4 For A While...

While the stirring of Earth's slumbering Edict had strengthened the Planet beyond her former self, awakened Abilities the likes of which had only been heard and seen in fictional works, it also came with its' disadvantages.

This disadvantages arose in the form of Spheric Beasts like the Ravenous Rat Damian killed, and…

Nulls.

Spheric Beasts were animals who withstood the awakening of the latent Edict in their beings, and as such, gained Abilities and the possibility to evolve.

Nulls, however, were once lifeforms whose whole being couldn't resist the forcefulness of the awakening of their Edict, and hence, in exchange for retaining their Abilities, became soulless.

Both were similarly disadvantageous in that, at the initial steps of their evolutions, they have little to no intelligence. And thus, relied on their instincts, which pushed them to attack any lifeform just to evolve.

However, that was where the similarity ended. While it was true their intelligence will be reinstated at some point, and as such, the Spheric Beasts would able to advance through the Spheres should they ever find the need to kill unfit, Nulls, however, are forever doomed to such a path.

Without killing their way through, they would never see an increase in their strengths.

The reason for this wasn't complex. Although Nulls regained their being when they attain a certain level of strength, and in extension, their souls, it was undeniable that it would never compare to their original.

Their souls becomes different in that it gets corrupted by the Edict in their bodies in exchange for allowing them retain their awakened Abilities. Consequently, this made them unable advance through the ranks the conventional way.

This left them with a second and only chance - devouring Edict Essences to advance. And what is the best way to achieve that if not by killing?

Damian's expression became cold as two Nulls staggered into his room. The combined strengths of both had knocked down his door. A feat that should have been in the realm of impossibility for these students just a hour ago. However, with the Change, it became possible.

He shifted to the right, sauntering towards the make shift kitchen that lay at a corner of his dorm room. He grabbed a table knife, the sheen reflecting off its blade particularly glaring, confirming its sharpness.

Without hesitation, he attacked.

Nulls were incapable of conscious thoughts at the beginning stages and as a result, only attacked how their instincts saw fit. And fortunately, this gave even someone as frail as Damian the leverage to attack with impunity.

SHING!

Damian brandished his weapon, striking the moment he arrived before the first Null. The moment the blade went through its skull, a pool of blood sprayed into the air before dropping on the floor. Swiftly, he retreated, barely dodging the heavy blow of the second.

Damian didn't rest. The moment he dodged the Null, his counterattack was ready. With uncanny precision, he flung the knife. The blade tore through the air, before lodging deep in the brain of the Null.

THUD!

Both Nulls dropped on the floor… dead.

[ You have acquired the Edict Essence of First Sphere, Stratum 1 Base Null ]

[ Stamina +2 ]

[ You have acquired the Edict Essence of First Sphere, Stratum 2 Base Null ]

[ Strength +4, Stamina +3 ]

[ You have broken through to First Sphere, Stratum 2 ]

Almost immediately, new streams of energy flooded Damian's body, spreading through it with absolute fluidity. They worked their way through his muscles, washing away any disability, before giving way to untold, never before seen ability.

Right now, Damian felt like he was in most healthy state. He had gone from weak to strong in one step. Furthermore, his frail body had beefed up, evolving from skinny to lean.

If before, Damian had every intention of removing his limiters, now, he felt the need absolutely useless, at least, for now.

'Perhaps, I could retain the limiters… stacking the strength I gain upon each other. So, in the future, if I ever get myself into an extremely bad situation… I would remove them, unleashing a strength without precedent…'

Damian's eyes shone as he thought of this. Normally, his base stats were nothing to scoff at. They were easily ten times that of a normal Human.

However, because of his limters, his base stats had been lowered to the point that even normal Humans could ragdoll him. He was absolutely confident that if the limiters were not placed on him, he would be treated nothing less than a superhero on past Earth.

But, his mother wanted a normal life for him, and hence, limited him.

"However, what if she wasn't limiting me, but trying to unearth all my potential?"

Damian didn't doubt that if he had his full strength, no lifeform below the Second Sphere could hope to match him, even though he had just become a First Sphere, Stratum 2 existence.

But, what would be the fun in all of these if every enemy he comes across becomes playthings before him?

Wouldn't he miss out on opportunities to get even stronger if he was immensely powerful at the getgo?

Damian suddenly turned towards the mirror in his room.

What appeared was a young man with common, languid brown hair, which were followed by however, rare golden eyes. He was tall, easily standing at 6.5 feet. His upper body was unclad, which bared his torso that clearly had more flesh than few seconds ago.

Damian stood for a moment, examining himself before he shifted his attention to his status window once again.

[ Name: Damian Octavius

Sphere Tier: First Sphere, Stratum 2

Race: Human

House Physiology: Battle Sovereign Physiology (Unawakened)

Title: None

Ability: Innate Adaptability

Strength: 23 | Stamina: 24 | Vitality: 18 | Agility: 24 | Edict: 180 | Soul Edict: 180 ]

From his recent killings, Damian had only gained Strength, Stamina and Agility. It was no wonder they were higher than the rest. Except Edict and Soul Edict of course.

Furthermore, his advancement from Stratum 1 to Stratum 2 had bestowed him 10 points each, bringing his overall stats a step higher. Some higher than even the revised base stats of existences at his current Stratum.

Though, compared to the Stratum 2s of his Family, he was still sorely lacking. However, it wouldn't be long till that changes.

Damian withdrew his mind before looking towards his wardrobe. He moved to it, donning a t-shirt his hand grabbed, then retreated to withdraw the table knife from the head of the Null.

He examined it, before looking through the doorless entrance of his room out into the corridor. His eyes beheld a couple of Nulls staggering towards room. It appeared this knife would be his weapon for a while…