How I got fuc*ed up

Silence. 

There was only silence in the cell, briefly interrupted by shockwaves coming from the ongoing battle 

“You are right… I’m sorry Julius, we shouldn't have risked your life like this”

“You better believe it”

“I am sorry, but there are powers in motion that you don't even imagine and we need information… Desperately”

“This doesn't help to calm me down”

“We will make up for that, don't worry”

“I know… And believe me, I am the last one that should worry… If you want to me to follow your script, you need to pay and not just once”

“State your conditions” said Kalon with a serious expression

“You will give me 600 low level Mana crystal”

“Granted”

“I’m not finished”

“... You are somewhat greedy, don't you know?”

“I don't really give a shit… Then, I want to be trained to the best of the Temple’s possibilities, before and after awakening… Obviously I will go to the frontline to complete mission from time to time, I am not unreasonable”

“Granted… You are a strange man, Julius”

“I know… Then, when I will awaken, I want the best resources available… And I mean the very best… I don't care about how much you will have to pay for that, so don't try to move my heart”

“Greedy bastard, do you know how much that will cost us?”

“Does that mean that our deal is off?”

“I…” starter saying Kalon hesitantly 

“Granted” said Jorlof, appearing near his High Priest

“Supreme Priest! I’m sorry, I failed you”

“Don't worry Kalon, things didn't go as we expected… Now Julius, do you have other conditions?”

“No, but I’ll tell you what will happen in the next days”

“You are in front of the Supreme Priest, act accordingly” exclaimed Kalon

“I don't care… Now… You will provide me with the crystals and I will strengthen myself as much as I can without anyone, except for the two of you, knowing… As for how, don't bother investigating, I won't tell you… During this phase I will stay in the infirmary to “recover”, where you will protect me… After that, I will attend my trial and you will assure my survival and my freedom… Then, I will start my training”

“So you think you can summon the King whenever you please?” calmly asked Jorlof 

“No, I don't, but I think you can”

“I can ask the King to organize the trial for a certain date… But that can be done assuming we know when you will finish your strengthening process which, I assume, you already starter, seeing that you are stronger than the last time we saw each other”

“Well, I can give you that”

“Really?”

“SYSTEMMM” screamed Julius in his mind

[I am here, no need to shout] 

-How much time do you need to complete the upgrading of all the stats to 50, except for Vitality? - 

[About 72 hours] 

“I need 72 hours”

“Ok, that can do” replied Jorlof

“When do you wanna start?” asked Kalon

“Just after setting one last thing”

“What?”

“The intruder and the one who sent him… I want to know everything… But before that, can someone explain why you do not help Tarlen? He is still there”

"Ahahahah" the Supreme Priest started laughing “Under that thick skin there is a kind soul… It seems like I didn't make a mistake in trusting you… Now, let me explain… Tarlen will win, he is just playing around to remove a little rust he got standing here without doing anything… Plus, there are dozens of priests ready to help him if needed”

“But… This place is a mess”

“Nothing a little of earth and metal magic can't fix… Now, why don't we move to the infirmary before the Royal Guardians come here? So that nobody will ask too much questions”

“Ok, let's go”

A few minutes later, the trio reached their destination and Julius got on one the the beds

“Boy, these are your crystals” said Kalon, giving Julius a big crystal

“But that's only one”

“No, it's 600 crystals compressed in one… It’s just Mana manipulation”

“System, can we integrate that in the Soul Space and then start the upgrading?”

[Yes. Does host wish to integrate the low level Mana conglomerate?] 

“Yes”

As Julius said those words, the big mana crystal disappeared 

“I would like to know how” said Kalon in disbelief 

“You wish… Now, just focus on protecting me, ok?”

“Ok” replied both priests 

“System, status”

[Status] 

Name: Julius 

Species: human

Alignment: none

Age: 21

Biological Age: 19

Qi level: none (unawakened) 

Mana conversion rate: none (unawakened)

Mana level: none(unawakened)

Soul level: locked

Techniques: none (unawakened)

Soul techniques: locked

Stats: click to check 

Elemental affinity: 

• Fire: 21%

• Water: 40%

• Air: 30%

• Earth: 50%

• Light: 60%

• Darkness: 60%

• Metal: 35%

• Lightning: 23%

“Seems like my fire affinity increased after being exposed to high temperatures… Now, check stats”

 [Status: stats] 

Strength: 11

Agility: 11

Stamina: 11

Intelligence: 11

Vitality: 9

Perception: 10

“Initiate upgrade”

[196 low level Mana crystals will be consumed. Does the Host wish to proceed?] 

“Yes”

Everything went blank once again.