NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 11: New Power
Elliot's vision blurred as he felt a sudden shift in his mind.
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[Mental Barrier Activated]
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A calm, protective veil descended over his thoughts. The madness—the chaotic whispers he had expected to crash into his mind like a storm—slammed against the barrier but couldn't break through. The relief was immediate, as though a heavy weight had been lifted from his chest.
So, this is what it feels like? he thought, marveling at the eerie silence.
Yet, the moment of peace was short-lived. His body began to react violently to the potion's effects. A dull ache spread through his muscles, growing sharper as his bones twisted and reshaped beneath his skin. His hands clenched into fists, knuckles white as the prickling heat erupted across his body, every nerve igniting with burning intensity. His breath came in short gasps, his chest rising and falling in uneven rhythm.
It's not unbearable, he thought, gritting his teeth. But it's close.
Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead as he rode out the storm until, at last, the sensations began to subside. His body felt different now, stronger but lighter, as if he had been rebuilt from the ground up.
When the turmoil settled, a familiar notification appeared before him.
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System Update: New Skills Acquired
[Arcane Sight]
[Static Charge]
[Arcane Resonance]
[Energy Overload]
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Elliot stared at the glowing text, his mind racing.
Four abilities? That's more than I expected. He frowned, tapping his fingers absently on the armrest of his chair. Are they all combat-oriented? Or do they serve different purposes? Only one way to find out.
He decided to start with [Arcane Sight]. Focusing on the skill, he willed it to activate.
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[Arcane Sight Activated]
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The world around him transformed.
Threads of energy rippled through the air like shimmering streams of light, their colors shifting and pulsating in a mesmerizing dance. These currents connected everything—objects, creatures, and even Elliot himself.
His breath caught as he took in the spectacle. The mundane room was now alive with vibrant energy, every item glowing with its own unique hue.
This… this is incredible, he thought, his eyes darting around, taking in the surreal beauty.
He focused on the wooden table in the corner, which radiated a soft, earthy green glow. A metal chair nearby shimmered faintly with a silvery-blue light, while even the bedsheets emitted a muted aura, their hue reflecting their simple, organic material.
But the beauty came with a price.
After only thirty seconds, the glowing overlay faded, leaving Elliot disoriented. A wave of dizziness washed over him, and his legs threatened to buckle beneath him. He glanced at his status display.
Energy: 0/10.
"Only 30 seconds, huh?" he muttered, slumping into his chair. His voice carried a tinge of frustration. "Guess I'll need to work on that." As he waited for his Energy stat to recover, his mind churned with ideas.
If this is what 10 Energy gets me, I'll need to boost it quickly. There's no way I'll survive with these limitations.
Ten minutes later, his Energy was restored. Feeling a little more confident, he turned his attention to [Static Charge].
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[Static Charge Activated]
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A faint crackling sound filled the air as small sparks danced between his fingers. The static energy felt alive, tingling against his skin.
Experimentally, he reached out to the wooden table. The moment his fingertips brushed the surface, a small burn mark appeared, accompanied by a sharp, acrid smell of scorched wood.
Elliot couldn't help but grin.
Not bad for a starting point.
Emboldened, he decided to push the skill further. He activated [Energy Overload] while channeling the charge.
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[Energy Overload Activated]
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The reaction was immediate—and explosive.
A surge of electricity erupted from his hand, tearing through the table with a deafening crack.
Shards of wood flew in every direction, some embedding themselves in the walls, others clattering harmlessly to the floor.
Elliot stumbled back, his chest heaving. His body felt drained, his Energy completely depleted, and his stamina alarmingly low.
Okay… so that was overkill, he thought, shaking his head. His legs wobbled as he tried to steady himself. But at least now I know I have an offensive option.
Even as exhaustion tugged at his limbs, he felt a surge of satisfaction.
After another long wait for his Energy to recover, Elliot prepared to test his final ability: [Arcane Resonance].
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[Arcane Resonance Activated]
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A rhythmic pulse filled the air, and faint tremors rippled through his body. It felt as though he had become a tuning fork, resonating with the energy around him.
Objects in the room seemed to hum faintly, vibrating in harmony with his pulse. The sensation was surreal, like he had unlocked an invisible frequency that tied the world together.
But that wasn't the most remarkable part.
As he remained in this state, he noticed his Energy stat regenerating far more quickly than normal.
This is useful. Really useful, he thought, grinning as he watched the numbers climb faster than before.
The euphoria didn't last long, however. The strain on his stamina quickly became apparent. Sweat beaded on his forehead, his breaths grew shallow, and his legs felt heavier with every passing second. He deactivated the skill before his body gave out completely.
"It's all about balance," he murmured, shaking his head. "I need to figure out how to use this without running myself into the ground."
Just as he was beginning to feel confident in his new abilities, the familiar chime of the system echoed in his mind.
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NEW QUEST: Practice Makes Perfect
Practice and master your abilities in a combat setting with a Beyonder
Reward: +10 Energy
Failure Penalty: None
Do you accept this quest?
[ACCEPT] [DECLINE]
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Elliot raised an eyebrow at the lack of punishment.
"No penalty? That's rare," he muttered.
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[Quest Accepted]
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But as the notification faded, a new question nagged at the back of his mind.
How am I supposed to practice these in combat? I have no idea where I can find a Sequence 9 Beyonder, much less one that won't kill me.
He stared at the shattered remnants of the table, the faint glow of the energy currents still lingering in his thoughts. The room felt quiet now, almost too quiet, as though the world itself was holding its breath, waiting for his next move.
Elliot clenched his fists, sparks dancing faintly along his fingertips.
Guess there's only one way to find out.
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Hey guys. Thank you all for your amazing support and for donating your precious Power Stones! Your encouragement keeps me motivated to make this story even better with each chapter. I hope you continue to enjoy Elliot's journey and stick around for the exciting adventures ahead!