After dinner, Jacob ascended the stairs to his room. Gently shutting the door behind him, he wearily collapsed onto his plush bed. Surveying the room, he took in the understated elegance of the oak furniture and stone walls. The decor, though modest, held a special charm for him, reminiscent of the days when he assisted his parents in its meticulous arrangement during his younger years.
After gazing at the ceiling in contemplative silence, Jacob rose from his seat and proceeded towards the writing desk situated in the corner of his room. A delicate oval mirror was affixed to the desk, accompanied by a modest wooden stool. Seating himself before the mirror, he scrutinized his reflection intently. Inhaling deeply to steady his nerves, he focused his mind on channeling the profound transformations he had undergone amidst the depths of the forest.
He lingered there for approximately five minutes, gazing at his reflection intently, his mind focused yet yielding no discernible results. He experimented with different tactics, such as gently pinching himself, leaping to his maximum height, and assuming a squatting position with his hands clasped at his sides, silently yelling on the inside as if undergoing a transformative process, yet all his efforts proved futile.
Eventually, he rose from his seat and retreated back to the comfort of his bed. As he contemplated the source of his struggle, a faint beep resonated within the confines of his mind.
System now operational.
Jacob gazed at the words that materialized in the corner of his field of vision. He averted his gaze and observed how they subtly faded when not directly in his line of sight. Puzzled by the term "system operational," he pondered its significance.
"How are you, young man? It appears that you managed to evade death in the brief time it took me to integrate with you," the elderly man from the cave suddenly manifested, hovering before Jacob's face, now reduced to the size of his palm. Startled, Jacob leaped from his bed, his eyes wide with amazement at the diminutive elderly figure floating before him.
"Where did you come from? I saw you vanish in a flash of light. What is going on here?" Jacob inquired, his mind awash with a myriad of questions.
"Please, calm yourself, young one. You risk inducing a headache with your current fervor," the elderly gentleman advised. "Allow me to introduce myself as Lawrence, though you may refer to me as L for short. My purpose here is to assist you in unlocking the latent potential of the DNA that now flows within your very being. Furthermore, our communication shall transpire through telepathic means. Given that you are the sole individual able to perceive my presence, conversing aloud would likely result in unfavorable perceptions should an outsider witness such an exchange." "However…" Jacob attempted to interject. "There is no room for argument," the elderly gentleman interjected before Jacob could proceed.
"Proceeding further, think of the term 'status' to access your basic details and monitor your progression," the elderly gentleman remarked with a hint of self-satisfaction. Jacob pondered upon the concept of 'status', and instantaneously, a display screen materialized before him but did not hinder his vision of his surroundings at all.
Name: Jacob
Species: Human
Bloodline power: Crimson Sword
Speed: 24
Dexterity: 26
Strength: 28
Perception: 30
Focus:17
Mana:3,000
Skills (Locked)
Jacob gazed at the screen before him in awe. "Before we proceed, allow me to elaborate on how this process will unfold. Your hereditary prowess symbolizes the potent legacy bestowed upon you by the Scarlet Sovereign. It serves as the very foundation of the Scarlet Sovereign's might, and as you mature, you must cultivate your unique abilities. Each living being you vanquish, possessing the vital fluid of life, shall have its essence siphoned and harnessed by your lineage's power through its blood, which you can assimilate to enhance and eventually refine your Crimson Blade, the focal point of your strength.
Your blade shall evolve in tandem with your own growth, becoming your sole true companion in this realm. As you ascend in power, there are forthcoming avenues to breathe life into your blade, but let us not get ahead of ourselves." Your stats should be fairly straightforward, but I will explain them further to avoid any potential confusion. Your speed denotes how swiftly you can propel yourself, while your dexterity signifies how adeptly you can harness that speed. Your physical prowess indicates the extent of your strength. Your perceptiveness reflects how acutely you can observe your surroundings, ideally surpassing your speed to ensure optimal utilization. Your focus denotes your ability to focus, meditate, and effectively harness your mana and abilities. Speaking of mana, you might have noticed that you possess a considerable 3,000 units of power at your disposal. However, caution is advised to prevent depleting your mana reserves, as it could lead to detrimental consequences." L explained these facets to Jacob.
"The average adult human typically reaches a peak in physical prowess at levels between 20 and 25, with the exceptionally athletic ones exceeding this range. Therefore, at present, you surpass the strength of the average adult. Each increment of ten in your stats will bring about a significant advancement, but true understanding will dawn once you independently achieve a stat of 30. Your substantial mana reservoir stems directly from the fortification of your soul during our fusion. However, the art of harnessing this mana eludes you, rendering it inaccessible." L maintained a smug smile directed at Jacob, seemingly basking in the power as if it were his own.
Jacob gazed in silence for a moment before recounting to L the transformation in his appearance upon his initial return, and how he had been unable to replicate that phenomenon since. "That was merely a byproduct of the fortification of your essence following the alteration of your genetic makeup. Now that it has stabilized, you must acquaint yourself with the art of effectively harnessing your mana and awakening your lineage to unlock that potential which we will get around to," L elucidated to Jacob.
Little did Jacob realize that as he received instruction on his newfound abilities, elsewhere in the vast expanse of the universe, a crimson light blazed and an ancient force surged through an aged, decrepit castle where a man adorned in formidable, gilded armor had been seated upon a throne for many millennia. A humanoid with reptilian skin hurried into the chamber and bowed reverently before the throne, speaking with a quavering voice, "My Liege, we have detected signals emanating from an anomaly that resonates with the energy you have long sought."
"Excellent, where is it?" inquired the golden-armored man in a deep, resonant tone. The reptilian individual swallowed nervously, "The transmission originated from a wormhole, and after an extensive aura tracking process, we managed to pinpoint its location. The only complication is that it exists beyond the confines of our universe. Based on our simulations, a solo journey would span approximately one millennium, while utilizing the vessel would extend the duration to an estimated 5,000 years," the reptilian paused, beads of sweat trickling down his brow, daring not to elaborate further.
There was a moment of hushed stillness preceding the eruption of the golden-armored man's overpowering aura, obliterating the reptilian man's form and causing the already weakened castle walls to crumble further. Emitting a disapproving snort, he promptly teleported to the laboratory, where he promptly inquired about the signal's coordinates. Casting a discerning gaze upon the diverse array of workers of various species in the lab, he issued a command, "Prepare the vessel for immediate departure." Without delay, the workers in the lab commenced packing a multitude of equipment and initiating numerous communications.
Compared to the mottled castle, this laboratory appeared as if it belonged in a futuristic science fiction setting, boasting state-of-the-art technology, expansive holographic displays, and an array of peculiar apparatus scattered throughout the premises, enclosed by walls seemingly crafted entirely from metal. The room itself resembled a colossal circuit board or motherboard.