Will couldn't wait to open the system messages. System Interface!
Ding!
[ Host has successfully evolved ]
[ Host is getting close to evolving into a higher being ]
[ Host has been awarded three stats points in each attribute ]
[ Realm: Middle realm (peak stage) ]
"Whoa! I jumped two stages upward," he said with a wide smile. Clenching his fists, he could feel the increase in strength.
[ Name: Will Sonoma ]
[ Race: Human? ]
[ Transcendence stage: Host has begun to transcend his human nature into a higher being ]
[ Level 10 ]
[ 6/32,000 exp ]
[ Energy: 1200/1200 ]
[ Hp: 150/150 ]
[ Strength: 16(19) ]
[ Agility: 19(22) ]
[ Endurance: 17(20) ]
[ You have four free stat points to distribute ]
[ Quest updated: Reach level 15 ]
Reading through, he could see another section just below his race.
"Transcendence stage? What's that supposed to mean?" He thought quite curious about the new heading.
Will was eager to test out his new strength but decided to do that later. First of all, he needed to find Issaiah.
'I wonder what he saw,' he thought. 'To think he would follow me all through without knowing. It's best if I head to the forge, although we won't be able to speak freely.'
Going towards the bathroom, within a few minutes, he was out. Taking a new uniform from his collections, he headed out of the room.
"What the hell happened back then. Just who are you, Will Sonoma." Issaiah thought as he carried out his task in the forge. Through the help of Pete, they had learned a lot about forging. With him assisting them at the beginning, they could finally carry out their tasks without assistance.
'Is he special... just like me?' He thought. 'I could feel it. His strength had increased, and judging by the aura he emitted, he would definitely be in the peak stage of the middle realm.'
"Will! What did you do to your hair," Belle asked, walking towards Will, who stood at the entrance of the door. They weren't going for hunt today as they had gotten materials that would last them for the week.
"What happened to my hair?" Will asked, rubbing his hand over his hair. He had rushed down here due to him being late already and didn't have time to check himself.
He also noticed the uniform he picked was quite tight for a moment before it had adjusted to his size. He didn't think much of it back then.
"Hold on! I went through an evolution right. I'm expected to undergo some changes," he thought.
Sigh. He didn't even know what to say, and with a smile, he patted her back and walked forward. It's not the right time.
Will had arrived late, his face emitting a radiant glow. Not only did he gain an increase in strength, but his facial features had also went through changes.
The hours were finally over as they headed out of the forge. Finally, Will was able to rush back to the dorm room to check himself.
'Shit! My hair, the streaks of blue, her becoming apparent,' he thought. Also, his jawline and facial features had also undergone changes. His eyes now radiated a darker shade of blue with his jawline sharper than before. He also noticed his body had gained more developed muscle.
He walked out of the bathroom and sat on the bed awaiting Issaiah. Not long, the door was pushed open, and Issaiah walked into the room.
"I know you wanna talk," he said, sitting beside him. "I wanted to test my skills, so I decided to sneak into the facility. I never knew you were also in the facility."
'Hmmm, I can't tell if he's telling the truth or not. I'll just make do with what he said.'
He went on to explain the battle between the beasts heading his direction and how he had tracked the source of energy, discovering it was coming from him.
"I'm sorry, I left without thanking you." Will finally said. "Without you, I wouldn't know if I would have been still been alive," this he said to himself. Not wanting him to think it was a big deal.
"Alright," he said, patting him. "Be careful." He walked out of the room with a smile tugging on his lips. "I guess that wasn't much of a problem, I have to be careful, don't wanna fail my job."
~~~~
Things went smoothly with everyone trying their best to reach the advanced realm. Those with beast crystals were able to rent a room in the training facility to cultivate their ability and also hone their respective skills.
Just like that, one and a half month had gone with few days remaining for the month given to them to elapse.
Will was currently in one of the rooms he had booked, his body drenched in sweat. He opened his eyes, a frown etched on his face. "I'm just this close, but I think something is missing."
He had reached a bottleneck and was finding it difficult to break through to the next phase.
Just twelve days left, and I'm still battling with breaking through when others have done so.
Checking his qi, he was quite satisfied. The qi within had grown larger. During his training, he made sure he expanded every output within and them allowing the energy to fill back. He had also gained more control over the energy.
With a sigh, he stood up and headed out of the space room. At the same time, a figure walked out of the room beside his.
"You're already out," she said, her face emitting a soft glow. Will could feel it, the energy around her, he knew right away she had finally made a breakthrough to the advanced realm.
After their last sparring, they usually go to the training building together. "C'mon, let's go. Dren is still cultivating. He would meet up with us."
Walking side by side, they emerged out of the building and made their way towards a nearby shop.
They sat at the vacant chair and then Will ordered some meal while they waited for Dren.
"Hmmm, so delicious," she said. "Aren't you going to eat yours?" She asked.
Will quickly turned his face, which was already red. "Yeah. I'll do that."
"She's so pretty," he thought before shaking his head, trying to drive out the strange feeling. Over the months, they had bonded closely, hanging around after training, before heading back to the dorm.
Just as Will began eating his food, a loud siren rang through the air.
Quite a few in the restaurant accompanied by the owner quickly headed towards an underground base built inside one of the rooms.
The rest who were fighters quickly headed out to check what was going on.
"Aggh, I would have to leave my meal," he said with a sigh. "Cmon, let's check what's going on. I believe we'll meet up with Dren there."
One thing they had been noted was to always answer the siren call no matter where they are. Heading towards the dorm building, they could see Captain Henry imposing frame before a crowd of students.
Joining the crowd, they listened to what he was saying.
"The city is being attacked by horde of beasts. I want every student present to head towards the gate and hold back the beasts until reinforcement arrives."
"Yes, sir!" They voiced out in unison, excitement evident in their voices, before heading towards the gate.
"It seems luck's on your side. This is the best time to test your strength," Will said with a wry smile. C'mon, let's find Dren first.
They saw him with a group of students rushing towards the gate.
"Dren!" Belle called out, waving her hands.
"Just the guys I was looking for," Dren said, walking towards them. "So what's the plan?"
"Let's head towards the gate and observe the situation first," Will said. Dashing forward, they appeared before the gate and saw the unfolding scene.
The battle was already on. The first wave was tens of thousands of critters trying to break through the gate. The battle was intense as a slight mistake might lead to death.
Will and his friends soon join the ranks with their signature attacks.
Dren, with his shadow daggers, charged forward, cutting down the beasts that charged towards him. Belle, with her fiery whips crackling with energy, cause havoc within their ranks.
Will, with his katana, struck down any beast that blocked his part.
"Keep together," he shouted, slashing down another beast.
The battle raged on, and finally, they had entirely killed the first wave.
"Catch your breath! This is just the first wave. The second wave is fast approaching." One of the guards said out loud.
"Let them come," Will said, unable to hide the wide smile on his face. He gripped his sword tightly, ready for the next wave. 'This is exciting, being able to fight so long without artifacts.'
Soon, the next wave of beast was seen charging across the vast expanse. Looking at the beasts, they soon noticed this wave were filled with higher ranking beasts.
Will had grouped up with his friends as they awaited the beasts. Others with long-range abilities had already started launching their attacks, and soon the battle began.