Akashi mused for some time about what to start leveling up. He had earned a lot by putting his life on the line, and he wasn't going to deprive himself of the power that would come with that. But you know, he had a lot of points, and he wasn't in a hurry. He just needed to use enough to get rid of the plotters in the dark. And by that, he didn't even consider the Earth Queen, as she had more mess to focus on than Akashi.
Though, when thinking about her, Akashi felt accomplished in turning her previous allies against her.
Well, she had earned it on her own. After all, it had been Amon who had asked him for collaboration.
'Great Guy. I wonder how he's doing.' Akashi thought, staring at the screen that only he could see.
'Okay, let's go for a more balanced build. Every state, by now, has proved to be useful. I'll just keep a few points to use later in case I think that they could be useful.'
And so, the first thing Akashi did was bring all of his stats to equilibrium.
His strength, stamina, and agility increased to 30.
It meant that he spent thirty points and was left with thirty.
Wisdom: 31 Strength: 30 Vitality: 30 Agility: 30 Stamina: 30
And with that, he gained an extra six perks.
Agility perks +2
[Perfect Balance: Even standing on the most awkward surfaces and flying in awkward stances, you maintain perfect balance]
[Time-Slip Reflexes: High reflexion speed that makes it seem like time almost stopped.]
—————
No more sea dizziness or throwing up food.
Akashi nodded. "Great deal."
Stamina Perks +2
[Marathoner: Can keep top performance for much longer]
[Ceaseless Engine: Body generates energy endlessly; exhaustion becomes nearly impossible.]
'Poor Korra. She has to endure.' Akashi thought. 'Or, rather, Poor me. I may end up jerking off a lot.'
—————
Strength Perks +2
[Brutal Grapple: Able to overpower even large monsters in close combat.]
[Mountain Splitter: A single blow can crack stone, shatter metal, or crater the ground.]
'Okay, this is awesome.'
Akashi thought as he noticed how his body started changing, his muscles becoming firmer, slightly bigger, and stronger, without having any fat. It was like doing another two bulking and lean cutting sessions without losing any muscle.
And it's not that perks were the only rewards from increasing his stats.
For example, by increasing his stamina, not only did it increase, but so did his recovery speed.
As for agility, it increased his reflexes, speed, and attacking speed.
As for strength, well, it's for strength and self-satisfaction. More likely, he would be able to fly at higher speeds and punch at Mach speed or more without having to worry about losing his arm. He may also be able to tank attacks carelessly with his physique alone.
And even after all of that, he still had 30 points to be used.
'Thirty divided by five is 6. Should I just add six points in everything and call it a day? I don't know, I feel like I don't like balanced builds. But even though an imbalanced build has an advantage, a balanced build has no weaknesses.'
Akashi sighed.
He put five points in each stat.
But, he didn't gain any new perk.
Still, the boosted effects felt worth it.
Also, he felt that the effect of the stats was almost exponential. Not linear, but above it a bit. The higher he went, the more he would get.
[Name: Akashi.
Level: 79
Class: Airbender.
Skill Points: 30
Attributes Points: 6
Attributes
Wisdom: 35 Strength: 35 Vitality: 35 Agility: 35 Stamina: 35
HP: 1800/1800
Chi: 900/900
Stamina: 1800/1800]
"Poor Lin and Korra," Akashi shook his head, "They have to deal with me… Maybe Asami as well."
Akashi started sympathizing with his allies before his enemies.
Knowing that Korra would take her time trying to calm the fight between the Northern soldiers, Akashi decided to leave. He wasn't tired after that fight with Unalaq, considering that he had all of his stats restored because of the level up. He wore his coat and stepped out of Korra's house.
Luckily, her parents weren't there, so he didn't find himself in an awkward situation.
And so, he joined the southern tribe. They treated him well, more like a local hero. As he found his future father-in-law, the two of them had a good conversation. He even thanked Akashi for standing with his daughter to the very end. It seemed that Korra had told him that he risked his life to save her while fighting the dark Avatar. Akashi just laughed with Tonraq, who then taught him how to make a necklace. As for what the necklace meant, it's their way of asking a woman to marry them.
After finishing the lesson, Akashi found himself talking to his mentors and their baby brother. By mentors, he meant the children of Tenzin.
"So, you've had quite an experience," said Tenzin, "That Unalaq, I've never trusted him from the beginning. His methods with dealing with spirits were very suspicious."
Although Tenzin had a good point, a correct point, it was for a biased reason.
"And what lead did you use to reach that conclusion?" Akashi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Come on." Tenzin rolled his eyes, "He used unknown methods that airbenders don't know about, nor my father or the previous avatar. It is obvious that he was the one who corrupted the spirits, that's why he could undo the effect."
Akashi clapped for him. "You're truly bright. Never expected that from you."
Tenzin blushed and smiled, accepting the praise.
"Hahaha… I know. I'm an amazing future father-in-law," he said.
"Sure…" Akashi sighed as he joined his hands together. As much as he would usually get acted up by Tenzin's words, he had people who were waiting for his wrath.
"By the way, if you want, you could meet my mother later," said Tenzin.
"For what?" Akashi asked, stretching his hands.
"Come on, she's excited to see my students." He replied.
"Did she say so?" Akashi narrowed his eyebrows.
"Hmm… though, I can't tell if she looked happy or nervous…" Tenzin mused.
'She may be thinking that Aang cheated on her somewhere, and she would want to see a resemblance. Forget about it, my origins are earthbenders and nonbenders…' Akashi sighed, and he said, "Sure, not minding a little chat."
And just as he stood up, to walk away, a tall figure walked next to him.
"Hi," said Asami.
"Hello." He replied.
"So," she examined his face, "you didn't have a fight with Korra because of me, did you?"
"Don't worry," Akashi appreciated her good intention, "We've made love, got our bond stronger. So, I should thank you."
Asami sighed, "I bet you heard some embarrassing things, like her and me fighting over guys."
"Don't sweat over it, it's a natural thing." He said.
They walked together for some time.
Asami broke the silence and said, "So, you're rejecting me?"
"Who said so?" Akashi asked.
"You said I made your bond stronger, that means I don't have a place, do I?" Asami said.
Akashi paused for a second.
He considered it.
In life, there were chances that would only come once.
And he had considered dating her once before… well, she was a rare beauty in Republic City. Even though she wasn't ripped, she was fit and fat in the right places.
He would risk getting his face slapped over it."
"I said I just would stick with her," Akashi stopped walking and turned to Asami. Since she had given him signals before, he put his hand on her face.
"But I didn't say I'm stupid." He replied.
"Be careful, I may steal you," she replied, leaning in for a kiss.
Akashi kissed her.
Nobody seemed to mind, so let's make everyone happy.
Asami pulled back, swiping her hair behind her ear.
"I was thinking after returning to Republic City, we should see the new trend, of cinema." she spoke.
"So, a date?" Akashi said. "What time?"
"Any day your schedule allows it," she replied, slightly blushing, stealing glances to his body here and then.
Yep. Before she threw him hints. Now the signals were strong enough to be felt through wavesbending.
"Let's talk more about it in Republic City." Akashi said.
"Why not in the cruise?" she asked.
"Sounds even better," Akashi nodded.
"Akashi," Korra said, her tone gave as she walked to him, "you won't believe it, these guys fought almost to death — some died — because they couldn't tell who cursed their mothers…"
"I wonder what's the reason," Akashi asked.
"They need to go home as soon as possible," she walked past Asami and muttered, "Bitch." Before looking at Akashi and smiling brightly.
Asami raised an eyebrow, looking at Korra with a confused gaze. She let her do her boyfriend, but she's treating her like a bitch. Asami couldn't wrap her head around Korra. But to be fair, she was quite happy. Akashi, for some reason, seemed to be one of the very few men around her age that was beyond her league. Richer than her, stronger than her, and very smart one above that. Better than some sport skinny poor idiot who lash at her and others because he couldn't face the outcomes of his mistakes and pin them on others.
Asami leaned to Korra and whispered, "Your man's bitch."
"At least you know who he belongs to." Korra replied, whispering.
Akashi could hear it all, but pretended not to.
"And yet you couldn't manage to get him to leave Lin," replied Korra.
Korra paused for a second. "That woman is needed."
"Needed for what?"
"To calm the monster."
"What monster?"
"You'll find out." Korra said, "Too late to regret then, skinny girl."
Asami looked at Korra as if she were crazy.
As for Akashi, he understood.
In this world, he was the one who was called monster the most.
Korra left her, held Akashi's arm, and took him away.
After that, Akashi spent two more days in the South Pole. He talked with everyone he had to talk to, from Katara, who seemed relieved when she saw him — yeah, Aang didn't cheat. To his parents-in-law. And then, once the vacation was over, he got back on the cruise.
Everyone seemed to have fun, except for Akashi, who only sat by the edge, as if anticipating something. After Korra invited him to the bed, he told her that he would join her, and he waited, while looking at the sea. At the horizon and in the direction the cruise was headed at, appeared a bunch of icebergs. Though it may seem natural, one could tell that they were less cold than the real deal. More likely made by humans, called waterbenders.
And from the sensation air and sound gave him, Akashi could tell that a massive units of waterbenders hid behind these bergs.
There were a couple of reasons why he hadn't leveled up his skills.
First, he wanted to do that in the temple island, since it became a tradition like. And second, he didn't want to miss a chance of developing some techniques. You know, two gamers who have the same level skills can vary in battle prowess.
"Okay…" Akashi clapped his hand, took a deep breath, and took a couching stance, grabbing his hands closer to his wrist.