Chapter 101: Relic (1/2)
”If we want to conclude it arbitrarily, Artifacts are just items made from Frenzy Beast Carcasses. Also, their composition differs from the minerals naturally found in nature. This gives rise to a myriad of Artifacts in all shapes and sizes.” Madam Rizenne changed the image on the screen, showcasing many items in red.
They ranged from a pin to a piece of slab. Madam Rizenne continued, taking a glance at the conditions of the students, ”There is a famous example when it comes to Artifacts. Thanks to getting approval from Psychic Ancestor Marble, we can go into depth about this topic.”
Her face brightened up, sporting a sense of worship, ”The Unranked Skill created by Psychic Ancestor Marble, Marble Sonata can be used to mass-produce Artifacts. Depending on the Tier of the Esper wielding the Skill, the Tier of the Artifact they create varies. At Tier 1, they are red in colour.”
Looking at the bouts of shock and exclaim echoing among the crowd, Madam Rizenne smiled, having expected the reaction. After all, the information about the Unranked Skills was strictly controlled. To the students, even getting the chance to hear about the names of the Unranked Skills would have been wonderful, not to mention the Unranked Skill created by Psychic Ancestor Marble, one of their pillars.
The image behind her flashed to reveal an isometric view of their city, showcasing a bird's eye view from the 7th Ring till the 10th Ring. ”The best example is the walls that surround our city. They have been created by Psychic Ancestor Marble, using the Unranked Skill nurtured to Tier 6 level. The walls that span around us, enclosing each Sector and covering every Ring; they also cover our ground surface, forming the anchors and base for all the Strata. Basically, except for the buildings, the entirety of our city is a ginormous Tier 6 Artifact.”
”They are the reason for the name of our city, Marble City.” Madam Rizenne said, her tone zealous. Psychic Ancestor Marble was the epitome of hope for all Espers; the greater their strength, the more they understood his significance.
The image behind her flashed, showcasing a spinal cord, ”After the Induction Ceremony, the Wisdom Parasite fuses with either our brain or our spinal cord. Now, let us consider the case of Warriors. This is the spinal cord of a warrior, retrieved after his death.”
The students flashed looks of pity, disgust, curiosity, etc. showcasing a myriad of emotions. Madam Rizenne noted them all, thanks to her being an Esper, ”Now, there are times where the spinal cords of Warriors are left intact after death—while in a mission. We safeguard it immediately; after all, the Wisdom Parasite in it is still alive. As time passes, it eventually dies. At the end of the day, it too is a living being and needs nutrients for sustenance. The higher the Tier of the Wisdom Parasite, the longer it can survive on its own.”
She then changed the image to a box, ”We process it into an item that can be used. For example, a Developer has three Skills. After his death, and should his spine remain intact, his Tier 1 and Tier 2 Skills merge into his Tier 3 Skill, mutating it. After we process it through our methods, we end up with an item that can be used to invoke the mutated Tier 3 Skill. This is what we call a Relic.”
”Having a Relic in your hand is equivalent to possessing an extra Skill.” Madam Rizenne waved her left hand, making a cube appear above her palm, its edges spanning 10 centimetres.
The cube looked no different from a tin can, reddish-grey in colour, emitting a dull lustre. ”This is a Tier 3 Relic, named Cold Flare. Since this is the only one of its kind, we have given it a name. Most of the Relics are just designated a number, irrespective of its strength.”
Madam Rizenne infused her psychic energy into the cube, whirring it into life. In the next second, a gentle wave emerged from the cube, spreading towards all corners of the auditorium.
Immediately, the students felt a biting cold seep into their bodies, spreading the chill through their nerves. The sensation disappeared in an instant as Madam Rizenne retracted her psychic energy, ”The advantage of a Relic is the fact that anyone can use it, whether they are a Warrior or an Esper.”
”But,” She emphasised her point, ”The energy it consumes is almost thrice the energy consumed to actuate a Skill of the same Tier. Moreover, irrespective of the person who uses it, the power it can display has a limit, designated by its Tier.”
”For example, consider this Tier 3 Relic, Cold Flare. Even though the one who activated it is a Sky Controller, the maximum power it displayed is of tier 3 level. Though, I controlled the energy infused into it. Otherwise, you wouldn't have just felt a chill enter your body.” Madam Rizenne closed her palm. The Relic had disappeared from her hands at some point in time.