"Alright, let's move on to the next skill," I exclaimed, excitement bubbling within me like a cauldron of anticipation. As I pondered, a new skill emerged from the depths of my mind—Soul Armament. With a swift return to my position, I focused my thoughts and whispered, "Soul Armament: Mode Armor."
In an instant, a jet-black armor materialized on my body, its presence captivating in its extraordinary craftsmanship and soul-infused magic. The armor seemed to devour light, wrapping around me like a cloak of ethereal shadows. Crafted meticulously from the fallen souls, it possessed an ominous power that rendered it nearly indestructible. The sleek, form-fitting design hugged my body with a comforting familiarity, akin to a second skin. Intricate gold and red engravings adorned its surface, their delicate lines emitting an otherworldly glow in the darkness.
The helmet took the shape of a menacing crow, its beady red eyes piercing through the veil of night, as if it could see into the depths of one's soul. A dark, smoky glass visor obscured my face, adding to the air of mystery and intimidation. The armor was equipped with a pair of razor-sharp gauntlets, ready to strike with deadly precision, and a pair of boots that looked as regal as the armor itself, empowering each step with an aura of authority.
What was more interesting about this armor was its ability to merge seamlessly with my overcoat and kodachis, transforming into a fearsome and awe-inspiring form. The twins, elated by its magnificence, couldn't resist touching and admiring the armor's power. I could understand their excitement, for I too could feel its immense strength. The thought of infusing it with more souls sent a surge of anticipation through my veins. The time to collect the souls of those wretched scum in this facility was fast approaching.
With malevolent thoughts swirling in my mind, I began to move in the armor, executing my martial arts routine with a fluidity that brought me immense delight. Every move, every kick, flowed seamlessly, as if the armor itself had become an extension of my being. I continued to practice, convinced that all was well. Little did I know that the next turn of events would shatter that illusion, like a fragile glass meeting an unforgiving force.
As the 15-minute mark of my training approached, a wave of dizziness washed over me, causing my legs to wobble and my body to collapse onto my knees. The grandeur of the armor vanished as if it were a mere illusion, leaving me with only my kodachis and overcoat, a stark reminder of my vulnerability. The twins, witnessing this sudden change, rushed to my side, their expressions filled with concern.
"What happened? Where did the armor go?" they asked, their voices laced with worry.
Groggy and disoriented, I replied with an almost silent voice, "I don't know what happened, but what I do know is that I'm all out of mana, and if I'm not mistaken, I'm about to pass out."
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Before I could finish my words, darkness enveloped me, and I succumbed to unconsciousness, bringing the twins down with me.
When I finally regained consciousness, a pounding headache and a dry mouth greeted me, as if the very essence of my being had been drained. Confusion clouded my mind, but as Hana handed me a cup of water and I drank it, my mind slowly started to regain its focus.
And that's when awareness of my surroundings flooded back, and with it, a wave of shame washed over me. Who would have thought that one moment I would be showcasing my armor and skills, and the next I would be collapsing in a pitiful state? Ah, if only I could find a place to bury myself, that would be the best.
Not wanting to reveal my embarrassment to the twins and striving to maintain composure, I mustered the strength to ask them, "Are you two alright? And thank you for your help. I never expected this to happen to me... ever. However, it seems that the quantity and quality of mana that I possess is not enough to activate the armor for more than that. Also, I should be careful of how I use my skills from now on, especially when I'm in the middle of combat. It would be disastrous if I passed out due to mana inefficiency during a battle."
The twins, seemingly understanding the gravity of the situation before I even told them, remained unperturbed, their unwavering support a comforting presence. However, Hana, who started laughing immediately after I finished my explanation, couldn't let what happened pass without cackling like an idiot.
And as she was about to say something sarcastic to the bone, I playfully bopped her on the head and settled back down in a lotus position to check how much mana I had recovered. To my surprise, the mana depletion wasn't as severe as I had anticipated, and I had already recovered 25% of my mana, like a flickering flame reigniting in the darkness.
Lost in contemplation of the recent events, I turned to Eve, the ever-reliable companion, for an explanation regarding my fainting spell and mana recovery. Her response, swift and chilling, sent a shiver down my spine, like an icy gust of wind on a winter's night.
"Young master, since your transformation or mutation, you have become a mana-dependent being, much like other monsters. What occurred was your body's instinctual response to prevent a second death, a desperate attempt to preserve the fragile flame of life. For an individual reliant on mana, depleting it means death. What your body did was like a safety mechanism of sorts, where when your body reaches the last 2% of mana, it shuts down everything and puts you in sleep mode. So, in conclusion, all that happened, young master, was to safeguard your life. Please exercise caution in the future; you gave me quite a fright. My systems almost shut down from the shock."
Well, it appeared that I had come perilously close to the edge of the abyss. Though the word "death" itself sent a shiver down my spine, I found myself surprisingly unfazed, like a phoenix reborn from the ashes of its former self.
Was it because I had already faced death once before, or perhaps because I was now a hybrid, a fusion of human and monster? I pondered this question, wondering about the depths of my newfound resilience and the path that lay ahead, like an uncharted territory waiting to be explored.