Chapter 208: Contact

Chapter 208: Contact

Lvl Up: [Revelation Resilience] lvl 6

MEM +3

META (AFFI) +3

META (AUTH) +3

The wyvern heart in his chest quickened, pumping hot blood through his veins. A steam cloud escaped his mouth, and Priam became aware that his body temperature was going off the charts. His body surged with a draconic instinct awakening, calling upon his heritage. The evolution of vivacity had nothing to do with the System and would not unfold gently.

Priam knelt, bracing for the pain.

Without warning, his bloodline froze, resonating with its origin across time and space. The world around Priam slowed as if a divine trial was approaching. Something primordial had just answered his bloodline’s call.

Reality blurred a few centimeters in front of the young man. As a pure and transparent liquid surged from the air, Priam recognized its draconic origin. Three streams burst forth from the aether fountain. The first penetrated his soul, the second watered his spirit, and the third irrigated his body.

[Ideal Aether Perception] confirmed that the aether was as pure as his Potential. Like the System's reward, the fluid bathing Priam possessed a sort of instinct. The Homo Elysian widened his eyes as energy began to alter his essence. Mixed with his blood, the draconic aether concentrated in his brain, destroying and then regenerating cells. The sensation felt like insects trying to devour the organ and was as unpleasant as it was painful.

Trembling and groaning in agony, Priam activated Micro. The Supremacy couldn't stop the abominable suffering, but it allowed him to observe the changes occurring in his body. Priam threw himself into analysis, hoping to divert his attention from the torment.

The first thing he noticed was that the evolution was tailored to his endurance and constitution. His blood threatened to burn his arteries without ever reaching a lethal temperature. His brain was modified without erasing or altering his personality. His bloodline was undergoing a metamorphosis, but draconic law was as absolute as it was just.

Simultaneously, his spirit changed. [Tenacious Spirit] felt this mutation without being able to describe or understand it. Priam's spiritual knowledge was still poor.

Between screams of pain, Priam noticed he had just vomited bile. On all fours, he had to gather all his willpower not to collapse. His body trembled, and sweat matted his hair.

As the world swayed, Priam clenched his fists, refusing to faint. There was something terrifying about entrusting his fate to the draconic power that was reshaping his brain, spirit, and soul. If something went wrong, Priam wanted to be conscious to act. [He Who Eludes Death] was primed, and he didn't rule out any option...

[Ending your life during the evolution of your attribute may lead to error as the draconic power could interfere with your Patron’s Concept.]

"Fuck," Priam groaned, his voice hoarse from screaming too much. Seconds turned into minutes as his attribute evolved. In the ocean of pain engulfing Priam's soul, a thought emerged. If dragons are so powerful, why inflict this pain on me? System evolutions are rarely traumatic.

Despite his state—naked, his fingers digging into the earth, his vocal cords shredded—the train of thought was detached from the agony his body felt. Surprise flooded Priam as he realized he could think calmly despite the pain. Half of his mind was paralyzed by turmoil, and the other observed, reflected, and analyzed.

Vivacity has evolved!

Tears of joy streamed down his cheeks. The agony was coming to an end. A few seconds later, his draconic heart slowed.

Priam sighed as he felt the pain recede. Without a word, he crawled to the pond at the center of his world and plunged in. The cool water felt good, and he sighed in relief. A parallel thought activated [Three-Headed Hydra]. His entire body needed regeneration.

Instead of restoring a part of his body for free, Priam activated his new Merit.

[Three-headed Hydra - Silver] - Tier 2: Exchange your lifespan to dramatically increase your regeneration speed.

The effect was immediate. His cells' activity exploded, creating a wave of revitalization that flooded his body. In a matter of moments, his scalded arteries, traumatized organs, and tired brain recovered. Paradoxically, an indescribable physical fatigue struck him. This simple round of healing had just cost him days of life.

"So?" asked the phoenix.

"I feel my soul aging because of its connection to my body," grimaced Priam. "It's not pleasant."

"I was referring to the evolution of vivacity."

Instead of replying, Priam closed his eyes. His soul tapped into his aether reserves and began to shape a rune. A few seconds later, a luminous orb appeared before him. A second followed, then a third. A few minutes later, not four, but five runes orbited around him.

Priam opened his eyes and smiled. "It's both strange and natural. Instead of having two halves of my mind each managing their own aether, I get them to work together. There's an expression that says 'unity makes strength'... But I have all the advantages of teamwork, without any of the drawbacks!"

The phoenix nodded. "Each of your thought strands is independent but can synchronize, preventing errors and allowing optimal cooperation. How much of your total vivacity can each of your thoughts mobilize?"

Priam let his add-on find an answer. The evolution of vivacity theoretically allowed him to double his raw thinking capacity, but in practice, he would have to train before reaching a perfect score.

[Analysis complete.

Each thought strand currently possesses 72% of your total vivacity (372 attribute points).

Effective vivacity with two simultaneous strands: 144%.]

"About seventy-two percent each," Priam informed. So, he could solve two problems at once, each with seventy-two percent of his maximum mental capacity. Seeing the phoenix's surprised look, he asked, "Is that a lot?"

"One of my best friends was the heir of a draconic clan, the Riuslings. When he evolved this attribute, each of his thoughts possessed about sixty percent of his total vivacity, and he was considered a genius."

"He was?"

"My original killed him after his corruption."

"Oh..."

The phoenix changed the subject. "[Homo Elysian Obsession] is an overpowered Talent. Your soul and brain must have resonated during the evolution."

Priam grimaced. "Maybe, but it was painful."

"Painful? You exchanged a few minutes of agony for an effective increase of forty-four percent of your vivacity. A boost that doesn't count towards your Tribulation thresholds," reminded the phoenix.

"But my Tribulations will take that into account," grimaced Priam.

"Of course, but the power of a Tribulation remains fixed. Even if the trial changes, the energy it contains is limited. The fewer weaknesses you have, the more likely you are to survive."

The phoenix flew off before perching on Priam's shoulder. "Don't forget the most important thing: Tribulations are there to sort the wheat from the chaff. The System is harsh but fair: if you have the skills to succeed, you will live. See this trial as an opportunity to become stronger and patch your weaknesses."

Priam stared at the firebird. "Was that your mindset?"

"That's the mindset of all the greatest geniuses," said the phoenix with a straight face. "Those who fear exams are those who haven't studied enough. When you know you're the best, you can't wait to get there and clean up."

As Priam looked into the phoenix's eyes, he detected the shadow of an old, consuming passion. The Prince had been an Ace proudly facing Tribulations. He had lit up the sky of Sector Hope with a powerful mindset. Maybe he's right.When you're ready, there's no reason to be afraid.

"I'm going back to training," declared Priam.

The phoenix shook its head. "You should check Oasis before that. You've been gone for almost three days, and the Necromoon isn't a funny event."

"As if that existed..."

"It does."

"Wait, really?"

"One of the Champions of the System?" asked Vysharratjekto. Hyshana nodded and the Snahert continued. "Will we be able to meet him soon?"

"He's training. I have no way of contacting him at the moment."

Vysharratjekto smiled before crossing his arms in silence. Gabrielle was surprised by the warrior's passivity but mostly annoyed by the lack of response. She glanced worriedly at Laepa, who nodded.

"Do you have an approximate idea of when Priam will return?" insisted the huntress.

Hyshana shook her head. "I have no idea. He could come back in a few minutes or in a few days."

"But we don't have a few days, our warriors need elixirs now!" exclaimed Gabrielle. All eyes turned to her. Normally, she would have blushed, but not here. Some wounded were struggling against necro corruption and the apprentice apothecary wouldn't leave without the necessary resources to make the elixirs.

Eleha shot Gabrielle a dark look before turning to Laepa. "Your kid should keep quiet when the adults are talking."

Laepa glared at Eleha. "Easy for you to say, it's not your brothers and sisters who are suffering. Gabrielle is right, we can't wait several days." She turned to Hyshana. "Thank you for the dessert, but we need to use the Auctions before the end of the day."

Hyshana hesitated. "I understand your—"

"We're going to use the Auctions." Eleha stood up and let her Aura burst forth. "I'm tired of acting like this is just a request. When a Tier 3 asks you for something, it's ridiculous to think it's anything other than an order."

Gabrielle turned to Hyshana and saw the warrior flush with rage. Although the young girl was ashamed of Eleha's words, her clan members' lives were at stake.

"Let's calm down," coughed Vysharratjekto. "I want to distance myself from Eleha's words. The Snahert tribe won't resort to violence to access the Auctions. Our Chief has a high opinion of the Champions and believes that trade is the best solution here. If we have to wait for your leader to return to discuss terms, then so be it."

Gabrielle, Laepa, Katara, and Eleha stared at the Tier 3, astonished. The Snaherts were well known for cutting out the tongues of impolite children. They were then treated, but never forgot the punishment. That the Tier 3 was so sweet with their hosts was as ridiculous as it was incomprehensible.

"What are you talking about?! These are trash Tier 0s; they should consider themselves lucky if we don’t ask for protection fees," said Eleha without even looking at their host.

As Hyshana grew even more incensed, a deep voice rang out.

"That's the last time you insult us."

Gabrielle jumped, surprised. Behind her, a warrior stood less than five steps away. He was a head taller than Hyshana and had matte black hair. His pale skin shone in the moonlight, and Gabrielle could see a myriad of tiny scales. His irises were gray, nearly black, resembling the color of an angry sky. His calm gaze confronted the Tier 3s without flinching.

The stranger was more than a warrior, he was a storm.

"My name is Kazuki. I shall cleanse my wife's honor with your blood," he said, looking at Eleha. The Tier 3 warrior blinked before bursting into laughter.

Status:

PHYSICAL:

Strength 557

Constitution 860

Agility 552

Vitality 840

Perception 719

MENTAL:

Vivacity (D) 516

Dexterity 588

Memory 461 (+5)

Willpower 1 036

Charisma 631

META:

Meta-affinity 553 (+5)

Meta-focus 358

Meta-endurance 354

Meta-perception 258

Meta-chance 230

Meta-authority 54 (+3)

Potential: 10 029 (+2)

Tier 0

Sun points: 135 922 (+153)

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: PRIMED.

[Tribulation]: Three Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 162 days 6 hours 4 minutes 12 seconds.

Next thresholds: 6 attributes > 600 / 3 attributes > 900 / 1 attribute > 1 200