WebNovels

Chapter 5 - Infinite Duplication

As expected, Anthony's fight ended in victory, his awakening marked by a golden glow that lit up the Awakening Center's concrete arena like a beacon in Sky Pillar City's battered skyline. Minutes later, Diana's dome glowed too, signaling her triumph. The group reunited in the audience stands, the air thick with the hum of energy barriers and the crowd's restless chatter, like a packed subway station before a monster alert.

"Nice tactics, Anthony. Blinding the steel ape? Didn't even cross my mind,"

Zack said, settling into a scuffed plastic seat, eyes on the next batch entering the domes below.

Anthony grinned, his blood-streaked face now cleaned but still flushed with victory.

"Still wasn't enough to beat you, bro. How'd you take that monstrosity down so fast?"

"Yeah, you made it look effortless,"

Alexa added, her brown eyes glinting with curiosity under the arena's stark lights.

Zack rubbed his neck, embarrassed by the praise. Socializing wasn't his forte—years in the countryside with Grandpa Kai left him better with spears than small talk.

"I just targeted the knees. It was the closest weak point I could find hehe,"

He said with a sheepish laugh.

Anthony sighed dramatically.

"Way to make it sound simple, man."

"So, what's next now that we're all Drifters?"

Diana asked, her serious tone cutting through the group's banter. Her long wavy white hair swayed as she leaned forward, arms crossed.

Anthony jumped in first.

"I'm heading out of the city in two weeks to test for one of the top three Awakener Academies. Haven't picked which yet—any suggestions?"

His grin invited opinions, a spark of excitement in his black pupils.

The Awakener Academies were the dream of every new Drifter, urban training grounds where talents were honed and beast lore deepened through fierce competitions. Nearly every city had one, but the top three dominated: Slayer Academy, brutal and beast-focused; Saints Academy, an all-female elite school for perfecting talents; and Assassin's Academy, shrouded in mystery, its leader rumored to wield a domain that nullified abilities. With strict tests accepting only a thousand Drifters yearly from tens of thousands, the challenge was daunting.

"Alexa and I are applying for Saints Academy. Tests are in two weeks, so we're heading to Saint City soon,"

Diana said resolutely, her fierce gaze softening as she glanced at her friend. She stared at Zack, waiting for his answer.

Zack paused. He'd been so focused on awakening that academies hadn't crossed his mind.

"I think Slayer Academy suits me best. Slaying beasts, growing stronger—that's my thing,"

He said finally, voice steady but thoughtful.

"Slayer? Guess we'll cross paths soon, then!"

Anthony said, his wide smile infectious. He stood, stretching.

"Gotta head home and check my talent ability before I burst. Catch you later!"

He fist-bumped the group and darted off, dodging spectators like a city kid weaving through traffic.

"I'm out too,"

Zack said, standing.

"Good luck, you two."

He nodded at Diana and Alexa, their silhouettes sharp against the arena's flickering screens, before heading out.

Outside, the Awakening Center's glass facade loomed over Sky Pillar City's cracked streets, littered with debris from past Greenhorn raids. Zack squeezed through the rowdy crowd to Grandpa Kai's car, its engine still growling. Kai waited inside, his weathered face breaking into a proud smile.

"I'm proud of you, boy,"

Kai said, his gruff voice warm.

Zack's chest swelled with pride and joy. He hugged Kai tightly for half a minute, the old man's flannel shirt rough against his cheek, before pulling back.

The drive home was quiet but comfortable, the city's neon signs flickering past like distant stars in the dusk.

At home, Zack sat on a couch across from Kai, whose solemn expression matched the dim glow of their living room's single bulb. The house, a modest prefab on the city's edge, creaked faintly from the evening breeze.

"Now that you're a low-level Drifter, there are things you need to know to avoid mistakes,"

Kai began, locking eyes with Zack, his voice heavy with years of survival.

"Your training built a foundation, but your path to power is yours alone now."

Zack nodded, hanging on every word, determined to etch Kai's advice into his mind.

"I won't pry about your talent, but to grow stronger slaying beasts, prioritize three things above others: mana, physical stats, and talent abilities,"

Kai continued.

"They work together in any rank's battles—deciding victory or defeat. Build your style around your talent or stats, or balance both. More mana for talent-based fighting, more stats for physical. Choose wisely."

Kai stood, heading to his room.

"I believe in you, boy. You've got a great future. Allocate your stat points, pick your academy, and ask me anything tomorrow. I'm resting now."

He walked out, leaving Zack in the quiet.

Zack sat for a moment, then stepped into the open field behind their house, where cracked pavement gave way to patchy grass under a smoggy sky.

"Status,"

He said, exhaling calmly.

[Status]

NAME: Zack Starshot

RACE: Human

RANK: Low-level Drifter

TALENT: Infinity

[Stats]

HP: 10/10

MANA: 0/0

STRENGTH: 8

AGILITY: 9

STAMINA: 9

MENTAL: 10

Stat points: 100

EXP: 0/100

[Skills]

1] Infinite Duplication

Description: Allows you to infinitely duplicate and control anything below the Drifter rank (Consumes mana to activate).

Zack studied the holographic screen, deciding to test his Infinite Duplication before allocating stats. Noting zero mana, he thought.

'Add 10 stat points to mana.'

The screen flickered, and a profound energy surged through him, warm and electric, settling deep within. It faded quickly, but he felt it linger.

[Stats]

HP: 10/10

MANA: 10/10

STRENGTH: 8

AGILITY: 9

STAMINA: 9

MENTAL: 10

Stat points: 90

EXP: 0/100

He grabbed his training spear—a plain, non-magical weapon—from the shed. Focusing, he willed it to duplicate. A slight drain tugged at his mana, and an identical spear appeared in his hand, just as durable and sharp.

Zack's lips curled in amusement. He hurled the duplicate at a nearby tree, its blade embedding deep. The original followed, striking with equal force. Both stood firm in the bark, indistinguishable.

A wild idea hit.

"The description says I can control duplicates, right? Let's test it,"

He muttered, stretching out his hand. He willed the duplicate spear to return. It dislodged instantly, flying back faster than he'd thrown it, landing perfectly in his grip.

A wide grin split his face as combat possibilities flashed through his mind—spears raining from all angles, controlled mid-air. Checking the screen, he saw:

[Stats]

HP: 10/10

MANA: 9/10

Only one mana to duplicate? For a non-magical weapon, it made sense, but the potential stunned him. Then, a bolder thought struck, ten times wilder: Could I duplicate myself and control it to fight?

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