Draven quietened for a moment to arrange his thoughts.
He cleared his throat before replying, "I don't know much. I only know that about two hundred years ago, Earth was struck with a cataclysmic storm from outside the planet. The cataclysmic storm destroyed many planets and stars outside Earth, but Earth luckily survived. And that was when rifts, monsters, and the Elite System came."
Annie nodded and explained with a smile, "Then let's start with Planes. Those Planes you see are the remnants of fractured stars and planets, and each has a different rank. The rank limits the highest rank of monster that can live there. The highest rank of monsters in a Rank 1 Plane is the Transient, while for Rank 2 it is the Primal rank, and so on. That's why Elites prefer hunting in Planes, as they know what rank of monster they're fighting rather than hunting on Earth, which has no limit on ranks."
Draven nodded, even though that's not what he wanted to hear.
Annie chuckled. "Let's talk about the Elite System; I can see the impatience in your eyes."
Draven also chuckled stiffly.
Annie began her explanation, her tone becoming serious. "As you know, there are three attributes for Transient rank Elites: Physique, Constitution, and Will."
"Physique combines physical strength and agility. At the start, everyone has the same base attribute of 2. Even as you ascend the Orders, the additional attributes are the same. Gears, body coordination, weapon finesse, battle techniques, and reflexes are what set Elites apart at your rank. You might have a high Physique, but if you don't know how to use it, it's useless."
"The Elite System seems designed to eliminate excuses for laziness. Even if class didn't exist, if you utilize your good stats, gears, and well-trained battle abilities, you can rise to the top for Transient rank."
Draven nodded, but internally, he was screaming, 'But my situation is different. I'm a Second Order Transient with the Physique and Constitution of a First Order. My Will is off the charts, but what does that even do?'
Annie continued, unaware of his turmoil. "Though, a few Elites have innate advantages from their class, which enhance their Physique or Constitution."
Draven suddenly remembered Vera, as she caught up despite his enhancement. Although he suspected it might be his earlier advantages of higher enhanced attributes that had waned, or Vera's class was among the few Annie mentioned.
"Constitution is a combination of physical defense, endurance, healing speed, and resistance to adverse conditions. Like Physique, it's the same for everyone at each Order in the Transient rank until the next rank—Primal."
Draven sighed inwardly at his predicament.
"Meanwhile, Will is mental strength. Like the other attributes, the increase during ascension in Order is the same for everyone. But the base value varies depending on past experiences. The highest recorded base Will at awakening is 5, while the lowest is 1."
'Mine is a whole 10! Now, it's 28! Why not give me Physique or Constitution?'
Annie added, "Will becomes crucial in the Primal rank, and also the hardest to improve."
'And I've got excess. Looks like I need to survive to the Primal rank to fix everything about me, and reap my advantage.'
"That's the intricate thing Elites don't normally ask about; they prefer to test it than listen to theories. I'm surprised you had the patience to listen to me." Annie smiled.
Draven could only chuckle in response. Then he asked casually, "Is there any case where the distribution is imbalanced?"
"No. It has never happened since the appearance of the Elite System." She shook her head.
"Let's talk deeper about calculations, gears, class, Orders—"
He cut her off respectfully, seeing her enthusiastic eyes, "That's already enough, Doctor Annie. I don't want to waste your time. I need to go hunt."
Annie nodded.
Draven suddenly asked, "Is it possible for a First Order Transient Elite to kill a Third Order Transient monster? And what method can be used?"
She stared at him in surprise.
"You don't get greedy in the Plane, unless you're back to the corner," Annie advised solemnly.
"I'm not foolish." Draven gave a refreshing smile.
Annie stared hard at him before answering, "Practically, it's almost impossible for a First Order Transient Elite to slay a healthy Third Order Transient monster. But…"
Draven completely focused but saw a playful smirk on her lips with her eyes on him. He instantly realized his blunder—too invested in the topic.
"Don't be foolish to try it!" she admonished solemnly.
He chuckled to hide his embarrassment when she suddenly continued.
"Theoretically, a highly skilled First Order Transient Elite, who can operate without a single error, equipped with many high Order gears that enhance his or her speed, defense, and attack, might stand a chance. The bad thing is, a single mistake might spell death for the Elite, or will definitely injure the Elite. But, it's theoretical, because few, if any First Order Transient Elites, possess that many high Order gears. Nobody would want to risk lending them, because when they die, the gears get destroyed."
"Oh." Draven didn't show any expression, but what she said gave him an idea. "Thanks. I need to go hunt."
Just as he stood to leave, Annie said, "Let me run another test before you go. The way the sickness flared is startling, so I need to keep an eye on it until you ascend to become a Primal Elite."
He paused before replying, "I don't have money on me. I will come for the test tomorrow."
"You don't need to bother about paying for today," she waved her hand. "Go and lie on the bed."
Following her instruction, he lay on the bed, and she took blood before leaving.
Draven, left alone, became lost in his thoughts.
'High Order gears can make up for my attributes distribution flaw. Now, time to confirm my enhancement attribute distribution, because I'm going to hunt. Sigh! I will have to waste a Soul Vitalis.'
Steeling his heart, he activated Igni Vitalis and enhanced both arms.
The attributes popped up in his vision.
–––
ARMS ENHANCEMENT
>Physique: 16
>Constitution: 8
—
NON-ENHANCED BODY
>Physique: 1
>Constitution: 0.5
–––
'4 Physique attributes above normal, and 2 Constitution?'
He quickly switched it to one arm to avoid wasting another Soul Vitalis.
–––
RIGHT ARM ENHANCEMENT
>Physique: 20
>Constitution: 10
—
NON-ENHANCED BODY
>Physique: 1
>Constitution: 0.5
–––
'Damn! Single body enhancement is the real deal!'
He deactivated it.
Then he began thinking of the place he designated to hunt.
'That place might get me killed, but it's the fastest!'
A few minutes later, the door flung open with Annie returning.
His heart tightened. No good news ever came after the test.