A golden light enveloped Meera, and she felt warmth spread through her body. Darthin lifted his hand off her head, and she stood examining this light. It was a strange feeling. She felt something change in herself—not outwardly but in her mind. It was like some switch was off, and someone had flipped it on. Her senses became sharper. Everything became clearer, and the colors became brighter and crisper. Even her hearing increased if that were possible. She could hear Darthin's heartbeats if she concentrated.

She clenched and unclenched her fists and was sure her muscles had become denser. Yet she felt lighter at the same time. But all this was a trickle compared to the deluge of notifications that rocked her vision.

*ding!*

[Race Changed from Unnatural Human to Ascendant. An Ascendant is a mortal who has transcended the limits of humanity. They've proven their worth by slaying a being of great power and godlike essence. Ascendants walk the thin line between mortals and divinity. However, they remain tethered to the mortal world, often tasked with proving their worth or fulfilling a grand purpose before ascending fully to godhood.

As an Ascendant, you've been granted great power through the system of the gods. Your skills will transform into their true state and no longer be bound by the shackles of the mortal system. You will not age nor feel the tug of hunger as these are mortal worries that no longer concern you. However, unlike the gods, you can be killed with any weapon, skill, or craft.]

*ding!*

[You've been granted the attribute called Essence.]

[Essence - This stat represents the Ascendant's progression toward true godhood. It acts as a bridge between mortal limitations and divine potential. Essence measures how much of the divine spark the individual has mastered and how far they've climbed the ladder of godhood.

Essence fuels your aethereal perception. It is a unique ability granted to Ascendants which allows them to peer beyond the physical and mortal realms, granting insight into the deeper layers of existence.

An Ascendant can see the flow of raw essence in the environment and Mana from Individuals. They can see the threads connecting this raw essence to Mana, which is channeled by mortals. It is easier for them to identify places of high raw essence, especially at higher levels of this attribute. They can also feel the power emanating from everyone, whether they be a God, a mortal, or even an animal.

They can also view the strands of fate connected to a person. Though this is far from the arts of an oracle, an Ascendant can sense when someone is destined for greatness or tragedy.]

Oh, so that's why Veridiana thought I was the Artbiter or destined to become it.

This new attribute made it clear how Veridiana knew so much about raw essence and how she could tell Akhessai's corpse was a place of high raw essence. Meera would always be thankful to Veridiana for imparting that knowledge to her.

"You weren't kidding when you said the system wouldn't be vague anymore," Meera commented, but she heard no reply from the brooding God, so she continued with her notifications.

*ding!*

[Skill Change. Ambush Tactics – Level 185 changes to Ambush Tactics (II) – Level 68]

*ding!*

[Skill Change. Shroud of Shadows – Level 203 changes to Shroud of Shadows (II) – Level 82]

*ding!*

[Skill Change. Nightstalker Bindings – Level 170 changes to Nightstalker Bindings (II) – Level 56]

*ding!*

[Skill Change. Mirror Step – Level 229 changes to Mirror Step (III) – Level 2]

Meera paused there and smiled a little. So, if a skill is higher than level 229, then they reach Tier III.

It wasn't much, but at this point, she would take any good news. By logic, Shroud of Shadows should also have been Tier III, but thanks to the twenty percent tax—she couldn't see it any other way—it was brought down to Tier II.

She didn't hate taxes back on earth, as she figured one had to pay taxes to keep the economy functioning, but she abhorred them in this world.

*ding!*

[Skill Change. Druvis Might – Level 171 changes to Druvis Might (II) – Level 2]

*ding!*

[Skill Change. Mirrorstrike Vision – Level 303 changes to Mirrorstrike Vision (III) – Level 40]

*ding!*

[Skill Evolution. Mirrorstrike Vision (III) evolves to Mirrorbound Sight (III) – Level 40. Mirrorbound Sight – Type: Active. Affinity – Mirror. You have all-round vision through your mirrors and can see in dark places without a light. Your vision has also increased tenfold, and you will retain the ability to see the weak points of anyone you focus your sight on. You can look through mirrors that you've created, no matter the distance or obstacles between you.]

Meera rubbed her chin and contemplated the two new things she had gained—the ability to see in the dark and to see through mirrors she had created. The latter would've been nice if she could create any mirrors of substantial size. She doubted the tiny shards from her armor would give her a proper image.

She inhaled sharply as it clicked. My Mirror Tower Shields! I can make them as big or as small as I want. I could leave them in a strategic place and look through them.

She grinned, and the loss of earlier levels was almost worth it. She skipped the following few skill change notifications until she got to the next skill evolution.

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*ding!*

[Skill Change. Vitalize – Level 262 changes to Vitalize (III) – Level 19]

*ding!*

[Skill Evolution. Vitalize (III) evolves to Greater Vitalize (III) – Level 24. Greater Vitalize – Type: Active. Affinity – Healing. You can heal yourself, restore limbs, and recover from near-death injuries. You will feel no pain as the skill works to restore you. You can also heal one other person at a time if you are touching them. The cost of Mana to recover yourself has been reduced greatly. However, the cost of healing others will be much greater.]

"Hey, what do you know? I'm almost a healer," Meera exclaimed. Again, the god remained silent.

She once again skipped to the next skill that had upgraded.

*ding!*

[Skill Change. Mirror Wing – Level 272 changes to Mirror Wing (III) – Level 24]

*ding!*

[Skill Evolution. Mirror Wing (III) evolves to Mirror Bolt (III) – Level 30. Mirror Bolt – Type: Active. Affinity – Mirror. You can no longer just control the trajectory of the flying mirrors, but every mirror guided with this skill will have its speed and power increased several-fold. Your mirrors will dash through the air almost unseen and slice open any who dare stand in your way.]

*ding!*

[Skill Change. Mirror Affinity – Level 378 changes to Mirror Affinity (III) – Level 78]

*ding!*

[Effect Change. Mirror Affinity – Type: General. Mirror Affinity will provide a boost of 6% for every level henceforth for all your mirror skills. Your conjured mirrors will have a slight chance of reflecting your enemy's attacks back at them.]

*ding!*

[All of your mirror-based attacks will get a boost of 490%.]

Meera did a double-take at that absurd number. Last she looked, Mirror Affinity provided a boost of about 380%. If the reflecting effect activated even once in four times, she would be more than happy.

She skipped through the next few to get to Shadow Affinity, hoping for an effect change like Mirror Affinity.

*ding!*

[Skill Change. Shadow Affinity – Level 213 changes to Mirror Affinity (II) – Level 90]

*ding!*

[Effect Change. Shadow Affinity – Type: General. Shadow Affinity will provide a boost of 4% for every level henceforth for all your shadow skills.]

*ding!*

[All of your shadow-based attacks will get a boost of 360%.]

It wasn't bad, but unlike Mirror Affinity, Shadow Affinity didn't gain an additional effect, but it was okay. It did gain an increase in the boost as well.

No other skill had upgraded, and surprisingly, her Armor of Mirrors did not get any tiers and remained the same. She figured it was because it was an item and not a skill. She pulled up all her stats to review everything.

[Name: Meera Singh]

[Age: 24]

[Race: Ascendant]

[Class: The Mirrorborn Slayer – Level 588]

[Class Ability: Replicator – Level 29]

Stats

[Health: 4300/4300]

[Stamina: 4210/4210]

[Mana: 5900/5900]

Attributes

[Constitution: 430]

[Power: 120]

[Dexterity: 412]

[Endurance: 421]

[Focus: 590]

[Agility: 320]

[Perception: 269]

[Essence: 1]

Skills

[Ambush Tactics – Level 185] > [Ambush Tactics (II) – Level 68]

[Shroud of Shadows - Level 203] > [Shroud of Shadows (II) - Level 82]

[Nightstalker Bindings - Level 170] > [Nightstalker Bindings (II) - Level 56]

[Mirror Step - Level 229] > [Mirror Step (II) - Level 2]

[Druvis Might - Level 171] > [Druvis Might (II) - Level 57]

[Mirrorstrike Vision - Level 303] > [Mirrorbound Sight (III) - Level 40]

[Mirror Tower Shield - Level 228] > [Mirror Tower Shield (III) - Level 2]

[Mirror's Wrath - Level 192] > [Mirror's Wrath (II) - Level 74]

[Mirror Shard Fury - Level 223] > [Mirror Shard Fury (II) - Level 98]

[Vitalize - Level 262] > [Greater Vitalize (III) - Level 19]

[Mirror Wing - Level 272] > [Mirror Bolt (III) - Level 24]

[Corrupting Hex – Level 74] > [Corrupting Hex (I) – Level 74]

[Shadow Coating - Level 182] > [Shadow Coating (II) - Level 66]

[Mirror Phantom - Level 168] > [Mirror Phantom (II) - Level 54]

[Dusk Veil – Level 125] > [Dusk Veil (II) – Level 20]

[Spectral Dominion – Level 159] > [Spectral Dominion (II) – Level 47]

[Death Mark – Level 128] > [Death Mark (II) – Level 22]

[Shadowflame Devastation – Level 98] > [Shadowflame Devastation (I) – Level 98]

[Bastian's Strength – Level 151] > [Bastian's Strength (II) – Level 41]

[Heaven's Wrath – Level 33] > [Heaven's Wrath (I) – Level 33]

[Ice Ball – Level 110] > [Ice Ball (II) – Level 8]

[Frigid Wave – Level 156] > [Frigid Wave (II) – Level 45]

[Winter's Mark – Level 97] > [Winter's Mark (I) – Level 97]

[Arctic Cage – Level 171] > [Arctic Cage (I) – Level 58]

[Quaking Fist (IV) – Level 95] > [Quaking Fist (IV) – Level 95]

General Skills

[Identify – Level 23] > [Identify (I) – Level 23]

[Mirror Affinity – Level 378] > [Mirror Affinity (III) – Level 78]

[Climbing – Level 20] > [Climbing (I) – Level 20]

[Tree Walker - Level 15] > [Tree Walker (I) - Level 15]

[Potion Making - Level 1] > [Potion Making (I) - Level 1]

[Alpha Aura - Level 30] > [Alpha Aura (I) - Level 30]

[Wild Instincts - Level 122] > [Wild Instincts (II) - Level 18]

[Charred Body - Level 15] > [Charred Body (I) - Level 15]

[Shadow Affinity - Level 213] > [Shadow Affinity (II) - Level 90]

[Tactician's Gaze – Level 128] > [Tactician's Gaze (II) – Level 22]

[Prismatic Distortion - Level 29] > [Prismatic Distortion (I) - Level 29]

[Absorption - Level 87] > [Absorption (I) - Level 87]

[Haunting Presence - Level 24] > [Haunting Presence (I) - Level 24]

[Spectral Resilience - Level 221] > [Spectral Resilience (II) - Level 97]

[Blood Magic – Level 1] > [Blood Magic (I) – Level 1]

[Soul Bond - Onyx the Stallion – Level 26] > [Soul Bond - Onyx the Stallion (I) – Level 26]

[Negotiation Expertise – Level 5] > [Negotiation Expertise (I) – Level 5]

[Alcohol Tolerance – Level 1] > [Alcohol Tolerance (I) – Level 1]

[Eyes of a Phoenix – Level 27] > [Eyes of a Phoenix (I) – Level 27]

[Iron Skin – Level 190] > [Iron Skin (II) – Level 72]

[Gladiator's Last Breath – Level 25] > [Gladiator's Last Breath (I) – Level 25]

[Accelerated Healing - Level 124] > [Accelerated Healing (II) - Level 19]

[Volatility - Level 63] > [Volatility (I) - Level 63]

[Nightfall Surge - Level 5] > [Nightfall Surge (I) - Level 5]

[Frost Sense - Level 4] > [Frost Sense (I) - Level 4]

Armor

[Armor of Mirrors - Level 257]

Meera couldn't lie to herself. All these low numbers made her feel like her skills had been nerfed. Getting used to this new way of leveling up her skills would take some time. Thankfully, it only applied to her skills. If God forbid her class had been nerfed, she would've cried.

Of course, Darthin didn't care if she was sad or not, even if the disappointment was evident enough on her face.

"Your transformation is now complete," the God drawled. "As a final parting gift, I'll give you something that I've withheld. Something that I didn't think you were worthy of, and my interaction with you has not changed that opinion of you, but I am not an unfair god. No matter what they say of me."

*ding!*

[Ultimate Class skill acquired. The Slayer's Dance. Type: Active. Affinity: Mirror & Shadow. You can burst all the mirrors that you can see, creating a maelstrom of deadly shards and shadow tendrils. Each broken shard creates a shadowy arm that drags enemies towards you. At the epicenter, your speed and damage are drastically enhanced, allowing for devastating finishing blows.]

[Please forego a skill to acquire this one.]

Meera thought she had lost the ability to look shocked. She had widened her eyes enough times, her jaw dropped other times, and she had flat-out stared at other times. But this time, she did nothing. This time, she glared at the God. If she were strong enough, she would have hurled her chakrams at him.

"This is the first skill that any of my classes have ever given me," Meera said in a controlled tone. "The first skill that is entirely my own, and you kept it from me?"

"Yes."

Meera clenched her fists, and before she did anything stupid, she focused on the notification, which asked her to let go of one of her skills. Without even thinking much about it, she let go of Artic Cage, as it was one of her lower-level skills.

She could've let go of Heaven's Wrath but felt closer to it. After all, it belonged to Lexa, and it had helped free Narikas from Erenyx's grasp. She also had a feeling it would come in handy in the coming fight.

*ding!*

[You have acquired the skill The Slayer's Dance (I) – Level 1]

"There is one final warning I will give you," Darthin said. "Not all skills are created equal. There are some skills that will grant you immense power but at great cost to others. You have one of those skills. Don't ever use it, or you will lose all you have gained today."

Meera frowned and didn't have time to even think about what skill he was talking about before he vanished. The winds whipped up, lashing snow and ice in her face. The world started moving again, and heads snapped to her.

Aksha snarled like a wild animal as she came for her.

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