Ebony woke up with his entire body sore. He was on a bed in the temporary infirmary that the plagued people used. He had a headache and his mana sense was down. He remained in position as he didn’t feel like moving his body.
‘No wonder I don’t remember this mental exercise. I remember Dad saying that he would make me forget.’ Out of his forgotten memories, he actually recalled this mental exercise was forgotten because his father didn’t want him to remember. He even remembered the exact reason. After he successfully managed to simulate battles to an unnecessarily realistic degree, relatively young Ebony didn’t know how to stop. He repeated the training with his mother but all he learned was despair.
He was too young for it and he remembered their panic when he didn’t wake up for a week. Before, he only recalled his father apologising and saying that he made him forget but Ebony didn’t know what he was made to forget.
‘How old was I then? At least 10, I couldn’t possibly simulate something so realistic before that. That’s probably the only time they scared themselves into holding back. It wasn’t so bad now that I think about it, the simulations I made back then didn’t land killing blows since mom always stopped short if she held anything that wasn’t her cloth spear. I was pretty cute back then, it was just a bit of beating and I got so scared. Wait a minute…so all those old men and women I was brought to talk to were therapists? Hahaha, they thought I got a trauma from that?’ Ebony laughed at how worried his parents got. He had always been confused at the period of time that he was brought to talk to people who asked weird questions. At that time, he thought it was some kind of mental training but to think that his parents got so worried that his quietness was a trauma.
‘Did they forget who’s child I was?’
He gave what therapists think were weird answers but to him and his parents, he only answered with the truth and what he knew. He was quiet and answered with “mmm” because that was how he was, not because he had trauma. But the therapist only referred him from one to another and his parents were worried enough to bring him around even though they thought his answers were normal. Now that Ebony thought about it, even if his parents weren’t in the room they could probably hear or even see what was going on.
“Do you get beaten at home?” One of the therapists asked.
“Of course,” Ebony replied confidently.
“Don’t worry, no one can hear us. Who beats you, mummy? Daddy?” He remembered the therapists talked funny, they had filler words and their tone had been different.
“Mummy,”
“What does mummy beat you with? You don’t have to answer if it's too painful?” Ebony didn’t understand how answering a question was painful.
“Anything from knives to bats to rocks, swords, maces, axes, halberds and spears.” At that point, he wasn’t as young as before and his training had evolved to toughen his body.
“How do you cope with pain?” Even the current him had difficulties understanding facial expressions, the younger him didn’t understand others’ shock.
“I meditate.” Ebony thought that it was obvious, how come these people didn’t know how to deal with pain?
“What are your hobbies?”
“Watching my mother practice. Reading and meditating. What is the purpose of these questions, sir?”
“It’s to check your mental health.”
“I’m perfectly fine though. I was a bit tired but that’s normal.” Just like his current weakness, young Ebony couldn’t take the repeated realistic simulations. Back then, he couldn’t possibly simulate as many battles at a fast pace and neither were they as realistic as it was now.
“It’s not normal to be beaten or meditate at your age to cope.”
“Why is it not normal?”
“Normal is something typical and standard amongst the majority of people. Getting beaten by one's parents isn't.”
“What is typical and standard?”
The conversation cycled and cycled as the therapist wasn’t able to make Ebony understand what ‘normal’ is. Young Ebony didn’t trust these men and women who called themselves ‘mind doctors’. First of all, he understood doctors were people who fixed people’s bodies, be it injury or something that caused sickness. He asked the ‘mind doctor’ if he or she was here to fix his mind and if so, what part of his mind needed fixing. None of them could answer him, so he asked his parents to stop bringing him to quacks.
‘No wonder there were always police cars with sleeping policemen. They always told me that the policemen were having a nap after lunch just like how I take naps so I just thought it was natural to sleep after lunch.’ Now that Ebony thought about it, it might be true that he had a tiny trauma but it was thanks to forgetting the technique that it didn’t develop further.
Despite all the physical and mental training he was placed under since young, he never imagined it was a bad thing. He rarely questioned why he was different but that might have been because he didn’t care to observe how other kids acted. He didn’t know what ‘normal’ was for other kids but why did that matter?
Although he might have been a bit brainwashed as they told him that he was weaker than kids his age, they must not have compared him to the kids there. Not to mention as he grew into a teenager, his muscular strength really wasn’t anything special; he could just use his body far more efficiently. He also knew how to exert more strength but he looked at muscle mass and just assumed that other kids could also make full use of their body. At some point, he just didn’t compare himself with others.
Ebony stood up. His whole body was trembling from muscle aches, they felt dry and shrivelled up. He found his bag and equipment right beside him. He changed his clothes slid his bag on and put on his robe.
“Mom, I will perfect your formless spear with my body. Who knows…maybe with the greatsword too.” Icicle pulsed with purple light.
“I’ll have to get to know you better then.” Ebony picked Icicle up with some effort and rested it on his robe that was screaming at the weight. His robe wouldn’t be able to carry Icicle if it continued to get heavier.
Even if he didn’t have any mana in his body, he weighed around 230 kg by his own estimation. Heavy for his height and overall size but nothing shocking. Cap Dwarf weighed more than he did in his natural state. This was the overall addition of muscle mass from stats and a reason why adding a large number of stats immediately wasn’t very viable. Although Ebony’s biggest question was why stats could be left unallocated and where the muscle mass was coming from, he wasn’t able to answer it so he didn’t ponder on it for long.
People tend to get bigger as they add physical stats but it was a very minute amount even Ebony would find it hard to tell the difference. However, his frame hasn’t changed at all thanks to the ratio of Constitution stat he was more dense from bones to muscles. Ning Xin had been happy about her arms looking slightly more toned and her overall figure tightening. However, he observed that there was always some...flab on her and it might be due to the fact that she was a woman. He already noted the same thing from many soldiers and artillery mages. It was the inherent difference between not just race but also gender, the amount of stats doesn’t seem to change that.
Ebony knew what to do with his Physique after learning that Kong Jing reforged her own brain and observing Korta’s natural breath. The way ice mana flowed around the Frost Elves was a good reference.
After suiting up, his body wasn’t trembling anymore. The containers of steaks on the drawer were hastily scarfed down but he was still hungry so he ate his rations.
Walking out, the whole camp was quiet.
“The party started without me.” Ebony stretched and made haste to the walls. It was worrisome that the duels to the death started without him. It wasn’t part of the contract to follow a challenge-style battle, the Supremacy Duels was more like a free-for-all battle royale unless two parties or individuals agreed and made it clear that no one was to interrupt.
Doubling Strength or Agility didn’t double one’s speed but a movement skill directly increased his movement speed and so did his Fortification. Regardless, it would take him time to get to the location of the duel.
He didn’t exactly make a dramatic entrance but he calmed down and felt at peace to learn that the fighting hadn't started.
Landing amongst the participants from the Empire’s side. There was quite a large base camped out. Likely a mini-team battle to handle the Troll’s number or maybe stand-ins if any fighters die. All his Models were also brought here for him. How convenient, he had to thank whoever moved it here. There were exactly 120 of them, only about half were fully condensed.
The first thing he did was grab Ning Xin’s hand. “If it hasn’t begun it means you’re not participating for another 2 days.”
She didn’t pull her hands away, “I’m all healed. Ask Mallory. On the other hand, you suffered a haemorrhage or something so why don’t you sit out today.”
“Healed. Mallory said 3 days, it hasn’t been that long has it?” Ebony knew the condition of his body.
“Hmph! I did a secret trick and got rid of silly mushrooms so I’m fully healed.” She pouted under her mask.
“Secret trick?” He was easily curious about anything regarding Ning Xin.
“Hehmm, now’s not the time.”
But his curiosity wasn’t satisfied.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
He looked at Mallory who was at the front with the 3 tallest Frost Elves who gave him a confirmation nod. Ebony was pretty sure that Mallory was also a Mana Meister and probably exceeded him in terms of pure mana manipulation. He had no doubt that it was the case. Both her barrier and healing were arcane in nature and her mana was extremely distinct. If all 3 of her Classes Fortify her mana’s properties it was no wonder she could be a powerful mage. He could imagine her mana having Fortifications like mana density, mana capacity, mana regeneration, healing properties maybe even resilience or durability for her barriers. He would have to watch her cast spells to discern more.
She never seemed to care about killing monsters for Natural Potential. Navin probably taught his family the sealing method or a healer just had to heal something past her supposed limit. The normal method of just maxing everything out and training for decades or centuries would take too long for a Journeyman or Master.
Mallory and Christy were the ones signing the contract. On the other side, a small Troll. It was a Troll that came out of his imagination. Shrivelled and wrinkled, long hair and nails, crooked and missing teeth. Instead of green, the small Troll had grey skin.
“Is that Midnight Shepherd?” Ebony asked.
“No, they call her Old Hag. Don’t lose, we’ll have a real duel after this.” Lucas stepped towards him.
“Mmm.”
‘Does the spirit not appear?’ Ebony stood there in silence. Old Hag was a female Troll but Midnight Shepherd beside her was a Troll as large as any warrior. On both Shaman’s side were the most intimidating giants, supposedly both were Emperor-ranked but probably not peak.
Just like the Imperials, the rest of the Trolls were about 2 km away from the centre. Mallory was the most out of place as a level 300 Master but they were wearing obfuscation jewels so not everyone would know. Midnight Shepherd was next as a level 500 Grandmaster while Old Hag was a King-ranked Shaman.
Korta looked uninjured and sleepy. Christy was afloat and still looked like a ghost, she was eyeing both Patriarchs while the one whose name shan’t be called focused on Old Hag.
“This won’t end till those 4 are dead. Be careful, for the first few hours or even days it would likely be a messy brawl. Then, they would set up challenges.” Koawe explained to them. Athena, Lucas, Ning Xin and Ebony were the only ones who needed to listen. The other unknown Generals and Commanders from Fourth and Fifth Tide alike probably knew what was going to happen. They still had General Bernard leading them with about a thousand soldiers. His army buffing ability was going to be a great help against the Trolls who had a higher level average.
There were around ten thousand soldiers present but a lot of them were not going to fight unless things got dire. The Trolls had more than ten times more but most of them wouldn’t fight, they were just there as vitality packs.
“The first thing to do is to retreat once there’s a bright light signalling that the spirit officially oversees the battle. We’re too close. The moment it begins, they will start fighting and we will be caught up in their battle. Retreat at least a fifth of a gur and let the Trolls take the risk of getting past their patriarchs and Christy’s attacks.” Korben mentioned. Apparently, everyone else had been briefed beforehand but Ebony didn’t know.
They were supposed to retreat at least a thousand km away before they started fighting. Just so that they didn’t get hit by stray effects of the Frost Elves spells or the Shaman and Troll Patriarchs' shockwaves. Korta will facilitate their retreat and he was in charge of pulling Mallory away. She was truly in the most dangerous position that one could be.
“Those are your opponents?” Ebony asked Koawe and Korben. There was a group of giants that dressed in the same equipment as their patriarchs, they were like over level 600 Kings.
They nodded. It was quite evident from just their size, aura or even just their looks.
“They’re trying to kill us right?” Ebony asked. How barbaric. However, if each other’s strongest people were to die the other side wouldn’t have to worry about resistance afterward.
“And we’re trying to kill them.” Cap Dwarf said.
“We’ll start with a free for all?” Ning Xin confirmed.
“What’s your point?” Athena got ready to retreat the moment any bright light appeared.
“We’ll make an opening attack when they charge but you’ll have to back away,” Ebony replied.
“One of your wide area spells? I’ve heard about them, shall we join in?” Korben questioned.
Orren or another of his party members must have told Korben.
“It’s not something we’ve shown that often.” Ebony let the others around peek into their palms. They started creating their bomb the moment he came and held her hand. Keeping it hidden to make it easier for him to hide the mana signature. The Shamans were already chanting and casting spells so he assumed there was no problem.
Not everyone saw the tiny marble between their palms but the heat and mana seeped out was shocking. Ning Xin’s fire was so unbearably hot when her mana compression skill was pretty terrible. Ebony’s Gravity Vortex helped to push it to the extremes. Their time as an artillery mage had been focused on personal improvement so they didn’t really cast this.
This spell had been somewhat terrifying back when they used it in the underground tomb city. It was definitely far more powerful now. Ning Xin conjured blood as well, her blood was able to contain the heat energy of her flames. Most of the flames were supplied by the storage she kept in her mask so that her own mana pool wasn’t affected.
The marble slowly expanded into the size of a golf ball and then a softball. He kept it at that size so that it was easier to hide. His domain spread to cover the ball and his mental grasp on it strengthened a few times. Ning Xin continued to toss all the excess she had, she wasn’t going to stop until Ebony could no longer compress her flames or hold the ball in shape.
Spheres were his most familiar shape for compression, not to mention he made the durability and heat-resistant runes to fit this shape better over the past few months. Although he wasn’t good with research and development or runes, he wasn’t completely clueless. Stalwart Endowment was a complicated rune that spans across his whole body and he copied it off Na who copied it off the golems underground. Na did the work of converting those runes to fit his body shape which was 100% luck. The dungeon put things together without thought when it was a newborn.
Mark had to refit the runes for his frame and he made it into a potion through unknown means. Ebony used to mould runes within his ice and overlap multiple layers but he never connected multiple runes as they would just lose their functions. He was still in the midst of learning 3-dimensional runes but he needed the knowledge that wasn’t fully fleshed out in the books he had read so far. He hadn’t truly improved the runes vastly so it was just conjuring thin Imperishable Frost Scales and overlapping them. The thinner he could make them and successfully mould runes on them the more layers he could stack.
He hadn’t had the time to implement the idea of ice manipulation he gained from watching Korta breathe. To think that he forgot the basics and he didn’t apply them to his newer spells.
The misty red layer over every Troll was a lot darker than usual and they appeared more solidified too. The ones that they should be wary of were those that didn’t have a thread connecting them to a Shaman. Those were the ones who were extremely confident of their own enhancement and didn’t need someone to meddle with energy that didn’t belong to them. From the suicide plague warriors sent to Fifth Tide, it might be that letting a Shaman buff them or protect them also gave the Shaman control over their bodies. Or, that had been a singular Shaman’s ability and not something all of them could do.
Both sides watched closely as Mallory and Old Hag stood up from their seats. They turned around and started to walk back to their own armies while the other 6 continued to stare at each other and backed off slowly.
As for participants on both sides, the Empire would seem weak if they started running back now. They were only furious because some Troll pulled out corpses and started chewing loudly while laughing at the Empire’s soldiers. They were really good at provoking people.
‘These trolls are making it really hard to feel bad about killing them.’ Ebony had been questioning the methods used to level but his current opponents weren’t making it easy for him to feel any pity or the need to spare them. Obviously, he didn’t mind this duel to the death. Everyone here was a willing participant in some sense. Maybe not the Imperial Army but they had the choice of backing down too.
‘I volunteered to come into a battle to the death? Why? Why do I feel…excited?’ He felt the warmth from Ning Xin's fingertips as they grasped onto a melting ball of doom.
He understood the look in her eyes.
He never understood what ‘normal’ was but he understood that neither of them could be put under that term.
The look in her eyes was even more passionate than ever.
They wanted to fight!
“Don’t worry about me, I’m good at staying alive.” His Perception noticed a tiny glow coming from the table that Mallory and Old Hag were using. Ning Xin wasn’t able to ask anything before the light shot up and flashed as brightly as the sun.
One of his Glacial Models stood in his place while the others spread out, some retreated with the others. Two of them dragged Ning Xin. Surprisingly, she didn’t resist and followed the retreat that was backed by Korta. His Model’s hands were melting, a sign that she was ready to move at any time.
With Waning Presence and Frigid Refraction working full time, Ebony pushed Phantom’s Flicker to the max. Was he faster than Ning Xin? Probably not, unless he fixed his skill her pure physical stat was just too high if her Rampaging Mortal’s Pulse was pushing Blood Boil and Pulsing Gale Enhancement to her limit.
Tearing through the air, Frigid Refraction was completely enveloped. He wasn’t sure if it was Christy or the other Frost Elf who should at least have another form of address. The foreign mana enveloping him was an extra measure of safety. He hoped that didn’t distract the Frost Elves that much.
He was moving beyond his Perception but he managed to create links of gravity with his target. He was right in between the Benumbed Tribe Patriarch's squad. 14 of them seemed too many for Korta, Korben, Koawe, Cap Dwarf, Lucas and 2 unfamiliar men from Fourth Tide. Especially when Korta was the only king-ranked fighter on their side. He also wasn’t a melee combatant and if he fought with others he would have to limit some of his area of effect spells.
He managed to get right in his target’s face before they noticed his appearance. In his peripheral vision, a giant great axe fashioned out of rock was raised and smashed towards his outstretched hand. Another grey flash swept at his feet.
‘Of course, all of them could react in time…’ Ebony knew that one couldn’t and it was his target who had his mouth wide open. He didn’t let it slip and stuff the bomb in, he couldn’t use Firm Path inside another creature’s body that easily and there was a high chance it would fail. Their insane reaction speed aside, Ebony’s fist rammed down his target’s throat first.
His feet lunged forward and stepped onto his target’s collarbone before repelling himself back with another Phantom’s Flicker and he made sure those nearest to his target were repelling him further with the force of their attacks. He underestimated them as the axe was closing in on him faster than his gravity repelled the axe from his body. His target also raised its giant hand to catch him. The small ball of ice entered and it couldn’t vomit it out.
Ebony watched the giant palm expand and the axe closing in, they weren’t worried about hitting each other. His domain slowed them down just enough for the foreign mana around him to toss him back but other Benumbed Tribe members already leapt after him and made sure he didn’t get to leave.
He dismissed the foreign mana with a wave of his hand, hoping they let him move as he liked. 3 attacks would reach him but he narrowly dodged with the help of gravity dragging him to the side. His feet touched the ground and another Flicker got him back to the original spot he was at. The floor glowed red as he landed and his entire body felt drained. ‘
Christy and the two Patriarchs clashed and the shockwave of ice ramming into the Benumbed Patriarch's shield sent him tumbling out of the red glow on the ground. ‘Finally, a punch.’ More warriors reached him and Ebony finally found the attack he liked. Gravity mana settled onto the giant fist quickly and so did one of his feet. The punch propelled him back to the Imperial’s retreating side.
Most of his Will was holding the softball of a bomb together, it was a massive expenditure of mana due to the current range that exceeds his mana’s range. He barely recovered and his mind was still exhausted from millions of battle simulations. His mental grasp of the bomb was released and he fell unconscious for a split second.
His skin scorched up as a gallant masked lady had her arms under him. She flew in and carried him away princess-style.