Chapter 385: Power Up
Chapter 385: Power Up
Leo and Lily simultaneously consumed the Elasian Bloom petal. This time, both of their souls actually advanced.
Ding!
Obsidian Panther [Shyra] (Peak 3-star -> Pseudo 4-star)
— Noble Bloodline (32% -> 35%)
— BloodBond 74% -> 76%
Dryad [Niri] (High 3-star -> Peak 3-star)
— Royal Bloodline [5%]
— BloodBond 76% -> 78%
Eclipse Sun Wolf [Nyxa] (High 3-star -> Peak 3-star)
— Royal Bloodline [1%]
— Blood Bond 23% -> 28%
Ding!
>Soul had received enough nourishment to advance in rank.
Soul Rank: Rare(3) ---> Super Rare(4), Mythical(7)
Ding!
Stats Updated!
{Extra arrow in Vitality and Intelligence is for the Elasian Bloom and feed back from Niri due to her being a half-spirit}
Vitality: 1170 [1970 -> 2000 -> 2350]
Strength: 1170 [1970 -> 2320]
Agility: 960 [1760 -> 2110] + {40% -> 60% boost (Optional)}
Stamina: 1150 [1950 -> 2300]
Intelligence: 1850 -> 1885 -> 1950 [2650 -> 2750 -> 3100]
Mana: 185,000 -> 207,350 -> 214,500 [265,000 -> 302,500 -> 341,000]
{Now soul rank value is Super Rare(4) + Mythical(7) = 11, thus the base mana unit increase}
The same happened to Lily—
Ding!
Windbreath Hound [Lunaria] (High 3-star -> Peak 3-star)
— Noble Bloodline 89% -> 90%
Cedar Treant (Low-3-star -> Mid 3-star -> High 3-star)
— Noble Bloodline 12% -> 19% -> 24%
Ding!
>Soul had received enough nourishment to advance in rank.
Soul Rank: Super Rare(4) ---> Epic(5)
Stats Updated: Lily
Vitality: 216 [2016 -> 2166]
Strength: 208 [2008 -> 2158]
Agility: 205 [2055 -> 2205]
Stamina: 209 [2059 -> 2209]
Intelligence: 3820 -> 4120 [5620 -> 5920 -> 6070]
Mana: 152800 -> 206,000 [224,800 -> 296,000 -> 303,500]
The surroundings of both individuals were completely charged with energy, of some were from various beast cores, mana crystals, lingering energy of treasures, some originating from both of them and some from the Low 4-star spirit Thunderveil Skyreaver that guarded them from behind--Lily had not unsummoned it since it helped her to expel the sudden burst of mana that she acquired within her.
"When was the last time we saw someone power up like this?" Brant asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Maybe 100 years ago," Katherine replied, her voice thoughtful.
"And what happened to him?" Brant pressed, his tone turning serious.
"He died," Katherine said quietly, her expression darkening.
"Hmm..." Brant exhaled. "We need to do something so they don’t take unnecessary risks after getting overconfident in their strength."
Katherine suddenly paused, as if recalling something.
"Didn’t we have that individual bounty hunter system?"
"Oh? The one where people are allowed to attack a final-term student of any academy for money?"
"Yes, that one." She nodded. "Leo and Lily have already become strong enough to contend with final-term students. What if we suggest to the principal to modify the system—with agreement from other academies—so that instead of being limited to final-term students, it applies to all terms? Of course, bounties won’t be irrational, only reserved for monsters like these both and people like K and the other princes."
She continued, her tone firm.
"This would introduce new challenges for them and, in turn, give them valuable combat experience. At the same time, it would act as a check on their strength so they don’t take reckless and dangerous fights."
Brant nodded slowly.
"Academies might even agree. Stronger individuals are bound to appear from here on."
They wrapped up their discussion just as Leo and Lily approached, offering their thanks for keeping watch.
The storm had already stopped, but thick clouds still blanketed the sky.
Brant looked up and stroked his beard, which had grown back once again.
"These clouds aren’t going anywhere," he muttered. "I’m sure we’ll see snowfall in the coming days."
Leo tilted his head.
"But Professor Brant... why do you pretend to be old?"
Brant chuckled softly.
"Because I pretend to be a 4-star individual. Up to 4-star, you age normally. Even at 5-star, you can age—but it’s more like adjusting your appearance to your liking."
He paused, then added,
"But there’s another, more important reason."
"What is it?" Leo asked.
Brant folded his hands behind his back, his gaze distant.
"Think of it this way—there are two categories of people: mortals and immortals. But only immortals know they are immortal. Mortals live completely unaware."
His voice grew quieter.
"And because they are unaware, they believe they are equal. They live their lives, uninformed, and in the end... they die peacefully."
He glanced at Leo.
"But if they learn that immortality exists, they won’t stay the same. They will grow restless. They will crave it. And in desperation, they will walk the wrong paths—paths that destroy them and their surroundings."
He let the words settle before continuing.
"People like us, who can cross the 5-star realm, are extremely rare—barely 1% of the population. Because of that, it’s important to keep this truth hidden so society can function normally."
His tone hardened slightly.
"If the remaining 99% become obsessed and destroy themselves chasing immortality, our race won’t survive. Population is a crucial factor in this new world."
He gave a faint smile.
"So it’s better to let them live in ignorance than to reveal the truth by flaunting my youth."
Leo nodded slowly, absorbing every word.
"How is population important—I mean..." he quickly corrected himself, "what does population have to do with strength?" He feared if the first sentence was completed, people might think he is genocidal maniac.
Brant smirked faintly.
"You’ll understand as you climb higher floors in the library."
The message was clear—Leo wasn’t strong enough yet to know.
As they spoke, Katherine’s gaze shifted.
"Lily, why do you look distracted?" she asked, noticing her repeatedly glancing back.
Lily turned again toward the spirit—Thunderveil Skyreaver—flickering faintly at the back where she had summoned it but not yet contracted it.
"I don’t know, Teacher..." Lily said slowly. "But it feels like... I can somehow turn this uncontracted spirit beast—one that vanishes the moment I stop supplying mana—into a permanent spirit."
She hesitated.
"I don’t know how... I just feel like it’s possible."
Brant and Katherine exchanged a look, then both turned toward Leo.
"We suspected it, but..." Katherine narrowed her eyes. "That petal-like thing you brought out—was it a soul-enhancing treasure?"
Leo scratched the back of his head.
"Yeah... I had some leftover from back in our hometown."
"This must be it..." Katherine muttered.
Her eyes lit up.
"Her soul must have advanced—and this is her talent!"
Brant’s expression shifted, a hint of excitement appearing.
"Isn’t what she’s describing eerily similar to the Elven Empress’s ability?"
"Yes!" Katherine exclaimed. "The ability to permanently resurrect dead beasts into spirits using their cores—without needing to contract them!"
She immediately turned to Lily.
"Lily! This spirit is a Low 4-star spirit beast. Based on our estimate, to make it permanent without a contract, you’ll need to use nearly 240,000 units of mana at once."
Her voice sharpened.
"How much mana do you have left?"
Leo’s expression froze for a split second.
Shit! I forgot to check the description of the upgraded version of our talents!