They didn't have to go far. The phantom just led him to the middle of the plateau, where a couple of bigger boulders stood. There, it stopped once more and turned to address him.
"The most popular method of utilizing bloodlust—a method you've probably already used subconsciously—is a simple infusion," the creature explained. "Our bloodlust is an enhancer, one of the most powerful at that, as it doesn't work on Essence, just pure emotions. Akirians realized that early on and tried to use it to improve their abilities."
The phantom came closer to one of the boulders. "It worked quite well, but only for skills that could be used for offense. Watch!"
Similar to what Leo could do, the creature extended the blade on its forearm and enveloped it in a familiar black flash. Then, without wasting any more time, the phantom swung it at the massive boulder.
The blade sliced through the rocky surface but didn't go too deep. If it were a living and breathing enemy, this would barely count as a flesh wound.
Leo frowned. Okay? What's the point? He didn't have to wait long to get an answer.
"Here, as you've noticed, I used a skill of yours, Kiss of Death." The phantom's other hand traced the cut on the boulder. "For an ability of this low quality, it did well, but far from what it is truly capable of. Please try yourself if you want."
The creature stepped aside as Leo accepted its invitation. In the past, he had used his blades of some rocks while training and never struggled to cut through them. Sometimes, he could even do that without using any skills.
Let's see. Kiss of Death ignited along his extended blade, and he quickly swung at the boulder.
When his weapon first touched the stone surface, it easily slid inside, parting the tough material like flesh. However, the resistance increased tenfold before it could go deeper than an inch or two. It was like trying to slice through the Myrdrak's scales without any enhancements or skills.
What? Leo furrowed his brow, watching the cut he just created with his mouth slightly opened. What the hell is this thing?
"Surprised?" The phantom chuckled. "Don't be. This boulder is the exact replica of a rock you can find on a C rank world. It would be quite the miracle if you could just cut it in two."
C rank world… I guess it makes sense that the environment also has to match the power of Voidlings and survivors. Otherwise, planets would be destroyed by their own inhabitants. Huh… never thought of that…
"Continuing," the creature said, once more facing the boulder. "Allow me now to demonstrate what happens when you properly infuse your bloodlust into Kiss of Death."
Leo nodded and observed as the phantom Akirian attacked the rock again. Like it said, its blade didn't miraculously split the boulder in two, but this time, the cut was much deeper and easily twice as wide.
"And there it is! Infusion. The most basic technique of bloodlust—one you have to master before this trial ends. Now, let's move on to the second method. Chaining!"
Wait, what?!
"Hold up! Timeout!" Leo shouted, putting his hands together to form a T-shape. "How do I exactly use this infusion? You said you would explain."
"Oh, did I now?" The creature grinned. "I don't remember such words ever leaving my mouth. I provided a demonstration and explained the concept. That's all you will get from me, young Prime. Stop complaining and listen. This second technique is much harder to grasp."
Of course it is. He sighed but didn't say anything. Even if complaining was often his unhealthy way of coping, it wouldn't help him here. He had to focus on using this lesson to grow stronger. His survival in the next few days might depend on it.
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"Sorry." He offered the phantom Akirian a small bow. "Go on."
The teacher narrowed his eyes at him for a moment before nodding. "Very well… As I said, the second method is called chaining. Its purpose—similar to infusion—is rather simple. We, Akirians, use it to bind different skills together and make them slightly stronger. It's a bit like combining the first method with another step. And this time, it works on all kinds of skills, not only the offensive ones."
Huh. Leo hummed. "When you say bind, do you mean creating new skills or just combining the effects of different abilities for a short time?"
"Both. However, usually, the latter leads to the former after enough practice… Remember, it's important for every Akirian to use chaining when fusing abilities. This way, each new skill you create will have bloodlust incorporated into it. I understand you may think this might not always be good, but it really is, especially for a Prime."
"Why?"
"Because it teaches you control and slowly increases your tolerance for bloodlust," the creature stated, its voice becoming firmer than the boulder next to it. "Almost every skill is imprinted into your soul, and despite what many think, the three pillars are not equal. No, the soul is, and always will be, the most important. The mind and the body will always be dependent on it and its strength. Do you understand what I'm trying to say here?"
As much as Leo wanted to lie and say yes, he couldn't. He had an inkling of what the Akirian could be talking about, but it wasn't enough. This also didn't fit what he already knew about bloodlust—or rather, what he thought he knew.
"No." He finally shook his head. "Not really."
This time, the phantom offered him a soft smile. "Another time, then. I've already said more than I should. Let's return to the matter at hand: Your trial. Its first part is done now. In a moment, I will leave you for an hour. Use this time to practice and prepare for your final task."
"No demonstration this time?" Leo asked despite already knowing the answer.
The phantom chuckled. "I fear not. I could show you the result of chaining two skills, but it wouldn't help you at all... Just know that while bloodlust is a tool, it will work with you if you let it. There is more to it than just hate and hunger."
With those words, the creature faded out of sight, leaving Leo rooted in place. Its final sentence echoed in his head, pulling on the bloodlust sleeping in the depths of his mind. It didn't wake, but for a second there, he felt it reacting.
What was that?
"What did you do?" he asked out loud.
Yet, there was no one to answer him. Instead, a massive timer made out of glowing numbers appeared above the plateau. One hour, it showed, and then the countdown began.
Wonderful…
With a sigh, he sat down and released his Essence and bloodlust. As much as he wanted to focus on the weird parting words, he had a trial to complete first. He could question the phantom once it returned.
First, infusion…
----------------------------------------
Five more minutes. Leo thought as his gaze returned to the boulder in front of him. Dozens of cuts littered its grey surface, some deeper and wider than the others. He ignored them and focused on the matter at hand.
Essence and bloodlust surged onto his blades, intertwining and becoming a single strand of energy. Following that, he bent it all into Kiss of Death and smiled when a red-black flash enveloped his weapons.
This won't get any better.
Leo dived forward and slashed at the boulder. The blade sliced into the surface, cutting deeper and deeper until over half of its length disappeared. That was when the resistance got too strong.
Not bad, not bad at all. He grinned, comparing the cut he had just created to the one left behind by the phantom. His was still a bit thinner, but overall, they looked almost identical.
His gaze then returned to the timer above his head, and the smile slipped off his face. He might have succeeded in mastering the concept of infusion, but he barely practiced chaining. The latter method was based on the former anyway, so there was no point in training it before that.
Leo chuckled despite his situation. "Well, I'm fucked. Gonna need to play it by ear."
Nonetheless, with about three minutes remaining, he still tried to grasp the concept of chaining. Unfortunately for him, before he could even attempt to combine Kiss of Death with Phantom Erasure using his bloodlust, a cough brought him back to reality.
"Your time is up, young one," the phantom, who once more materialized before him, announced. "Let us begin the last part of this trial."
Leo fidgeted in place. "How about giving me another hour, hmm? I would really, really, appropriate it." When the creature didn't answer, he added, "Please?"
"No."
Oh, come on!
"Stand up, Prime! Your task is simple. Defeat me. You can use anything but your affinities. Begin!"