Design? I get to… design it? The scope of the System was proving even more vast than he'd imagined. Not just buying pre-set powers, but potentially crafting them? He needed something effective. Something fast. Something that complemented Fang's predatory grace and his own… less direct methods.
His mind flashed back again, not to complex equations this time, but to the vibrant, dynamic world of anime from his Earth life. Lightning techniques… so many possibilities. Raw power like Thor? Fine control like… well, like many others. But one stood out. A technique famed for its speed, its lethality, its unique sound signature…
Can the System handle something that specific? He wondered, fingers hovering over the glowing keys. Only one way to find out. He began to type, translating the visual and auditory memory into descriptive parameters.
He dictated mentally as his fingers flew across the holographic keys: "User concentrates vast amount of Lightning Spirit Energy into primary limb – forepaw/claw. Must induce dramatic burst-speed enhancement during activation phase. Energy manifests as visible, crackling blue-white charge around the limb. Attack form: high-velocity piercing thrust or slash. Must be capable of penetrating reinforced physical defenses and baseline magical shields. Critical Parameter: Activation generates a unique, high-frequency auditory signature – sound must resemble a dense chorus of birds chirping or chittering."
He reread the prompt, ensuring he'd captured the key elements: concentration, speed, piercing power, electrical visual, unique sound. Satisfied, he hit the 'Generate' button.
The System interface pulsed. Text scrolled rapidly across the screen.
[Query Received. Parsing Parameters: Lightning Affinity, Limb Concentration, Speed Boost, Piercing Damage (Physical/Magical), Visual Charge (Blue/White), Auditory Signature ('Avian Chorus').]
[Searching Manifestation Tier Ability Database...]
[Cross-referencing Elemental Mechanics and Sound Wave Generation Principles...]
[...]
[Optimal Match Identified! Generating Ability Profile...]
The search results vanished, replaced by a detailed ability description.
[Skill Name: Thousand Chirp Strike]
[Affinity: Lightning]
[Tier: Manifestation]
[Description: Allows the Spirit to gather and intensely concentrate Lightning Spirit Energy into a single forelimb. This process generates a visible nimbus of crackling azure energy around the limb and grants a substantial, short-duration increase to movement and striking speed. The concentrated charge enables a high-velocity thrust or claw-swipe capable of penetrating moderate physical armor and standard Manifestation-level magical barriers. A distinctive, high-frequency chittering sound, likened to a thousand birds, accompanies the charge build-up and activation.]
[Energy Cost: Moderate per activation.]
[Cooldown: Minimal (reliant on Spirit's energy recovery).]
Lloyd read the description, a slow, dangerous grin spreading across his face. Thousand Chirp Strike. It fit perfectly. Speed, piercing power, the iconic sound. And upgradeable. The System hadn't just matched it; it had refined it, integrated it seamlessly.
"Bingo," he breathed. Without a second thought, he navigated the interface, selected 'Thousand Chirp Strike', and confirmed the purchase using the bonus grant.
[Grant Funds Applied. Transaction Confirmed: 100 SC deducted.]
[Acquiring Skill: Thousand Chirp Strike (Manifestation Tier)...]
[Initiating Spirit Imprinting Protocol... Target: Designation 'Fang'.]
He felt it then – a tangible arc of pure energy leaping from the fading System interface, not towards him, but directly into Fang. The wolf stiffened, fur bristling, emitting a low growl that was less threat, more raw power surge. The air around Fang crackled audibly, filled with the impossible, high-pitched sound of thousands of tiny birds chirping frantically. Azure sparks danced along his dark coat. His golden eyes blazed with incandescent light for a split second.
Then, as quickly as it began, the energy surge subsided. The frantic chirping faded, leaving only the gentle sounds of the pond and the low, powerful hum emanating from Fang himself.
[Imprinting Complete. Skill 'Thousand Chirp Strike' successfully integrated into Spirit Core Matrix.]
[Current Balance: 3 SC]
The System interface vanished. Lloyd looked at Fang, who shook his magnificent head once, the movement fluid, controlled. The wolf seemed… sharper now. Faster, even in stillness. The latent electrical power felt more focused, more readily accessible. Lloyd could feel the new ability settled within their bond, a tangible connection, a weapon forged of lightning and sound, waiting patiently for the command to strike.
A wolf spirit? No. A Lightning Elemental. With a dormant Shadow affinity. And potentially more. Armed with the Thousand Chirp Strike.
Lloyd let out a slow breath, the grin still firmly in place. The 'drab duckling' wasn't just growing talons anymore. He was growing lightning claws that sang like a thousand birds before they pierced your heart.
"Okay, Fang," Lloyd said softly, reaching out to rest a hand on the wolf's powerfully thrumming shoulder. "Okay. Things just got exponentially more interesting." Three coins left in his account, but armed with hidden steel, innate fire, and now, a lightning spirit capable of assassination-level speed… the game had changed. Irrevocably. And he was just getting started.
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