I'll admit that this chapter isn't as well made as I wanted but I couldn't figure out how I could make it better and its not like I can get someone to read this before posting it. So yeah, I'm a bit disappointed with this but this is the best I can manage for today.

Disclaimer: I do not own any franchises here.


Growth

This is not planed at all. That was what I thought when I looked at my status screen. After I finished bandaging myself, I opened my status screen. Right now, I have twelve stats points. Five from leveling up, five from the quest and two more as the bonus reward. I regretted choosing the two stats points instead of the 50 exp since I only needed 50 exp more to level up to level 3 then I could of have fifteen stat points instead of twelve.

Well, no point crying over spilled milk. I opened my status screen and studied my stats. Huh, that's strange.

STR: 17

ENDR: 16

AGI: 15

DEX: 21

INT: 19

WIS: 16

LUCK: 5

Stamina: 42

I feel like something is off about my stats. Probably nothing but I can't shake the feeling something is different here. I shrug it off and focus on what to increase. First of I want to test something out. If I am not mistaken if I do this…

Skill: Energy affinity has been created as Stamina has reached 50!

I grinned. When I increased my intelligence and wisdom my memory improved and I recalled that when the Gamer raises one of his stats to 50 a new skill will be created. I look up the description of the skill.

A skill to help become more skilled and efficient to handle your Stamina

-Fatigue decreases 10% faster

-Fatigue increases 5% slower

-Physical attacks increase by 5%

-Physical endurance increases by 5%

-Speed increases by 5%

-Training that increases fatigue bar has their effects increase by 30%

Hmm, isn't this similar to mana affinity but instead being magic related it seemed to act as the physical counter part of said skill. Nodding with satisfaction I then place the rest of the four stat points in AGI.

The reason why is because AGI increase all forms of physical speed. Movement speed, dodging speed, reflex and striking speed. This way I can mine faster by striking faster. Besides, I want to also make myself be as close to Adam as I am willing to go and I am pretty sure his fighting style focuses more on speed.

With that thought I got up and exited the dark corner I was hiding in. I decided not to help Dr Soleil today after that fiasco. I will go back to helping her the day after but for now…

"Quest." I commanded the quest screen to come out and I saw the same two quests. Ignoring the other one I accepted the same quest, my daily exercise.

With the quest accepted I began doing a few stretches before beginning my push-ups. After the push-ups, I began doing the other forms of workout as well. I held of sprinting for now. I don't need people seeing me running around at top speed. I'll have to wait until late night when everyone is asleep.

With that thought I decided to go ahead and head back to my shack to go to sleep. Sleep early and wake up before anyone else and then start sprinting. After that, my quest will be complete and three stat points for me. I can also deal with those rumors since one of the reasons the miners are getting suspicious is due to the fact I keep coming back late.

A few minutes later

Yeah, things didn't go exactly as plan. I only had a few minutes of sleep before an alert woke me up.

Skill: Detect bloodlust learned!

You detect bloodlust!

I woke up, saw the notification, then saw the faunus standing over me, holding a pillow over my head.

Not how I wanted to wake up. I shot up to my feet, surprising my assailant due to the sudden movement. This bought me time to make a break to the door. Before leaving I turned to have a better look at my assailant.

He wore rags like the rest of us and had dark hair and blue eyes but his claws would suggest another feline faunus. I felt a bit odd that the two times I've been attacked are by feline faunus considering Adam and Blake. The faunus looked at me and seemed a bit hesitant before taking a deep breath. He threw away the pillow and rushes towards me.

I glance at the other Faunuses there and found them still sleeping. They were probably exhausted by their day in the mines. I rushed out the door and went to a more open space before confronting the Faunus. I avoided using my skill sprint to make sure I didn't lose him.

Once I found a place that was suitable, I stopped and turned around. The Faunus following me stopped too and studied me intently. "So, why did you want to kill me?" I asked.

The faunus blinked a few times before answering, "Sorry kid, nothing personal but someone that can make my life easier or harder gave me an offer and if I refuse..." The faunus trailed off but I got the message.

"I see, but you don't have to do this." I tried to reason with him, "If you can report to another overseer then perhaps, they can do something about this." I didn't want to fight another faunus, especially one who also seemed against the idea.

"Sorry but I doubt those humans would even listen to what we have to say." The faunus replied with a scoff, "They either want us to suffer or don't care about us to do anything and you expect them to listen to us when we accuse one of them?"

"Ah, so an overseer is the one who told you to do this." I said. This caused the faunus to go stiff. Apparently, I wasn't supposed to know that. Oops.

"Now I can't let you go kid." The faunus said, "Sorry." With that he rushes towards me. I brought up my guard and got an emergency quest alert but I ignored that. He tries to take a jab at me but I easily side step the attack and stepped into his guard, my fist pulled back.

Once I got close, I punched him in the gut, causing him to double over before upper-cutting him. The man staggered but recovered faster than I anticipated. He kicked me at the side. I tried to block it but the blow was stronger than what I thought he could muster.

The force caused me to stagger to the side a bit. Capitalizing on that moment of weakness, the faunus delivered a punch right at my face. I was unable to guard the attack and was staggering back. I tried my best to keep myself from falling and instead activated sprint and backpaddled away.

The faunus was surprised by how fast I moved but his expression turned grim before launching himself at me again. He tries another kick but I raised my arm and was able to block it and keep my feet planted but I grit my teeth in pain.

This guy really packs a punch! I counter-attacked his kick with my own, sweeping his foot off the ground before he can plant his other foot down. He fell on his back and I then tried to take advantage of my down opponent but he took some dirt and threw it into my eyes.

Momentarily blinded, I leaped back to make some room while rubbing the dirt out of my eyes. By the time I was done, the faunus had recovered.

Okay, this guy is definitely better than Gustav but why? I turned to the notification screen that had appeared after Gustav punched me in the face and I blenched.

Frank has toggled on his aura!

"You have aura?" I asked in shock. This man has aura! How and when did he awaken his aura!?

Frank shrug, "When I told the guy about the rumor of you having aura, he actually had mine unlocked." Okay what? Who in their right mind would unlock the aura of what is basically a slave? Wouldn't that possibly cause a prison raid if the guy went around unlocking aura of the others? "Too bad he knocked me out before unlocking it so I have no idea how to unlock other people aura." Okay so the guy isn't completely stupid. One or two prisoners with aura aren't that big of a threat against the overseers who all have aura and training to back them up.

Damn it, my gamer ability is actually working against me this time. I only had one thing left to do. I turned and activated sprint. "Hey!" Frank cried out before giving pursuit. I didn't stop, instead, I activated sprint and began running even faster.

Fighting against an aura enhanced individual, even in his condition, will not end well unless I could figure something out. After putting as much distance as possible between myself and Frank I quickly turned around and thrust my palm towards him and focused.

I know the Gamer gained access to this skill through focusing his energy like this. I focused on a spot right below my belly button where the chi centre should be. I imagined the energy flowing from there through path, called chi vein, and into my palm.

A new skill has been created through specific action!

Mana manipulation (level 1): The ability to manipulate mana within your body. The higher the level the easier it becomes for you to manipulate mana and become more efficient in your mana usage.

I stopped when I saw the notification and glanced around. I realised that if I used mana attacks here then someone will see it and it will confirm that I have aura for those who doesn't know better. But my only shot at beating this guy as I am now is by pulling out all the stops.

I suddenly had a thought but before I can even try to figure out how I can possibly pull it of Frank was able to cover the distance and threw another punch at me. I ducked under it and gathered mana into my fist and strike Frank.

I willed the mana to flow from my fist into Frank's aura and then into his body. With my fist still connected I then willed the mana… to explode. Don't get me wrong. It may sound like something gory is about to happen but not really.

The mana basically went in and aggressively expanded before fading away. This was a subtle, but effective method to strike at an enemy without having to worry about their defence. And I'll admit… I got this idea from several fanfictions I read online but I can't recall them right now.

Frank staggered back at the attack. One weakness I found about the technique is that I have to maintain contact throughout the process. If Frank reacted faster than he would have avoided taking any damage.

Skill has been created through specific action! Mana Strike (level 1)

Okay, looking at my health bar I can see that I now have an MP bar of… 270!? Wasn't it supposed to be 10 MP for one INT? Why did I have 270 when it should be 190 instead? I shook my head and look at the MP bar and found that it lost 10 MP. Meaning one attack costs 10 MP.

I'll try figuring out why I have 270 MP later.

I sprinted forward to close the distance between me and Frank. The man tries to swing his fist at me but I managed to duck under it and circled around to get behind him. He quickly turns around but I already threw another mana strike at his side.

The man grunts in pain but tries to kick me. I raised my arm and focused my mana to encase it, causing my mana to surround it like a second layer of skin. The kick connected and the force almost caused me to stagger but the damage was greatly reduced.

I stepped forward and gave a right hook to his stomach, ignoring the message that appeared. Frank stood his ground and raised both his fist and brought them down. Seeing this I raised one arm and encased it with mana to block the overhead strike.

I then thrust my palm forward and placed it on his stomach. If I pushed the mana out my palm rather than my knuckles then the amount would be greater which would allow me to do more direct damage at once!

With that line of thought I pushed the mana out and my eyes widen. Damn it! The mana is all too spread out! If it was through my knuckles it was more focused but now? Scowling, I was about to break off before feeling something.

His aura, my mana was still flowing into it but it felt like it was flowing in through… cracks? Confused by this thought I was unable to prevent the punch to my gut and an introduction of a fist to my cheek.

I stumbled back but recovered in time to dodge a hasty uppercut. Seeing the opportunity, I countered with another punch along with a mana strike. Mana strike chips away his HP while my punches chip away his aura.

But now with that failed attack and two successful ones my MP is decreased to 240. That means that failure cost me as much as the successful ones! I saw another message appear before me.

Through the use of a specific action a new skill has been unlocked! Mana scan (level 1)

Mana scan: By allowing your mana to enter an object and flow through it you can tell the objects property. Current level lets you see cracks, chinks and holes in an object.

Okay this ability reminds me of something but whatever. What I'd like to know is why this guy has cracks in his aura and how can I use it to my advantage? Isn't aura supposed to be a reflection of one's soul? How can a reflection of the soul be cracked?

Wait a minute…

"You really don't want to do this do you?" I asked. Frank avoided my gaze at this. I nodded. No wonder, as the aura is a reflection of one's soul the cracks in it represents one's doubts, hesitation, fear, etc. "So why fight?" I asked.

"Well, what other choice do I have?" Frank asked back, "I have nothing but my life and even that is partially owned by the SDC. I gave up my freedom in hope to live a better life but what I got is hell on earth instead. I'm pretty sure beggars live better than us right now. I know I did before the SDC approached me. I may not have a proper shelter on the streets but I did have some dignity and freedom, both taken away from me. I don't want what little life I have left taken too."

Survival. Frank had given up his freedom and dignity in hope to live a better life and regretted it but by the time he realised this it was already too late. Now he believes that he already went too far down this path and can no longer turn back.

I clenched my fist. This is the world I live in now. I feel bad for Frank but I too wished to survive right now. So, with heavy heart, I moved forward. I ducked down to grab some dirt and threw it into Franks eyes. The man instinctively closed his eyes.

I bought myself some time. Focusing my mana gathered everything into my right arm and encased it in mana. I made it as dense and hard as possible and thankfully, it was still mostly invisible. I then punched Frank at the side of his chin.

Thanks to my studies about the human body I managed to learn that the best way to knock someone out was by punching them at the side of the chin, where the jaw is attached to the skull. This is because a blow like this causes a trauma to the brain that knocks the one getting hit unconscious. To be honest not much force is needed to pull this off but because Frank had aura, I decided not to risk it.

Frank's head spins a bit before he fell flat on his back.

With that, I received a notification. And who thought learning biology and medicine couldn't be applied in combat? The fight would have probably dragged out a lot more if I didn't know this.

Emergency Quest: Defeat Frank! Completed.

Rewards:

-5 stat points

-400 exp

-Bronze Mystery box

You levelled up!

You levelled up!

Huh, I levelled up twice and with five stats points that means I got 27 stats points in one day. That was more than what I got in a week! I sigh, before I look through my rewards, I should probably take Frank to the medical shack instead of leaving him here.

A few minutes later

I finished my sprint and claimed another three stat points. I also decided to open the normal mystery box I got from beating Gustav. The reward… was a key. When I looked at the description, it said to be used at the entrance of the housing area.

I had a pretty good guess on what it is for but decided to hold off for now. I placed it in my inventory. I then checked my bronze mystery box. It took the form of a box that was small enough to fit my palm. Making sure no one could see me I selected to open the box.

The box faded into particles of light and reformed into… a dagger.

It looked like a normal dagger and its stats weren't that impressive, increasing my attack power by ten but it is better than nothing. I put that into my inventory as well. With that out of the way I sat down crossed legged and activated serene meditation. Still in that pose, I also tried out my mana manipulation skill.

I didn't do anything with it though. I just manipulated it to flow through my body. I discovered that as long as I don't release it in any form the skill wouldn't cost MP. Hmm, both skills didn't cost MP nor did it fill up my fatigue bar. Serene meditation can be triggered automatically as long as I am in this pose so I didn't need to focus on that while Mana Manipulation required me to consciously focus on manipulating my mana to make sure that none of it leaked out while I am controlling it. If the mana leaked out then my MP bar will decrease.

After what felt like an hour I decided to stop and actually look at the screen. Through the continuous use of mana manipulation and Serene meditation the two skills had levelled up to level 3 and 5 respectively. My INT hasn't levelled up but that was to be expected since it was quite high.

Opening my stats, I looked through my stats to see what to invest my points in before blinking at the stat screen.

STR: 19

AGI: 21

ENDR: 18

DEX: 23

INT: 21

WIS: 18

LUCK: 7

Stamina: 52

Okay, I am pretty sure my stats weren't that high yet. Maybe it is due to the increase in intelligence but I can tell the stats had increased by two since the last time I opened it and I haven't even put any of the points in yet!

My eyes widen in realisation and I checked back my passive skills. I reread their description and I found what I was looking for.

Growth: The ability to get stronger through increasing level and stats.

Such a tiny detail that is easily overlooked. This means that my stats improve automatically without needing to invest stat points through levelling up alone! It seems each time I level up all my stats increase by 1.

Grinning, I looked over my stats again. Hmm, from what I can understand I should place more points in AGI since that will help improve all forms of speed but at the same time with my newly acquired mana ability, I feel like increasing intelligence would also be a good idea.

I place 8 points in AGI and 7 in INT. That should be good enough. I look up and notice that the sun hasn't risen yet. I still have some time. I looked around and saw a rock. Nodding, I decided to go and pick it up.

I held it in the palm of my hand and focused my mana into it. Using mana scan, I was able to detect a few cracks here and there. Testing it out, I gently pushed more mana into those cracks before manipulating the mana to start pushing and expanding the cracks slowly.

Eventually, instead of exploding, the rock crumbled into smaller pieces.

Interesting, the mana consumption wasn't that bad. I got an alert.

New skill has been unlocked due to specific action!

Skill: Deconstruction (level 1): The ability to break things down to smaller pieces of itself. At current level you can break objects to pieces by finding and exploiting weaknesses in their structure. The bigger and tougher the object the more mana needed.

Huh, I'm sure that will one day be a useful skill. I decided that I should try practicing by combining my mana manipulation and my hand-to-hand combat related abilities together in order to level both skills up.

After all, I really want to go into that dungeon.

A few hours later

Back to mining. At this point I just activated my mining skill and let my mind wander. I'm trying to figure out why I had more mana than my stats should have suggested before I recall something. Adam and I had our souls fused and Adam started with 8 INT when I got here so that means that it is possible my mana pool merged with his at the time.

This supports the theory that my soul fused with Adam instead of me killing him and taking his place. Secondly, mana. I've been thinking about this ever since I got into the mines. I unlocked the ability to use mana but it is obvious that mana and aura are different when I fought Frank.

On top of that I recalled that aura isn't something unique to humans since animal can also have their aura unlocked. As long as you have a soul you have aura but mana is different from aura even though everything has mana as long as it lives like aura and yet only humans can use mana, and to that extent, magic.

Now that I think about it, do animals have semblances? I don't think I ever heard of animals having semblances and yet humans do. Why is that… wait. I had a theory about this in my previous life but humans aren't the only who could use magic once upon a time right? I remembered that they're was that sea grim that could shoot out lasers from its mouth and I recall hearing about grims that have the power to effect emotions. Didn't that sound magical? They were created by the God of Darkness who was also the one who gifted humans magic.

My eyes widen. And that's the difference. Animals were created by the God of light thus they had aura, Grims were created by the God of Darkness granting them the ability to use supernatural powers (at least some of them) but then again, the ability to live without a soul should already be considered supernatural. And humans are created from both. Is it possible that when a human's aura is unlocked the aura came from the light while the semblance came from the darkness?

Ugh! That's not important right now. What I want to figure out is the deal with my mana manipulation. I doubt I could have pulled it off without my Gamer ability and remembering the lessons the Gamer had. I haven't tried creating an instant dungeon but I am pretty sure it wouldn't work. The only reason why it was so simple for the Gamer was because Gaia also wants people to enter a protected space thus it will actively help people create and enter protected space. Remnant doesn't have Gaia as far as I know.

Anyway, mana seems to be something inside me that I have to pull out and to keep it out I have to concentrate and if my concentration falters then the mana will dissipate but my experience against Frank showed that aura is different as all you need is to focus and it will just surround your body automatically and from there you don't have to pay much attention to it. Another thing is that you just need to focus the aura to stay on and you can just move normally and the aura will move along with you without you having to will it to do so.

Again, this is different. I surrounded my entire arm, from wrist to shoulder, and when I tried to bend it the mana wouldn't just move with you. Basically, aura is closer to acting as a second skin when switched on and mana acts more like armour if you use it defensively. Another thing is that aura can only be used by living things, or things with a soul. If my theory is correct then Grims can use mana as well even though they lack a soul. This isn't as uncommon as one would think since there is such things like enchanted weapons that can use magic by storing mana and spell in themselves and can be used independently from the user's mana.

Well, at least that is how it is in games and shows I watched so I'll just think of Grims like this, magic golems. Golems that are brought to life through magic and can use it themselves but lack a true soul.

So, I can distinguish both mana and aura like this but there is one more difference. Soul. Aura is obviously affected by the soul from the colour, amount and semblance. Mana, not so much. Mana isn't like that. Regardless of who you are, how your soul is and how evil or good the mana you generate from your body by simply living will be the same as the trees, the animals and even the person next to you. The only thing that changes is the amount or rate you generate it. Variables that effect your aura doesn't necessarily apply to mana.

Intelligence increased by 1!

Intelligence increased by 1!

Okay then, I already know how I can differentiate mana from aura… despite there not being much point to it! Sigh, at least my INT increased. While I mined, I slipped some dust into my inventory. I decided that I should try to collect as much dust as possible while mining. Even though they are yet to be refined I am hoping that with my gamer abilities I will be able to use them.

Experimentation with dust seemed like an interesting idea. I was tempted to use mana scan on the dust but held off. Doing that here may draw unwanted attention in the case it suddenly explodes or something.

With that thought I continued mining while secretly collecting dust and putting them in my inventory.

A few hours later

"And so, you should try to make sure you have a firm grasp here and here." I said. The miner followed my instruction and began striking again. With a nod I began to walk away. Mining has been getting surprisingly easier. With my mining now at level 35 I can now start mining mid quality dust with almost no incident.

Grinning, I went back to mining. The overseer jotted down a few things on a notepad. I wonder what those are for. I continued mining but I was also activating my mana manipulation. It is one of the only skills I can practice right now without drawing attention.

I also used mana scan my pickaxe as well as other pickaxes too when I help give advices to others. I also learned a new skill.

Mana reinforcement (level 1): The ability to fill in cracks and holes with mana to strengthen an objects durability.

The ability to tell an objects property, the ability to strengthened an object and now all I need is an ability to recreate weapons I've laid my eyes on and I can start calling myself an aspiring hero of justice. I mean, I have the red hair too now.

With that thought I smirked while I continued my mining and mana training.

Not long after I notice Greg approaching me. I Decided to ask my overseer for a break. In all honesty, I'm pretty sure I mined enough for today, even when you take into account that I kept some of the dust for myself what I just gave to the SDC was basically equal to seven average miners.

The overseer nods a bit. "Alright Taurus, you have twenty minutes. You can rest while I'm gone but we will get back to work after I get back." The overseer turned and left me alone.

I turned back towards Greg, who was now standing in front me. "Hello Greg, how are you doing?" I greeted. Start simple I suppose considering that with our position as miners Greg wouldn't come up to me now unless he thinks it is important.

Greg smiled, "I've been doing fine but it's you who I am worried about." Greg answered. I raised my one eyebrow, which wasn't covered by bandages. "Rumours are spreading Adam." Greg explained, "Some people saw what happened last night and they are saying that you just bit someone who had aura with your bare hands and that is definitely causing a stir. They are making a lot of assumptions. The more dangerous ones are saying that you unlocked that Faunus's aura and he tried to kill you to secure his position as the top of the food chain among us miners or he wanted to unlock everyone else's aura and you stopped him by knocking him out. And with Frank unconscious there is no one else who can reliably deny or confirm these claims and since you're being painted the villain in this situation whatever you say will be taken with a lot of salt."

"That's stupid." I said, "But, unsurprising. I don't have aura but they think I do because I am… different and now the suspect that I can unlock someone else's aura too. I assume that they will confront me soon about this?" Greg nods.

In that case, they will come in a group. Frank might be the strongest among the miners due to his aura but sometimes quantity beats quality. I'm not sure how many of these people will confront and try to force me to awaken something that I myself do not have.

I will have to either unlock my aura myself or…

I shook my head. I'll think of something. "Thanks for telling me this Greg." I said, grateful for Greg warning me, "I'll try to figure something out." Greg looked unsure but eventually nodded.

I smiled at him and the two of us exchanged some small talk before I the overseer returned. With a quick goodbye, the two of us parted ways for now. I guess there is only one thing I can do for the future.

A few hours later

Mining was done and I avoided anywhere crowded and places I can easily be found. Basically, I've been hiding, which unlocked a new skill.

Hide (level 1): the ability to hide yourself from others.

Keeping myself hidden until late night was helpful since it allowed the skill to level up to level 3. Once everyone, or at least most of them, were asleep I slipped out of my hiding spot and moved to the main entrance of the housing area.

The guards were stationed outside the door so there were none inside and there were no cameras or watch towers there too. While the security inside is incredibly lax, outside is a completely different story.

I took out the key I got from the mystery box. The key was a green skeleton key.

Item rank: E

Dungeon key: Used to create and enter a dungeon. Use at the entrance of slave housing area.

Wow, even the system recognises us as slaves. With a shake of my head I activated the key. As soon as I did the atmosphere changes. Instead of a large metal wall with steel doors, I now stand in front of a wall made of wood. The walls stretch out to either side as far as the eye can see and was twenty feet tall. The gate was completely opened, revealing what seemed to be an abandoned village. The village was incredibly large and a few miles away from me I can see a Japanese style castle.

E rank dungeon huh? I smirked. If I'm not mistaken the main character of Solo Levelling was able to level up quite a bit in an E-rank dungeon. I grinned. I wonder how much stronger I can get from this?


Yeah, I know. Not the best sorry. Now reviews

andohmygodcholesterols: So here is a small show of Adam's combat ability. Like I said, he will use magic but it will be something related to his future job which, as stated previously, won't be mage or the other stuff. The job that will be given to him is one I rarely see used but still powerful somewhat.

Soda-fiedpsycho: You probably won't read this but I understand. To each their own I am thankful that you are the type that simply doesn't read what is not of interest to him. I know some people like to read things they don't like just to insult or bully the writers so I am glad you aren't one of those. Thank you.

Labda38: Thanks for the review and yes, there maybe a few changes to the future and who knows, I might not even have Adam join the White Fang. Just kidding, I know what is going to happen and I am not telling.

Dyalan-A-Friend: Thanks for the review and I hope you keep reading.

Guest: Actually, the Gamer had to rest to recover MP but it is later revealed that as long as he practices moves, skills or train stats that do not require MP he can just keep on training them without stopping. Basically, he can continuously run or lift weights to increase strength or agility as long as he doesn't use MP. At the beginning he was practising strong hit which used 15 MP.

Merendinoemiliano: I suppose you don't have to worry about anything since my Gamer has Teaching and he is going to use.

InfinityZeroDWalker: It kind of is? This is similar to Playing our Roles with an OC merging with a RWBY character. Also, the reason Ciel has what she has will be revealed later, much later. And also thank you for the review, should of said that first, sorry.

There is also a guest who reviewed in another language. Sorry, I don't speak Spanish and I Google translate your review and got the gist of it. Thank you for the review and I did think of doing that but...