Chapter 25: The Path of Preparation
Two years had passed since Barrett's last great adventure. As a 14-winged Fallen Angel, he had spent this time honing his abilities, combining magic with technology, and fortifying Wayne Manor into an impenetrable stronghold. These years were not without excitement, as the gacha system periodically provided opportunities to expand his arsenal and further cement his dominance.
Barrett had received a total of five gacha tickets during this time—four from the regular six-month intervals and one bonus ticket from an extraordinary achievement. Each reward shaped his progress, bringing him closer to his vision of mastering both the magical and technological realms.
The Achievement: Master of the Elements
The bonus gacha was a reward for a monumental milestone: Master of the Elements.
Barrett had spent months mastering the four classical elements—fire, water, air, and earth. This wasn't merely about wielding raw power; it was about understanding the intricate balance and synergy between these forces. His bonded Spirit Fox, now a majestic six-tailed platinum-ranked beast, had played a key role in helping him attune to the elements.
Water Mastery: The Elemental Orb (Water) from a previous gacha was instrumental in refining his control over water. Barrett developed techniques to create water constructs, summon protective barriers, and even manipulate the moisture in the air to form fog or rain on command.
Fire Mastery: His natural affinity for energy manipulation as a Fallen Angel made fire magic almost second nature. Barrett's control was so precise that he could create a floating sphere of flame that radiated warmth without burning anything nearby, a skill that came in handy during his experiments in the manor's colder chambers.
Air Mastery: Air proved to be the most versatile element. Barrett learned to generate gusts strong enough to knock back enemies, create a cushion of wind to break falls, and even enhance his flight capabilities by manipulating air currents.
Earth Mastery: The most challenging element required extensive study and experimentation. Barrett designed a rune-etched glove to aid in shaping and controlling the terrain. With practice, he could raise walls of stone, create trenches, and even sculpt intricate statues with a mere flick of his wrist.
Once he successfully combined these elements to create a powerful elemental defense system around Wayne Manor, the system recognized his achievement and rewarded him with a Platinum Gacha Ticket.
The Five Gacha Rewards
Binding Chains of the Abyss (Silver Rank):
Description: Magical chains that could restrain beings up to Gold Rank in strength. The chains were self-repairing, indestructible under normal conditions, and adaptable in size. Usage: Barrett tested these chains on rogue magical creatures that strayed too close to Gotham. They were especially effective against a rampaging Chimera, proving their worth as a crowd-control tool.
Enchanted Tome of Foresight (Gold Rank):
Description: A mystical book filled with divination spells that allowed glimpses into possible futures. The accuracy depended on the magical energy invested during its use. Usage: Barrett used the tome sparingly, as it drained significant energy. However, it helped him avoid several potential disasters, such as a malfunction in his magical-technology hybrid constructs.
Cloak of Shadows (Silver Rank):
Description: A lightweight cloak granting near-perfect invisibility in darkness or shadows. It also muffled sounds, making the wearer nearly undetectable.
Usage: The cloak became a favorite of Barrett's for stealth missions. He tested it by infiltrating Gotham's most secure locations, leaving no trace of his presence.
Spirit Forge Crystal (Gold Rank):
Description: A magical crystal capable of enhancing constructs. It imbued creations with increased durability and power. Usage: Barrett used the crystal to upgrade the Phoenix Spirit Mantle, enhancing its regenerative properties and granting it limited fire-based offensive capabilities.
Mirror of Eternity (Platinum Rank):
Description: A mirror capable of showing past, present, and future events with pinpoint accuracy. Unlike the Mirror of Reflections, this artifact could provide actionable insights.
Usage: Barrett placed the mirror in his study and used it sparingly, only for critical moments. Its most notable use was unraveling the secrets of an ancient curse placed on one of his magical artifacts. Experiments and Innovations
Barrett's experiments were not limited to magic. His integration of technology into the magical world became a defining aspect of his journey. With Ultron's help, he developed:
Enchanted Tech Gadgets: Barrett created spell-imbued drones capable of scouting and delivering small magical attacks. These drones were an extension of his presence, allowing him to monitor and intervene remotely. Defensive Wards: The elemental defense system around Wayne Manor was his crowning achievement. It combined magic and technology to create an impenetrable barrier that could detect and neutralize intruders. Magical Constructs: Using the Spirit Forge Crystal, Barrett experimented with creating animated constructs. His first success was a mechanical owl imbued with sentience, which served as both a companion and a scout.
Barrett's two years of training and preparation had transformed him into a formidable force. His arsenal of enchanted gadgets, mastery of elemental magic, and 14-winged Fallen Angel power made him a force to be reckoned with.