After the successful ritual, Darien opened his eyes and stepped away from the Vocation Crystal, staring at it with caution and uncertainty.
He didn't expect the process to be this consuming. Was it supposed to be this way?
But the Primordial relic was back to its base color—violet, and nothing appeared strange to Darien.
With that, he turned away and walked out of the dimension back into the hall.
The three instructors stared intently at the boy after he emerged from the portal, trying to see if he was showing the expression of a failed Vocation Rite, but his face was bright, meaning he was just as successful as the others.
Excusing himself from the instructors, Darien made his way out of the hall and to his dorm, excited about the improvements.
When he got into his room, the first thing he did was lock the door, then summoned his status panel.
[Mage Rank: Beginner 0/250]
[Knight Rank: Novice 50/250]
[HP: 328]
[STR: 51]
[AGI: 21]
[DEF: 47]
[VIT: 59]
[STA: 58]
[INT: 80]
For the active skills that evolved via Ascension, their changes weren't subtle at all.
[Skill: Perfect Stealth]
[Level: (3-star)]
[Description: An advanced concealment skill that nullifies sound, suppresses presence, and bends perception around the user. While active, Agility is enhanced by 300%, footsteps and movements leave no trace.]
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[Skill: Transcedent Swordsmanship]
[Level: (5-star)]
[Description: An advanced combat skill that maximizes bladed weapon proficiency. While active, Strength is boosted by 800% and Agility by 300% when wielding a bladed weapon. Strikes gain partial armor penetration, ignoring 15% of enemy defense.]
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[Skill: Critical Expose]
[Level: (4-star)]
[Description: An enhanced perception skill that not only identifies weak points but highlights critical strike paths for maximum damage. When active, markers glow more distinctly, ignoring 10% defense.]
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[Skill: Gravion Control]
[Level: (4-star)]
[Description: Grants refined control over localized gravity, allowing stable hovering up to four feet above ground and sharper directional shifts. While active, Agility is enhanced by 800%, with reduced stamina loss. 5 P.E Cost per minute]
—-----------
[Skill: Frostfang Javelin]
[Level: (4-star)]
[Description: Conjures a dense javelin of reinforced frost, hurled with extreme velocity. On impact, it pierces and inflicts severe frostbite and shattering into shards that spread in a 20-meter radius, immobilizing targets in range for 10 minutes. 20 P.E Cost and 60 sec cooldown ]
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[Skill: Solar Purge]
[Level: (3-star)]
[Description: Unleashes an intense wave of condensed solar fire across a 50-meter radius. The purge incinerates targets with high thermal damage, rapidly eroding armor or hide, and leaves behind lingering flames that continue burning for 30 seconds. 40 P.E Cost and 120 sec cooldown]
After inspecting the skills in their new ranks, Darien's attention shifted to his new Innate Skill from the Swordsman class—Ancestral Weapon Ascension.
[Ancestral Weapon Ascension: Grants the ability to evolve any weapon. Weapons can improve in quality, rank, unlock new traits, and grow stronger through use.]
'Not bad at all.'
Darien thought, though he wondered if it was possible for him to attain another class for magehood as well along the way.
Ancestral Weapon Ascension was a highly sought-after ability by many knights.
Having the power to evolve any weapon of choice was a dream come true for many, where they could awaken traits and forge a long-lasting connection with the only thing many took as their true friend—steel.
Remembering his Rare sword, Darien reached into his inventory and pulled it out.
(Item Name: Heatbringer)
(Type: Weapon/ Sword)
(Rank: Rare)
(LV. 5)
(Description: A magical sword that radiates intense warmth and flame. Deals adequate damage. Deals burning damage when activated. Devours the essence of whatever it strikes, absorbing power to strengthen itself.)
(Skills: Blazing Edge, Infernal Devour)
Seeing that the weapon was already at Lv. 5 of Rare rank, Darien understood he didn't need to consciously invoke Ancestral Weapon Ascension for the sword to evolve—it was already doing so.
At the moment, the sword had already acquired a new skill—Infernal Devour.
Unlike the ordinary, this wasn't simply a fire trick.
This skill granted the ability of a consuming force that allowed the weapon to swallow all matter it cut down, drawing in essence, strength, and memory to hasten its own evolution.
Hence, with every foe slain, the sword would feast.
To test if he had the power to truly wield this, Darien gripped the hilt of the weapon tightly, pointing the blade across his room.
After learning that he was an omni-magus, Darien couldn't see why he couldn't make the shaft of the sword burn. If he couldn't, then
With the knowledge he acquired daily from the General Library, he learned that it all boiled down to Ascension, because the wielder of any weapon needed to master the Flow in his body in order to channel the essence to the weapon to do its job.
As simple as that, the Rare-ranked weapon was set ablaze.
Flames licked up its blade in a steady stream, not wild or unstable, but controlled and obedient to the Warrior's will.
'Can't complain.'
Darien thought as the burning edge pulsed with his breathing, his face illuminated by it.
He wondered how powerful the weapon would be by the time he had evolved it to Primordial rank.
The thought of quick progression gave him an idea for a new skill that would be so useful, especially since the Novice Depths Dungeon test was the following day.
'With this skill, I will become an Ardent in no time!'
Darien thought as he sent the mental command.
[Ding!]
[Skill frame established]
[Name: 100x XP Multiplier]
[Type: Passive / Special]
[Level: (4-star)]
[Description: Increases all experience gained by 100 times.]
[Cost: 3000 SP]