Chapter 79 - Signature Ability

When Max opened the notification, the Zoos-collective jellyfish popped up in front of him. But it was very diminutive, only the size of a human’s palm, whereas normally it was many times larger.

[Greetings. This is a preprogrammed AI. It has some ability to respond to inquiries regarding the subject matter, but its primary function is to explain the Signature Ability.]

“Alright,” Max said. “Let’s hear it.”

[The Signature ability is a function of the Framework, through which you can define yourself within your class choice. Maybe you have chosen a class such as a [Ranger] with proficiency in multiple combat styles. Maybe you have chosen a [Leader] class that maintains a balance between so-called hands-on leadership and administrative skills. The Signature ability lets you commit to an expertise you think is most valuable to you.]

“That sounds… Good? Max said. “My class is pretty singular, so what should I do?”

The jellyfish was still for a while. Then it continued.

[Your classification is ‘utility caster’. Within the limitations of your class you have versatile abilities that can control the battlefield, and provide both offensive and defensive options.]

Max rolled his eyes. “I’m aware of what my class does. What would the Signature ability be good for in my case?”

Another beat of silence.

[You have primarily used your abilities for control and mobility. This is a close to optimal approach, considering the advantage your primary weapon has provided you with. While this one is not permitted to make suggestions, this one will provide you with advice. You could use [Telekinesis] as your signature ability to specialize in offensive capabilities, hurling heavy objects at your enemies. Alternatively, you could specialize your most used skill, [Tether], to further enhance your mobility.]

Max thought about this. This seemed… Interesting. Also, not exactly an easy choice.

“If I were to specialize my [Tether] for mobility, would it hinder my ability to use it for controlling enemies?”

[Astute question. This is not how it works. The specialization will simply tilt further growth towards the direction you choose. It will not hinder your current potency, but it will provide distinct advantages towards certain directions you want to build towards as your stats and skills continue upgrading. To put it in simple terms, any Intelligence or Cultivation advancement you accrue, will have a higher modifier on those aspects of your abilities that you choose to specialize in.]

“Okay. I need to think.”

Max sat down. The choices were limited. While [Gravity Well] and [Alter Gravity] definitely had their uses, Max didn’t really see them defining him. [Tether] was the obvious contender. And Max would have just jumped the gun, were it not for his new skill. [Telekinesis] would potentially be even more versatile an ability than his current trademark skill.

The problem was, Max was already extremely proficient with [Tether]. It had almost limitless uses and thus was his bread and butter. Max could certainly entertain numerous, even outlandish potential uses for [Telekinesis], but it would be a risk.

But I could fly…

Damn it. These were important, literally life-changing choices. He needed to be careful and not be swayed by his emotions.

But flying…

Was he really doing this? Taking a massive bet on his life and future? The safe bet would be to just enhance [Tether]. It was the obvious choice. But Max had gotten this far by taking risks. He needed to take risks. He was one of a kind within his humans. Max could only hope there were others like him. Bulwarks protecting the weak. Max had high hopes that people like Christie and her cubs could grow to take his mantle. Because he needed to be out there. He needed to be in the fray, behind enemy lines.

And to be fair, for that, flying is the obvious answer. Screw it, I want to fly. I don’t care how I justify it.

[Signature ability chosen!]

[Telekinesis II] -> [Telekinesis* I]

The tiny jellyfish stirred.

[Reasonable choice. From henceforth your Intelligence modifiers are enhanced regarding this spell and the way in which you choose to use it will further give it distinct advantage. Be mindful of especially how you use the spell in the immediate future, when it still doesn’t have a speciality. The way you cast the next hundred spells will be particularly important in calibrating the spell. If you choose to use [Telekinesis] to hurl sharp rocks at targets, it will most likely result in increased velocity for the spell when hurling attacks at enemies.]

“Understood,” Max said. He wasn’t interested in asking anything more. He already had a plan. His mind was rushing with excitement. When his Mana would regenerate, he’d come back outside to cast more spells.

The jellyfish-program asked Max if he had any more questions. Once Max declined, it blinked out of existence. Max’s eyes immediately drifted up to his Mana bar. He only had 132 Mana left. With a sigh, Max admitted to himself that it was just better to wait. Maybe he could wring some Mana potions out of Durum later.

*

When Max had drifted asleep last night, he had done so trusting his comrades. Indeed the prisoner was holed up in one of the dead-end corridors of the cave, hands and feet tied with Brian watching over him, a sword in his hands. Judging from the bags underneath his eyes, he had been keeping watch on the lizard all night.

“How’s our new guest behaving?” Max asked.

“He’s been very reasonable after we wrapped him up,” Brian said and chuckled. “Got any sleep?”

“Man, it did me things. Good things. You have no idea how tired I was.”

“I listened to your gun tell us tall tales. I’ll say half of it is a lie, but I’m still surprised you woke up before evening.”

“Feels good to be safe and back with my people.”

There was a slight tightening of the mouth when Max said ‘my people’. But Brian just shook his head and gave a tired smile. “So what’s the plan with him?”

“We’re going to interrogate him.”

“That’s going to be a long day. You’re going to play Pictionary with him?”

“Actually, I have something more sophisticated planned,” Max said, grinning.

“I want to see that,” Brian said.

“You don’t wanna sleep?”

Max had never seen such a conflicted face on a man’s face as was now plastered on Brian. He struggled with himself for a good ten seconds. “Are you going to interrogate him now?”

Max shrugged. “How about we wait for a few hours, until everyone is awake, so we can pool everyone’s contribution in.”

Brian brightened up. “Few hours is all I need.”

“Go,” Max said. “Go sleep. I’ll sit on him and Cultivate for a few hours.”

“Damn, I should have done that…” Brian muttered to himself as he waved a hand at Max. “You’ll wake me up before you start?”

“Promise.”

Brian nodded and went off, leaving Max to sit on a rock and watch the sleeping lizard.

“Mav, you up?”

The weapon stirred in the holster. “Always!” What do you need?”

“You want to Cultivate or watch the prisoner?”

“Let’s Cultivate,” Maverick said immediately. “Screw this lizard’s beauty sleep. Just sit on his ass and let’s pop some pills!”

Max smiled and produced the sack of [Celestial Illumination Pills] from his inventory. That’s exactly what he wanted to do, too.