Chapter 1092: Skill Enhancement

‘Where they here to collect the Sygrix Stone?’

Izroth tasked Empyrean with gathering high-quality materials while also focusing on growing his strength alongside Selene. An ore cave like this was perfect for obtaining materials, seeing as how even a low-quality Sygrix Stone was already superior-quality. Izroth carefully examined the surrounding area. He used his natural senses, Energy Vision Sense, Deep Insight, Appraisal-anything that could help uncover even the tiniest of clues that may lead to where Empyrean and Selene wandered off to. He even used the Imitation: Law of Wind to get a deeper understanding of the ore cave and its layout.

Unfortunately, Empyrean’s feather was where the traces ended. Izroth was unable to find anything else that proved Empyrean and Selene visited the ore cave, let alone where they went afterward.

‘How troublesome.’

Izroth released an inward sigh. Although it was not the exact result he was hoping for, Izroth was glad to have found some traces of Empyrean and Selene. At the very least, he knew that whatever was behind Empyrean and Selene’s disappearance probably had something to do with the Kifa Karsts.

‘It looks like I will have to keep searching.’

“Who is the one that found this feather?” Izroth asked.

Starry Aster gave a meaningful look to one of the members of Sleeping Gardenia nearby.

The person stepped forward and said somewhat nervously, “T-That would be me, Palace Master Izroth. I hope I have not wasted your time with a simple feather.”

The young woman who stepped forward had a pretty and refined appearance. She appeared to be in her early twenties. She had long, curly, mint-green hair and a pair of emerald eyes. She wore mage robes and had a small wand at her side that gave away her class as a magic caster. She was a player who went by Green Ivy, one of the elite members of Sleeping Gardenia who was a part of the combat group in Kifa Karsts.

“You have done well. This item may not have led me to what I was looking for directly, but it has helped me confirm a few things. I, Izroth, am a man of my word.” Izroth stated calmly.

He then continued, “Show me your strongest skill.”

Green Ivy blinked a few times as she was caught off guard by Izroth’s words. Was that his way of saying he wanted her to attack him? Or, could it be that he wished to duel so that he could give her some pointers? But how could she lift a finger against a VIP benefactor of Sleeping Gardenia? Even if she received his permission, what if she accidentally did something wrong? Green Ivy looked over at Zinnia with a pleading expression in her eyes.

Zinnia released a light sigh when she saw the confusion and uncertainty written all over Green Ivy’s face.

“Ivy, Palace Master Izroth is offering you a reward. Do not worry about other matters. Whatever happens, I am sure that Palace Master Izroth will not blame you.” Zinnia reassured.

“Section leader Zinnia is correct. Don’t hold back and go for it.” Izroth said with a carefree smile.

Green Ivy furrowed her brows before giving a small nod in response. Afterward, she extended her arm outward as the wand on her side appeared in her hand.

The next moment, a strong concentration of mana began to converge at Green Ivy’s location. Then, three seconds later, a series of powerful echoes started to pulse from all directions, causing the environment to undergo a drastic shift. At the same time, several terrifying monsters emerged out of nowhere. However, the members of Sleeping Gardenia were not taken aback by the sudden appearance of these monsters. That is because the environmental change was an illusion created by Green Ivy’s skill, Shades of Echoes.

Skill Name: Shades of Echoes

Skill Level: MAXED

Skill Rank: S

Requirements: Level 50 Echomancer

Mana Cost: 2,500

Cast Time: 3 seconds

Active: Creates a powerful illusion within 40 meters that makes it difficult for enemies to determine what is real or fake. This effect lasts for 1 minute. During this time, an echo pulse is sent out every 5 seconds in this skill’s range, dealing 150% of the user’s magic as magic damage. Enemies struck by an echo pulse have a chance to be «Disorientated>> for 5 seconds. Cooldown: 7 minutes 30 seconds

After a minute passed, Green Ivy let out a small sigh of relief as the duration of her skill came to an end.

“Was that okay?” Green Ivy asked anxiously.

She was still unsure why Izroth wanted to see her strongest skill. It was well known that he was a combat master. When she thought about it logically, there was no way that he would be knowledgeable when it came to high-ranking magic. But, if it was not to give her pointers, then why?

Once Izroth finished observing Green Ivy’s skill, not long after, a few system alerts sounded in his head.

[System Alert: <<Skill Enhancement» on Player Green Ivy’s <<Shades of Echoes>> is possible.

System Alert: Player Green Ivy’s S-rank skill <<Shades of Echoes>> can evolve into the SS-rank skill <<World of Echoes>>. Would you like to proceed? (Warning: Evolving this skill will automatically reset its skill mastery)

‘It’s a shame the information in my Skill Archive when it comes to magic skills is somewhat limited. Otherwise, perhaps it would be possible to push an S-rank skill to become an SSS-rank. Still, I suppose this outcome is more than enough for a reward.’

“Proceed,” Izroth confirmed to the system.

[System Alert: Player Green Ivy’s S-rank skill <<Shades of Echoes>> has successfully evolved into the SS-rank skill «<World of Echoes>>.[]

[System Alert: Skill mastery for the skill <<World of Echoes>> has been reset.

[System Alert: You will not be able to use <<Skill Enhancement» for 12 hours.[]

‘Oh? Only 12 hours? The cooldown time is shorter than I thought it would be.’

Izroth knew that something like Skill Enhancement not having a cooldown would not be possible. After all, he would just continuously increase any number of people’s skills. Such a thing would undoubtedly disrupt the natural balance of the game, and the system would never allow that to happen so effortlessly.

Out of nowhere, Green Ivy was greeted by a series of system alerts. At first, she was a little confused as to why she was receiving so many system alerts without warning. However, as she read over the system alerts, her eyes widened in shock.

“This is..!” Green Ivy exclaimed as she could not contain her surprise.

Was she seeing things correctly? Did her S-rank skill really just become an SS-rank skill? How? Why? When? There were so many questions that flooded Green Ivy’s mind that she felt momentarily overwhelmed.

One had to know that SS-rank skills did not just grow on trees. Even after receiving the class upgrade at level 50, there was no guarantee that one would obtain an S-rank skill, let alone a super rare commodity like an SS-rank skill.

So what if the skill mastery had been reset? She could always just max it out again! It was a small price to pay for acquiring an SS-rank skill!

“Was this your doing, Palace Master Izroth?” Green Ivy inquired as she was still

dumbfounded.

The other members of Sleeping Gardenia were unsure why Green Ivy reacted the way she did. They had not seen Izroth lift a single finger. But, from the sound of things, it seemed like Green Ivy had already received her reward.

However, how could the others possibly fathom what Izroth had just done? A player that

could transform S-rank skills into SS-rank skills would cause the top guilds to go crazy over earning their favor! This left Green Ivy wondering-was it really possible for a player to just raise the rank of one’s skill on a whim?

Izroth gave a small nod and said, “This is your reward. You should enjoy it, for it is something

that you have earned.”

Green Ivy could not hide the excitement in her eyes as she looked over the details of her new

skill.

Skill Name: World of Echoes

Skill Level: 1/4

Skill Rank: SS

Requirements: Level 50 Echomancer

Mana Cost: 2,500

Cast Time: 1 second

Active: Creates a powerful realistic illusion within 60 meters. This effect lasts for 1 minute. During this time, enemies cannot leave the illusion’s area of influence. Additionally, an echo pulse is sent out every 5 seconds in this skill’s range, dealing 300% of the user’s magic as magic damage. Enemies struck by the initial echo pulse are «Disorientated>> for this skill’s

duration.

Cooldown: 15 minutes 25 seconds

The attack power had increased by leaps and bounds. As for the effects, they were overall much more powerful than their S-rank counterpart. Green Ivy did not know how to thank Izroth. All she did was find a feather. She was even hesitant to report it for fear that she might be wasting Izroth’s time. Yet, instead of being scolded, she was properly rewarded!