The uses still weren't over…
-Erratic Mana Field: When activated, the orb can alter the nature of surrounding mana, making it erratic and unpredictable. This disrupts mana control for anyone other than the wielder.
-Controlled Mana Amplification: The orb allows the wielder to amplify the potency of their attacks or abilities. By flooding a technique with excess mana drawn from the orb, the wielder can boost the strength, size, and effectiveness of attacks or defenses, making ordinary techniques exponentially more powerful.
-Mana Signature Cloak: By channeling mana from the orb, the wielder can cloak their own mana signature entirely, becoming undetectable to even the most advanced mana sensors.
Atticus was speechless again. He had seen Ae'ark use this orb during their battle, but he had never imagined it would be so powerful. It was unbelievable.
His mind swirled with possibilities. If he could master everything he had just obtained, Atticus could hardly imagine a scenario where he would ever lose, except against a paragon. It seemed almost impossible.
Shifting his gaze to the other gifts in the room, he focused on those from the tier one families. Each family had sent something, some arts, and others artifacts, but one item caught his attention in particular.
Atticus walked over to what looked like an incubator, and inside its glass chamber was a pitch black egg.
'What the hell…'
Atticus was baffled. Was that… a beast? He didn't have much knowledge of this area, but the crest of the Frostbane family etched on the incubator said it all.
Channel your mana into the incubator.
Atticus read the text on the incubator and immediately complied. Channeling his mana into it, he watched as blue lines spread from the point of contact, streaking into the egg. Vein like marks ignited in an intense blue around its surface, and as the light dimmed, Atticus felt a connection form, a deep, undeniable bond with the egg.
He couldn't quite explain it, but he could feel the egg's heartbeat.
'Incredible,' Atticus thought, his excitement reaching new heights. The connection went beyond what he had expected; he felt as though a part of himself was within the egg.
He knew instinctively that, no matter how far apart they were, he would always be able to sense its location, and it would sense his.
'But what kind of beast is it?' he wondered, still unable to identify it. Deciding to investigate further later, Atticus turned his focus back to the other gifts.
After reviewing the remaining items, he found a few useful ones, though of lower quality compared to the gifts from the dragon and Aeonian races. He decided not to rush into learning anything new just yet; his hands were already full, and no matter how powerful an art was, it would be of little use if he couldn't find the time to train it.
Atticus stored all the gifts in his space storage, leaving only the egg outside. Just as he was about to leave the room, he suddenly felt his heartbeat quicken.
'What?…'
Atticus sensed distress and turned to see the egg reacting. It didn't want to be separated from him.
He sighed. It seemed he was already becoming a parent. Using air control, he lifted the incubator off the ground and carried it with him.
As Atticus headed to the advanced training room, he masked his presence to avoid any distractions. Upon entering, he saw Magnus waiting for him, unsurprised.
At this point, it seemed as though Magnus practically lived in the training room, or he somehow always knew when Atticus was coming.
"You bonded with it," Magnus noted, eyeing the egg behind Atticus.
'It's restless,' Atticus thought, sensing the egg's emotions.
"Grandpa, could you tone down your aura?"
Magnus nodded, and the heavy pressure that permeated the training room lifted. Magnus hadn't fully unleashed his aura, but his mere presence placed a significant burden on the atmosphere. By now, however, Atticus was so accustomed to the pressure that he barely felt it.
After Magnus retracted his aura, Atticus set the incubator down by his side. He sensed the egg's unease, but as he assured it he wasn't going far, it quickly settled down.
Atticus then explained everything that had happened with the gifts, and Magnus nodded thoughtfully when he finished.
"That is a soulkin," Magnus explained. "They're rare. Very rare. Once you bond, they'll absorb parts of you, your strength, instincts, and even some of your abilities. As you grow stronger, so will it. Think of it as a lifelong partner that evolves alongside you."
Atticus was stunned, as was Magnus.
"Soulkins are a heritage of the Frostbane family. Their numbers are so limited that only their alpha is typically allowed to bond with one. For the Frostbane family to give you something of such value…"
Atticus barely registered Magnus's last words; his mind was racing with thoughts of the soulkin's abilities. It seemed almost too good to be true, and a sliver of fear crept in.
'Everything is going too well,' he thought, wondering if it was all a trick. But he quickly shook his head. 'Always live in the present,' he reminded himself. This was the reality in front of him, and he would embrace it.
'Soulkin…'
As he said the word in his mind, the egg trembled in excitement, as if it were delighted that he had called to it.
"So, what form will it take?" he asked after a moment.
"From what I've heard, you won't know until it hatches, and as for when that might be… it varies for each person."
Atticus glanced at the egg again, this time with a warmer gaze. Perhaps being a "parent" wouldn't be so bad after all.
With that settled, Atticus resumed training, focusing on the art he had won from the Nexus. Another week passed, and while he was deep in meditation, he suddenly sensed someone entering the training room.
Turning, he was utterly shocked to see the familiar purple haired figure of Seraphina Starhaven.