Attract
Last night, I acquired a pretty powerful skill called "Flight". This ability seems like it could be quite versatile. I'd like to test its potential.
Well, let's get on with today's point mission.
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Status
Akaya MakotoLevel: 0Health: 100 / 100Mana: 100 / 100Defense: 0Strength: 30,000Dexterity: 300Intelligence: 0Resistance: 0Agility: 0Mystery: 0Spirit: 0
Skill
"Basic Stamina""Basic Mana""Basic Dexterity" ×3"Advanced Strength" ×3"Harden""Soften""Stick""Throw"
Equipment
"Skill Tree"
━━━━━━ 'Skill Tree' ━━━━━━━
Skill Tree
Tree Level: 1Skill Points: 0Point Mission: "Weeding"
Skill Menu
"Basic Stamina": Available 4 times"Basic Mana": Available 4 times"Basic Defense": Available 5 times"Advanced Strength": Available 2 times"Basic Dexterity": Available 2 times"Basic Intelligence": Available 5 times"Basic Resistance": Available 5 times"Basic Agility": Available 5 times"Basic Mystery": Available 5 times"Basic Spirit": Available 5 times"Attract": Available 1 time"Hold": Available 1 time"Bend": Available 1 time
Completed Skill
"Applied Strength": Available 0 times"Basic Strength": Available 0 times"Harden": Available 0 times"Soften": Available 0 times"Stick": Available 0 times"Throw": Available 0 times
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In the morning, I checked my status in the bathroom and confirmed that the point mission has been updated. It says "Weeding." That's new.
I nervously traced the point mission with my finger to open the details.
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Today's Point Mission
Keep up the daily efforts!
"Weeding"
Work behind Hero High School: 0/20kg
Continuous Days: 14 days Diligence Rank: Silver Point Multiplier: 2.0x
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This is different from the usual routine. I guess it means I have to weed behind Hero High School. But I have no idea where "behind" is.
I decided to ask one of the few acquaintances who talk to me at school, Vilt, who sits next to me. Usually, we don't talk in the classroom, just a bit in the training building.
"That's rare, Akaya, you talking to me in the classroom."
"I have a question. Do you know where the back of the school is? This school is ridiculously huge, and there are so many facilities we students can't enter, so I have no idea where the back is."
"By the way, Akaya, you haven't been coming to the training building much lately."
"Don't interrupt."
"Did you give up on being an explorer?"
Oh right, we talked about that before.
"No, I haven't given up. Just between us, I actually awakened to my skills. Not just one or two, quite a few. I've started secret training."
"That's great. I'm glad your efforts didn't go to waste. It would have been miserable if you worked so hard and got no results."
"I can't tell if you're encouraging me or insulting me."
"Encouraging you, definitely."
Vilt looked a bit offended. I know her. She's kind to everyone. It's well known in our grade that she's one of the two great beauties, called the "Silver Saint." The other one is the "Ice Lady," a scary one.
"Back to where the back of the school is. I'm not sure, but there's a very green area within the grounds."
"A very green area...?"
After school, I headed to an area I hadn't been to before, based on Vilt's information. There were many buildings marked "Staff Level 2 and Above" which students shouldn't enter.
By the way, our student ID cards grant us Staff Level 1 access, as explained by our homeroom teacher during the entrance ceremony. This means students can freely enter and exit facilities like the dormitory, classroom building, training building, and central building.
"Is this the green area...?"
"What are you doing here?"
I turned to see a big, muscular bald man.
"Director David?"
"Akaya boy, what a rare sight. Are you out for a run?"
"No, I'm on a different task today... Is this the back of the school?"
"If you consider the main gate the front, then yes, this would be the back, Akaya boy."
"I see. Director David, do you need help with the weeding?"
"A volunteer? That's appreciated."
Director David and I looked down at the depression in the green overgrown area. It looked like a crater, about 30 meters in diameter, overgrown with weeds.
"What is this crater?"
"A dungeon appeared on campus several years ago. This is the remnant of that."
"A remnant? What do you mean?"
"Dungeons can appear anytime, anywhere. When one appeared here, an explorer giving a special lecture burned the entire dungeon. This crater was left as a result."
"They burned the entire dungeon...? Is that even possible?"
"For ordinary explorers, no. But for the strongest ones, it is possible."
Wow, there are amazing explorers out there. I hope I can become like that.
"Weeds grow vigorously in this crater. The remaining dungeon energy still gives power to the soil, making the weeds grow back even after being pulled. This crater is full of energy."
"Why not just fill it in?"
"It's a crater made by a legendary explorer. It's considered a power spot and could be a tourist attraction.
The management wants to keep it nice by removing the weeds."
So it's not just any crater. That's why Director David is in charge of weeding it.
"Leave it to me. If we work at it every day, we'll get it done eventually."
"Akaya boy... yes, let's do our best together."
Weeding turned out to be quite a workout. Wearing gloves and pulling from the roots is a high-intensity workout for the wrists. For big weeds, it's easier to use the back muscles instead of the waist. Even though it's just pulling weeds, there's a lot to learn.
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Today's Point Mission
Keep up the daily efforts!
"Weeding"
Work behind Hero High School: 20/20kg
Reward
Earned 2 Skill Points!
Continuous Days: 15 days Diligence Rank: Silver Point Multiplier: 2.0x
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By evening, I completed the mission. Wiping the sweat off my forehead, I felt accomplished. Having three "Basic Dexterity" skills allows me to control my power, but I still need to consciously apply force when needed. Although easier than the perimeter, repeating the effort for an hour left me quite tired.
I said goodbye to Director David and returned to the dorm to shower off the refreshing sweat. It's time for the much-anticipated skill allocation.
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Skill Tree
Tree Level: 1Skill Points: 2Point Mission: Complete
Skill Menu
"Basic Stamina": Available 4 times"Basic Mana": Available 4 times"Basic Defense": Available 5 times"Advanced Strength": Available 2 times"Basic Dexterity": Available 2 times"Basic Intelligence": Available 5 times"Basic Resistance": Available 5 times"Basic Agility": Available 5 times"Basic Mystery": Available 5 times"Basic Spirit": Available 5 times"Attract": Available 1 time"Hold": Available 1 time"Bend": Available 1 time
Completed Skill
"Applied Strength": Available 0 times"Basic Strength": Available 0 times"Harden": Available 0 times"Soften": Available 0 times"Stick": Available 0 times"Throw": Available 0 times
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I'm fairly satisfied with my control over strength. Dexterity could still use some improvement, but its priority is lower. This time, I'll unlock "Basic Mana" and "Attract."
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Status
Akaya MakotoLevel: 0Health: 100 / 100Mana: 100 / 200Defense: 0Strength: 30,000Dexterity: 300Intelligence: 0Resistance: 0Agility: 0Mystery: 0Spirit: 0
Skill
"Basic Stamina""Basic Mana" ×2"Basic Dexterity" ×3"Advanced Strength" ×3"Harden""Soften""Stick""Throw""Attract"
Equipment
"Skill Tree"
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My stats are looking like this. The numbers for stats other than strength are gradually increasing. I got "Basic Mana" to increase active skill usage. Since I have poor imagination, I need to touch, use, and experiment to understand skills.
If I can increase mana usage, it might increase the number of skills I can use simultaneously. It's better to handle multiple skills simultaneously for tactical diversity.
I don't know if I have time to test "Attract," but I'll do my best.
It's already 10 p.m. I should study until 11 p.m. and get some sleep.
The next morning.
To test "Attract," I visited a place in town. The large commercial facility near Hero High School. It's 7:30 a.m., and the facility opens at 10 a.m. This time is ideal for testing without disturbing anyone.
"Activate 'Attract.'"
I extended my right hand. There's no change. I didn't expect my first attempt to succeed. To use the skill, I need to focus on the target's concept. For now, I imagined attracting a coin from my hand.
There's no change. I felt a little fatigue.
"A failed attempt. Maybe I'm wrong."
The skill name "Attract" means pulling something toward oneself. Pulling objects means understanding how to attract the target and understanding the concept of "attract." What attracts a coin?
Magnetism.
"Magnetism attracts metal, right?"
Now, how to use that attraction... The simplest concept of attracting a coin in my hand is magnetism. Magnetic force doesn't involve magic power directly. The mystery of attracting should resonate with mana.
I tried imagining the coin in my hand. I then imagined a thin string of mana connecting my hand and the coin. Now, try to draw the coin's string closer. The mana link extending from my hand subtly resonates, forming a connection with the coin.
"Attract."
The coin moved, not fast, but it did move.
"Success."
This skill, "Attract," seems to connect the user and target with a thin string of mana, resonating and pulling the target closer. It works for objects within visual range and can be adjusted with practice.
I practiced for about 30 minutes before heading to school. The more I use this skill, the better I'll get at controlling it.
Today's point mission is... weeding again? Alright, I'll do my best!