Chương 357: Chapter 346: Oneiric Memory

[Ultimate Sensory Memory - Silver] becomes [Physical & Oneiric Memory - Gold]! [Physical & Oneiric Memory] - Your eidetic memory now encompasses all your mundane senses, from sight to chronoception. Since dreams engage these senses to simulate an experience, you now recall these experiences in every detail… or almost. In an average human, the brain disables long-term memory storage during paradoxical sleep to optimize recovery. This Talent circumvents that mechanism while ensuring restorative sleep.

This Talent functions as a tool, supporting and complementing your Memory. Thus, its storage capacity remains limited by your attribute. POT -2 500 Synergy with [Nightmare resistance] detected… Lvl Up: [Nightmare Resistance] lvl 10,..., 14 WILL +5 MEM +5 CHAR +5"I understand now why those born blind do not dream in images. The brain relies on physical senses to weave dreams."

"Without such a foundation, you would have been unable to influence the evolution of your Talent. A path must be paved for your Potential to tread." The phoenix offered a knowing smile, and Priam discerned that it was merely repeating a phrase oft spoken before.

"The bridge between your senses and your dreams already existed—you merely reinforced it." His mentor's reasoning was sound, and Priam acquiesced, though he also considered that the existence of [Nightmare Resistance] had likely contributed to bringing his sensory and dream memories closer together.

"Enough chatter. Let us test your new Talent," declared the bird.

"I hope it works, or I'll be filing a complaint," Priam muttered, lying down in the grass. Five minutes later, he cracked open an eye.

"I can't sleep."

"Shall I sing you a lullaby?"

"Just stop staring at me like a psychopath and I'll be fine." The bird snorted before taking off toward its sun. Finally alone, Priam surrendered to sleep. Beneath his feet, the dunes of his childhood lack warmth. Further ahead, the ocean waves crash in silence, and the ground does not tremble with each impact. The sky is devoid of color, and beyond his immediate surroundings, the world dissolves into nothingness.

Far from worried, Priam strolls along the shore, summoning runes and juggling them like an acrobat in an alien circus. Magic flows effortlessly—like the aether itself is eager to heed his slightest whim. A silhouette emerges in the distance. It shifts, donning the masks of Anatole, then Dishnu, before settling on Esmée. The princess winks at him.

"So, you had a good time with Jasmine?" she asks. Her lips never shape the words, yet he can hear them crystal clear.

"Just as a friend. She cares for me because I saved her, and I won't take advantage of that."

"Wrong answer." With a flick of her wrist, Esmée summons three runes. Ice and Shape sculpt a spear, while Repulsion fuels its launch. The projectile streaks toward Priam. In this blurred world, the runes, the aether, and their constructs stand out in unsettling clarity. Effortlessly, Priam calls upon Vector. As a micro-epiphany strikes, he charges the rune to less than a quarter. At the moment of impact, it shatters, redirecting the spear by a mere degree—just enough to miss him.

Disposable runes, a newfound method to conserve his energy reserves. The weapon strikes the sand, erupting into shards of frost. Priam grins, materializing Water and Shape to seize the remnants of his adversary's attack. Recycling the fragments, he crafts a new spear before casting Cold. The liquid solidifies, then Repulsion hurls the weapon forth like a cannonball. Esmée dodges with grace, already conjuring another projectile. Dusk falls, the sand turns frigid, and the ocean glows crimson.

In the now-black sky, a blood-red moon ascends. Esmée opens her mouth, and her voice carries the weight of absolute truth." Repulsion is a defensive tool. Attraction serves the attack better." As the wind carries away her final words, the ice lance slices through the air. Priam attempts another Vector to deflect it, but the projectile loops back like a vengeful boomerang. The sand drinks blood.

Lvl Up: [High Aether Manipulation] lvl 21 META (Affinity) +3 META (Focus) +3 META (Endurance) +3 Lvl Up: [Runic Language] lvl 22 META (Affinity) +3 Blinding artificial starlight wrenches Priam from sleep.

"A proper internal world should have a day-night cycle…"

"The next upgrade of Pyro should allow you to manipulate your sun," the phoenix said.

"Well?"

"It was... strange." Priam frowned.

"There wasn't always sound or color. My nose was useless. I couldn't feel my hearts beating... yet none of it seemed odd. Looking back, it felt like trying to recall a night of heavy drinking. I remember the events—apart from the beginning—but it wasn't truly me experiencing them."

"You have just described a dream," the phoenix deadpanned.

"It was far more vivid than that! Normally, I forget my dreams in moments as they're too bizarre for my poor brain. But this one... I see it with perfect clarity and let me tell you, the alien sensations that come with the beginning of a dream are disturbing. Humans are not made to go through that."

"You're not human anymore."

"My body and soul have evolved," Priam conceded.

"My mind lags behind."

"As long as it doesn't drag you down." The Juggernaut's gaze sharpened.

"I'll do whatever it takes to survive." The phoenix nodded before shifting topics.

"So, was your dream useful?"

"I bent the aether into runes." Priam conjured Water and Shape once more, forging another ice spear. Attraction bound it to his internal sun, launching it toward the nova. A moment later, only steam lingered.

"Sadly, I didn't gain real experience, but I picked up a few tricks."

"I fail to understand."

"Well, in a normal dream, the subconscious speaks. Thanks to my evolving meta affinity, the aether does too." Priam met his mentor's blazing gaze.

"It's different from the second milestone of meta chance and its gossip. Here, it's as if the world itself is my teacher, guiding me to use my knowledge more efficiently."

"That is excellent, for your greatest limitation is not resources but knowledge. What of your aether proficiency?"

"The dream passively aids it, hence my level ups—but it's a side effect." Priam lifted his hand and studied it.

"I recall what I did with the aether, yet my oneiric memory doesn't register my magical senses."

"Meaning?"

"I have the knowledge of the story's narrator, but not the experience of the protagonist. Theory without practice. I understand what I was trying to do, the deductions I made, and the revelations I had. I even remember the truths the aether whispered to me—but that's it." Priam scowled, struggling to articulate it better. Finally, he summed it up.

"No magical muscle memory."

"That was expected. Your meta affinity evolution allows your dreams to engage your magical senses, but they aren't imprinted by your oneiric memory. Should you upgrade your Talent to retain how your sleeping subconscious manipulates the aether, your potential will become terrifying." You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

"My potential is already terrifying." The phoenix, no larger than a pigeon, somehow managed to look down on him.

"Do not grow arrogant. Until now, your greatest asset was having two lives per day. The Tribulations must have shown you that is far from enough to be invincible." The Juggernaut grimaced.

"On the other hand, the versatility offered by perfect aether mastery would open many doors. You could succeed where my original failed… Attain [Ideal Aether Manipulation] without Ace's aid." Priam opened his mouth to speak but shut it again when he saw his mentor lost in thought. A minute passed before the phoenix sighed.

"Before recording your magical senses at the mythical rank, the legendary upgrade should grant you control over your dreams. Right now, your subconscious chooses the subject and exercises. That is suboptimal." Priam shook his head.

"Why waste an upgrade when I can train myself to make my dreams lucid? If I fail, [Nightmare Resistance] will take care of it."

"A new skill? What does it do?"

"Nightmare Resistance: guardians of sleep, mediators of emotions, and outlets for thoughts; dreams serve many purposes… blah blah blah… This skill helps you stay lucid during a nightmare, recognize the deception, and spot inconsistencies in the narrative to take control," Priam quoted.

"At the epic rank, it's likely that my dreams will become lucid if I convince myself they're nightmares."

"And thus, your playground," the phoenix concluded.

"You shall be free to train in whatever direction you desire, unshackled from the narrative woven by your subconscious. Clever." The phoenix gazed into the distance.

"Don't let this nightmare resistance slumber for it may yet save your life."

"Was that… a pun?" Priam couldn't believe his ears. That was so out of character for the Prince that—"Wait, there's a story behind that remark, isn't there?"

"Maybe. I shall merely say that many powerful entities employ dreams as instruments of corruption. It is insidious, for it preys upon a moment of vulnerability, when the subconscious is defenseless."

"There was a blood moon in the sky of my dream," Priam recalled, a shiver running down his spine.

"Do you think the Necromoon is manipulating my thoughts?" Though he was accustomed to dancing with death, the Champion had always feared for the integrity of his mind.

"The laws of Elysium shield you from the worst of its influence," the phoenix reassured him.

"Yet there is no doubt that the presence of such a formidable entity weighs upon your disposition. As time passes, its influence shall only become more apparent… not that you can do much about it. Consider it training for [Free Will]." Priam nodded, then froze.

"What of the others?"

"The others?"

"My father, Rose, Myuri… Non-combatants aren't equipped to handle this kind of influence." The bird shrugged.

"There exist other ways to temper one's mental fortitude than through battle and the will of a crafter can be stronger than the one of a fighter. Case in point: the grandmother who accompanied you has failed her own Mental Tribulation."

"Mirscella? You believe the Necromoon sapped her will to live?"

"I cannot say, but it surely played a role." The phoenix ruffled its feathers.

"There's a reason Elysium is the ultimate world. The weak don't belong here." After some experimentation, Priam discovered that Valaryth did not prevent the Necromoon from appearing in his dreams. However, focusing on [Free Will] dimmed its glow in the dreamscape, much like the purification barriers surrounding Oasis. Kazuki suggested prioritizing the use of Sun points for Oasis's defenses instead of consumable resources, and Priam agreed, purchasing several blueprints for protective rituals.

Each cost half a million points—the maximum a Duke could spend in one transaction. Despite the steep price, it was the only way to further strengthen their base's defenses as instant upgrades cost twice as much, making them inaccessible for now. Blueprint - Protective Barrier VIII (500 000 points) - A protective barrier capable of covering 100 000 square meters and stopping attacks from a strong Tier 0 Elysian Duke.

ACQUIRED Blueprint - Necro Purification Ritual VIII (500 000 points) - A ritual purifying the ambient aether from the curse of the Necromoon. Covers 100 000 square meters. ACQUIRED Blueprint - Rampart VIII (500 000 points) - Only the incessant assault of a weak Tier 0 Elysian Prince could damage this wall. ACQUIRED Priam entrusted the construction of these defenses to Rose and Alain, assuring them of his assistance whenever possible.

Meanwhile, he focused on training, prioritizing the mastery of aether and his new Aura over physical torment. According to the phoenix, his newly acquired Title, [The Five Ages of Man], was incredibly powerful. Heroic Aura, in particular, was an excellent tool for delivering critical blows against formidable opponents and elevating other skills—just as Conquest had once done for [Phantom]. The Champion meticulously analyzed his status, seeking promising synergies.

True to his promise to Jasmine, Priam trained only during the day, reserving his evenings for his loved ones, discussing with everyone, helping Blueberry prepare meals, or playing with Sphinx and Moonie. At night, he dreamed, honing his mastery of aether.

Lvl Up: [High Aether Manipulation] lvl 22, 23, 24 META (Affinity) +9 META (Focus) +9 META (Endurance) +9 Lvl Up: [Ideal Aether Perception] Lvl 26, 27 META (Affinity) +6 META (Perception) +12 Lvl Up: [Runic Language] lvl 23 META (Affinity) +3 Lvl Up: [Nightmare Resistance] lvl 15 WILL +1 MEM +1 CHAR +1 Lvl Up: [Ciphered Record] lvl 6 MEM +6 META (Affinity) +6 META (Authority) +15 Lvl Up: [Free Will] lvl 32 WILL +6 CHAR +3 Three days after his return from Proxima, Priam sat atop Log-a-rhythm, brushing Sphinx's fur.

"Harder, behind the ear," the cub babbled, eyes closed in bliss. Priam focused on the indicated spot, and Sphinx let out a growl.

"Slower. It's not a race."

"Cut him some slack, he's on edge because he hasn't killed anything in three days," Jasmine teased.

"I feel fine now—" Priam started.

"You promised to rest for a week."

"Farming undead is practically resting."

"You adrenaline junkie…"

"Priam's right," Sphinx chimed in.

"A little exercise never hurt anyone." Priam raised an eyebrow.

"Says the one who sleeps sixteen hours a day and eats for four."

"That still leaves me three hours to talk and one to fight! Not that I've had a good fight since Seth. Are you sure I can't go to smack him again?"

"Absolutely not. He's a dangerous psychopath, and you got lucky last time."

"He's the one who got lucky!" Sphinx grumbled, rubbing her right eye. The necromancer had cursed her, and she had been forced to spend a hundred thousand Sun points on a blessing from the Sun Shop to cleanse it.

"Want me to take care of the bag of bones?" Jasmine offered. Priam turned to his friend and shook his head. Perhaps because he had nearly lost her three days prior, he refused to let her take such a risk.

"We need Osiris to advance Homo Elysian to Tier 3, and possibly for [Ageless]. Attacking Seth now would antagonize him prematurely."

"Too bad. He's occupied with the Empyreans anyway," Jasmine revealed. Priam straightened.

"What did you see?"

"Your princess is fine," the assassin smiled.

"As for the rest… A lot more soldiers plus new directives. The guard shifts have changed, discipline is stricter than before, and they now have noble mages."

"How do you know they're mages? And nobles, at that?"

"They fight the undead using aether—mages. They ask the soldiers to wipe their golden asses after they shit in the woods—nobles." Priam was finding himself at a loss for a response when a message from Log-a-rhythm spared him from further contemplation on the matter.

"Someone's coming," he said, riding his mist. A second later, he reappeared at the protective dome's edge. Beyond the barrier, surrounded by the corpses of a dozen corrupted, stood a familiar face.

"Champion Priam, I request an audience."

"Welcome, Young Master Rohan." The young lord of the most powerful local tribe had arrived unannounced.

Status: PHYSICAL: Strength 854 Constitution 1 653 Agility 1 256 Vitality 1 709 Perception 888 MENTAL: Vivacity (D) 634 Dexterity 787 Memory 1 028 (+22) Willpower 1 238 (+17) Charisma 912 (+18) META: Meta-affinity (O) 1 165 (+37) Meta-focus 708 (+14) Meta-endurance 1 167 (+18) Meta-perception 667 (+20) Meta-chance 1 020 Meta-authority 627 (+24) Potential: 34 306 (-2 458) Sun points: 666 860 (-1 476 584) [Tribulation]: Two Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until: Time: 26 days 16 hours 14 minutes 29 seconds. Next thresholds: 12 attributes > 900 / 6 attributes > 1 200 / 3 attributes > 1 500 / 1 attribute > 1 800 Next arc already complete on Patreon if you want to find out what happens next! https: //www. patreon. com/ANovelConcept