The World Beyond the Eye

The power of my Mimic Eye had always intrigued me. The ability to replicate powers, skills, and even abilities, as long as I understood their origin, was a remarkable gift. Yet, despite my knowledge of Mr. Ishtar's origins, I found myself struggling to replicate his earth-controlling prowess. Was it the tremendous gap in our levels, or was it simply because I had no mana to tap into?

It was strange my progression had been nothing short of rapid. Thanks to the trait of the Mimic Eye, Knowledge Growth, I had levelled up faster than I ever expected. In just two days, I had gone from level 12 to level 20, a leap that defied my understanding of how levelling was supposed to work. But now, I began to wonder what else could the Mimic Eye do? Was its sole purpose to replicate abilities, or could it do something more?

I rifled through the books Mr. Ishtar had lent me, eager to discover new facets of this strange power. As I absorbed the information, I noticed something significant the more knowledge I gained from reading, the more efficient and precise my Mimic Eye became. It was as if every bit of knowledge unlocked a new layer of its potential. It wasn't just about replicating abilities; my understanding of the world around me was growing at an exponential rate, and the Mimic Eye was adapting to that newfound knowledge.

It wasn't long before I started to notice physical changes too. My body was becoming more in tune with the power I was wielding, as if it were transforming to accommodate the growing prowess of the Mimic Eye. Mr. Ishtar had remarked on it before he said my body was adapting to the Mimic Eye's power, turning me into something like a finely sculpted athlete. My muscles were tightening and growing stronger, as if my body was being sculpted like one of those ancient Greek statues.

As I pondered this, I grew curious. "Mr. Ishtar," I asked, "are there other system prowess that don't rely on mana?"

He looked at me with mild surprise, as if the question had taken him off guard, but then nodded thoughtfully. "Well, there are two other types of system prowess, aside from mana," he replied.

I immediately grabbed one of my books on system prowess, eager to understand more. I had learned that these systems were essential to how individuals in this world stored and utilized their abilities. In simple terms, they were like the engine of a car or the processor of a computer systems that allowed a person to function and use power. Mana prowess was the most common, but what about the other types?

"The common one," he continued, "is mana prowess. It's the ability to manipulate and use mana, both inside and around an individual. It's something that's generally ingrained at birth and is the foundation for most abilities."

"And the other two?" I pressed.

Mr. Ishtar's expression grew more serious. "The second one is 'authority.' It's a prowess possessed only by the royals of this land, a power granted by the gods. This type of prowess allows them to rule over others, wielding dominion over the masses."

"Authority...?" I repeated, absorbing the significance of what he said. This wasn't just a mere power, it was linked to the very rulers of the world.

"The third," Mr. Ishtar continued, "is the rarest: mystic prowess. It's a type of power that can only be wielded by beings who are not human."

I blinked in surprise. "So, there are other species here besides humans?"

He nodded. "Indeed. And among the strongest beings in this world are the Descendants."

Descendants were not just powerful—they were the descendants of legendary heroes or even gods. Mr. Ishtar explained that the gap between Descendants and regular beings was so astronomical that those without such bloodlines were hardly considered worthy to stand against them. I found this both awe-inspiring and intimidating.

"Can someone possess more than one prowess?" I asked, curiosity bubbling up.

Mr. Ishtar's eyes narrowed slightly. "It's possible, but it's extremely rare. Only those in royal bloodlines or certain powerful beings from other species can possess more than one prowess. Even so, they are far from common."

I thought about the implications of this. If the Mimic Eye allowed me to replicate the powers of others, could I one day tap into other types of prowess? It seemed the key was in understanding their true origins knowing not just how they worked, but why they worked in the first place.

"Mr. Ishtar," I said after a pause, "may I borrow a weapon if you have anything lying around?"

He smiled at my request, and his eyes glinted with an idea. "I do have a pair of daggers," he said. "They were given to me by a dear friend of mine when I was younger."

With a graceful motion, he pulled a box from one of his cabinets and set it on the table. Inside were two beautiful daggers, their blades made from ruby and obsidian. The handle of each dagger was crafted from black diamond, covered in intricate golden chains. A gemstone hung from the end of each handle, catching the light.

"These daggers are made of the finest materials," he said, carefully lifting them from the box and placing them on the table. "I don't need them anymore, so I'd be honored for you to take them."

I marveled at the craftsmanship, running my fingers along the smooth, cold blade. "These are exquisite," I said. "They must be incredibly valuable."

"They are," he confirmed. "But I no longer have a need for them. Take them, and use them well."

My fingers tightened around the hilts, and I noticed that the daggers felt strangely familiar, as though they were made to fit my hands perfectly. But before I could say more, Mr. Ishtar's expression shifted to one of caution.

"Be warned," he added, his voice serious. "These daggers carry a curse. However, with no mana of your own, you might be able to avoid its effects."

"Thank you, Mr. Ishtar," I said, tucking the daggers into my bag. I felt a thrill run through me at the prospect of using such powerful weapons.

He nodded and smiled. "Go ahead and test them outside. I'll watch from a distance."

I left the house and ventured into the forest, eager to try out my new weapons. The deeper I went, the eerier the silence grew, as though the forest itself was watching me. It wasn't long before I heard a growl to my left. I whipped around just in time to see a massive wolf pounce toward me.

I instinctively sidestepped, narrowly avoiding its sharp claws. The creature was no ordinary wolf it was enormous, its fur shimmering with strands of gold, and its eyes gleamed with an unnatural golden hue. My heart raced as I reached into my bag and drew the dagger, and just as I did, the system responded.

[System Authentication: Erythrotenebrae]

[Would you like to be the owner of this weapon?]

[Yes] [No]

"I accept," I confirmed, and a strange energy surged through me as the bond was formed.

[Weapon: Erythrotenebrae]

[Rank: ???]

[Innate Trait: Nyzralith's Dominion]

[Owner gains permanent stats the more the dagger is used to eliminate enemies.]

The weapon pulsed with energy, its power resonating deep within me. The wolf lunged at me again, its golden eyes glowing as it attacked with lightning speed. My body moved before I even had time to think, dodging its attacks with unnatural precision.

[Mimic Eye: Passive]

[1st trait activated: Eye of Analysis]

With the Eye of Analysis active, I could see the wolf's movements in a new light its attacks, its weaknesses, even its patterns. The more I fought, the clearer everything became. Yet despite my newfound insight, my body was still struggling to keep up with the wolf's speed.

The Gretia Wolf was no ordinary creature it was a beast that possessed Clairvoyance, a skill that allowed it to see a few seconds into the future. Its eyes gleamed with an unnatural golden hue, signaling its extraordinary ability to predict my every move. The moment I raised my dagger to strike, the wolf darted aside, its movements too swift for me to follow.

"That's a Gretia Wolf!" Mr. Ishtar's voice rang out from above. "The Gretia Wolf has a special ability Clairvoyance, though it's a weaker version of the ability. Don't underestimate it."

Clairvoyance. The wolf's ability was a glimpse into the future just a split second ahead, enough to read my movements. It made me wonder where did this ability originate? Was it from a legend? A god? I would need to focus to understand it more deeply.

The wolf was fast, but I was faster. As I fought, I could feel my body growing more attuned to the battle. My senses sharpened, my muscles reacting with increased speed and power. My feet danced across the ground, sidestepping and striking with the precision of a master.

But the wolf was relentless, its golden eyes tracking my every move. It pounced again, this time feinting a strike to my left before spinning around for a vicious swipe from the right. My heart skipped a beat, but just as I turned to block, I saw it coming a tiny gap in its attack. I moved in and parried its claws with the dagger, the blade flashing in the light as it deflected the strike.

I pressed forward, adrenaline coursing through me as the wolf backed off, growling in frustration. It circled, looking for an opening, while I continued to analyse its movements.

With my Mimic Eye active, every movement, every twitch of the wolf's muscles was crystal clear to me. I began to notice the pattern in its attacks the way it predicted my every move and how it would adjust after each dodge. It wasn't just reacting to me; it was anticipating my actions.

The realization hit me like a thunderclap.

"Of course!" I whispered, barely audible.

The wolf wasn't simply predicting my movements—it was adapting to them. It was reacting not only to what I did, but to how I thought.

I had to change my approach.

I feigned a strike, making the wolf think I was going to attack from the left again. But instead, I quickly shifted my weight and launched an unexpected strike from the right, catching the beast off guard. My dagger connected with its side, and the wolf let out a fierce howl of pain, staggering back. Blood oozed from the wound, and the wolf's movements slowed, its once-perfect clairvoyant precision now faltering.

It was weakening.

In that moment, I pressed my advantage, my mind working in overdrive as the wolf's pattern began to unravel. Every time it moved, I saw its next move before it could even act. I could feel the battle turning in my favor.

The wolf lunged again, but I was ready. I sidestepped its attack and drove the dagger deep into its side. The beast yelped in pain, stumbling, and finally collapsed, its body twitching once before going still.

The Gretia Wolf, once a formidable opponent, lay defeated at my feet.

I stood there for a moment, breathing heavily, my dagger still embedded in its side. My heart was pounding in my chest, and the adrenaline of the fight was still coursing through me. But even as I looked down at the fallen wolf, I couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. I had faced a beast with a powerful, mystical ability—and I had won.

[System Notification]

[Experience accumulated]

[Erythrotenebrae's innate trait in action]

[Congratulations, you have slain a Gretia Wolf.]

I glanced at my status window, a slight sense of disbelief washing over me. I had done it. I had defeated an enemy stronger than myself.

As I stood there, Mr. Ishtar landed beside me, his eyes gleaming with approval. "Incredible," he said. "Your body seems to adapt quickly, almost like it was designed for this kind of battle."

I took a moment to catch my breath before calling out, "Status window."

Name: Ezekiel Rhea

Age: 17

Sex: Male

Level: 22

UA: Mimic Eye

Stamina: 13

Strength: 15

IQ: 20

Mana: 0

Mind: 20

Skills:

Rapture: C

I had gained a skill Rapture. It seemed to be the attack I'd just executed. I looked over the stat gains with surprise, then asked Mr. Ishtar, "What's the average level of someone at my stage?"

He tilted his head in thought. "People your age usually average around level 30. But your growth is... exceptional."

Later that night, as we sat in his home, I couldn't help but wonder about the road ahead. "Mr. Ishtar, what's the closest capital to here?"

"Aetherion," he replied. "It's not far from here. If you're planning to head there, you should consider applying to Aetherfall Academy."

"Aetherfall Academy?" I asked, intrigued.

"It's a prestigious academy for individuals with great potential. Only the privileged few are accepted, but I believe you have the capability to attend."

He handed me a certificate of admission. I looked at it, a sense of disbelief stirring within me. "I have a lot to learn before I can attend such an academy," I said, smiling.

Mr. Ishtar smiled back, his eyes gleaming with encouragement. "I'll sponsor you. Together, we can make sure you succeed."

We then said our goodnights to one another and i went to my room laying on my bed. Still i did not know event beast can have abilities. I was lucky that the Gretia wolf only has a weak version of Clairvoyance. I began to sit and meditate on which origin the clairvoyance the wolf have.

Greek? Norse? Hindu? Maybe Arthurian Legend? Celtic? Mesoamerican? Mesopotamian? Its hard to narrow down the options. The wolf only displays that it could see my attacks as if seeing the future for maybe a seconds, it also have a keen reading on where to attack. Who knows since it could also be base on legends. Religion can be considered as a legend and myth then right? 

[System Notification]

[Power of replication: Active]

What? then that means i am close to the answer then? 

I began to think harder and delved deep on which figure could have a clairvoyance that compared to others is considered ''weak''. If that is the cased then i should look into which figures has mainly impact their own decisions rather than worldly, a figure who mainly use it on battle?

There are only three i could narrow it down into which is Cú Chulainn, Beowulf, and Morrígan. Figures like Joan the Arc, Merlin, The Oracle of Delphi, and even Odin have more implications on their clairvoyance while Cassandra and Tiresias are often centralized or bound only on their events.

[Power of replication: Completed]

[The player has acquired a new skill: Clairvoyance]

[Rank: D]

Looks like i solved its origin and i got a new skill now which is great but....Why is it only rank D when Clairvoyance is such a strong power? This irritates me.

[System Window]

[Skill: Clairvoyance]

[Although its first and weakest version the user taps into a fleeting burst of foresight, allowing them to perceive events occurring up to 30 seconds into the future.]

[Cooldown: 60 seconds]

[Future Insight: 30 seconds]

I could only see 30 seconds in the future? well that is fine, the cooldown doesn't seem to be also punishing at least.

Thanks to these i could maybe stand on my own now in this world. Who knows what could happen when tomorrow comes.