HPDBC Chapter 237: PlaceHolder
Chapter 237: PlaceHolder
Jade, with a contemplative gesture, placed a finger under her chin and pondered aloud, "Oh, so if I've understood correctly, the first category of individuals can enhance themselves, their weapons, and essentially anything they touch, right?"
Gojaro, in acknowledgment, gave a short nod before he sauntered across the room to pick up a sword. The weapon, old yet well-maintained, gleamed as he lifted it, demonstrating the essence of their discussion. As Jade delved deeper into her thoughts, she ventured, "So, this implies that the second category resembles what one might call a 'Mage,' capable of conjuring objects from thin air.
But this ability, it stems from a specific energy within us?"
"Correct once again," Gojaro confirmed, his voice steady as he elegantly sliced through the air with the sword. The blade left behind a series of small, luminous trails, a visual testament to the power he described.
Jade, her curiosity deepening, then touched upon another topic, "Then the third type... they're akin to poisoners, or more directly, enhancers who can augment others. Could individuals of this category also possess healing abilities?" Her inquiry, thoughtful and profound, reflected her deep engagement with the subject.
Gojaro, pausing his demonstration, turned towards her, "Indeed, though the application varies significantly among individuals. While one might have the capacity to heal, another could find themselves bereft of such an ability."
"And in turn, they possess another unique ability," Gojaro remarked, a subtle air of intrigue enveloping his words. Snapping his fingers, he shifted the conversation to a lighter note, "You enjoy video games, Jade?"
His voice carried a hint of camaraderie, acknowledging the journey ahead. "I know I should get to know you a bit better since we'll be putting our lives on the line in the future," he added with a slight chuckle, bridging the gap between mentor and comrade.
Jade, her interest piqued, responded warmly, "Yeah, I played a lot of the popular games growing up. I still have my father's old GBA tucked away somewhere."
"Perfect," Gojaro said, his hands clapping together in a moment of realization. "So, you know how those games have a meta system where one strategy is clearly superior and another clearly not?"
"Yeah, I suppose so," Jade replied, a nostalgic smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Curious, she asked, "Do you like video games a lot?"
Gojaro, with a slight chuckle, shared a personal insight, "I used to, until I realized how much real-world stuff blended into that stuff. But that's a good way to look at it. You have the three classes, with the first and second being pretty even, but the scales tip depending on what the ability is. And then you have the final class, as you've known."
He paused, his tone growing more somber, "Which is why those who possess this ability usually don't live long lives, as the creatures we fight are especially dangerous and quick to kill."
Jade nodded, absorbing the gravity of his words before voicing her curiosity, "So, why are you telling me this exactly?"
"Now, go ahead and close your eyes. Focus on something you love, and in a way, draw that to your shoulders. Then, bring that down to your arms, and finally, bring that above your hands. Follow the warm tingle sensation in your hands."
Jade, taking his words to heart, closed her eyes.
The first vivid image that sprung to her mind was that of her father, clad in a white suit, his build robust and his smile radiant, always encouraging her to do her best.
This memory, filled with warmth and affection, served as the perfect catalyst for what was to come.
As she dwelled on these thoughts, another set of images cascaded through her mind—memories of Ty, her stalwart friend, confronting her bullies back in middle school.
Ty, with his unique aura and unspoken strength, had always been a source of comfort and protection.
The warmth from these recollections began to manifest physically, a gentle heat spreading across her shoulders, down her forearms, and into her palms.
Jade felt a peculiar sensation, as if the emotional warmth from her memories was being converted into a tangible energy. Suddenly, with a slight jolt that surprised even her, a blue wave of energy, intertwined with short bands of white, burst forth from her hands.
As Jade's gaze lifted, she observed the immediate consequence of her action: her energy bar, previously at a full 10, had diminished to 7. Intrigued and slightly bewildered by this new metric of her abilities, her attention was swiftly drawn to Gojaro. With his eyes closed and a concentrated expression etched across his face, he was engaged in a similar exercise.
A massive pillar of blue energy, far more substantial than her own, surged from his hand, ascending toward the ceiling in a display of raw power and control. Jade couldn't help but notice the numbers above him—a testament to his strength and experience—fluctuating from 580 out of 600, dropping slightly to 577 after the demonstration.
"I wonder if they just recover over time," Jade pondered internally, trying to make sense of the mechanics governing their powers. Her curiosity about the energy recovery process was cut short as Gojaro's voice broke through her thoughts.
"That's good and on your first try also," he commended, a hint of genuine approval in his tone. "I've known people who have taken dozens of tries without luck!"
His words, encouraging and filled with promise, signaled to Jade that her intuitive grasp on this new ability was not only rare but significant. The realization that she had successfully harnessed her energy on her very first attempt filled her with a mixture of pride and awe.
"That means we can move on to the next practical step of finding out which category you belong to," Gojaro announced, shifting the focus to the next phase of their training.