Soul Sparks available for allocation: 212
Would you like to allocate your Soul Sparks?
(Y/N)
I have a plan after having seen Dalib at work and I don’t overthink it this time, I just drop the Soul Sparks where they’re needed and I’ll worry about building up my Mana when it becomes the limiting factor holding me back. I try to piece together how different I feel as the Soul Sparks flow through me and alter my body and mind, and to pay attention to what’s happening since in a way it’s what Dalib has done with his body, only the change is orders of magnitude faster.
A slew of notifications follows.
My awareness of what’s going on around me is probably the most noticeable change. When combined with my ability to sense Soul Sparks, it’s starting to give me a real sense for detecting where living beings are and danger or opportunity that’s around.
Soul Sparks Allocated!
Strength +48 (300)
Agility +84 (300)
Perception +84 (300)
Charisma +10 (22)
Level Up!
Congratulations!
You have reached Level 15 in your unique Soul Spark Reclaimer Class.
Congratulations! You have reached a new Power Tier in Physical Enhancement!
You have exceeded new thresholds for Strength and Agility.
Combined with Constitution, your Physical Enhancement Power has a new benchmark.
Tier 1 Major -> Tier 3 Major
Congratulations! You have reached new Power thresholds!
You have exceeded the next thresholds for Mana, Perception, and Aura combination.
You have developed the Power equivalent of: Mana Sense.
You have developed the Power equivalent of: Danger Sense.
You have five Powers eligible for discovery by others at your option.
- Regeneration (Tier 3 Epic)
- Physical Enhancement (Tier 3 Major)
- Reclamation (Tier 1 Mythic)
- Danger Sense (Tier 1 Major)
- Mana Sense (Tier 1 Major)
Would you like to make a Power discoverable?
(Y/N)
I’ve finally allocated some Soul Sparks to Charisma and I’m curious about what it’s going to do. In theory, my Charisma is now just above typical human maximum. Will women find me irresistable? Will I get my way more in arguements? Or on the flip side will more people be intimidated by the new Powers I have?
At some point soon, while I train and learn to use these Attributes at such a high level, I should pivot back to Constitution and the huge advantage I have there. Pound for pound, it’s the best use of an Attribute point and increasing my ability to stay alive in dangerous situations is something I can’t afford to ignore.
The door to my quarters, which has been locked from the outside since I got back on board, opens and the Valkyrie is standing there, hands on hips. Backlit, she truly looks like a goddess who’s come to harvest me from the battlefield.
“Come with me,” Eira orders. My introspection is swept aside and I dart forward to join her, unsure what speed she might take off at. It turns out, normal human speed as we walk through the corridors together for my meeting with Captain Reyes. She doesn’t seem at all worried that I’m at her back and I take it as a good sign rather than as a lack of respect.
When we get to the command room she opens it biometrically and gestures for me to go through. I do so and she follows behind me. Captain Reyes is already in the room, as are Dalib and Bobby. Everyone is standing and that wipes away the confidence I had about how this was going to go. Even though I’m not actually in the military I stand straight and wait for something to be said as the door closes behind us. It’s Captain Reyes who speaks first.
“Let’s not drag this out,” he says. I can feel myself tensing, but my new Danger Sense is silent. My Mana Sense, on the other hand, can feel so much flowing through the room and the people all around me that it feels like threat is in the air, even if it isn’t. “I’ve consulted with everyone and my official conclusion is you’re fine. The official report will state you are cleared to join the ESF or whatever else you want to do, and that we should take no further action.”
“Thank you, sir,” is all I can say. I didn’t really fully realize just how much the weight of carrying this around was affecting me until it lifted. I’m not silly enough to think that this means I’m in the clear with every single person, but clearing my name in this way means I don’t need to wonder if everyone around me is about to try to take me out because I did or said something wrong. I rub the rough stubble of my cheeks a couple times with my hands, almost as if to wipe some of the emotions away. It’s a massive relief.
“Just so you are aware - despite the official nature of my report, some people might not believe it, or might want to keep an eye on you. I have an off the record piece of advice for you, Calrik. Get as strong as you can as fast as you can, so you can tell them all to fuck right off. And then when you do… keep your nose clean so it’s harder for them to bring in the really big guns.”
“Understood, sir.” And it is.
“I can see you’ve upgraded your Physical Enhancement Power to Tier 3 Major, but… you get some kind of other new Power?” Dalib asks me.
I wonder exactly what he’s talking about for a second, then I realize he’s probably referring to my doubled Charisma. Going from someone pretty average on the whole in that department to top of human normal was bound to attract some curiosity and I curse myself inside, wondering if that’s the kind of suspicious activity they’ve been looking for when it comes to me.
“Just… combed my hair a bit different,” I say. He laughs and holds up his hands.
“None of my business, I get it. All good. Just don’t be surprised if people start treating you a bit different based on your… new haircut.”
“Now that I have Powers, that’s inevitable anyway,” I answer, and it’s true. There’s no question that having a strong Power gives you different social status than a weak one - or none at all.
“Our last order of business together is that along with my report, I am obligated to send details of your Power to the headquarters of the ESF, EDF, and a few other organizations.”
Captain Reyes pauses and looks at me, then glances around at the others.
“You’ve been through a hell of a time, Corvin. Is there anything you’d like me to put in that report or not put in that report? I can’t promise I’ll agree, but you’re earned the right to ask. Any redactions or additions?”
“Thank you sir, that means a lot coming from you,” I reply. I don’t hesitate to answer because I’ve already thought about what I’d do if I had this option. “Write whatever you think is best, sir. But I don’t want to hide anything. I’m done doing that, and I’m ready to work my way up through the Hero ranks. I have some thinking to do about how to achieve that.”
I can’t help but glance around the room at the people here. The Heroes. None of them at that S Rank that marks a Superhero, but all of them someone who I used to aspire to be.
Now… I’m not so sure.
Captain Reyes nods.
“Dismissed.”