Sandborn - Awakening of the Frozen Sand

[The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.] – Albert Einstein

"I see," Azar said thoughtfully. "So, it either didn't have a flux barrier or simply didn't activate it."

"Exactly," Araumir replied. "Either way, it was fortunate for us. A prolonged battle wouldn't have benefited us."

Note: Beast Ranks

Calamity - 100,000 Flux Points

Definition: Beasts of this rank are apocalyptic threats capable of causing widespread destruction, potentially leading to the end of civilizations or ecosystems. Their mere presence can warp reality, and their power is beyond any conventional means of control or containment. Only groups of Aikyams and Archons can stop them, but killing one for good requires top-level techniques and considerable team effort.

Catastrophe - 10,000 Flux Points

Definition: Beasts of this rank are extreme threats that can annihilate entire kingdoms or regions. Their power is immense, often requiring entire armies or groups of Ogromnost Class flux-weavers and above to confront them.

Disaster - 1,000 Flux Points

Definition: Beasts of this rank pose a severe threat to large areas such as cities or small regions. They require significant effort to defeat and can cause massive loss of life and destruction if not dealt with promptly. Depending on its evolution, a group of experienced Magister Magnus or Custos Class flux-weavers can handle them without problems.

Menace - 100-1,000 Flux Points

Definition: Beasts of this rank are dangerous enough to threaten small towns or sections of a city. They are formidable foes but can be dealt with by skilled flux-weavers of the Magister Class and above.

Hazard - 10 Flux Points

Definition: Beasts of this rank are hazardous and can cause significant harm to individuals or small groups. They can be dealt with by groups of experienced flux-weavers of the Bellator Class.

Pest - 1-10 Flux Points

Definition: Beasts of this rank are moderately dangerous, posing a threat to lone travelers or small groups. They can be managed by individuals at the Mit'chalel Class. Many of them are insects or small-sized beasts.

"Let's see what we have here," Azar said, starting to check the orbs one by one. "Sand Gust, green ability card, allows the user to conjure a small, swirling gust of desert sand, capable of momentarily blinding and distracting opponents. While it provides a minor tactical advantage, its overall impact in battle is limited due to its short duration and low power. Ideal for beginner strategists or as a supplementary move in more complex tactics."

"Lame, definitely from a Calabi warrior," Azar concluded, placing the card to the side.

Note: Ability Cards

Found in loot orbs, these cards contain a single technique mastered by the individual or beast before it died. The name ability implies that the technique can be learned directly without the need for training or understanding. The Ability Cards can be spawned by the system, like any other items, in places with a high quantity and concentration of flux or after the occurrence of a natural phenomenon like the Void Storm.

Highly valuable and coveted by all flux-weavers, they are the fastest way of adding another technique to one's arsenal as they don't require training or understanding upon learning. However, like any other technique, their mastery power is increased through training and understanding of use and process.

Even though the techniques get integrated into an individual's arsenal in a matter of minutes, their use depends on factors such as the elements a flux-weaver can use, the amount of energy they possess, the condition and control over their bodies, and the control a flux-weaver has over their energy.

"Dagger, Flux Orb with one Flux Point..." Azar threw items all over the place, dispirited by their poor quality. "Oh, this is good," he said, studying the purple core crystal in his palm.

A beast's core crystal could be used as a crafting material for weapons, armors, and artifacts, but with the right knowledge and methods, it could be used for concocting potions as well. The core crystal of a Disaster-ranked beast was quite valuable, especially given Azar's current financial situation.

"Now we're talking," Azar said happily. After storing the core crystal in his ring, the next orb gave him a membranous sac with a black liquid. "I guess this is the corrosive liquid you were talking about?" he asked Araumir.

"Yes, what do you plan on doing with it?"

"I don't know yet, but maybe I can use it for crafting weapons and such," Azar replied.

Araumir shrugged, uncertain if a skilled enough blacksmith still existed to use such an item in his work.

"Another ability card," Azar said after opening the last orb. "And this one is from the scorpion. A yellow technique. Listen to this."

"Exoskeleton Armor is an advanced defensive technique that temporarily enhances the user's defense by hardening their skin into a durable, armor-like exoskeleton. This formidable protective layer significantly reduces damage from both energetic and physical attacks and can withstand harsh environmental conditions. The technique requires substantial energy and concentration to maintain, making it most effective during critical moments in battle when defense is paramount. While active, the user’s mobility may be slightly reduced, but the increased resilience can turn the tide of combat."

"Sounds good," Araumir nodded.

"Take it," Azar said, tossing him the card.

"No, no, no. I don't like jokes this time around. Your body is so weak that I'm afraid to put my hand on you, and you want me to have this technique?" Araumir asked. "You do realize that if you die, I have no reason to remain on this planet, right? And when this current soul fragment resembling me merges back with my main soul, what use would I have for it other than adding it to the collection?"

"Did your current soul fragment come here with a body protective technique like this one?" Azar asked.

"No, but unlike you, I don't need one."

"What use would we have for it if we merge back with our souls? I probably know more then ten thousand ways of manipulating the flux, but that knowledge isn't part of what I currently possess," Azar raised his voice. "Look, with my current level of cultivation, I can't properly use this technique, but you can. And if you're stronger, I'm safer. So, learn it."

"Master, I think you might have forgotten something," Araumir said calmly. "My body was refined before I possessed it."

Azar looked puzzled for a few seconds before realization struck him, and he slapped his forehead.

"Araumir, I must be losing my mind. The condition of my body makes me forget things. How could I have forgotten? I'm the one who paid for the work and materials used to strengthen your body, for heaven's sake," Azar said, truly alarmed about his memory lapses. It was as if he had been in an illusion, now waking up to reality.

"And just a while back, you mentioned something about a cherry on top of an ice thing. It sounded familiar, but I couldn't make the association."

"It is possible that the current information in your soul fragment doesn't include the term 'ice cream'," Araumir said. "I have the same problem with the worlds we've been on. I don't remember most of the things."

"Me neither," Azar agreed. "Probably the fragments of our souls contain information tied to this world. Otherwise, it would have been useless to possess memories from the technological world Ova 2, for example, and forget that we lived here."

"Yes, but we didn't even get our full powers and techniques we had back then," Araumir said. "I mean, look at me. I'm only at the 6th Star of the Magister Magnus Class, and when I left this world, I was an Archon."

"My soul loaded only 4% because of the poor condition my body was in," Azar said. "How much of your soul has loaded into your body? Judging by your condition, it should have been at least 20%. And that much should have enabled you to be an Aikyam here."

"Yes, I thought the same, but my soul was stopped from returning," Araumir replied with dissatisfaction. "The error message said I wasn't disciplined enough to come with all my strength into this world."

"Said what?" Azar burst into laughter. "Not disciplined enough?"

"Don't laugh at me. It's not funny. It said that I represented a danger to the inhabitants of this planet if all of me descended here," Araumir explained.

"You're a danger to the community, Araumir. You have to learn how to behave and not kill and scare everything." Azar continued to laugh until tears formed in his eyes.

"Master, you shouldn't mock me. The only reason your soul was able to load 4% was because of your energetic channels; otherwise, your body wouldn't have been able to accommodate more than 1%," Araumir said. "Wait a minute, why are you only at the 3rd Star of the first class if your soul has loaded 4%? You should have been at least a Bellator."

"That's what I asked myself when I first opened my profile on the fluxolit. I didn't find an answer other than it might be related to my knowledge and soul power. Logically speaking, with the degradation after so much time, my body shouldn't have been able to resist 4% of my current soul."

"Right," Araumir confirmed after a second thought.

"But even though I am much weaker than the them, I successfully completed the Soul Enslavement Ritual on three Bellator Class flux-weavers. And I controlled them successfully. This can be explained only by one thing: my soul power is stronger than theirs. So how can my soul power, which is closely related to the information on my soul level, be stronger than theirs even though my cultivation rank is weaker?" Azar asked.

"How?"

"The percent of my soul that loaded didn't have much life energy in it; instead, it mostly contained information," Azar explained. "And because of the refinement it experienced after so many lives, my soul is much more pure and concentrated then the others'. This explains my strong soul power. Something similar must have happened to you if you can remember the things from the moment we met and what we did on this planet."

"I do remember them," Araumir confirmed. "But why is there this difference between us? I also got part of my life energy, while you got almost none of it."

"That, my friend, is because unlike me, you were limited by the system for the danger you represent. We'll have to ask the system to find the complete answer," Azar said.

"Yeah, let me know if you ever get a clear answer from it," Araumir said, handing the ability card to Azar. "Use it; any protection is better than none."

Azar pursed his lips and accepted the card.

"So, you were already here?" Surumadur asked, stopping after entering the room.

"Yes, how are things?" Azar asked.

"Good, the healers take care of the wounded, the people are coming out of the tunnel. Thanks to you, we didn't lose much," Surumadur said, not advancing to his place.

"Don't stand there like a stone statue. Take your seat. Don't be shy," Azar said with a grin.

"Is that really alright? Now that we swore allegiance to you..." Surumadur stammered.

"You think too highly of yourself," Azar replied seriously. "I have no intention of taking your place as the chief of the tribe or being revered by your people like a god. I do not need or want to sit in your place, but I do want to be respected. So, keep being and acting like the chief of your tribe while under my command."

"Y-yes," Surumadur said, heading for his seat. "You mentioned some conditions before being interrupted."

"Ah, yes. Thank you for reminding me. But you don't have to worry," Azar explained. "I will keep you in touch with my plans and give you tasks accordingly. For now, continue your activities without letting the other tribes know of your cooperation with the Mirha tribe. And since you said you are some sort of mercenaries, I will give you a task: find information about the other tribes. Location, what they live on, what they are good at, how many people they have. Can you do that?" Azar asked.

"Yes, but don't expect the information to be highly detailed and accurate," Surumadur answered. "We can't actually count the total number of people a tribe has."