher level they become, the more they will start to feel familiar again.” He pulled out a deck of cards again. “Since your first Class only has one upgrade, let’s get that out of the way first.” He pulled a card from the deck and tossed it to her.
On the card were details of her new and evolved Class.
[Shinmei-ryū Kamigoroshi – Ronin – Rank SS-??? Elements: Void, Time, Destruction, Hard-Light - Stat Classification: Psionic. A school of swordsmanship originally created to combat magic users and demons. The original style has been improved and perfected upon by a being that has slayed gods to be more widely applicable. Stats: Strength 10, Vitality 10, Agility 20, Perception 20, Psionic Power 10, Psionic Control 20, Tolerance 10, Psi 10, Free Stat Points: 50]
The Class was a straight upgrade, with the earned stats doubled. “I assume this doubling of stats is normal?” Details on Class evolutions were relatively sparse, as talking about the process was taboo.
“Yes. Every time a Class evolves, the stats earned double, assuming the Class doesn’t evolve in rank of course. But you already knew that sister. Here’s the fun part. Your Skills can now evolve as well.” Luci told her with a happy smile.
She took another sip of her drink. “All of them?”
"In your case? Yes. In most cases, the Skills you can evolve depending on the rank of your Class and your achievements with those Skills, but since I'm taking into consideration your past achievements…" Lucifer gestured vaguely. “That said, most of the Skills in this Class are already refined versions of what you’ve learned from other techniques, so the changes won’t be major. Again, you’re somewhat limited by your level, so don’t expect to get a Skill to quench stars.”
“So that leaves me with…what exactly?” She asked.
“Well, for this Class? Mostly just straight upgrades to your existing Skills, unless you want to make some radical changes. This is also why I wanted to get this one out of the way first, as it’s the more boring option. Look at the card again.” He told her.
She did and noticed the details on the Skills altering a bit. [Hard Light Creation] was now [Hard Light Mastery], [Kidō] had become [Advanced Kidō] that allowed chant shortening and elimination, which would make the Skill a lot more useful. [Psionic Charge] had become [Psionic Nova Charge] which greatly increased the explosive power released and the range at which the explosion happened in exchange for increased psionic power and tolerance cost. [Psionic Focus] had become [Advanced Psionic Focus] which doubled the bonus.
The other Skills were largely the same, but just stronger. "This feels a little underwhelming. Aside from the double stats of course." She admitted.
“That’s largely because the Class is already so refined, and I might have stretched the rules just a tad when I allowed you to get the abilities to cut almost all types of power and spells. The other Class will be much more interesting. That said, it is common that when the Class Skills don’t need to evolve too much, the focus is put on General and Social Skills instead. So, I’ll allow you to evolve three of those.” Luci rubbed his hands together, bringing out another card from the deck, which listed her current Skills and the possible evolutions.
One she picked out immediately. [Magic Sense] got evolved into [Magic Sight], allowing her to see all magic instead of just sensing it. It would make cutting spells much easier. Another one made her look at Lucifer with a raised eyebrow. “You’re really driving this skimpy armor thing.”
That caused him to burst out in laughter. “It’s not me, though I must admit that my current embodiment really enjoys the possibilities and teasing you. This one is all on the gods I’m afraid. They’re pervy bastards, the lot of them. The rule about skimpy armours being better is so fundamental that I would be remiss if I didn’t make a point of offering the Skills to you.”
“You do realize that my body outside is still that of a young teen. It would be wrong on so many levels.” She shot back.
He chuckled again. “I know, but we both know you’ll fill out rather quickly, and it wouldn’t hurt to have the Skill ready. Now that being said, you can safely assume that I’ll keep offering those Skills to you even without evolution, so I only offered it to make a point.”
“Well, the fact that I still haven’t filled out all my Social Skill slots is now coming to bite me.” She complained a bit.
“Believe it or not, that’s not exactly rare among the long-lived races. Most of the Social Skills people really use tend to only come out with enough age and maturity. Or with certain Classes and professions. If you were working at a more social job like a waiter, you’d get offered related Skills. But since you’ve been stuck training your entire life so far…” Luci rolled his eyes. “Who would believe me if I told the others that you of all people have become almost a shut-in.”
“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean?” She demanded.
“Face it, sister. You’re almost as bad as I am.” Luci pointed out remorselessly.
“Not that. I know that! I mean the part about shut-in. I have friends. I go out.” She said defensively, realizing her words were empty and hollow as she said them.
“Do you? Most of your ‘friends’ are just your brother’s friends, and no, you don’t go out. You haven’t done anything just for pleasure since arriving at Mahora. Literally nothing, except training. Now, it’s great that you enjoy training, but there needs to be some limits. Even the few times you’ve gone to the shops or the cafés, it has been for business and to see how your old acquaintances react to your presence, not really pleasure.”
She couldn’t really deny it.
“Let’s combine On the Wings of Angels and Winged Combat. It’s hard to train either currently, and it’ll free a General Skill slot.” She changed the subject instead. The two Skills combined and took the average Skill level between them.
“Coward. And fine. Not the choice I would’ve made, but something I can see working out in the long term.” Luci stated. “One more.”
“Let’s upgrade [Weapon Arts] to [Weapon King Arts].” The upgrade was a simple percentage upgrade, making all her weapon usage more effective. Not exciting, but effective System-wise.
“Excellent! Now for the interesting part. You have some choices to make.” He flipped three cards her way, each representing a potential choice.
[Path of the Seer – Acolyte Warlock – Rank A-??? Elements: Varied - Stat Classification: Psionic. Warlocks are the warriors among the Seers, using their powers to enhance themselves in combat and relying on their specially crafted Witchblades and powerful offensive powers to quickly defeat their enemies. Stats: Free Stat Points: 120]
[Path of the Seer – Acolyte Farseer – Rank S-??? Elements: Varied - Stat Classification: Psionic. Farseers are most often known for their psychic powers. They can see the future and manipulate events so that they most suit their future, as well as conjure storms of lethal power. To become a Farseer the most common way was that a Warlock that got lost to the Path of the Seer the same way as the Exarchs are wed eternally to the Path of the Warrior. Stats: Free Stat Points: 140]
[Path of the Seer – Acolyte Spiritseer – Rank A-??? Elements: Varied - Stat Classification: Psionic. Spiritseers specialize in supporting their kind on the battlefield in a myriad of ways. Stats: Free Stat Points: 120]
“This isn’t a real choice.” She pushed back the cards for Warlock and Spiritseer. She had been a Farseer before, and she’d be one again, even if it had been the worst choice. That it was also the most powerful was just the cherry on top of the cake.
“I know. The choice had to be presented though. Now, for evolving your Skills…” Lucifer didn’t get far until she interrupted him.
“I want to combine Electrokinesis and Pyrokinesis to Energy Control. I want to evolve Destructor to Psionic Storm. I want to evolve Danger Sense to Precognition. I want to evolve Psionic Shroud to Conceal. If I can, I’d like the other Skills to become stronger versions of what they already are.” She listed off.
“You’ve given this some thought.” Luci laughed.
“Well, these are the powers I know best, and I know what I can get away with.” She stated firmly.
“Right you are. Let’s go with it then. May you enjoy your new toys.” Luci grinned and suddenly Seraphiel found herself back in the waiting room with her Asari teammate.