Black String of Fate

Xavier finished his meal and sat down in contemplation. While taking a break was fine and all, he had to get a proper plan ready before the Master mage arrived. He once again called upon the Status Screen, this time trying to gain more info on his 'skills' section.

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[Skills]:-

Demonic Arts of the Sun Cult:

The legacy demonic arts of the demonic sect lead by the heavenly demon. Created by the first heavenly demon after conquering the Murim realm, it has been improved further by his successors.

Can only display its full power when used together with Cheonma, the first heavenly demon's bloodline.

Rating: Legendary

Stars: Strength, Agility,

Mastery: Greater Accomplishment (Incompatible, Merged with Supreme Demonic Arts)

Supreme Demonic Arts:

The Arts of the legendary demon king, who once claimed the title of the strongest in history. Finding the Demonic Arts of the Sun Cult incompatible with his talent, he created these arts specifically tailored to himself. Incorporating his innate gift and nature, the user grows stronger with the sacrifice of his physical body and soul and grows stronger with rage.

Rating: Mythical

Mastery: Perfect Completion (Sealed)

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'What exactly is this rating? And these mastery terms? What significance do they hold?'

As if reading Xavier's mind, the status screen updated and displayed new information.

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Ratings: The ratings are the system's evaluation of the quality of the skill. They are divided as follows: Inferior, Common, Uncommon, Rare, Epic, Legendary, Mythical, Divine.

Mastery: Mastery is the system's evaluation of the user's current expertise in said skill. They are categorized as follows: Novice, Adept, Expert, Minor Accomplishment, Greater Accomplishment, Mastered, Perfect Completion, Transcended.

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Xavier was surprised to find that this thing read his mind. It was awfully similar to the way that the trial system worked. Thinking like that, he asked another question in his head.

'Oh? Then give me justifications for the ratings and mastery you have assigned to my skills.'

Once again, the information on the blue screen updated.

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[Demonic Arts of the Sun Cult]: The providence of the creator of the skill, the first heavenly demon, Cheonma, is a large contributor to its rating. Moreover, the potential and power that it holds earn this Art the rating of Legendary.

Since you do not possess the bloodline of Cheonma, your mastery is limited to Greater Accomplishment. For comparison, the heavenly demon the user faced in the trials was of the Mastered level.

[Supreme Demonic Arts]: The creator of this skill, the Demon King, was once hailed as the strongest in history, with none ever coming close. Moreover, the Demon King surpassed himself in the trials multiple times, thus improving the art further.

The main contributor to the Mythical rating is the final move of the Arts, Demonic Soul Hypernova, which not only touches the realm of the soul but uses it profoundly and uniquely, using the soul energy to make the soul energy more destructive.

Since the user has achieved the Manifestation realm with this Art, it is considered to be Perfectly Completed.

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'I… see. It makes complete sense. Now, what about my warrior stars?'

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[Warrior Stars]:-

Strength: Low

Agility: Low

Dexterity: Low

Precision: Low

Endurance: Low

Deflection: Low

Intuition: Low

(Harmony state)

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'Where are my stars? I'm pretty sure I had at least 4 stars. Also, what is the "Harmony state"?'

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[Harmony State]: The state in which all stars are synchronized and the body has achieved perfect balance. Can only be attained through a very high level of enlightenment. The user reached this state after achieving the Manifestation realm, through the desire of surpassing yourself.

All stars become an upgradable quality when in Harmony state. The user can train the stars to attain and improve them, rather than being born with the natural talent of such.

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Xavier was speechless upon hearing this. Being able to train stars themselves was unheard of. It was like saying that a magician can improve his natural elemental affinity just by using that element. While one could still train an element and achieve mastery in it despite not having an affinity, it was extremely redundant to do so, as your progress will forever be tremendously slow.

It was similar in the warrior's path, where the stars defined the Arts they could train. This Harmony state could allow one to practice literally any Art, as with enough time and effort, they would eventually gain the star to practice it.

'Moreover, warriors are often limited by their stars. Even with people of the same star, there's a tendency to be at a different level. This could mean not only attaining a new star but also raising a star to the extreme…

I was an extremity of 4 stars in my time as the Demon King, and I was hailed as the strongest in the world. Imagine a warrior with an extremity of 7 stars… My god, I can become that!'

Xavier was creepily smiling ear to ear, sitting alone in the restaurant with empty plates, but the staff did not mind him because he was a high-paying customer. With the meal he had brought, they would not even mind him staying the night here.

'I've decided. I have to create a 7-star art. The only one I know is the beginner's sword guide, and that is something newbies learn when they first hold the sword.'

Xavier looked at his hands as he wistfully thought,

'Well, I guess I'm no different than a newbie. Let's buy that sword manual from the local martial store.'

Xavier got up and paid the bills for whatever he ate. He realized that he had spent almost 40 percent of all his earnings by now, but it didn't matter much.

'I probably have about a million Roubles lying inside my state treasury account. That noble… Grimswald was it? He must've deposited such big money by now.'

Xavier went to the local bank and mentioned his account details. He had already prepared his access to it before leaving for the quest, so he was able to withdraw the money easily without much trouble.

'Now, let's head to the martial store.'