[Aiden's POV]
[Under which banner would you like to pull Gacha next, Host?]
"Are you referring to the sometype of panel that appeared when I was summoned?" Thane interrupted.
"Have patience. Let's see, we have already done the Summon and Skills & Techniques banners. Now let's try out the Resource banner first," I remarked excitedly while gesturing Thane to wait.
"Perform 10 Gacha pulls under the Resource banner," I stated.
[Commencing 10 Gacha pulls under Resource Banner]
[First time using the Resource banner, 100% chance of SSS-rank pull]
The much-awaited gacha mechanism got underway as cards rolled in motion, and the familiar tick sound enchanted the experience.
It started with a blue card signifying an S-rank reward, and it repeated until the 5th turn, when finally a Burning Red card locked in the glowing card position.
Now, I waited to see if there were any SS-ranks because last time under the summon banner, the rest of the nine were S-rank.
6th, 7th, and 8th were finalized with S-rank.
It looked like the history was about to be repeated, but on the 9th turn, the violet card with white silver veins locked in as the first SS-rank card. Even in the last round, I got an SS-rank, so it was a decent run.
Glancing at both sides, Seraphine was waiting with curiosity in her eyes, while Thane had a little bit of suspicion as he observed me.
[Would you like to check your results or save them for later?]
"Now please, start with S-rank and then proceed to SSS-rank," I answered.
The first blue card appeared in front of me, visible to everyone. It shredded itself and dissolved itself.
"Peculiar," Thane commented, while Seraphine observed silently.
– – –
[You have obtained an S-rank item.]
[Name: Formation Core Array Plate]
[Rank: S]
[Type: Utility]
[Description: A reusable core plate useful for construction or reinforcing formations]
[Uses:]
– Improves formation stability
– Reduce energy leakage
– Compatible with defensive, transport, or refinement array.
– – –
"Nice, it will be of use later," I remarked.
"It's incredible, Master," Seraphine exclaimed.
"I get it now; my planet had games or novels about this. You got pretty lucky; now the rest of your reward won't be of much higher rank, though," Thane stated.
Turning towards him, I just gave a smile and proceeded forward.
The remaining six S-ranks were also amazing; the one I liked the most was the S-rank Mana Stone Chest.
– – –
[Name: Mana Stone Chest]
[Rank: S]
[Type: Energy Resource]
[Description: It consists of 20 S-rank, 100 A-rank, and 200 B-rank mana stones.]
– – –
With this, my financial burden was completely finished. Although I had 2 S-rank stones stored in the Astryx Bank, with this much capital, I can be flexible.
The rest of the S-rank rewards were usable sooner or later, but nothing too special.
As I opened the 7th S-rank reward, Thane was about to die his second or maybe third death. His final coherent words were, "What kind of holy luck do you have?"
Now I was almost feeling bad for him; he still had to see higher-rank rewards. Well, anyway.
The next came, the first SS-rank gacha card; it dissolved itself a second later as the reward within it revealed itself.
– – –
[Name: Mythril Ore Cache]
[Rank: SS]
[Type: Ore/Crafting material]
[Description: Mythril ore with a purity of 98%]
[Uses:]
– Excellent Mana conductivity
– Ideal for forging weapons, armor, engines, and magic tools
– Requires minimal refinement
– – –
"Ore, which is only available to the highest class of society, is good. This banner would be pretty useful while establishing my first city." I commented as I saw the Mythril Ore.
"Boss, are you perhaps using some kind of equipment or cursed tool to increase your luck at such absurdity?" Thane suspiciously commented.
Even Seraphine looked a bit worried; I had told her about the system but not that I get minimum S-rank rewards. I chuckled seeing their situation.
"I was thinking of pushing it more, but I guess I should tell you guys first. My system gives me a minimum S-rank reward; there is no boosted luck or a cursed artifact," I shared with them.
Both had the same stupefied look on their faces. They stayed silent for a few seconds; I was also enjoying this reaction.
Thane was first to break silence, "How? Why? I mean, how is it possible?"
Seraphine's expression shifted to that of being proud.
"You are sitting here. That alone is an example," I replied.
He didn't respond, which was rare.
"Enough talk; now we are on the good part," I added.
The system moved forward with the second SS-rank reward.
– – –
[Name: Aeon Tidebreaker]
[Rank: SS]
[Type: Transport vessel (Aerial – Maritime hybrid)]
[Description: A high-grade automated hybrid transport vessel designed to traverse both sky and sea.]
[Uses:]
– Dual-mode operation: sustained flight and deep-water navigation
– Mana-driven propulsion cores with balanced consumption
– Reinforced hull capable of withstanding storms, turbulence, and hostile environments to some extent.
– Optimized for long-range travel, trade routes, and expedition logistics with minimum defensive capabilities.
[Special Trait: Seamless transition between aerial descent and water entry without structural stress]
[User Instructions Manual]
– – –
"Hahaha...now that's what you call an SS-rank reward," I exclaimed.
This reward solved the problem of wasting time searching for transport. With the capability of traveling on the sea, it removes the need to look for a ship after reaching Port City.
"Boss, please next do this Gacha of yours alone. My evolved core can't handle this shit," Thane muttered in disbelief.
Seraphine was usually quiet; she had that resolved look on her face. I didn't dwell on it.
Finally, it was the number of SSS-rank; the burning red card appeared and exploded with the same, and the panel materialized next.
– – –
[Name: Grand Unified Mana Cultivation Scripture]
[Rank: SSS]
[Type: Cultivation Resource]
[Description: A complete and advanced cultivation method that restructures mana absorption, circulation, and compression into a single unified cycle.]
[Uses:]
– Increases mana absorption efficiency by 5 times regardless of cultivator rank.
– Improves circulation stability and prevents Mana deviation.
– Enhances mana purity during compression by multiple folds.
– Compatible with all elemental, neutral, and all types of mana users; can be practiced and taught repeatedly.
– – –
My eyes lit up as I read "cultivation technique." Earlier I had gotten an S-rank cultivation technique, but that was underwhelming for me. My physique performed better even it without.
So my hopes were high as it was SSS-rank; however, as I read it, my excitement died down.
It was a great technique, and there probably would be political war among major stake holders to control such a precious technique.
The problem was it wasn't suitable for me; practicing it won't give me much higher benefit, only a small increment with no other benefits.
Although it started to make sense to me, my physique was Transcendent Rank itself, so I guess SSS-rank cultivation technique wouldn't cut it.
For a moment, I started stressing about my cultivation progress because I had just opened one node, and the journey to cultivation was long and arduous.
Without the support of technique, it will be difficult especially in higher ranks.
However, I pushed the thought aside for now. I had gacha so I could get a Transcendent technique; I just have to wait a bit.
My chain of thoughts was interrupted by Thane; he spoke, "Boss, what's with the mood? You got a freaking SSS-rank cultivation technique; the highest I had personally seen until now was S-rank."
"I would have to reluctantly agree to Evil Bones this time, Master Aiden," Seraphine also spoke after some time.
It was heart-warming to see Seraphine's worry; I decided to put aside my thoughts about my cultivation for now.
'System, could they also practice this technique?' I asked mentally.
[Yes, Host.]
Turning to Seraphine, I took out the SSS-rank cultivation technique and handed it to Seraphine.
"From now on, you can practice using this technique. You don't have to worry about me; I won't go into details much, but this technique is not suitable for me." I explained before she could say anything.
"Bones...I mean Thane, you could also practice this technique, if you wish," I added.
"Not you too, Boss. But thank you; it will go well with my new form. My previous low-rank technique wasn't helping much." He accepted.
"But master, I am just a maid. I don't deserve such a precious thing." She spoke with a voice mixed with conviction and disbelief.
"Never say anything like this. You are not just any maid; you are a Battle Maid of Aiden Origin now. So keep your head high," I replied strongly.
We haven't gotten close enough that she shares her past with me. However, if she can't cultivate better technique just because she is a maid, then my whole premise to establish a different rule would be nothing but a hypocritical sandcastle.
She accepted without saying anything further, but there were storms of emotion noticeable in her eyes.
"Now, onto the next Dimensional banner, System," I enthusiastically spoke.
[Commencing 10 Gacha pulls...]
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[AN: Special Thanks to @Ema_Baz for donating first Golden ticket to the novel. Your support is appreciated.]