Poole

As Dr. Whatson watched the multiple hands reach out of the cabinet, they quickly disappeared. Was he mistaken? Poole eventually pulled himself out of the cabinet. Unlike Dr. Whatson whose appearance changed drastically, Poole looked exactly the same. This was puzzling to Dr. Whatson.

"Elam, did it work?" Dr. Whatson asked.

"Of course, why would you think it didn't?"

"He looks the same," Dr. Whatson said.

"Poole is still a young man, you were an old fart when we put you in the Level up Cabinet. Plus, he's in the Imbuer so works completely different from the Level Up Cabinet you were in."

"I see, sorry, this is all very new to me," Dr. Whatson said.

"How do you feel?"

"I feel, strange...very strange. I know there's something different about me, but what is it?" Poole asked. He clearly looked disorientated.

"It's your powers," Xan said.

"My powers, what powers?" Poole looked up at Xan hoping for an explanation.

"First, come and have a seat, I'll explain once you're settled."

Poole went to the bed Dr. Whatson previously occupied. Now he sat on it feeling weak but also brimming with a strange energy. He stared at his hands but he felt like he had double-vision as his hands seemed to almost split apart.

"There it is again!" Shouted Dr. Whatson.

"I knew I saw several hands coming out of the cabinet, but I can't tell if those are real limbs or if they are after images," Dr. Whatson said.

"Huh?" Poole looked from Dr. Whatson to his hand, but it no longer had its double. Poole looked toward Xan hoping he could explain things.

"There are many paths to power just as there are many paths to immortality. We previously discussed a few forms of immortality on the road from Ambassador Mountjoy's base.

I have set Poole on an unusual path to power for this planet. However, it was quite a common thing where I come from.

In my world, most people didn't cultivate, they had power as part of who they were as people. It's something like Demon Beasts who have become people; their power isn't a cultivation level it's their biology.

There were several ways you could get powers; you could be born with them, a mutation in your genetic code, or someone could even give you the powers.

I have given Poole powers, but unlike in my world he will be able to grow and broaden his abilities," Xan said haughtily.

"What do you mean?" Poole and Dr. Whatson were both very confused, and Xan's explanation didn't help much.

"I'll show you," Xan walked over to Poole, held his nose, and popped him on the back of the head! As his head went forward, Xan held onto his nose and pulled him up until he was standing.

"Prince Elam, that hurt, I still don't understand you even with your demonstration," He looked toward Dr. Whatson for support, but all he saw was Dr. Whatson staring behind him in shock!

Poole turned to look back and nearly jumped out of his skin, there was another him sitting on the bed! This Poole was less shocked and more disorientated.

"Prince Elam, please tell me what's going on, why are there two of me?" Poole asked in a panic.

"If I'm right there's more than just another you; there might be a few other yous."

"Young Master your riddles are going to be the death of me," Poole said. Xan laughed as he turned from looking at Poole to the other Poole on the bed.

"You there, come here," Xan commanded.

"Yes, Prince Elam, how may I be of assistance," the clone asked.

"Stick out your arm."

The clone did as he was commanded, and Xan grabbed the offered arm firmly with one hand. With his other hand, he roughly ran his hand against the clone's arm. As he did so, fire rose up from the arm.

"Can you do this?" Xan asked.

"No, sir, well, not like that," he said.

"You've been studying the manual I gave you?"

"The Five Elements Body Cultivation Manual? Of course, sir, I study it every chance I get.

"How many elements have you gathered into your body?"

"I have mastered the Fire element up to level 2 and the Earth element up to level 1," Poole responded proudly.

"Very nice, level 2 fire and level 1 earth. You should be able to produce three clones. Let's pull them out." Xan grabbed a large pair of pliers from a workbench.

"Dr. Whatson, please hold Poole for me," he said pointing at the standing Poole. Dr. Whatson grabbed him on his left arm and behind his head on the right.

Xan took the pliers and grabbed onto Pool's jacket and pulled it back to him. Xan had to struggle for several moments, but eventually, he was successful and managed to pull another Poole out.

He didn't stop there, this time, he had Poole sit on the ground on his bottom while Dr. Whatson held his shoulder's down. Xan took a foot and tagged tightly until another Poole appeared. There were now a total of four Pooles in the room.

The original Poole got up from the ground and looked at his copies. Xan motioned for them to gather in front of him, Dr. Whatson, and the original Poole.

"These men are all you, but they come from you so they obey you and you commander them!"

"Huh?" Poole and Dr. Whatson said at the same time.

"You are the Poole in charge, much like the Steward of a family home; you command the other servants of the house!

You as the main body have one ability, you can make copies of yourself. Each copy is slightly different from yours. The difference is you can make copies of yourself, but each of them have inherited power and specialty from you."

Poole was still confused and Xan knew it. Fine, be dense, he thought. "You," he pointed to the Poole on the far left. "Show me your fire element ability. As if possessed, the other Poole could somehow perform Xan's task. The fire arose from his hand. He pointed at the next one and fire also came from him. Finally, it was the Poole on the far right. He lifted his hand and instead of the fire element, Earth Element appeared.

"Here, take this, "He gave the original Poole a very detailed book. "This is my explanation of your power and a suggestion on how to quickly build the power of your men. You will learn to call them whenever you need them. I also have a suggested training schedule to help you advance quickly, you can take my advice or make your own decision!"

"Why would I not follow your suggestions?" Poole answered promptly.

"Why indeed.