| Name: Ishmael Qamar Bane
Age: 17
Gender: Male
Race: Ancient Breed Gregorian
Titles: GeniusHeir of Bane Dukedom, ????, ????
Class: ???
——————
Spirit Core Ascension: First Ascension
Spirit Core Rank: Low —> Peak
Spirit Bond: ???
——————-
Affinity: ???
Skill: Appraisal, Combat specialist, Expert Duelist
Unique Skill: ???
[System Advisory: Grow stronger.]
Looking at his status, Ishmael sighed. "This looks like those terrible retro video games Zeke used to play". His muttured dryly.
"The psychopath's probably okay, wherever he is" he added, a warm smile graced his lips for a brief second before giving way to his usual empty expression.
His eyes roamed the panel before him and he froze again. "Not human huh, figured" he echoed lazily, then moved on.
"So many question marks….In those video games they usually mean something good?" Ishmael remarked dryly. " Well, not like I can do anything about them so I'm going to ignore them….. for now. He said with a careless shrug.
He skimmed through everything then and closed his eyes for a minute, trying to process the information before him.
"Aye system, what the hell is going on right now" He called out in his signature cold tone, only to be met with silence.
"——"
"Maybe that's too broad, system what is the Ascension?"
[Ding…]
[System advises the host to reach the Third Ascension to get a satisfactory answer.]
"——"
"Fine, how do I reach the Third Ascension?" He asked dryly but would notice annoyance.
[…..]
[Ding…]
[The relatively slower but safer way involves absorbing and refining the steadily rising mana in the atmosphere.]
"Hmm….slower but safer huh, what's the faster way?"
[Killing higher Ascension Incursions.]
This made Ishmael freeze, it was all starting to come together in his head. "What exactly are Incursions and how exactly are they related to Spirit Energy?" He asked the question that had been on his mind for a while now.
[Incursions occur when beings fail to awaken to their compatible energy source, in your case Spirit Energy, and ascend properly.]
'Like I suspected. That thing was human….before this mess'
"System does that mean I would've become that if I failed to ascend?"
[Affirmative.]
"Hmm….well, I guess I'm just lucky" Ishmael added with a sigh. "One last question, what is the goal of the ascension?" He asked with his cold grey eyes narrowed slightly.
The system went silent for quite a while forcing Ishmael to assume his question would go unanswered but….
[Ding…]
[The system advises the host to reach the Third Ascension for more answers.]
"Hmm, back to square one, grow stronger. Well, I have to survive either way so that's what I'm going to do. But first things first let's get a hang of this Spirit Energy thing"
After saying that he made himself comfortable and closed his eyes in concentration. Trying to feel the pulse of energy that saved his life earlier.
Instinctively, his mind guided him to his chest, right beside his heart where a new organ was nestled. He felt the familiar pulse of energy then tugged at it and guided it to his arm.
Feeling something change he opened his eyes only to see the same silvery glow coating his enclosed fist.
"Let's put this to the test shall we?, he said calmly. He then proceeded to punch the floor with as much force as he could muster without breaking his bones.
*** BANGGG!!! ***
"Nice, it further enhanced my already enhanced strength" He said looking at the crack his fist caused.
He was lost admiring the silver-coloured magic power when notifications popped up from his system panel.
[Ding…]
[New skill acquired]
[Spirit Energy Manipulation]
"Hmm….expected"
A vibration pulled him from thought.
His phone.
Somehow still alive somewhere in his wrecked apartment.
His enhanced senses helped him locate it then he picked it up and saw one unread message.
Aurelia
His expression darkened immediately.
He opened it.
Mael, if you're alive, listen carefully. Father knew something was coming, but not everything. Do not trust the system blindly. Come home if you can. Gates are opening and incursions are the least of our problems.
Try to reach the Third Ascension as soon as possible. You'll understand why then.
And Mael…..Please survive.
The message ended there.
He tried to call her, no reception
He read it the second time.
Then locked the phone and tossed it beside him.
"…Always dramatic….But this time, deservedly so i guess." He muttured, a warm smile gracing his flawless features.
He slowly rose to his feet, rolled his shoulders and picked up his katana
"Alright then… Let's try to get home in one piece shall we?"