Relic of the Future: Chapter 140

Clover Ebi shook his head and shoulders as he climbed out of the machine, staggered and caught himself on the railing off to the side. He heaved for breath, looking like he'd run a marathon.

"Are you okay, Ebi?" Ironwood asked.

"Yes sir. I… wow. It's not painful but it takes a lot out of you. Literally. I feel exhausted even though all I've done is lay in place for a few minutes."

"It is taking your aura," Vine pointed out. "I think this is expected."

"It probably is, but still, it's unpleasant."

Clover straightened himself up and tested his legs. Jaune could attest to the confusion the man felt. Normally when you were tired, it was body and mind at once. Things made sense. Your legs hurt, your breath was laboured, and you felt sore all over.

Not here. You came out of the pod mentally and spiritually exhausted but with your body being just fine. The disconnect was jarring, leaving you feeling like you should be panting for air but not doing so. Even walking was strange because your legs were fine but your mind kept overcompensating on the assumption you were weak after a long run.

"Let's just say people might do this for money but they won't be for fun."

"Pay is motivator enough." Harriet pointed out. "I'd have killed for a way to make money like this while I was still in the academy. Or bootcamp. Heh. You got less score than Ashari and Vine."

Clover rolled his eyes, more amused than annoyed. It wasn't such a big surprise to be honest. Jaune's large aura pool combined with his Semblance meant he was an outlier in this kind of competition. He'd provided twice as much energy as Vine had, and Vine was a good fifty per cent higher than the next closest, which turned out to be Marrow of all people.

[...]

"It's hard to say. Mr Ashari provided enough energy to power one home for twelve days or twelve homes for one day. Mr Zeki could account for six, while the average for everyone else appears to be four."

—Relic of the Future: Chapter 140