Hell Difficulty Tutorial Chapter 793 - Four traits

After hearing their explanations, Elian reclines and looks lost in contemplation. He's concealing it well, yet he clearly shows strong fascination with my trait choices.

“The phrasing of every trait you have indicates that each possesses substantial power independently. This aligns perfectly with your physique. It demonstrates the extreme lengths you go to for strength, and the System usually compensates those types, even if only briefly.”

“I get told that often.”

“No shock there. Pick the Predatory Mana Parasite… hold on… actually, Mana-Absorbent Gastric Lining. It’s tough to choose. I’ve encountered someone with an Immutable Halo Frame previously, though she perished ages ago, so I can discuss it freely. I understand its functions and capabilities. Regarding Empyrean Ichor, I’ve come across mentions, but nothing direct, and never met a possessor. Even so, I believe I can deduce its effects. The Predatory Mana Parasite captivates me immensely, however. Such traits are extremely uncommon, and the previous bearer I knew, I couldn’t study adequately. But Mana-Absorbent Gastric Lining? Utterly unheard of. Quite intriguing. I’d trade you a mid-pristine item for…”

Mid-sentence, his brows knit together. The atmosphere around us grows faintly darker, while the Fragment of Eternal Fire flares as if on the verge of extinguishing under the Magi’s intense pressure. I sense nothing at all.

Seconds later, normality resumes, and Elian declares, “I tolerate no spying. I allowed your presence as his handler, but interference I won’t abide. Any trade of such an item occurs solely under my conditions. I fully grasp the System’s restrictions on these transactions.”

No response or reaction follows his statement, so Elian huffs and turns back to me. “Will you take my proposal?”

“No.”

"Tiresome indeed."

"Too bad," I reply. "Let’s discuss them further. You could sway me yet, but please avoid deception or omissions."

“What sort of person do you imagine me to be, Mister Gwyn? Our agreement was for me to impart knowledge accurately. I treat such sharing with utmost seriousness and precision.”

"Weren’t you a professor once?"

"Correct, ages past. Did you encounter my replica on that level?"

"I served as your assistant. We were close friends. Odd to realize you instructed the future Ruler of Envy."

“Unlikely. Young Tyven was ever gifted, merciless, and consumed by endless thirst for learning. That propelled him to his peaks, but those flaws also caused his ruin. Enough on that topic.”

"Alright. Mana Parasite—no thanks. I refuse to host some freeloader in my body draining my mana."

"A poor judgment. After repeated enhancements and potential evolutions, parasites grow immensely potent. Its description implies absorbing surrounding mana, letting you harness it post-absorption."

"So I’d battle it for mana control?"

“Hence the parasite label. It seizes without giving back; benefits are mere bonuses. To some degree, yes. Certain users train via their parasites. Hyper-dense mana proves invaluable, especially for an Amplificator like you. Post-enhancements, the density might surpass your standard mana reserves.”

I shake my head. "I manage that myself."

"It’d be disgraceful if you couldn’t handle basics," Elian remarks, and though I anticipate a scoff, he delivers it with poised, aristocratic poise.

"What of the physical stat gains?" I inquire swiftly to avoid rudeness.

"Initially, basic mana reinforcement for temporary boosts. Later enhancements bring lasting bodily shifts like tougher bones or enduring stat uplifts. Rarely, or via apt evolutions, it might expand your mana pool."

"To fatten its food supply?" I probe.

"Evidently."

"Is this a standard Fragment of Eternal Fire? And that wood?" I shift topics, voicing my longstanding curiosity since arrival.

The Magi arches a brow, eyeing the flame hovering above the white wood at the cupola’s center. “Actually, it fuses ten robust Eternal Fire flames into one. The wood serves mainly for aesthetics.”

"Costly?"

"Immensely, though theft attempts, Mister Gwyn, would reduce you to cinders."

"I wouldn’t dare. Now, the trait’s bit on fierce retaliation against threats to its food?" I steer back to traits.

“Feeble initially, but proper evolutions and enhancements could let it slay a typical Champion, devouring their mana entirely.”

Surprise halts me. "That strong?"

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“Mister Gwyn, your grasp of text is woeful. Let me quiz you: describe your second trait and your expectations.”

"Of course, Magi Elian. Incidentally, isn't 'Magi' plural? Shouldn't it be Mage or Magus? Anyway, your call. Mana Stomach..."

“Cease there. Precision in terms matters greatly. Sloppy shortcuts breed dangerous habits. And abandon that casual tone; it displeases me greatly. I grant you respect; reciprocate it.”

"You trashed my reading skills."

Pausing to reflect, I rest against the glass wall, gazing upward through the cupola’s framed panels. Fingering the fur rug beneath me, I ponder the man opposite. Have I met anyone truly ordinary or genuinely kind? Everyone twists uniquely: Liss, Ruby, Kindness, Envy, New Envy, Lycan, Hornless Heartmaxxer, and more.

Truthfully, aren't Diligence and Pride the sanest yet? Despite my grudge against that pilfering Armory wrecker, the ant’s behaved logically with clear goals. Pride, from reports, simply relaxes while others provoke him relentlessly.

I regard the Magi anew. Peak Absolute power. Named with legends like the Last Elf and Warden Kyralon.

Indeed, I’m still the most normal soul around.

Staring outward, I speak. "Mana-Absorbent Gastric Lining... not thrilled. I could forge countless dense mana orbs, swallow them mid-battle for stats and recovery. As a crafter, items too—imagine that patient coward’s face if I devoured his prized sword. Tempting alone. Long-term, massive stat potential. As Champion or Absolute, hoard epic gear for consumption."

I halt, musing inwardly. Sufficient upgrades might handle diluted black mana orbs. Black mana disrupts the System, so digestion uncertain, but success yields wild gains. Pre-fight orbs for tuning effects via density tweaks. Could replace thermal healing, freeing a slot.

I’m convinced Biscuit and my black mana prompted this trait. Thus, it excels.

“Broadly accurate,” Elian concedes. “Mana consumption isn’t rare, but items and materials for humans? Extraordinary. Vast unknowns excite me. As offered, select it for a mid-pristine item. I’ll shoulder your Handler’s ire and some System backlash.”

"Possible?"

“Somewhat, unlike Rulers’ prowess. Top Absolutes meddle thus. The Last Elf excels, rivaling some Rulers. Now, your take on Empyrean Ichor—elaborate your reasoning.”

"Like grading a pupil."

"Precisely."

"Fine... Empyrean Ichor. Don't 'Empyrean' traits hail from the System's early spread?" I query.

“Observations confirm. The System evolved, patching exploits by certain users. Fairness drives it inherently. Empyreans, now extinct, peaked as formidable foes—especially their Thaumarch, rivaling Rulers.”

"Let me guess: felled challenging Pride."

"Intriguing insight. Source?"

"Gut feeling."

“I dismiss hunches usually, but this rang true. Yes, Thaumarch provoked, died to Pride. Pre-that, unique mutation unseen since. Not blood—the System repurposes ‘Empyrean’ aptly. Fairness yields to growth rewards, bending rules for merit.”

"Core System rule: evolve or amplify potential strength?"

“Or awaken what promises greatest growth. Common view; I lean there absent proof, open to alternatives. Empyrean mutation, tied to a Pantheon god by historians, partly defied System, birthing unique mana. System issued extermination quest for them and lineage. Now borrows term sporadically. Kyralon posits unintentional—Empyrean remnants scarred System slightly, spawning echoes.”

This ranks among wildest lore I’ve heard.

Aloud: "Cool, Empyrean Ichor intrigues. Immutable Halo Frame query: know my skill..."

He nods. "Spot on. That trait aspect draws me too. Phrasing promises total spatial warp immunity, extendable to abilities for shared stability—less absolute than core defense, but formidable. With that settled, reveal your choice."