After a brief chat with Fly, Dean Sterling departed. He still had another, more troublesome "problem" waiting for him to handle.
Fly, after a short rest, awakened his system.
His injuries had never been severe to begin with; he had only been grazed by the feedback from Dean Sterling's Voltaic Aegis. After a period of recuperation, he was almost fully recovered and felt an impatient urge to begin his training.
After all, in his battle with the Dean, he had successfully obtained the genes of the Mythical Species Beast Totem, the 'Thunder-warden Beetle'!
A golden light shimmered, and the scenery around him began to shift and warp at high speed.
Once again, Fly found himself in that vast, boundless, empty spaceâhis own exclusive Inner Realm.
Compared to his first visit, he was now significantly more familiar with the process, navigating it like a seasoned veteran.
A pale golden mirage flowed gently as a transparent screen of light slowly unfurled before him.
ãThis is your System Panel:ã
ãUser: Fly Anselã
ãBeast Totem: Cockroachã
ãLevel: Early Stage Twoã
ãSkill: Steelbone Bladesã
ãSkill Proficiency: 100/100ã
ãTalent: Learning Geniusã
ãEXP: 12/100ã
ãStrength: 42/100ã
ãSpeed: 49/100ã
ãStamina: 36/100ã
ãSpirit: 41/100ã
I've leveled up. I'm now an Early Stage Two Beast Warrior.
It seems that the experience gained from actual combat is significantly higher than from ordinary training. No wonder the school encourages students to spar with one another.
"Right, what about the 'Thunder-warden Beetle' genes I got from Dean Sterling? System, didn't you say I could fuse the genes of insect-type beasts?" Fly asked.
ãSystem Reply: The genes of the Mythical Species Beast Totem, 'Thunder-warden Beetle,' have been stored. Does the user wish to begin absorption and fusion?ã
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"Of course, I want to fuse," Fly said. "Isn't that the whole reason I fought so hard in the first place?"
With that, he pressed the "Confirm" button on the light screen.
The system's voice sounded again:
ãPlease select which abilities from the Thunder-warden Beetle's genes the user wishes to fuse.ã
"Which abilities?" Fly asked, puzzled.
ãSystem: Yes. Due to the limited quantity of genes obtained, the user may only select one ability for fusion. For example: the hardened shell, the mandibles, the wings, or the lightning ability...ã
Mandibles and wings, my cockroach already has those, Fly thought. A hardened shell would certainly boost my defense, which isn't a bad choice. But the lightning ability... that's what truly sets the Thunder-warden Beetle apart.
A Mythical Species is, by definition, an "imaginary" creature. It's bound to possess some kind of "supernatural" power. Mandibles, wings, shells... ordinary insect totems can have those too. What's so special about them?
But if I fuse with the lightning ability, my own cockroach can ascend to the ranks of a Mythical Species Beast Totem. The benefits of that choice far outweigh any of the others.
The difference in power between a Mythical Species and an ordinary Beast Totem was like night and day.
"I choose the lightning ability!" Fly declared without a shred of hesitation.
ãSystem: Acknowledged. Loading the lightning ability from the Thunder-warden Beetle's genes...ã
A beam of golden light shot out from the virtual screen and enveloped Fly's body, sending a pleasant warmth through his limbs and bones. It felt like the gentle morning sun in spring, suffusing him with an indescribable coziness.
So this is what it feels like to fuse with another beast's genes? It's so comfortable! Way better than when I first absorbed the cockroach totem.
The memory of that painful, continuous molting process still made him shiver.
An unknown amount of time passed before the golden light slowly subsided. Fly opened his eyes and stretched his body.
The golden virtual panel immediately displayed his updated information.
ãThis is your System Panel:ã
ãUser: Fly Anselã
ãBeast Totem: Thunder-Roachã
ãLevel: Early Stage Twoã
ãSkill: Steelbone Bladesã
ãSkill Proficiency: 100/100ã
ãTalent: Learning Geniusã
ãEXP: 68/100ã
ãStrength: 47/100ã
ãSpeed: 72/100ã
ãStamina: 41/100ã
ãSpirit: 51/100ã
ãSystem Alert: User has successfully absorbed the genes of the Thunder-warden Beetle. Beast Totem has been upgraded to 'Thunder-Roach.' Speed has been greatly increased. User can now perform minor-level usage of the lightning ability.ã
Behind Fly, the enormous mirage of a cockroach slowly materialized. It looked larger than before, its features far more menacing. Its once-flat head now had the rounded shape of a beetle, and its crimson wings were flecked with starry patterns. Most importantly, faint, pale-golden arcs of lightning now crackled and coiled around its body.
Seeing this, only one thing came to Fly's mindâSuper Saiyan! That's right, the lightning swirling around the cockroach mirage looked exactly like the aura that surrounded Goku when he transformed.
Nice. Very intimidating.
Power Assessment Test, I'm ready for you!
...
Meanwhile, on the other side of campus, the school's sports field was packed with a dense crowd of student spectators.
"Whoa! A battle between teachers!"
"You don't see this every day!"
"I'm going to record the whole thing so I can study it later."
"Who do you think will win?"
...
In the center of the crowd, Mr. Carter and Mr. Ironside stood on opposite sides, each holding their Totem Beast.
Mr. Ironside declared, "Carter, today we settle who's stronger! The winner gets to be Fly's homeroom teacher!"
Mr. Carter shot back, "Bring it on! You think I'm afraid of you?"