Rowan’s training method was efficient but cruel. The pain had felt like his insides were being cooked while acid was poured on his skin, and it was disturbing. He could not argue with the progress he had made though. Without even looking at the details of his gains, he could tell that his body had changed.
Even without knowing the specifics yet, he could not imagine it being anything other than spectacular. One side effect his newfound friend had forgotten to mention was the dried sludge coating his body. When he came to, a strong smell had violated his nose. It reminded him of a skunk mixed with sun-heated sewage. It took everything he had not to gag. Whatever this strange substance was, it was all over him, like he had rolled in mud during his sleep, and the air had dried it into a crust. When he wiped his arms, the particles came loose, and the smell attacked his senses even harder.
“What is this? I think I just got it in my mouth. You are lucky I do not have any breakfast left in me.”
“Ah, yes, an odd and slightly disturbing side effect of pushing yourself on the fringe of the system. There are concentrated impurities expelled from your body in the process.”
Rowan held his nose as he created some distance between them.
“See, normally your body would process out that filth slowly and methodically as you leveled up and increased the strength of your core.”
“Okay, so what is so special about what we did?”
“Simple. We gave your soul a super charge, allowing you to progress faster than you could naturally. During the process your core strengthened your spirit, but your body could not keep up. In an attempt to reconcile the balance issue, your body was naturally tempered, thus allowing you some amazing benefits, with a smelly price tag.”
“Yeah, this stuff is absolutely disgusting.”
Laughing, Rowan barked, “And you are not coming into my house smelling like that either. I may be strong, powerful, and extremely handsome, but not even I can get that smell out of my walls quickly. It really is some nasty stuff.”
“So does that mean I have to sleep outside tonight? I think your hosting skills need some improvement there, buddy.”
Rowan smirked. “Oh relax. I am not heartless.”
He rolled his shoulders and clapped his hands together once. The sound echoed strangely, sharper than it should have been.
“Hold still, this is going to feel strange, but compared to what you just endured, it will feel downright pleasant.”
“Define strange,” Hector started.
Too late, Rowan traced a quick sigil in the air, fingers moving with casual precision. The symbol shimmered, then snapped into place around Hector like an invisible shell and warmth washed over him.
The sludge lifted from his skin in wisps of gray and green light, peeling away like smoke caught in a breeze. The smell vanished instantly. The grit on his tongue disappeared. Even the lingering ache in his muscles softened, settling into something calmer.
“Oh, that is… really nice.”
“I know basic purification. Mortals underestimate it constantly.”
The light faded, leaving Hector standing on clean grass, his clothes spotless, his skin free of residue. He flexed his fingers slowly.
“I feel like I just took the best shower of my life,” he said.
“Do not get used to it, you are very good at exceeding the limits of spells.”
Hector glanced down at himself, then back up at Rowan. “So, it got rid of everything?”
Rowan’s expression shifted slightly.
“It removed what did not belong; purification is not a miracle spell. Aside from its ability to fight incorporeal entities, it's phenomenal when it comes to personal hygiene.”
“Well, I would mind learning that one myself, seems handy.”
Rowan grinned. “Come on, I promised drinks, and trust me, you are going to want to sit down before you start asking questions.”
Hector followed, finally able to breathe without fear of passing out. Whatever he had become, at least he no longer smelled like it. Entering Rowan’s house, he took a seat at the table, leaning back in the chair with his hands behind his head. He let out a short sigh as he soaked in the atmosphere.
A log crackled in the fireplace, and the smell of whatever was brewing rolled around the house, thick with fermentation and grains. At least he thought they were grains. He was not sure if beer on this level of the universe was made the same way as the stuff back home.
“So, I am dying to know, what did you get?”
“You know I have some ideas, but immense agony and pain tend to make reading hard. I have not had a chance to see what I achieved yet.”
Rowan laughed. “Okay, well how about this. I have a special brew I have been working on that is not quite done yet. You go review everything and I will finish it up. Trust me, you will not want to miss out on it.”
With a nod, Rowan exited the room, leaving Hector alone with his thoughts and notifications. He let out a slow breath once the door closed behind Rowan. The quiet settled in around him, broken only by the crackle of the fire and the faint hum of energy he could now feel moving through his own body. It was subtle, like a low current beneath the surface, but it was there.
“Alright, let us see what I ignored.”
He focused inward and notifications flooded his vision.
[System Log: Deferred Notifications]
[Unscheduled Core Interaction Recorded]
[Volitional Core Manipulation Successful]
[Mortal Core Integrity Stabilized]
[Core Density Increased]
[Life Mana Attunement Reinforced]
Hector blinked.
“Well, that sounds promising.”
More messages followed.
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[Deviation Notice]
[User behavior exceeds modeled progression parameters]
[Deviation Classification: Active]
[Observation Priority Elevated]
[Correction Protocols Adjusted]
He frowned slightly. “Adjusted how?”
The system, as usual, did not elaborate. A new window unfolded.
[Core Update]
[Mortal Core Status: Strengthened]
[Internal Flow Efficiency Increased]
[Mana Channel Resistance Reduced]
Hector leaned back in his chair, letting that sink in. He could feel it now that the system pointed it out. Mana did not feel like something he had to force through himself anymore. It moved when he wanted it to move, responding to intent instead of pressure.
Another notification pushed forward.
[System Evaluation]
[Unique hardship and sustained Core stress detected]
[Skill initialization adjusted]
[New skills granted at elevated grade: E]
[New skills will initialize relative to the user’s highest active skill grade]
[Note: Elevated grade reflects survivability, not mastery]
[New Skill Acquired]
[Sanctified Frame (E)]
Level: 50
Classification: Body
Description:
Sanctified Frame reinforces the user’s physical structure through sustained exposure to Core-aligned mana.
Mana circulation pathways are stabilized, allowing attuned energy to move through the body with reduced internal stress. High-density or continuous mana flow produces less structural strain.
Restorative mana interactions are regulated with improved precision. Biological damage caused by Overheal accumulation is reduced, increasing tolerance to sustained or weaponized healing output.
Effects of mana saturation, feedback damage, and internal overload are dampened but not negated.
Mana-to-physical conversion efficiency is increased.
Current Attunement: Life
Effects:
? Allows attuned mana to circulate through the body with reduced damage
? Improves physical reinforcement and recovery
? Physical strikes may carry Core-aligned mana effects
? Grants +1 Strength and +1 Vitality per skill level
Hector let out a low whistle.
“So that explains the not breaking myself part.”
He rolled his shoulders slowly, testing the sensation. There was no strain or resistance. His body felt like it knew what to do now, as if it had finally caught up to what his core expected of it.
Another skill followed immediately.
[New Skill Acquired]
[Heal Blast (E)]
Level: 50
Classification: Ranged
Description:
Heal Blast allows the user to condense mana into high-velocity projectiles.
Pulses may be released rapidly or charged to increase output. Mana composition determines projectile behavior and applied effects.
Charged pulses consume additional mana.
Effects:
? Fires fast, condensed mana projectiles
? Pulses may carry healing, Overheal, or compatible skill effects
? Charging increases power, range, and mana cost
? Control and accuracy scale with skill level
He raised one hand slightly, feeling mana gather at his palm without effort. He stopped before releasing it, lowering his hand with a small grin.
“Yeah. We are testing that outside.”
The final skill notification appeared.
[New Skill Acquired]
[Stillness Under Strain (E)]
Level: 50
Classification: Mental
Description:
Stillness Under Strain allows the user to enter a controlled meditative state that stabilizes mana circulation and reinforces alignment between body, Core, and intent.
Deviation strain and internal instability are reduced while active.
Effects:
? Accelerates mana recovery
? Mana regeneration persists during movement
? Reduces internal backlash from high-output or complex techniques
? Improves control during skill integration and experimentation
Hector exhaled slowly.
“That one, might keep me alive.”
The last notification arrived with weight.
[Title Earned]
[Fringe Walker]
Description:
Granted to individuals who operate at the boundary of system regulation without losing cohesion.
Effects:
? +10 to all primary stats
? Increased tolerance to deviation strain
? Enhanced compatibility with nonstandard skill evolution
Limitations:
? Heightened observation
? Reduced access to automated safeguards
[System Warning]
[Skill grades exceed current Core development]
[Use of elevated grade abilities may result in instability, backlash, or Core strain]
[Effect severity scales with output, duration, and intent]
[User discretion advised]
Hector leaned back fully, chair creaking under his weight.
“Well, that was a buzz kill.”
He sat there for a while, letting the information settle. Whatever he had done during the ritual, whatever line he had stepped over. It was not something the system could take back easily. His core felt heavier, more real, like an anchor had been driven into place. The door creaked open behind him, carrying the rich scent of fermentation and heat.
“Alright, drinks are almost ready. You survive reading the fine print?”
Hector smiled, pushing himself to his feet.
“Yeah, I think I did more than survive it.”
Rowan laughed from the other room.
“Good, because now we get to talk about what it all means.”
Hector followed the sound of his voice, already knowing one thing for certain. Whatever came next, there was no going back.
“So, time for a little universal decorum. Asking about skills, levels, notifications, basically anything only you can see, is taken as highly offensive. That being said, want to show me what you got?” A grin teased his features.
“Rowan, how dare you. You have slighted my honor.”
Rowan waved his hand dismissively. “What is one to do. Although I blame this on you. After all the fluids coming out of your body earlier, I just wanted to know if you got something worthwhile out of the ordeal.”
Hector snorted. “Yeah? Well, sit back. This is going to take a minute.”
Rowan lifted a brow. “Oh?”
“Before I start reading it all out loud, you got anything useful on how to make this less awkward?”
Rowan’s smile returned, slower this time. “Funny you should ask. Let me teach you another trick the system does not advertise.”
“Okay. You got me interested.”
“Just will your notifications over to me, and before you ask, because I know you will, I will show you the path, my wayward friend. Simply focus on wanting the notifications to be sent to me.”
Hector narrowed his eyes. “You are saying I can just send you my system messages.”
“Yes.”
“That feels illegal.”
Rowan laughed. “Only if you do it without permission.”
Hector sighed. “Alright then, oh mighty Paragon. Show me the way.”
He closed his eyes and focused, not on the words themselves, but on the intent behind them. He imagined the notifications as something he could release, like loosening his grip rather than forcing them out.
The pressure shifted and Rowan jumped. His shoulders tensed, and his eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he caught himself. The easy grin vanished, replaced by sharp focus.
“…Oh,” Rowan said quietly.
Hector opened one eye. “That bad?”
Rowan did not answer. His gaze tracked unseen text, eyes moving faster now. His expression shifted again, brows knitting, then lifting as disbelief crept in despite his best efforts to suppress it.
“E grade, all three...”
“You told me it would be rough but worth it. Seems like I came out on top.”
The notifications finished transferring. Rowan waved a hand, severing the connection and the pressure lifted. He leaned back, folding his arms.
“Well, you certainly did not waste my morning.”
Hector tried to smile. “That good?”
Rowan’s grin returned, but it did not reach his eyes.
“That depends on how comfortable you are at becoming interesting. There is no way the Pantheon didn’t notice this one. It is going to be keeping an even closer eye on you after all that.”
