I rolled over feeling the brush of a pillow against my face. I hugged what felt like a blanket, before slowly opening my eyes.
I was in my room but it was dimly lit compared to usual.
Turning my head to the window, I saw a black sky with a moon lighting up the sky.
Sitting up my gaze landed on my hands.
"Calluses?"
Due to my regenerative abilities I thought that I wouldn't develop things like calluses.
'I guess there's things I still don't know about my abilities'
As I sat up my mother walked into my room.
"Good morning Mother."
She looked at me with her eyes peering into my soul, and then examined my state.
"You're lucky your regeneration is borderline divine."
"I know."
I scratched at my index finger with the nail of my thumb
Her eyes turned to my thumb and then back at my eyes.
"You do know what you did was foolish right?"
"I knew my limits," I replied firmly.
"Wrong, if you did you would've warned us not only that you'd be missing dinner yesterday, but today's lunch as well."
My eyes widened at her response. I recalled the moments before I passed out.
'Oh yeah, I had swung my sword until the sun went down and up again.'
"Okay..I had overestimated my limit."
She sat down on the bed.
"Do you not trust your father and I?" She questioned.
"No, of course I do."
"Then, be patient, and don't overdo things. Pushing yourself is fine, but don't fight your body when it needs to rest. We'll both make sure you grow. So, place your trust in us."
At her words I froze, because I couldn't follow them, I couldn't afford to be patient, not when I have to save the world that even a genius couldn't. This world wasn't fair enough for that.
But even knowing that I smiled, I responded to her as she wanted.
"You're right, I'll follow your lead."
She brushed her fingers through my hair and smiled.
"Thank you Rohan."
I nodded with the smile still plastered onto my face.
"I'll instruct one of the servants to bring you your meal."
"Okay thank you."
She pinched my cheek with a smile and then walked out of the door.
I crossed my arms and closed my eyes.
'Min take me into the library.'
When I opened my eyes the scenery before me was as unbelievable as I remembered.
I saw Min lying on a shelf with his hair hanging down.
"Hello, young one." He said as his head hung upside down and looked at me.
He disappeared from the shelf and appeared in front of me sitting on a table.
"Hey."
"What did you need this time?"
"You mentioned a dantian or something, how do I form one?"
"I was wondering when you'd ask that."
He levitated and floated behind me. His hand grabbed my shoulder and pressed down forcing me to fall.
"First things first, sit down."
I sat down in the position I associated with cultivation, the lotus position.
My legs crossed and my hands grabbed my knees.
'This is so much more uncomfortable than I thought.
"Since your mana which was already rather intense due to your draconic genes, your Qi reserves are much higher than any other Qi formation stages. So all you have to do is form that raw qi into a dantian and meridians."
"Okay, how do I do that?"
This was just a session of questions and answers because my subconscious is the only thing in this world, not my physical body. So, no matter what I train here all that would change is my knowledge.
"So basically you have t-"
"Wait actually…can I even learn this? Wouldn't the Viat get suspicious?"
"It shouldn't if you give a proper excuse."
"Hm?"
"Your spirit adaptability, it's a much more mysterious ability than you'd think, if you simply say you followed what felt natural the Ziat might just believe it."
"Oh? That's interesting."
"Though you should get rid of the Ziat soon, especially for when you reach higher levels of the library and obtain knowledge that can't logically be obtained with instinct."
"I plan on getting rid of the damn thing in a few years. Don't worry."
During my last year of the academy is when I'll obtain the chance to get rid of the Ziat properly.
"Alright." He raised a brow at my response.
'I might as well give him a reason why I know what I do.'
"Consider me something similar to an oracle."
"Ahh..is this also due to godly intervention?"
"Probably?"
"Understood. Anyways back to the lecture,.."
He then explained the fundamental principles of how Qi worked and how the meridians worked. Humans are born with at least a few of their meridians blocked at birth, and some are born with all of them blocked. Causing something called Qi blockage, whenever they try to gather Qi it could then lead to death or serious illness.
But thankfully since I'm far from human I don't have that issue. In fact, I have even more meridians than humans causing my energy to circulate much more evenly. Plus my meridians are also much stronger.
"Wait Min, do you know why my form is a human's even though i'm not?"
"Your consciousness and adaptability. Your spirit's adaptability will sometimes activate abilities without you knowing, including a dragon's polymorph ability. I'm guessing in your original world you were a human, so your mind was more used to being human. This would cause the adaptability to activate the polymorph."
"Wouldn't that cause me to lose energy consistently?"
"A dragon's polymorph doesn't cost mana or in your case, Qi."
"Wouldn't that be mentioned by the Ziat?"
"That's the most useful part of your polymorph, it's too strong to be detected by the Ziat as of right now."
"Interesting.."
After that conversation, I continued to listen to Min until 30 minutes would have passed in the outside world since I had stepped into the library.
I opened my eyes again and I was in my room.
"You may come in."
Through the door walked in Mareline.
"I have your meal, young lord."
I looked at the wooden table that looked like it was shaped to be
placed on the bed.
She placed it and the top of it where my plate of food rested was pressing against my knee.
"I heard from the lord that you like beef so I prepared enough to make up for the missing nutrients."
"Oh thank you, also how long were you waiting out there?"
"I knocked on the door around 14 minutes ago, but since you didn't answer I just stood right outside the door, after verifying you were safe."
"You may just walk in next time."
"Understood."
She bowed and then walked out, and as her hand grabbed the knob of the door I asked her.
"Mareline, do you have children?"
"Yes, I do, two little boys."
"Ahh okay."
She then bowed her head and walked out.
I picked up my knife and fork, ripping apart the beef steak that looked big enough to be the size of a literal chicken.
As I cut off piece after piece I lost myself in thought.
'If the world ends.. she and her family wouldn't last would they?'
As I cut apart the steak I couldn't help but think about all the others who would die, making me think about the original savior.
'So this is the thought that kept you going...'
The original one who fought against fate to save everybody, the guy who I had to surpass.
As I placed the wooden table on the floor like Mareline had instructed, I took the paper towel that was originally under the cutlery and wiped my mouth.
I started sitting cross legged like I did in the library. And following what Min said I slowly guided my energy, as clumsily as possible at first in order to not grow too much suspicion.
"That feels about right.." I made sure to mumble under my breath.
[What are you doing currently host?]
"I'm trying to use Qi, but I'm just following my instinct right now."
[...Intelligent choice host]
"Thank you"
[Host, there are abilities for Qi control in the shop as well]
'Of course there are you greedy bastard.'
"Oh really? Please show them"
Suddenly a system panel appeared in front of me.
"A lot of these don't work for my affinity do they?"
[You can always purchase more affinities later on, host.]
I inwardly rolled my eyes at the suggestion filled with noticeable greed. It was so comedic that I couldn't help but smile.
"Oh I look forward to that then. But for now show me the ones that work with blood affinity."
The system panel got much smaller due to there being less options.
"Blood swords, Blood absorption, Blood drain…"
'How many of these are vampire-like…damn.'
"Are there no techniques for increasing my Qi?"
[The host can increase his Qi with stat points.]
"Ahh right."
'Oh my god it is starving for lifeforce.'
"Then it's good that I get to go hunting soon."
I stretched my arms forward clasping my hands together.
"But I still want to try following my instinct."
[Understood host.]
'Don't be too disappointed, you'll get your death row meal soon.'
I placed my hands on my knees again, closed my eyes, and started circulating my Qi again.
As time passed the circulation got sharper and sharper. The energy was brought in from the outside, cleansed on the inside and the waste was released as smoke from my nose. The energy that flowed in gathered towards my abdomen, through the countless meridians that my body had.
'He said to slowly shape it into a sphere.'
I tried to visualise the energy meeting at a single point, and shaping itself. As the amount of energy increased the shape slowly became less and less like a sphere and more like a ball with spikes. The backlash from trying to gather the energy came at me at once while I was still shaping the sphere, causing internal bleeding. I could feel blood trickling down my nose and ears, but I wasn't too worried since my regeneration would have kicked in.
And even if the pain was intense, it was similar to when I first appeared in this world, or when I acquired sword related abilities. So, as twisted as it may sound, I had been used to this kind of pain by now.
Since I was unbothered, I had been able to put my all into focusing. And for some reason after I was struggling with one part for a while, it got much simpler, and then when I moved on to another, the same thing happened. Almost if I was constantly…
'Adapting...'
I might have considerably underestimated the extent that a spirit's adaptability can affect things.
So after what felt like years, I opened my eyes and saw a sight I didn't entirely believe. It was my blood, but it wasn't staining anything like I thought but was instead…floating around me.
'Min…would creating a dantian cause my blood to float around me?'
'Probably, since you have an affinity for it.'
I reached my hand out for the streams of blood that floated around me.
The blood had been absorbed back into my body as I touched it. I then absorbed the rest of it. And while I was doing so I looked up and saw a cloud of black smoke at the top of my room.
'Crap...I guess that's the waste in my meridians.'
I rushed to my window pushing it open, causing the black smoke to go outside.
"Its morning already I guess."
I leaned against the sill of the window and looked out after the
black smoke was gone, and saw the sun rising.
The sun rising gave off a slight pinkish hue in the sky, and a warm glow that contrasted the cold snow that covered the land.
"So this is the world before the game started."
I reached my hand out feeling the cold yet comforting wind blow through my fingertips.
"I get it now…"
Now this is an image worth fighting for.
[Host?]
I pushed myself off the window and stretched my arms out with a yawn.
"Don't worry about it."
[Understood..]
I changed my clothes and walked out, towards the training field.
As I was met with the cold wind from the outside, I saw rows of knights swinging wooden swords at each other, with my father watching from the side.
I couldn't help but look at the knights with awe as each of their hits connected against each other.
My father used his hand to call me over, so I walked towards him until I stood next to him.
He looked at me with a brow raised.
"Did you make your first rune?"
"Something similar."
In a way forming a dantian would be like making a first rune, seeing as how they're both necessary steps for humans to control their energy.
He rubbed my head, with a smile on his face.
"How many more surprises are there with you?"
I shrugged and looked at the knights.
"Don't they look impressive?"
"Mhm"
"Do you think you could replicate that?"
I took a moment to think before replying honestly.
"I could definitely swing my sword the way they do but, I can't react the way they do."
"Interesting perspective."
It was the difference between knowing something and being able to apply it. We all know that when you drop something it falls, but hardly any of us know how to apply that to daily life, or innovations. Something like that comes from experience which I lack.
My father pressed his middle finger and thumb together, using them to whistle. The sound spread throughout the training ground overpowering the sound of the clashing swords; thus, the sounds of the swords disappeared.
The knights held their swords in their left hands, stood in neat rows and looked forward in the direction of my father and I.
I could tell they were curious about me, but not one sound of confusion was made, which showed their discipline.
My father patted my back and smiled.
"This is my son, Rohan"
Even though that would be the logical conclusion, I had appeared out of nowhere, and it was known the Duke and Duchess couldn't have children. So, the knights looked quite shocked.
One knight took a step forward, looked directly at me with a smile. He put his right hand on his heart and bowed.
"It's a pleasure to meet you young master!"
The rest of the knights with similar smiles stepped forward and bowed in a similar fashion.
"It's a pleasure to meet you young master!"
Tens of voices made their way into my ear at once.
"The pleasure is mine."
I slightly bowed my head with my hand on my heart.
"Since you've greeted each other, it's time for business. Rohan here wants to become a swordsman."
The eyes of the knights visibly widened again.
"I already told him about the dangers but he still wants to try, so why don't you boys take care of him for a little bit."
The knights with a glint of pride in their eyes, yelled out
"Yes sir!"
Suddenly my father tossed me a wooden sword, and as I caught it a familiar ecstasy spread through my body.
"Pick a sparring partner."
Even though I was confused by the sudden development, I listened to my father's words and looked around.
I pointed to a man with light brown hair that was tied behind his head into a manbun of sorts. His eyes were a soft blue with a scar running through the left one vertically.
"Him."
The man in question stepped up with a smile and greeted me.
"I'm Zeffrey, young master."
"Pleasure to meet you Zeffrey."
The other knights along with my father stood against the walls of the training ground.
After a magic circle appeared and disappeared under Zeffrey, he held his sword up.
'Debuff spell'
"Don't go easy on him Zeffrey!" My father ordered.
Zeffrey, following my father's words, appeared in front of me.
I stepped under his sword which swung at my neck horizontally. After which I took my own sword swinging it diagonally upward.
Zeffrey twisted his foot and not only stepped back but then turned his body 90 degrees, leftward and swung his sword at my ankle.
I lifted my ankle and was about to turn in order to gain footing, but before I could Zeffrey took a step forward and slammed into me with his right shoulder, causing me to fall.
Zeffrey grabbed the collar of my shirt before I fell and helped me regain balance.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah I just didn't expect that."
"I grew up in the slums so my swordsmanship is less predictable than the typically trained one."
"Ahh~" From what I knew of the slums it checked out.
"Would you like to rest?"
I took a few steps back and held my sword up.
"I still have enough energy to go a few more rounds"
Zeffrey smiled and then we continued to spar again.
Following suit the other knights began training as well.
We all kept going until it was mealtime after which, my father and I went to the family dining area, while the knights went to theirs.
While my father and I walked the hall I decided to ask him a question that had been bothering me.
"Father..did a weird man ever come by?"
"You'll have to be a bit more specific, many weird men come by here."
"He gives off a foul odour, and covers most of his skin besides his arms."
There are the traits a lower class demon can't hide even in their human forms. So the coverings were meant to hide blistered and scaly skin.
"Now that you mention it..a man did come by a few moons before we found you offering to help us have a child. Why do you ask?"
My father wasn't the type to hide information from me I guess, which was pretty relieving.
"He was one of the people who created me and tested on other children."
I might as well get rid of the annoyance in advance.
'This'll definitely make things easier.'
When it comes to the Duke, anger is a rare emotion. So, when he does get angry it's like seeing a bomb slowly start to go off.
"Sorry for mentioning it."
Father looked at me and rubbed head as the anger in his expression slowly faded.
"No, don't apologize. In fact I'm glad you told me. Thank you Rohan for putting your trust in me."
"You're welcome..By the way when am I going hunting?"
"Oh..why don't you go with Zef?f"
"Oh sure that sounds fun."
After dinner my father called Zeffrey to tell him his order.
"Take Rohan to the forest and help him hunt some monsters."
"Oh he's already hunting?"
After he received a nod Zeffrey led me out of the training grounds while going on about his first time hunting in the forest.
We arrived at the blocked off forest that had two guards stationed in front of it. Zeffrey walked ahead to explain the situation to the guards, to which they glanced at me then let us through.
As me and Zeffrey walked in I looked around and took in my surroundings.
The forest consisted of tall red wooded and dead trees, whose branches were covered in snow much like the ground. Wrapping around the trees was white mist that filled the entire forest. The forest was so quie-.
'Quiet?'
Silence should be impossible with Zeffrey following along.
I frantically turned my head to see my guide was nowhere to be found.
'Did he hide away somewhere?'
Suddenly the quiet was broken by the sound of a broken branch.
I turned behind me with a hand on the hilt of my sword looking at the creature in front of me.
It was similar to a wolf, but much larger. With fur so dark it made the area around it look drained of light. The complimentary blue eyes with slitted peoples and clear bloodlust. The wolf was double my height, so it looked down on me as it approached.
I jumped back increasing our distance, but as I did it followed me, opening its jaws revealing fangs as sharp as most blades.
Without having time to plant my feet on the ground I unsheathed my blade, slashing it at the beast's mouth.
In response the wolf closed it's mouth trapping the blade right as we reached the ground.
I let go and tumbled back, hitting my back against the tree while it landed firmly on the ground, its eyes not looking away for me for a second. It jerked it's head slightly, tossing the blade aside as it continued approaching me.
From what I know about the creature it was equivalent to a 2nd rune in power, but its defense and speed was about the level of a 1st rune.
It lunged at me once more but I rolled out the way grabbing hold of my sword before getting onto my feet.
I looked at the tree that had taken on the force of the wolf.
It was now toppling over behind the approaching beast.
'What the f-'
Before I could get lost in my thoughts the wolf dashed towards me, to which I stepped off my left foot. This blasted me to the right planting my foot on a tree.
'A 1st rune should have enough power for this.'
The moment my right foot had planted on the tree I pushed off of it towards the wolf swinging my sword down.
However, the sword did no damage, besides cutting off a little of its fur. It felt like slicing against pure stone.
'Shit..'
I immediately twisted my body redirecting the force of my blow to send myself flying to the side.
Currently I was fighting off instinct, letting my body do the fighting. But because of that I had forgotten a simple fact, I couldn't use aura, or magic.
Monsters in this world could only be damaged with energy. Which would be a problem for non-runic combatants. However, when people reached the first rune they were already able to use magic, the basic spell that matched their affinity.
For that would be an attack that used blood force, an energy that was based off the blood in one's body. Since everything including blood had a unique energy source. So, using a spell would be natural for everybody, even if they didn't know how to cast it they just could.
But me? I had given up magic for Qi. Meaning…
'I'm done for.-'
The wolf, noticing my fear, once again pounced, this time swinging its claws my way.
I jumped back not able to completely avoid getting struck in the chest causing a claw mark to appear, followed by a gush of blood that poured out.
Due to my jump and force of the attack I was pinned against the tree gasping for air.
However, despite that my grip didn't let go of my sword as I stared intently at the wolf.
Suddenly the world turned into nothing but white, with black outlines.
The wolf in front of me was nothing but a black outline, inside of it was blue lines, lines that stemmed from where its heart would be.
I focused on the lines utilizing my draconic sight, looking at the different outlines that stemmed from the most clear one.
From the opacity of the lines I guessed the most likely possibility, which was another claw.
And as my guess came true I moved towards the wolf, ducking under it's claw, and sliding under it until I was now behind the wolf.
I used my hand to push my forward and landed on my feet.
'System, what is the distance between me and the wolf?'
[Around 2 and a half meters sir.]
Luckily this world used the same metric system.
'System unleash my aura.'
[Yes host.]
Suddenly it felt like a dam had opened up inside my body as energy had started radiating from my body, not going unnoticed by the wolf who had started to slowly observe me.
'Min, can I cover my sword in qi?'
In the game the concept of sword aura was a thing, but it was only acquired at the 3rd rune due to the fact one had to be able to control their energy enough to connect with their weapon properly.
'Yes, it's called sword qi. It's similar to this world's concept of sword aura.'
'Damn it..'
I cursed in my mind as I continued using my eyes to predict and dodge the wolf who had recovered from the shock.
'So I can't use it then?'
'Why would that be the case?'
'Because, one has to be in tune with their energy and weapon enough to be able to use aura in this world.'
'That's the case for qi too, which is why one isn't able to typically use aura until after the Qi Formation stage.'
'Exactl-'
'But isn't your body and its circuits already in tune with the sword?'
'Wai-'
Sword circulation changed my muscles and blood circuits to be in tune with the sword itself, But, from what I remember a dragon's energy circuits aren't much different from its veins and arteries. Meaning…
'I could do it.'
I began focusing on the circulation of my energy, letting adaptation and sword circulation do most of the work while I focused on dodging.
Suddenly my sword started radiating a red glow, even the hilt.
'It's a bit more crude than I'd like…'
A perfected sword aura was one that outlined only the blade. However, mine was more like a torch that radiated a force light on both my blade and hilt.
'Better than nothing.'
The wolf stopped in its tracks as its eyes locked in on my glowing blade.
For a moment I swear I could see a little shaking in it's pupils.
'I can finally damage it now.'
No more of this game of cat and mouse. Now, it would be an actual fight.
I leapt forward, focusing on the places where the blue veins of light had been the weakest.
The wolf left back as the tip of my sword's blade grazed its eye.
Despite its attempt to dodge I had slit its eyelid causing blood to cover its eye.
I on the other hand had already healed the wound it had caused me.
'System show me my energy reserves.'
[Qi: 670(-6 every second)/1350]
'So sword qi, would take up my reserves by 6 every second. What took the remainder of my energy?'
[The activation of the sword qi took 200, and the remainder was lost due to healing your wound.]
'My healing takes energy?'
[Not usually a host, but to heal an attack made from a rune beast requires it.]
'Ohh'
I had forgotten that all these beasts have a unique quality. Their attacks all left a bit of corrosion on the target which would make healing difficult.
Suddenly the monster also started radiating a dark blue aura. Except it was far less crude, subtly outlining it's body. The only flaw was the inconsistency in the distribution of the energy, which I could only see due to my eyes.
Suddenly we both leapt forward leaving a blur as we appeared in front of each other.
My sword and his claw made contact causing a burst of aura from both sides.
As his feet planted on the ground, and mine on a tree we once again pushed forward exchanging blows, and repeating the process.
But eventually my energy had hit its limit.
[Energy:4/1350]
My aura shut off while the wolf's had remained unchanging. Though not completely, as the wolf's aura had diminished enough to the point it was able to barely envelop its body.
I started falling forward, having to use the sword to support myself.
The wolf slowly approached me before looking down at me. Its eyes were strangely full of respect as it swung its claws down.
However, a figure with brown hair had appeared in front of me using his bare hand to grab the wolf's paw.
"Gonna have to interrupt, unfortunately."
Zeffrey pushed aside the wolf as he turned to me. I passed out landing on his shoulder, still not letting go of my sword. In my last moments of consciousness I could see the wolf's gaze which was focused on me until the world went dark.
When I awoke I was on Zeffrey's shoulder as he walked out of the forest.
"Oh you're awake?"
I immediately rolled off of his shoulder landing only my feet.
"What happened?"
"After your impressive show, you ran out of energy and fainted. But young master I must ask..how did you use sword aura? That shouldn't be possible until your 3rd rune."
"Let's say..I'm a bit unique."
"Is it due to your trait?" He asked while leading me through the forest.
"You could say that."
I had almost forgotten traits were commonplace in this world since nobody had asked me about mine. I think the Duke's trait was the ability to hear whispers of the dead. While it didn't seem useful, it allowed him to train himself mentally, and also eventually learn from the dead.
It wasn't as broken as Aureus's but it had a similar application, except instead of being able to see the dead's memories he could only hear what they wanted to tell him, and only until they moved on.
"Interesting.."
"Zeffrey..why was there only one monster?"
I've had this question since the fight began but wasn't able to think of it for too long.
"Oh I had set up a formation so that only one monster would be allowed at once."
In this world formations were basically objects engraved with magic circles, and the area they surrounded would be the formation. The strength depended on how advanced the circles were and how many there were.
"Ahh thank you for that."
"Though I will say..you did fight quite impressively"
"I still lost." I said as my head hung.
"You only lost because you weren't able to attack until near the end of the battle, and ended up running out of energy for it. Also, that wolf was quite unique.."
So the wolf was different. I had suspected it but didn't think much of it since my life was in danger.
As we walked back to the castle Zeffrey had asked me about where my fighting skill came from and how I had been able to heal.
I avoided the topic by putting it all on my mysterious trait.
Eventually we reached home where I had seen my mother with her cheeks puffed out and arms crossed.
Suddenly Zeffrey had once again disappeared leaving me to explain everything to my mother. After I had to gotten her to calm down I went to my room and plopped down on my head.
'Min.'
'Hmm?'
'I need to get stronger. And faster.'
'Oh? And you need my help to do it?'
'Yes..I'll take all the help I can get.'
'Then consider it done.'
I shut my eyes and began learning about sword qi from Min.
Going forward I learned sword qi from Min, practiced combat with the knights, and ventured into the forest to practice hunting until eventually…
6 moons later…
I took a deep breath in as the eternal snow of the duchy was stained with blood. My sword was stabbed into the ground as I leaned back, leaned back against a pile of bodies.
Behind me was a pile of different wolves. Wolves with white fur and white eyes, black fur and black eyes, brown fur and green eyes, etc. The pile was about 5 wolves high and six wolves wide. Each body had clean cuts on it, but none of them looked to take more than 5 swings.
'He's not here..'
In the past 6 months there was one wolf I hadn't seen. Even as I improved, trained tirelessly, even as I got strong enough to kill 30 wolves in one go, I wasn't satisfied. I would never be satisfied, not until I had killed that one.
As if hearing my thoughts out of the darkness of the trees I had seen them. Seen the pair of blue eyes that had a glow which contrasted the deep darkness of its fur. Against one of the blue eyes was a scar, a scar that had been there for half a year.
Suddenly I stood tall grabbing my sword as a grin had been plastered on my face.
I tore it out of the ground covering the blade in my aura. Unlike the first time my aura had become defined, to the point where it had only covered my blade as intended. The aura itself was barely visible as it had ever so slightly outlined the edges of my sword.
[Energy: 1293(-1)/2100]
I had trained my aura, mastered it until it had wasted little to no energy. I had also trained my qi until I broke through to the foundation establishment stage, not only strengthening my physicality but giving me the overall strength of a 2nd rune.
"I see you haven't slacked off either."
I voiced to the wolf that had grown tremendously as he tripled my height now despite me having grown by over 5 centimetres. His aura had now become far more refined as well, showing off its status as a 2nd rune beast.
'So I was right.'
Rune beasts have one limit, the one decided by their birth. Every species of rune beast had a rune limit, for the wolf creature in front of me it should be the 1st rune. The only exceptions were mutated rune beasts. Which was what humanity called them, but I knew there was a different name.
'Evolvers.'
While humanity's only evolver might be Aureus, beasts and other non-human beasts have multiple, though it's still rare, it's nowhere near as rare as it is for humans.
The discovery of evolvers wasn't until Aureus's 100th life so creatures like this were simply known as mutated beasts.
The beast and I leapt forward exchanging blows. Each blow was enough to cause a shockwave that caused cracks in nearby trees, and cleared out the snow in the area. As we leapt off different things the ground, the trees, we even twisted our bodies in the air our blows got fiercer and fiercer.
Until eventually we both landed on the ground, both of our energy sources reaching their limits. Both of us took heavy breaths, clinging onto every bit of strength we had left. I saw it, its eyes were filled with an emotion a beast shouldn't be able to feel.
'Joy.'
Though I guess I was feeling it too. I couldn't lie, my blood was flowing more strongly than ever, I had even forgotten my purpose, my purpose for getting stronger, my purpose for venturing into this forest. Every fabric of my existence was focused on one thing and one thing only, defeating the foe in front of me.
Suddenly both of our auras grew denser, as if we had reached an unspoken agreement.
'One strike.'
One strike to end it all.
Both of us disappeared from our spots, reappearing as we pushed against each other.
And then…it was decided.
My blade cut through its teeth that had pushed against it, eventually severing its upper and lower jaw, and making its way through the wolf's body.
I had stood tall behind the wolf as its body split in two.
Suddenly a figure appeared behind me with a towel to wipe the blood off of me.
"Thank you Mareline"
"No problems young lord."
"So, why are you here instead of Zeffrey?"
She then told me the news she had to deliver to me.
My eyes twitched and my jaw almost hit the floor.
"What?"
________________________________________________________________________________
AN: Changing months to moons