Chương 27: Phase 3

Ray had waited most of the day to receive his purchases. The Accessory arrived within an hour. The Essence, on the other hand, seemed to be taking a while, so he decided to go ahead with the saturation. Ray used a good chunk of his Beast Core reserves, leaving him with only a handful, including the Killworm's core. Ray and Adrian had decided to split the Stage 2 cores and Ray chose to give his to Frangle. Even members of the Iron Five agreed Ray deserved both cores, but Ray didn't see it that way.

Both teams did equal work and Ray was especially proud of Frangle. The large teen had shown tremendous growth and as Captain, it was Ray's job to reward that. Small particles entered near Ray's diaphragm as he absorbed the last Beast Core. [Soul Core saturation: 40%] [User has reached requirements for Phase: 3] [Advancement will begin now] Ray felt his body heat up and his mind became incredibly focused. The high from advancing was short-lived, and he immediately willed the System to show his status page.

The warmth settled through his arms and legs, leaving every movement lighter than before. It wasn't the overwhelming rush of reaching Stage 1, but the difference was still there. Phase 3 meant he was stronger, faster, and harder to kill. More importantly, it meant the next time his team needed him, he would have more to give.

[User: Raymond Foley, Stage: 1 Phase: 3] [Attributes: Strength: 279 Agility: 311 Intelligence: 234 Mana: 100%] [Soul Core saturation: 40%] [Absorbed Essence: 4/7] [Title: Recruit] [Abilities: Bolt, Mud Wall, Fungal Cloak, Aqua Armor] [Tech: Mana Circuit, Coalescence] Ray smiled. He was mostly surprised by how Agility was still pulling so far ahead. It only added validity to Clive's claim. Maybe Ray truly was gifted in the Agility attribute. The thought of Clive made Ray feel suddenly very lonely.

Just as he began to dwell on the feeling, a chime rang throughout the room and a slot in the wall opened near the door. A small black case came through the slot and fell onto the shelf a few inches below. Ray picked up the case. His necklace had arrived the same way, though he still wasn't used to it. A crimson orb sat inside. He had decided on a Fire Essence as his next absorption. Only a few moments later, he was sitting comfortably on his bed, holding the Fire Essence against his left leg.

He had already used both arms, chest and pelvis, so the leg felt like the right spot for the next. [Essence absorption commencing] The Essence broke down into red particles that were absorbed into his leg. Ray could feel the heat radiating off the Essence, and the System confirmed the completion with a message. [Essence absorption complete] [Fire Essence Ability obtained: Spark Mark] [Spark Mark: User can place a 'mark' made of Fire Mana through physical touch. The mark can then be detonated at any point (auto-detonate time based on Mana amount), creating a blast equivalent to the amount of Mana supplied] [Spark Mark (Uncommon) Mana usage: varies] [Fire Mana, Rank 1 (Flame)] [Essence absorbed: 5/7] - Lightning filled the room as Bolt activated and sent Ray flying. He swung his fist at the System-conjured Beast. Bang! Small sparks flashed from the impact and a red mark resembling a flame was left behind.

He pulled on the Water Essence to activate Aqua Armor but felt it would take too long.

'Dodge, then,' he thought. Ray dove underneath the large Beast, conjuring a ramp of mud and using it to jump up high into the air. Pulling his legs up and flinging his chest forward, Ray flipped over the Beast's claws as they swiped at his previous position. The red mark on the Beast flared and an explosion broke apart its conjured hide, ultimately causing it to burst into particles. Ray landed on the ground. His breath was heavy but steady and not strained. Spark Mark seemed to be a very good Ability.

With it alone and his high Agility, Ray could do some real damage. Aqua Armor was still hard to use in fast-paced fights. Mud Wall had even been useful, though it was interchangeable for what he had needed. The goal was to get away. Ray had tons of ways to do that. And that was the problem. Every time Ray wanted to incorporate more than two Abilities, he hesitated. Aqua Armor would have potentially enveloped him in time to take the Beast's attack, allowing him to detonate the mark. He couldn't risk it.

Even though this was training and had no real stakes, Ray had chosen to treat his practice as the real thing. The escort mission showed that real lives would need to be protected. Growing powerful wasn't about how much destruction one could cause. At least beyond the surface level. Ray didn't know if he was only good for blowing stuff up or if he simply hadn't perfected his kit. Either way, he had to get it right. - The rest of the team was also progressing quickly.

Phora and Jerome had supposedly been with Burgen the past few days. Something about "ironing out details" for some kind of trip. Kiara had actually spent most of her time in the Nexus. The green-haired woman had become quite the duelist once she absorbed her 4th Essence. She not only had wards but had recently gained a regeneration Ability. This could not only help the team but also be used on herself, making her nearly unbeatable in the matchups where she faced other Recruits.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience. The team no longer had to participate in the Recruit leaderboards, but each of them still did random battles on the Nexus from time to time. Frangle used the Stage 2 Beast Core to exchange for enough Stage 1 cores to advance to Phase 3 and cover his next Essence. Seeing as how he had used all his contribution points until now to exchange for funds for his family, he was the last of the team to advance.

This meant everyone was now Phase 3. The following days were spent with them not having any formal meeting or training. The group all agreed to some "time off". Each one of them was furiously training on their own and would occasionally check in. This lasted for the next several days. The week ended with a familiar sight. [Priority Message] [User: Raymond Foley] [Report to Commander Burgen] [Note: Bring your team] Ray stared at the message for a moment. So much for time off.

- Ray arrived outside Burgen's office less than an hour after receiving the message. Phora and Jerome were already there when Ray approached with Frangle and Kiara. Neither of them seemed particularly confused about why Burgen had summoned the entire team, which immediately made Ray suspicious.

"You two know something, don't you?" Ray asked. Jerome gave him an innocent smile that immediately confirmed his suspicions.

"Commander Burgen told us not to say anything," Phora answered.

"So you definitely know something," Kiara said. Phora rolled her eyes while the door to Burgen's office opened.

"You can interrogate them later," Burgen called from inside.

"Get in here." The five Recruits entered the office and stood in front of Burgen's desk. Burgen looked over the group for several seconds.

"I've finished reviewing the reports from your escort mission," he began.

"Command was satisfied with the performance of both Recruit teams." Ray wasn't particularly surprised by that. They had completed the mission without losing any vehicles or civilian personnel.

"The Iron Five performed about how we expected," Burgen continued.

"They were coordinated, disciplined and rarely needed to correct themselves once combat started. Your team was considerably messier. You made mistakes that the Iron Five didn't. You broke formation, wasted Mana and relied on your Captain to cover several openings." Ray crossed his arms while Frangle looked toward the ground.

"But you also corrected those mistakes almost immediately," Burgen continued.

"By the second major attack, your team was already fighting differently. You adapted faster than any group of new System users should reasonably be expected to." Ray felt some of the tension leave his shoulders. Burgen continued before anyone could respond.

"That brings us to your next assignment." Ray noticed Phora glance toward Jerome. Neither of them looked surprised. Burgen caught the movement and smiled slightly.

"The next assignment was originally intended for whichever Recruit team command considered the strongest. The Iron Five are better as a unit right now," Burgen admitted.

"If I needed one Recruit team to complete a conventional military operation tomorrow, I would probably choose them." Frangle visibly frowned. Burgen ignored the reaction.

"This isn't a conventional military operation." Ray felt his curiosity grow.

"Your team was chosen because command wants something different." Burgen looked between each member before eventually settling his gaze on Ray.

"You have several of the highest-ranked individual Recruits in the program. Your Captain has developed two unique Tech and somehow figured out how to combine Elemental Mana without destroying his Mana Ways." Ray tried not to smile.

"More importantly, your team has shown that it can learn quickly when placed against something better than itself." Burgen finally turned toward Phora.

"And one of you happens to come from the exact city where we need to send you." Ray already knew the answer. Zephyron. Zephyron was one of the most important cities in the entire Gaialian Empire.

"The Academy has agreed to participate in a comparison with the Recruit program," Burgen explained.

"Command wants to know how our best new Recruits compare against students who have spent years training through established methods." Ray immediately understood where this was going. Burgen continued.

"The Academy has selected what they consider their best Stage 1 team." A spark of excitement filled Ray's chest.

"And we're fighting them?" Jerome asked.

"Eventually," Burgen answered.

"The exact schedule is still being arranged." Ray glanced toward Phora. That explained why she and Jerome had been meeting with Burgen.

"You'll undergo training, evaluations and controlled exercises alongside the Academy team," Burgen continued.

"There will also be direct combat once both sides have been properly assessed." Ray smiled. This sounded much better than another escort mission. Burgen seemed to notice.

"Don't get too excited, kid." Ray's smile widened slightly.

"I'm trying not to." Burgen shook his head.

"Zephyron isn't just another military city. It is the technological center of the Empire and home to some of our most advanced System research. The Academy works directly with several of the institutions responsible for developing and improving System technology. You'll probably learn more about the System during this trip than you have since initialization." Ray could already feel questions piling up in his mind. Every answer he received about the System seemed to create several more.

Burgen lifted a hand before Ray could speak.

"Save the questions for people who actually enjoy answering them." Ray sighed.

"That eliminates most people I know." Kiara snorted beside him. Burgen ignored both of them.

"You also won't be traveling without supervision," he continued. Ray expected Burgen to name some random Soldiers from the base. Instead, the Commander looked directly at him.

"Clive, Gunther and Rize have been assigned to accompany you." Ray froze for half a second. The loneliness he had felt only days earlier suddenly seemed almost embarrassing. He hadn't expected to see Clive again so soon. Gunther was another welcome surprise. Ray glanced toward Phora after hearing the final name. Her eyes were practically glowing.

"Rize?" she asked. Burgen nodded.

"Yes, Rize." Phora immediately straightened herself as if the Soldier had somehow entered the room.

"The three of them are primarily there to observe and evaluate," Burgen explained.

"They aren't being sent to solve your problems."

"That sounds like Gunther," Ray said. Burgen smiled.

"He specifically requested permission to let you learn that lesson yourself." Ray could already imagine the large man laughing while something tried to kill him. The meeting continued for another few minutes as Burgen explained the basic schedule. They would leave several days later. Transportation had already been arranged, and the Academy knew the Recruit team was coming. Ray expected everyone to be excited. Most of them were.

Frangle asked several questions about the Academy training facilities, while Kiara seemed more interested in the city itself. Jerome appeared completely comfortable with the idea. Phora was different. Her earlier excitement over Rize had already faded. Ray waited until Burgen dismissed them before walking beside her into the hallway.

"You alright?" he asked. Phora looked toward him.

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"You looked happier when he mentioned Rize." She let out a quiet sigh.

"Zephyron is my home, Ray."

"I know." Phora looked ahead as they continued walking.

"You know where I'm from. That doesn't mean you know what going back there means." Ray considered asking what she meant. He decided against it. Phora would tell him when she wanted to. For everyone else, Zephyron was the next opportunity to become stronger. For Phora, they were going home. End of Arc 1