Spiriture

Chapter Two

On the way home, Lucas was still marvelled by that insane experience. He questioned the system hoping for an answer.

You can hear my thoughts right? Lucas asked internally to the mysterious voice inside his brain.

(Yes) The system answered immediately after the request.

What actually are you? Lucas questioned further.

(I don’t remember, you can think of me as a system assisting you to improve) The system answered in a toneless voice.

What does that emotion point do then? Lucas questioned in curiosity thinking back of the previous mission.

(You can trade Emotion Points for prices and objects in the store or spinning wheel opportunities with enough emotion points)

How can I find the store? Lucas inquired, his curiosity piqued.

(I can present it to you) The system responded, and suddenly, a two-dimensional store materialised in Lucas's vision, reminiscent of stores in video games. It was neatly divided into various sections.

“Packages, skills, elixirs, stones, tools, and Spirit Powers!" Lucas exclaimed with excitement as he took in the array of items that could use in his development. Even skills like sword mastery were available in the store. However, as he examined the prices, his enthusiasm gave way to a deep breath. Everything was exorbitantly expensive. A small amount of Spirit Power had cost him ten thousand emotion points. He had earned himself a mere hundred emotion points by enraging that Cowface creature. How could any emotion he caused be worth millions? Lucas grasped the system's objectives, categories, and operations. His goal was clear now: to join the Spiriture training programs and provoke people to anger. Compared to eliciting happiness, boredom, or jealousy, emotions like annoyance and anger were obviously the easiest emotions to collect.

"Also, shouldn't I have another talent?" Lucas queried, noting that all talents came with two different skills. "And how does the mission work?" He was puzzled by the exorbitant price of the spinning wheel, even though he had earned it easily by running two hundred metres just moments ago.

(Your other talent is internal storage; you can collect anything into your palm and transfer it to your own personal dimension that only you can access. However, your current storage is only ten metres cubed. It will increase as you develop your Spirit Power. Missions will occur whenever needed with great rewards.)

Lucas's heart leaped with contentment. Teleportation and internal storage were incredibly convenient abilities, even if they didn't possess immense power. They meant he'd never need to carry a bag for the rest of his life or walk for long distances. As he gazed at the store and contemplated his newfound talents, Lucas began to plan how best to enhance his power using this mysterious system.

Lucas arrived home with huge excitement looking at all four of his family members.

“I have something to announce.” Lucas declared standing in front of the door next to the living room, where all his families were.

“You are pregnant?” Lucas’s little sister Maggie shouted in joy as she jumped out of her bedroom.

“Shut up Maggie, I have made up my idea to join the Spirit program at school!” Lucas announced, trying to sound surprising.

“K.” His dad simply replied while watching the television while his mom just ignored him.

“Wait, do you guys know I got a talent?” Lucas hesitantly asked, confused by their peculiar reaction. Thinking it was like genetics to have the system.

“What? You got a Talent!” All three of his family members shouted in surprise.

“If you guys don’t know, then why none of you got a reaction for me to join Spiritures?” Lucas yelled madly as his surprise became boring.

George Wayne looked at his son and answered in surprise, “I just thought that you are failing academically anyways, so at least training physicality can make you work for longer hours at Fried Chicken.”

Lucas stared at his dad speechless then turned to the rest of his family.

“Lucas, how did you get a talent?” Lucas’s mum, Jane asked seriously.

“Look I was on the black mountain and a Mysterious suddenly ran out from the Fog. Then I magically feeled a sense of Spirit power and earned a talent.” Lucas explained hiding the existence of the system.

“Then I started running away from it till a Spiriture came and rescued me.” Lucas continued.

“Oh my god, why would you goto the black mountain anyways, it’s so dangerous. What happens if that Spiriture didn’t arrive?” Jane asked worriedly also in exasperation with the dangerous acts his son commits.

“What’s your talent?” Maggie interrupted in excitement.

“Take a guess, think of the greatest talent you’ve heard of.” Lucas said jokingly.

“Just tell me!” Maggie yelled.

“Fine, it’s Space control.”

“Space control!” the entire family repeated in joy and huge astonishment.

“No way, that’s sick!” Maggie yelled crazily jumping across the couches.

“Ok Lucas, I’ll bring you to change the course tomorrow morning as soon as we wake up, yeah?” George said with an irresistible smile on his face.

“Oh yeah! My son, space control!” George murmured as he turned back to be ready for the show off tomorrow.

Lucas also went back to his room soon after, as he stepped inside he pulled out the Spirit stone he earned from his internal storage.

Hey system, do you know what element this stone is? Lucas asked internally to system ready to absorb the Spirit power within it.

(This is a physical element Stone, although it doesn’t necessarily correspond with your Talent, but it can improve your Spirit power and physicality.)

That’ll work, Lucas thought then began absorbing the stone. From the gathering of Spirit power around the atmosphere and the stone, Lucas soon developed to the next stage, nearly reaching the limit of Bronze 2.

Worthy of a Silver rank Lucas thought of feeling the huge development of Spirit Power within his body and the improvement on his muscles and strength.

Forgot to check my Emotion Points, Lucas thought before going to bed.

1121 a number immediately appeared in Lucas’s brain, his Emotion Points grew rapidly from the joy his new Talent brought to the family, yet still slowly increasing. George is having a good dream, Lucas thought silently in his mind.

The second day Lucas and Geroge woke up extra early to go to change the course.

“Hold up, I’ll buy you a gift first, for your first day training.” George stopped the car next to a Spiriture store where they got out of the car and then walked towards the opened door.

“Good morning, how can I help you guys today?” The lady in front asked politely.

“How did you know my son got Space control yesterday?” George asked back.

The lady paused awkwardly looking at Lucas, mouth wide open, partially because of the fact that Lucas got space control, partially because of the embarrassment from a completely unrelated topic, after a couple seconds of awkwardness, finally she said,”how amazing, that means you are the second Space control in the world today. You should certainly get the best equipment here.” The lady continued resolving the embarrassment.

“Hahaha, yes we’ll look around for the best.” George replied, unable to stop laughing from the compliment.

“We have numerous Spirit stones ranging from Bronze, to silver, also some armoury or weapons if you need.”

“Lucas, you decide.” George looked over to Lucas.

Lucas stepped forward then politely asked if there’s anything Space related in the store.

“No sorry, I don’t think anyone really has Space related objects except for the government.” The lady looked at Lucas in respect, just comprehending the weight of the new Space control talent.

Having thoroughly examined all the items and sought the system's opinion, Lucas made his decision. He opted for a bronze-ranked sword infused with the power of fire, hoping to bolster his rather lacking offensive capabilities.

Exiting the store, Lucas and George made their way to school. As they entered the campus, a figure suddenly stepped into their path, blocking their way forward.

“Hi excuse me, I’m Sam, can we just have a quick minute.” Sam asked as he put his hand out to George and Lucas.

Lucas firmly shaked Sam’s hand as he introduced to George that Sam was the one to save his life yesterday.

“I went back yesterday, informing my division about Lucas’s present. However, we found out that literally nobody know about you, and you didn’t even participate into the Spiriture trainings.” Sam slowly addressed his concern to George while looking over at Lucas.

“So my division assigned me to come communicate with you about your personal willingness to become a Spiriture. Based on how excellent your talent is, we really do think it’s a great loss to Lensland and to your family if you don’t plan to become a Spiriture.” Sam looked into George and Lucas’s eyes seeking an opportunity for Lucas to become a Spiriture.

George bursted out into laughter, “hahaha, yes, that’s why we are here, we just realised that Lucas earned Space control, so we came today to try to put him into the Spiriture program.” George said confidently with pride.

“Oh that’s great, do you guys mind if I come along, I know the head of Spiriture here at Grammar, I can try to earn your family the best school resources as Lucas is talented.”

“That’ll be perfect,” George replied friendly, while holding a deep appreciation to Sam about saving Lucas’s life.

As the three walked along to the department, Sam introduced the head of the Spiriture department. His name is Michael Brown, he was a warrior of the previous era, his ranking dropped from diamond to amber on a mission. He faced a radiant ranked terrorist alone saving the whole city from destruction, waiting for the supply force to arrive. When the supply force arrived half of Michael’s body was gone, losing a leg forever. His rank also dropped to amber due to the over mass destruction to his body. And he was unable to pass the barrier of Amber again. After retirement he decided on his occupation in Nuanda Grammar, being the head of the Spiriture department.

Arriving at the room in the back of the school, George knocked onto the door of the office.

“Come in,” A rough voice of a man passed out from the room.

Lucas walked inside seeing a middle aged man sitting up straight on his leather chair. His hair is short with good care. Although his covering wrinkles on his face showed the influence of time, the pair of brilliant eyes expressed his vivid energy. His shoes were bright and polished, foldless suit presented a sense of great professionalism and skill. Half of his pants seem rather empty with a reflection of light from the steel manufactured leg.

“Mr. Brown,”

“Oh hi Sam,” Michael Brown greeted as he looked around the three, suddenly, his gaze stopped on Lucas.

“Space control?” Michael murmured hesitantly,

“Yeah, this is why we came, we just found out yesterday that my son, Lucas, has developed the talent Space control.” George explained.

“How old is he?” Michael asked with seriousness.

“He is fifteen.”

“Fifteen?” Michael Brown repeated in confusion, “How is this possible, are you confident of his age?” He asked for reassurance.

“We are positive.” George answered.

“Of course, but you should realise this has never happened to anyone ever. I’ll speak to a friend of mine, he is the professor of Spirit study, we should check over his body to make sure his actual age furthermore, he is highly valuable as this is the first instance recorded to develop a talent at the age of fifteen.” Michael discussed seriously, then continuing, “furthermore, he may join the spiriture program but all the other kids his age, have over three years of experience. Some even going beyond Silver, Lucas certainly should become a Spiriture because of Space control. But don’t rush on the ranking as later on it’s going to get harder. And we will try our best to help him develop.” Michael said firmly, piercing fire seems to cross beyond his eyes. As he might’ve just discovered the leading tower for the future of Lensland in the next era.

The first risen Space traveller Lu had allowed Lensland to ascend from the bottom of the countries to becoming a top five empire in Atlantis, no one knows what the second Space control talent will lead Lensland to. Although Michael retired, the nationalism of a Spiriture is still rooted in his mind.

“I will put you in class one first with Mr. Flynn, then I’ll inform the upper division of Spritirue to see the best treatment for you.” Michael concluded.

“Ok thank you.” Lucas replied with satisfaction, as he knows for a fact that there are eight classes in the Spiriture program and the ability of the classes ascends from eight to one, meaning class one is full of the most talented and powerful students in the school.

“I’ll take you there now actually and you two…” Michael said looking back at Sam and George, logically saying non school members are not allowed to access the school classrooms however, Sam is a professional Spiriture and George is the dad of a Space control Talented student.

“We’ll leave,” George said, looking over at Sam checking his response. Sam felt George’s attention and nodded in agreement.

“Take care Mr. Brown,” Sam and George said respectfully.

“I will.”

Lucas and Michael walked right into the class when the bell rang, most of the students were already seated. Lucas saw Pake in the centre of the classroom next to two guys he has met before, Angus and Kit.

“Mr. Flynn, this is Lucas, he will be coming to your class today. He is fifteen but apparently he just developed his Talent yesterday.” Michael Brown introduced.

“Bronze two… Space control!” Mr. Flynn’s facial expression altered from confusion to shock, as he realised Lucas’s value.

“Ok, take a seat anywhere Lucas, later I’ll teach you how to hide the expression of your Spirit power so others can’t see your Talent, so you don’t attract excessive danger.” Mr. Flynn looked over at Lucas worriedly scared that other forces may harm him. To exterminate future development of Lucas also Lensland. Michael Brown nodded with agreement understanding the dangers Lucas will experience after other forces find out his existence.

Hearing Mr. Flynn, Lucas walked up to the seat next to Pake while Michael Brown and Mr. Flynn continued discussing his existence.

Pake looked across at Lucas in surprise.

“Lucas, what are you doing here?” Pake questioned in confusion.

“Simple, I’ve joined the Spiriture program.” Lucas replied, smiling at Pake.

“But I thought you didn’t have a Talent?”

“I was just trying to not make you feel bad cause it might hurt your dignity to know how talented I am.” Lucas answered jokingly.

“Nah seriously though.” Pake continued asking.

“I just got my Talent yesterday.” Lucas replied genuinely this time.

“How is this possible?”

“I don’t know, I just did.”

“What’s your talent then?” Pake leaned over against Lucas intending to sense his expression of Spirit power. “This is so weird, I’ve never sensed anything similar.” Pake felt as he closed his eyes trying to identify the type of Spirit power Lucas has.

“Don’t even try, you won’t guess it” Lucas looked over at Pake teasingly, enjoying the sense of mystery and also gaining emotional points from Pake. “It’s space control.” Lucas said calmingly after having enough of teasing Pake.

“Space control!” Pake exclaimed in shock, hearing Pake, Angus and Kit came across looking at Lucas in astonishment.

“No way you have Space control.” Kit said shockingly not believing the information.

“Yes I did.” Lucas nodded, “Calm down boys, someone great like me obviously is going to get something like Space control.” Lucas said self obsessively.

“Pake looked away disgustingly, as the class finally began.

As Michael Brown left the room Mr. Flynn stepped on top of the stage.

“Today, we have a new student, Lucas. Do you want to introduce yourself?” Mr. Flynn asked, looking over at Lucas.

“Year sure, high ladies and gentleman, I’m Lucas Wayne,” Lucas stood up, bowing to the much smaller classroom. Because of the giant population in Atlantis, generally classes have more than eighty people, but there are only about twenty in this class. “I’m quite a brilliant, handsome, hot, muscular, athletic…” Lucas continued introducing himself, listing a series of unlimited adjectives to describe himself. As Lucas was struggling to think of more words, he also checked the income of Emotion Points. Over twenty people have provided him numerous Emotion Points from, annoyance, boredom, anger… Especially Mr. Flynn, his Emotion Points of anger did not stop.

“Lucas, you can step outside now.” Mr. Flynn ordered exasperatedly pointing outside.

“Noooooo,” Lucas yelled devastatingly like the entire universe just exploded not because he misbehaved for the first day but because he lost his chance to gain more Emotion Points.

Lucas slowly walked outside as he checked the total amount of Emotion Points collected. He has over three thousand Emotion Points now, he gained almost half of that just then. “Looks like the key to gaining Points is to piss everyone off in a public area” Lucas quietly murmured summarising the secret to earn Emotion Points.

After a few moments, Lucas heard Mr. Flynn’s voice telling him to come back into the room.

In the rest of the class Lucas just listened silently as he realised the values of the information and he needed to catch up to their work for three years. Learning all the combat and Spirit Power knowledge is essential for him to continue developing. Thankfully Lucas often researched related topics about Spiriture combats and Spirit powers so he could understand the information being taught.

After class when Lucas wanted to go practice in the training rooms like Pake, Mr. Flynn called him over.

“Stay back Lucas, I need to teach you how to hide your expression of Spirit Power, everyone else in the class has learnt it, but since you just joined you don’t know it yet.” Mr. Flynn said.

“That sounds good,” Lucas said, also understanding the dangers he and his family will encounter after the wicked people discover his Talent. Competition between Spiriture power of countries has been very intense, some opposite forces may even send assassination over to end the developing Spiritures.

With the direct tutoring from Mr. Flynn, Lucas quickly adapted the new technique, no one could sense his expression of Spirit Power now. Which gave Lucas great confidence as he only took a couple minutes to understand and utilise the technique when this might take hours for others.

“Not bad,” Mr. Flynn witnessed the entire process of Lucas’s learning; he was also surprised with his talent.

Lucas then went to the training room along with Pake who was practising the speed of his fireball. Lucas observed for a while and asked if Pake would try to hit him while he teleports.

“You can teleport as well!” Pake asked in jealousy, knowing the significance of teleportation’s mobility provides in combats.

“Easy bro,” Lucas said as he teleported behind Pake and kneed him on the bottom.

“You are dead,” Pake yelled furiously, shooting fireballs at Lucas. However the burning heat from the fireball causes no effect in the room. The walls around the training room are developed with Spirit Power able to behold attack from gold levelled Spiritures.

Throughout the entire afternoon, Pake and Lucas engaged in rigorous training with one another. Pake quickly recognized Lucas's exceptional reaction time and combat techniques. While he knew that Lucas often engaged in physical exercise and combat training, it was during this session that he truly grasped the awe-inspiring nature of Lucas's abilities, especially with the added mobility of Space control. What truly left Pake astounded was Lucas's astonishing adaptability with a sword; it was as if Lucas were a natural sword-fighting genius. Despite never having wielded a sword before in his life, Lucas displayed a mastery of attack angles that far exceeded his Bronze 2 ranking.

"Damn, you're actually so fast," Pake remarked after the training, a hint of exhaustion in his voice as they concluded their training. He looked over at Lucas, who had collapsed onto the ground. Observing Lucas in this state, Pake couldn't help but appreciate his remarkable physical endurance, a quality that enabled him to keep up with the demanding training regimen. The disparity in physical endurance between a Bronze 9 and a Bronze 2 was substantial, every increase in Spirit Power brought with it improved athletic performance and muscle mass for the Spiritures.

"Bro, do you need to go to the health clinic? I don't think you can attend the physical training this afternoon," Pake inquired with genuine concern, noting how utterly drained Lucas appeared.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine," Lucas replied, sprawled out on the floor, feeling the coolness of the ground against his sweat-drenched body. As he lay there, years of frustration and inner turmoil seemed to dissipate with his perspiration. All those early mornings, the solitary training accompanied by the marginal brightness from the street lights, all the unnoticed sacrifices he'd made for his undying passion to become a Spiriture – it had all been to avoid burdening his family with sympathy for his relentless dedication. He had concealed his struggles with off-task behaviour and acting like he didn't care about his future, all to protect himself from the fear of giving up on becoming a Spiriture. What if he abandoned his dream, and then miracles occurred, leaving him unprepared? What about all those hours of arduous training, the early wake-ups – would they all have been worthless?

But today, he trained with a purpose. Today, he saw progress amid his hard work, even if it was just surviving Pake's fireballs. Finally, there was a clear path ahead. Lucas's vision began to blur, and crystalline tears welled up and drifted down his cheeks. The exhaustion in his body beckoned him to sleep, but the ache in his muscles served as a tangible reminder of the wonderful reality, all these years of training, he finally saw a clear path.

That’s right, a clear path.