Sora found himself alone as he checked the updated details on his [Prestige] skill.
[Skill Option 4: Alter Ego]
Description: Using 1,000 [Soul Pearls], create an alternate life form with an independent identity that can grow separately. The [Alter Ego] and the user can merge at any time, combining their power, experiences, memories, and skill proficiencies.
Reading the description, Sora’s eyes widened. Isn’t this like playing with two accounts at once? he thought, excitement brewing. But the amount of [Soul Pearls] needed made him pause. He had painstakingly farmed these pearls to boost his [Soul Palace], and he hadn’t anticipated a skill that would require such a heavy investment.
Can’t gain without spending, he mused, shrugging to himself. Might as well go for it. It’s not like I spent a lifetime collecting these things...
Worried the amount might change if he hesitated, he quickly selected the fourth effect. Almost immediately, a character creation panel appeared before him.
[Please select your [Alter Ego]’s facial features ]
It was exactly like the one he’d seen when creating his "Ralph Eden" persona. Realizing that this new identity would likely be around for some time, Sora took his time crafting a face that reflected a hint of his original look. When he was done, the Alter Ego resembled a distant cousin of his Japanese original appearance—seemingly connected, yet different.
Once he confirmed, another prompt appeared:
[Please choose a name for your Alter Ego]
After a moment’s hesitation, he typed in Alius.
[The process of creating an Alter Ego is accompanied by excruciating soul and body pain. Are you willing to proceed?]
Sora let out a steadying breath and braced himself. He clicked [Yes], and instantly, a thousand [Soul Pearls] materialized from his inventory, forming a halo around him as they began to merge with his essence.
Nearby in the garden, Kara and Hiyoko looked up, both drawn to the intense surge of an unknown energy. Kara turned to Hiyoko, her eyes wide with realization. "Is he trying out a new skill? It looks incredible..."
Hiyoko fluffed up her feathers nervously, her eyes reflecting both fascination and worry. She chirped, glancing at Kara. "Chirp chirp!"
Sora watched his Alter Ego, observing the thoughtful expression on the other’s face, and felt a strange tug on his own soul. Although his soul was now immensely stronger after absorbing so many [Soul Pearls], something was missing, a palpable absence that made his very core feel hollow. It was as if a part of him was calling out, longing to reunite with the part standing before him.
"I feel torn," Sora replied, admitting the aching void within him. "It feels like I’m constantly itching to get reunited with the missing piece... It is similar to your urge to merge."
Alius snapped out of his thoughts, glancing back with a hint of a smile. "It’s... just strange seeing...me... from this perspective. It’ll take time for me to adjust."
Alius, aware of the residual power flowing through him, felt he was still quite powerful. But he wanted to know more about his current state—what kind of entity he was now. ’Am I still a player?’ he wondered. Concentrating, he attempted to call up his status, eager to understand what he had become.
A moment later, a screen appeared before him:
[Status Update]Profile: AliusStatus: Alive (Prestige 1800)Class: None (Level 100)Talent Level: 1048576Growth Factor: 1Power Level: Omega 19Body Level: Omega 19Energy Level: Omega 19Soul Level: 500Innate Skill:• [Prestige] (Click to see effects)Supreme Skills:• None
Skills: (...Show more...)
Depressed at the sight of his status, Alius shared the screen with Sora. "It looks like I’m considered a player too. I’ve still got the same talent level and even our Innate Skill... but I lost both Supreme Skills. I feel like trash."
Sora studied the screen, thoughtful. "Maybe our Supreme Skills are tied to me because they can’t be copied. If Innate Skills don’t affect them, that would explain why you don’t have them, even with the same talent level and [Prestige] skill."
Alius sighed, feeling the weight of the loss. "Losing both Supreme Skills dropped my power from Omega 22 to Omega 19. It’s a huge difference. I can’t even beat your [Blood Clones] now."
Sora nodded, observing the differences. "It seems we share the same soul level, with each of us having half the Soul Pearls’ value. Looks like we’ll have to work together to keep growing."
Sora who wanted to rely on Alius to raise skill proficiency and polish his skills changed his mind, sad to see his [Alter Ego] deprived of his main sources of power. He asked "So... what’s your plan now?"
As Alius scrolled through the list of inherited skills, he felt his frustration rising. He hadn’t lost the abilities he’d known as Sora, but they felt... average. Each skill was there, but without [Mana Evolution] or [Eternal Body Craft], their potential was severely limited. They held potential, but without his mana control or regeneration, they weren’t enough to give him a chance against Sora.
This setback wasn’t enough to ruin his fighting spirit. "I’ll find a different approach. Supreme Skills or not, I’ll find a way." He looked at Sora with a glint of confidence in his eyes. "And when the time comes, I’ll give you a beating."
Sora grinned, crossing his arms with a hint of amusement. "Wow, you’re five minutes old, and you’re already threatening me? Looks like someone’s asking for a beating."
Alius smirked back, unphased. "Oh, bring it on, old man. Not now though... I had things planned for today"