Ανάπτυξη

The power of my Mimic Eye intrigued me deeply. The ability to replicate powers, skills, and even abilities, as long as I understood their origins, was a gift unlike any other. Yet, despite my knowledge of Mr. Ishtar's earth-manipulating prowess, I found myself unable to mimic his abilities. Was it because of the vast difference in our levels, or simply my lack of mana?

My progression, however, was undeniable. The Mimic Eye's Knowledge Growth trait had propelled me forward at an extraordinary pace. In just two days, I had leapt from level 12 to level 20—a progression that defied the natural order of this world. Despite this rapid ascent, I couldn't help but wonder: Was replication the Mimic Eye's only purpose, or was there something deeper to uncover?

As I rifled through the books Mr. Ishtar had lent me, I began to notice a pattern. The more knowledge I absorbed, the more precise and efficient my Mimic Eye became. It wasn't just replicating abilities—it was evolving, sharpening my understanding of the world around me. It was as if every new piece of information unlocked another layer of potential.

I had started to notice physical changes as well. My body felt more in tune with the power I wielded, transforming to accommodate the growing demands of the Mimic Eye. Mr. Ishtar had remarked on it, describing how my muscles were tightening and strengthening, molding me into something akin to an ancient Greek statue. My reflection in the mirror confirmed it—my frame was becoming leaner, stronger, and sharper.

"Mr. Ishtar," I asked one afternoon, curiosity gnawing at me, "are there other types of system prowess that don't rely on mana?"

He looked at me with mild surprise before nodding thoughtfully. "Yes, there are two other forms of system prowess aside from mana."

I leaned forward, eager to know more. I'd learned from his books that these systems were integral to how individuals in this world stored and utilized their power. They were the engines that drove their abilities, much like a car's engine or a computer's processor.

"The most common," Mr. Ishtar began, "is mana prowess. It's the ability to manipulate and utilize mana, both internal and external. It's a power most beings are born with and serves as the foundation for many abilities."

"And the other two?" I pressed, my curiosity piqued.

His expression grew more serious. "The second is authority. It's a prowess granted by the gods, wielded exclusively by the royal bloodlines of this land. Authority allows its bearer to command and control others, a dominion over the masses."

"Authority…" I murmured, letting the weight of the word settle. This wasn't merely a power—it was a divine right tied to rulership itself.

"The third," he continued, "is the rarest: mystic prowess. It can only be wielded by beings who are not human."

I blinked in surprise. "There are non-human species here?"

"Indeed," he said, nodding. "Among them are the Descendants, beings born of legendary heroes or gods themselves. Their power is so vast that ordinary beings stand no chance against them."

The revelation left me both awed and intimidated. "Can someone possess more than one prowess?" I asked.

Mr. Ishtar's eyes narrowed. "It's rare, but possible. Only those with divine lineage or exceptional strength might wield multiple prowess types. Even then, it's uncommon."

I mulled over his words. If the Mimic Eye allowed me to replicate powers, could I one day tap into these other prowess types? It seemed the key lay in understanding their true origins—knowing not just how they worked, but why.

"Mr. Ishtar," I said after a moment, "do you have any weapons I could borrow? Something I could practice with?"

A glimmer of nostalgia flickered across his face. "I do," he said, rising. "I have a pair of daggers. They were gifted to me long ago by a dear friend."

He retrieved a wooden box from a cabinet, placing it gently on the table. Inside lay two exquisite daggers. Their blades shimmered—a blend of ruby and obsidian—and their handles, crafted from black diamond, were adorned with intricate golden chains. Small gemstones hung from the ends of each hilt, catching the light and refracting it like tiny prisms.

"These daggers are made from the finest materials," he said, lifting them reverently. "I've kept them for years, but I no longer have use for them. I would be honored for you to take them."

I marveled at the craftsmanship, running my fingers along the smooth, cold blades. "These are… incredible. They must be priceless."

"They are," he confirmed with a soft smile. "But their true value lies in their power. Use them wisely."

I gripped the daggers, feeling an odd sense of familiarity, as if they were made just for me. But then Mr. Ishtar's tone turned serious.

"Be warned," he said gravely. "These daggers carry a curse. It binds itself to those who wield them, but… you may avoid its effects since you have no mana."

"Thank you, Mr. Ishtar," I said, tucking the daggers into my bag. A thrill coursed through me at the thought of wielding such formidable weapons.

He nodded. "Go. Test them in the forest. I'll observe from here."

I left the house, venturing into the dense forest that stretched beyond the village. The deeper I went, the quieter it became, as though the forest itself was holding its breath.

A low growl cut through the stillness. I turned sharply, just in time to see a massive wolf spring from the underbrush, its yellow eyes gleaming with hunger.

Instinct took over. My hands flew to the daggers, their weight solid and reassuring in my grasp. As the wolf lunged, I braced myself for the first test of my new power.

I instinctively sidestepped, narrowly avoiding its sharp claws. The creature was no ordinary wolf it was enormous, its fur shimmering with strands of gold, and its eyes gleamed with an unnatural golden hue. My heart raced as I reached into my bag and drew the dagger, and just as I did, the system responded.

[System Authentication: Erythrotenebrae]

[Would you like to be the owner of this weapon?]

[Yes] [No]

"I accept," I confirmed, and a strange energy surged through me as the bond was formed.

[Weapon: Erythrotenebrae]

[Rank: ???]

[Innate Trait: Nyzralith's Dominion]

[Owner gains permanent stats the more the dagger is used to eliminate enemies.]

The weapon pulsed with energy, its power resonating deep within me. The wolf lunged at me again, its golden eyes glowing as it attacked with lightning speed. My body moved before I even had time to think, dodging its attacks with unnatural precision.

[Mimic Eye: Passive]

[1st trait activated: Eye of Analysis]

With the Eye of Analysis active, I could see the wolf's movements in a new light its attacks, its weaknesses, even its patterns. The more I fought, the clearer everything became. Yet despite my newfound insight, my body was still struggling to keep up with the wolf's speed.

The Gretia Wolf was no ordinary creature it was a beast that possessed Clairvoyance, a skill that allowed it to see a few seconds into the future. Its eyes gleamed with an unnatural golden hue, signaling its extraordinary ability to predict my every move. The moment I raised my dagger to strike, the wolf darted aside, its movements too swift for me to follow.

"That's a Gretia Wolf!" Mr. Ishtar's voice rang out from above. "The Gretia Wolf has a special ability Clairvoyance, though it's a weaker version of the ability. Don't underestimate it."

Clairvoyance. The wolf's ability was a glimpse into the future just a split second ahead, enough to read my movements. It made me wonder where did this ability originate? Was it from a legend? A god? I would need to focus to understand it more deeply.

The wolf was fast, but I was faster. As I fought, I could feel my body growing more attuned to the battle. My senses sharpened, my muscles reacting with increased speed and power. My feet danced across the ground, sidestepping and striking with the precision of a master.

But the wolf was relentless, its golden eyes tracking my every move. It pounced again, this time feinting a strike to my left before spinning around for a vicious swipe from the right. My heart skipped a beat, but just as I turned to block, I saw it coming a tiny gap in its attack. I moved in and parried its claws with the dagger, the blade flashing in the light as it deflected the strike.

I pressed forward, adrenaline coursing through me as the wolf backed off, growling in frustration. It circled, looking for an opening, while I continued to analyse its movements.

With my Mimic Eye active, every movement, every twitch of the wolf's muscles was crystal clear to me. I began to notice the pattern in its attacks the way it predicted my every move and how it would adjust after each dodge. It wasn't just reacting to me; it was anticipating my actions.

The realization hit me like a thunderclap.

"Of course!" I whispered, barely audible.

The wolf wasn't simply predicting my movements—it was adapting to them. It was reacting not only to what I did, but to how I thought.

I had to change my approach.

I feigned a strike, making the wolf think I was going to attack from the left again. But instead, I quickly shifted my weight and launched an unexpected strike from the right, catching the beast off guard. My dagger connected with its side, and the wolf let out a fierce howl of pain, staggering back. Blood oozed from the wound, and the wolf's movements slowed, its once-perfect clairvoyant precision now faltering.

It was weakening.

In that moment, I pressed my advantage, my mind working in overdrive as the wolf's pattern began to unravel. Every time it moved, I saw its next move before it could even act. I could feel the battle turning in my favor.

The wolf lunged again, but I was ready. I sidestepped its attack and drove the dagger deep into its side. The beast yelped in pain, stumbling, and finally collapsed, its body twitching once before going still.

The Gretia Wolf, once a formidable opponent, lay defeated at my feet.

I stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, my dagger still embedded in its side. My heart was pounding in my chest, and the adrenaline of the fight was still coursing through me. But even as I looked down at the fallen wolf, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I had faced a beast with a powerful, mystical ability—and I had won.

[System Notification]

[Experience accumulated]

[Erythrotenebrae's innate trait in action]

[Congratulations, you have slain a Gretia Wolf.]

I glanced at my status window, a slight sense of disbelief washing over me. I had done it. I had defeated an enemy stronger than myself.

As I stood there, Mr. Ishtar landed beside me, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Incredible," he said. "Your body seems to adapt quickly, almost like it was designed for this kind of battle."

I took a moment to catch my breath before calling out, "Status window."

Name: Ezekiel Rhea

Age: 17

Sex: Male

Level: 22

UA: Mimic Eye

Stamina: 13

Strength: 15

IQ: 20

Mana: 0

Mind: 20

Skills:

Rapture: C

I had gained a skill Rapture. It seemed to be the attack I'd just executed. I looked over the stat gains with surprise, then asked Mr. Ishtar, "What's the average level of someone at my stage?"

He tilted his head in thought. "People your age usually average around level 30. But your growth is... exceptional."

Later that night, as we sat in his home, I couldn't help but wonder about the road ahead. "Mr. Ishtar, what's the closest capital to here?"

"Aetherion," he replied. "It's not far from here. If you're planning to head there, you should consider applying to Aetherfall Academy."

"Aetherfall Academy?" I asked, intrigued.

"It's a prestigious academy for individuals with great potential. Only the privileged few are accepted, but I believe you have the capability to attend."

He handed me a certificate of admission. I looked at it, a sense of disbelief stirring within me. "I have a lot to learn before I can attend such an academy," I said, smiling.

Mr. Ishtar smiled back, his eyes gleaming with encouragement. "I'll sponsor you. Together, we can make sure you succeed."

We then said our goodnights to one another and i went to my room laying on my bed. Still i did not know event beast can have abilities. I was lucky that the Gretia wolf only has a weak version of Clairvoyance. I began to sit and meditate on which origin the clairvoyance the wolf have.

Greek? Norse? Hindu? Maybe Arthurian Legend? Celtic? Mesoamerican? Mesopotamian? Its hard to narrow down the options. The wolf only displays that it could see my attacks as if seeing the future for maybe a seconds, it also have a keen reading on where to attack. Who knows since it could also be base on legends. Religion can be considered as a legend and myth then right? 

[System Notification]

[Power of replication: Active]

What? then that means i am close to the answer then? 

I began to think harder and delved deep on which figure could have a clairvoyance that compared to others is considered ''weak''. If that is the cased then i should look into which figures has mainly impact their own decisions rather than worldly, a figure who mainly use it on battle?

There are only three i could narrow it down into which is Cú Chulainn, Beowulf, and Morrígan. Figures like Joan the Arc, Merlin, The Oracle of Delphi, and even Odin have more implications on their clairvoyance while Cassandra and Tiresias are often centralized or bound only on their events.

[Power of replication: Completed]

[The player has acquired a new skill: Clairvoyance]

[Rank: D]

Looks like i solved its origin and i got a new skill now which is great but....Why is it only rank D when Clairvoyance is such a strong power? This irritates me.

[System Window]

[Skill: Clairvoyance]

[Although its first and weakest version the user taps into a fleeting burst of foresight, allowing them to perceive events occurring up to 30 seconds into the future.]

[Cooldown: 60 seconds]

[Future Insight: 30 seconds]

I could only see 30 seconds in the future? well that is fine, the cooldown doesn't seem to be also punishing at least.

Thanks to these i could maybe stand on my own now in this world. Who knows what could happen when tomorrow comes.