Mythika's Mark

-CHAPTER 25

'I guess I have awakened.' Regis clenched and unclenched his fists while trying to adjust to the new feeling. His body seemed to be lighter and stronger than before. He felt like something other than his blood was flowing through his body which strengthened his body wherever the flow passed through. This was mana. Previously, it had been static inside the mystical element fused inside his body, but now his body had opened channels to circulate this mana just like blood.

<Name: Regis Kleeve>

<Race: Subhuman Mutant>

<Mutation: Sub beast Mana type>

<Evolutionary stage: 1 (5)>

<Age: 16>

<Stats:>

<Strength: 7.2> <Agility: 7.6>

<Endurance: 8.1> <Mana capacity: 12>

<Reaction speed: 2.00 milliseconds>

<Spells: >

<1. Claw: Project mana in the shape of a cut that can be used as a blade without needing an actual blade.>

<Mana consumption: 0.5>

<Skills: >

<1. Mythika's mark: Protection granted by the lunar wolf pack guardian Mythika. Used to summon an illusory projection of Mythika.>

<Sub-skills: Intimidation, Perfect claw, Sword bite>

<Mana consumption: 9>

Regis looked at the holographic interface. There were a lot of changes and additions to the previously empty interface. His evolutionary stage was capped at 5, which meant that he could reach the fifth integration stage with this mystical element. After that, he would have to find a different mystical element to integrate to, one which could resonate with his current one and had a higher cap.

There was a significant leap in all his stats due to natural strengthening provided by the mana flowing through his body. The most significant leap was in his 'mana capacity'. This was because his mystical element was 'sub-beast mana type', which was more reliant on the use of mana for spells and skills.

His first spell was quite good too. Regis had seen the guardian lunar wolf 'Mythika' cut a human size rock into two using this very spell. The rock contained a small fountain of mana inside it, making it very sturdy, but the cut was clean and effortless.

Skills were on rarer and stronger side when compared to spells and Regis was lucky to have one. This skill was a result of the ceremony Mythika had performed on him using the mana fountain. The mana consumption appeared very high when compared to his spell, but being able to burst out with strength that surpassed his level was very useful a skill, not to mention the sub-skills that came along with it.

Regis was satisfied with his new spell and skills and wanted to test them out.

'The Ageris den didn't turn out to be what I had hoped for, but I was able to get a good skill thanks to it.' Regis still did not know why it was named Ageris den.

He tapped on his holowatch and the screen before him changed. A sparrow sized eagle hologram flew out of the screen and landed on Regis' shoulder. There was no bump on its head this time around. The new window had all the information about the mystical element that had traits of the lunar wolves and associated spells that were recorded on the open web and the exclusive database of Kleeve senatorial family.

Regis scrolled through the content while taking notes of important details like the users being slightly more powerful under moonlight, etc. Towards the end of the information, there was also a brief mention of the succeeding mystical elements that could resonate with his current one. Unsurprisingly, the Kleeve senatorial family held monopoly on the information and supply of five out of the seven succeeding mystical elements. The remaining two were available on open market. The military had access to six out of seven through exclusive contracts and other means.

Human body could not directly integrate with mystical elements that had caps at 5 and above because the it could not bear the burden that came with it, so most people choose mystical elements with lower caps, integrated them to strengthen their bodies before integrating with mystical elements with higher strength and caps.

Once he had memorized all the useful information, Regis shut down the holographic screen and stepped out of his room. It was time to check his spell and skill.

Regis registered for an empty practice room for three hours from the camp. He linked his holowatch with the room and tapped on it. Few human shaped targets appeared from the ground and moved through the room in different trajectories.

'Let's check out the spell first.'

Mana circulated through Regis' body at an increased pace and a strange unreadable text entered his mind. Regis did not need to read or understand the incomprehensible text, just visualizing it was enough.

The mana that had been circulation through his entire body was redirected towards Regis' hand. There was a very subtle decrease in temperature of his hand. Very slight silver glow followed the trajectory of Regis' hand as he extended his hand towards the target.

His fist connected to the target and dug into its body. Regis could clearly feel the added penetration as his fist lodged into the target.

8.4!

A number appeared on the surface of the target. This was the estimated strength behind the punch assuming that it was executed properly. An addition of 1.2 to Regis' base strength. Regis smiled lightly. This skill was more effective for a slash rather than for stab.

The target began moving away from Regis after displaying the reading. Regis let it create some distance before moving towards it once again. This time, his hand unclenched hand drew a circular arc in the air before brushing against the chest of the target. A thick silver line that seemed to be spilling light followed the direction of his hand with a few millimetres of empty space in between and cut through the chest of the target.

The cut was slowly repaired autonomously and a new reading was displayed.

8.9!

6.7!

The first reading was a measure of estimated strength of the person while the second was the reading of damage dealt. Although the damage was less than the punch, cutting and punching dealt damage in completely different manners.

The increase this time was 1.7! This could rival the increase provided by stage 1 of a fairly good mystical elements that focussed on physical aspect more than the mana aspect. Regis was already in a good mood, but the best was yet to come.

After distancing himself from the target, Regis tapped his holowatch. A thin layer of a reflecting surface was added to one of the walls of the training room.

'Skill: Mythika's mark!'

This time, Regis visualized a diagram that had different geometric patterns and shapes intermixed. It appeared more mysterious and complex than his spell, but there was no immediate need for Regis to comprehend it.

After activating the skill, Regis turned towards the mirror to take a look. A silhouette of a lunar wolf appeared behind Regis. It looked like it would fade away any instant and wasn't very solid. Regis could also feel that his features had somehow gotten more intimidating.

His eyes seemed to contain violent intent in them while all his muscles had tensed in a manner that felt like predator ready to leap at its prey. This was the 'first sub-skill: intimidation.' Taking his attention away from his reflection, Regis moved towards the target. He was faster than previous time and could feel the movements more clearly.

Regis punched at the target. The silhouette of Mythika followed behind him and swung its claws at the target.

'12!'

'15!'

The silhouette's attack was stronger and the target was pushed back upon impact. Regis followed with the 'second sub-skill: Perfect claw.' The arc this time was brighter than his previous one and did not seem to be spilling out light. The illusory Mythika swiped it's claw at the target.

'11!'

'17!'

Once again, the silhouette's attack dealt more damage. Although neither of the two reached the level of 'claw' that the real Mythika had performed, the results were still amazing.

'Third sub-skill: blade bite.'

'Shit! I should have used some bladed weapon.'

This Sub-skill required the use of a blade that would rapidly move in triangular trajectory, so when Regis tried to perform it without a blade, he failed miserably, but the illusory Mythika behind him sank her canines into the target, dealing the highest damage recorded till now.

The duration of the skill ended and the effects wore off. Regis felt that both his and the illusory body's damage from the third sub-skill would increase if he had used a blade, but he couldn't confirm him. He had depleted 10 mana points and was left with two. He could not perform his skill again until his mana reached the mark of 9 at least.

Leaving that for the next time Regis just practiced the melee combat techniques and moves that were taught to him in the camp. Slowly, he was getting used to his drastically changed stats.