Chapter 7:New feature?
Alex's heart pounded. This was it. The Art of Cosmic Shadows was not just a different name—it was the key to unlocking the true potential of the Mars family's spear technique.
Seeing the intrigue in Alex's eyes, the duke decided to share more about the history of their family's spear art. "The Infinity Strike," he began, "has been passed down through generations of the Mars family. Its origins are ancient, shrouded in legend and myth. Our ancestors, it is said, were not merely warriors but also scholars of the stars.
They believed that true mastery of the spear could only be achieved by understanding the movements and energies of the cosmos."
Alex listened intently, absorbing every word.
"The Infinity Strike was originally developed as a series of techniques that mimicked the patterns of constellations and celestial phenomena. Each move is designed to harness and channel the power of the stars, allowing the wielder to strike with the precision and force of a celestial body.
As our ancestors honed their skills, they discovered that those who fully mastered the art could momentarily tap into a cosmic power source, granting them abilities far beyond the scope of ordinary mortals."
The duke demonstrated a series of strikes, each one fluid and imbued with a sense of
otherworldly grace. "The foundation of the Infinity Strike is in its stances," he explained. "Each stance represents a different constellation, and each strike is a star in that constellation. When performed in sequence, the techniques create a powerful and harmonious flow of energy."
He moved into the "Stance of the Dragon," a powerful and aggressive posture representing Draco. "This stance allows for swift, devastating attacks, much like the fierce dragon in the night sky."
Switching to a more fluid, defensive position, he adopted the "Stance of the Serpent," symbolizing Serpens. "This stance emphasizes flexibility and evasion, mirroring the serpent's elusive nature."
Finally, the duke demonstrated the "Stance of the Phoenix," a balanced and elegant posture reflecting the constellation Phoenix. "This stance is about regeneration and endurance, allowing the user to recover and strike back with renewed strength."
Alex was mesmerized by the display; the beauty and complexity of the art far exceeded anything he had ever imagined. He could see the connection between the stances and the cosmos, understanding how each movement drew power from the stars.
"Ding, the Art of Cosmic Shadows is being learned (35%)."
Alex thanked his father and withdrew from the training hall, making his way back to his room to digest what he had learned and figure out ways to increase his mastery level of the art.
"Status," he commanded.
A transparent screen appeared before him, displaying several options:
1. [Stats]
2. [Shop]
3. [Lottery]
4. [Villain Points]
This time, Number 2 [Shop] was in blue, so with intrigue, Alex pressed Number 2.
"Ding, first time opening up shop, so Novice gift is waiting for you!"
Alex couldn't understand what the system meant, so he clicked the option to receive the gift.
"500 shop points are given, and Abyss Glaze is also given."
Alex suddenly felt a glaze in his eye, and since he was standing in front of a mirror, he was able to see how his eye transformed. It went from purple to red, then to dark pink before returning to its normal color.
"System, how do I use Abyss Glaze?" he asked, puzzled.
"Ding, the Abyss Glaze enhances perception and allows you to see the flow of aetherium and other hidden energies. It can also reveal hidden pathways, inscriptions, and the true nature of objects or people."
Alex's curiosity was piqued. He decided to test his new ability. Gazing around his room, he activated the Abyss Glaze. His vision shifted, and suddenly he could see the faint, shimmering threads of aetherium weaving through the air. The room, once mundane, now seemed to be alive with hidden energy.
He turned his attention to the family spear resting against the wall. With the Abyss Glaze, he could see the intricate patterns of energy embedded within the weapon, revealing its true power. It was a sight to behold.
"This is incredible," Alex muttered to himself. "I can see so much more now."
His thoughts drifted back to the art of cosmic shadows. If the Abyss Glaze could reveal hidden energies, perhaps it could help him understand the deeper layers of the spear techniques his father had demonstrated.
"Ding, Abyss Glaze can be used to accelerate the learning process of the Art of Cosmic Shadows by revealing the true flow of energy in each movement."
Excited by the possibilities, Alex decided to practice. He took the spear and began to mimic the stances and strikes his father had shown him earlier. With the Abyss Glaze, he could see where he was going wrong and make precise adjustments.
Time seemed to fly by as he trained. Each movement became more fluid and powerful, and the energy flow became more harmonious. The stances of the dragon, serpent, and phoenix took on new life under his enhanced perception.
"Ding, the Art of Cosmic Shadows is being learned (45%)."
Alex paused, panting from the exertion but exhilarated by his progress. The Abyss Glaze was proving to be an invaluable tool in his training. He felt a growing confidence that he could master the Infinity Strike and unlock the secrets of the cosmic shadows.
He decided to check his status again to see his progress.
"Status," he commanded.
The transparent screen reappeared, showing his stats:
Name: Aldric Mars (Alex)
Age: 5
Strength: 5.4
Agility: 5
Intelligence: 8.2
Charm: 5
Luck: ???
Villain Points: 0
Shop Points: 500
Overall Remark: He is now on the level of a prodigy at his age, but normal human adults have an average stat of 6.5.
"System, how do I use the shop points?"
"Ding, shop points can be used to purchase items, skills, and enhancements from the shop. Available items will be displayed when you browse the shop."
Alex opened the shop menu and browsed through the items. There were various weapons, artifacts, and potions, each with detailed descriptions. He saw enhancements for strength, agility, intelligence, and even rare skills.
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SHOP MENU
Categories:
Weapons
Artifacts
Potions
1. Weapons
Heavenly Spear (3000 Shop Points)
Description: A spear forged from celestial metal enhances the user's strength and agility.
Shadow Dagger (450 Shop Points)
Description: A dagger that allows the user to move silently and blend into shadows.
Dragon Sword (250 Shop Points)
Description: A sword imbued with dragon fire deals extra fire damage.
2. Artifacts
Phoenix Feather (2000 Shop Points)
Description: A feather that grants the user regenerative abilities.
Time Amulet (40000 Shop Points)
Description: An amulet that slows down time for the user for a short duration.
Mystic Mirror (2500 Shop Points)
Description: A mirror that reveals hidden truths and illusions.
3. Potions
Elixir of Strength (1000 Shop Points)
Description: Temporarily increases strength by 10 points.
Agility Potion (1000 Shop Points)
Description: Temporarily increases agility by 10 points.
Mind Clarity Brew (1000 Shop Points)
Description: Temporarily increases intelligence by 10 points.
Current Shop Points: 500
He decided to save his shop points for now, focusing on mastering the art of cosmic shadows and exploring the full potential of the Abyss Glaze.