As he wrote code, he could just use this on parts of his code to increase its chances of running well. What he found was that, after using it on a block of code twice, nothing would change.
Additionally, he observed that the code wouldn’t just fix any error. The description of minor updates being performed was certainly accurate; there could be massive syntax errors in the code but it would only affect the minor inconsistencies.
Finally, there wasn’t really a way of this skill handling logic errors; his code didn’t explicitly show what he wanted to do. If it worked, how could the skill know he wanted the program to work differently?
On the whole, though, it saved him a lot of time from identifying his slip-ups for him.
After upgrading those skills, he was met with the infuriating message from his system.
[UNABLE TO UPGRADE – INSUFFICIENT SKILL UPGRADES/UNLOCKS]
[Insufficient stats/titles for further skill unlock/upgrades]
[MINIMUM STATS/TITLES REQUIRED FOR FURTHER UPGRADES/UNLOCKS: 2 Title Upgrades]
[User: Cael Breckenridge]
[Titles: Competent Merchant, Vault Novice, Creator I, Warrior I]
[Strength: 13]
[Speed: 12]
[Durability: 11]
[Intelligence: 23]
[Dexterity: 15]
[Creativity: 15]
[Focus: 17]
[MP: 15/15]
[Skills]
[Skills]
[Skill: Power Surge]
[Skill: Mana Stream]
[Skill: Lv. 2 Rapid Update]
[Skill: Lv. 3 Script Sage]
[Skill: Lv. 1 Quick-Build]
[Skill: Lv. 4 Microscale Manipulation]
[Skill: Lv. 4 Internal Design]
[Skill: Lv. 4 Combat Specialist]
[Skill: Lv. 3 Alloy Mastery]
[Skill: Lv. 4 Compacting]
[Skill: Lv. 2 Scarcity Crafting]
[Skill: Lv. 3 Armour Fitting]
[Skill: Lv. 3 Circuit Routing Proficiency]
[Skill: Lv. 1 Gauntlet Overdrive]
[Skill: Lv. 1 Mana Shield]
In his bedroom, working as usual, he lifted his hand to make an adjustment to the last bit of plating that he applied. What stood before him was a 6’0, athletic-built autonomous bot with his bladed weapons above the knuckles.
After some work, he’d managed to create the super-heated blade formed from the creator’s model. In doing so, the richness and efficiency of the base compartments were lost partially but it was all for the greater good.
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He utilised expensive metals, resorting primarily to a heavier metal known as Fastian. Found mostly in the areas of the Aegis Confederation furthest from the Soburg Empire, the black-red metal had amazing strength and was relatively light for the strength it provided.
Its very impressive strength made it a very valuable metal across the galaxy, playing a large role in the economic success of the confederation.
Finishing off, he gave the outer layer a smooth, black finish with some other reddened components added to the exterior.
Falling back to look at the hologram at large, he felt like this was a job well done. This was the best that he could do. After spending his time increasing his stats and upgrading his skills as well, this was the peak of his ability.
Utilising all the resources he had at his disposal; it was satisfying to see visible results like these.
As always, he’d have to think of a name for his bot before continuing. Several names popped up in his mind, like greek and roman gods but he decided to hold off on that for this design.
In the name, he wanted to capture the bot’s explosive fighting style, along with the shocking abilities from its unique baton. It took a few minutes, and it just flew by as he mused over the possibilities.
It took a while before he realised how long he was spending on such a trivial matter. Chuckling to himself, he felt taken aback by his resolution in finding a name for this thing.
After spending so long on the design, though, it had to receive a worthy name. He couldn’t just leave it with some randomly generated title after spending literal weeks creating it.
[Name: WM Shockraider]
[Type: Mediumweight Attack Bot]
[Evaluation]
[Speed: 65/100]
[Agility: 75/100]
[Firepower: 45/100]
[Power Efficiency: 75/100]
[Intelligence: 64/100]
[Maintenance: 66/100]
[Versatility: 71/100]
[Framing: 65/100]
[Overall Rank: 70/100]
Cael had also spent a lot more time crafting the intelligence behind his bot. He used many resources to magpie the best features of them. This allowed his bot to not just be more skilled in terms of fighting, but more analytical.
For a bot to handle and adapt to various situations, it needed that intelligence as a base.
This showdown would put it through so many different events so his bot would need to handle that.
[Is your bot done? I just finished mine yesterday.] Leon texted him just minutes before he completed his design.
[Of course, man. Good luck with your heavyweight, I can’t wait to see how that plays out.]
[Yeah it’s actually looking pretty good. I used to shy away from making proper heavy bots but it works when you think about assembly and internals and things. The firepower on this baby is insane!]
Cael chuckled upon reading his last text, and just threw himself into his bed. He felt like he was deserving of a nice, relaxing rest and this was exactly what he gave himself.
Already nearing midnight, it didn’t take long before he fell into a deep slumber.
The following morning, Cael and his group were out in one of the institute’s hangars once again, standing before Arlo.
“Today, we’re going to be doing some spars again. Don’t worry about any exosuits for now, just worry about your basic strength. I don’t want to see you all going hard, I know you guys know how to spar each other. This is a chance for us all to grow, not to show off and dominate.” Arlo said, while looking particularly at Blaine.
He arrogantly stretched off his arms, receiving several glances from the admirers that surrounded him.
Cael, however, continued to look forward in silence. Blaine, looking around, saw his indifference and his eyes fell locked onto him.
After upgrading his stats, alongside his physical ones, for weeks on end, Cael was sure about it now.
He was the strongest person in this crowd.
No sense of confidence from his competitors would overshadow his conviction.
“For our first spar, let’s learn from the best of the best. Blaine Keaton and Cael Breckenridge, would you please step up to the canvas.
In the centre of this hangar was a squared canvas, like the others placed in the vicinity.
Blaine leaped up onto the canvas, before turning and making his stance. He confidently fell into a light crouch, holding his fists up in a position similar to how boxers would.
Cael held a similar stance, and remained firm. He exuded nothing but calmness and insouciance leading up to this inevitable battle.
“May the match begin!”
Blaine shouted with anger, blasting forward to begin the fight. He leaped into the air and swiftly turned his body, shooting forward his right heel in the form of a spinning kick.
Cael took the impact and fell back about a step to better handle the impact, but felt surprised. Was this usually how hard Blaine hit?
No... No. There was no way.
He couldn’t remain in his thoughts for long, though, as Blaine whipped his left hand around for a hook.
Almost reflexively, Cael’s head dipped under and out the way of this fist in evasion. Blaine didn’t even manage to catch his lifted hairs, and the dipped fighter followed with an attack straight for his abdomen right after.
BAM!
Blaine grunted upon taking the impact, and everybody could feel the weight behind that punch. Even Blaine was left dumbfounded.
Was this real? Was this really the Cael Breckenridge that they’d known all this time?
Even Cael gave a look down to his fist, taken aback by his own strength. It felt different just hitting several-tonne bags and doing his usual exercises. It never gave him a clear insight into how strong he’d become.
Blaine still managed to catch him with a powerful, but speedy jab to the face.
Following up, he landed a right hand in quick succession, pushing Cael’s head far back in the process.
These two attacks made the fighter confident, but too confident.
Just as he usually would, he stormed in, intending to land several more haymakers in the process. As he did this, though, he was playing right into Cael’s hands.
He hadn’t intended to get hit in the face like that -he was caught off guard- but he could make do with this situation. There was always a way to counter and throw back.