Short Story:
The Professor:
Inside one of the prestigious academies in a far kingdom, the class was filled with silence while I stood in front of the students.
I said in a low voice but charged with sternness: "And now, my dear students… is there anyone who can explain to me: why, when using ability skills, we make sure to pronounce them verbally?"
A heavy silence prevailed for seconds, as if the words froze in the air. I raised my eyebrows with displeasure and added: "Hmm… is there no volunteer?"
While the atmosphere was getting more tense, a thin hand rose at the end of the class. A young girl with long silver hair flowing over her shoulders, her face elegant, overflowing with confidence.
I smiled for the first time and said: "Yes, please speak."
The young girl stood with confident steps, in an appearance that showed nobility and charm, and said in a melodious voice: "The ability grants you a vision of what you can do, but it is only a beginning. Your imagination, and your continuous training… they are what reveal the true potentials of the ability. The matter is not only about its rank or its category."
She paused for a moment, then smiled a calm smile that captivated the eyes of everyone around her and continued: "The truth of power depends on what you are able to bring out. And here comes the role of pronunciation… for when you pronounce an ability skill, you activate your imagination and make it closer to reality, even stronger than you think."
Then she sat lightly, and the whole class was astonished by her words.
A wave of warm applause erupted. I clapped as well, and said with a rare smile: "Well done, Miss Silver Field."
Chapter 7: Evolution!
Arthur:
I looked toward the man and the boy with a serious face, I started running with my hands burning and rushed toward them.
Good, he did not notice me. I thought of my way of attack when I got close enough to the man.
"Damn you, green scum, get away from me." The man spoke as he sent another fist toward a poor boy.
"Take this, you bald. Skill [Burning Hand (Level 1)]"
I sent my burning fist at the bald's face from his right side from behind. As soon as it touched his body a force appeared from nothing and exploded. It made the bald bend his neck and smoke came out from the place of impact.
Wow, what is this wonderful power… ah, why do I feel weak.
[You have drained half of your own Mana]
Ah, so this is it.
Wait a moment, such a strike would have sent me flying, but he did not move an inch. As if he heard my thoughts, he turned toward me, his face red and the bulging vein on his neck was clear.
"Haaa… who are you? Your strike did not affect anything. You had the audacity to hit me, and even insulted me."
Oh my God, he did not even get a scratch. What is this man made of?
Sweat started dripping on my face.
What do I do now? Do I run to gain some time? Impossible, his speed might surpass my capabilities. Do I fight? I will lose in a second. Damn it, what do I do? While I was thinking of a solution to save my situation, I neglected the coming fist.
Without any wait, the man sent his fist toward me with anger: "Know your place, an ant I can crush easily."
"Ohhh…" I groaned from the sudden strike, and I rose about 15 cm from the ground because of its power.
The man sent his fist again toward my face, blood spread, and I was thrown to the ground without movement.
"Oooh… how fast and painful that was. His mistake was to mess with this person. He has the ability [Solid body]. It seems he lost consciousness… hahahahaha… hey Solid, I had a bet with him. If he did not lose consciousness before one minute, then I will leave that old woman. Do not disappoint me, finish him." I heard Boss Grong speaking mockingly.
Bastard, he is sure of my loss. Ah… why am I so weak like this? I did not resist even one strike. My life is miserable… hah hah… I coughed blood. I am sure my face is deformed. This is painful.
But the real pain did not come yet, as the bald man sat on my stomach arghhh.
"Hehehehehe. How dare you call me bald. This is your punishment." He raised his fist and a white aura appeared.
"Ability [Solid body] Solid fist."
"Argh…"
"And this, hahahaha."
"Arghhh." He continued sending his fists one after another toward my face.
I don't know how many times I ate his fists, but what I know is that time passed slowly and I saw fist after fist. Ah, I no longer feel my face. I swear my mother will not recognize me.
"Stop, stop man, you are close to killing him… I said make him lose consciousness only." Said Boss Grong sharply.
So the bald man stopped hitting me, his fist covered with my blood. He stood and walked away from me.
[System]
[You have met the requirements for your skill evolution]
[Damage Resistance (Level 1) ---> Damage Resistance (Level 5)]
[Permanent Defense Increase +4]
[Cell Evolution (Level 1) ---> Cell Evolution (Level 5)]
[Skill level has increased]
[Skill I ----> Skill II]
[You have reached the limit of Skill I evolution]
[You can choose between the following evolutions:
– [Stacked Damage Resistance]
[Description: We accumulate your damage and turn it into absolute defense.]
(Permanent Defense Increase +10)
– [Immunity to Weak Damage]
[Description: Your body is immune to minor injuries. But we have nothing to do with lethal wounds.]
(Permanent Defense Increase +5)
]
[Skill level has increased]
[Skill I ----> Skill II]
[You have reached the limit of Skill I evolution]
[You can choose between the following evolutions:
– [Rapid Cell Evolution]
[Description: We are very fast, do not fear. The best builders are before you, just provide us with resources quickly.]
– [Enlarged Cell Evolution]
[Description: Children must go to suckle from their mother's breast. I do not need much energy and absorb anything. I store energy for hardships. Strength, not speed.]
(Consumption: -1 Mana (Magic))
]
Cough… cough… skill evolution I did not know of this… cough… this feature in ability… damn, surely he was hiding their level up. To reveal it in a decisive moment like this.
[…]
I must choose quickly… cough… cough… I am in pain, the speed of skill [Cell Evolution (Level 1)] is too slow, I will choose Skill II [Rapid Cell Evolution (Level 1)]. I know its consequences, I need to avoid great damage or I will become a motionless corpse.
I looked at the next skill and chose without hesitation.
[Skill II Stacked Damage Resistance (Level 1)]
It is good I have good defense with every damage I take. And every damage heals at the same time. Two skills complement each other.
[Skill I Damage Resistance (Level 5)] ----> [Skill II Stacked Damage Resistance (Level 1)]
[Level Description: Do not worry, one day you will become completely immune.]
Here's the literal English translation:
[Skill I Cell Evolution (Level 5)] ----> [Skill II Rapid Cell Evolution (Level 1)]
[Level Description: Quickly, quickly.]
Immediately after receiving the two skills my face started itching terribly, and my vitality drained quickly.
"Now where were we. Old woman, today is your day of death. Come here."
No, I will not allow you to touch her.
"No please… please… spare me."
Do not be afraid old woman, he will not touch you anymore.
"What is your use?"
Did you live the tenderness of a mother?
"Please… please… please. Ah.. ah.."
I said do not worry old woman.
I rose partially from the ground, I breathed heavily and sweat flooded me.
I looked at the ground stained with blood and sweat, then later I looked at the bald man as he headed toward the old woman with slow steps. The time is close to ending, and the victory is mine.
"Hey Solid, he somehow woke up, damn. Hurry, kill that old woman for me."
I looked angrily toward Boss Grong who plays despicably. He sighed, but the matter will end peacefully.
—----
Boss Grong:
Damn it, how did he rise from all that beating? Is this his ability? I did not expect this boy's endurance. And now I must fulfill a stupid promise, sigh.
"Boss, fine as you want. I wanted to kill that old woman." The man turned, heading toward the old woman with intent to kill, ignoring Arthur standing with difficulty after hearing my orders.
But immediately, once Solid ignored Arthur, he started running toward him with his hands burning.
Just damn, from where did he bring all that vitality? His face almost healed! And now fire? Man, what kind of ability does he have? I think he will be a good addition to my group.
—----
Arthur:
"Skill [Burning Hand (Level 1)]" I sent my burning fist behind the bald's head. I know it will not work, but only to gain time.
He turned with veins swelling on his head: "Learn, you brat." He sent his fist toward my stomach, making me fly and slide on my shoulder.
I spat blood from my mouth, ah I have no strength to stand. Get up my body. Get up my body. Get uppppppp…. I will not surrender… to this… ever… so rise you damn bodyyyy.
In the last shred of energy I stood on my trembling legs.
I wiped the blood from my mouth, with a smile and shining black eyes I said: "Is this all you've got? Haha.. you bald."
"Haaa… what did you say? I swear you are seeking your death, boy."
The bald man's skin changed to become darker: "Ability [Solid body] Perfect body, I will show you hell."
The bald rushed toward me with tremendous speed.
<_____________________________>
[States]
[Character:
– Name and surname: Arthur Field
– Ethnicity: human
– Ability: Learning – Rank S
– Level 2 (200/50)
– Statistics Points: 0
]
[Properties:
– Strength: 8
– Agility: 5
– Defense (Vitality, Resistance): 4 + (20)
– Intelligence (mana): 10
]
[skills :
– [Skill I I'm not thirsty (level 1)]
– [Skill II Stacked Damage Resistance (Level 1)]
– [Skill I Sword Art of the Field Family (Level 1)]
– [Skill II Rapid Cell Evolution (Level 1)]
– [Skill I Burning Hand (Level 1)]
]