SSS Ranked Awakening: All My Skills Are at Level 100 - Chapter 257

Chapter 257: Selecting Skill Stones
Seraphine picked up stone after stone, examining each one with careful attention, but frustration was building behind her excited expression. The stones were beautiful, pulsing with power she could feel but not understand. The runes were decorative patterns for all the information they provided her.

I have no way to tell what any of these do, she realized, setting down a crimson stone that radiated warmth. Without knowing their effects, I can’t even begin to choose.

It was not like the times when the system showed the information of skills or techniques, which was only possible when you were the one who earned the item inside the dungeon in one way or another.

Her lightning affinity was both a blessing and a curse. It gave her powerful abilities, but it also meant she couldn’t absorb skill stones from other elements. The fire stones, ice stones, earth stones – all useless to her, no matter how powerful they might be. Her eyes scanned the collection for the telltale purple-white gleam of lightning stones, or the more subtle shimmer of neutral skills that anyone could learn.

There were several neutral skill stones among the collection, their clear or prismatic surfaces standing out among the more colorful elemental varieties. These were the real treasures – skills without elemental requirements were rare and valuable precisely because anyone could use them. But Seraphine deliberately avoided touching them.

Leon should have first pick of those, she thought, glancing at him. They’re too valuable to claim without asking.

Leon noticed her hesitation, saw how she was examining stones without actually selecting any, and understood the problem immediately.

Why the hell am I not using my ability? Leon had even forgotten about these overpowered abilities for a while.

He felt like an idiot.

She couldn’t identify them.

“Here,” he said, focusing on the pale yellow stone currently in her hand. A golden shimmering screen materialized before his eyes, visible only to him.

[Lightning Bolt – Common Rank Skill] Launches a basic lightning projectile at a target. Mana Cost: Low Element Required: Lightning

“That’s Lightning Bolt,” Leon informed her. “Common rank skill. It’s a basic lightning projectile attack.” He paused, then added, “You should learn it. I already have this skill, so it’s of no use to me.”

Seraphine’s eyes lit up with recognition and relief. Of course! His ability to see item information. I forgot he could identify these instantly.

Without hesitation, she gripped the stone firmly and channeled her mana into it. The stone cracked, then shattered, transforming into motes of golden light that swirled upward and entered her temple. She closed her eyes as the knowledge flooded her mind – the hand gestures, the mana circulation pattern, the mental image needed to manifest the skill.

After a few seconds, she opened her eyes to see her own system notification confirming the acquisition of the new skill. Joy bloomed across her face.

“This is amazing,” she said, already reaching for another lightning-element stone. “Could you…?”

“Of course.” Leon began systematically identifying the stones she picked up, reading off their information as she sorted through them. “That one’s Thunder Step – a movement skill that lets you travel short distances as lightning. That purple one is Static Field – creates an area of electrical interference. The darker one there is Paralysis Touch…”

As they worked through the collection, Seraphine gathered stones that caught her interest based on Leon’s descriptions. She selected five lightning-element skills that would complement her existing abilities, then hesitantly picked up two neutral stones.

These are too valuable, she thought, guilt creeping into her expression. Neutral skills are so rare because anyone can use them. I shouldn’t be greedy…

“Take them,” Leon said, noticing her hesitation.

“But they’re neutral skills. You could use these—”

“Seraphine.” His tone was firm but warm. “You’re my wife. These stones are ours, not just mine. Take what you need. Don’t feel guilty about it.”

She still looked uncertain, so he continued with a slightly scolding tone. “I’m giving these to you. You shouldn’t feel bad about accepting them. Besides,” a slight smile crossed his face, “when it’s my turn, probably a third of these skill stones will be gone anyway. I can learn any element, remember?”

That’s right, Seraphine realized. He has affinities for everything. Fire, water, earth, wind, lightning, light, dark… even space and time. He could literally learn any skill here.

The thought was both impressive and slightly intimidating. While she was limited to lightning and neutral skills, Leon could cherry-pick the best abilities from every element. The variety of combat styles he could develop was staggering.

“Thank you,” she said softly, clutching the neutral stones. One was a perception enhancement skill called Eagle Eye, the other a defensive technique called Mana Shield. Both would significantly improve her chances of survival in combat.

She began absorbing the stones one by one, each one breaking apart into light that entered her mind. With every skill she gained, she felt herself growing stronger and more versatile. The lightning skills gave her new attack patterns, movement options, and control techniques. The neutral skills shored up her weaknesses in defense and perception.

Eight new skills in one day, she thought with amazement. Most warriors are lucky to gain one or two new skills in a year.

Leon watched her with satisfaction, genuinely pleased to see her growing stronger. He hadn’t even begun selecting skills for himself yet, more interested in ensuring she got what she needed first.

Now then, he thought, surveying the remaining stones spread across the table. Time to see what interesting combinations I can create.

The afternoon sun continued to sink lower, casting longer shadows across their earthen table. The skill stones that remained gleamed in the golden light, each one a possibility, a potential new power. Leon’s eyes swept across them with anticipation.

Fire and ice combinations for temperature control. Earth and metal for defensive techniques. Wind and lightning for speed. Light and dark for stealth and illusions. Space for teleportation. Time for… well, we’ll see what time skills are available.

The possibilities were endless, and unlike Seraphine, he had no limitations on what he could learn. Every single stone on this table was available to him. With his intelligence and combat experience, he could find synergies that their original users never imagined.

“Your turn,” Seraphine said with a smile, gesturing at the collection. “Show me how greedy you can be with your all elemental affinity.”

Leon grinned, already reaching for a deep red stone that pulsed like a heartbeat. “You asked for it.”