Cultivating Talents [LitRPG Mana-cultivation]

Soul water brushed against Hector's ankle. His eyes wandered over the three talents placed upon the marble surface of the Talent Grafting table. Two [Light Tokens] and one [Growth Touch]. He'd been lucky enough to pick up another [Light Token] Talent and was more than willing to sacrifice it to see what came out.

If this works as expected. I could create a more useful Talent. Though I hope it's not too useful, as I don't know when I'll next be able to get more of these two.

Placing his hand on the cool surface of the two Talents before him, levelling his gaze at the third, Hector let out a sigh.

"System, begin the Talent merger process," Hector said, lowering his hands. A soft, warm light glowed underneath the three Talents as their surfaces swirled with activity. The light radiating off the Talents dimmed noticeably as a soft hum resonated from the bench.

The water at Hector's feet lapped as if a wave of energy was pushing them away. The three Talents then rose into the air, their vacant indents glowing with intensity as the Talents rose higher in the void.

Hector watched, silent. He'd no doubt see this process countless times in the future, but right now he wanted to take it all in.

Suspended in air, the Talents swirled around each other, their orbits growing tighter until… click. No flash, no surge. Just a small, unassuming click.

Hector blinked. It wasn't the usual, grand display that the system put on when anything happened with a Talent. No. This time it was just a small, forgettable merger.

Standing in silence for a moment, Hector attempted to gather his thoughts. Eventually, he just shook his head and let out a sigh. Reaching out his hands and willing the white glossy orb that had formed to come to his outstretched hands.

By the Great Lake, I hope the Talent isn't as underwhelming as its creation process.

A moment later, a white text box materialised just above the Talent's surface, and Hector read over it.

————————————————
///: Verdant Luminescence (Common): The Talent holder, once they have placed their hand on a suitable surface, can trigger the growth of bioluminescent plants around them. The plants will grow until dense, glowing shrubbery is formed, creating difficult terrain and emitting waves of radiant light that wash over a 60-foot area. The luminous vegetation disappears after 45 minutes.

[•○○] (1/3) Duration: 45min Cooldown: 1h 5min
Increased stacks of [Verdant Luminescence] can strengthen this ability.

————————————————

Hector let out a whistle, high and long. It was a combination, alright. In a way, it was much better than the originals by themselves. The Talent could be used both to slow people down and light the area when needed. It was more than useful. Especially down here.

Behind, the five Talent saplings continued to sway in their pots. The wind that was supposedly moving them, completely absent. He'd harvested a few this morning, and with the formation of this new Talent, Hector was more than excited to see what came next.

He frowned, thinking through the application of the Talent around the hideout and during the exploration of the surrounding area.

"I guess it's time for a little test."

—- —- —- —-

Hector dropped to one knee, placing a hand on the smooth stone. He reached to the back of his mind. Behind, Emela stood watching, her eyes holding a hint of fascination. He glanced back at her and nodded.

The cool, slightly damp stone was rough in places. Speckled with bits of dirt, but Hector didn't mind. He focused, reaching for the [Verdant Luminescence] Talent in the back of his mind, willing it into motion. At first, nothing. Then—vines erupted from the cracks in the ground like they'd always been there, only dormant.

Light followed. Bright, soothing greens and pale blues pulsed along the thick, leafy tendrils. It wasn't harsh like the flames from [Blazing Arsenal] or the light that came from the crystals—this was soft, natural. A living glow.

Hector stepped back, satisfaction blooming in his chest. "It's a shame that it only lasts for forty-five minutes. It would really brighten up the place," he said, glancing back at Emela.

She frowned slightly, brushing back one of the blonde twin braids that rested on her chest. "Was that meant to be a joke?"

"Something like that," he said, turning back to the plants.

The roots crept farther, lining the edges of the tunnel in slow, blooming waves. Thick blankets of moss spread along the floor, and flowers that pulsed gently with light sprouted, some clustering around his sandals. Like a small forest trying to grow inside a cave.

Emela stepped up next to him. Exasperation coming out as a huff. "If only you could understand how truly crazy this all is," she muttered, clenching her fist at her side.

He glanced over at her, a smile twitching at the corner of his mouth. "I do."

You have no idea the things I can do. And will probably do in the future.

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Hector shook his head. Even he wasn't too sure how far the system would eventually take him. But one thing was for certain: he'd do all he could to make sure that his friends were right there along with him. After all, he couldn't be everywhere at once, and he needed to keep them safe.

"I don't think you do," Emela said. She shook her head a moment later and stepped forward.

Crouching beside a glowing stalk, she reached out, pinching a petal between her fingers and brushing its surface. "How is it so warm? I still don't understand how it doesn't cost us mana to make things like this."

Hector didn't either. But he wasn't in a rush to find out. The system did what it did, and so far, it hadn't affected him negatively. Even the fact that it manipulated his emotions didn't concern him much. After all, it hadn't done it out of malice. And besides, it wasn't like he had a way to stop it.

"It's just how it all works. Maybe we will figure it out one day," Hector said, watching the light reflect in her eyes.

The plants stopped growing several feet ahead, but the glow stretched out further, pushing back the darkness and leaving visibility in its wake. The tunnel felt so open.

Hector walked up to the end of the blanket of moss, the greenery tickling his toes slightly. This small section of the tunnel practically breathed. A small oasis in the stale, dry terrain. The air even tasted a little sweeter.

"This could have so many applications," he muttered. "If only it were permanent. We could light up entire areas and use the light to keep those rats away. Or lure them to specific locations." With the cave being in constant darkness, the creatures down here didn't like light much, or fire for that matter.

"You know, if you're going to be underground for a while," Emela said, coming up beside him, "this might be one of the most valuable Talents you've got."

Hector nodded and watched as she fished the rolled-up document from a pouch hanging at her side, next to her mask. She tapped it against her palm, then held it out to him.

He took it.

"Sorry for the wait, but now is as good a time as any, I guess," she said as Hector unfurled it. "Turns out, the Collar Gang's been forced to reroute shipments. Instead of going straight to a safe house, they pass through a refinery—one owned by the Muddust family."

A pang of sadness flared through Hector's chest. His father's workplace. The feeling was gone a moment later, and Hector glanced up at her. "That's strange. Nobles don't work with gangs. Though I guess that rule doesn't apply to the Collar Gang."

"You're right, they don't. Makes me wonder why. If anything, I doubt the Muddusts are getting all their wealth from making a few pills. Though, from what they say." Emela pointed at the document. "The change happened recently, at least within the last few months."

The plants shimmered and pulsed in the quiet tunnel.

"I heard on the street the other day that the Collar Gang are having some problems with a gang in the north. It's probably related to that," Hector said, curling back up the document. "They're probably betting on the fact that no one from the slums would attack a noble family."

Emela let out a sigh that sounded slightly pained. He couldn't blame her, even considering the idea was a little wild. Nobles had mountains of resources at their disposal, and that made them deadly.

"But we're not like everyone else from the slums," Hector said, watching the shadows down the tunnel pulse with the rhythm of the plants. "Besides, we can just hit them before they make it to the refinery. Surely that won't affect the nobles."

—- —- —- —-

A few hours later.

The fire snapped and crackled as a small stick fell through the burning firewood. Hector's eyes tracked the flames, their orange glow dancing in his eyes. They needed to decide today; he'd given them more than long enough.

Eyes flickering up, Hector met Jodie's gaze. The girl combed back a strand of ginger hair and nodded at him. She'd agree; there was no reason she wouldn't.

His eyes then shifted to Emela and Nyx. The two girls hadn't been present at the last discussion. But now they were, and Hector didn't exactly know where they both stood. Since the safe house, Emela had seemed quite eager to attack the Collar Gang. Especially since the Muddust name came into the equation. She must have had quite a bad relationship with them.

Then again, many in the slums didn't have a good relationship with nobles. Even Hector wasn't too sure how he felt about them. They'd never outwardly done anything to him, so it was hard to hate them.

Hector's eyes then moved between Lincoln, Marcus, and Delworth. He hadn't seen the three of them for a while, Marcus and Delworth especially. Though Hector could hardly expect the two of them to trek down here alone. Especially with the mole issues.

"So," Hector said, raising his voice a little. "It's more of a formality, if anything, but I just want to make sure we're all on the same page, and that we know what we're signing up for. To be clear, are you all willing to form this mercenary company with me?"

The silence that followed was thick—like smoke refusing to rise. The fire popped again, a sharp crack echoing off the stone walls of the cavern, before settling into a low hiss.

Jodie was the first to speak. "You know I'm in already." Her voice was steady, resolute, but there was a trace of something just beneath it—fear, maybe. Or something close to it. "I've done a lot for you guys over the last few days, and the way things are going, our lives are going to change in a major way. To be honest, when it comes to the mercenary, in my eyes, all we lack is a name."

A murmur of agreement followed, though Lincoln raised a brow at the last part. Hector nodded, then turned toward Emela. Her hands rested on her knees as she sat cross-legged to the right of the fire before Hector. Her gaze was relaxed but, ultimately, unreadable.

"I like the idea a lot. With the slums the way they are, we need people we can rely on and trust. And you guys fit that description more than anyone I know," Emela said.

Nyx, seated beside her, glanced at her, but said nothing.

Does Emela know that many people? I always thought we were the only friends she had. Though she disappears a lot, so I guess it makes sense. I wonder what those people are like.

Letting out a sigh, Nyx spoke a rare few words. "We can't take the gang head-on. So, keeping our identities hidden is a must. As long as we keep to that, I'm more than happy. It will keep us safe and keep the Collar Gang from coming down too hard."

"Why is that?" Mirae asked.

Hector raised a hand and stroked his sister's hair. "If the Collar Gang don't know exactly who they are dealing with. What do you think they will do?"

A spark of realisation lit his little sister's purple eyes, and she nodded, falling silent.

Lincoln scratched at his jaw, then nodded. "It's going to be a lot of work. As Jodie said, we need a name, probably a nice sigil, too. Need to keep some level of organisation in our anonymous group."

"We've already got that covered," Hector said, thinking back to the pattern that had formed on his body when they had made the first pact.

Marcus glanced at Delworth. "And how about you, cousin? Are you okay with this?"

Legs crossed, Delworth seemed to ruffle at the question, his well-pressed blazer falling loose in places. "I don't mind. Ever since I met you guys, I've been having fun."

For some strange reason, a surge of warmth washed over Hector's chest at Delworth's words.

Hector let the silence settle again, this time softer—like the last sigh after a delicious meal. His gaze swam between them, the weight of today's decision clear in their eyes.

"Alright," he said, "Now we just need a name, and some general roles to get the ball rolling."

A faint rat-like cry came from some faraway tunnel.

Everyone turned towards the cavern exit past the shimmering dome.