Chapter 103: Purchase, Purchase, Purchase! ( PLAT )

Ethan's eyes landed on the military exchange catalog's Aura Pills section. In actuality, a single mid-grade Aura Gathering Pill cost just 150,000 credits, or 15 military merit points. Compared to the estimated outside market price, it was a full five hundred thousand credits less expensive. The disparity between the open market and internal military exchange was absolutely astounding.

Observing Ethan's expression, General Valerius remarked, "The cost of producing the Aura Gathering Pill isn't that high." However, there aren't many real alchemists, and the refining process is very challenging. They are sold in very small quantities in a city like ours. You might not be able to purchase them even if you have the credits.

Ethan didn't think twice and bought five more. -75 for military merit.

He then examined the natural treasures. 50 points were awarded for a "Ten-Year Aura Ginseng." 50 points was also a "Foundation Root." Despite the high cost, it was already a good deal given how effective they were at saving lives and boosting power. He was aware that his Omnitrix's optimization function needed a constant flow of life force, and he was positive that he wouldn't have enough in the future. Now was the time to stock up. He loaded his cart with five of each. In an instant, ten of them—a total of five hundred military merit points—were gone. The amount of money he spent truly broke his heart.

He was down to 134 points now.

As he scrolled down, he discovered that he could actually trade pre-packaged Skill Aura Cores for psionic skills directly. Just 50 points were needed for the most costly F-rank skill. Ethan instantly traded in "Tough Skin," a physical-type psionic skill. His human skin would become much more defensive after absorbing this. For him, this was ideal. After all, his primary weakness was his human body.

He only had 84 points remaining after trading for it. He paused to reflect. Good things ought to be shared. He purchased two additional "Tough Skin" Aura Cores. With 34 points remaining, he made the decision to hold off for the time being.

He finished the exchange and looked at his datapad's personal information panel, which had been updated following his retest.

[Name]: Ethan Atherton
[Rank]: Level Five, Rank Two (47%)
[Talent]: Legendary Manifestation
[Ability]: Omnitrix
[Psionic Skills]: Tough Skin (F-rank), Crushing Fist (F-rank)
[Psionic Gear]: Shape-Shifting Guard (Advanced), Steel Shield (Advanced, Supreme), Storage Ring (Beginner, Supreme), and Aura Gatherer (Advanced)
[Merit in the Military]: 34
[Total Assets]: 18.15 million credits
[Items]: Ten-Year Aura Ginseng X5, Mid-grade Aura Gathering Pill X8, Foundation Root X6, F-rank Aura Core X4, E-rank Aura Core X5, and D-rank Aura Core X1.

He was ecstatic. He might be regarded as a little rich man given his present possessions. A soldier eventually arrived with a safe, locked case containing everything Ethan had traded for.

"Everything is here, Commander, Mayor."

General Valerius gestured with his hand. "Give him all of them."

Ethan filled his new storage ring with all the valuables.

The General gave him a shoulder clap. "You're doing pretty well now, you brat. You must train hard when you return.

Ethan gave an enthusiastic nod. "Definitely, definitely, yes."

"Oh, right, about that piece of psychic gear I gave you," Mayor Thorne continued. You can return it to me for a time if you don't mind, and I'll locate a master refiner to improve it for you. Not on the public exchange list, this was a unique piece of shapeshifting psychic equipment. Originally for his own son, he had fought hard to obtain it. However, it was better to give it to Ethan first—an investment in their future relationship—because the boy still had ten years to awaken.

Ethan paused. "Sir, wouldn't this be too much trouble for you?" It would cost at least a few million credits to have a master upgrade psychic gear.

General Valerius chuckled. What is there to feel ashamed of? It is merely a piece of psychic equipment. For men like us, it is a minor cost.

Ethan lowered his head a little. "Then, Mayor, thank you!"

With a smile, Mayor Thorne gave Ethan a shoulder pat. "What's to be grateful for? We're all in same side. I help you, you help me.

Ethan said, "Then I'll return first." "Thank you, Commander and Mayor!"

He was about to walk away when he was stopped by Mayor Thorne, who gave him a sealed letter. "This is from Lily, your aunt."

Ethan pulled it open. The information was straightforward. "Work on your fighting skills, stinky brat. Come find me if you have any issues. I can also help you if you want to attend Pinnacle University, but you have to work for it on your own first.

Ethan felt a surge of warmth. He was extremely appreciative of his aunt's intense yet sincere concern.

General Valerius sat in silence in the room after Ethan had left. There was a hint of intense concern in his eyes and furrowed brows.

He thought that brat had too much talent. In addition to that incredible Watch... If the Global Concord's superiors were aware... Ethan was only a Rank Two psionicist, despite his current strength being decent. He was merely an ant that could be crushed at will in front of a real powerhouse.

The General's eyes hardened, "Looks like I'll have to find some time to have a good, long talk with his uncle in Pinnacle City." I'll have to defend this brat myself if I have to. Young people like him are still essential to the Global Concord's future!

Conversely, Ethan, who had come home, located Marcus and Seraphina and bestowed the two "Tough Skin" Skill Aura Cores upon them.

Marcus took the core, tears welling up in his eyes. "Thank you so much, Ethan, man! This is the kind of defensive ability I've long desired! His greatest weakness as a pure strength-type was defense.

Seraphina was much more composed, but it was impossible to hide the excitement in her eyes. "Thank you, Ethan," she said appreciatively.

Ethan gestured with his hand. "What's to be grateful for? We have a friendship! Naturally, if something is good, we share it. However, he smiled and added, "This isn't free. Five million credits on the open market, or 50 military merit points. You can decide how you wish to reimburse me.

Marcus didn't think twice. "No issue! I'll go get the credits from my dad. I will return to The Gauntlet if necessary. Do you think I won't be able to make five million dollars?

Seraphina nodded as well.

Then Ethan gave them the Aura Gatherer. This has the ability to collect ambient aura. The three of us will train together from now on. I'm paying for the Aura Cores that power it. He had many of the F-rank cores it needed now.