The lingering tremor in Zephyr's hands was a physical manifestation of the storm raging within him. Yesterday's confrontation with Kael, the raw, exhilarating surge of mimicked strength, and the subsequent humiliation of his tormentor, had etched themselves into his memory. He was no longer just Zephyr, the weakling; he was Zephyr, the Awakened, a secret keeper with a power he barely understood.
He spent the night in a feverish state, not of illness, but of frantic thought. The System interface, a translucent overlay that now felt as natural as breathing, was his constant companion. He had pored over every detail, every line of text, trying to decipher the intricacies of his 'Echo' Class. The 'Mimicry' skill, its cooldown, the 'Resonance' stat – it was all there, a blueprint for a power he was only just beginning to grasp.
His hand, which had throbbed mercilessly after Kael's boot, was now merely a faint ache, a ghost of the pain. But the memory of the immense strength, the effortless destruction of the locker, was vivid. He had felt invincible, even if only for twenty seconds.
He tried to access the System again, focusing his mind. The ethereal screen shimmered into full view. He navigated to his 'Skills' tab. The 'Mimicry' skill was no longer on cooldown. A faint, almost imperceptible glow emanated from its icon, signifying its readiness.
But then, his eyes caught something else. Below 'Echoic Sense' and 'Mimicry', a new entry had appeared.
[ MIMICKED SKILLS ][ STRENGTH (KAEL) - LEVEL 2 ]
Zephyr's breath hitched. Level 2? Kael's Strength, according to the System's scan yesterday, was 35, which corresponded to a Level 1 ability for a Warrior. But his mimicked version was Level 2. And it was listed under 'Mimicked Skills', not just a temporary boost.
His heart pounded. He clicked on the 'STRENGTH (KAEL) - LEVEL 2' entry.
[ MIMICKED SKILL: STRENGTH (KAEL) ]Permanently acquired through advanced Echoic Resonance. Grants a significant boost to physical strength, surpassing the original source's current proficiency. This skill integrates seamlessly into the Echo's own System, allowing for continuous growth and refinement.[ CURRENT EFFECT: +30 STRENGTH ][ NEXT LEVEL: LEVEL 3 (Requires 200 Echoic Experience) ]
Permanently acquired. The words echoed in his mind, reverberating with a profound sense of disbelief and elation. Not temporary. Permanent. And surpassing the original source's current proficiency. This wasn't just mimicry; this was superior mimicry. His 'Echo' Class wasn't just a copycat; it was an enhancer.
A wave of adrenaline surged through him, even more potent than the one yesterday. This changed everything. His weakness, his helplessness – they were illusions. He had a path, a unique path, to power that could potentially outstrip even the most gifted Awakened.
He immediately tried to activate it. He focused on the 'STRENGTH (KAEL) - LEVEL 2' skill. A familiar warmth spread through his limbs, but this time, it was deeper, more ingrained. It wasn't a fleeting surge; it felt like a fundamental shift in his physical being. He felt stronger, more solid. He clenched his fist, and the air around it seemed to hum with a quiet, controlled power. It wasn't the explosive, temporary burst from yesterday, but a steady, underlying current of enhanced might.
He checked his main stats.
[ STATS ][ STRENGTH: 33 (Base 3 + Mimicked 30) ]
His base Strength of 3 was now augmented by a permanent +30 from the mimicked skill, bringing his total to 33. This was already close to Kael's original Strength of 35, and he was only Level 1! The potential was limitless.
He spent the rest of the morning in a state of heightened awareness, his 'Echoic Sense' constantly active, subtly scanning the auras of every Awakened student he encountered. He didn't try to mimic them yet; he was simply gathering data, observing the vibrant tapestry of Systemic energies around him. He noted the varied hues, the different intensities. He saw students with auras he hadn't noticed before, subtle shimmers indicating lesser-known Classes or minor Awakenings.
He saw Sarah, the Botanist, her aura a gentle, growing green. He activated 'Echoic Sense' on her.
[ ECHOIC SENSE: TARGET ACQUIRED - SARAH (BOTANIST) ]
[ DETECTED ABILITIES: ][ ACCELERATED GROWTH (ACTIVE) ][ PHOTOSYNTHETIC ABSORPTION (PASSIVE) ]
[ DETECTED STATS: ][ INTELLIGENCE: 25 ][ WISDOM: 22 ][ VITALITY: 18 ]
He considered mimicking 'Accelerated Growth'. A useful skill, perhaps for growing food quickly, or even for creating a temporary barrier of rapidly growing vines. The possibilities were endless.
He also kept a wary eye out for Kael. He knew the confrontation was inevitable. Kael wouldn't let yesterday's humiliation stand.
Lunchtime arrived, and the cafeteria was a cacophony of voices, clattering trays, and the distinct, often overwhelming, auras of dozens of Awakened students. Zephyr grabbed a meager tray and found a secluded table in the corner, trying to blend into the background. He ate slowly, his mind buzzing with calculations and possibilities.
Suddenly, a shadow fell over his table.
"Well, well, well," Kael's voice, dripping with menace, cut through the cafeteria noise. "Look who decided to show his face. The little freak who thinks he's tough now."
Zephyr looked up, his gaze steady. Kael was flanked by Jett and Rix, their expressions a mix of apprehension and eager anticipation. Kael's aura was a furious, throbbing crimson, radiating pure aggression.
"What do you want, Kael?" Zephyr asked, his voice calm, belying the rapid beat of his heart.
"What do I want?" Kael snarled, leaning over the table, his face inches from Zephyr's. "I want to know what kind of cheap trick you pulled yesterday, worm. No Unmarked can do what you did."
"Maybe I'm not as 'Unmarked' as you think," Zephyr replied, a hint of defiance in his tone. He activated 'Echoic Sense' on Kael again, just to confirm. Kael's stats were unchanged from the morning.
"Oh, a big talker now, are we?" Kael straightened up, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "Let's see if your 'trick' works against a real Awakened. Out in the courtyard. Now. Unless you're too much of a coward."
A hush fell over the surrounding tables as students turned to watch. This was it. The rematch. Zephyr knew he couldn't back down. Not after yesterday. Not with the power he now wielded.
"Fine," Zephyr said, pushing his tray aside and standing up. "Courtyard."
As he walked towards the exit, Kael and his cronies followed, a small crowd of curious students trailing behind them. The air crackled with anticipation.
In the courtyard, the sun beat down, illuminating the worn concrete and the sparse patches of grass. Kael stood in the center, his chest puffed out, radiating confidence. Jett and Rix took positions on either side, ready to cheer him on.
Zephyr faced him, his posture still somewhat unassuming, but his eyes held a steel that had never been there before. He took a deep breath, focusing his mind.
[ MIMICRY (ACTIVE) - READY ]
"Alright, worm," Kael sneered, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see what you got. Or are you just going to throw another book?"
Zephyr said nothing. He focused on Kael's aura, specifically on his 'CHARGE' ability. Kael's 'Charge' was Level 1. Zephyr intended to mimic it, and then use his own superior version.
[ MIMICRY: CHARGE (KAEL) - ATTEMPTING REPLICATION... ]
A familiar surge, less violent than the first time, but still potent, flowed through him. The System interface flickered.
[ MIMICRY: CHARGE (KAEL) - SUCCESS! ][ MIMICKED SKILL: CHARGE (KAEL) - LEVEL 2 ACQUIRED ]
He felt a new kind of energy settle within him, a latent kinetic force. He now possessed 'Charge (Kael) - Level 2'.
"What's he doing?" Jett muttered to Rix. "Just standing there."
"Probably scared stiff," Rix replied, though a hint of uncertainty colored his voice.
Kael, growing impatient, decided to make the first move. His body tensed, his crimson aura flared, and he burst forward.
[ KAEL ACTIVATED: CHARGE (LEVEL 1) ]
He moved with surprising speed, a blur of aggressive intent, aiming to tackle Zephyr to the ground.
Zephyr waited. He felt the kinetic energy of Kael's charge, the momentum building. And then, he activated his own newly acquired skill.
[ ZEPHYR ACTIVATED: CHARGE (KAEL) - LEVEL 2 ]
A burst of speed, far greater than Kael's, propelled Zephyr forward. He wasn't just matching Kael; he was surpassing him. The world seemed to slow down even further as he accelerated, a sudden, unexpected force. He didn't aim to tackle; he aimed to evade and counter.
He sidestepped Kael's charging form with effortless grace, a mere blur of motion. Kael, unable to stop his momentum, stumbled past him, losing his balance.
The crowd gasped. Kael, the formidable Warrior, had missed. And Zephyr, the weakling, had moved with impossible speed.
Before Kael could recover, Zephyr spun, his body still infused with the lingering kinetic energy of his 'Charge'. He focused on Kael's 'Power Strike' skill, which he had also permanently acquired as 'POWER STRIKE (KAEL) - LEVEL 2'.
[ ZEPHYR ACTIVATED: POWER STRIKE (KAEL) - LEVEL 2 ]
He threw a punch. It wasn't a wild, untrained swing. It was precise, imbued with the raw, enhanced strength of his mimicked skill. His fist connected with Kael's shoulder with a sickening thwack.
Kael cried out, a grunt of pain and surprise, as the force of the blow sent him sprawling to the ground. He landed hard, skidding a few feet on the concrete, clutching his shoulder. His crimson aura flickered wildly, dimming slightly.
Silence. Absolute, stunned silence.
Jett and Rix stared, their mouths agape. The students in the courtyard were frozen, their eyes wide with disbelief. Zephyr, the boy who couldn't even stand up to a shove, had just effortlessly dodged Kael's attack and then knocked him down with a single blow.
Zephyr stood over Kael, his chest heaving slightly, the adrenaline still coursing through him. The power was exhilarating, but also unsettling. He had never hit anyone before, let alone with such force.
Kael slowly pushed himself up, his face contorted in a mixture of pain and rage. "You... you cheated!" he snarled, glaring at Zephyr. "What was that? Some kind of hidden gadget?"
"No gadgets, Kael," Zephyr replied, his voice calm, the last vestiges of the mimicked power fading. "Just... a better understanding of how the System works."
He didn't need to explain further. Kael, a Warrior who lived and breathed the System, understood the implications. Zephyr had used his own skills, but somehow, they were stronger.
Kael scrambled to his feet, his shoulder clearly bothering him. His eyes, usually filled with arrogant contempt, now held a flicker of genuine fear. He knew he had been outmatched, not just by a stronger opponent, but by something he couldn't comprehend.
"This isn't over, Zephyr!" Kael yelled, his voice lacking its usual conviction. He took a step back, then another, his gaze darting nervously around the silent crowd.
"It is," Zephyr stated, his voice firm. "For now."
Kael, seeing the unwavering resolve in Zephyr's eyes, and the stunned silence of the crowd, knew he had lost. He turned and limped away, Jett and Rix scrambling to follow him, their faces pale.
The students in the courtyard remained silent for a moment longer, then a ripple of excited whispers broke out. They had witnessed something extraordinary. The weakling had not only stood up to the bully, but had utterly dominated him.
Zephyr stood there for a moment, letting the reality of what he had done sink in. He had won. He had used his power, his unique 'Echo' Class, to defend himself and, perhaps, to change his place in this rigid world.
He felt a slight tremor in his hands again, not from fear, but from the lingering aftershocks of the power he had wielded. He checked his System.
[ EXPERIENCE GAINED: +50 ][ TOTAL EXPERIENCE: 50/100 (LEVEL 1) ]
He had gained experience! Not just from mimicking, but from using the mimicked skills in a confrontation. This was how his Class leveled up. This was how he would grow stronger.
He also noticed a new notification.
[ NEW SKILL ACQUIRED: MIMICKED ENDURANCE (KAEL) - LEVEL 2 ]Automatically acquired due to prolonged exposure and successful combat engagement with target.
The System was even more intelligent than he thought. It had automatically acquired Kael's passive 'Endurance' skill, and at an enhanced level too! This meant he didn't even have to actively select every skill to mimic. Just being in proximity and engaging in combat could grant him new abilities.
The implications were staggering. He could potentially build a vast arsenal of skills, all at a superior level, simply by encountering and engaging with other Awakened. He was a sponge, absorbing the strengths of others and making them his own, but better.
But with this immense power came an even greater burden of secrecy. No one could know the true nature of his Class. If the Awakened elite, the government, or even the shadowy organizations that hunted rogue Awakened ever discovered an 'Echo' who could permanently acquire and enhance their abilities, he would become a target. A resource to be exploited, or a threat to be eliminated.
He looked at the dented locker, a silent testament to his newfound power. He looked at the retreating figures of Kael and his cronies, their usual swagger replaced by a defeated limp. He had changed something today.
As he walked away from the courtyard, the whispers followed him, no longer mocking, but filled with awe and a touch of fear. He was no longer an echo in the shadows. He was a force, a unique entity in a world defined by the System. His journey had truly begun, a solitary path fraught with danger and unimaginable potential. He was Zephyr, the Echo, and he would learn to master his unique power, one superior mimicry at a time. The world was about to hear his roar.