Ch 2. Volume: 0

  Next, I focused on the Space Chakra. The description had mentioned ‘Manifestation of Thought,’ and I had a feeling I knew exactly what that meant. Closing my eyes, I began to visualize an arrow for my bow. I pictured it clearly: a sleek shaft, nearly a meter and a half long, tipped with a sharp, conical point. For the fletching, I imagined delicate, bird-like feathers at the tail.

  The moment the image solidified, I felt a familiar mental tug—as if the projectile was asking for confirmation. Is this your will? I gave a silent, firm 'Yes' in my mind.

  [Prana of Petals: 75%]

  Instantly, a surge of vibrant Blue Prana erupted from my Throat Chakra. I watched, mesmerized, as a translucent, azure staff began to materialize in my grip. It shimmered with a faint ethereal light. I was struck by a sense of wonder; I could create anything I imagined. This was the kind of power I had only ever read about in ancient myths—the kind of power that felt less like a skill and more like the work of the gods.

  I set the arrow aside for a moment and decided to test the second attribute of the Space Chakra: Sound. As I activated it, I felt a strange vibration humming in my throat. I took a deep breath and shouted a simple "Hello."

  The sound didn't just carry; it roared, echoing across the plains with a deafening intensity that seemed to vibrate the very air around me. I understood then—this power could amplify my voice into a sonic weapon.

  I then shifted my focus to the Third Eye Chakra, but I couldn't sense any immediate surge of energy. Checking the description again, it listed ‘Intuition and Imagination.’ I realized this was likely a passive ability, one that would sharpen my instincts during moments of peril. As for imagination, it was already working; creating the arrow and the bow had felt strangely effortless, as if my mind could hold complex structures with perfect clarity. Every detail I had envisioned remained burned into my memory.

  Finally, I concentrated on the Crown Chakra. At first, nothing happened. But as I deepened my meditation, my vision suddenly shifted. The world around me dissolved, replaced by a massive, shimmering Violet portal.

  Beyond the portal, a sight awaited me that took my breath away. Floating in the infinite darkness was a colossal lotus flower, its petals so numerous they were impossible to count.

  They were translucent, shimmering with an ethereal light that seemed to fade into the void. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the two petals at the very bottom were glowing with a distinct violet hue.

  One of those petals was only partially lit—about one-third of it was a pale, faded violet, while the rest remained deep and vibrant. It clicked in my mind instantly: these were my Prana of Petals. The faded section represented the energy I had just spent testing my elemental powers.

  I also noticed a faint, white-textured glow tracing the edges of the petals. Looking at it closely, I realized this was the Prana of Human. According to the system description, this energy was meant to fuel my other racial abilities. I decided to leave those for later; for now, understanding the source of my power was enough.

  I turned my attention to the second ability. It was clear now—I could manipulate and direct my Prana to any part of my body at will, just as I had done during my tests. But then, my eyes landed on the third ability: [Elemental-Astra Fusion].

  I decided to put it to the test. Since the name mentioned 'Astra,' I picked up my silver bow and tried to activate the ability, but nothing happened. Then it hit me—I needed an arrow. I picked up the blue shimmering arrow I had created earlier and focused my entire being on the [Elemental-Astra Fusion] skill.

  Every cell, every strand of my DNA seemed to vibrate with intent. My Astra felt alive in my hands, almost as if it were questioning me: Which element do you wish to command?

  Earth, I thought. My instincts, sharpened by the System, guided my movements. I began drawing Earth Prana from my Earth Chakra, channeling it into the arrow while activating the Fusion ability. I watched in fascination as the arrow began to absorb the Prana, its azure glow slowly bleeding into a deep, solid red.

  Just as the transformation completed, a System notification chimed in my vision:

  [Prana of Petals Remaining: 70%]

  The arrow looked far more formidable than before, radiating a sense of immense weight and durability. Using my [Manifestation] ability again, I created four more arrows. This time, I decided to infuse one with Water Prana. Following the same process, I activated [Elemental-Astra Fusion] and channeled the energy from my Water Chakra. Just like before, the arrow began to transform, its hue shifting into a vibrant, pulsating orange.

  A new notification flickered before me:

  [Prana of Petals Remaining: 50%]

  I realized I had to be careful; my Prana of Petals was depleting fast. But the hunger to see the full extent of my power was stronger than my caution. I picked up a third arrow and began to channel Fire Prana into it. The shaft glowed with an intense, burning yellow light, vibrating with a raw, destructive heat that I could feel even through the grip.

  [Prana of Petals Remaining: 45%]

  Driven by curiosity, I took the next arrow and fused it with Air Prana. The shaft turned a crisp, translucent green, vibrating with a high-pitched hum. Another notification chimed.

  [Prana of Petals Remaining: 40%]

  Then, a thought struck me. My arrows were already made of Space Prana—what would happen if I used [Elemental-Astra Fusion] to pump more Space Prana into them? I activated the ability, channeling the deep blue prana from my Throat Chakra.

  To my amazement, the arrow didn't just change color; it seemed to swallow the light around it, turning from a translucent azure into a terrifyingly deep, void-like navy.

  The notification that followed left me breathless.

  [Prana of Petals Remaining: 35%]

  I wondered if I could fuse even more elements into a single arrow to amplify its power further. The possibility was exhilarating, and I wanted to test it immediately. However, my Prana of Petals was dangerously low. I needed to recover. Drawing on the knowledge from the novels I had read, I sat down, placed my weapon aside, and entered a state of deep meditation.

  I focused on my internal world. My seven Chakras, which had been spinning rapidly during my tests, were now rotating slowly and rhythmically. I could feel them drawing in ambient Prana from the environment, pulling it through my lower gates and channeling it upward toward my Crown Chakra. Bit by bit, the energy in my 'Lotus' began to refill.

  [Prana of Petals: 37%]

  As I watched the notification, I realized I could influence the speed of recovery. I willed the Chakras to spin faster. They responded instantly, whirring with increased intensity. The influx of energy surged, and my reserves began to climb rapidly.

  [Prana of Petals: 45%... 80%... 100%]

  The moment I reached full capacity, the Chakras stabilized and ceased their frantic rotation. I had hit my current limit. It had taken about ten minutes of forced concentration; though it was tedious, I had pushed through it until I felt the satisfying hum of full power within my veins.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  I still hadn't fired any of the infused arrows yet. I wanted to see the full extent of their power all at once. The curiosity was eating at me, but I forced myself to stay patient. I needed a proper stockpile.

  Using my [Manifestation] ability once more, I created forty more arrows—each a translucent azure. Then, utilizing my racial ability, I infused every single one of them with Space Prana. One by one, they transformed, their color deepening into that terrifying, void-like navy blue.

  I didn't want to worry about my Prana reserves right now; my curiosity was too overwhelming to ignore. I decided to push the limits of my racial ability, [Elemental-Astra Fusion], even further. I took one of the navy-blue, Space-infused arrows and attempted to channel Earth Prana into it.

  The moment the Earth energy entered the arrow, the two forces began to meld under the pressure of my ability. The deep blue surface started to ripple with streaks of crimson red. I kept pouring the energy in until the arrow reached its saturation point and refused to take any more. As I cut off the flow, a notification flashed before my eyes.

  [Prana of Petals: 70%]

  Hmm.. So fusing a second element consumed significantly more petals of Prana than the first. I looked at the projectile in my hand; it was a swirling mixture of azure and crimson, vibrating with a volatile energy that felt far more dangerous than anything I had created so far. The weight of it in my palm was immense, almost as if I were holding a heavy metal rod instead of an arrow.

  Then, the System confirmed my theory with a new notification:

  I stared at the screen, a grin spreading across my face. It all made sense now. The previous arrows were Tier 1 because they only held a single elemental infusion. By fusing two elements—Space and Earth—I had successfully crafted a Tier 2 projectile.

  I grabbed another Space-Astra and activated my racial ability to channel Water Prana into it. Just like before, the colors began to bleed into one another—a swirling dance of pale orange and shimmering azure. A new notification appeared:

  [Prana of Petals: 60%]

  I repeated the process for the remaining elements. I took two more Space-Astra; into one, I poured Fire Prana, and into the other, Air Prana. The Fire-fused Astra took on a brilliant, golden-yellow hue, while the Air-fused one glowed with a sharp, vibrant green. The system confirmed both as Tier 2 projectiles.

  Driven by curiosity, I tried to fuse even more Space Prana into a Space-infused arrow, but it didn't work. It seemed the arrow had reached its saturation point; it couldn't hold any more of the same prana. This was the limit—for now.

  I was itching to test these. The descriptions were one thing, but I wanted to see the raw destruction they could cause. I opened my status window and saw that all my hard work had been recorded in a new section:

  I was ready. My arsenal was filled with a variety of experimental Astra, and I was practically vibrating with anticipation. I needed to see what they could truly do—to witness the raw power I now held in my hands.

  I started with a Standard Astra. I nocked it, drew the string, and aimed at the ground some distance away. It was my first shot, and the arrow flew true, thudding harmlessly into the dirt. It was a baseline—simple and unremarkable.

  Next, I reached for the Tier 1 Earth-Astra. It felt noticeably heavier in my grip. I pulled the bow-string with more force this time, feeling the tension hum through my arms, and released.

  The astra tore through the air and slammed into the earth with a violent crack. Unlike the standard astra, this one didn't just land; it cratered the ground, leaving a visible dent in the soil.

  The destructive power was already on a different level.

  I quickly moved on to the Tier 1 Water-Astra. As it struck the target area, it didn't just stop. It burst upon impact, releasing a high-pressure spray of water that transformed into a fine mist. Within seconds, a small shroud of fog hung over the impact site.

  My heart was racing.I didn't stop. I pulled out the Tier 1 Fire -Astra and fired. The moment it collided with the ground, it buried itself deep before erupting in a fierce explosion. The blast was deafening, reminiscent of a high-grade firecracker. It was far more devastating than the previous elements.

  Then came the Tier 1 Air -Astra. This one was a blur. It moved so fast it seemed to vanish the moment I released the string, slicing through the air with a sharp whistle. Upon impact, it shattered, creating a miniature vortex that swirled violently for a few seconds. I was stunned. The sheer variety of my arsenal was staggering.

  Finally, I drew the Tier 1 Space-Astra. When I released it, there was no sound. No whistle of air, no hum of the string—just absolute silence. As it flew into the distance, it seemed to shimmer and blur, becoming nearly invisible to the naked eye before it struck.

  Just as I was processing the results, a series of golden notifications flooded my vision:

  What?! My jaw dropped. I could actually gain experience just by practicing? If I could hit Level 5 here, I would have a massive head start before I even had to face the invaders on Earth. The training session was a golden opportunity I couldn’t afford to waste.

  Ignoring my free attribute point for now, I reached for the Tier 2-Astra.

  First, I pulled out the Tier 2 Earth-Astra. The moment I nocked it, I felt an aura of immense durability and weight radiating from the shaft. When I released the string, the arrow didn't just fly—it tore through the air like a falling meteor. When it struck, it didn't just leave a small dent; it blasted a crater nearly 10 cm wide into the earth. I stared at the hole, speechless.

  Next was the Tier 2-Water-Astra. Upon impact, the explosion was violent. It wasn't just a mist this time; it was a high-pressure burst that saturated the entire area, leaving the ground completely drenched as if a water main had burst.

  Then, I nocked the Tier 2 Fire -Astra. When it hit the ground, the resulting explosion was terrifying. A localized inferno erupted, and even from my distance, I could feel the searing heat washing over my face.

  When the smoke cleared, the grass in a half-meter radius had been reduced to ash, leaving a scorched, blackened pit in the earth. The power was leagues above the Tier 1 version.

  Finally, I drew the Tier 2 Air-Astra. I pulled the string to its absolute limit and let go. The astra vanished with a crack that sounded like a sonic boom, its trajectory visibly distorting the air around it. When it struck the ground, it didn't just create a vortex—it unleashed a localized cyclone. The wind was so fierce that it began uprooting the grass and churning the soil into the air.

  I stood there, my bow trembling slightly in my hand. I couldn't believe this was me. I couldn't believe I possessed this much destructive potential.

  I was only at Level 2, yet I already possessed this much power. I couldn't even fathom how strong I would become at higher levels. But then, a sobering thought struck me. I wasn't the only on here. Millions, perhaps billions, of people must have been brought into this system. I wasn't some unique genius; if I had this power, then others likely did too. I couldn't afford to be complacent.

  To hone my skills, I requested the System for a target. Instantly, a wooden practice dummy materialized before me. I began to fire, over and over, pushing my accuracy to the limit. I cycled through my elemental astra, lost in the rhythm of nocking, drawing, and releasing. I lost all track of time until a notification snapped me back to reality.

  What? I froze. I had been training for four days? I couldn't believe it. It felt as though I had only been here for five minutes. I didn't feel a hint of fatigue or hunger. The System must have placed me in some kind of time-dilated loop, sustaining my body while I practiced.

  Despite my best efforts, I couldn't seem to break through to Level 5. The experience bar barely nudged. However, the physical gains were undeniable. I had become a master of the astra; my aim was unerring, and my control over elemental Prana had become second nature. I spent the remaining time creating and stockpiling Tier 1 and Tier 2 Astras, constantly recovering and recharging my Prana.

  I still had four unallocated Free Prana points. It was time to get stronger.

  "System," I commanded. "Distribute my points: +1 to Fire, +1 to Space, +1 to Air, and +1 to Earth."

  .

  The moment the points were allocated, I felt a violent tremor within my core. My Chakras began to spin with a newfound intensity, drawing in ambient energy like ravenous whirlpools. My physical body felt different—denser, more resilient.

  With the training session nearing its end, I summoned my Status Window to check my final progress.

  I began crafting more of those massive, Tier 2 -Astra, each one more terrifying than the last. My curiosity was replaced by a cold, clinical fascination with the destruction they could cause. My Tier 2 Earth-Astra, which previously left half a 10cm crater, now blasted a hole nearly a meter wide.

  The Water-Astra had become a localized stream, saturating everything in its wake. The Fire Arrow didn't just burn; it erupted like a high-yield military explosive. And the Air-Astra... it was a monster. It sliced through the atmosphere, leaving a visible trail of distorted air behind it, before erupting into a full-scale cyclone upon impact. I stood in the middle of this self-made chaos, unable to believe that this power belong to me.

  Suddenly, I remembered my second racial ability:[Chakra Tattoo Resonance].