The soft pitter-patter of the rain against tattered flow was again disrupted by the violent shrieks of the "loony-tunes" mana slave.
"Gaaah!! I remember, I was stabbed! Where did the wound go?! That's my blood!!!"
Eric fell back softly on the floor, with his hands behind his head. He opened his mouth and let the tiny rain drops form a pool in his mouth before swallowing it in one gulp. It tasted bitter, just like when he tasted his silvery blood.
"I think I have a plan, system. But first, let me name this high-pitched demon before I go deaf."
Now, what should I name her?
"Aaaaah!" she screamed again.
"Okay, that's it. I've had enough. Let's name her 'The fucking wailer in the dark alley.'"
[Lame choice. Too long and thoughtless. Typical of you.]
"I can't overwork my brain cells just to think of a fancy name for her. I think I should just give her something that reminds me of where I transformed her. Something like 'Alley of Death,' probably."
[Just two words, please.]
"Okay, I'm out," Eric finished absently, glancing at the wailer. Raising his head slightly, he glanced at the manacled slave who was pacing back and forth, talking to herself with monstrous honor.
"Hey, you there. What was your name before all these shit happened?"
The lady instantly stopped pacing upon hearing Eric's voice. Like she'd just noticed him for the first time, she beamed her white set of perfect teeth at him while waving steadily, as if to say, "Hi, stranger."
Eric inquired again, totally not fazed by her tempting figure. She was totally naked, but Eric took no notice to beauty. This time, she stood still as if she'd been hypnotized, while she rolled her eyes to the top-left corner, trying to remember the answer to what she was asked.
"I can't remember what my name was, but I think it's Queen," she said in a soulful, soothing voice that got Eric confused if she wasn't the maniac polluting the quiet environment with her noise.
Who the fuck answers a question like that?
"Okay, system, her name's Queen, even though she can't remember. Alas, such foolery."
[Two names are required]
"Hell, just add Alley. Queen of the alley. Alley Queen, I don't care."
[First mana slave successfully named]
[Name: Alley Queen]
[Proceed to call the name out loud to assert complete dominance]
"Hey, Alley Queen! Sit your pale ass down and quit with your gibberish. I'm trying to think here!"
As if remotely controlled, Alley Queen indeed found a metal block at a corner and sat down neatly, folding her hands between her laps and rocking back and forth as a temperature regulatory mechanism.
For some reason, that name sounds like it belongs to a psychopathic and emotionally messed up woman. Alley Queen… I think I'll just call her Alley. There's nothing that resembles "Queen" within her yells.
[Alley Queen completely dominated]
[Host now able to transfer desired abilities to Alley]
"This brings me back to the plan I said I had in mind… First, what are the chances that I'll come across another potential mana slave before dawn?"
[The chances are very slim. On an average, you might not even find another potential mana slave in the next four to five months… or a year. Beings with all the required qualities are rare. However, the more people you meet or see, the better the chances of finding another one.]
"Just like I thought. I guess Alley will do for now. I'm going to take her back to that secret facility with me and pretend she's with me… Well, she's with me anyway."
"Since they are desperately searching for stray and homeless special beings, they won't object when they find Alley with an ability. And hopefully, they won't be mad at me for leaving the facility despite their tight security."
"But first, I have to give her one of my useless abilities. She's gotta choose one herself."
"Hey, Alley! It's your lucky day… or not. You're about to be a special being!"
"Master Eric, what do you mean, a special being? I was not born with such luxury, and I clearly do not have such influence to get myself an ability like the rich do.
"I've been a low-tier citizen with my last family. The highest tier our family has ever produced was Tier 2 in special ability, and another with Tier 2 in social status," Alley explained in a way to voice her confusion and clear her curiosity on the strange topic.
Eric rubbed his forehead in forced despair.
I don't even remember ever asking her about her family's tier history. Anyway, I just learned a little about how the rank game is played in this world. There are different ranks for social status and for abilities. Definitely, the higher your tier in social status, the more influence you get in the society. In other words, you must be a rich fuck.
The people with no special ability must have Tier 0 in special ability then. Tier 1 must then be the lowest tier for special beings. I wonder what the higher tier in special ability is.
No, I won't ask, Alley. I love learning by chance. Intentional learning only makes me sick.
"Okay, Alley. I'm sorry about your family's tier 2 is weakling, but I'm about to make you a special being. Also, you don't have a choice."
"How can you do that, Eric?"
Eric? What happened to Master Eric? What did she call me earlier? Is she bipolar or something?
Well, maybe I should go with whatever she calls me. It's no matter to me anyway.
"Out of all the abilities, which one do you love best?"
"Easy. I love the iceman ability," Alley replied with a very big smile. She was staring unblinking at Eric. "I love it when the famous ice master forms large icicles, pointed and cold and deadly during the tournaments."
Huh, system… You didn't tell me about ice control. Mana God awakening only gave me Aquakinesis, which is water control. What happened to ice? I mean, it sounds cool even though I haven't seen this ice master yet...
Please, tell me I can do that too. Can I freeze water internally with my Aquakinesis, and conjure it out as ice?
[Don't be a fool]