The sun had barely risen, but Strax was already out of bed and getting ready to face another day of rigorous training with that monster disguised as his sister. He dressed carelessly, and after a simple breakfast of eggs and bacon, he mounted Apocalypse and headed straight for the Vorah Family territory, specifically to his sister's mansion.
"I hope today isn't another day of nearly dying or feeling like I'm about to die... at least she doesn't use a sword to hit , just wind impacts... imagine if that hit my flesh? I'd be dead!" He was already sowhat tired of feeling like he might die at any mont, but he had no choice; he needed to get a sword from the Sword Garden.
Finally, he arrived at the location without any issues, though three minutes late, and was t with a cold look from Xenovia. She had already prepared the entire place waiting for him, and he was late, which didn't make her very happy...
"Damn, was he having fun with his wife?" She wondered ntally, without letting her expression betray her thoughts. She quickly questioned him, "Are you ready?" Her voice firm and emotionless, sothing that really bothered Strax in a way.
"Yes, I am." Strax replied seriously, his eyes fixed on the woman who began explaining the day's training.
"Today, we will focus on your endurance and bodily and mana control. You have been learning to channel your energy effectively to maximize your potential, but you need more control over everything you possess." She explained, taking a combat stance that Strax was very familiar with.
He sighed internally, nodded, and positioned himself in the center of the hall. Xenovia began the training with basic endurance exercises, testing Strax's new capabilities after the first training session.
Once again, he endured the increasingly powerful attacks that Xenovia delivered, each stronger than the last, but he resisted without moving, concentrating his energy on protecting himself and enduring the pain. This was the best way for warriors like Strax to learn about their limits, by feeling it firsthand.
"Concentrate, imagine you are creating a skin over your own, a shell, like armor, strengthening from the inside out," Xenovia instructed, her voice calm but demanding.
Strax closed his eyes, visualizing the energy flowing through his body, forming a thin protective layer around him. The blows returned, each impact felt different, becoming more bearable, lighter, and more contained. After several minutes of incessant strikes, Xenovia stopped and observed him with that evaluating look that made Strax uncomfortable.
"Frightening..." He thought.
"You did better than before, but you need more refinent." Xenovia admitted, giving a small nod of approval. "Now, let's work on mana. We need to go beyond what you know. I want you to channel your energy to create that sa ice sword from before, using your strength to mold the mana into a weapon as robust as steel." She said, sitting on the ground, waiting for him to begin.
Strax frowned. He could barely maintain a sword for more than ten minutes, let alone one with the consistency of pure steel. "I'll have to try even if I can't do it," Strax thought, knowing Xenovia wouldn't accept just an "I can't."
He had created swords before, but with this durability... it was really difficult. Taking a deep breath, he extended his hands and closed his eyes, focusing on channeling his energy directly from his mana core. He felt the mana flowing through his veins, directing it to his hands.
He focused entirely on ice, thinking of a massive iceberg that could easily destroy a ship. The air around him began to chill, a cold mist emanating from his hands, gradually taking shape, solidifying into a blue ice sword. When he felt the cold in his hands, he opened his eyes, seeing the shining weapon in his grasp, emitting a bluish-white glow with small sparks of light.
It was heavy and thin but as robust as pure steel, reflecting the ambient light coming through the windows.
Xenovia watched with an expression of surprise and approval. "Impressive... on a single attempt," she murmured, approaching to examine the sword more closely. "You achieved sothing far beyond what I expected; this is a great advance."
Strax smiled, not just happy for Xenovia's words... well, not just because of those words. "Thank you," he said, his voice a bit tired, but his eyes were fixed on a certain spot in front of him, specifically at Xenovia's cleavage height.
[You have partially understood the Ice Manipulation Skill, the skill has ranked up.]
"Where do you think you're looking?" Xenovia called his attention, and the screen disappeared, showing only the ample breasts of the woman in his field of vision. "S-sorry! I was lost in thought!" He said quickly, and the sword slipped from his hand, deactivating the manipulation magic.
"I see... keep practicing what you learned." Xenovia said and walked away, but her thoughts were... "Looking at my breasts and says he's lost in thought? Try to be more discreet next ti." She thought, huffing slightly, having so rather... dubious thoughts.
After all that, Strax left the main hall directly for the mansion gate, where he had a brief encounter with Diana, but he didn't say anything, just gave her a mischievous smile. Diana arched her eyebrows but didn't say anything to him, as several maids were nearby.
Again. "Let's go, girl," he said and mounted Apocalypse, heading back ho, still thinking about the training and how his ability had improved. He was absorbed in his thoughts when suddenly he felt a strange presence. Quickly he stopped Apocalypse and looked around, noticing suspicious movent coming from an alley nearby.
"Co out, I don't have all day," he said, his voice firm. From the shadows of the alley erged Carlos.
"Ah, it's you. I thought you had forgotten our agreent," Strax said, observing the man who respectfully bowed before him. "My mistress wishes to see you in a few days," he said, his voice low and formal.
Strax looked at him, intrigued. "Oh really? She judged worthy?" He said with a smile. "She has determined that you can be beneficial to her," he replied firmly. "I see, a deal, I presu," Strax said, "Ti and place, and we shall talk." Carlos listened and stood up, bowing slightly. "I will find you on the day of the eting.
Please be careful tonight," he said, and quickly disappeared back into the shadows.
Mounting Apocalypse, he continued his way ho, still on alert while trying not to think of anything other than getting ho. "I wonder what kind of woman you are, Miss Assassin," Strax thought. Again turning the nearby corner, he found himself once more facing the nun he had saved.
Strax didn't dismount from Apocalypse and talked to the woman in front of him. "You seem busy again, aren't you?" He said, and the woman looked at him with a rather... cute smile. "I was helping the orphanage again. They were causing a ruckus once more! They never tire!" She said quickly, seeming angry but sweet.
"You seem to always be helping others," Strax comnted with a smile, she shrugged modestly. "I guess it's my calling, but tell ... what is your na? Last ti you left in a hurry," she comnted, seeming to want to repay him in so way. "It's Strax, just Strax," he said.
"Alright! Whenever you have ti, co to the orphanage or the church! I'm always in one of those places, I could pray for you! Oh yes! My na is Cristine, Cristine Blair," she said, bowing. "Thank you very much for saving last ti!" She thanked, Strax just smiled and asked her to rise.
"Raise your head, you're like , feel free to co to whenever you want. I'm going ho now, but I'll co see you soti," Strax said, and Cristine nodded, understanding.
"The path of a knight is arduous but rewarding. If you need anything, I'm here to help!" She said, Strax could feel the determination in her gaze, he kept his smile and understood, "Thank you, Sister Cristine. Your kindness is a relief amidst so much chaos."
"Well, I need to get back to the house. I have much to do today before resting," Strax finally said, ready to leave and return ho.
"Of course, take care, Strax. And rember, you're never alone, God is always by your side!" Cristine replied, giving him an encouraging smile.
Strax nodded, thanking her again before heading on his way. Upon arriving at the mansion, Strax found Beatrice and Samira waiting for him at the entrance. Both seed worried, but upon seeing him, their faces lit up. "Strax, are you okay?" Beatrice asked, running to hug him first, which made Samira... well, not very happy about it.
"Yes, I am. Just had a long day," he replied, hugging her back. "Co here, you too," he said, calling Samira, who kissed him quickly.
"All as it should be," he thought.
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