S-rank Breakthrough Pill

The S-rank Breakthrough Pill is an unnamed, expensive blackmarket pill intended to assist the transition into S- rank only when the user's body is already at the proper threshold.

History

Purchase and delayed consumption

Brandon finds the pill in Twilight's drug market and purchases it for roughly one million credits after Matthew explains that premature use can cause severe injury or death. He keeps it rather than treating it as an immediate power-up, because the product is useful only at the point of an imminent breakthrough. (Chapters 228–229)

Aetherwild breakthrough

Brandon finally takes the pill during the Aetherwild training period. The result unfolds through weeks of pain and impaired performance instead of an instant promotion, resolving into an S- displayed average during the greater-wyvern crisis. The transition confirms the pill's intended effect while demonstrating its unusually harsh cost. (Chapters 307–316)

Abilities and properties

• Assists a user already at the threshold of S- rank. (Chapters 228–229)
• Incorrect timing can cause severe effects or death; even correct use produces a prolonged and painful transition. (Chapters 229 and 307–316)

Ownership and custody