That night, I returned to the [Atherion Dreamforge]
[ You have acquired the passive skill [Aether Sense] Lvl 1 ]
Finally, I got the sense skill I've been waiting for. For a unity core user like me, this skill is called [Aether Sense].
People usually get either [Mana Sense] or [Aura Sense]. [Mana Sense] typically excels at sensing magical traces, while [Aura Sense] excels at sensing traces of life.
Each has its advantages. Furthermore, both also enhance the user's survival instincts when in danger.
As for my skill, it should be able to sense both magical and life traces. ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━
[ PASSIVE SKILL ]
[ Aether Sense ] Lvl 1
A special perception ability for [Unity Core] users. Combines the abilities of [Mana Sense] and [Aura Sense] in a more balanced form.
- This skill can evolve into [Divine Sense] upon reaching the Sage realm and maximum level.
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The final point is still the same, the [Divine Sense] skill.
Both [Mana Sense] and [Aura Sense] also end up there. However, I hope my [Divine Sense] will have something that sets it apart from others.
After closing the blue screen, I walked towards the tower, my intention simple, to see the floors above.
…
When I arrived on the second floor, I was greeted by a room similar to the ground floor. Only it was smaller, without any spatial expansion magic like below.
And also, there were no signs of stairs leading to the next floor. Yet, from the outside, this tower clearly stood at least one hundred and fifty meters tall, high enough to view the entire capital from its peak.
'It seems this is the limit of this skill...'
I called up the system for this skill and looked at the list of books available in this place.
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List of books:
...
Alchemical Transmutation: Theory, Methods, and Applied Experiments
…
Aura: Basic Theory, Energy Layers, and Manifestation
…
Secret Realm Ecology: Flora, Fauna, and Inhabiting Entities
…
Mana Theory: Sources, Flow, and Conservation of Magical Energy
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'This is….'
I swept my gaze across the entire list of books that appeared on the system screen. There were so many of them that it felt impossible to read them all at once. Then, I realized that this place contained books that only existed in the game, academy textbooks, books whose titles were only ever mentioned, and even books that were merely displayed in shops.
Then, one section of the list caught my attention, a section on research journals. There were research journals that were clearly cruel, experiments that violated ethics, and rituals from that cult. Based on the game's timeline, these research projects should have been unfinished, not yet started, and in their early stages. Yet here before me, everything was written in detail, complete and ready to be used.
One thought crossed my mind.
'Are all the routes in the game some kind of archive of reality?'
I shook my head, deeming it impossible. Although the main story was the same, players were given the freedom to develop different approaches and determine their own endings.
That… wasn't enough of a reason, because I didn't know what actually happened in reality.
'Ugh…' I held my head, feeling a piercing dizziness.
It's better to use these books to study, that makes far more sense. Perhaps, if I focus and am consistent, I can reach a level where I can pass the academy exams with my eyes closed.
I chose a book and sat down to read.
…
4 days have passed
I'm currently in the cafeteria. My body still feels sore from the previous training.
'This is slower than I thought…'
The [Adaptive Regeneration] skill is the ability to restore lost essence, heal quickly, and adapt to wounds or damage received, with an adaptive effect against specific types of attacks, injuries, and even physical disabilities.
It's a good skill, no doubt. However, at its initial level, its speed is too slow to make a significant difference. At the very least, I have to wait until this skill reaches level five before truly feeling its benefits in an intense fight. And at maximum level, this skill can regenerate lost body parts, fully restoring the body's functionality and making its user nearly invincible on the battlefield.
I picked up a practice sword and looked at my status window. I selected the [Transcendent Unity Sword Art ★] technique to begin training. Memories of the first three techniques flowed into my body.
'This... is insane.'
There are many great things about this technique, one of which is the ability to infuse any attribute into it. Although this isn't displayed in my status, the technique can still use the same ability as the [Attribute Infuse] skill. A capability like this is too incredible to be just the first part of this technique, in my opinion, it deserves the ★ symbol.
I decided to try it in the simulation room.
...
The last day
Damn it.
I kept dying over and over because it was too difficult.
I watched the recordings of my training in the simulation room to evaluate them.
First Form: Flow of Reversal
My hand moved, parrying my opponent's attacks. I blocked every one of their blows with precision, using their own momentum for a swift and deadly counterattack. I saw the shadow of the attack rebound to the ground, the energy previously directed at me now coming back down on my opponent. Then, I tried something else, and the shadow of the next punch aimed at me changed direction, twisting and slamming into the ground around the arena. And, I tried to block directly by channeling the force of the attack through my body and into the ground. The concept is the same as a lightning rod. This is a defensive technique that includes countering, blocking, and deflection.
Unfortunately, I mostly failed to channel the force, causing my chest to explode. It was truly terrifying at first. Luckily, I had reduced the pain to 1%, so my body wouldn't be traumatized.
Then, Second Form: Heavenly Step
I leaped, my feet stepping on the air as if freed from gravity. My body moved with a fluidity that made each step impossible for the ordinary human eye to follow. I would appear at one point, then vanish before the opponent even realized my presence. No shadow, no trace, just empty space and an opponent who always guessed my position wrong. This time, of course, I fell, failing to reach my intended position
When this video is slowed down, I would see myself moving with my eyes closed, ultimately falling far from my target position, a tree branch I hadn't noticed impaling my chest.
This technique didn't create any wind pressure at all, but my perception of the space around me became strange and made me dizzy. That's why I closed my eyes.
Last, Third Form: Azuresky Flow
I tried to follow my body's rhythm, forcing each slash to move smoothly. My movements weren't perfect yet, still stuttering in some parts, but I could feel a hint of hidden energy flowing in each slash.
As I executed a series of attacks, a few slashes managed to slip through my opponent's defenses unnoticed. My body was still learning to synchronize with the rhythm, but the combination of softness and a hidden surge of power was beginning to be felt. The sword was light in my hand, yet every movement carried the potential for immense destructive power. Finally, on the third day, the goblin's shield split apart.
I took a deep breath, realizing that even though it was my first time, this flow of attacks was beginning to take shape, smooth yet deadly, weaving around the opponent from all directions. The rhythm and fluidity still needed practice, but I could feel the first sparks of this technique's true power
Without realizing it, my time in this place was over.