Diana cupped Lev's face in her palms as she spoke. "It will not be painful but it might feel odd. Do not try to resist my skills."
Lev simply nodded. His mind had been wandering for the past half an hour, in which he had been brought new, fitting clothes. The evolution notifications still demanded his attention, delayed by more important matters occupying his mind.
There was a fuck ton of mana in him though, which made checking them more than a little tempting at times.
Diana's skill washed over him, now with far more intensity than the first time. It checked every nook and cranny of his body, even his unmentionables, before fading away.
"No damage, neither temporary nor permanent. No deformities, no potential dangers. Hell, you're the healthiest boy I have ever laid my eyes on. It wouldn't surprise me if your lifespan was also improved even further."
Lev took that in with raised brows. The questions keep piling up without an answer. He shifted a little on his bed, now inside Alec's suite.
"So, I'm fine?"
"You're more than fine," she chuckled.
The change was more than a little noticeable but thankfully, Lev had gone through childhood once already. It didn't take him long to get used to the difference in height and reach, which was aided greatly by his attributes.
"Did I like, grow slowly?" Lev asked Orianna.
She made a face. "I was looking at the sky, thankfully. One moment you were younger, and when I looked back down…" she finished by waving a hand at him.
Lev jokingly tsked. "I was having an evolution and you were daydreaming instead of watching over me like a hawk? I see how it is."
Orianna frowned. "I was watching over you…" her brows furrowed as she tried to remember what had happened.
"Just forget about it," Lev snorted. "There are no answers," he announced in a deep, gravelly voice.
They shared a chuckle at that.
"I guess I should check this wall of text now," Lev said, unable to keep a grin off his face. They all waited for him to go on but Lev had something else on his mind first.
He looked seriously at Diana. "You're gonna have to keep this a secret,"
She just smiled while Orianna seemed unhappy at his words. "She's-"
"I don't know her," Lev interjected. "I am inclined to trust her too if she's here. I just want to hear her agree to it once."
"You have my promise, child."
The last word was awfully grating on his ears but Lev wasn't about to argue with someone even older than his teacher and his friends.
Without further ado, he opened his notifications.
[
Your title has evolved.
Vast Soul has evolved into Extraordinary Soul.
Extraordinary Soul:
Through mysterious circumstances, your soul has been reinforced beyond the limits of human souls. It is still human, just way more as well.
+ 4 General Skill Slots and another 2 per evolution.
]
Just… don't question it. Move on.
[
Your class has evolved to Mana Tempest.
Mana Tempest has reached Level 101.
+20 Constitution
+35 Wisdom
+35 Intelligence
+20 Perception
Class Benefits:
Mana capacity is increased by 125% and mana regeneration by 50%
The range of manipulation granted by the Intelligence attribute is tripled.
Barrier formation is more efficient.
Barriers are more resilient.
Different Mana Types are easier to imbue.
—-
Incisive Edge has evolved into Unerring Volley
Unerring Volley - 2nd Level 10:
Projectiles formed by your barriers will have their speed increased by 165% and penetration power by 45%.
2nd Rank: Your aim is greatly enhanced, letting you target weak points and moving targets more easily.
—-
You have lost the Class Skill: Whirling Rim.
You have gained the Active Class Skill: Colorful Destruction
Colorful Destruction - Level 1:
You may infuse different mana types into your barriers as long as a barrier is in contact with a source in your manipulation range.
——
Barrier Armor has undergone a linear upgrade.
Barrier Armor - 2nd Level 10:
Cover your body in transparent armor to protect you from your foes. This armor is considered one whole instead of individual pieces. It can be manipulated like normal barriers, but the shape cannot be altered.
The durability of the armor is further increased by 70%.
2nd Rank: Channel mana to further increase the durability bonus at a small cost. Overload the skill to double the bonus at a high cost.
—-
Opportunity has evolved into Superior Senses.
Superior Senses - 2nd Level 10:
Perception is increased by 190%. The effects of Perception on your eyesight are increased.
2nd Rank: Whenever you are about to be hit by a blow that would kill or incapacitate you, your perception will spike massively for one second. The strain of handling the vastly increased perception will be lessened significantly.
Can trigger once per day.
——
If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
You have lost the Class Skill: Nimble.
You have gained the Passive Class Skill: Rapid Infusion.
Rapid Infusion - Level 1:
Infusing different mana types into your barriers is 50% faster and more efficient.
Volatile elements have reduced negative effects once infused.
——
Heavy Lifting has evolved into Heavier Lifting.
Heavier Lifting - 2nd Level 10:
The burden of levitation on your mind is significantly reduced.
2nd Rank: The burden of flight is further reduced. Flight speed is increased by 75%.
—-
Needle Precision has evolved into Mage Conduit.
Mage Conduit - 2nd Level 10:
All Barrier manipulation is 85% more effective. Increases Intelligence by 70%.
All Mana manipulation is 85% more effective. Increases Wisdom by 70%.
]
The rush of attributes hit him all at once and boy was it intense. 110 attributes from his first level, the maximum for the first evolution. 90 attribute points from his title.
200 points at once.
Lev was rightfully drooling on his bed under the amused gazes of some of humanity's strongest.
He couldn't care less. They were all like his family anyway.
Imbuement will not be utilized for a while, so I can ignore it for now.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," Lev spoke after several seconds of ecstasy. "But skill bonuses above 100% are considered tier 2 right? The bonuses that increase by 2% per level instead of 1%."
"From 101% to 250%. Tiers follow the evolution level ranges," Sherron helpfully supplied.
"1% per tier increase in bonus per level?"
"Correct."
"Thanks," Lev replied, dipping his head a little. "So the evolution changed a … lot. There's no focus on physical fighting except flight now."
Diana raised a brow. "Weren't you a mage already?"
Lev blinked. He looked at everyone's carefully neutral faces before it dawned on him.
Oh, she doesn't know. Lev thought with a wicked grin.
"Sort of? I will start with the least impactful changes to the most impactful for your ease of understanding."
Lev gave her an angelic smile that didn't have the desired effect for some reason. Maybe it was just him looking older.
"To start it off, I lost two skills. Nimble and Whirling Rim."
Sherron, Orianna, and Alec just waited for him to continue while Diana just seemed slightly surprised. It was not uncommon to lose a skill, but losing two meant a major shift in the class.
"The class is called Mana Tempest, which I wholeheartedly approve of, and gave 110 attributes. Nothing special there.
"I now have an active and passive skill that focuses on mana infusion. I'm gonna need better converters for this. Oh, and I can also transfer them from one barrier to another anywhere in my manipulation range."
"That's quite advanced for an adept skill," his mentor commented. "Not impossible but fairly unique."
Lev filed away that information. "My first tier two bonus is for projectile speed, which is now the focus of the class. It gives a 125% base bonus."
"Not bad," Sherron smiled. "My element is focused on speed yet it only gave 10% more bonus."
Lev rolled his eyes. "Lightning is much faster to begin with. The overall speed was still far faster than my projectiles."
She grinned sheepishly, caught slipping in false praise. "I was just talking about the bonus number," she gave an unconvincing shrug.
"Yes, yes. I mentioned flight already. 75% bonus to speed on that front. The real absurd bonus starts from my perception skill. Currently, it gives a straight-up 190% bonus to the attribute while further enhancing my eyesight."
Lev took a moment to actually test that. Skills were so natural that he didn't even realize what had changed till he focused on it.
He could apparently zoom in of sorts, to see his own hands and skin pattern in exquisite detail. The fabric of his snug black shirt and pants- the color of his choice, the dust on the ground and in the air, and everything else in his vision, all stood out with stunning clarity. His brain just filtered out the useless information, making everything seem normal.
"Neat," Lev remarked. "Now come the top three changes of my evolution," he finished looking at Diana, whose brows had risen a little.
"The third is my Intelligence boost. It has a 70% boost and triple the range from my class benefits. Oh, and also a 50% increase in all barrier manipulation."
"That's the third best?" Diana asked, unable to hold in her curiosity.
Lev just smirked at her, smug. "The second is my Wisdom Boost-"
"Excuse me, what?" She exclaimed, looking at Orianna, Sherron, and Alec who refused to meet her eyes. "Wisdom Boost? You've been hiding this from the world?"
Lev's mentor shrugged. "It was his choice. Hakim knows too."
"I'll pull his hair out later," Diana huffed.
"You're gonna love this. So, all mana manipulation is further boosted by 50%. Then my Wisdom is boosted by 70%. Then my mana capacity is increased by 125% from class benefit and regen by 50%."
Diana's jaw had progressively dropped further, her mature nature nowhere to be seen.
"That is…" she swallowed, "the second most impactful change?"
Lev's smile dwindled. "You now know why I wanted this to be kept a secret. I cannot let this information get into the wrong hands before I'm strong enough to handle myself."
She nodded in understanding. "Lay it on me. What could beat that."
"The first is… my total attributes," Lev commented with a sigh. "Going by 5 attributes per level, I have 221 levels worth of attributes. For reference, I'm level 101."
He could see the gears turning in Diana's head. "Come again?"
Lev just listed them out. "75 Strength and Dexterity. 205 Constitution and Perception. 275 Intelligence and 270 Wisdom."
The sum was beyond absurd for his level, something Lev was certain had never been seen in humanity before. It was no wonder that Diana's brain and short-circuited.
"That is impossible," She whispered. "That is nearly enough to rival half the bonuses from my titles but you just progressed past Classer."
Lev shrugged. "There's gonna be a lot more of those in the future. Watch me break some worldviews with ease."
…
"I also got 4 extra General Skill Slots."
Diana left to take a stroll.
****
"Welcome back," Lev cheerfully greeted Diana who returned an hour later. She gave him a mock glare before sitting down next to Alec.
To Lev's surprise, she ruffled his hair a bit too.
"I do not approve of hiding one's strength like this but I do approve of you hiding it before Master. No one will question you at that rank, only appreciate your presence. Someone might try to force answers out of you before that."
"That was my thought process too," Lev agreed. "Most people would just be happy to see me but I don't want to risk it."
"Where did those two go?"
Orianna and Sherron were notably absent, having taken their leave a few minutes after Diana left.
Busy people.
"Duty called."
"I see. What are you going to do now?"
Lev pretended to consider the question. "Maybe I'll just go turn the Pit upside down?"
Diana snorted. "Don't get cocky. Giants are far from the most dangerous things down there."
"Really?" Lev asked, unhealthily obsessed with knowing about the strongest monsters.
"Yeah, one time-"
"That is enough," Alec interrupted. "He will jump straight down to go see those monsters."
"I'm not stupid," Lev pouted.
"You're not so young anymore. That move doesn't work."
Lev was aghast, having forgotten his older face now.
"Pretend you never saw that."
He gave Alec a stern glance, who fortunately understood. He then looked at Diana who was just shaking her head with a smile.
"You're still young, don't forget."
"Nah. I'm like 26 by Monarch's standards."
He got a flat stare in return. Lev coughed, having forgotten the woman in front of him was over half a millennia old.
"That is not young," Lev still insisted. "We were held accountable at… never mind, let's not talk about my tragic past. 26 is more than enough to be considered an adult."
"There's a difference between young and adult. The latter are still young for a while."
"That is a debate I would rather not continue," Lev stated. "I'm impatient now. Do you want to follow me to the pit or do I go by myself?"
She refused. "I have to get to…" she looked at Alec, who was staying silent, "the ravine before another wave."
"The ravine has waves?" Lev muttered. "That's news to me. What level do I need to be to be useful there?"
"Master rank, at the minimum."
"Oh," Lev blinked. "I'll see you there in a year or so, then."
****
[
Name: Lev
Class: Mana Tempest - Level 101
Titles: Reinforced Mind, Extraordinary Soul, Youngest Prodigy, Goliath Slayer, Daunting Steps I
Attributes:
Strength: 75
Dexterity: 75
Constitution: 205
Intelligence: 275
Wisdom: 270
Perception: 205
Class Skills:
Arcane Barrier Manipulation - 2nd Level 10
Unerring Volley - 2nd Level 10
Colorful Destruction - Level 1
Barrier Armor - 2nd Level 10
Superior Senses - 2nd Level 10
Rapid Infusion - Level 1
Heaver Lifting - 2nd Level 10
Mage Conduit - 2nd Level 10
General Skills:
Mana Manipulation - 2nd Level 10
Identify
Arcane Brawling - 2nd Level 10
Mana Perception - Level 7
Arcane Archery - 2nd Level 10
]
