Chicken Cravings: Mana Circles and Aura Cores
Climbers' combat power is amplified by two skills: Mana Circle and Aura Core. They share one crucial trait. You can't obtain them as rewards for clearing trials. The only way is through enlightenment gained via training.
Even if the Tower's residents or Constellations provide guidance for your training, mastering them isn't easy. It's like someone born without wings trying to wield them. Like a blind person born into darkness striving to see the world. Recognizing and accepting a new sense. That was the common thread between the two skills—and even for the most talented, it took at least a full month. But...
Han Yuyeon acquired both skills simultaneously in just one hour. This drove the Constellations insane.
Halakaib's remark amplified the Constellations' interest even more.
With Halakaib's follow-up post, the gallery ignited once more.
Historic talent. Cute looks that stoke affection. And a Maid Class that learns anything without limits. With these three factors aligned, the Constellations pooled their power.
Han Yuyeon suddenly had a ton of parents.
Until the Constellations' messages arrived, I decided to check my new skills first.
Mana Circle (E): Circulation. The basis of magic.
• Can cast 1-circle magic.
Aura Core (E): Reinforcement. The basis of aura.
• Can cast 1-core reinforcement technique.
Got it. Thanks for the short and sweet explanation.
Believing the Tower was watching somewhere, I bowed in greeting. And just like that, I became a cool magic swordsman.
"V."
A magic swordsman has one top priority. I gripped the wooden sword and stood before the max-level tree. Then, I spun the circle while imagining flames.
Goal: Evolve the wooden sword into a fire sword.
As I poured all the circle's mana in, something stirred. Oing? The wooden sword's form...?
Pababam. Nothing happened.
"Hm."
Not easy. How do you even ignite it? I get spinning the circle, but casting magic? No clue.
Tower, your explanation's too curt. Take back the thanks. Thanks anyway.
Plan B: Try aura. I drew power from the core in my heart. Status said I could cast 1-core reinforcement. Target: Wooden sword. Need a max-level wooden sword to face the max-level tree.
Lend me your power, Mr. Wooden Sword. As I willed it, with a crack, Mr. Wooden Sword shattered.
"Ing."
Did he sense I was gonna attack his kin...?
Mr. Wooden Sword had more loyalty than I thought. Makes sense. We hadn't spent enough time building friendship for him to betray his kind for me.
Then from now on, we'll build that bond. I gripped the half-broken Mr. Woo/Sword again.
"I'm gonna be a dual-wield master."
"Dual-wield is a no-go!"
"Oh. Lord Constellation. I awakened Aura Core too."
A fish dropped. Wonder how Lord Constellation preps these every time? Anyway, I read the letters engraved on the fish scales.
— Daughter. No dual-wielding.
"Why?"
— Symbol of certain defeat.
"Why?"
"Why?"
"??"
I gathered them up. No plans to eat right now, so into the subspace.
Paraglider Fish (A) stored in subspace.
Need to figure out how to retrieve from subspace soon. What's the condition anyway? While pondering, a massive barrage of blessings rained from the sky.
Numerous Constellations bestow blessings upon you.
"Ing."
I swiftly checked each plummeting ingredient. Veggies. Fruit. Meat. Grass. No umbrella could block this blessing rain. But I wanted just one thing.
I expanded my vision with mana, reinforced it with aura. My sharper sight revealed the harsh truth.
'No... chicken...?'
Unbelievable. I collapsed, sobbing hing hing hing.
Numerous Constellations express concern.
But I, Han Yuyeon, authority on flexible utility, would somehow make something chicken-like.
I'll become a cooking master. For that, I need a kitchen. I'll become a building master. For that, I need wood. I'll become a logging master.
I sprang up, gripping half-swords in both hands. Enter: Maid dual-wield mode.
Before the tree, mana in one hand, aura in the other. Then, combo attack.
Crack—the swords shattered.
"Hm."
I readjusted my fists. Combo attack.
Pakak—the max-level tree shattered.
No longer a match for me.
"VV."
Dual-wield maid victory. The historians will record today's triumph.
Savoring victory, I eyed the wreckage. Can't use it for lumber now. Got too strong—now I can't even gather wood.
How to handle this? Rolling my eyes in thought, I spotted the Constellations' gifts. Oh right, no greetings yet. How rude of me.
A bit late, but I bowed deeply toward the sky.
"Thank you. I'll eat well..."
Numerous Constellations cheer.
Bowing, I noticed letters on the gifts. Not just presents—letters!
I read them one by one.
— Yuyeon is my famous wife.
"?"
— Yuyeon, wanna see me go crazy? Who's stupidly cute like that?
"??"
— Yuyeon, call me Dad too. Lifelong dream.
"Dad?"
Whoa. Dads doubled. None in past life, double compensation this time.
Next letter.
— I'm Yuyeon's famous dad.
"... Dad?"
Dad vibes are nice too. Already three dads. Three dads—I'm thrilled!
— Yuyeon, no matter what you think of me, I'll see you as my daughter.
— Do whatever you want, our daughter ^^
— Never thought of taking a mortal as a child, but you're my kid.
I'm rich in parents now! ...So what's the family tree even look like? Did I join a soap opera mess?
Hm. Whatever—feels great. Hopeful, I asked the sky:
"Any chicken by chance?"
Numerous Constellations express confusion.
Tears trickle. Sad again.
Han Yuyeon shed tears. Over the absence of something called chicken. This was a bombshell in the Constellation gallery.
What is chicken? A vaguely familiar yet utterly alien name left the Constellations baffled.
1. Beat the Sage. Constellation gallery's first form when stumped by the unknown.
2. Block my meteor. After beating the Sage, block the incoming meteors—gallery's second form. Block those, and third form: Explainer arrives.
The Constellation gallery had its light too. Named Explainer. After scouring the vast info sea, Explainer brought hope.
The Constellation gallery exploded.