Chapter 281: That would suck

Chapter 281: That would suck

I wonder how much my subclass affects my control over my mana, and even over my black mana.

Sure, it's obvious that it helps, but my inability to measure it properly frustrates me. Is the effect stronger the more prideful I am? Is acting cocky boosting my control?

As always, the system likes to hide such information, and having had the subclass for months already, I find it hard to compare it to my prior efforts. The only obvious effect it has is on my mana constructs. My armor looks nice; the weapons seem well made too.

Great.

I look down at my arm as I finish drawing a set of temporary inscriptions made with mana conductive paint and etching them into my skin. It's sort of a single-use temporary construct. Sort of. If I'm doing it properly, it should help me with the black mana.

I've been working on examining the black mana and trying to come up with a way to reduce the strain it puts on my body the moment I try to use it. I have multiple ideas, and one of them is changing the frequency of black mana to match mine. The problem here is that it changes constantly; that's why Ive created these inscriptions.

The inscriptions should help me with that, automating the process so I can focus on the rest. I already tried it a few times with tiny bits of black mana and so far it's good, but I will know more after I scale things up.

Ive more or less optimized them to fortify my body with black mana. Logically, strengthening my body with black mana and then using more for something else should work, but I'm sure the strengthening itself will strain my body. Even though it won't affect me immediately, I'm sure it will be immense.

That's why Ill offset it with my healing passive. Ive already cut off my pinkie, and it grew back after a few hours of generating thermal energy and sending it to the stump.

It's not as good as Lily's healing, but I can't be picky, and Im happy to even get that much, given how often I tend to lose my limbs.

Master, I'm done, Vega breathes heavily, and I remove the strain Ive put on her with [Redistribution].

I'm making it harder for her to move just as Min-Jae did for me in an effort to strengthen her body. We also spend some of this time practicing some of the moves I learned back on Earth.

Having been released, she plops down next to me and examines the inscriptions covering my arms. I feel her senses examining it and allow her to do so.

When will we reach the place you mentioned? she asks.

Sometime tomorrow. There is no need to hurry.

Vega nods, I already learned the crotch kick, master showed me. The one against people that touch me without my consent! she chirps innocently.

Good job, how about a mana orb?

Just really small ones, but I'm putting a lot of my stats into mana as master told me!

Good, it's all coming together! The goal is simple: to make her build similar to mine. Just the fact I have reached Beyond with it shows how versatile it is, and most of the monsters, other than end bosses, dont really cause me any problems.

I also want to let master know something about my trait, she starts carefully, I wanted to keep it to myself, just in case, and master never asked so I didnt lie.

When I gesture at her to continue, she breathes out in relief, A lot of demons and some half-demons are born with one trait. I heard there are some humans too, but I dont know why.

Huh, even humans? Werent they limited to three traits? Are humans on her planet different, is there something else? Are they born with traits they cant pick themselves?

I think most of the demons start with their demon heart, she says, I have one too. Everyone has a different one.

What is a demon heart?

The system calls mine a kinetic demon heart. It's weak and I was never really able to use it.

Okay, is the system playing favorites here? First, humans start with 3 traits only, then there are some demons with 4 and some more ancient bloodlines with 5? And how is she even alive with a kinetic heart?

Minion, how are you not dead?

My name is Vega, master, she says proudly, Im too weak to use it, and I think it's one of the weaker hearts.

TheStrongestOne (Hell, group 4) - yes! Mine has nearly the same skills as mine. The way he uses them is strange, so there is a lot for him to learn.

Izzy (Hell, group 4) - mine said she likes my flames. She also tried to eat them.

Soph (Hell, group 4) - Izzy, just stay somewhere safe and train with her. Do not risk anything, okay?

Izzy (Hell, group 4) - yah, yah (>_<>

TheStrongestOne (Hell, group 4) - how is yours, Noname?

Noname (Hell, group 4) - She has similar skills and fights like me. Same as yours, there is a lot for her to learn, but the most important part is that she actually wants to and has a lot of enthusiasm.

TheStrongestOne (Hell, group 4) - not gonna lie, she sounds scary.

NotAaron (Hell, group 4) - I bet in a few weeks she could beat your ass, TheStrongestOne.

NotDennis (Hell, group 4) - Yeah, if she is even a bit like Noname, lol.

Noname (Hell, group 4) - Did you find out what happened to your disciples before they got summoned?

Sset (Hell, group 4) - Hello, Noname and everyone else. It's nice to see that you are here at the scheduled time. As for you, Noname, so far we've come to think that the disciples were close to death before they got summoned.

NotDennis (Hell, group 4) - Mine was about to be eaten by some monster.

Izzy (Hell, group 4) - Mine too! She said some group attacked her village.

Knight (Hell, group 4) - Sorry for being late! Mine almost died as well; he got attacked and beaten by some noble asshole.

Maya finally joins as well.

Grumpy (Hell, group 4) - I had to heal mine; he was close to bleeding out.

Looking at what they are saying, I think I will have to ask my disciple as well.

Noname (Hell, group 4) - Do you think they are real? The system said they were taken from a database.

Sset (Hell, group 4) - I wouldn't be surprised if the system constantly updates that database, so they could easily be real. But that's something we can't say for sure for now.

Izzy (Hell, group 4) - I don't want mine to be fake.

NotAaron (Hell, group 4) - That would suck

Noname (Hell, group 4) - Got to go, later.

I use an anchor to reappear next to Vega, just in time to grab her and stop her from hitting her head against the floor as she passes out. She is unconscious and breathing heavily. There is barely any mana left in her body, and she has a few wounds under her skin.

Her heart is beating differently now, like that of a small bird.

Piercing through her natural barrier, I reach towards it and absorb some of its energy, carefully slowing the pace down to a normal level. For a few minutes, I help it beat until It feels right and release my hold.

The young half-demon in my arms calms down as well, and the pained expression gradually disappears from her face.

Reflexively, she moves in her sleep and her small hands grab the hem of my clothes, pulling herself closer to me like a small animal looking for safety and warmth.

This time, I agree with Aaron. It would really suck if the disciples were fake.