Born In Ashes: The Enigma-Chapter 260: Epic Rank (Part 7)

(You have reached Level 26 and have been promoted to Epic Rank Warrior)

(You have received five free stat points for leveling up due to your bloodline)

(Your class skills — Absolute Decree and Balance Severed, have been strengthened)

(You have received a new Class Skill — Mandate of the Scale)

(You have received a new Class Skill — Covenant of Binding)

(Your Soul Armament: The Fallen Star has been strengthened due to your increase in Rank)

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Azrael glanced at the series of notifications before him and took a deep breath.

He didn’t immediately check his status window to confirm the changes. Instead, he closed his eyes, quietly focusing on the transformations occurring within him after advancing to Epic Rank.

’My mind feels clearer than ever, and my senses are at least twice as sharp as before...’ He thought as he opened his eyes.

Although his physical stats hadn’t increased yet, Azrael could clearly feel the immense difference brought about by his rise in life level, from Class Rank to Epic Rank.

His control over wind energy had become far more refined, the potency of all his techniques had increased significantly due to the evolution of his cosmic energy, and even the energy consumption for his attacks had decreased slightly.

After carefully sensing the changes within his body, Azrael finally turned his attention to the notifications he had received.

’The free stat points I gain per level-up have increased from three to five because of my promotion to Epic Rank...’ He thought, a faint smile forming on his lips.

He was well aware that as he continued to grow stronger, the gap between him and other individuals of the same level would only continue to widen thanks to the advantages provided by his bloodline.

Ignoring the notification about the free stat points for now, Azrael focused on the next message, and his eyes immediately brightened.

"Not only Balance Severed, but even Absolute Decree evolved to the next level..." He murmured in surprise, quickly opening the detailed descriptions of both skills.

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---) Absolute Decree: Announce your presence as Judge to call forth the power of the World to judge your target. Under the effect of Absolute Decree, the target’s stats will be reduced by 50% for three minutes. This skill is ineffective against anyone who is two ranks higher than you. Usable once every five days.

---) Balance Severed (Passive Skill): As a Judge who maintains the balance of the world, you are protected by the World. All attacks launched at you will have their power decreased by 8%. This passive skill is ineffective against attacks from people who are two ranks above you.

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Azrael studied the descriptions carefully and immediately noticed the changes.

For Absolute Decree, the duration of the effect had increased from two minutes to three, and its cooldown had decreased from seven days to five.

As for Balance Severed, the damage reduction had risen from 5% to 8%.

Although the increase seemed minor at first glance, Azrael was more than satisfied. The mere fact that his skill could evolve further as his rank continued to rise filled him with anticipation.

"This skill is seriously broken," He muttered under his breath, unable to hide his excitement. "If I put it into perspective, it means that everyone below Planetary Rank would have their attack power reduced by 8% against me. And once I advance to Legendary Rank, the power of this skill will increase even more..."

He exhaled softly to steady his excitement and then turned his attention to the two newly acquired Class Skills.

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---) Mandate of the Scale (Class Skill): Upon activation, manifest the Scale of Balance in reality. Under the effect of the Scale of Balance, if the target placed upon the scale is stronger than the user, the user’s strength will be elevated to match that of the target for the next five minutes. This skill is ineffective against individuals who are weaker than the user or those who are three ranks above him. Usable once every month.

---) Covenant of Binding (Class Skill): Upon activation, forms a binding contract between the Judge and the target. Once invoked, the target becomes unable to defy any command related to the covenant’s terms. Breaking the Oath triggers the Wrath of Law, consuming part of the target’s soul and permanently reducing their stats by 50%. Can be used to form contracts with up to three individuals. Ineffective against individuals who are two ranks above you.

====

Azrael read the descriptions of his new Class Skills carefully, and the moment his eyes passed over the details of Mandate of the Scale, he froze and for a moment, his mind seemed to short-circuit.

It couldn’t be helped, after all, the effects of the new skill were nothing short of absurd.

Taking several deep breaths to compose himself, Azrael eventually calmed down, though the shock in his expression remained.

"Being able to raise my power to the same level as my target..." He whispered in disbelief.

Although the skill came with limitations, it couldn’t be used against individuals three ranks above him, it was still an overwhelmingly powerful ability.

Azrael was currently an Epic Rank warrior, which meant he could activate this skill against both Legendary and even Planetary-level beings.

In other words, if he used Mandate of the Scale on a Planetary-level opponent, his combat power would temporarily rise to match theirs for five minutes.

The difference between a Planetary-level being and those below it was immense. The Planetary Rank marked a true transformation for rankers. Upon reaching that realm, one’s body underwent a through evolution, enhancing their power to an extraordinary degree.

Moreover, Planetary-level beings possessed bodies capable of surviving in the vacuum of space without the need for spaceships, marking a true evolutionary milestone in both power and existence.

Even the most monstrously talented Legendary Rank warriors found it difficult to battle against Planetary-level beings due to the sheer difference between their realms.

Yet this skill... allowed Azrael, an Epic Rank warrior, to temporarily attain the combat power of a Planetary-level existence.

And the most terrifying part of it all, this skill would continue to grow stronger alongside his rank, making its future potential immeasurable.