[NR] Chapter 151 - Frustrating His Teacher (Patreon)

The streams of Energy he had created aren’t coming apart. They are splitting into more even finer streams. From the width of his little finger they split into three streams each half that size. More power enters his body and it happens again. The streams split into three and again and again. This splitting continues beyond the point that he could control any individual thread. Then it goes even beyond the point that he can see any one stream. So fine as to be invisible and smaller than what he had thought of as the size of a single particle of Energy.

This goes well beyond what he had hoped for but Jason fears it was too good of a result. If before he was a ball of rubber that energy bounced off of then now he was like a blackhole. Still, he can only shrug as this is well beyond his ability to control. It might even be beyond the System as well if such a thing was even possible. So of course this is the perfect time for his alarm to go off.

The blaring noise that no one else can hear resounds in his ears as he is forced out of his meditative state. Jason shuts off the alarm and looks inward again only to sigh in relief. Whatever has happened to his cultivation method had stayed in place. The haze of Energy streams leaving his core and then return is still in place. Satisfied he stretches and gets up just in time to see Courtney come over to get him. They both give a short wave as they pass each other, one to bed and the other to work.

The same exchange happens again only with Rosha when Jason ends his shift. Though this interaction makes him realize he had been an idiot. The other two had likely been using System alarms the whole time. One facepalm later Jason is in his bedroll and drifting off to sleep.

And right into the training room with his teacher waiting. She took one look at him and sighs. “What did you do? One day you have a new core, next you’ve set up a power cycle. Do you know how rare that is? Damn it and your an Energy user as well. Whatever, I don’t actually want to know. You’re here because you can form the runes, set them up, and start the process. As I didn’t get a message of you earning the skill, I will assume you managed to at least get that far.”

Jason nods, “I found my core rune and it was in constant motion. I couldn’t figure out how to stop its motion, so I instead used it as my point of reference and stopped everything else in relation to it. With the motion out of the way I was able to line up the runes and send my Energy through it. That caused a cascade of beams and runes to form before it all fizzled out.”

The trainer rubs her eyes. “Well that is one way to do it. Of course most people die when their heart stops.” Jason nods again, “Yeah it go really close there. I only glanced at the logs but my health dipped pretty low. Though I guess I should mention I don’t have a heartbeat anymore?”

She glares at him, “You’re doing this on purpose, aren’t you? Show me you character sheet. I need to know what nonsense you have gotten up to.” Jason opens his mouth but she cuts him off, “No buts! Show Me Your Character Sheet. [I swear by the System] that I mean no harm.” Jason closes his mouth with a snap then quietly shares his status with her.

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Basic Info

Name: Jason

Race: Human

Level: 10 - 4.13% [+4.13%]

Legal Status: Player

Title: Core Genius

Normal Stats

• Strength 37 ( 23[Base] + 10[Eq] + 4[Set] )
• Toughness 45 ( 31[Base] + 10[Eq] + 4[Set] )
• Agility  45 ( 31[Base] + 10[Eq] + 4[Set] )
• Control  13 ( 13[Base] ) [ +3 ]

Auxiliary Stats

• Defense 42 ( 30[Eq] + 12[Set] )
• Stamina 23 ( 23[Base] )
• HP  55
• Energy  8 [ +3 ]

Organizations

Adventurers Guild - Basic Member - Rank [ E+ -> D ]

Odd Ones Out - Team Member - Leader

Bonuses

Knowledge Bonuses:

• +2% success rate when using an Energy Herb as an ingredient or growing one.
• Ability to identify the maturity of a Herb with relevant Identify Skills
• +3% malleability to inner self

Discovery Bonuses:

• +2% success rate when using an Energy Herb or growing one
• Able to get a feeling for maturity of a Herb without a skill
• Control of Experience intake

Titles:

• Willful Survivor - Increased ability to affect the System through your Will
• Core Genius - Provides feedback on how suitable your current location is for your cultivation technique and hints on how to improve it
• Body Cultivator of Pure Energy - Formed from the titles “Pure Being”, “Body Cultivator”, and “Energy Controller”
• [Energy Cycle Genius - Gives warning when Energy draw could destabilize the cycle]

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Skills

Energetic Body Reinforcement

Accepting only purity of body and mind you have given up past concepts of self for the uncertainty of truth.

Apprentice Level 1 - 1%

Rarity: Truth

Type: Passive, Cultivation

Effects:

• Filtering Cycle - Gain only 10% of absorbed energies but they are extremely pure
• Purity of energy - Because of the purity of your energy higher levels have a lower scaling on what is needed to level up and the energy does more
• Body/Mind Unification - Your inner self has stabilized allowing you as much control of your body as you have over your mind
• Energized Flesh - Can hit incorporeal things for 34% of normal damage with body
• Material Body (Wood) - With time your body can become like living metal or hard like a diamond
• Untainted Core - No longer is your body that of a normal mortal as your heart has stopped but you haven’t. Your body doesn’t attempt to mimic internals so status effects like broken bones heal twice as fast because you don’t have any

Desolate Traversal Technique

A combination of traditional parkour and energy use. While considered a basic skill it is highly ranked among them. Generally learned by rogues it is however open for anyone to learn. This skill has ranked up through comprehension of parkour being about efficiency of movement. A rare feat as it has been noted by an unnamed master that, “teaching a man parkour isn’t about how to jump over walls but rather beating into them that most of the time you should just walk through the gate”.

Apprentice Level 8 - 0.3% [+2lv 0.3%]

Rarity: Uncommon

Type: Passive, Movement

Effects:

• Traction Assist - Based on predicted goal the System will modify the friction between user and any surfaces they are in contact with
• Powered Grip - Through the use of energy a user is able to temporarily stick to surfaces
• Distanceless Step - A combination of efficient movement and unconscious Energy use makes each step travel just as far as it needs to, including farther than it visually should have

Energetic Poison and Venom Resistance

One of the rare active skill based resistances. While still able to passively provide benefits this skill really shines when directly used. As there are many types of poison and venom the System has decided it is best like this rather than a stat as this allows more variety without littering the stat line with entries like ‘elven paralysis poison resistance’. Uses the best percentage.

Initiate Level 5 - 0.1% [+0.1%]

Rarity: Exquisite Beginner

Type: Passive/Active, Energy, Adaptive

Effects:

• Willful Purge - Able to send charges of Energy through the body to break down poison and venom in the body
• Poison Resistances -
  • Immunity to Trash rank pain poisons
  • Trash rank non-damaging poison resistance - 52%
  • Trash rank poison resistance - 34%
  • Low Normal rank poison resistance - 10%
  • Normal rank poison resistance - 1%
• Venom Resistances -
  • Trash rank paralysis venom resistance - 72%
  • Trash rank non-damaging venom resistance - 22%
  • Trash rank venom resistance - 10%
  • Low Normal rank venom resistance - 1%

Blast Punch (Variant)

The normal Blast Punch is a ranged mana based skill similar to burning hands. A magic user would concentrate pure Mana around his fist then punch the air sending out a glowing ball of pure magic. Someone developed this skill to help fire mages counter low level fire based enemies. Preferred over the mana missile skill as the user does not have to focus on guiding it and thus allow dodging directly after use. However, that is not this skill. Not only has it been changed to use Energy instead of Mana it is no longer ranged. This Blast Punch is like the classic one inch punch, trying to get the most out of a short distance. However, instead of focusing the body’s explosive strength into a small burst of motion this skill focuses the users Energy. While someone can use it with a regular punch as long as the fist is punching the skill will work. This change causes the skill to no longer be ranged but as a tradeoff the Energy will only be used on a hit and some Energy will be pushed directly into the enemy providing armor piercing.

Initiate Level 1 - 0.0%

Rarity: Variant Beginner

Type: Energy Attack

Effects:

• Frugal - This attack only uses energy on a successful hit
• Pure Force - Not affected by most types of resistance
• Armor Piercing - As the attack partially forms inside the enemy some damage will ignore armor. At the current level this distance is short and so will not pierce equipment or exceptionally thick natural armor.

Farming

You have shown yourself to be proficient at this classic skill. Don’t look down on it as these lands contain many mysterious plants with uncountable effects.

Novice Level 9 - 85.9% [+1.3%]

Rarity: Normal

Type: Passive, Production

Effects:

• Sub-Skill Acquisition (Farming) -  Allows one to gain the sub-skills related to farming
• Land Sense - Grants a sense for the condition of any area you could grow your plants
• Growth Assist - Plants under your constant care grow up to 10% faster
• Specialty (Energy Herb) - Having gained the skill through exclusively growing one type of plant all effects of the Farming skill and Bonuses are doubled for it
• Harvesting Common Sense - With the knowledge of all basic harvesting methods you will be prompted with the best way to harvest plant that you know of and slightly increase the success rate of harvesting

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Wealth

Money

• 6 Silver
• 42 Copper

Property

• N/A

Business

• N/A

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Pets and Companions

Non-Combat Pets [0/2]

• [Open]
• [Open]

Combat Pets [0/1]

• [Open]

Companions

• Lily - Female Rabbit Serf - Level 1

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Equipment

Living Amber Skeletal System

Description:

This masterpiece of magical items is the opposite of the undead. While undead are the living that are killed and turned into magical items, this is a magical item turned into a living piece of a creature. An intricately carved full skeleton made entirely of Magical Amber. It was then hollowed out leaving just the barest of a lattice work. When magically implanted into the host, the bone marrow was grafted into these cavities. Because of difficulties and dangers that appear when trying to enchant a living creature they have instead been imbued with magic.

Effects:

• Sap like Blood - The blood produced by the marrow is more viscous and sticky when it leaves the body. Slower bleed rate and more likely to stop bleeding
• Crafted Bones - Because of the material and structure, the bones are tougher and can take an impact easier
• One and the Same - Despite being a magical item they will not show up as a separate item and only appear under the possessors character screen. Any attempt at removal will face the same difficulties as removing a person’s actual bones.
• Soulbound - Not even death will part you from this item

Bonuses:

• +5 [base] toughness
• +5 [base] hp

‘BlueIron Rust’ Electrolysis Ritual Circle

Description:

An impossible ritual that crystallized directly in the lungs of the Traveller Jason. Through BlueIron’s innate electrical nature this formation can break down water into its components and capture the resulting breathable elements. This will allow for sustained underwater activities as long as Energy flows through it. As a side benefit the ritual will also expel any unwanted matter from the lungs at an additional Energy cost whenever desired. Best used when leaving the water to expel any remaining water.

Effects:

• Sustained Water Breathing - Separates water into breathable gas as long as Energy is directed through the ritual circle
• Gunk Expelling - Clear the lungs of unwanted matter (including water when not submerged) at an Energy cost
• Efficient Breathing - Even when not being powered the ritual will passively collect air better providing better stamina recovery

Bonuses:

• +3 [base] Stamina

Complete Weaponless Rabbit Leather Martial Arts Beginners Set

Set Items:

• Beginners Rabbit Leather Helm
• Beginners Rabbit Leather Jerkin
• Beginners Rabbit Leather Arm Guards
• Beginners Rabbit Leather Belt
• Beginners Rabbit Leather Grieves
• Beginners Rabbit Leather Boots

Description:

An Exquisitely crafted set of gear made entirely out of the cheapest quality of Rabbit Leather. Only through years of research and many crafters blood, sweat, and tears was this level of quality reached while keeping such a low price. All the pieces of this set have been specially created to be swapped between several configurations and thus there is no step by step set bonuses for it. A pair of boots, greaves, and a bastard sword are just as valid of a complete set as wearing something in every equipment slot. As for how it looks. Best way to put it is they tried.

Effects:

• (Boots) Bunny Hop - Provides a 1% non-stacking bonus to jump height

Bonuses:

• +30 Defense
• +10 Agility
• +10 Strength
• +10 Toughness

Set Bonuses:

• +12 Defense
• +4 Agility
• +4 Strength
• +4 Toughness

‘Sealed Silver’ Snips

Description:

A pair of gardening snips meant for harvesting plants. The snips are plated in Sealed Silver. This metal when used to cut something prevents the flow of energy though the slightest resistance will remove this effect. Perfect for harvesting plants as it stops the leaking of any natural energies.

Small Critter Protection Harness

Description:

An odd harness made by an odder ork. Built into the shoulder is a protective cage meant to shelter small animals. When in use the cage is shifted away from the current dimension to provide an extra level of safety. While the harness itself looks average, the material used is leather from an elder glutton wolf, a distant relative of Fenrir by way of Skoll and Hati. The creator has focused all magics woven into this device on the safety of the animal and so provides no bonuses to the wearer. Because of this you can wear the harness over or under other magical gear with no fear of unexpected interactions.

Throwing Daggers x5

Description:

Basic iron throwing daggers crafted by a journeymen smith. While the material and shape are nothing special, the smith used a special heritage technique in the crafting of this set of daggers. This elevates them to the status of graded items.

Grade: Low Normal (technique)

Effects:

• Slip-through - The blade is able to slip through things like foliage with great ease

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They both look over the sheet and Jason comments. “Huh, my Energy went up a little and there is a new title. I need to unrestrict my System messages. And where did that point one percent increase to my poison resist come from? Does pollen count? Maybe we passed a mildly poisonous plant. Does NeoRealm have poison ivy? Oh and I really need to work on Lily’s level and my farming skill. Actually, I feel like I am forgetting something to do with that skill now that I look at it. No clue what at the moment.”

The trainer lets him babble as she goes over it with a fine-tooth comb. Done she raises a finger and Jason smartly shuts up. Her lips are pressed tightly together for a moment and then sighs. With a crooked smile she turns to face him, “I have a side quest for you. Next time you find anything with poison or venom you’re going to eat it or poke yourself with it. Also why isn’t your ritual circle in your lungs soulbound? It should be.”

A ding can be heard and she looks smug. “That’s right, I noticed another of your mistakes System! You might seem all-powerful but I know you’re not.” Jason looks at her with an eyebrow raised. She fakes a cough and continues, “anyway it should have soulbound on it now.  Besides that your cultivation technique is unique and I doubt anyone else could develop it. Can’t help you with that but you’re doing a good job if you’re already beyond a purely mortal body.”

“Besides that you seem to be doing all right if a little low level. Once we get you hooked up with the skill, though that should fix itself soon enough. Don’t spread it around but the System holds off on the monster attacks and what not when in the middle of learning a new skill. Some nonsense about it not being fair. Utter rot that but life happens sometimes. I haven’t personally experienced it as I always kept to a safe location when doing such things but you can’t always manage that. Anyway, I should really get around to telling you the secret to activating War Stomp. You’re going to feel really stupid once you find out.” She smirks and gestures for him to sit down as she pulls up a display.