!!!!! Pr Credits To Draconis & Tembulon who not only both pred it but improved this ch's quality greatly please rep them. Also Full Credits to Askard who maintains the Information Doc where a majority of spectral regalia information is written please Rep him to ^^!!!
Early Release of sr so i guess tonight was a double release :o ? i was in a good mood today so i figured id also pitch in to feed a lot of those fanatics i have lurking about.
Please Rate/Follow/Favourite/Share/Enjoy this ch :)
P.S thank you for helping spectral get #6th place i know this is a little late but thank you guys :) i know im doing something right if the score is going up
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The link stone given to Avrin was something that could be bound by infusing mana in two crystal likes stones. These stones would serve as a sort of walkie-talkie using the same frequency, in this case the mana that is uniquely shared between the two. Of course, that alone isn't all that's done. The stones must be created together from the same material at the same time.
Each stone is worth a staggering 200 Gold, and are often only given to high ranking officers or officials, and even then they may be needed to be given back after a task. After Gregson left to go take care of things, Avrin did indeed go to take the time to rest.
Although his stamina was incredibly high, this human like instinct of worry for one's self kicked in. Something that would take years to be rid of and even then such a thing is written within one's mind. Avrin rested on a bed, his hands behind his head. He wore nothing but his top, and his gauntlets were removed as well as his mask.
Of course, he had made sure to layer the walls with a unique ability of the Divine Sense. This ability would coat everything and would last for several hours. When something with enough force touches anything coated within Avrin’s range, it would send a signal back to him and awake him.
Avrin couldn't stress how careful he had to be from now on. He felt that now, the fate of many lives depended on him. His mind drifted easily into a willed sleep, nothing but darkness rushing his mind, a feeling he was now very much used to. To him, the darkness was neither an enemy nor a friend.
To him, the darkness was a servant that he would learn how to control as he himself grows stronger. Having trained and figured out several methods and always constantly trying to improve himself.
A full night had passed, and Avrin woke up to his Divine Sense triggering. Looking around quickly after waking up from a disappointing dreamless night but somewhat refreshed, he heard a voice. It seems the voice originated from the link stone that was glowing blue.
He had figured that not only did movement trigger his Divine Sense, but this mana device also did. He would have to think on it later. He grabbed the stone and looked curiously as a voice spoke.
“Avrin, are you there?” The voice was a little clouded, but it was none other than Gregson. Avrin replied, not sure if this would go through. “I'm here, Gregson. What's wrong?” He waited a few moments before Gregson replied, telling Avrin to meet him at a military camp 5 miles west from this outpost.
Gregson knew Avrin had teleportation ability, so he hadn't prepared transport for him, thinking he would be able to repeat it. And he would be correct. It was easily within Avrin’s sense’s reach. Of course, 50 kilometers was Avrin’s best range for Divine Sense when he was still and focused. On the move, his best sense could be a maximum of 25-30 kilometers. Keeping his mind focused he scanned around, as if a bird’s eye view of the landscape formed in his head, looking for Gregson's mana source.
After searching in the direction he was told, he found Gregson. His body turned to that same particle like ash. And as if a page had been turned, it reformed hidden in a storage alley, away from prying eyes.
“-This is so much easier. I don't think I'll ever want to walk again, heh-” He joked in his mind with a grin on his face. Having already equipped his cloak and gauntlets, he moved the mask onto his face and positioned it before walking out into the open.
Looking around, he saw many young teenagers training, as well many boot camp like homes. But the layout and structures were quite neat and seemed to be built well. Avrin drew some attention from a few guards who noticed this cloaked stranger appear from the alley. They quickly tried to go to him but stopped as soon as a voice called out in their direction.
“Ah, Lord Avrin, welcome!” He chuckled as he looked at Avrin. Gregson knew right away when Avrin arrived. The Link Stone also doubled as a sort of tracking device between the two. He jumped at first when he felt the other appearing nearly instantly, and gazing towards the alley, he knew it was Avrin. Utilizing this strange teleportation ability that everyone on this planet would kill for.
“Lord Gregson.” Avrin spoke to give the man face around all these soldiers. Walking beside Gregson, Avrin looked around. “This place, It's a training camp, correct?” Gregson chuckled softly “Indeed it is. Take a look over there.” Pointing to a young boy with light brown hair wearing a perfectly fitted leather tunic and brandishing a wooden sword with the look of a cat trying to act as fierce as a tiger
“Hya” The boy roared as he charged towards an older individual before barraging him with what Avrin seemed to think were careless sword slashes. He had trained in martial arts, although not for long, a genius like him was able to grasp many things and learn a lot. He could tell this boy was just rushing in with all his strength.
The adult, seemingly a soldier, easily blocked and countered, side stepping and turning to hit the boy on the back, causing him to stagger in pain before falling down. “Young Kael, you're doing it again. Please use what I taught you…”
The man spoke, causing Avrin to look at Gregson. “Isn't this a little unfair to me?” Laughing softly, Avrin joked, as if to say that Kael seemed too untrained. “Please Lord Avrin, the boy isn't that bad. He is willing to learn and get stronger. Motivation always gets the best of someone”
Avrin couldn't argue. “Indeed it does.” The two walked over to the group of knights who were laughing softly as Kael tried again and again. These soldiers seemed a little too relaxed in Avrin’s eyes.
During his position as a general, he rarely commanded a group of soldiers that had time to relax freely, as they were always in territory belonging to pirates or rebels, never having time to even blink unless the person wanted to be slow while doing their task.
“These men are part of young Kael’s personal unit. Men, women, each of them has nearly a decade of experience. Despite his father’s intentions of putting him here, he cared enough to make sure his son was tended to by experienced individuals.”
Thinking carefully, Avrin watched the boy, who was covered in dirt, giving that fierce willed look the adult training him seemed to be frowning, as Kael got back up again and again, no matter how much he tried, “Argh, boy ,you and that stamina!” The man roared slightly, and barraged Kael with several attacks but was sure to hold back.
“Lord Gregson, the boy’s siblings, what is their position to his again?” Avrin wanted to confirm where they were as opposed to their brother. Gregson replied. “From what I know, his brother and sister are doing quite well as 2nd years in Gaia Academy. They are truly the pride of their family. One might say young Kael here is the leftovers”
Avrin grinned to himself. He loved nothing more than to prove people wrong. From his teachers in the military academy to the soldiers in his old regiments that said he would amount to nothing. Constantly pushing himself to get somewhere to prove them wrong.
Their respect meant little to him. What he wanted most was to rub it in their faces and prove that they were the ones who were dirt. That was Avrin’s motivation. And as the years went on, he slowly learned to fit it in his duty.
“Kael, you're still not using the technique. You need to learn to block then counter. On the battlefield with a monster, they will show no mercy. You need to hold your own. We all needed at least 15 years before we could become strong enough!”
Avrin laughed out, which made Gregson blink and even the onlookers and Kael as well as the man acting as his teacher looked at Avrin. “15 years? That is way too long. 1 year is all a capable teacher would need for him”
Avrin tilted his head a little. Gregson blinked and laughed slightly. “Lord Yin, please do not mind Lord Avrin. He jests quite often.” Gregson then mumbled to Avrin in a hushed voice “Please ease up on this man. He is a Lord, 1 step down from me, and quite prideful at that... He is a lead instructor…”
Yin laughed and eyed Avrin up and down cautiously. “Indeed a capable teacher might. But I do not believe men who hide their faces behind simple masks. Or are you too pretty to wield a sword?” Not only Yin, but the other knights themselves laughed. Even Kael laughed, as if he was trying to fit in.
Avrin laughed softly “Not at all Lord Yin. You could say that after looking at people like you for so long, I have become too horrified, hahaha“He laughed along with them before they all stopped and Lord Yin gave a furious look.
“Kael, give this man your sword…. Let’s see if this man is actually worthy of berating me…” Kael blinked and slowly walked over to Avrin. Gregson stepped between Kael and Yin. “L...Lord Yin, please reconsider…. This man...”
Yin quickly replied “Please Lord Gregson. For speaking in such a way to my fellow knights, I won't forgive this man… Lord or not, after I make him eat dirt, we shall see who may talk…”
Avrin looked at Kael up close before taking the sword and stepping over to the small arena. He gazed at the wooden sword, seeing that it was chipped and slightly bent. Yin replied as he took an offensive stance.
“Look my comrades, hahahaha. This so called ‘Lord’ acts as if he has never held a sword in his life!” The laughing continued as Gregson rubbed his forehead and walked over to Avrin and mumbled. “Please Lord Avrin… Have mercy on this prideful man.”
Of course, Avrin didn't reply, and this made Gregson take several steps back. As a few silent seconds passed, Yin grinned. “Prepare yourself!” He rushed Avrin, dashing with all his might. One could see this man was a peak expert leveled warrior.
Whispers went out quickly “Lord Yin is truly something. He should enter the level of a master soon” One of the knights responded, but as the other knight replied back, they were left with their mouths open, dumbfounded at what happened.
In a near instant, Yin proudly struck the wooden blade towards Avrin, Avrin sidestepped effortlessly and tapped the man’s back with the wooden sword, causing him to stumble, losing balance and hitting face first into the ground.
Everyone was silent, even Gregson, who was starting to see Avrin’s level of expertise yet again. “Lord Yin, what are you doing down there? Does dirt really taste good?” Yin, who was shocked, blinking and looking around, clenched his teeth as a vein appeared on his forehead. He quickly back flipped up and began to barrage Avrin with quick sword slashes that even caused the air to ripple slightly, causing the onlookers to stand back in worry.
Of course, Avrin effortlessly dodged each one as if he were dancing elegantly around the tip of the wooden blade. As much as Yin tried, he couldn't get his sword to touch Avrin. It was as if he was a desert illusion. Once you neared it, the mirage would get further or change directions. You would never get there.
“Damn you!!” Yin howled as he raised the sword, gripping it with both hands. The wooden sword cracked and emitted a fiery mana as he roared, “Flame Tempest!!” Gregson then yelled out in reply “Yin, NO!”
The knights quickly scampered off. Even the other knights and youngsters training looked cautiously as the air around the wooden sword created a sort of vacuum in the shape of a mini tornado that emitted great heat like a fiery inferno.
“Isn't this too much?” Avrin responded, as if still not impressed. Of course, for Yin, who had been called out by this stranger, infuriated him even more so that he couldn't land a hit on him after berating back. He was like a child being led on.
He had no choice but to activate an expert level skill reserved for high officials of the army. One of few great techniques worth thousands of gold, Yin jumped and slashed the inferno like vacuum down towards Avrin, who showed no expression due to the mask.
“Idiot…” Avrin replied before slashing upwards with the wooden blade with great force, causing it to crack and shatter into millions of shards, but not before a wind blade cleanly cut the inferno vacuum in half, even though Avrin held back. And the inferno vacuum, although destroyed, weakened the attack. The blade of wind blew Yin away and then cleaved along the ground for nearly a few dozen meters.
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The dust that kicked off and the heated air settled down as Avrin stood there as if not impressed, gripping the hilt of the broken wooden sword. “Intending for a death match? You're years too early to try that with me” Avrin spoke.
Yin, who crashed into a nearby haystack used to feed the horses, was quickly tended to by other soldiers and medics. Whispers of the individuals and students who were shocked and surprised yet curious at Avrin moved around.
“What technique was that? A wind blade, Is that the knight level gust blade?” Another shook his head and responded. “No way, It looked like he casually just swung his blade and it just destroyed Lord Yin’s attack!… He must be a master or higher…”
Hushed whispers and onlookers gazing between Yin and Avrin, Gregson gave a nervous laugh and approached Avrin. “I apologize…. Deep inside, I resisted stopping this, because I was also curious of Lord Avrin’s abilities.”
Gazing at the broken wooden sword, Avrin dropped it and replied as he dusted himself off. “It's fine. If it was not me who taught this man a lesson, he may have lived his entire life thinking he would never find another stronger than him” Avrin knew this all too well. Such a thing would be a life threatening mistake. Yin may not see it this way, but Avrin’s intentions may have helped him preserve his life for a longer time.
No one dared look wrongly at Avrin. In their lives, one would see maybe one or 2 expert level individuals face to face, and a master level individual would always be running a dojo or academy. Gregson walked over and patted Kael’s shoulder.
“Young Kael, I hope you liked the show. This Lord Avrin is the man I spoke to you about earlier today. He will be leading you and training you personally.” Kael, who was shocked and not able to utter a word, looked at Yin, then Avrin.
He had thought Avrin was some shameless Lord who built his reputation based on wealth, like many others have, and not strength. But he was proven gravely wrong. Gregson led Kael to Avrin and Avrin looked at him. But it was Kael who spoke first.
“F...Forgive me Lord Avrin for laughing at you earlier!” Looking at the young boy, Avrin couldn't help but remember Amias as well as his own master, Shimaru, who was with him for a short period but enough to build respect.
“Here is my first lesson. Never underestimate anyone unless you want to end up like Lord Yin over there” Avrin gestured to the wounded and unconscious Yin, who was being carried away on a stretcher.
Gregson smiled. “Kael, this Avrin is a great fighter. I hope you won't give him trouble and listen well. I guarantee you won't regret it. Lord Avrin, I will leave you here now. Please take this. “Gregson handed Avrin a gold badge with the symbol of a winged sword with gold edges and platinum in the middle.
Avrin was easily able to tell the materials in the badge due to his experience in being a smith. He took it with his right hand and gazed at it. “This is?” Gregson, as if expecting Avrin’s question, smiled, “The Altea Military Badge. It will allow you great treatment in all of humanity's cities and military bases. Just show this and it will be as if you are a king to them. Of course, I hope you won't abuse such authority” Gregson whispered to Avrin.
Nodding casually, Avrin spoke. “Good. In this case, I want to head off today.” Not only Kael, but Gregson replied. “L...Lord Avrin, so soon? Will you not become accustomed to things first?” Avrin shook his head.
“Nonsense, who knows when I will need to leave, you tasked me with teaching Kael, and I will not take this lightly. We will be heading to the Western islands of this continent” Gregson frowned but then nodded and sighed. “Very well Lord Avrin. I'm sure what you do is for the best.”
The day went by quickly, with everyone preparing supplies and horses on quick notice. Avrin also didn't want to be around when Yin woke up. He knew he would only cause a headache or seek revenge. Such a man’s mindset would not easily change.
And as several hours passed, Kael, as well as 40 of Kael’s knights, all got on horseback. Kael wore plate mail that a simple knight would never be able to afford. It seemed as if it's main use was to look good than to protect.
Avrin ignored it for now and got on the horse prepared for him, a large black stallion. Avrin hadn't thought horses existed on this planet, and although these creatures had nearly identical resemblances to horses, they were slightly more muscular and colored deeper as well as had simple manes.
The names of these creatures were actually Krins, but Avrin didn't like it as it felt weird. Especially because of their similarities, so he decided to just call them horses, not caring if anyone understood him or not.
Gregson stood up straight and looked up at Avrin. “Lord Avrin, please remember young Kael’s safety. The knights are all here and willing to give their lives for him and-” Before Gregson continued, Avrin lazily spoke. “An individual who relies on solely his subordinates for protection is no warrior but a coward. I'll make sure this Kael will be able to freely travel by himself without worry”
Gregson looked at Avrin then smiled and nodded “Very well Lord Avrin, I can't wait to hear good news. “ With things said and done, Avrin and the Feather unit, as it came to be known as due to it being light and barely noticeable since their actions were simply scouting, continued on down the path. Their destination was the western island’s largest island, The Twisting Lands.
The island itself is off limits due to it being significantly filled with natural monsters that put orcs and goblins to shame. With only a few military outposts on the island, Avrin’s intention was to train Kael there.
He came to learn of the island with some basic knowledge of a book he had absorbed prior to things. Filled with carnivorous plants and creatures that are all known to twist a grown man into mash it is where its name originated from.
The Feather unit silently followed Avrin and Kael, who was riding behind him nervously, and sped up to ride beside Avrin. “Lord Avrin. When do we start my training session?” Avrin, who was tampering with his Divine Sense constantly to try and efficiently use it, replied.
“When I please” Kael blinked and frowned as he spoke. “Lord Avrin, Lord Yin would train me for several hours a day, surely-” Avrin interrupted the young boy. “The Twisting Islands, when we arrive, your full training will begin there.”
The Twisting Islands being their location caused Kael to quiver with fear as well as the knights behind him. Some of them had been there before and had seen many horrors, not wanting to go back. But in this case, they had no choice but to follow.
One knight rode up. This was one of the officers under Kael, Henreth. “Lord Avrin, I heard we are heading to The Twisting Islands. Won't you reconsider to one of the lesser ones?” Avrin continued his pace and replied. “Why?”Not caring for the man’s words.
Henreth bit his lip a little and spoke “I'm not sure if Lord Avrin knows this, but those islands are filled to the brim with monsters that will make short work out of our unit… I have never heard of a 40 man unit casually training there, 100 maybe but 40? It's suicide.”
Avrin chuckled to himself, which made Kael and Henreth look at him. “You worry too much. If I knew it was too dangerous, then why would I lead a small unit there?” His words made sense, and because of Avrin’s show of power, a majority had figured his strength was at a Master’s level, so they felt a little safe.
The Central Continent of Sajuran was a large one, and after spending the rest of the day traveling, they had only gotten 30% of the way. Which could be considered significant for such a land? They hadn't encountered any monsters, something the humans of Sajuran pride themselves on.
Fanatically hunting them all to near extinction to protect each other, the dumb monsters, like goblins, knew to never expose themselves or make an estimated location known in fear of a small army destroying them.
Camp had been set up with several tents and fires prepared. Avrin was sitting 30 meters from the main camp in his meditative position, enjoying the wind blowing against him despite not moving an inch, as if he were a rock.
Gazing at the progress of the control particles, he was happy his effort paid off. A total of 5000 control particles and rising by 2 every second and higher was climbing. Of course, converting a matter particle to a control particle he needed to spend a bit more energy to create new ones.
His only issue was what would happen if his body contained too many particles. Would it be able to sustain them? Surely it would be covered in the information God had sealed in his mind. For now though, it wasn't an issue for him.
A young voice called out. Kael approached Avrin with two bowls of a meat stew made from a rabbit like creature the knights had caught earlier. Kael himself could be considered handsome or cute to many female individuals, but compared to other trained nobles and his siblings, his powerlessness made him unappealing. Especially to many of the females that come from noble families as well as train to become strong, to them he was a cute face and nothing more than a weak one at that.
Avrin broke his meditation and turned to look at Kael, who offered him the bowl. He took it and thanked him quietly. He raised his mask slightly and began to eat using the wooden spoon. Kael watched Avrin nervously to see if he enjoyed it.
“Boy, what are you looking at” Avrin spoke, a little uncomfortable from his staring. “I...I'm sorry, Lord Avrin. I wasn't sure if you liked the stew, since I made it myself.” Avrin knew this boy was trying to get on his good side, which would be pointless since he would train him either way.
“It's good” Avrin replied. He hadn't eaten a meal that wasn't synthetic for a while. Even then, those were usually rations. As the two were silently eating, Kael spoke “Lord Avrin, what was that gust blade you used on Lord Yin?”
Avrin responded simply with a “No” and Kael responded. “That technique was incredible. The flame tempest is something King Leo himself created. To see it effortlessly destroyed... What technique did you use?”
Avrin felt it would be good to get this boy eager to train, so he played his game. “No technique. It was raw strength.” Kael pursed his lips, frowning a little. Yin had scolded him every time he used raw strength, and to see it being used to defeat him was ironic in a way. “Lord Yin lied to me then… Raw strength is superior!” He pouted.
Avrin shook his head. “Only when your opponent is weaker, Technique is indeed valuable in combat. Compared to me, Lord Yin was just weaker, and myself more trained. In real combat, don't underestimate your opponent. I only acted as such to Yin because I am a good judge of character and read him well”
Avrin spoke, as if trying to make Yin’s reputation more easier on himself and not belittle him too much. Kael nodded. “Lord Avrin, can you teach me how to become strong like yourself one day?” Kael’s words were a sort of cliché, but in truth, in such a situation no one could blame him.
But it also made Avrin laugh softly. “Who knows? Maybe one day. As long as you are willing to learn, I'll teach you as much as I can. “Kael smiled and began to eat his stew before it got cold.
Avrin’s intentions were simple.
Based off of Erebus’ converting many times, Avrin discovered that he would be able to inject a small amount of dark matter and will it to not convert the person but instead focus it solely on improving the person.
Of course, the person whose body it is in would never be able to control it. Secondly, Erebus, who discovered this by accident, found he couldn't control it well. Avrin felt he would have a better time controlling it.
With understanding in dark matter particles, his order would be simple for every single particle inside that stream of dark matter he had yet to allow in Kael’s body. And that would be to strengthen his body.
Of course, Avrin was still unsure of this method and wanted to see how Kael would act in battle. If Kael was truly hopeless, it would be a last measure. He had no intention of converting this boy into his race. The last thing he needed was to have all of humanity after him.
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