Polaris Dark - Arc II Chapter VI

Ugh... my head....

I slowly open my eyes only to shut them tightly when the world spins around me like a blender. Moaning, I shift my head little and feel something under me.

"Ah! Yuki, you're awake!"

I hear a soft but relieved voice call out my name somewhere above me. Struggling to open my eyes, the spinning finally stops and I find myself facing Sarah's half-concerned, half-relieved face.

"You were knocked out by that larger Varaug after it charged right into you..."

Ugh... my head hurts....

Lifitng my right hand up to hold my aching head, I glance towards the resounding din of metal clashing with each other. It seems that ignored me after knocking me unconscious; looks like it thought that I would be out of order for the rest of the battle.

The war chieftan is easily knocking Ezschiel and the sword-and-shield warrior back with casual swings of the two great swords. The other two Varaugs are being hemmed in, distracted by the two mages and the axe wielding woman.

Although the escorts are barely fending off the mutant orcs, they are not in trouble at the moment. I quickly take this time to check the notifications and skim through the useless ones. I come across several notification windows that pique my interest...

has entered the Apprentice Circle of comphrension! You have leveled up! You are now Level 28. has entered the Adept Circle of comprehension! You have leveled up! You are now Level 29. You have reached the pinnacle of Level 29! To level up further, please choose your first profession research path from the list. The available paths have been calculated and compiled through your combat movement, skill usage, tactics and current abilities. All experience points you acquire during this point will stored temporarily. Once you have picked and confirmed your research path, all experience points stored will be released to your character.

Ah... I hope I get enough time to strengthen my character before I get cut in half by that greatsword....

"Sarah, please protect me for a moment, I need some time to prepare."

Sensing an incoming plan... which is not quite incorrect, Sarah nods quickly before helping me back on to my feet. I sit in a seiza position as it is the most familiar and comfortable position for me to think in. Concentrating on the window that tells me about picking the innate ability, the window blinks before disappearing. Several new windows appear in its place:

Innate Ability - is now active. Mana Circuit Computer

System Type: Innate System Proficiency: System Class: System Display Circle: System Cost: N/A Rank:

The Clearmind's innate ability are known as "System Abilities" since all of them have to do with magic computers and electronics. gives the Clearmind a much-needed heads-up display to efficiently manage his or her abilities while collecting and sorting data. When active, the HUD displays a small transparent health bar (in red), mana bar (in blue) and stamina bar (in green) in the upper left corner of the user's vision. It also allows the user to sort through information and data without having to call up the opaque system windows.

The MCC system also allows the user to absorb residual magic particles to charge an auxiliary battery. This battery has four sections to it and can be used to boost or change the nature of other abilities (indicator next to the health, mana and stamina bars). The boost and change of abilities depend on which mode the user is currently in.

Additional MCC Attributes

Electronic Distribution (Casual): +15% Mana recovery outside of combat Electronic Distribution (Critical): +50% Mana recovery during combat Energy Discharge system: All magic attack power +2% Please choose a corresponding ability that suits your needs and/or likes. System Refit - Aggressor

Ability Type: Mode Shift Proficiency: 0.00% Ability Class: Offensive/Rush Circle: N/A Ability Cost: N/A Rank: N/A

Along with the , the Clearmind will need to specify his or her experimentation and upgrades to maximize combat and non-combat research. Aggressor Mode allows the Clearmind to shift its system specifications to a new combat mode. increases the user's mobility, physical power and magic resistance, allowing the Clearmind to rush head-first into a battle. This mode focuses on aggressive rushes and powerful beat-downs to dominate the opponent. Never stopping nor relaxing, Aggressor Mode gives the Clearmind an overwhelming edge in close-combat.

----------Strengths----------

Increased close-combat capabilities Powerful, relentless attacks that extend combos Quick, strong burst damage techniques ----------Weaknesses----------

Very few ranged options Lacks effective defensive techniques Below average normal attack power Primary Signature Abilities Particle Crash - Secondary Signature Abilities System Acceleration - System Refit - Imperial

Ability Type: Mode Shift Proficiency: 0.00% Ability Class: Tactical Command

Circle: N/A Ability Cost: N/A Rank: N/A

Along with the , the Clearmind will need to specify his or her experimentation and upgrades to maximize combat and non-combat research. Imperial Mode allows the Clearmind to shift its system specifications to a new combat mode. gives the user the ability to control and manipulate mechanical drones, automated weaponry and other mana-reliant machinery. The Clearmind with Imperial system refit has sharply increased wisdom and dexterity to control multiple automated weapons and drones at once. This allows the user to summon and manipulate machinery to attack or defend.

----------Strengths----------

Heightened versatility at ranged combat Continuous and siege ranged fire support Great against both single and multiple targets ----------Weaknesses----------

Below average physical defensive capabilities May become distracted from dangers during drone deployment Below average close-combat abilities Primary Signature Abilities Static Lock-on - Secondary Signature Abilities System Configuration - System Refit - Dominion

Ability Type: Mode Shift Proficiency: 0.00% Ability Class: Tactical Control

Circle: N/A Ability Cost: N/A Rank: N/A

Along with the , the Clearmind will need to specify his or her experimentation and upgrades to maximize combat and non-combat research. Dominion Mode allows the Clearmind to shift its system specifications to a new combat mode. changes the user's abilities to those that focus on field control and restrictions. The Clearmind with this system refit will gain access to abilities that impedes and weakens enemies while allowing allies to remain at their best. With the research focusing on energy prisons, fields and other manipulation tools, Dominion mode becomes a lethal asset within a party.

----------Strengths----------

Powerful field control and manipulation related abilities Strong resistance to negative status effects Extremely effective against groups of enemies ----------Weaknesses----------

Below average direct combat capabilities Very few offensive techniques and skills Requires high amounts of mana to operate Primary Signature Abilities Optical Field - Secondary Signature Abilities System Overcharge -

So I get to choose between a close-combat specialist, a ranged support fighter or a field control mage-like profession. I take note of the current situation and quickly make my choice.

System Refit - Aggressor has been chosen

A silvery light shines from my body as the system implements research path I have chosen. Within two seconds, I can feel my character's body becoming more agile and stronger.

You are now Level 30 as you have picked your first research path. Your status window will change in accordance with this new profession system. You have received 5 bonus stat points as you have reached Level 30. You have leveled up! You are now Level 31 You have leveled up! You are now Level 32 You have leveled up! You are now Level 33

I quickly open my status information to add the additional stat points before going over the changes. I should allocate the 23 additional stat points to suit this situation. It looks like my abilities rose considerably after I switched off the notifications; after placing the additional points into the stats, my combat capability is now greater than before the changes. As a bonus of the profession path advancement, the pain from being bulldozed by the varaug has disappeared while my health and mana has been replenished.

Status Infomation Name: Yukianesa Profession: Clearmind Level: 33 Class Path: Aggressor Gender: Female Research Tier: I Race: Kitsune Sub Profession:

N/A Equipped Title Virtuous Maiden Rank (Social Class) Honorary City Guard Fame: 58 Infamy: 0 - Health: 475 / 475 Health Recovery: 0.23 / Sec Mana: 470 / 470 Mana Recovery: 0.47 / Sec Stamina: 100 / 100 Stamina Recovery: 0.3 / Sec - Strength: 45 Dexterity: 61 Vitality: 25 Agility: 67 Intelligence: 52 Wisdom: 52 Reflex: 10 Endurance: 5 Charisma: 80 Luck: 0 - Physical Attack: 43 ~ 56 Physical Defense: 66 Magical Attack: 37 ~ 50 Magical Defense: 31 Physical Modifiers Slash: 100% Pierce: 100% Crush: 100% Blast: 100% Elemental Modifiers Fire: 100% Water: 100% Wind: 90% Earth: 100% Ice: 100% Lightning: 90% Light: 80% Darkness: 80% Mind: 50% Void: 90%

Well, my level is not high enough to utilize the . I will have to rely on the for now. Let's see what the two new abilities I have recieved from this advancement.

*Ding!*

Particle Crash

Type: Offensive Proficiency: - Class: Magic Burst Circle: - Mana Cost: 15MP Rank: - [Mana] - - -

Throw a heavy punch reinforced by mana particles that glow with a luminous lavender purple light. On impact, the mana particles that power the technique disperses in a convex lens pattern, forming a barrier like shape before vanishing. This technique The punch will stagger the target unless the target is able to resist it. The number of times you can active it consecutively increases as you research and improve upon this technique.

Current activation limit: 3

Requirement: Basic Mana Reactor

Cooldown: 8 sec

--- --- ---

Can only be upgraded through experimentation and enhancements

Technique Damage Max Hit Type Reinforced Punch 160% 1 P-Crush Particle Dispersion 35% 1 M-Blast System Acceleration

Skill Type: Support Proficiency: - Skill Class: Enhancement Circle: - Skill Cost: N/A Rank: -

System Acceleration enhances and streamlines magical energy use to boost the activation speed and power of techniques and other skills that require the use of mana. Because of the steramlined and sped-up mana flow, this skill also allows the use of special accelerated combat abilities.

---Skill Information---

Magic-enhanced attack speed +2%

Magic-enhanced techique activation speed +2%

Particle Spike: has a 0.5% chance of generating an additional particle burst that does 15% magical damage. Mana Reroute: has a 0.5% chance of converting 50% of incoming magic damage into usable mana.. Electronic Tracer: Enables the use mana-powered movement in short bursts (max range: 0.75 meters).

Requirement: Basic Mana Reactor

Electronic Tracer Cooldown: 7 sec

--- --- ---

Can only be upgraded through experimentation and enhancements

The primary signature ability is an active technique that gives me a new close-combat option. will let me deal nearly twice the amount of damage in short bursts as well staggering those I attack. The secondary signature ability is a passive skill that gives me more freedom in movement as well as a couple of fairly weak (at this time) special abilities. Even so, this will give me a better chance at holding off long enough for the reinforcements to arrive. If only I can use the technique to analyze the armored war chieftan for information....

Okay, I don't have time to consider anything else. Standing up, I find Sarah staring at me. I think the she noticed the silverish light that emanated from my body during the advancement and was surprised. I quickly take note of the current situation and ready myself for battle. I should test

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