Contents of the Azure Ball

"Ugh! Where am I?"

Groaning, Evan opened his eyes with great difficulty as he rubbed his forehead to try to alleviate the splitting headache he was currently experiencing.

Feeling his head throb with pain, he couldn't help but curse whoever placed the azure ball right in his brain.

'At least give a warning or an indication of the upcoming pain. Fuck!'

Cursing again as the pain in his head spiked, Evan gritted his teeth as he gazed at the familiar darkness of his room in the oupost where he felt right at home.

Inhaling deeply a few times, he began sorting through the information which appeared in his mind after willing his consciousness to enter the azure ball.

'So there is a layer for every one of the ranks, huh? Right now, I just accessed the information from the first layer."

Rubbing his chin, Evan began filtering the information that was recently added to his brain.

The first thing that popped up was the power system of humanity's archenemies, the monsters and their classifications.

It classified monsters into three levels: Delta, Beta, and Alpha. Each of the classifications corresponded to three ranks, similar to that of the warrior pathway.

Delta-level monsters were the weakest and correlated with the first three ranks. Beta-level monsters experienced a qualitative change in their existence as these monsters possessed the might of warriors between ranks 4 to 6.

The difference in strength between a single Delta-level beast and a Beta-level monster was greater than the sum of the first three ranks combined.

Finally, there were the Alpha-level monsters who were the strongest existences below the limit of what a mortal being could achieve, whether that be human or monster.

Corresponding to the last three ranks, only the five monarchs were able to engage in battle with them and not get wiped out in seconds and, in some cases, come out victorious after a particularly intense battle.

'Turns that the monsters which I have been fighting are grouped as Delta-level monsters. We just assigned them ranks for simplicity based on the might they released.'

Feeling satisfied that one of the endless questions he had on his mind was finally answered, Evan continued leafing through the rest of the information mentally.

Next in the list of contents were the details regarding the mage pathway.

Mages followed a similar ranking system to warriors however, all the similarities ended there. In order for one to be fully classified as a mage, one must first form a magic core made of mana.

The magic core played the same role as that of a warrior's mana pool, where the mana a combatant would access for any battle was stored there.

In the first three mage ranks, the mana inside the magic core is in a gaseous state before transforming into a different state as they expelled it out of the body through the use of a spell.

Also, the main aim a mage has aside from increasing the purity of their mana is to refine their magic core.

Pushing past their limits, emptying the mana from the magic core again and again as they fought against exhaustion which crept up and threatened to cause their will to waver. This was a refining method that was universally known amongst all mages.

Every time all the mana in the magic core was drained, a subtle change would occur in the structure of the said core.

Hence why most mages sought to practice earnestly, repeatedly consuming the mana in their cores to further strengthen themselves as well as increase the familiarity they had with the spells in their arsenal.

In addition, when a mage broke through into the third rank, they gained access to a higher form of energy called essence, which played a vital role in later ranks.

After reviewing this information, Evan's eyes gleamed sharply as a wide grin threatened to split his face.

'Hahaha! Just the information I so dearly wanted to know. I bet u bastards from that detestable would suffer multiple heart attacks if you knew the information you so desperately tried to keep a lid on, is known to your greatest enemy, no less.'

Taking a few moments to be happy at the unexpected treasure trove of information which he received from the azure ball, Evan looked at the final piece of information which was left untouched, the power system of the scholar pathway!

Once a person begins the process of tempering their brain, they officially become a scholar. After beginning the tempering process, a scholar gained something called mental energy, which is used to manipulate external objects with the mind.

Mages have access to mental energy, however, their use is limited to aiding in the comprehension of magic spells and the activation of said spells. Scholars use mental energy in the gathering of knowledge and if cultivated to a high enough level, actual combat.

Scholars were known to possess increased intelligence as well as greater cognitive abilities than the rest of their peers, particularly in the aspect of thinking speed.

The first three ranks in the scholar pathway focused on tempering every part of the brain. After scholars broke through into the third rank, they gained a special variant of mental energy called psychic energy.

This energy possessed greater might as well as helped to remove some of the limitations that the scholars were bound by.

With scholars being generally weaker in offensive might, they were not to be underestimated, as the price paid would be in the blood of their unsuspecting enemies.

Eyes sparkling after assimilating all the information, Evan couldn't help but show a wry smile as his thoughts drifted toward the future.

'This sense of unease within me is growing stronger every day, particularly after I discovered the existence of the azure ball.'

Contemplating what to do about this mysterious sense of unease with a serious expression, he racked his brains for an answer.

'I don't know why, but every part of my body is unsettled as if screaming out, warning me that there is catastrophic danger up ahead. However, if I had enough strength, this so-called danger would be manageable yet I don't even know what it is.'

A frustrated sigh escaped Evan's mouth as he furiously rubbed his temple in irritation.

'After receiving the information from the first layer, I am more knowledgeable about certain topics which eluded me in the past. However, if this vague feeling is to be trusted, I need as many cards up my sleeve and the azure ball is one of them.'

Standing up, Evan retrieved the dark sword from his storage ring and gripped the hilt tightly before getting into stance, ready to begin another session of practising the Whispering Retribution Art.

'Sigh looks like my day of reckoning is looming nearby. I will not cower in the face of death again, embodying the spirit of a warrior as I face whatever fate has in store for me head-on!'