Almost immediately after the alert tone faded, the attributes of the two weapons materialized before Howard.
[Soul Harvester]
[Level: 10]
[Grade: Epic]
[Equipment Attribute Bonuses:]
1.Spirit+410
2.MP+1700
3.60% cooldown reduction
4.60% consumption reduction
5.Inflicts an additional 60% damage
6.When the target is attacked, if their own HP drops below 20%, they will be executed instantly. For a BOSS, the threshold is at 5% HP or lower.
7.Each attack can convert 2% of inflicted damage into the wielder’s MP, not exceeding the user’s MP limit.
8.The wielder can interchange their own HP and MP.
9.When actively used, it grants a shield equivalent to the user’s maximum MP, which can absorb damage. However, it cannot negate skill effects or control effects.
The sheer nine attribute bonuses made Howard’s pupils sharply contract, his heart pounding with astonishment.
Compared to Mana Drainer, all the effects were amplified, plus there was an added special effect of executing a target! It could even be effective against a BOSS!
However, Howard didn’t make a hasty decision. He proceeded to check the equipment attributes of Soul Nurturer.
[Soul Nurturer]
[Level: 10]
[Grade: Epic]
[Equipment Attribute Bonuses:]
1.Spirit+410
2.MP+1700
3.60% cooldown reduction
4.60% consumption reduction
5.Inflicts an additional 60% damage
6.When the wielder eliminates a target, there’s a 2% chance to permanently increase their HP and MP by 20 points, and a 1% chance to permanently increase their strength, stamina, spirit, and agility by 1 point. This effect can be triggered up to 1000 times.
7.Each attack can convert 2% of inflicted damage into the wielder’s MP, not exceeding the user’s MP limit.
8.The wielder can interchange their own HP and MP.
9.When actively used, it grants a shield equivalent to the user’s maximum MP, which can absorb damage. However, it cannot negate skill effects or control effects.
Apart from the sixth effect, the attributes of both items were identical.
Howard’s throat tightened, swallowing hard, pondering which gear would serve him best.
The Soul Harvester offered an evident boost.
Choosing this equipment would certainly ease their expedition to the Castle of Vampires.
On the other hand, Soul Nurturer provided a long-term enhancement.
After triggering its effect 1000 times, Howard would permanently gain 20,000 points in HP and MP, along with a 1000-point increase in four foundational attributes.
This bonus surpassed that of any other Epic-grade gear!
Moreover, Howard’s passive skill, Soul Theft, paired with this, would only accentuate his strength.
“For our upcoming journey to the Castle of Vampires, with Glyn and Caitlin handling offense and control, I might not need to bolster my attack. Perhaps, the Soul Nurturer would be the wiser choice,” Howard mused. “The triggering probability seems low, but as long as I slay enough monsters, the permanent boosts would far outweigh the execution effects.”
With these considerations, Howard promptly made his decision. 𝘳.𝑐𝘰
[Ding! Congratulations, awakened Howard, you have obtained the Epic wand—Soul Nurturer!]
With the Epic wand in his grasp, Howard felt a warm surge emanating from the wand, flowing through his skin and coursing into his very being, making him feel as if he had become stronger.
Pushing down the rush of excitement in his heart, Howard tightly held onto the Soul Nurturer and gradually drifted into sleep.
The power of Rick Suleiman still weighed on his mind, casting a slight shadow of pressure over him.
The night passed quietly.
By the time Howard awoke, sunlight was already streaming upon him.
Casting a careful glance around the room and finding no one else present, he let out a relieved sigh.
After getting up, freshening up, and changing into a new set of clothes, he set off towards Soulspark Academy.
Expectation bubbled within him.
What would Headmaster Jay’s expression be when he learns of Rick Suleiman’s intentions towards him?
Saint City today was exceptionally bustling.
The enrollment affected the entire Saint City and was not confined to just one academy.
All students from the city were involved, making the scene especially lively, particularly at the hosting location—Soulspark Academy!
Before even reaching Soulspark Academy, Howard was already surrounded by myriad academy students.
Their faces beamed with admiration and anticipation as they chatted with their peers about the academies they admired.
As for the staff from various prestigious academies who were there for recruitment, they had long since been waiting inside Soulspark Academy.
Howard, having woken up late, had no choice but to join the throng, moving slowly.
By the time Howard reached Soulspark Academy, the place was already packed to the brim.
The academy’s perimeter was crowded with onlookers while the insides were near impassable.
Fortunately, Margaret, who cared for Howard, had been waiting at the entrance of the academy.
After greeting him, she used her status as a teacher to guide him to the recruitment ceremony grounds.
By now, Abby’s side was already swamped with mentors from numerous academies.
They were bickering and squabbling like elderly folks haggling over vegetables at a marketplace, faces flushed and voices raised, nearly coming to blows.
Headmaster Jay stood beside Abby, his face radiating smugness, barely containing his laughter.
As the principal overseeing Abby, he truly stole the limelight this time.
Numerous mentors in charge of recruitment even brought him generous gifts, hoping he would put in a good word for them in front of Abby.
At that moment, Abby, who was surrounded and fawned over by countless mentors like a star amidst a constellation, caught sight of Howard.
Instantly, her face lit up with joy. Brushing past the bickering mentors, she rushed straight into Howard’s embrace.
“Howard, you’re finally here!” Abby pouted, “So many mentors are surrounding me. Which academy are you considering? Let’s go together!”
Witnessing Abby’s leap into Howard’s arms, a pang of envy gripped Margaret.
Given her role as a mentor, she couldn’t be overly familiar with Howard.
However, seeing the man she cherished embraced by another girl, and envied by others, was deeply unsettling to her.
“Tonight, I must fully engage Howard!” she thought determinedly, “I’ll make sure he doesn’t have the energy to be with Abby!” Yet, externally, she remained impassive, vigilantly staying close to Howard’s side.
One had to marvel at Howard’s luck. Both Margaret and Abby harbored strong feelings for him.
Meanwhile, the group of mentors sensed something amiss.
Amid their heated arguments, the main subject of their attention had vanished. They hastily began searching for Abby.
When they spotted Abby embracing a male student, they were taken aback.
Almost immediately, they approached Headmaster Jay, “Headmaster Jay, who is that young man embracing Abby? Is he Abby’s beau? What level of talent has he awakened?”
Snapped out of his reverie where he imagined himself being courted by top-tier academies, Jay’s eyes darted around.
Spotting the scene, a surge of anger caused him to tremble.
However, before Jay could utter a word, Abby turned around, declaring with a smile, “Whichever academy accepts Howard, that’s where I’ll go!”
A ripple of shock swept across the gathering.
Whether it was the students or those mentors vying for Abby’s attention, they were all stunned.
Given the publicity over the past few days, Abby was a household name, known to have awakened an S-level talent and undeniably a prime target for all academies.
Yet, the majority were oblivious to Howard’s existence.
Thus, when they heard Abby’s proclamation, they were taken aback in astonishment, feelings of envy bubbling to the surface, especially when they glimpsed Howard’s handsome face, barely suppressing feelings of inferiority.
Many students recognized Howard and couldn’t help exclaiming, “Isn’t Howard only endowed with an F-level talent? How did he end up with Abby?”
“My God! What spell has Howard cast upon Abby? It’s astonishing that she hasn’t dismissed him!”
“How infuriating! What right does a nobody with an F-level talent have to be with a goddess like Abby? Could it be just because of his good looks? Is he just another pretty face?”
Those students unaware of Howard’s true capabilities started whispering amongst themselves, leaving the rest utterly surprised.
The prevailing rule of the present world was the law of the jungle: survival of the fittest. Only the strong could persevere.
While the talent one awakens may not represent their true strength, the mightiest invariably possess at least an A-level talent, attesting to the significance of talent levels.
Thus, it was inconceivable to most that a girl with an S-level talent would choose to be with a so-called “worthless” individual with only an F-level talent.
Yet, this very situation made them envy and resent Howard all the more.
Their teeth almost grinding in jealousy, they too wished for a beautiful and powerful partner.
Why struggle on your own when you can enjoy the privileges of being taken care of?
Detecting those envious glances from the crowd, the corner of Howard’s mouth curled into a smirk.
He wasn’t one for toxic masculinity.
Besides, wasn’t being the subject of so many people’s envy something to be proud of?
Surely, not many could claim that feat!
Updated from 𝘪.𝘤𝑜𝘮