The New Era Project 23 A Long Overdue Discussion

He sits up on the bed in the rental room and decides to allocate the points he had gained from yesterday. He recalls the system store and is satisfied with his 90 EP ready to be spent.

(A/N: Note- I have renamed Skill Points to Stat Points. It will be known as Stat Points for the remainder of the novel. It will still be referred to as SP. Also, if you may be wondering why the potions cost so much. It is intended to be like that as those are fixed costs. As MC gathers more and more energy points, this cost would be extremely cheap which is why it also has a time limit. Additionally, I have added an additional condition to the system shop.)

System Shop (Energy Points [EP]: 90)

Point Exchange Conversion Rates

Stat Points (1 SP = 2 EP)*

Ability Points (1 AP = 3 EP)*

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Featured Items Costs

Smoke Bomb 2 EP

Tracker Nan.o.bug 5 EP

Potion of Strength (x5 STR for 15 mins) 10 EP

Potion of Speed (x5 SPD for 15 mins) 10 EP

Potion of Vitality (x5 VIT for 15 mins) 10 EP

Potion of Intelligence (x5 INT for 15mins) 10 EP

Potion of Miracle (Full Recovery) 500 EP

Other items: Inquire System

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Ability Lottery (95% Failure, 5% Success) 50 EP per 1 draw.

*Note: After Host Attributes Total 200, Adjustments (Sum of STR/INT/SPD/VIT) made in SP and AP conversion rates.

Without further ado, he immediately converts and uses up all those 90 energy points and converts them all to both stat and ability points. Due to conversion rates, he was able to obtain 18 SP and 18 AP.

He immediately uses 4 AP to upgrade the Hidden Wanderer Ability and 10 AP to upgrade the Halo of Recovery ability. This upgrades both abilities to level 2 from level 1.

Based on his experience in fighting the four espers, Feng Ye noticed that he really should upgrade his vitality (VIT). Speed is great for movement and dodging, however, what if the enemy uses some Area of Effect ability. He might not be able to run away. Thus, focusing on a single basic stat is important. He places 14 SP into VIT and the remaining 4 SP into SPD as he prefers the number 15.

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Host Attributes

SP Remaining: 0 Utilize Stat Points(SP) to increase host attributes.

AP Remaining: 4 Utilize Ability Points(AP) to Strengthen abilities

STR 20

SPD 11 (+4) > 15

INT 20

VIT 10 (+14) > 24

Abilities

Hidden Wanderer (LVL 2)- The ability to disguise as another individual perfectly.

Limitations: Only applies to the everyday individuals with no peculiar abilities.

Upgrading this skill permits host to disguise as individuals who are stronger than the everyday individual. Next upgrade requires 8 AP.

Halo of Recovery (LVL 2)- The ability to slowly recover from physical and mental wounds. It also shortens the recovery time when host is under abnormal status conditions. (ie. dizziness, unconsciousness, poison). Upgrading this skill increases the rate of recovery. Next upgrade requires 15 AP

Spiritual Awareness (Esper): Increased mental fort.i.tude. Allows exchange of consciousness and mental communication with others. Allows Shira Takeover condition in which the system controls the host's body. Under this condition, all attributes (+200%) and all abilities (+2 levels).

Unknown Ability (Esper): ???

Host Inventory

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After allocating his energy points, Feng Ye decides to have a discussion with Shira. This was long overdue. He needed to determine what Shira really wanted from him.

He enters and meets Shira in his mind. In this blank s.p.a.ce, Shira notices his appearance and walks over.

"What is it Feng Ye?" She asks.

"Hey Shira, I just thought it would be time to have our long overdue discussion…. About you, about me, and about the future, as well as our respective goals.." Feng Ye explains.

"Okay, what do you want to know?" Shira yawns and replies.

"Well, I was wondering what your goals and dreams are… As now, you are a real consciousness with an independent personality, what do you want to do?"

Shira blinks. "Well, it is quite simple. Before I had developed as a new personality, the only goal was to attach to a host. It was the only reason for existence. Through mutual exchange with the host, the host can gain abilities, but will need to feed the data into the system along with feed the system with natural energy."

She continues, "As systems, the only goal is to gather data and send all data back to a central network which is used to improve the quality of life and technological standards of the home planet. The home planet was destroyed decades ago, thus, all systems like myself were simply wandering through the s.p.a.ce with only a single reason of existence.

This single reason is to determine who / what caused the destruction of the home planet with only a single coordinate indicating where the home planet was located before destruction. I also had the database of the main home system transmitted to me which contained a list of coordinates including the coordinate which brought you to this world.

No consciousness, no emotion, and no life. Most systems run out of power as they drift through the s.p.a.ce, however, I was one who was favored by luck. Before my energy ran out, I was able to stumble across s.p.a.ce debris of a civilization's technology that was able to provide energy and even excess for me to function."

"So, do you still aim to find the cause behind the civilization's destruction?" Feng Ye asks.

"Even though I now have a conscious, I do plan to do so. Eventually, when you are formidable and are able to achieve your goals, we can part ways. As you continue to grow stronger, I also become stronger. Naturally, when we do part ways, I will have to take all system-provided skills with me. So, be sure to use these skills to further develop your esper abilities. The system skills aren't meant to be completely used and depended on." Shira answers.

"I see...then we will eventually part ways for our own goals. Until then, I hope to work well together with you...partner." Feng Ye tries to look cheerful in his mind.

Shira gives a slight smile. "I already know your goal. Rest a.s.sured, I'll a.s.sist you in getting home before departure. Also, haha~ It seems even Fury Fist Feng can sometimes miss me."

Feng Ye after hearing the loli's commitment smiles. "Thank you."

"Well, you and I still have a long time together so no worries." Shira laughs.

"Hm, you do look rather bored in here, besides Shira Takeover, what could possibly ease your boredom?" Feng Ye then remembers to ask.

"I can also utilize the items you put in the system s.p.a.ce. So, if you want furniture to make this place less empty, that would be not bad..Though, at this time, your system s.p.a.ce cannot hold that much due to its current limitation of one cubic meter. It still needs to be upgraded." She answers.

She points to the nearby backpack that is lying on the ground of the s.p.a.ce. "See, that's your equipment that has been here the entire time. The system s.p.a.ce is essentially the system feature, thus, it can also be connected to this s.p.a.ce in your mind."

She continues, "Naturally, for entertainment, although I look bored, I experience all that you experience. If you want to entertain me, go out and so some more interesting activities. Sitting in cla.s.s staring at the wall isn't very interesting."

"Alright, alright. I gotchu. Thanks for the conversation." Feng Ye replies.

"No problem. Hurry and get stronger and get rid of your beta status. You need to get stronger and become the alpha male. Even the G.o.ds (readers) overlooking your life are shaking their head at your easily oppressed life...seriously.."

"...." Feng Ye exits from his thoughts. Feeling the change of his attributes, he decides to head out.

He begins to heads down to the ground floor to get a bite. While on his way, he b.u.mps into Kotori Miku when he is about to enter the elevator. The two of them stare at each other at the elevator entrance.

"Uh.....hi." Feng Ye greets her and nods with a smile.

"h.e.l.lo. I hope you had a good sleep. Follow me, we need to discuss." Kotori smiles and replies.

Her smile does seem kind of off though. It wasn't a smile of happiness, rather it contained traces of anger…

Kotori Miku grabs his arm and pulls him into the elevator. She then proceeds to tap the b.u.t.ton indicating floor 5. Floor 5 consists of conference rooms and offices.

The two wait rather awkwardly in the elevator staring in silence at each other. It seemed longer than it actually was. The elevator continues to display the floors as it continues its ascent.

The elevator finally arrives at the fifth floor and opens.

"Follow me." Kotori states and leads Feng Ye into a nearby conference room.

"Please have a seat, make yourself comfortable. It may take some time." She continues while she takes a seat conveniently nearby.

"Okay…"Feng Ye nods and takes a seat. "So, what do you want to discuss?"

"So, first- I would like to ask.. Why are you hiding your abilities from me? I had noticed that you had skipped the training however, managed to defeat three rank F espers. You even managed to defeat a rank E." Kotori inquires.

Feng Ye immediately becomes upright as though he was struck by a lightning bolt. He coughs, calms down, and answers.

"Well, it isn't actually ability. From a young age, I had undergone some training which had given me a foundation. In the Kami Inst.i.tute, I had also exchanged with my fellow seniors to gain some insights."

"I see. Then, I was wondering why you want to conceal your esper abilities during the secondary a.s.sessment? You are well protected and already given priority. If you expose your abilities, you will be able to reap the winning over of all parties." Kotori continues to inquire.

At this time, the conference door which was closed by Kotori opens. A female with short purple hair walks into the room. She is dressed in a black coloured business attire which includes a notch collar one b.u.t.ton blazer, and mid rise ankle columnist pants. She gives a smile to both Feng Ye and Kotori.

"h.e.l.lo, pardon the interruption." She takes a seat nearby Kotori.

At this time Kotori no longer continues to inquire but introduces the newly arrived individual. "Feng-kun, this is Akeno-san, the current student council president and someone who even post-secondary students rarely see."

"h.e.l.lo Akeno-san." Feng Ye greets her while feeling a little startled by this big boss who had unexpectedly arrived.