Thanks to the experience of achieving the first Ancestral name Grey leveled up twice gaining four attribute points and one skill points per level up. It didn't seem like those numbers would be boosted like the others. Of all the titles granted only one piqued his interest as half of it was obscured; the hidden blessing that didn't grant any bonuses yet created a quest of divine rank. Such quests were few and far between in the later stages of the game knowing of only five in the previous timeline. Whatever managed to be it's trigger Grey understood this would be vital towards his future. Grey put aside his thoughts about the quests for the time being as there was one basic quest that could only be completed before reaching level five. Many in the past timeline missed out on this opportunity and it would cost them greatly in the future to the point that many adventurers attempted to remake their account by deletion however Mystique was cruel and deemed only one account per person no matter how many systems they bought. Sticking heavily to the theme of this new world that it is meant to be experienced as a real secondary life and one can't just quit life in hopes for a do over. The most game like feature of this world would be that adventurers were immortal and could be reborn at the church or anchor points a certain number of times before requiring items. When one dies repeatedly the energy in their soul depletes unable to be regained therefore, die one too many times and you're finished in both worlds.
Asura descended into the village square so his journey would be short as his first stop is to the largest tower just outside the center, the magic association. Entering through the large ornate double doors he is greeted by an older woman with a head full of gray hair hiding her figure beneath an oversize plum cloak embroidered with the crest of branch master. This old broad was a tier-one fire mage named Matilda Emery. "An adventurer so soon?" She gasped in shock dropping the chart she held in her hand once her eyes laid on him. Asura joined her by the registration desk picking up the item she dropped for her with a charming smile. "Very keen eyes you have their madam. I am indeed an adventurer and have arrived earlier than those that shall follow in a few weeks' time. It's a gift from the divine ones as their chosen one to set off on my journey posthaste; though I do apologize for startling you."
"The chosen one, tell me child what is your name?"
Giving a slight bow he introduces himself laying the charm on thick, "You may call me Asura. I've come to awaken my mana and test my affiliation with the elements. I hope that is something a respectable beauty such as yourself would be able to help this novice with." Her pale cheeks become flaming red at his pretty words brushing down her hair to look more presentable unconsciously. Matilda stuck her chest out proudly in an attempt to regain her composure as the branch head of the esteemed magic association leading him to a back room. A mana circuit was engraved into the stone floor as a large crystal orb hovered in the center of the room above a pedestal. "A back room, HM how bold of you," Asura jokes playfully grazing his eyes over her plump bum. Matilda let out a squeak as she turned around quickly to hide from his peering eyes.
"It's not nice to tease women you know. Anyway, a young sprout like you wouldn't even be able to measure up to a more experienced woman."
Asura lifts his hands up in surrender, "I was just being friendly but make no mistake about me if those sultry plump lips ever express any form of consent this young sprout will drill your tight cunt till you're a perfect mold of my member and on bed rest for a week." Matilda is left speechless as a small pool grows between her soft legs experiencing the intensity of his words work their way through her body. He was so close to her if she tilted her head up slightly, she would be able to brush against his taunting lips. No one has ever made her feel this hot before from just a simple exchange greater than even her own flames. She could not pull away, but she also couldn't form the words to say ravage me. Why did he have to be a gentleman? Why couldn't he sense the desperation pouring out of her in waves? Why did she crave for such a weak novice even if he carried an ancestral name? So many thoughts swirled through her mind, but none could move her from this spot.
"I know, but until you can utter those filthy thoughts running across this beautiful face of yours out loud for me to enjoy this is where we'll stay. Now how about that test for now and when you're ready call for me." Asura suggested stepping a few steps back returning to his own personal bubble. He enjoyed watching as her body shuddered in rejection at the loss of his presence. He knew in the back of his head what Mystique mentioned about finding powerful women to impregnate he just wasn't expecting to find a suitable candidate so quickly. Thanks to the talent foreshadow as soon as he laid eyes on her he could see that she held a crippled bloodline of the divine phoenix that she wasn't even aware of. If he absorbed the bloodline or essence of a great flame, then impregnated her his energy would heal her and help break through to tier two. She was once a greater tier three fire mage but due to failure to break through she became crippled and dropped two ranks as well as aged rapidly. When natives advanced in the tiers of power, they would basically stop aging not looking a day pass their prime.
Once Matilda regained her composure, she cast a small chant igniting the mana circuit below them. A bright white light filled the ridges illuminating this small dark room. "Please place your hands upon the crystal orb before you to awaken the spirit energy within. Concentrate on how the energy flows all around you in harmony with one another and then guide it to flow through you." Asura closes his eyes remembering the familiar sensation of connecting with the energy of this world. Diving deep within his soul space guided by the river of mana guiding him to the once sapling tree. Now a thick hearty tree with roots reaching deep down. This was the skill tree that every being held within them even without the ceremony. Noticing the sturdy tunk his foundation was what he was desiring. Having a strong foundation determined how many times one could evolve a skill as well as how powerful of a skill they could wield. Magic and physical skills all resided upon one tree just usually split in half depending on ones path in life.
Many adventurers that chose to follow the path of the sword or something similar saw no point in awakening mana as it would not benefit their desired classes path. They couldn't have been more wrong as there were plenty of advanced branches of combat classes that required one to have mana unlocked and even some quests had a minimum requirement. Divine Legends didn't utilize a normal class system where one usually could only use the designated weapon per class instead one could create their very own play style unlike any other. Onyx would eventually select to be an assassin, yet her weapon of choice are dual sabers with the occasional hidden weapon. From his status earlier one might have noticed there are only five slots for passive and active skills while talents are unlimited in selection. This is only temporary as the quantity of skills will increase by awakening to the next tier at level 15. There are other methods to increase this number but those are the epitome of rare. Mystique found it unrealistic for a person to be able to learn and master a thousand different skills without butchering one's growth so thereby the system has been put in place. Everything circles back towards this very test as with discovering one's affinity one can cast basic magic and also enhance the mana into a weapon for extra damage. If a swordsman discovered a flame sword during a dungeon hunt but hasn't awakened his mana or doesn't have an affiliation with that element, they would be unable to wield it. Simple casts could only expand to the forms of a ball/pellet, a single bolt, or a sweep depending on the element. There were a few prodigies who were above the rest who were able to create their own spells without a book. If a combat specialist placed enough points into developing their spirit energy which contributes to the strength of magic skills, they could become a dual wielder like a paladin. During the first half of this test depending on one's innate spirit level extra slots could be opened. Spirit determines the strength of spell one can cast also measured if one could evolve their base affinity.
Matilda watched in fascination at the amount of energy being absorbed by Asura. After what felt like several minutes passed the brightness of the orb held steady morphing into golden numbers. "Congratulations! You've achieved well over the max awakening with a score of fifteen you have obtained ten extra skill branches to use freely. Just a moment, I must cast another spell to determine what your affinity shall be as well as how large of a mana pool you have." Matilda cast a much longer spell this time utilizing a potion as well to pour over the crystal ball. Shimmering liquid absorbs into the crystal turning a once clear surface to one that was cloudy. Asura watched as the turbulent clouds within tumbled through out till peaks of color began to come through. Red, black, dark blue, and hints of purple broke through to illuminate brightly displaying how intensely his connection with these elements were. "Such a strong bond with fire, Water, and the rare dark element. Even greater is holding a mid affinity to the illustrious thunder element. It's a shame your on the path of brutality and not one of the casters, such a waste of potential." Among the colorful cloud golden numbers slowly form in the air above representing the once hidden attribute intelligence. "Thirty points! The gods truly are making a mockery of those who follow the path of spell casting. Wait why is it suddenly climbing higher?!" Golden numbers transform from a simple thirty to a whopping 150 thanks to his Asura lineage.
In the previous timeline he only awakened five points in spirit combined with the fire attribute and darkness attribute. A slight tingle above his heart let him know it was thanks to the Aurora that he gained such a score. "Don't worry I can assure you that such potential will be put to good use. Now that this is over, I must be off but do remember my offer. I should only be in this town for a few days at most a week." Asura turned tail departing before words could even form upon her tongue. Next stop the training grounds at the far edge of the town along the wooden wall protecting the town an older man wearing the affects of war proudly was cursing out a few of the town guards who were according to him swinging their sword like babies. Many players egos couldn't withstand the verbal bashing from a crippled and attempted to retaliate only to be knocked in their ass and a punishment quest that would severely affect their grinding. Asura didn't dare interrupt standing at attention to the side in wait for the instructor to redirect his attention. "What is a brat doing on my grounds?! At least it seems to have basic respect." Asura still remained silent as the instructor approached hobbling on his cane. "Hm this aura smells of an adventurer. Speak runt what do they call you?" This question surprisingly shocked Asura as there's never been a time in history that a player has ever been asked their name before by Garrett the drill sergeant. Everyone that comes to him are seen as less than the scum under his boot and were not deemed worthy of being addressed by name.
"Asura, the chosen one, sir."
"A powerful ancestral name drenched in blood shed for a runt like you seems the gods have a sense of humor. Let's just see if your worthy to hold such a fancy name."
Quest: Garrett has sensed possible potential within you and has issued a challenge to prove him right.
Run ten laps around town within thirty minutes
complete 1000 perfect slashes in each cardinal direction
complete 1000 perfect thrusts
parry 3 attacks from Garrett
Draw blood from Garrett in a duel
Reward: 50 exp. Garrett respect, Sword mastery +10%
Garrett didn't even wait for his answer just walking away to torment those that were here earlier. Asura wastes no time taking off to complete the ten laps around the village. Thanks to his agility reaching over a hundred it only took him half of the time to complete while dodging weak spawns in the fields. Each completed lap granted an additional point to his agility. Returning to the training field a low level soldier gave him a wooden sword pointing towards the free dummy in the center of the bunch to be easily viewed by all around. Natives have their own announcement system similar to the players but they refer to it as a message from the creator. Spoken words of the prophecy of adventurers descending in the coming weeks have made its way through the land reaching even those that are all powerful. As the first one to descend but without a divine word announcing the coming of change, he must be special is what went through their heads as they watched from the sidelines. In the previous timeline Asura spent quite a deal of time training his sword here to advance faster than those who held such a head start on him. Such movements were engrained into his soul that with the boost from igniting his awakening already ensured each flow of his blade were deliberate and precise. Asura felt as the wind became sharp swiftly dodging out of the way as a system notification stating Garrett Merit Quest has been completed. "Hm not so bad for a newbie. Seems these old eyes haven't lost their might yet. A strong future is ahead of you Asura don't waste it." Garrett eyes gleamed impressed as he wipes away the slight trickle of blood against his neck. While dodging with the wooden sword as it broke on impact Asura manages to withdraw the sword given to him earlier from his inventory slashing towards his neck. His blade falls short as garret draws up his weapon to block him from taking his head. "I won't sir."
"See to it that you don't, or I'll track you down and kill you myself. Now get out of here runt." Garrett casually throws over his shoulder a scroll and a broken desiccated sword to Asura with nothing more than a shoo of his hand. Catching them both he bows deeply to Garretts back before rushing off. In the previous timeline only, the scroll was gifted to the adventurer that managed to impress the iron fortress that is Garrett. This sword was something new that he held no prior knowledge of to even begin to know what to do. Casting his gaze among it for three seconds a rush of cursed energy rushes through his body. Placing his hand over his suddenly empty stomach, "A cursed weapon that could hide so much from my talent must be a monster."
Cursed Sword Sealed; The trapped soul is in hibernation waiting for someone worthy to feed it.
There was no details of the future or what kind of food it desires to be awakened. Asura has only heard of cursed weapons once in the past from a few drunken lads in a tavern sharing horror stories. For now all he could do was refill his belly as those who go without food will lose HP and suffer from debuffs that will weaken their stats. Along the side streets on the way back towards the center of town a group of children were running away with loafs of bread as an angry man chased after them shouting thieves. "Oh no we're trapped!"
"Ha! Such a weakling couldn't stop the mighty Thorian." The oldest boy with purple hair charged forward with his makeshift spear as the others followed behind with looks of doubt. Asura easily dodged his attack yet this young fool seemed to have some natural skill as he swiftly strikes again and again. Each failure made the boy embarrassed and determined as deep down he could sense that this stranger was not normal. The old man caught up to the children yanking the arm of the young girl closest to him. Asura stepped past the boy in his next attack unseen to the children as he appeared behind them pinning the baker to the wall. "You dare to grasp a child so roughly in front of me."
"You're the adventurer who descended early. I apologize for offending you in any form, but those hooligans stole from my shop."
Asura released his arm throwing a single silver at him telling him that should cover the damages with a threat of death if he ever caught wind of him rough handling a child again. The old baker graciously accepted the offer and scurried away. "Hey mister how did you do that?"
Asura turned around to face the children with a smirk as several eyes of amazement gazed upon him. "If you wish to ask me any questions, I suggest you follow along for I'm starving and by the looks of things so, are you." Without waiting for a response, he turns back around setting off to the closest pub in the area. The children glance at one another silently questioning what they should do. Thorian stepped up first chasing after the fleeting back of their quickly departing savior as the others followed his lead.
"Mm you made the right decision, have a seat." Asura called out to the children from his table in the corner as they came bursting through the door minutes later. Cold gray eyes fall to the side inspecting the skinnier boy using his long black hair to hide his emerald eyes that read mischief. Asura wasn't going to make it easy for them to follow him as his plan wouldn't work with simple followers. Thorian panted angrily slamming the table, "Why did you move so fast we were barely able to keep track of you?"
"I wouldn't recommend shortening your friend's abilities if I were you. Just as I tested you earlier it was his turn to prove he has what it takes to work for me. This little rag tag group of misfits has caught my eye in a way I wasn't expecting."
"We never said we would work for you!"
"That's where you are wrong boy though I do suggest calming your voice when speaking to me," Asura warns releasing a sliver of his aura causing a chill to spread up everyone's spine. "That's better. As one that despises small talk, I'll be forthcoming with my intentions for your group. I'm Adventurer Asura, the chosen one, as such one of my many gifts are my eyes that can foreshadow potential in those I gaze upon. Each of you with proper guidance will become great warriors and mages. Thorian, the lost descendant of the renowned spear god who has saved this land many times. From our small duel I could feel the spark of a dormant lightning storm deep inside of you. Loki, the trickster who dabbles in poison when others aren't around. He is the only reason you were able to follow me as he is also a great tracker. The innate ability to have no presence is nothing to ignore as many must train very hard for such a gift. Arie, the eagle eye who can see everything around her and if given a bow would never miss a target once trained. Traces of a long lost fae bloodline are within you, blessing with the attributes of wind and in the future talking to nature. Then there's Suri, the small spitfire that will awaken as a fire mage and must be taught not to become an arsonist. Finally, Gia, the blind healer that without swearing yourself to me will be captured by the church of light and locked away. Together you five will form a party to complete quests under my future guilds banner and be rewarded handsomely."
Gia's face turns solemn wrought with fear upon hearing his words. She is the quiet shy kid that gets dragged around by her friends to go on adventures meanwhile she feels like a burden from her blindness. Their orphanage mother has warned them to stay away from the church before but never why. Could this man truly be telling the truth? "I hold no need to lie though I admire your cautiousness. Here is a gold coin. If you are wise, you will take this to the magic association and awaken your hidden potential or you can remain ordinary and use the money to support the orphanage. Either way I'll have my answer tomorrow morning."
A feast for the eyes came out of the back kitchen to their table with a little bit of everything. As orphans they have never seen such a large spread. Asura took the first bite enjoying his meal as the others hesitates before joining in on the meal. Lost in filling up their faces for the first time ever none noticed when Asura slipped out of the café with his bento.
This interaction with these kids gave him a great idea on how to expand on previous projects. With proper training and utilizing those without homes or even worse those in abusive homes abandoned by those meant to protect them in exchange for work under contract could forge a community building up guild members. There could be hidden gems that without financial support would never achieve greatness or would be delayed until game shops opened up to rent out game play. There were plenty of stories out there in the previous timeline about how famous some became from being dirt poor. Luckily due to the advanced time progression Starr Industries opted for a messaging system with registered accounts on your friend list. There's only a couple days left before everyone has access therefore they would need to work hard. Onyx excels at anything leader related and planning out schemes so he knew not to worry plus with Minami as a friendly face for the children should succeed without issue.