Chapter 18:
The panel flickered, and a new progress display appeared!
(Unlocking Progress: 47%)
As the unlocking progress reached 47%, a notification chimed near Syd Castell's ear.
[Ability: Psychic Light Column (Unlocked)]
Syd gazed at the panel, feeling somewhat disappointed.
[Ability: Psychic Light Column (0/100) Level 1]
"Psychic Light Column?"
To be honest, he was disappointed with this ability as it overlapped somewhat with the Black Particles, only being slightly more concealed.
Syd remembered that the Psychic Light Column could suddenly emerge from the ground, akin to a laser beam appearing out of nowhere, catching people off guard.
While it looked useful, it overlapped with the Black Particles. He needed more unique abilities, such as Soul Extraction or Sunlight Blessing! One could extract souls, and the other seemed like a full-screen range move and also a core technique! Unfortunately, he hadn't received either.
Syd thought disappointedly, "Even Levitation would have been nice!"
After his initial disappointment, Syd's focus returned to the unlocking progress.
"I wonder if 50% will awaken a new ability, or maybe at 55% or 60%?"
Looking up at the dazzling sun, Syd was full of anticipation.
Although the energy required for further unlocking was increasing, given his current rate of absorbing sunlight, he should be able to awaken another ability today!
Glancing at the trio discussing things in the distance, Syd decided not to experiment with the Psychic Light Column but instead explored more about the Black Particles.
He recalled the time he fled from the research facility, using his last bit of energy to deploy an oversized Reflective Shield.
"What if I use more energy? Could I create a larger Black Particle?"
Curiosity drove him to experiment.
Small blue particles appeared on his fingertips, then expanded into a dark ripple.
[Black Particle Experience +1]
The Black Particles hovered over his hand, and he managed to prevent them from shooting out as he intensified his control.
Syd attempted to increase the energy output.
As the photonic energy within him diminished, the Black Particles indeed grew larger, but... "This consumes a lot." Syd reluctantly dissipated the Black Particles.
He found it feasible, but somewhat not worth it; the energy cost was significant, and the enhancement was minimal.
Compared to increasing power by expending more energy, it was more efficient to upgrade the ability level, which would be more cost-effective when deployed.
Of course, in critical moments, it could still be useful, potentially being the last straw that breaks the camel's back, achieving a decisive effect.
Discarding the idea of enhancing power by consuming more energy, he shifted his focus to reducing energy consumption.
"Can I still deploy a Level 1 Black Particle?"
Syd wondered.
The Level 2 Black Particles consumed noticeably more energy than Level 1, and sometimes, deploying Level 2 was overkill like using a cannon to kill a mosquito.
He began another experiment.
Black Particles reappeared on his hand.
[Black Particle Experience +1]
The egg-sized Black Particles expanded and contracted, occasionally distorting...
After several attempts, Syd frowned.
It wasn't impossible, but it was challenging, feeling like it would take a lot of practice to achieve.
"Right..."
He quickly realized.
He had almost forgotten he was a mutant, and the Black Particles were a derivative of his 'Mimic' mutant ability...
Mutant powers inherently represent instability and difficulty in control.
Being able to deploy his powers so stably and at will was already an exception among
exceptions.
Other mutants might face intermittent efficacy or even lose control when emotionally agitated!
"Was I actually thinking about using my powers at will?"
Syd shook his head, then suddenly wondered, "What if my powers also go out of control one
day?"
The thought made him shiver.
That would be terrifying...
He couldn't even begin to imagine the consequences!
Shaking his head, Syd cleared the thought of losing control from his mind.
Feeling the photonic energy gradually replenishing inside him, he turned his attention to his other Level 1 abilities.
Divine Finger, Reflective Shield, Psychic Light Column.
He contemplated whether to set aside some time to upgrade these three Level 1 abilities to
Level 2.
If he could upgrade all of them to Level 2, his internal energy would increase significantly, and so would his combat effectiveness!
However...
Choosing to upgrade ability levels would delay the unlocking progress...
After pondering for a while, he decided on a compromise; spend the morning upgrading ability levels, and the afternoon gathering energy points for awakening the next ability.
Syd focused on the Reflective Shield.
[Reflective Shield Experience +1]
[Reflective Shield Experience +1]
[Reflective Shield Experience +1]
Syd's internal energy rapidly depleted, while the sunlight continuously replenished it.
Time flew by, and soon it was noon.
Following a notification, Syd stopped his current activity.
[Ability: Reflective Shield (0/500) Level 2]
[Reflective Shield Experience +1]
After experimenting, Syd was surprised to find that the Reflective Shield had expanded to
cover his upper body!
This meant he no longer had to worry about his upper body's safety!
"This is just Level 2, what about Level 3 or even covering my entire body at Level 4?"
Syd grew excited at the thought.
Besides the qualitative change in the Reflective Shield, his internal photonic energy had also increased significantly.
If he were to deploy a Level 1 Black Particle now, he could do so over fifty times!
As for Level 2 Black Particles, he could manage about twenty deployments, similar for other
Level 2 abilities.
Just the thought made Syd feel that his energy was still insufficient, far from enough for his
needs.
Of course, if more abilities were unlocked in the future, his internal energy would undoubtedly increase, but for now...
Feeling his photonic energy gradually being replenished, he didn't continue practicing his
abilities but instead started collecting energy points.
[Photon Energy +1]
[Photon Energy +1]
[Photon Energy +1]
[Photon Energy +1]
As the sun gradually set, evening approached rapidly.
Syd eagerly allocated all his energy points to the unlocking progress.
The unlocking progress blurred.
(Unlocking Progress: 69%)
Watching the progress display, Syd was somewhat speechless.
Six thousand energy points only increased it to 69%?
He sighed, then focused on the potential new ability to awaken.