Chapter 341: The List

"Energy Force," Jyorta read the name of the next Tier 3 Skill, looking at its description, "The Skill emits energy, imbuing in it mass. It doesn't take any particle form, retaining its energy state while possessing a force of its own. Can be emitted in various forms."

The description was short, but allowed him to grasp its workings. 'The energy can be moulded into specific shapes to selectively attack target areas with pinpoint accuracy. Depending on its usage, one can achieve attack, defence, movement, and even sense their surroundings using it. It basically births energy-based attacks like the ones in the novels I read in my previous life. It is versatile, just like all the other Tier 3 Skills.'

'But,' Jyorta frowned, 'Though largely inferior, I can achieve something similar using my aura. So, it is not a helpful advantage I need at present. In comparison, Forged Line is better. I desire its range and accuracy more.'

Jyorta looked at the Relic shaped into a glove, not inclined to exchange for it as he proceeded to the next shelf, looking at the last Tier 3 Skill, "Brethren Bait."

The name soured his mood, the concept making a bad taste linger on his tongue. Unwilling to make preconceived bias, he quickly read its description, "It creates a sort of energy, a scent, a sound, a light, an aura, etc. that when lands on the target make it wish to attack its brethren. Greatly useful in wars to pit the Frenzy Beasts against each other. The effect is pronounced on Frenzy Beasts, the lower their intellect, the greater the effect."

"Well…" Jyorta stared at the Skill for a minute, reorienting his thoughts as he commented at the end, "I like it. Sir, I'll exchange for this Relic."

"I thought you would choose the Relic with the Forged Line Skill." The gruff voice said in a tone of surprise. "Based on your emotional upheavals, you were completely inclined to select it. Even now, your presence is still inclined on Forged Line."

'Forged Line is really amazing but, I can mask the workings of the Hoberman Sphere using this Relic. This would amplify my advantages.' Jyorta thought in a flash, saying with a smile, "Sir, in the confined space of the Labyrinth of Frenzy, this Skill is the most effective."

He unleashed his psychic arms, turning invisible after a second, followed by even his presence disappearing. Jyorta took a couple of steps in such a state before he retracted his psychic arms.

Through his superior senses, the staff saw him as clear as day all along, but he also noticed the level of Jyorta's cloaking, nodding in understanding, 'Just in this matter alone, he is already the best among the students. I wonder to what heights he would reach by his last month here.'

The staff then inquired with astonishment, "Are you getting this Relic solely for your Labyrinth exploration? Shouldn't you think it through more, and plan for after your graduation? What if, in the Wilds, you face a single but powerful Frenzy Beast? This Relic would be useless in that case. You shouldn't make a hasty decision. This is the only place you can obtain such Relics from. It would be numerous times harder to get your hands on a Relic after graduation, even from your Bone Family."

"Sir," Jyorta smiled, "You are saying in the case I roam the Wilds and encounter a strong monster, right?"

Hearing a reply from the staff, Jyorta continued, "If I have Forged Line with me, then I would be able to face against a stronger Frenzy Beast and even pave the way to survival. Brethren Bait is perfectly useless if the opponent is not two or more Frenzy Beasts from the same race."

His smile widened, "But, Marble City is currently facing the Lacquer Wave. The Swarm will keep on coming for at least 2-3 years, right?"

"Yes," The staff sighed.

"During this time, I won't be drafted for any missions in the Wild Zones, not to mention the Wilds. And, by the time the Lacquer Wave ends," Jyorta said with confidence, "I would have become a Wave Controller by then. And, due to the after-effects of the Swarm, any Frenzy Beasts we probably encounter in the future would definitely be in groups. So, Brethren Bait is a better choice."

'Besides, I have my corrosion to aid me against stronger foes. With the increased range as a Wave Controller, it would become tremendously powerful. Brethren Bait is the perfect recipe to brew chaos in group fights. And, I'll be using the chakram gifted by Psychic Ancestor Marble as my prime mode of attack. Other Relics will only be used for support.'

Seeing that he had made a solid point, the staff relented, "There are many Relics with the two Skills you want as the base. Look at the fused Skills in them all and pick out the ones you find as the most suitable."

Followed by the sounds of footsteps, the staff walked out, carrying a sheet of paper. He pointed at numerous shelves, prompting Jyorta to make a decision.

"Relic C120109. Enhanced Healing Salve. Base Skill: Tier 3. Tier 1: Enhanced Smell, Tier 2: Speed Burst, Tier 3: Healing Salve."

"Relic C211008. Dynamic Brethren Bait. Base Skill: Tier 3. Tier 1: Dynamic Acuity, Tier 2: Aura Burst, Tier 3: Brethren Bait."

The Relic, Enhanced Healing Salve was shaped into a cup, the base diameter being five centimetres, and the height spanning four centimetres. The cup walls were a centimetre thick, the material resembled porcelain. The design of a five-petaled flower was printed on its back while two lines intersected at perpendicular angles in the concave portion.

The Relic, Dynamic Brethren Bait was shaped into a hollow tube, with one side closed, the corners tapered. The other side was open, the hollowness extending to half its length. It was 15 centimetres long and had a diameter of four centimetres. Its material resembled granite, the walls a centimetre thick.

It looked and weighed no different from an actual granite carved into such, weighing around 500 grams approximately as he held it. The cup, on the other hand, weighed around 200 grams. Jyorta held the two Relics in his hands, feeling a rush of excitement, anticipating when he would use them.

A small briefcase appeared before him, opening to reveal a cushioned interior, with two portions cut out, allowing the two Relics to fit perfectly. The staff handed him the briefcase, "Use this to store the Relics. This briefcase is a composite of the materials, Gulvana Forr and Stronea Forr. So, it will prevent any forms of energy Tier 4 and below from seeping into it, preventing the Relics from activating by mistake."

"Thank you, sir." Jyorta bowed, placing the two Relics in their respective slots as he closed the lid, locking the briefcase. He held it carefully, afraid he might shake the contents inside.

Seeing his actions, the staff chuckled, as if he had witnessed similar actions numerous times, "They aren't fragile. And, once you keep them in the briefcase, they won't be damaged unless a Shifter bombards attacks on it. So, you don't have to worry that much."

"Thank you, for your insightful guidance." Jyorta bowed, intending to exit now that he had obtained what he sought. Just when he turned around, something struck as odd, his mind immediately whirring in thought.

He counted the shelves he had passed through in order, recalling the information Madam Rizenne had imparted in their class long ago, finding that it didn't tally. He turned around, noticing a smiling face of the staff, "Sir, shouldn't there have been 21 Tier 3 Skills? How come I only saw 19 here?"

The staff handed him the sheet he was holding, his smile implying that he had been expecting the question since long ago, "This is the percentage distribution of the Tier 3 Skills in Marble City, collated based on all the Warriors that are active."

Jyorta took the sheet, his eyes widening as the blue soul whirred into life, extracting the memory to tuck it away safely, fearing the staff might do something that would later make him forget this memory.

1. Mental Frenzy [33.1%]

2. Sensory Invisibility [1.3%]

3. Foresight [0%]

4. Mental Calm [18.8%]

5. Forged Line [20.8%]

6. Poison Mettle [6.4%]

7. Flight [1%]

8. Mental Sloth [4.5%]

9. Directional Misalignment [3.8%]

10. Fuel Fire [1.6%]

11. Raging Momentum [1.4%]

12. Healing Salve [0.8%]

13. Aura Inhibition [0.1%]

14. Material Maker [3.4%]

15. Mist Glue [0.4%]

16. Cage of Protection [1.2%]

17. Sphere of Amplification [0.6%]

18. Sphere of Nullity [0.1%]

19. Bait [0%]

20. Energy Force [0.6%]

21. Brethren Bait [0.1%]

"Sir, those Skills with zero percent are?" Jyorta inquired, confused but curious.

"Those are Skills that haven't appeared for at least the past five decades. Currently, no active Warrior has those Skills. The Skill Bait was last seen a century ago. Currently, Central Command possesses a couple of Relics with it. As for the Skill Foresight…" The staff sighed, "It had been lost during the dark ages. For some reason, Psychic Ancestor Marble put its detail in our database. If not for that, we wouldn't even know such a Skill existed."

"Alright," He waved his hand, prompting for Jyorta to leave, "If there is nothing else, you may leave. I have already informed the staff behind the counter. She will deduct the appropriate Credits from your total."

Jyorta made a light bow as he exited the place, watching the lift doors close before proceeding downward. Upon its opening, he exited the lift, noticing the circular room occupied by a couple dozen students, forming groups as they chattered while waiting for their turns.

Noticing his presence, the staff lady behind the counter—the one that had directed him at the start—waved her hands, signalling that she had finished the formalities, "Don't forget to check your Credit balance in the Portal."

Holding the briefcase in his right, Jyorta made a light bow in her direction as he proceeded to walk away, his back straight, unable to conceal the grin on his face.

'I am anticipating my next exploration.'

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