Developing a ranged skill was easier said than done. There were many options, ranging from the tried-and-true fireball to learning archery. In my case, I had no magic unless you count converting primo exp into mana and dumping it in a spell formation. Honestly, I doubt an enemy would just let me write one mid-battle.

  Archery was a no-go as I had used a bow before and was pretty crap at it. The home office had many facilities, so I tried my hand at many things during my off hours. With all that in mind, the solution was obvious. Glancing down at my hand, I raised the weapon of power. Not my sword, I meant my hand and not in a dirty way.

  The force attribute had risen to great heights, and ever since then, I can sense that power. So enclosed and restrained, waiting to be unleashed. I left the throne and made my way to a corner of the throne room. I didn't want to cause any collateral damage.

  Hiding behind a pillar — yes, this throne room was one of those types. Big pillars, very Greek like and you had to admit, it looked pretty cool. Hopefully, I didn't damage them when I unleashed my epic powers.

  I tried sitting in the lotus position because that seemed like the proper procedure. It was super uncomfortable, no matter how many times I stretched. The first time I sat I immediately hated it and quickly got up. Shaking my body to loosen up, I stretched out my legs, arms and back. Still not a fan of the lotus position, I sat in a half lotus like a chump.

  Closing my eyes, I attempted to clear my mind and focus on my aura. Yeah, not exactly an accurate name for a force-based kinetic barrier. But aura just sounds cooler, so I am sticking with it. It wasn't a purely accurate name, since I was pretty sure some temples and sects across the system worlds used the term for life force or spirit.

  But aura does actually fit since the force field around me is my energy, generated by me and enhances my combat abilities like a monk. Well, maybe I will call it my Force Aura so that way the monks don't sue me for copyright. With the naming conventions all sorted, it was time to feel the energy.

  "Be one with the aura, be one with the aura." I repeated my made-up mantra.

  I tried doing that for half an hour, and while I felt the aura; it was very difficult to manipulate it. Using the skill was the easiest approach; pre-programmed auto-magic makes life so much easier.

  Here, I don't have the skill to do this, so the manual approach is my only option. Still, I persisted despite my boredom. Woah, did I have a short attention span? Luckily, I had the means at my disposal to aid this. The sense attribute had increased quite a bit; I just needed to lean on the senses of the system.

  Closing my eyes, I tried to block out my mundane senses as much as I could. Slowly but surely, my senses shifted, and an image took shape in my mind. It was the field that forever surrounded me, an aspect of myself that was permanent. System integration for attributes; they were stuck in you, barring rare events.

  The field projected by my force attribute, now dubbed aura, slowly became clear as a mental image. Locking the image in place, I tried to manipulate it. With conscious thought, I tried drawing it in. After several failed attempts, I finally adjusted it. What followed was a very unpleasant, almost claustrophobic-like sensation.

  Quickly stopping that line of thinking, I suspected going further would force the aura back on myself, crushing my body. Not wanting to die horribly, I shifted focus. Instead of drawing it in, I imagined the aura pushing outwards. That was much easier, only took a few tries, and I moved the aura a few centimetres away from me.

  "Oh yeah, I got it."

  Emboldened by my success, I spent nearly an hour pushing my aura as far as I could. I reached a maximum of a few metres before my body ached and was nothing left of my stamina. It took a good half an hour of rest before I agreed to try that again.

  "Hey Jen, can you scan me when I try to push my aura out? I would like to make a skill out of it." I said, receiving an affirmative a few moments later.

  The prickling sensation of her attention came over like a stalker down the street. How did I not feel this before? Perhaps I wasn't paying attention, but there was definitely a sense to it. I wondered if I could sense Grimgard, the system, not the planet. It was good to know, but not a priority right now.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Trying my little trick again, I pushed my aura away in every direction, trying to maintain the maximum amount of kinetic energy with every metre it expanded. After reaching about ten metres in distance, I felt the energy drop off. Pulling back, I raised my hands, trying to guide the energy. Clenching my fists, I felt the ground crack under immense weight.

  Ignoring the pain, I kept pushing my aura to its absolute limit. The strength output decreased dramatically. Eventually, I was barely shaking the dust fifteen metres away. Maintaining that for a few minutes before my stamina tapped out.

  "Alright, what have you got for me?" I said in between wheezes.

  [Force Aura. A system empowered kinetic energy field that surrounds you and increases the amount of kinetic energy produced from your body. It has been further developed to extend this field beyond your body, up to fifteen metres. Effects: Apply kinetic energy within the range of the field, amount decreases the further you extend. Cost: Consumes stamina at a steady rate because of strain.]

  "Thanks, Jen, maybe add that to the trait list." I suggested after reading over the description.

  Checking my character sheet, I noticed the addition to my traits. And reading over the description again put what we have created in perspective. The weaknesses and potential of this ability were quite something.

  The stamina drain initially made little sense, since this effect was purely system-empowered attributes. It would make more sense if it drained mana. Didn't have that, and so it turned to stamina as the resources it partook of.

  In truth, it was just the strain bearing such energy had on the body. That's why using this power is more akin to physical exertion than mental effort. The power of the body, not the mind.

  Success had been achieved; it was now time to forge a new skill. Rising to my feet, I cracked my neck, and feeling the soft pop and release was delightful. Performing a few key stretches before it was time to unleash my power.

  Gritting my teeth, clenching my fists and pouring every ounce of effort, I expanded my field and increased the kinetic energy in one swift and brutal escalation of power. The ground shook, the walls cracked, and the roar of the gods descended.

  The effort stole my breath from my lungs but also tore the world around me asunder. I slumped over, spent and wheezing. Almost all of my stamina bar, which had returned shortly before, was now nearly empty.

  I collapsed in a heap, catching my breath. Noticing Marius peaking around a pillar, concern etched on his face. I waved him off with a thumbs up and a salute. He looked confused but likely saw I was in one piece and returned to whatever he was doing.

  With time to recover, I waved a hand, manifested my keyboard and got to work. Fingers glided across the keys with speed and efficiency. Me and Jenny were in perfect sync as we crafted this new and powerful skill. It was an ace, a trump card of absolute devastation. Raw, untamed power to destroy and obliterate.

  It needed refinement, definition and, most of all, integration. It took some time and fighting with Jeremy over his desire to leap atop my virtual keyboard and sleep upon it. Despite interrupting me, it was humorous to watch.

  With the final keystroke made, soon the skill appeared for review and integration. It was a marvel of system programming, truly a supreme bit of code.

  [Unleash Aura (Basic). Description: Unleash the full force of your aura, destroying all within your domain. The power released depends on the limits of your aura and the extent of its reach. Cost: Stamina drain dependent on Resilience.]

  "Now, that is a skill." I grinned, noting I had become more theatrical in my skill writing.

  Marvelling at this powerful skill, fantasies plagued my mind. With enemies all around me, trying to defeat me with sheer numbers. Unaware that a cornered enemy is the most dangerous of them all. Unleashing my aura and devastating the landscape, crushing all around me with sheer power.

  "Now that is power." I grinned.

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