While Kael and Sophia finished their last match, Brian decided to take a look at his status. Since he had just been training and gaining additional valtite reserves he didn’t feel a need to open it up. However, his time at the academy was coming to an end and he wanted to poke around now that he was able to harness void energy.

Status:

Energy Signature: Brian Valtwood

Energy Rank: Trace (lvl 14)

Valtite Reserves: 309

Rank Progress: 30%

Affinity: Void Dominion

Specialization: None (Locked)

Profession: None (Locked)

Vitality: 423/460

Vigor: 44/250

Valtite: 217/250

Stats:

Constitution: 46

Strength: 25

Endurance: 25

Dexterity: 33

Wisdom: 25

Intelligence: 26

Untrained Potential: 0

The first thing he noted was how low his vigor was. This made him realize that he was still winded from his hard-earned victory. So, Brian quickly downed a vigor potion, after all, he didn’t know what Darius’s plans were for the second half of the lum.

General Skills:

[Valtite Resilience (Latent)] - Empowers the user to endure the alien environment of Valteria. Adaptation to various atmospheres, temperature fluctuations, and increased resistance to valtite energy becomes second nature with this ability.

[Valtite Linguistics (Trace)] - Grants the ability to communicate with all species within the Valteria universe, bypassing language barriers and facilitating interspecies dialogue with increased efficiency.

[Valtite Identification (Trace)] - Enhances the user's comprehension of valtite energy signatures, facilitating the detection, location, and understanding of their nature and spatial distribution.

[Meditate (Latent)] - Bolsters the user's ability to attune their mind and spirit to the rhythm of the cosmos. This focus enhances natural valtite regeneration, allowing for steady restoration over time. It also sharpens mental clarity and resilience, aiding in the control and direction of valtite energies.

[Valtite Potential Harness (Latent)] - Enables conscious control over internal valtite consumption, preventing automatic conversion to untrained potential. This heightens valtite reserves, ensuring readiness for critical moments.

Oculus Core:

[Valtite Vision (Latent)] - Enhances vision to perceive and identify valtite particles, even those that are hidden or camouflaged. This ability increases the user's ability to discover concealed sources of valtite and to visually track the flow of valtite energy.

[Chronal Gaze (Trace)] - Sharpens the user's perception of time, allowing them to track fast-moving objects with enhanced precision. This heightened perception warps the visual sense of time, making rapid movements seem slower.

Manifestation:

[Event Horizon Grasp (Latent)] - Allows the user to form a small black hole on their hand that absorbs and neutralizes incoming attacks. The user can manipulate void energy to generate a potent gravitational field that renders threats harmless.

It appeared as he was going through a system rabbit hole, but he apparently learned to summon a list of his skills. He already knew about his Valtite Linguistics skill, but Valtite Resilience explained a lot. It explained how Valteria’s cold, and even dark environment wasn’t affecting him as much.

The next thing he analyzed was that some of his abilities had evolved to the trace stage, while most of them still remained latent. Brian didn't need to be a genius to figure out that his skills were stronger when they reached the trace level, and the way to raise them was by using them, as he had seen with his Chronal Gaze. From the books, Brian had also learned a bit about energy ranks. 'Trace' was the first rank; 'latent' meant there was no extra energy behind the skill. 'Flicker' followed, which was the rank of most of the decimators he had met outside of the academy.

Aestari scholars had devised these rank interpretations, and they were apparently extremely accurate. 'Glow' followed 'flicker', which represented Zarkon’s and apparently Darius’s energy levels. The scholars had documented that they were aware that Valtite energy could accumulate beyond the 'glow' rank, but they had no records of what came next, or if there was a ceiling.

Did Darius really have such monstrous strength? Regardless, it was evident that in Valteria, valtite was like oxygen, with every individual constantly passively consuming it. Even when an enemy died, its valtite energy would be released into the atmosphere and absorbed by those nearby. That aspect was extremely video game-like.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"ENOUGH!" Darius's voice thundered across the open space. "This marks the end of your training at the Decimator Academy. You are all prepared, though some more than others." He paused, his attention fixed on Brian. "Now, you will undertake missions in the name of Arcasium, and vanquish the creatures that infest this world!"

Darius gathered all the decimators-in-training and led them to a chamber they had not seen before. It was situated in the same hallway as the dorms and the library, but unlike the other rooms, this door had always been locked.

Darius pulled a massive metal keychain from his pocket, large enough for Brian to loop his hand through, which held all the keys to the Decimator Academy. He sifted through the assortment, appearing somewhat flustered yet excited for what he was about to reveal. Upon finding the right key and twisting the knob, Darius motioned for the group to enter.

As they stepped inside the mysterious room, their breaths were caught by the sight of an armory; more compact than Fort Luminar's, yet boasting a far greater array of weapons. Every weapon hung elegantly against a wall bathed in artificial light, transforming the space into a mercenary’s paradise.

Although Brian noted the absence of firearms, the dazzling variety of weapons included an eclectic mix of medieval and ninja armaments adorning the walls, each infused with a distinctive futuristic twist. There were also odd types that Brian couldn't even begin to decipher their purposes.

The first oddity Brian spotted was an intricate framework of interlinked, radiant nodes that caught his eye. The grid-like weapon, if that’s what it was, laid flat against the wall and the nodes pulsated brightly with different colors. He tried to picture it being swung around or thrown, but his brain couldn't quite grasp how that'd work. The thing looked more like a computer network made solid than a weapon. He imagined that the grid would transform, becoming a dynamic, three-dimensional weapon.

Another item resembled two metallic snakes intertwined, akin to a DNA strand, but fashioned from metal that alternated between solid and translucent states. The structure, rigid yet seemingly flexible when necessary, had sharp ends that appeared capable of spinning around an unseen axis. Brian couldn't begin to fathom how to use such a device, and he earnestly hoped Darius wouldn't assign that weapon to him.

"As graduates of the Decimator Academy, you've each earned a weapon that complements your unique valtite abilities. Our R&D team has crafted these weapons that can adapt to your specific valtite signatures, so be sure to thank them for their hard work whenever you visit HQ."

Darius rummaged through the armory, his eyes searching the assortment of weapons on the walls until he found what he sought. He presented Jax with a pair of gauntlets. "These will enhance your ability to heat up anything you touch, and likely increase your range."

Jax grinned and slipped the gauntlets on, flexing his fingers. "DANG, I'm really gonna be hot stuff! I can touch things better too."

Brian stared at Jax's now disproportionate hands. "Thanos has nothing to envy you for."

“Can you two stop talking nonsense?” Darius growled. He approached the back wall, carefully selecting a katana and handing it to Sophia. His eyes gleamed with pride as he said, "I've never seen anyone with the teleport ability. You'll be a formidable Decimator with this blade, capable of striking offensively and defensively. I hope I can see you decapitate those monsters someday."

Sophia accepted the blade with a humble nod. "Thank you, sir. I'll do my best to live up to your decapitations…"

Brian gave Sophia a wide eye look, and she continued. “I’m sorry, expectations.”

"Erm, ok. Stick to solo jobs and stay away from Brian. He'll get you killed one lum. He's not the Decimator Arcasium needs."

Sophia’s demeanor shifted, and she met Darius’s gaze. "Thank you for your concern, but I'll take my chances."

Moving on, Darius grabbed two curved daggers with intricate designs and handed them to Kael. "I've observed your movements during combat sessions. Your invisibility makes you the perfect assassin. These babies arrived yesterday, I ordered them for you."

Kael admired the daggers. "I will use them wisely, Commander."

Finally, Darius took a simple dagger from a drawer and handed it to Brian. "You only get one since you still owe me a valtite fragment."

Brian chuckled awkwardly. "Understood, sir. I'll make sure to pay you back soon."

[Simple Dagger (Latent)] - The blade can slightly extend the user’s valtite manifestation.

Brian grasped the dagger, puzzled as information flooded his mind. He hadn't realized that his strange commentary ability allowed him to glean details about the weapon's valtite compatibility. Intrigued, he glanced over at Sophia's katana, trying to access similar information. However, it quickly became apparent that physical contact was essential; without holding the weapon, Brian could decipher any details.

Jax slapped his hand on Brian's shoulder and smirked. "Brian, my esteemed friend, your combat style is... unique. Like a delicate butterfly dancing in the wind. Or a very confused duck. But remember, even the smallest butter knife can make a big slice if used right. Just be careful where you wave it, okay?"

“How are your fingers, are they getting any better?” Brian, feeling increasingly ridiculous as he clutched his sad dagger, he discreetly tucked it away.

Jax let out a hearty laugh, ruffling Brian's hair. "Oh, Brian, every cloud has a silver lining, you know. You may not be the most proficient in combat now, but the potential! Why, with those reflexes, I bet you could dodge raindrops in a thunderstorm."

"Don't let his words get to you, Brian. Sure, you might have struggled with combat at first, but you've made incredible progress. Your reflexes are truly exceptional, and I believe in your potential. Just keep practicing and honing those combat techniques, and you'll be more than just fine."

“Yeah, thanks. I appreciate it.”

“Relax Brian, all ribbing aside. You and I are practically brothers.” Jax waved his hand making a dismissive gesture.

Darius turned to Brian. "Valtwood, I must say I'm far from impressed with your performance. Your combat skills leaves much to be desired, and despite having a Dominion Affinity, you possess the weakest valtite manifestation here. When you finally prove yourself to be a Decimator worthy of the ranks, I'll present you with a weapon befitting your ability," his voice dripped with disdain.

He continued. "There's so much potential in the Decimator program... If only the Directorate could see it. We could become an unstoppable force, a true safeguard against the monstrous threats facing Valteria."

This was the most open Darius had ever been during Brian’s time at the academy. "Sir, I want to be part of those ranks. You have a goal that I can stand behind."

“Like I said, from what I’ve seen, you have a long, a long way to go.”