
“Seeing you now, I can tell better than ever how insignificant your mana pool is, Percival.” Theodore, throwing some daggers at the shape of words at my fragile heart, examines me as his own mana causes the air to flicker. “I really am amazed at how strong you are, but it will never be enough against someone as skilled as yourself. Your mana it too little to make an impact against the heroes. You lack the potential that I have.”
This is quite the pickle.
I know that whatever training he went through during the time I wasn't looking isn't enough.
I am strong, far more than Theo can even imagine.
I can stomp on him right now.
Even as he speaks, I feel my breathing filling me with energy, influenced by my passive. I have grown stronger in ways he can't. As unfair as it is, we are in different leagues. Our determination is not on the same level.
But he is right about his potential.
Had Sage earnestly trained my brother, he would have become a new hero-equivalent powerhouse. Theodore already has about 8000 mana pool, and his skills aren't half-baked at all.
Or rather, shouldn't I simply step down now and let him be the duke? I already know he is ready; that's why I let Katherine give him tasks. He needs a bit of time to mature, but that's it.
Well, there is the matter of pride to consider.
And also...
Quest: Duel Theodore without utilizing the system and win
Reward: 10 gold
Here goes my theories the quests respond to my own will.
They still could, but it probably only applies as long as it's convenient to the system.
Also, sorry Theo, you are less difficult to beat than acquiring a single mana skill. It must have judged the difference in combat prowess between us. Maybe the gold is just compensation for my effort and time.
“Do you accept?”
“Right now?” I ask.
My back is stiff and mana is almost empty. I am not in the mood of fighting at the moment.
This serves to anger Theodore. “Yes, right now! There's no time better than now.”
Oops.
“I guess there isn't.” I take a chunck of the crystal and replenish my mana.
Theo notices, shock etched itself on his face. I causally walk to the side and place it there. Waiting for him to recover, I do some light stretching.
“A parting gift from Sage,” I explain.
“...Must be nice.” Envy coats his voice, but he knows the crystal is only usable by me and soon chooses to refocus.
We both use real swords as this is a duel, not a mock battle.
Theodore takes his stance; a mixture of offensive and counter types. His blade points at me.
I take a stance that is highly offensive, gripping the sword in both hands and dropping dangerously low. I make my calculations, setting the first round of actions. Following a sensation I can't explain, I turn off the passive.
We Ignite our mana, and the duel begins.
According to my predetermined actions, I step three steps closer and lunge my body forward with the sword pointing at Theo, forcing him to cancel his predicted dash retreat as I swipe horizontally just where he was about to dodge to.
He recovers from the shock pretty fast, forcing his enhancement to concentrate on his feet and back for greater speed. He Surges his mana, increasing its effectiveness threefold.
I calculate the next set of actions, set the commands and let my body go loose as I focus on my mana control. Surging my mana on a level that is five times stronger than it originally was.
Knowing his reserves vastly exceed mine, Theodore mindlessly allows his mana to overflow, burning itself into a great power. His Surge isn't a result of one or two months of training; he must've been working on it diligently for years.
We find ourselves in a bout of quick attacks. I parry a strike to my shoulder and use the same momentum to counter. Theodore retreats, getting away with a scratch. Every attack he initiates ends up with him slightly injured.
Having it all calculated, we soon reach the conclusion I foresaw; him retreating over 10 steps away to collect himself. Our eyes meet, and I smirk.
I know he is surprised. Accounting it, my dash arrives right next to him as I strike his sword. My entire body moves to pass along as much force as possible in an effort to numb his hands.
As our swords fall below our waists, I temporarily let go in my right hand and with it I punch him in the chest with a lightning-fast movement.
Theodore finds himself flying in the air, his sword now resting on the ground where I struck it. I pursue further, kicking him in the back.
In a panic, he releases more mana, its pressure mighty impressive, but I move forward right through it and point my blade at his neck.
Theodore, who wears a frustrated expression, accepts defeat and relaxes his muscles. Only then do I sheathe my sword.
I look at him once more before leaving.
Congratulations! You have completed your second quest. Keep up the good work!
You have earned:
- 10 gold
Congratulations, you have acquired the Compression mana skill, completing your third quest. Keep up the good work!
You have earned:
- Random rune fragment
10 gold coming up nicely. I ended up completing the quest as I focused on compressing the mana into my body instead of leaking.
Now that I have Compression, I can start checking out my theory.
Thinking like that, I locate Theodore's instructor and informs him of all the mistakes and bad habits, things he can work on.
Maybe I am a terrible brother, maybe Theo doesn't want or even need my help, but this silly kid is trying so hard, I just want to support him even a little.
“Your brother doesn't even realize you could've killed him dozens of times had you wanted to.” A voice carried by the wind startles me, but I don't let it show.
Sage is just there, resting against a tree, his presence so natural.
He looks a bit pale, biting marks decorate his arms and shoulders, seen through torn clothes. Dry blood stains his shirt, yet his expression remains unchanged.
“Sage, you look terrible. Did you meet the Shadow?” I ask, not bothered by the wounds so much as the being that inflicted them.
He shrugs. “If you met them, it means they wanted to meet with you. I suggest you stir away from this trouble.”
“Sure, at least until I get a necessary power up. Anything I should be working on?”
I don't dare even thinking of reactivating my passive, hoping none of the traces are visible to the observant eyes of Sage. Me putting off allocating the stat points is mostly because of him. Just one meeting without him turning suspicious of me, that's all I need.
“Infinity, breathing, meridians, nerve restoration.” He speaks bluntly.
But I am already doing this with what focus I have available. I need a few more months for all of them, and it's more beneficial to do quests and practice skills.
I eye him to continue.
Sage sighs. “Mana compression is also a good way to go.”
Nope, not what I want to hear.
“You really like dropping one-liners that are useless to me,” I say, sighing myself at my shitty master. “I don't need your confirmation.”
“Then what do you need?”
Okay, this is the moment of truth.
I set my voice to speak as casually as possible, my expression as uninterested as possible.
“Terra. Terrestrial rank.”
A hint of surprise appears on his blank face, almost imperceptible. His eyes glow with faint curiosity for the first time.
Sage stares at me silently. After ten minutes, when I wonder if he will say anything at all, he finally opens his mouth, “The rank beyond the Mundane, beyond the simple physical world we perceive. The power of essence dormant in every being, a source of energy waiting to be harvested from every gust of wind and grain of sand. How do you know about it?”
“Never mind that.” I wave my hand. “I am assuming it's too early for me, but I will come back for more info later.”
This concludes everything I hoped to learn from our meeting. I haven't seen a whiff about anything related to the Phantom stat, which makes me wonder all the more, but it also makes it more dangerous to ask.
I won't go out at night for now. I will focus on training and tend to my other matters. Once a month, I will check the area during daytime, but maybe, after a few more months, I could reach the level of heroes.
As I was thinking that, doing my best to ignore Sage's gaze, he move away from the tree and closes the distance. His steps are unhurried and refined, as calculated as my own.
“Give me the crystal. I will charge it again. Also, as impressive as this device you carry is, it sends a signal Detectors can easily locate. Modify it to be more sneaky by a sufficient increase in the frequency and switch for materials with better suppression effect.”
Huh?
Sage takes the crystal, causing it to rapidly shift colors into a darker shade of blue. He gives it back to me.
“Also, you like challenges, right?” Sage turns to leave. “Learn Infinity in a month.”
With those words, he disappear.
What was that about?
Perspective: Sage
I don't know what has changed, but something is influencing Percival in a way I cannot comprehend.
If I have to put it in words, the weight of his title as Pioneer is more noticeable. He didn't even notice that the rate of his nerve restoration increased, as well as a slight improvement in everything overall.
Did Vania experiment on him?
No, maybe this is why she wanted him away from the mess she's created. In this chaos neither of us can guarantee our life, yet the boy blooms, ready to overturn this long game upside down.
A true anomaly.
The wind blows ominously, my mana obliterates in all directions, stepping into a world hidden beneath the surface, incomparable to the one commonly known. I watch as my enemies gather again, baring their teeth.
He is still not ready, not yet.
But it won't be long before he will lift the Veil.