Miracle Summoner

If we only discuss the OSS system itself, its registration process is fairly straightforward.

First, open the menu, navigate to the OSS tab, enter the sword skill recording mode, and press the "Start Recording" button. Then, you can freely swing your weapon as you wish. When the move ends, press the "End Recording" button, and voilà, you've created an original sword skill.

However, for the system to recognize your envisioned sword skill as an official one, you must overcome two strict conditions to succeed.

Condition 1: It cannot be a skill that already exists in the system.

This first condition alone gives many players a headache. Basic moves such as slashes or thrusts, and all their variations, have mostly already been registered as existing skills. Therefore, to create an OSS, players are left with no choice but to attempt multi-hit combos.

Condition 2: The overall quality of the sword skill must be on par with the existing skills in the system.

This means that when recording a skill, you must execute movements that the system recognizes as valid. Otherwise, success is impossible.

What do these two conditions mean in practice?

It means that players can only create combo moves, and during the skill recording process, every detail in the sequence of movements—including weight shifting and attack trajectory—must be flawless.

In short, this system requires players to perform a sequence of sword techniques at a level only achievable with system assistance, but without that assistance. Furthermore, it must be a combo skill to qualify as a valid OSS.

How difficult is this? Just look at Rozen for context. In the real world, before his neural systems evolved through the influence of Foreign Mana, Rozen needed to pair his sword skills with mystical arts to even use them properly.

Although players in the game have virtual bodies with high capability parameters, meaning they don't face physical limitations in executing sword techniques, succeeding in creating a sword skill is anything but easy. It tests not only the player's reflexes but also their proficiency with the self-created move. Only through relentless repetition—practicing until the neural synapses fully memorize the sequence—can anyone succeed.

Take XaXa, for instance. He practiced for nearly a year in the Black Iron Palace's prison before mastering a sword skill without system assistance. This illustrates just how challenging the process is.

The vast majority of players can't tolerate such a monotonous grind and quickly abandon their dreams of creating their own sword skills. This is the challenge of the OSS system.

Of course, exceptional individuals always manage to persevere wherever they are.

A small number of dedicated players have succeeded in developing their own original sword skills, earning honors akin to the founders of ancient swordsmanship schools. Some even went on to establish guilds bearing the names of their schools and opened dojos in the towns.

They were able to do so thanks to the Sword Skill Legacy System included in the OSS framework.

Players who successfully register OSS can create manuals for their skills and teach them to others, allowing their sword skills to be passed down and used by others.

As a result, many players seek to obtain original sword skill manuals to inherit powerful techniques. Some top-tier players willing to sell their OSS could instantly earn a significant fortune.

Naturally, the value of original sword skills varies based on the number of combo hits, as well as the skill's power, performance, and effects. Currently, manuals for sword skills with five or more combo hits have become the highest-priced items in the world of ALfheim Online (ALO). The higher the number of combo hits and the more powerful the skill, the greater its value. However, the difficulty of creation rises exponentially, so players capable of creating high-hit-combo skills are undoubtedly top-tier and renowned across the entire server.

For instance:

- Eugene, the Salamander General once known as the strongest player, created an eight-hit OSS called "Volcanic Eruption."

- Kirito, the second-best swordsman in Crimson Wing after Rozen, created a seven-hit OSS called "Seven Deadly Sins."

- Leafa, drawing from her kendo expertise in the real world, created a four-hit OSS called "Floral Dance."

- Even Asuna, after months of effort and practice, successfully registered a five-hit OSS called "Stardust Tears."

Despite their accomplishments, Kirito, Leafa, and Asuna, like most other players who have endured the hardships of creating one OSS, abandoned the idea of creating a second one.

For the majority of players, unless they purchase OSS from others, creating a second skill is a rarity.

As such, OSS users consistently stand out among regular players and receive more attention.

Given all this, it doesn't seem particularly surprising that someone who even Kirito and Leafa cannot defeat would possess OSS, right?

But don't forget—the individual in question has only been in ALO for a week. Within that short time, they created an OSS. Isn't that shocking enough?

What's more...

"Rumor has it that his OSS is an insane eleven-hit combo!" Lis exclaimed in astonishment.

"E-Eleven hits!?" Asuna could no longer remain composed.

"Eleven hits?" Rozen narrowed his eyes as well.

"That's currently the highest number of hits for any confirmed OSS or even existing skills in ALO. Creating such a skill is no small feat." Rozen couldn't help but praise the achievement.

However, his remark was met with exasperated and helpless expressions from those around him.

"Do you even have the right to say that, Nii-san?" Leafa rolled her eyes in annoyance.

Rozen could only give a sheepish smile. He couldn't help it.

"Are you sure this is the highest hit count for OSS or existing skills in ALO?" Kirito interjected.

"Everyone knows," Kirito continued, "that among the seven OSS you created, there's probably something even more terrifying!"

Indeed.

While most players would not dare to attempt creating a second OSS, Rozen had created seven original sword skills!

Thanks to his Mind's Eye, Rozen had encountered countless true swordsmen, including Altera, Edelweiss, Kurogane Ikki, and Kanata Age, not to mention unparalleled sword styles like Eisenach-ryu. With his neural system enhanced by Foreign Mana and long having mastered sword techniques even in the real world, Rozen went on to create seven sword skills in one go.

These seven sword skills were named after the stars of the Big Dipper and included:

- Dubhe.

- Merak.

- Phecda.

- Megrez.

- Alioth.

- Mizar.

- Alkaid.

Rozen had demonstrated the first five skills—Dubhe, Merak, Phecda, Megrez, and Alioth—before other players.

These correspond to two-hit, four-hit, six-hit, eight-hit, and ten-hit combos, respectively.

As for the final two, Rozen had never showcased them.

Even so, Rozen's Alioth was already the highest-hit OSS in ALO prior to this.

Because of this, many speculated:

Ten hits are unlikely to be Rozen's limit.