The Over-Break System

Taking Milo’s little paw in her hand, Gabby pricked one of his toe beans, making the kitten flinch.

~Shhh, it’s ok. I know it stings a little, but I did it to myself too, see.~

Waving her finger as the blood dripped down, Gabby calmed Milo down and pressed her injured finger to Milo’s paw.

“Tier-2 Huntress Skill: [Beast Partner Contract],” speaking softly not to startle Milo, Gabby activated the skill and felt her Mana drop a bit as the dripping blood merged together, and both their eyes lit up with a mysterious glow.

—

In the other room, sensing the fluctuation of Mana in the training room, Brance and Cynrik’s heads snapped in that direction as they simultaneously activated [Mana Sight].

However, what they saw sent a shiver down both their spines. Through their ocular skill, the two brothers saw a massive and fierce Mana construct beast head formed out of a mixture of Brown, Light Green, Amethyst, and Blood Red particles, creating a Rose taupe (#905d5d) particle that neither of them had seen before.

Seeing the disembodied rose taupe-colored Mana construct head closely resembling a massive Saber-Toothed Tiger, Cynrik’s pupils constricted, and he felt the urge to drop his gaze along with his body toward the ground.

“What in the fuck is that….” Brance was the first to speak.

“Say hello to the cute little kitten your girlfriend brought home, or at least the little cats link to an ancestral bloodline.” While fighting to maintain eye contact with the Spirit Manifestation on the other side of the dorm, Cynrik exhaled loudly through his nose.

“Yeah, no shit, I got that part, smartass; I’m talking about the particle; what the hell kind of Mana particle is that? The Green, Brown, and Amethyst make sense; those are the three combined Affinities, and I assume the bloody particle is the hidden one we found, but WHAT are they?” Covered in sweat and panting, Brance had to sit down as he continued looking at the beast’s manifestation.

Squinting and zeroing in on the deep crimson particles, Cynrik had two sensations from seeing them, a metallic taste in his mouth and a strange smell that he recognized instantly.

“Blood, those Mana Particles seem to represent Blood.” The instant the words left his mouth, Cynrik knew he was correct.

“The final Affinity is Blood Control. Can you confirm this theory, Tobs?”

-The Mythical Cub known as Milo indeed has an Affinity for what you are theorizing, except it has a different name, Hema, Secret Grade Affinity Hema. The Cub’s control over this specific particle type is currently lower than the others.-

-Unlike your Nátt Hrafn Fledglings, who were born with higher Tiered control and being in the Beginner Stage, all three of the Cub’s Affinities are at the Initial Stage of Tier-0, something that even you passed relatively quickly after birth.-

“This makes things quite interesting.” Smiling bitterly and regretting that he couldn’t get such a powerful creature under his command, Cynrik shrugged his shoulders and deactivated his [Mana Sight].

The instant he did, the pressure he was feeling from the Spirit Manifestation disappeared, and everything went back to normal for him.

“No point in worrying, that thing isn’t going to hurt Gabby, and the longer you stare at it, the more it will affect you psychologically, so give it up and go back to carving Opals.” While he spoke, Cynrik looked down at his Ravens and noticed they were both tucked into balls and shaking fearfully.

“It’s ok, you two; Papa is here to protect you, so you don’t have to be afraid of that big scary thing,” using the most gentle voice he could muster, then reaching down to pet both Sie and Vii, Cynrik calmed them down before feeding each another cracker.

Between his words and calming touch, the two little Ravens calmed down but continuously glanced at the wall leading to the training room fearfully.

Sighing at the state of his Ravens, Cynrik created a small bubble using all four of his Affinities around the couch, which subsequently cut off the overbearing and dominating sensations, and only then did Sie and Vii settle down.

While this was happening, Brance moved toward his and Gabby’s favorite of the couches, pulled a coffee table closer to him, dumped out all his uncut opals, and began carving them to raise his Gem Cutting Level.

However, when he heard Cynrik call himself Papa again, the corner of Brance’s lips curled up. If it weren’t for the fact that Vii and Sie were present and intelligent, Brance would have taken a moment to tease Cynrik, but using his better judgment, he let it go.

Holding his carving tool in one hand and an uncut Opal in the other, Brance used the method Cynrik had previously taught him and pictured what he wanted the gem to look like once finished before striking it several times.

-You have successfully Cut an Uncut Common Opal.-

-You have earned 10 Gem Cutting Proficiency XP.-

-Current Gem Cutting Proficiency XP. 100/100.-

-Congratulations, your Gem Cutting Proficiency has Leveled up.-

-You have gained 1 point in DEX and 1 point in INT.-

-Chances of perfectly cutting Uncut Opals increased by 20%.-

‘Oh? Nice, leveling up my Gem Cutting boosted my class’s Stats for Distribution.’ Spinning the Cut gem in his hand to examine it, Brance quickly put it away and checked his updated Stat.

: Gem Cutting:1 , XP 0/200 :

‘Sigh, welp, it looks like the XP increases by a different formula than Primary levels. Only 20 more Opals to go before level 2.” Rolling his head around to relive the pent-up stress, Brance went to work, and after cutting ten gems, he still had a pretty high failure rate, but it was still better than the first batch of Opals he had previously cut.

Life was relatively calm for the next few hours, except for the hiccup that came along with Gabby solidifying her Contract with Milo. Unlike Cynrik, who had to give up stats to his Ravens, Gabby got a power boost from Milo instead of helping him grow.

Well, a passive boost, by way of changes to her Distribution. By creating a Partner Bond with Milo, she acquired the kitten’s Distribution on top of her original one. Now, each time her Primary Level increased, she would get a significant amount of stat points in every Stat.

The changes were so significant that even Cynrik and Brance felt pressured when they saw the new line of text in writing.

: Distribution: 0(2) STR, 2(10.1) DEX, 0(10) AGI, 2(1) INT, 0(2) VIT, 2(0.1) MIND :

Not only did she get the increases from her Classes, but now, if the information online could be trusted, her Distribution would increase even higher alongside her Beast Partner.

This revelation caused the brothers to sweat because if they slacked off even a little bit, it wouldn’t be a stretch to assume that Gabby would hit her Stat cap long before them.

Then there was Milo. When Gabby presented the kitten’s stat profile to Cynrik, he nearly jumped out of his seat and ran off to an Egress to start training his babies.

Biting the inside of his cheek till he tasted blood, Cynrik stared at the unfair advantage the kitten had over his birds.

: Status :

: Milo :

: Smilodon-Thṓs Male :

: Age-0:

: Tier-1  :

: Level: 0 :

: Essence(XP): 0/100 :

: Distribution: 2 STR, 1 DEX, 1 AGI, 1 INT, 2 VIT :

: Mana Codex & Circuits Tier-1  :

: Stage 0 :

: Body – Tier-1:

: STATS :

: HP 600/600 :  40 Per Point

: Mana 30/30 :  10 Per Point

: Stamina 225/225 :  15 Per Point

: Stat Points- 50 : (5 per level)

: Skill Points- 0 : (1 per level)

: Strength- 5 :

: Dexterity- 3 :

: Agility- 3 :

: Intelligence- 3 :

: Vitality- 15 :

: Mind- 3 :

: Affinity- :

:(BG)Terra-Tier-0 (Initial):

:(BG)Chloro-Tier-0 (Initial):

:(SG)Hema-Tier-0 (Initial):

Aside from getting 20 more HP and ten more STAM per VIT point, Milo started with 50 free Allocation points. Cynrik continued to read, his face becoming darker and darker until he finally threw the paper at Brance and stormed off to the Training room with his Ravens perched on his shoulders.

“UNFAIR!”

BANG

Slamming the door to the training room, startling Gabby, Milo, and Brance, Cynrik began plotting out the training regiment for the Ravens with a single thought repeating in his mind. ‘My babies will be the strongest, Mythic bloodline? Who needs it? Not my babies!’

With the living room descending back into silence, Gabby plopped down next to Brance with a curious Milo in her arms and finally found the time to introduce the kitten to her boyfriend.

Unsurprisingly, either because of Gabby’s feelings for Brance leaking through their Partner Bond or the calming and reassuring Light Mana radiating from Brance’s body, Milo happily freed himself from Gabby’s grasp and launched himself into Brance’s for pets.

“Haha, hey little guy, nice to meet you.” Having always liked cats, Brance was perfectly well adjusted to their antics, and after having his fill of cuddle time, he handed Milo back to Gabby and went back to carving Opals.

Slowly and quietly, time passed until Benny and Selene returned home looking tired later that evening.

“UGH, SO MANY SHOPS!” Selene complained as she plopped down in Cynrik’s recliner.

“You’re telling me? I didn’t even get a chance to check in on Melody to see if she was ok.” Benny snorted, crossed his arms, and found a spot on his couch.

“Don’t even Benny Boy, you were the one insisting on stopping at EVERY SINGLE SMITHY! Hell, we only went to four or five Tailors! It was always worn, old, sweaty men in hot buildings everywhere you dragged me.” Rolling her eyes and looking over to the Calm Gabby and Brance, Selene spotted the tiny kitten peeking at her from her roommate’s lap.

“OH MY GOD! GABBY, WHO IS THAT LITTLE CUTIE?” Wide-eyed and overly excited, as if all her fatigue from the day instantly vanished, Selene appeared on the floor in front of Gabby, startling Milo so bad that his fur stood on end, and he mewed angrily.

“Selly, stop scaring him; Milo is still a baby! You can’t just launch yourself at him like that; what if he ends up hating you?” Leaning forward, Gabby flicked Selene’s forehead and scolded her.

“Sorry, he’s just so cute. Can I pet him?” Rubbing the spot Gabby had flicked with her right hand, Selene looked up at her roommate with pleading eyes.

Puckering her lips and turning them to the left in thought, Gabby tethered herself with a strand of Mana to Milo.

~Milo, this is my best friend and roommate Selene; she and I live together so you will see her a lot. I know she scared you, but she’s a nice person like Brancie, ok?~

~mmmm, mew.~

Scrunching up his face, Milo barely understood what Gabby had said, but the feelings he was getting from his Mama said that Selene meant no harm and just wanted cuddles. So after a few complaining noises, he hopped out of Gabby’s lap and onto Selene’s shoulder, making her giggle thanks to the soft fur tickling her ear.

A short while later, when it was dinner time, Cynrik, Sie, and Vii came out of the Training room and joined the rest of the group in the kitchen before setting up a unique dining area for the pets.

Although apprehensive about being near each other at first, all it took was some reassuring words from Gabby and Cynrik before the two birds, and one kitten sat around their little table and ate their pre-prepared meals together. In contrast, the other members of MyrkLys took their usual spots at the big table.

Clinking his fork against his cup several times, Cynrik drew everyone’s attention and started his speech.

“Alright, guys, phase one of training is done. Everyone has capped at least one class, except Brance, who has a leg up on all of us. Gabby and I have our Partners now, and it is time to start heading into the Egresses.”

“I spoke with Uncle Jessup today; we should have our gear first thing in the morning, so don’t worry about that part.” Meeting the eyes of everyone at the table, Cynrik continued.

“Obelisks are out until we evolve, and the Tourny is upon us, so I need everyone, including you three,” pointing his fork at the pet table now dubbed the Kids table; Cynrik included Milo, Sie, and Vii in the conversation.

“We have a lot left to do. So Starting tomorrow, we will be jumping full speed into training. We already have the permission of Headmaster Rivia to do so, and now it is on us to show results, so 150% moving forward…GOT IT?”

“Yeah, we got it; now give me the damn Mac and Cheese Cyn, or I’m going to blow up your plate!” Rolling his eyes at his overly dramatic older brother, Brance leaned forward to grab the large bowl of macaroni and cheese but was stopped by two forks stabbing into the table on either side of his hand.

“Tsk, so inpatient Brancie, it is on my and Sel’s side, so we get dibs first.” Smiling sadistically, Cynrik pushed the bowl to Selene so she could scoop out her share before taking his own, ignoring the disgruntled complaints of everyone else at the table.

“HEY, YOU TOOK TOO MUCH!” Brance howled.

“SNOOZE, YOU LOSE BRANCIE!!! YOU NEVER SHOULDA ALLOWED ME TO SET THE TABLE!” Cynrik cackled.

“Gabby, please pass the nuggies,” Ignoring the antics of the brothers, Benny politely requested the plate of chicken nuggets.

“Mh, here you go, Big Brother, I’ll trade you for the salad.” Equally ignoring Cynrik and Brance, Gabby handed over the plate of chicken in exchange for a bowl full of salad.

Meanwhile, Selene silently watched everything with a smile; even after being a part of MyrkLys for months, she never got tired of this family of a party, which made her feel warm inside. But soon, she too dove into the battleground called dinner time, fighting to get some Mac and Cheese, leaving only the three baby creatures looking at the strange seen.

The two birds and cat looked into each other’s eyes and continued eating as if nothing had happened.

END OF VOLUME 4