After the moderately large influencer from before had praised his systems, it seemed like his traction was only increasing.
Having much higher followers compared to items sold usually meant that one had established an identity. Those without buying your item would still be aware of your quality and follow you for such.
For an independent creator, he was surely doing much better than he expected. After spending all of his money on his new studio and giving Leon more than ten thousand dollars a month, he still had over a million dollars in his account.
He was a millionaire now, and that was before his 18th birthday. Without any substantial inheritance to kickstart his work, that was a true achievement. There was the feeling to place all of his success in his head, due to the workings of his system.
However, he had to acknowledge the level of discipline he now had. His ability to focus and work for hours on end was helping him even in the combat side of his life. It meant that he could constantly be working at his very best, not being held back by his mind but his body.
During this time, he decided to get back into the swing of things, and continued his design. To begin with, there was a sense of rust in his work. However, he started off with creating a unit of his first swarm design and managed to create two individual drones before the flight was nearing Saevis.
Upon returning to Carlo City shortly after, he continued his workings before falling into his bed with fatigue, at what was 11am in the morning.
The group were given a few days to rest and recuperate. Their institute in Carlo City was aware with how much they’d been through in terms of training and trauma.
Seeing people get blown to bits right in front of you would be a difficult thing to stomach.
During this short break of his, Cael just spent his time resting and letting his body recover. After using the mana stream on other’s bodies, whilst powering his own exosuit, he felt knackered.
It took about three days before he felt ready for training, and found that the others that went with him to Zarcona had arrived back in school earlier than him.
“Slacking off, I see.” Keagan said to Cael, with his burly arms crossed.
“Not really. Just wanted to take some time off to work on my designs.” Cael replied, before integrating into the group of students that stood before Arlo.
“Of course you did. I bet you would’ve taken off a week if you could.” Vannessa stated, looking him up and down with eyes of disdain and disappointment.
Cael just smiled at her, with Vannessa reacting in kind.
“Students!” Arlo announced, bringing the onlookers to silence.
They corrected their posture, and stood directly ahead Arlo to await his next statements.
“Today, we are going to be focusing on something special. You will be tasked with facing autonomous bots geared toward your weak points. As a soldier, you want to make sure that you have talents, but very little pitfalls. Any competent fighter can take advantage of those pitfalls and end your life.” Arlo explained.
“I know many of you like to resort to long, bladed weapons to keep your opponent at range. Others like to get close and maul their foe.” He explained, with Friso and Keagan receiving many glances upon his last statement.
“However, for every type of fighter there is a complementary style. Maulers without great speed can be overwhelmed by somebody that is too quick to be struck. Those who like to slice their opponent at range could be overwhelmed by somebody who is also quick enough to close the range and render their mid-range weaponry futile.”
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[User: Cael Breckenridge]
[Titles: Competent Merchant, Vault Novice, Creator I, Warrior I]
[Strength: 11]
[Speed: 9]
[Durability: 9]
[Intelligence: 23]
[Dexterity: 6]
[Creativity: 14]
[Focus: 17]
[MP: 15/15]
[Skills]
Before Cael continued, he looked upon his system to see 250 gears waiting to be used. After not using the vault for so long, he saw that the number of gears he was receiving was much lower.
Additionally, his system was rewarding him less and less for each sale, since it was easier for him to get them. It seemed that his system rewarded him not just for an action, but how difficult it would be to complete said action.
[Stat Upgraded!]
[+1 Strength]
[Stat Upgraded!]
[+1 Strength]
[User: Cael Breckenridge]
[Titles: Competent Merchant, Vault Novice, Creator I, Warrior I]
[Strength: 13]
[Speed: 9]
[Durability: 9]
[Intelligence: 23]
[Dexterity: 6]
[Creativity: 14]
[Focus: 17]
[MP: 15/15]
[Skills]
With this extra strength, he wondered just how strong he was now. After beating Keagan rather far back, he knew he was at least stronger than Friso. As for Vannessa, it was a gamble, but he was confident in himself.
All that would be left for him would be Blaine. With some work and unlocking skills, he was closer than he previously thought. If he played his cards right, he could be the strongest of this institute in a week’s time.
A warrior that stood before Blaine, who was clad in a midnight black and white exosuit, was a tall, lanky autonomous bot.
With a long lancer, with a large blade in its left, there was also a metal, rounded shield in its right. Just above the left chest area of the bot had the name ‘LX-32’ was inscribed on it.
“A typical lancer-style fighter. Blaine’s gonna have some trouble here.” Cael realised.
Even if he did have a shoulder-based energy rifle, it still might not be enough. He relied on his pure punching power to fell his opponents. If he couldn’t resort to that as easily, he’d be much less able as a fighter.
“Begin!” Arlo announced.
Blaine’s helmet manifested in fragments over his head before combining into a solid shield, with his visor falling down over his eyes.
The autonomous bot was black and red, and looked to be around two metres tall. For Blaine, this fighter was a literal giant, with especially long limbs.
The two fighters circled each other for about a second, before Blaine took the initiative and tried to strike.
Pouncing, the autonomous bot didn’t look startled or swift in reaction. All that it did was stab its lance forward, cutting into the outer layers of his armour with a forceful stab.
The warrior possessed great form with the lancer, managing to deliver power into the stab whilst retreating. Its lance retracted slightly, but Blaine then followed with whirring up his energy rifle.
PEW! PEW!
The green energy blasts soared toward LX-32, that lifted its metal shield to take the impact. With the extreme heat of these energy blasts being nullified by the shield, the same couldn’t be said for its force.
Each strike managed to knock LX-32 back, even in its sturdy stance.
Promptly after, Blaine took this as a chance to close the range. The powered gauntlet over his right fist was activated as he advanced, but it was of no use.
This lancer had already, somehow, landed its sharp, super-heated blade into his left flank. Swiping as well as pushing, this thudding slice left a deep cut in Blaine’s armour, whilst also throwing him to the side.
Launching an energy blast with spite, it still fell cleanly on the centre of LX-32’s shield.
As Blaine continued to try and break the distance, he could not. He tried to use his explosive speed, but all his adversary had to do was take a few calculated steps to nullify his advances.
The footwork of this bot was phenomenal, and reminded Cael of Emmeline as he watched on.
Whenever Blaine rushed forward, there were clear openings in his stance; he’d always relied on his great speed and power to not get hit.
With a light spear at hand here, LX-32 landed efficient, precise slashes that almost always hit the mark. Blaine could block from time to time, but mostly couldn’t see where the slashes were headed.
Growing more and more angry at this fight, the lancer pulled its weapon straight up across his torso, breaking through every layer of armour in a clean, smooth slash.
The glowing orange blade cut into Blaine’s flesh, causing sizzling, bubbling blood to fly out from the wound.
“Argh!!” Blaine groaned, falling back in an unstable stumble.
It looked like the fight was over but no, Blaine lifted his hand and waved off Arlo.
“No! I’m not done!” Blaine announced.