Verenus grew somber for a while, simply staring at us, or rather, at the microchip. He ran a finger over the glass barrier, as if he were trying to feel the contours of the chip through the multiple layers of protection. "So this is your craftsmanship…" he whispered, partially in awe.
Just as quickly as he sobered up, he resumed his air of confidence, saying that he had to set up his devices, and start working on my body, building it from scratch.
My chip is one of a kind, which is why it can hold both of us at the same time. It was made using a material so rare that there was only a single gram of it deep inside the core, where truly unique conditions had caused the formation of a metal that had unparalleled use for making a microchip. There were other materials that could do so, but 'he' only wanted the best for his first creation. This chip is also why I survived, as you already know. The alter ego in my head sighed, reminiscing about the events that had happened in the past.
We then silently observed Verenus as his machines booted up, holographic screens popped up all around him, and he wore a headset that covered the entirety of his face, only exposing his eyes.
The robot arms resting in the lab sprang up, and started taking out metal sheets. These were melted into a metallic goop, then molded by the arms into specific shapes. After the general shape of my limbs formed, the large arms retreated, and hundreds of miniscule arms started shaping the interior.
Verenus planned on making my body hold limitless potential, that could even reach the legendary Tier 10 which seemed unattainable in the past, and blended the new-gen crafting methods with the old, creating a perfect mix that surpassed the mere sum of its parts. While I was given access to the heights of potential, the actual path of upgrading them would be something I would have to discover.
It was then that a certain helpful system popped in, saying that for the ease of its user, the actual upgrading paths, that I had to acquire from the Robot Strongholds for high prices, were already present within the system.
Suddenly, a popup from the system screen appeared. It read, "Please select an appropriate path for your robot body. There are two options: Either choose the conventional path, which is already formulated and improved upon through generations, but ends at Tier 9 Rank 1, or choose the path rarely taken, that is to make your own path through trial and error."
This would not be an easy decision. I consulted my alter ego first, and he said that he did not have expertise in this manner, as he had only followed the conventional path, and the notion of formulating your own path was truly absurd in his times. After all, the robots were under the humans. They could not choose to upgrade themselves.
It was then that I asked Verenus, and he responded, "So you already know about that. I strongly advise you to formulate your own path, so that you can make use of the full potential of my invention. I had intended for you to take this path too, which is why the metals I am using to build the interior have a special property- they can be molded by your thoughts, into whichever shape is comfortable, or needed to upgrade your body. It can also completely change on the inside, yet remain the same on the outside, which would ensure that you blend in with the rest of the robots."
I turned to my system screen, and made the final decision. I would make my own path, find my own way to the pinnacle. The system accepted my decision, resulting in some changes in my status screen.
Host: User001
Titles: The Fool
Quest Interface: Suggested Courses of Action
Disposition: (Locked)
Talent Limit: Tier 10
Cyborg Body State: Not available
Weapons Assimilated: Not available
Path Interface: Self Formulation
Tier 1 Path: Not Formulated
Relations:-
Humans: (unknown)
Robots: (unknown)
Edict- Memory Recovery: (Locked)
It seemed that a new Interface was available. The Path Interface would document the Path and Upgrades I decided on, and provide descriptions. I absentmindedly scrolled through the screen for a few moments, then switched my attention back to reality.
The arms were already done, and I admired them as they cooled off. The design was sleek, and as I glimpsed the interior, the metal inside seemed to be wiggling as if it was alive.
Verenus had informed me about a certain sentience that this metal possessed, but that would only affect me when I reached Tier 5 and above that.
Formulating a path myself was a real challenge, and I used my alter ego's memories, and data provided by Verenus to build a framework. I sought inspiration from the existing path, and was about to decide on a certain path for Tier 1 when my alter ego spoke. What you are thinking about is quite intriguing, and electricity-powered boosters for bursts of speed do sound useful, but you must think bigger. You must lay a perfect foundation. The foundation of our strength is Energy, and its manipulation. At our level, energy may seem to be a passive factor, but at higher levels, energy is a key part of our strength.
I mused on his advice for quite some while, and concluded that he was, indeed, correct. Energy manipulation was very important, as energy could influence the environment, my foes and myself. I could enhance myself, deprive my opponents of their energy, and mold the environment to my wishes. Thus, I decided on Energy Manipulators as my first Tier Path. For this, though, I had to acquire an Upgradation Forge, which were only constructed in Robot Strongholds.
At that moment, I noticed that my legs had also finished construction and were melting off. I observed their structure closely, and tried to decide how I would craft the Fine Energy Manipulators.