Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest

Chapter 586 130.2 - Sylvana's Essence

In many leveling systems within games, players often focus on a select few attributes, honing their character's strengths for maximum efficiency. Whether it's increasing strength for melee fighters, dexterity for speed-based characters, or intelligence for spellcasters, the game's scaling mechanics encourage specialization.

Weapons, spells, and even equipment are often designed with a certain attribute scaling in mind, meaning the higher your stat in that area, the more powerful your character becomes.

The same thing could also be said for the game Legacy of Shadows: The Hunter's Destiny.

This method worked wonders in the mid-game. Players could breeze through enemies, dominating their opponents with tailored builds that emphasize their chosen strengths.

However, as the game progresses, this narrow focus often becomes a double-edged sword. In late-game content, when enemies are more versatile, diverse challenges arise that require well-rounded abilities. A character with one or two maxed attributes might find themselves lacking in critical areas, their once-dominant build now a liability against tougher, more unpredictable foes.

This was where Starbloom Essence came into play in Legacy of Shadows: The Hunter's Destiny. Unlike most consumables that offered short-term buffs or minor boosts to a single attribute, Starbloom Essence served a much deeper purpose. It acted as a sort of recalibration tool for a player's character, specifically designed to address the problem of lopsided builds. The essence worked by increasing the base values of a player's lacking stats, effectively allowing them to level up their weaker attributes without losing the progress they had already made in their strongest areas.

For players who had hyper-specialized their characters—dumping points into strength, dexterity, or Mana—Starbloom Essence was a godsend. As late-game content began to test every aspect of a player's build, those who had neglected their secondary stats found themselves exposed to the dangers of the game's diverse enemy types. The powerful foes in these final stages weren't just strong in one area; they required both offense and defense, as well as the flexibility to handle varied challenges, from speed to magic resistance.

In essence, the Starbloom Essence functioned as a remedy for the limitations of hyper-specialization. Its unique formula boosted the base stats that had fallen behind, effectively eliminating critical weaknesses.

'Interesting….' Astron lifted the glass, the shimmering liquid swirling in the pale green and silver hues that seemed to pulse with energy.

GULP!

Without further hesitation, he downed the elixir in a single gulp, the cool, almost refreshing taste spreading across his tongue. However, the moment the Sylvara's Essence hit his stomach, the true effect began.

A surge of warmth spread throughout his body, not unpleasant but intense as if every fiber of his being was being revitalized. His mana fibers felt like it was being reignited, the elixir spreading through his veins, filling him with power far greater than he anticipated. His muscles tensed, and he could feel his mana responding, swirling in response to the sudden influx of energy.

Maya, sensing the reaction immediately, leaned forward. "Astron, sit down. Take the lotus position. Now."

Astron, already aware of what was happening, nodded and quickly complied. He sat cross-legged on the floor, his back straight and his hands resting lightly on his knees. His breathing slowed as he focused inward, letting his mana flow freely through his body. It felt as though the Sylvara's Essence was amplifying his mana control, sharpening his senses and refining the energy inside him.

"Good," Maya said, her voice calm but with an undertone of excitement. "Now, circulate your mana slowly. Let it flow through every meridian, every muscle. Don't waste any of it. You need to absorb all the properties of the elixir." n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Astron followed her instructions, directing his mana throughout his body, ensuring it reached every corner, every cell. He could feel the essence of the drink fusing with his own energy, enhancing his mana reserves, fortifying his physical strength, and sharpening his mental clarity.

"Urghk-!"

But aside from that, something different happened.

Astron's body tensed as a sharp jolt of pain shot through his muscles, causing his shoulders to twitch involuntarily. His hands gripped his knees tightly, knuckles turning white as he fought to maintain control. The initial warmth and strength from the Sylvara's Essence had been powerful, but now something else was happening—something unexpected.

"Urghk-!" Astron grunted once again, his facial muscles spasming as if they were being torn apart and rebuilt at the same time. The bones on his face also seemed to be changing.

Maya's eyes widened in shock as she watched him, her heart pounding. This wasn't the reaction she had anticipated. When she had consumed the Sylvara's Essence years ago, she had experienced a surge of strength, an increased sensitivity to mana, but nothing like this. There had been no spasms, no bone-deep pain. The essence had been smooth, empowering, and almost serene in its effects on her. But Astron…

Her first thought was that something had gone wrong with the elixir. Her mind raced through the possibilities, but she quickly shook her head, dismissing the idea. The maid who prepared it was highly trained, and mistakes with such a revered formula were nearly impossible. Besides, if there had been anything wrong with the elixir, she would have sensed it immediately.

But this... this was something else entirely.

And as if that was not enough, suddenly smoke started rising from Astron's body, making Maya's breath hitch in her throat. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the sight, the smoke swirling and thickening around him. It wasn't just ordinary smoke—it was laced with mana, shimmering faintly with the energy it carried. Maya's instincts flared, telling her that this was not just a byproduct of the Sylvara's Essence, but rather a unique reaction to Astron's body and mana.

'Mana excretion?' Maya thought, watching as the dense cloud continued to obscure her view of him. She had heard of such occurrences before, though they were rare. The body, under intense strain or transformation, would sometimes release impurities or excess energy in the form of smoke or mist. It was considered a part of the purification process, expelling what wasn't needed while strengthening what remained.

'Maybe this is part of his process,' she reasoned. After all, the Sylvara's Essence was known to affect each individual differently. The elixir was potent, its properties uniquely tailored to draw out and amplify a person's strengths, though how it manifested could vary wildly depending on the person. Maya herself had experienced a smoother, more empowering sensation when she drank it, but she couldn't ignore the possibility that Astron's transformation was far more intense due to his specific circumstances.

The smoke thickened, and Maya could feel the mana radiating from it. It pulsed with a strange rhythm, almost like a heartbeat, as though it was alive, reacting to Astron's body. She stepped back slightly, her eyes flickering with concern but also curiosity. She could sense the shift in mana, the way it twisted and coiled around him, like a cocoon.

'He's still in control,' she thought, reassured by the steady flow of mana she could sense coming from him. Whatever was happening, it wasn't harming him—not yet, at least. But the changes were profound, reshaping him in ways she couldn't fully comprehend.

As the smoke began to dissipate, Maya's vision cleared, and she caught her first glimpse of Astron. His body was still, his chest rising and falling in a controlled, rhythmic pattern.

"Huh?"

The moment the smoke fully cleared and Astron's face came into view, Maya couldn't help but gasp softly. Her breath quickened, her chest tightening with a sudden, unexpected reaction. She blinked, trying to process what she was seeing, but the sight of Astron's transformed appearance left her momentarily speechless.

'What…?' Her mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation. She hadn't anticipated this—none of her knowledge of the Sylvara's Essence had prepared her for this kind of reaction. But it wasn't just the physical transformation that struck her; it was the sheer intensity of Astron's presence.

Astron had always been above average in terms of face—objectively speaking, he was an 7.5-8/10, someone who could easily turn heads with his sharp features, his fair skin, and those striking purple eyes that set him apart.

But now, as he sat before her, his face slightly illuminated by the lingering glow of the elixir, there was something more—something almost ethereal. He exuded an overwhelming charm, a magnetic pull that made it difficult for her to look away.

His once-handsome features had sharpened into something even more captivating, as though every detail had been refined to perfection. His skin, now glowing faintly, had taken on an almost otherworldly quality, and his eyes—those same purple eyes—shone with a new intensity that was both mesmerizing and unsettling.

Maya's heart skipped a beat. 'This is… impossible,' she thought, still struggling to understand how such a transformation had occurred. Astron had always been composed, cold even, but now, there was an allure to him that felt… dangerous.

She swallowed hard, her mind racing. 'How could this happen? Was it the Sylvara's Essence? But I've never seen it do something like this.' Her thoughts tumbled over one another, trying to piece together the mystery. Had the elixir awakened something within him? Or had it merely amplified what had already been there, lying dormant?

And she was not wrong.

Sylvara's Essence.

It had a special ability that made it quite a good haul for a late-game item. Aside from the parameters that were lacking behind, there was also one thing that it affected.

Invariable Attributes

Certain types of attributes would not be developed by normal means, nor could they be measured by any type of means.

While making up for the lack of Variable attributes, Sylvara's Essence also affected the lack of invariable attributes.

In a way, if a player's character was lacking in terms of willpower, might, or other types of variable attributes, they would also be amplified.

And this was exactly what happened to Astron right at this moment.

"Huuuuh….."

With a long breath, Astron calmed himself down and finalized the process. But then he glanced at Maya, noticing her wide-eyed stare, and furrowed his brow slightly. "What is it?" he asked, his voice smooth and composed, though there was a subtle undertone of curiosity.

Maya blinked, realizing she had been staring for too long. She shook her head quickly, trying to snap herself out of the trance she had fallen into. "Junior…..Take a look."

She could only show what she was seeing so that he would understand.