It was night time Leo was scraping something. In the room slight light was flickering out of the lamp. He was staying at silla's home. He first wanted to go to an inn but silla insisted.
He was sitting in front of the table, in hand was an old rusty dagger he was cleaning rust.
On the way here he bought some material from the merchant guild it took all his money that he just got from silla as a packet.
On the table were multiple things he is about to do evolution of his tools.
He was unconscious for one day and night because of the impurities of a potion he took. At time of crisis his origin eye activated itself and saved him, though he didn't know how.
He is homeless because a criminal was found around his home. High authorities wanted to capture that criminal so they have no choice but to use force. Because of force everything around them wrecked. And Leo started to crave power, so that no one can hurt his loved ones. First he thought that was far fetched because of his non combat awakening. He can't make fireballs he can't use swords as well as sword awakeners. But he was wrong. On that day when the fight was going on, he saw 3 B Rankers fighting an old man. The old man wasn't using any skills to attack. Instead he was using other means. He was using a bead that can make a huge blast, he had a cloak that can make him faster or maybe even teleport but teleportation, he only heard in fiction never heard an awakener can teleport.
He was only using gears not inner skill. Even still he was going toe to toe with those B rankers.
But that doesn't make him in awe of the old man. On that day to keep up with their speed he used the origin eye, because of that skill he was able to gaze at the old man. Of course he wasn't able to see much but he saw that the old man was seriously injured already before the fight. His mana output was only that of a C Rank. And still was able to go toe to toe with not just one but 3 B Ranker. B rankers are called Rankers because A Rank's absence makes them the most powerful existence.
"The old man would have killed them if not for that mysterious mist user." Leo thought.
"If that old man can make that level of use then why not me I even have a huge advantage over any treasure tool user." He took a garland, a pendant was hanging on it.
[Munic's Bosom]
» Grade: Golden E Rank
» Type: Utility tool
Description: There was a monk whose core was destroyed. After countless years of hard work he made an accessory to assist him.
[ Hidden Evolution Path]
[Grade: D Rank]
» 1. Purify the core with moon water.
» 2. Grind the Mana Infusion Crystal into fine dust and sprinkle over the pendant while focusing elemental intent on it.
» 3. Use life essence of fire affinity D Rank monster.
It was the pandent he bought from Ren's shop after upgrading it. First it was only ordinary garland but after upgrading it became an accessory usable for an awakener. Leo wasn't sure what this thing was supposed to do he tried to somehow use it but to no avail. But after carefully reading its description he understood that it can be used for external assistants to activate any skill but only for whose mana core doesn't work.
"It's an amazing treasure. I have never heard of anything like this. But pity i can't use it. An assistant for mana disabled awakener. If I sell it, i can make profit but let's sell after an upgrade. After all who would want an E Rank core."
"It's time i upgrade this stupid dagger."
A chipped dagger of iron:
[Hidden Path: Vorpal Blade of the Executioner.]
[Grade: Silver A-Rank]
» 1. Soak in coagulated blood of genieosourus's gland for two hours
» 2. Use A rank monster beast's blood essence and core.
Of course he doesn't have A Rank core and infamous genieosourus's gland Essence. So he is going to use a low level beasts core and an E Rank lizard's gland.
"It wants me to find A rank core and A rank Lizard's gland. It takes more than just one A Rank awakener to kill A Rank monsters. And they can only be found in the great eastern mountain. Humanity's first line of defence." Leo grumbled inside.
He finished cleaning rust out of the dagger he blew a mouthful of air on it. And dipped inside a bowl, inside it was jellylike liquid.
*****
Leo was startled awake from his nap after sensing a little disturbance around him. It was a bowl that was attracting mana in the vicinity.
"Is it already two hours."
He was excited to see its results. All coagulated blood was thinned. It only had slight redness it also became liquid.
"Let's use this core, that old man wanted to sell but it's in my possession now. D-Rank huh!"
Cores held the strength of the monster when they were alive, they are parallel to mana cores for monsters. When an awakened human dies their mana cores die too. But the monsters core remains which is why they are used in potion making, artifact making etc., that awakeners can use.
Leo started transferring cores energy into dagger and soon it was completed. Dagger was now pulsing with energy Leo felt like it could cut through anything.
"Appraise"
[Wimp's Pocket Knife ]
"W-what!!? W-wimp.."
[ Grade:- Golden E-rank]
» Type:- weapon
Description:- There was a destitute wimp who wished to make treasure out of the trash but he was a jackleg, instead of treasure he turned treasure into trash.
Can be used for killing outskirt rats.
[No further evolution possible]
" W-what!!!? Just E Rank, I used a D rank monster core. And there are no further upgrades." Leo grasped his head in shock.
"Wait.. who is he talking about? Don't tell me.. it is aiming at me." Leo was flabbergasted.
" Damnation, even my aide is mocking me, am I really weak?" Leo said in disbelief.
"Let me see what that old man's dagger looks like." The old man's shop had a dagger that Leo is currently in possession of.
[Peak's Iron Dagger]
» Grade:- Silver E Rank
» Type:- Weapon
Description:- Dagger made out of the peak's Iron with outstanding craftsmanship. Can easily slice through ordinary D Rank.
[Use Origin Eye to see hidden evolution path]
" Y-you.? Why is it like this. One is jackleg while the other is appraised as outstanding. This is so...?" He bashed his hand on the table.
'Whatever, one day I will make it speechless.'
He just lumped himself in bed.
******
In the morning Leo ate breakfast at Ember's Pot. He woke up early and he had to go to the academy. And soon was standing on the training ground. The strict looking instructor was speaking on the podium.
"There will soon be a selection test for the National Academy Trial. From this academy in Vance City, a few outstanding students will be chosen to participate."
"That is why, the selection will begin today. You will face real monsters and be evaluated accordingly." Instructor instructed.
A black haired youth raised his hand and asked "Teacher jason! Are you saying that non combat wouldn't be participating."
"Noah! Of course you wouldn't be participating in combat instead you will be given a special situation according to your class." Instructor encapsulated.
The instructor reached into his coat and took out a small leather pouch. With a faint flash of light, a beast suddenly emerged from it. "It is my tamed beast." Instructor bellowed. "Who will fight it first?"
For a moment students were quit then a boy with blond hair, pock marked face, moved forward and said "Its just a rabbit what's there to fight. If you are all hesitating then, I will be the first."
Everyone was quiet not because of fear, in reality no one wanted to face a cute and small bunny. Their pride as awakeners wouldn't allow it. Everyone knew it was the pet of instructor jason.
"He never ceased to embarrass himself." A student with a pale face said.
Instructor jason lifted his brows and said "Ohh! One thing I forgot to say. My chika is an awakened beast, ranked as D"
"W-what!!!?" Everyone was shocked as they bellowed.
"Teacher jason, who are you fooling, i wouldn't buy it" Pock marked student spoke again in disbelief.
"You don't need to. You go and sit at a non combat group. Who said I will let you fight. Aren't you awakened as a potion brewer." Jason snapped.
"Humph!! Do you think I will sit back and make potions. I have been learning sword since childhood. I wanted to be as great as the hero Aurelius." Joshua cried. He wanted to be awakened as a combat class but he was awakened as a potion brewer.
Jason sighed and said "I know how good you are at sword but you cannot fight a beast who has a core."
"Whatever, I will fight." Joshua made his stand clear. The instructor sighed "ugh! you will learn the hard way."
Joshua took his sword out and became combat ready. The instructor gave his pet instructions.
Rabbit's eyes glowed red and dashed forward, in an instant it was in front of Joshua. Joshua barely stopped a paw with his sword as shield before he forced 10 steps back. He didn't get to breath as a paw stronger than a punch came again. He directly slashed horizontally, one after another attack came and Joshua was barely able to parry. Soon Joshua was in sweat. He was still holding on.
"Wow! I didn't know a rabbit can be a martial artist. It surely is spectacular." One of the students wondered.
"What a waste of time. He should just go and make potions why does he need to do this. If everyone can fight monsters, why combat and non combat classes exist." A handsome boy with good clothing spoke in a nonchalant tone. He was surrounded by two boys.