Due to the effects of the Quintessential Aether, Kieran suspected something would change. However, not even once did he expect it to be his physique. After all, to elevate one's physique, one had to complete the promotion process.
At this point, Kieran's next step in his progression was his Advancement.
Curious as to why the system had informed him that his physique had surpassed his current State of Being, Kieran looked at the next set of notifications, which shed light upon the matter.
〈System: Thanks to your efforts of refining your blood, your body has benefited greatly.〉
〈System: Your Hidden Attribute: «Constitution» has increased to 6 points.〉
〈System: Due to the auxiliary effects of having the imperfect parts of your vitality refined with «Quintessential Aether», you have unlocked the Hidden Attribute: Resilience.〉
Though there were additional notifications to be addressed, Kieran stopped here for the time being. These three notifications more than sufficed to explain why he had obtained a physique that surpassed a typical Intermediate Being.
Physique didn't refer to how strong his attacks were. Instead, physique referred to the grading of his bodily condition.
It wasn't unheard of for one to have high stats, but a lacking physique. Because of that lacking physique, they'd lose against an opponent with identical attributes, but with a higher State of Being.
One's physique determined how greatly one stat point could affect their condition. The higher one's physique, the higher one attribute point was effectively worth.
Coupled with the fact that he had also awakened another Hidden Attribute, Kieran was quite ecstatic and baffled.
'Even an Advancement doesn't guarantee that one will unlock the Resilience attribute. In a sense, one could argue that I've Advanced without actually performing the act,' Kieran thought.
Aside from the matter of Resilience, there was also his increased Constitution.
From what Kieran remembered, 6 points was the threshold of a Tier 2 Constitution, meaning it belonged to a genuine Advanced Being.
After understanding the reasoning for the first notification, Kieran then went on to explore the additional effects of assimilating the Quintessential Aether.
Though, as Gaea explained, because his State of Being was so low, the assimilation should have been significantly altered.
Unlike the elves, who had Quintessential Aether flowing through their veins thanks to being the descendants of Gaea, Kieran was a human.
The difference in their bodily composition didn't allow Kieran to eject all of his blood and replace it with Aether.
Thus, what happened instead was Kieran's blood being directly strengthened by introducing Mana to it permanently.
Unlike before where he had to infuse Mana into his blood to control it, Mana now permeated it at all times.
Of course, the effects of such a thing were pretty remarkable.
〈System: Your base Vitality, irrespective of your items meant to enhance it, has increased to 1,000.〉
〈System: Your Health has increased by an additional 10,000 points.〉
〈System: Due to the enhanced nature of your blood, you have gained the Enhanced SS Rank Passive: «Refined Blood».〉
〈System: Due to the enhanced nature of your blood, your «Seething Ichor» has evolved into the Unique SSS Rank Ability: «Unshackled Ichor».〉
As he learned of these changes, Kieran stood there in complete shock, wondering if his eyes were playing tricks on him. Despite not having checked their details yet, the ranking of these new skills were enough to astonish Kieran.
As Kieran had learned to better manage Vim Restoration and Death Avoidance, Seething Ichor had become an admittedly obsolete skill.
Even if he did let someone heal him, he had grown skilled enough to quickly drain that abundance of vitality.
Thus, although he never complained about it, Kieran felt that Seething Ichor was an ability he could do without. It was valuable in the beginning as a crutch, but now, there was little to no need for its presence.
Now curious about its change, Kieran expanded that particular notification.
「 Unshackled Ichor (Lv.1)
Skill Rank: SSS
Skill Type: Passive
Mastered (100%)
Description: A skill unique to a True Berserker that has refined their blood with an otherworldly substance to liberate its slumbering qualities. Blessed with exuberant quintessence, the user may now store a surplus of Mana to have their blood act as a secondary Mana Pool. This Mana remains in the blood, irrespective of the user's primary Mana Pool. (The amount of Mana capable of being stored in the user's blood is equal to their VIT attribute.) 」
"My blood has become a secondary Mana Pool," Kieran muttered, almost failing to grasp what had just taken place.
A secondary Mana Pool was simply unheard of!
While he understood the logic of expanding one's Mana Pool to contain more Mana, he had never heard anyone speak of creating a second Mana Pool.
Granted, creating a second Mana Pool wasn't the best way of wording what happened.
Instead, Kieran's blood had simply become so refined that it could now hold Mana without it being contained within his Mana Pool. The independence of it, however, did give off the impression that it was another Mana Pool.
"That much is to be expected. The imperfections that were drawn out were essentially the limits that have been imposed on humans as they lost touch with their roots. But, as a High Human, you shouldn't let those limits plague you," Gaea voiced.
As he listened to her speak, Kieran couldn't help but turn toward her and blink incredulously. "The specifics of it are all very vague, so I guess it would be best to ask you. In terms of replacing what I use, is it faster or slower than my primary Mana Pool?"
"It'd naturally be slower," Gaea replied. "Though you have grown stronger, you've also gained a weakness that you'll need to temper until it's no longer an issue."
"Weakness?" Kieran muttered. His expression remained clueless as he couldn't help but continue blinking absentmindedly.
From his point of view, nothing about it seemed like a weakness. The fact that Gaea mentioned the presence of a weakness was simply incomprehensible.
"Correct. If you don't understand what I mean, try to wield your blood," Gaea urged, extending her arm. "As something that has existed for longer than any sign of life on Xenith, you can act freely without worrying about damaging anything."
Let alone Kieran, not even Gaea could damage this Eternal Manaspring. In her current state, having lost the connection to her original Endless form, Gaea was weak.
Though she was not entirely powerless, compared to the environment she was born in, her current power was less than 1% of its original grandeur.
As per Gaea's suggestion, Kieran began to stimulate his blood without paying attention to the seal that existed around a specific portion of it.
However, after attempting to move his blood, Kieran swiftly realized that he was straining himself to the point large veins surfaced on his forehead.
"It's so damned heavy!" Kieran exclaimed, breaking his focus with a deep gasp.
"Precisely. While it is true that your blood has become countless times stronger, it has come with a consequence. The weight of your blood has similarly increased," Gaea explained.
Naturally, this made Kieran grimace. If he couldn't wield his blood properly, wasn't he essentially powerless? After all, he relied upon this power for everything!
Thankfully, before Kieran could fall into despair, Gaea posed a solution—two in fact.
"Until my highest daughter reveals that your guide has completed her task, you're free to train here. Use the environment to grow accustomed to wielding your newfound abilities," Gaea told him.
After considering it for a bit more, she voiced the other suggestion: "You should also rely upon that Ego of yours to assist you."
"I should request the assistance of Nameless?" Kieran muttered, pensively rubbing his chin. It wasn't a bad idea, considering that the Archaic Verity Compendium released a kind of arcane energy that was perfect for nurturing one's soul.
Though, as he considered this idea, Nameless' voice echoed in Kieran's mind.
[Only if you say please. If you want my help, you'll naturally have to show the proper amount of manners. Otherwise… I refuse.]
"That guy is kind of cheeky. I don't know if he's the type of individual you want to rely upon," Kieran suddenly responded.
"Cheeky? When I spoke with him… he seemed genuine and wise. Could it be that we're talking about two different people? That's plausible, but that's also frightening," Gaea remarked.
"Why would it be frightening?"
"That's because I wouldn't advise you to let more than one Ego into your soul. I've witnessed several Egos turn an individual's soul into a battleground and wreak havoc upon it. And… wounds on the soul inflict pain like no other," Gaea answered, her expression turning somber.
Judging by her expression, it was evident that speaking on this topic roused some hurtful memories.
Upon noticing this, Kieran frowned and thought to change the subject. "I see. Well, we're definitely talking about the same guy. For some reason, I just think the fellow doesn't like me."
[This is blasphemy! I have never once voiced dislike for you. I simply shall not tolerate anything beneath the required level of respect that I'm owed. Without me… you wouldn't be able to warp realities and avoid a Karmic Catastrophe!]
'Oof! And now you talk so much? Fine, fine. I wholly understand that you're a superior presence, O' Great One,' Kieran said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
[That's correct! I am a Great One! Given your obedient behavior, I'll naturally assist you in improving your focus.]
Of course, as a Ego that lacked human interaction for decades, Nameless was not aware of the existence of sarcasm, taking Kieran's sarcastic concession at face value.
Seeing as he had determined his path forward for the next couple of days, Kieran took a seat beside the Peripheral Aether Pool and began practicing with his improved blood.
As with all ventures into uncharted places, Kieran's progress started off with abysmal improvement. Nevertheless, the more he attempted this, the greater the benefits he reaped.
By the end of the first day, Kieran succeeded in connecting his vitality to the improved Blood Mania Source Rune, with the result leaving Kieran amazed.
