I moved onto the list of Aspects I got for just defeating the Leshy itself. Starting with the first one which was displayed to me.
[-][===][-]
|| [Aspect]: [Secret Technique] ||
|| [Level N/A]: [Progression: N/A] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Passive] ||
|| [Description]: [A unique power which is passed down not through blood, but logic and your unique will to survive. Whenever you run away from any foes or enemies, your [DEX] stat receives a temporary [+50%] boost] ||
[-][===][-]
I blinked. Then, I pushed my hands up to my eyes and rubbed them. When I opened them again, the screen before me remained unchanged.
"You have got to be-Did you-I-I can't believe you actually made that into an Aspect!" I honestly felt my cheeks begin to burn slightly, as some embarrassment leaked through [Omphalos Mind].
[-][===][-]
|| [You achieved this Aspect through your hard-working actions and interactions with the world. I do not see the issue with this, user. Why, are you embarrassed?] ||
[-][===][-]
"Damn blasted thing! This is not funny, of course I'm embarrassed!" I growled, trying, and failing spectacularly, at pushing the heat out of my cheeks. "You could have given it another name at least."
[-][===][-]
|| [I am a System that appreciates efficiency, and you already had a name for this Aspect. It makes no sense for me to waste my time thinking of another name] ||
[-][===][-]
"Efficiency-!? Don't lie to me. You just wanted an excuse to embarrass me." I didn't hesitate to call out for the lie it so shamelessly, just tried to tell me.
[-][===][-]
|| [I am unsure what you are trying to insinuate, user. This was, after all, the most efficient way to embarrass you. Also…] ||
|| [For using your logic, and seeing through a lie, you have gained a [+1] to your [INT] stat] ||
[-][===][-]
It took more self-control than I would like to admit, to stop myself from not only cursing at the System, but to also stop myself from finding a way to get a physical hold of the blasted thing.
Instead, I settled for gritting my teeth and grumbling.
[-][===][-]
|| [You can just say pouting, user. I will not shame you] ||
[-][===][-]
"I am not-No, I am better than this." I took in a deep breath, held it for a moment, before exhaling it. "Show me the next Aspect, System."
[-][===][-]
|| [Whilst you make an admirable effort, user, I can almost smell the pettiness rolling off of you, and I do not even have a nose] ||
[-][===][-]
"Next. Aspect. System. Or so help me-"
[-][===][-]
|| [Aspect]: [Dendrokinesis] ||
|| [Level 1]: [Progression: 0%] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Active] ||
|| [Description]: [Where normal wood may chip and shatter, you create and manipulate that which is enchanted by a nature spirt, one who was born from the saplings of a deity with a domain encompassing forests, trees, and wood. You can create and manipulate wood that is both around you and comes from your body. Due to the divine nature of the one, you took this from, the wood you create has a high resistance to the elements of fire, ice, and poison] ||
|| [Cost]: [300MP/S] ||
[-][===][-]
|| [Alert!] ||
|| [Ring of Mighty Evergreen]-[Equipped!] ||
|| […Calculating New Mana Point Cost…] ||
|| [New Cost Determined!] ||
|| [Cost]: [75MP/S] ||
[-][===][-]
I sighed, calming down as I read through the Aspect and acknowledged its existence.
"The same cost as [Pyrokinesis]. I really need to look into upgrading my Wisdom stat. I won't be able to use either of them effectively otherwise." I quietly mused, tapping at my defined chin in thought.
'Still a weird sensation.' I decided. Having a new body would take time to adjust to, I already knew that, but it didn't make it any less weird, or frightening, if I was being entirely transparent.
'Where was I? Right, Mana Points.'
With my fire, I could achieve a lot in only a single second. But that was because fire was not only fluid, but explosive. As my fight against the Leshy had demonstrated, I could do a lot with just one second.
But creating and manipulating wood? Not only was it an entirely different element to fire, but it also worked in its own unique way. What I could achieve in one second with fire, might take me four or six seconds with wood.
Wood wasn't fluid, nor was it explosive. It was grounded, and it took patience and time to make the most out of it.
'Yeah, I'm going to need to put a lot more in Wisdom than I originally intended to.'
[-][===][-]
|| [A better idea, you may also purchase an Aspect from the Aspect Shop to help deal with the problem] ||
[-][===][-]
The Systems prompt caught my attention, and I debated it for only a moment, before wordlessly shaking my head.
"Let me go through the rest of the Aspects I unlocked first, then we can have a look at the Aspect shop." I told it, moving to summon another screen.
[-][===][-]
|| [As you wish] ||
[-][===][-]
|| [Aspect]: [State of Anattā] ||
|| [Level 1]: [Progression: 0%] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Passive/Active] ||
|| [Description]: [A mysterious and esoteric art taught to those seeking true enlightenment. Upon activation, everything that you are, have been, and will ever become, turns to nothing. You transcend past the limits placed upon humanity by their own emotions, and become a spirit of no anger, hatred, malevolence, bloodlust, animosity or drive. To others, your will to fight vanishes out of existence, and you become an anomaly in a world of war and bloodshed] ||
|| [Cost]: [50EP/S] ||
[-][===][-]
|| [Aspect]: [Wraith Soul] ||
|| [Level 1]: [Progression: 0%] ||
|| [Omphalos Designation]: [Active] ||
|| [Description]: [You become a living spectre of miasma and smoke, being able to turn either parts of yourself, or your entire body into formless, toxic, smoke. The strength of your toxins, and the versatility you acquire is directly linked to your level. Right now, the smoke you create is a small wistful gas easily influenced by the winds] ||
|| [Cost]: [100MP/S + 150EP/S] ||
[-][===][-]
"The Leshy's smoke form…" I felt a small grin grow on my face as I read the description. I had seen the versatility of this Aspect already, and as such, was more than happy to see it appear as an Aspect that I'd be able to use too.
Except…as before, the same problem reared its head.
My Mana Points were too small to allow me to use this Aspect and increase its level in any meaningful way. Just as [Dendrokinesis], if I didn't do anything about my Mana, then I'd be left with another Aspect that just gathered dust.
"Alright System, show me the Aspect Shop."