'Use Haste here to side-step the spear safely.'

'Use Spear Mastery's Pierce here to force him to block.'

'I know it isn't my weapon so I shouldn't really use it, but this is a perfect opportunity for Tail Spears. Some threatening feints will help a lot.'

'Shit, he saw through it. Weapon Block. Gotta make sure to block with the flat side. I can't be wasting time fixing his spear again, nor MP, for that matter. That wasn't a cheap repair.'

'Okay, let's try Sword Mastery's Slash.'

'Better. he isn't as used to dealing with that skill ability. Okay, let's try Polearm Mastery's Impale now.'

'Oh, sweet! I nicked his ribs! Barely drew any blood, but that's progress.'

'Shit, he's getting serious! Evasion Mastery, do your thing!'

Lone continued to have a fierce and incredibly close duel with Hubert. Less and less was he allowing the powerful nobleman to hit him and more often than not he was going on the offensive, honing his technique, turning it into something... special. Something unique to himself.

The minutes ticked by and the sounds of the roaring crowd and even his own breath no longer entered Lone's ears. His mind was entirely focused on defeating the man in front of himself, but Hubert's Spear Intent was making that impossible.

Lone had never won a fair fight against a triple-X-ranker, and he felt that he wouldn't win today either. He was slowly running out of SP from using his various weapon mastery skill's abilities, which wasn't exactly ideal, but he was also improving at an alarming rate.

He'd never really had a proper teacher when it came to physical fighting. He'll, he'd never had a teacher period. Sophie tried her best but her swordsmanship was too obscure and different from what Lone was best at.

His Growth Accelerator was firm in its belief that he was the most talented when it came to polearms, specifically duel-ended swordspears. His best armour to utilise was also his Bone Armour, according to the unique skill, and he still didn't understand why beyond its convenience and sturdiness.

'Right, Bone Armour. Maybe that's what I need here to perfect it...'

Lone activated the power subskill, surrounding his body in the spiky suit of grim-looking black armour. The blue streaks in the bone sent shivers down people's spines when they saw it covering Lone's entire body, making him look like a Death Knight.

Even Hubert flinched a little upon seeing it, but he had no room to ask questions regarding the strange armour that appeared to have grown out of Lone's hand.

He was struggling to keep up with Lone's ever-increasing speed. He could see that the foxkin was in a trance of some sort, so letting his guard down right now could be fatal.

Meanwhile, Lone was falling so deeply into his almost meditative-state that something about his armour... clicked inside of his head.

Ever since Void had corrupted the Bone Armour back in Milindo and fused his granted Primal skill with it, Lone had always heard a small voice telling him to... let go whenever he used the subskill. To act without feeling, without remorse.

Sky's influence on his bones and the Bone Armour naturally lessened this effect to the point that it was hard to even notice without vivid effort, but now, he could hear the call clear as day but it wasn't compelling like usual. It felt more like a subtle suggestion as if it was submitting itself to him.

Perhaps this was due to Lone's recent transformation of the soul thanks to his Regeneration, or maybe it was a direct result of the trance he was in right now. Regardless, he felt that his Bone Armour was giving him a power unlike any other he'd wielded before.

Lone could feel the ability to... shift things, erase their existence, even, enter his very being. It was tough to control but he instinctively felt that he could will the power to manifest anywhere on his armour.

'Is this Void's power that's always been suppressed? Sky gave me Sky Walking, I forfeited Darkness power to give it to Breena, and Radiance used up my chance to earn a Radiance skill on birthing Garadia. Has Void's granted power always been to make my bones like this? Able to.. erase things? I'm in control of it now and Sky doesn't seem to be interfering with it... I need to be careful. I could hurt Hubert with this if I'm not careful,' Lone thought.

Testing his newfound ability, Lone shoulder bashed Hubert, ignoring the spear that had managed to penetrate his armour though only on one side of his body. The blade had been stopped from going straight through him by his back armour.

It would seem that the bones protecting his chest as well as his tough muscles and organs had softened a full-power Spear Intent blow enough to stop it from skewering him like a fresh kebab, which was nice to know.

"What..." Hubert could immediately tell that several of his ribs had been broken while his shoulder very well may have shattered from the impact of Lone's attack.

The thing that truly alarmed the man was that his Spear Intent was just... vanishing. As if consumed by the very planet itself. It was simply... gone. Almost like he had never trained it in the first place.

The nobleman quickly jumped away from Lone and immediately the draining of his Spear Intent stopped.

It was then that two very important notifications filled Lone's vision.

The host has unlocked the Primal skill: Void Consumption.

The host has merged the skills: Evasion Mastery, Spear Mastery, Sword Mastery, Swordspear Mastery, Polearm Mastery, Haste and Weapon Block to create the passive skill: Lone's Fledgling Battle Technique.

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A mass sense on enlightenment overtook Lone's mind.

Hubert noticed that his opponent's movements had... changed. His every step had some sort of power behind them, every deflection with his artefact weapon possessed a reason, every attack held a hidden intent.

'He fused several passive skills and even a handful of active ones... That's... That's insane! He needs time to compile that knowledge into something more concrete or he'll turn his mind into soup! I can't let him waste this opportunity and kill himself!' Hubert had finally seen a proper way to repay Lone for his monetary kindness.

The next few minutes were like a living hell for the young nobleman. Every second saw Lone improving by leaps and bounds. It was like watching a master of combat with amnesia suddenly awaken from a long dream only to recall every battle technique he had ever learned.

Just as Hubert was reaching his limit, Lone collapsed into his arms, still fully donning his Bone Armour.

The black and blue protrusions cut into Hubert's flesh, but he didn't mind. He was about to announce that the duel had ended in a tie, but Lone did something surprising once more.

The foxkin reached into thin air only to grasp onto a small cylindrical can which Hubert recognised as an energy drink that Lone openly sold in his Wondrous Emporium. The very same one that Count Lorton very happily and regularly endorsed.

Lone brought the can to his mouth and bit into the side of it like a vampire into a jugular. He sucked the can dry of its contents then activated a skill. "Stamina Redirection."

Lone hadn't found a stamina equivalent of his Mana Orbs or Eternal Mana Crystal, yes, but his energy drinks still had the effect of giving 100 SP.

Sadly, drinking multiple cans had diminishing returns until the drinker got a good night's sleep, and drinking more than one can at a time could actually harm the body, such was the reason that Lone hadn't bothered developing them past a normal serviceable product.

After all, he was no alchemist. Well, yet. Perhaps after he was done at The Academy that would change.

100 Sp was a paltry sum but it was one Lone could work with. 'I really need to invest in researching something like a Stamina Orb. I'll need it to develop Ancestor's Eyes, after all. I keep investing my Creation Magic into magical things, but something stamina related could useful now that I have skills that rely on SP.'

Lone stepped back from Hubert and offered him a smile, though the man couldn't see it through the bone helmet. "I'm good to go if you give me a minute or two to rest and recovered my SP."

Hubert shook his head. "I forfeit. Thank you very much for the enjoyable duel, Lone."

The nobleman turned towards Erion's booth and said very politely, "Sir Divine Time, I think we should give your disciple a moment to rest before he takes on his next challengers. Red Spear is willing to put on a little performance and show off our skills for the kind people of Mystopolis and all her visitors!"

Erion's voice filled everyone's ears. "A kind gesture, one my disciple accepts. As this wasn't in the schedule for today, you and your adventurer group will be rewarded. Muradon, I expect an excellent play-by-play of Red Spear's talents."

The American summoned hero who had been diligently playing up Lone's fusion of skills and incredible growth during his match with Hubert nodded fervently.

"As is my duty, Divine Time! I hope everyone is ready for a magnificent performance! First, let's have a brief introduction of Red Spear's member and their roles in their group, shall we? Hubert is naturally the leader and..."

Lone disabled his Bone Armour and chuckled faintly. "Cheers."

Hubert glanced at him and smiled. "You have nothing to thank me for. In fact, you have helped expand my mind. To think that an SSS-ranker could fight so evenly with me, even if I was holding back somewhat... Your speed is something to be admired, above all else."

Lone scratched his head. "No worries, Pal. Oh, by the way, what was your nobility particle again?"

"Hmm? Gor. Why?" Hubert asked.

Lone wore a slight frown. "Not here. I need to talk to you after this event's over if you don't mind."

Hubert knitted his brow. "Okay. I don't mind at all. Meet me on the third floor of the guildhall tomorrow at noon?"

Lone nodded. "Sounds good. I should be conscious by then, hopefully."

"Conscious?" Hubert really couldn't get a good read on Lone, which was a bit damaging to his ego. He prided himself on being able to understand people quite a bit.

Lone just laughed as he turned his back on the man and started walking away. "The event's finale is gonna be pretty fuckin' unbelievable. Might wanna stick around for it if you weren't planning to."

----------------------------------------

Immediately upon returning to The Wanderers and Archon Milos, Lone picked up Soph and took her place of the comfy seat he'd left her on. He placed the girl on his lap and asked, "How're you doing?"

She smiled weakly and leaned against his chest. "Worse and worse... I can feel it... Sophie will be completely separated from me soon... I, uh, don't know when exactly..."

Lone nodded and kissed the top of her head. "Stay strong. I know you'll both be fine."

Embers of jealously flickered across Eolande's expression before she sighed deeply. 'If I knew love would be so hard, then I wish I would have been born a lesbian... Fingers still crossed Soph changes her mind when she starts physically sharing Lone with Sophie, assuming he can get her a body and put her in it safely.'

Lone kept hugging Soph closely and he made sure to give her a few of his tails to help calm her. After that, he made sure to pull up the information of his two new skills.

Primal Skill: Void Consumption

A skill unique to the Avatar of Void.

Shrouds the host's fists in Void essence, consuming everything they come in contact with.

Unique Alternative Mode: When the host uses the skill [Bone Armour], the skill can be applied to all parts of the armour at the will of the host.

Cost: 10,000 HP Per Second Mastery: N/A

'Wow. That's a bit... dangerous. I could have killed Hubert by mistake very, very, very easily. Or myself. Thank fuck for Regeneration. How the hell did any previous Avatars of Void use this shitty skill?' Lone wondered.

'By using it wisely, Mighty Mortal,' Radiance said, speaking into his mind for the first time in months.

'Radiance? You've finally recovered from the battle with Ythmagobla?' Lone asked her in joyous surprise.

He actually liked Radiance, mostly because she was the mother of his daughter, Garadia, but regardless of that, she was also a kind Primal unlike the aloof Darkness or the mysterious Sky, not to mention the insane Void.

'Indeed, Mighty Mortal. Whatever you did to your soul helped me recover greatly. I have a new respect for these 'soul oracles'. I deeply regret not embedding such a power in my child when I first created her. Alas, we all make mistakes,' Radiance lamented.

Lone scoffed. 'Garadia's perfect as she is.'

'I know that, Mighty Mortal, however, it is not beneath me to ponder over what could have been.' There was some embarrassment in the Primal's voice, but more than that Lone could feel a deep sense of pride for their shared daughter. 'I shan't bother you anymore, Mighty Mortal. I know you need to recover for what is to come. Be careful. Immense danger lies ahead for you and the little one sitting on your lap.'

'Huh? For Soph too?' Lone was all too aware of Radiance's foresight ability. He knitted his brows in thought.

He immediately wanted to ask more questions but he could already sense that the only Primal still watching him was, as always, Darkness. He'd get no more answers out of Radiance unless he forced her, and that wasn't exactly ideal since she lived in his soul.

Deciding to instead think over her words carefully, Lone pulled up the information of his second new skill.