Breakpoint, Plans

The next two days passed normally. Aura and Lydian kept up their training, the only difference being Ariel who joined them. Aura was used to long periods of isolation, but Lydian was overjoyed to have some company to interrupt the monotony. Ariel also paid close attention to their training, as she also planned on becoming a monster trainer. She had a good harvest when it came to deepening her understanding of monsters and the role of the monster trainers.

The change happened at noon on the third day. Puppet was close to advancing to level 10, only around a hundred more experience was required.

"Brother, you said level 10 was a breakpoint, right?" Lydian asked.

"Yes, at levels that are multiples of ten, monsters tend to learn new skills or improve their existing ones. At points such as these, they experience a surge in strength." Puppet walked in front of Aura. It could feel that its body was full of energy.

"Okay, I'll feed you now, Puppet." Aura took out his spirit jade and slowly fed it piece by piece, keeping track of any changes happening in his monster's body.

[Leafy Marionette gained 8 exp]

[Leafy Marionette gained 7 exp]

...

[Leafy Marionette gained 7 exp]

[Leafy Marionette leveled up]

[You leveled up]

Right as the signal that Puppet had leveled up showed up in Aura's mind, the mana diffused in the surrounding air began to gather, slowly forming a vortex around Puppet. As the mana sank into the monster that was slightly glowing green, Puppet's simple face crunched up in concentration as if it had an epiphany. Then the small phenomenon disappeared, with no trace of it having ever occurred.

[Leafy Marionette learned a new skill]

[Aura - Monster Trainer]

Race: Human

Level: 10

Health: 24/24 (+3) (Healthy)

Constitution: 5

Strength: 5

Agility: 5

Defense: 5

Mana: 47/47 (+4)

[Currently Contracted Monsters]

Leafy Marionette - Level 10

[Leafy Marionette - Aura]

Type: Wood/Mystical

Level: 10

Health: 47/47 (+4) (Healthy)

Constitution: 17 (+2)

Strength: 9

Agility: 7 (+1)

Defense: 7(+1)

Mana: 75/75 (+6)

[Skills]

Leafy Costume...

Puppet Strings...

Puppet Sprout - Leafy Marionette creates a controllable copy of itself, 10 levels lower

Aura shared the new stats of Puppet with Lydian and Ariel.

"The new skill seems strong, but Puppet's weaknesses are still there," said Lydian.

Aura agreed. "Puppet is still weak in a duel. This skill is strongest in a team battle. The Puppet Sprouts can help take damage and control the enemy. It also is stronger at higher levels, currently Puppet only has enough mana to use it once."

Aura had Puppet demonstrate its new skill. It was exactly as the skill description said, a level one Leafy Marionette appeared. Puppet directed it to move around and use skills. It behaved exactly as it was ordered.

"Lyn should be close to level 10 as well, right?" asked Aura.

"Yes, it'll probably be ready tonight."

That night, the Crystal Horse stood in the middle of the yard, happily being fed spirit jade. The same scene that appeared during Puppet's advancement happened here as well. After the vortex faded away, Lyn also successfully leveled up and learned a new skill, which Lydian promptly shared.

[Crystal Horse - Lydian]

Type: Earth

Level: 10

Health: 47/47 (+4) (Healthy)

Constitution: 12 (+1)

Strength: 19 (+2)

Agility: 7 (+1)

Defense: 12 (+1)

Mana: 54/54 (+5)

[Skills]

Stampede...

Shatter...

Resplendent Gleam - Crystal Horse surrounds itself with a blinding aura, disrupting the enemy's vision and taking reduced damage from elemental attacks

"This benefits Lyn's close range capabilities and survivability," observed Lydian, quite satisfied with the skill. She had Lyn demonstrate the skill, Lyn began to shine with a glaring light. It became difficult to focus on it, and trying to determine its position became difficult.

"Wow! It looks so cool!" Lydian had Lyn stop using the skill and hugged its neck.

"Now that we have two level 10 monsters, we can begin by exploring smaller spacial realms. There should only be one or two space cracks that exist right now. We can start by going to the one that happens to be located deep inside the nearby mountain range."

Aura had everyone pack enough supplies to last for a month. Even though it was unlikely for them to stay there that long, it was better to be prepared. They also brought many containers and bags to carry back any treasures or resources they could find.

"There should also be some monsters that Ariel could be interested in, so she can also come with us if she wants," Aura said. Ariel quickly nodded. Exploring a new world seemed thrilling to her, who knew what lay on the other side of the space crack.

"There's not much else we need to do, so we can set off tomorrow."