Doomsday Pillars

336

D-day #486

Bali Headquarters, Bali Island

Two days before Alex went to the Yemeni and Saudi Arabia border.

[Your understanding of the light element has increased]

[You have reached the high stage of the light spirit element]

[Alex]

[Sky realm level 41 - high stage]

[Sky Magus - Light - high stage]

After spending more than a week of minimal rest to engrave thousands of artifacts and magic scrolls, Alex was surprised by an unexpected reward, one he never minded receiving. Thanks to the sheer number of stuff he had engraved, Alex managed to achieve a breakthrough in his understanding of the light spirit element.

Due to the abrupt breakthrough, Alex suddenly landed himself in the ranks of high stage Sky realm fighters, a stage not everyone could reach in their lifetime. In his previous life, Alex clearly remembered how he didn't manage to reach this stage. Not once did Alex ever think he would make it to this stage this fast.

Feeling the new strength coursing through his body, a unique sensation he never felt before, Alex had the time of his lifetime as he enjoyed all these new feelings.

Inspecting the newfound strength brought by this advancement, Alex was overjoyed when he perceived all the spells in his repertoire were much stronger than before. Alex hadn't tested the spells yet, but he just instinctively knew they were.

However, despite all the pleasant surprises happening due to the advancement, the thing that caught Alex's attention the most was the other information he received from the bracelet on his hand.

[You have one unique spell you are entitled to learn]

[Please go to skill library to claim your reward]

This was a notification he had been waiting for a long time. Many exceptional fighters received their own unique spells when they stepped into the Sky realm stage and became a Magus, but not for Alex.

Hence, Alex was a little annoyed by the fact he didn't receive it when he stepped into the Sky realm stage. Thus, Alex didn't know if he should be mad because of how late it was or thankful because he finally received it.

'It's better late than never, right?' Alex thought, as he quickly went to collect his unique spell.

Theo had the unique spell [Mind Blast], which specialized on attacking the mind, while Daisy had the [Life Detection] spell, which specialized on sensing lifeform's signs. Both spells were light magic related to mental power. And then, what about Alex? What kind of spell would Alex get?"

Moments later, Alex entered the Doomsday Pillar and approached the access panel, as he immediately selected [Skill Library]. Outwardly, Alex looked calm and collected, but inwardly, only he knew how nervous he was right now.

'Please, be a great offensive spell! If I can't get that, I'm also interested in a summoning-type spell!' Alex wished, as he accessed the panel.

[You are eligible for your unique spell]

"Yes! Give it to me!" Alex exclaimed, as he felt his excitement reaching the all-time high.

[The spell will cost you 30,000 spirit stones]

Alex couldn't help but curse, when he saw the staggering amount of stones needed, "God Damn! That's a lot of spirit stones!"

Luckily, Alex still had plenty of spirit stones in his pocket, but he was still annoyed at how high the cost of this spell, that was supposed to be a reward, was. Alex then reluctantly took out 300 yellow spirit stones from his ring for the spell. However, after giving the 300 yellow spirit stones, Alex's previously annoyed expression immediately changed 180 degrees, as if nothing had happened.

[You have received 2 unique tier 4 spells]

It turned out that Alex obtained 2 unique spells, no wonder the price of the spell was so expensive. However, it didn't stop there, as Alex was once again surprised when he saw the description of the spells he received.

[Accelerate - Tier 4 Light Spell]

Allow the user to affect a moving object to move faster.

[Decelerate - Tier 4 Light Spell]

Allow the user to affect a moving object to move slower.

Alex rubbed his eyes to make sure he didn't read the spells wrong. After reading the spells' description the three times, Alex finally stopped, being sure what he saw was correct. His body trembled and then Alex screamed out loud.

"THESE ARE THE BEST SPELLS EVER!!!"

Alex had never heard of a fighter who possessed these kinds of spells before. And then, a question appeared on his mind. Was the rebirth event the reason he got these spells or was this kind of talent the reason the rebirth could occur?

It looked like only the mysterious man in grey would know the answer to this question.

Alex threw this question to the back of his mind and immediately entered the Doomsday Pillar's training pillar. He was excited to test out these spells and see what he could do with them. Taking out his favorite revolver, Alex went ahead and fired a bullet.

BANG!

A bullet immediately shot out of the revolver. However, at the same time Alex pulled the trigger, he also casted the unique spell [Decelerate]. In an instant, Alex noticed the bullet seemed slower than usual. The strange yet unique sight of a bullet travelling slowly in the air fascinated him.

Alex then continued by firing another bullet. But this time, instead of [Decelerate], he casted [Accelerate]. The already fast bullet shot even faster when the spell took effect. Even though Alex noticed the increase and decrease of speed was not much, the slight difference caused by these spells could determine  the difference between life or death.

Although at first glance the spells looked the same as the speed-enhancing spell like [Windwalk] or a weakening-type spell like [Curse], which could increase and decrease something, Alex knew these spells weren't the same, otherwise it wouldn't receive its epithet of unique. There was no way that spells related to the fabric of time were that simple.

After testing the simple application, Alex began to do a thorough experiment, testing the maximum limits and the limitations the spells had. Several hours later, Alex had discovered some of the spells' characteristics and effects.

First, he found out the spells could have an effect on all matter, living and inanimate objects, humans and other creatures. He casted [Accelerate] on to a plant and saw the plant quickly bloomed and withered. Unfortunately, Alex could only affect a limited number of objects.

Second, the farther the affected object, the less effective the spell would be. After countless trials, Alex finally discovered the most optimal range for the both spells, which was around 10 meters around him. Within that area, Alex could easily control, as well as increase and decrease the speed of objects by up to 4 times.

Even though the spells had their own limitations, the possible actions Alex could do with them were endless, thus eliminating their shortcomings. Alex also believed he could use them to their full potential. After Alex felt he understood both spells well enough, he decided it was time to test the, in real battles. 

Alex swiftly summoned some of his fighters to act as his training partners. When the fighters arrived, Alex immediately instructed them to shoot him from different distances and timing.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

Several rounds of rubber bullets were flying towards Alex's direction, but he kept his calm and casted [Decelerate] and [Accelerate] on the bullets entering his ten meter radius. Alex tried his best to make the bullets flew within the same line by decreasing and increasing their speed corresponding to their location.

Alex's objective in doing this was, so he could slash the bullets simultaneously with his sword. If he managed to do so, it meant he could successfully control the objects in great detail.

Unfortunately for Alex, his attempt was met with failure as some of them were too fast while some of them were too slow, resulting in Alex's body being rained down by rubber bullets in different intervals.

It turned out the matter feat wasn't as easy as Alex initially thought. It seemed he would need more practice with these skills, before he could effortlessly control everything. But at least, Alex was able to use the basic function of the spells.

When Alex wanted to practice again, he suddenly noticed the wooden sword in his hand looked different from usual. The two of the seven marks seen on the surface of the sword, the ones that looked like the Big Dipper Constellation, shone brightly.

Alex was surprised, because he was sure that previously there was only one mark that shone brightly.

"Stroke! What just happened?" Alex spoke in his mind.

[What do you mean, Master?]

Hearing the confused tone of Strokes, Alex was puzzled. "How come there are now two lights shining on your body?"

[Ah, that matter? It was because of your recent advancement, Master. When you increase your realm, you can access more of my power] Strokes explained with a matter-of-fact tone.

Alex was dumbfounded when he heard that. "What!? Why didn't you tell me about this?"

[You did not ask me, Master]

"..." Alex was speechless by the reply.

"Alright, alright, it's my fault for not asking you. Now, tell me. What kind of power do you have, Stroke?"