The pale morning light stread in through the high windows of the private training room, filtered through enchanted glass that kept the temperature stable and the humidity away from the stone walls. The room was silent, except for the rhythmic, cutting sound of blades splitting the air.
Kael moved with precision. The sword in his right hand was real, sharp and heavy; the one in his left, a blade of pure shadow, undulating, as if it breathed with him. Every thrust, every twist, every block was accompanied by a second movent - as if a darker reflection echoed his every action, doubling the offense with a supernatural touch.
Sweat trickled down his temple, but his focus was absolute.
The shadow reacted to his will like an extension of his own body. He had practiced this for weeks, maybe months, but he still felt it wasn't enough.
"It's not enough just to be fast. It's not enough just to be strong."
"They outwitted with intelligence. Strategy. Technique."
The mory of the recent confrontation with the cultists and the mont when everything almost got out of hand weighed heavily on his mind. Seeing Erika injured. Seeing Stella crying. Having to rely on the help of soone more experienced... even if that person was soone he couldn't stop thinking about.
The sound of the blades intensified. He increased his pace. He leapt to the side, spun around, unleashed a rapid sequence of blows - an X-cut with the real sword, followed by a strike from the shadowy blade that exploded into black particles as it hit the illusory target conjured up in the center of the room.
The training figure - a magical construct - dissipated with a sharp sound, like glass breaking in slow motion.
Kael took a deep, gasping breath and held his position for a few seconds before lowering his weapons.
The shadows around his body still flickered, as if reacting to his frustration. He wiped sweat from his face and stared into the magic mirror that reflected his movents. It wasn't just strength he wanted. It was control. It was mastery.
"I need to use everything I have."
"Even that."
He looked at his own shadow, which was writhing on the ground like a living creature, waiting for orders.
"If that's what makes different... then I'll make it my advantage."
Kael closed his eyes for a mont, controlling his breathing, seeking balance. When he opened them again, his pupils were slightly dilated... and a faint purple glow crossed the edge of his irises.
[Reminder! You have several souls to absorb.]
The notification appeared in floating letters, magically projected before Kael's eyes with that characteristic ethereal blue glow. He blinked a few tis, confused, before frowning.
"...I... forgot the System?" he muttered to himself, his voice laden with incredulity.
How could he have let sothing so vital slip his mory? It was almost unthinkable. The System was the basis of his growth. His advantage. His hidden asset.
Kael's mind spun for a mont, trying to trace the exact mont when he stopped paying attention to it. The fights, the chaos, the dungeon, Erika... the kiss. Perhaps he had been too distracted by everything that had happened. But still...
He ran a hand through his sweat-damp hair, took a deep breath, and raised his eyes back to the floating interface.
"System... how many souls do I have to absorb?"
The answer ca with a faint sound of distant bells, as it always did when the System activated an important function.
[Soul analysis started...]
[You currently have:]
- 9 souls - Rank-A Class
- 6 souls - Rank-B Class
Kael's eyes widened.
"Nine Rank-A souls...?" he repeated, slowly, as if savoring each word. "And I... just left it lying at the bottom of my ntal inventory as if it were ordinary garbage..."
He stood up from where he was, the surrounding shadows vibrating in response to his sudden excitent. His eyes now shone with renewed intensity.
"These souls... I can extract abilities, strengthen my resistance, broaden my connection with the dark energy..."
His voice sounded almost like soone opening a forgotten birthday present - a mixture of surprise and anxiety.
"System," he said firmly, his fingers closing into a tense fist, charged with determination. His eyes burned with the dark glow of the shadows that pulsed around him.
"Absorb it all."
His voice was low, but charged with intent. An absolute order.
[Initiating absorption process...]
[Absorbing souls...]
The air in the room trembled for an instant.
The surrounding shadows stirred as if they were alive, snaking across the floor and up Kael's legs like liquid streams. Small spheres of light - one golden and intense, the other more opaque, bluish - began to appear in the air around him. Each one represented a soul that had been captured, sealed and was now about to be consud.
[Rank-B: 1/8 absorbed...]
[Rank-B: 2/8 absorbed...]
Kael's body was seized by a sudden heat. His muscles tensed, veins pulsing under his skin as the System redistributed the absorbed power. Mixed sensations of pain and ecstasy invaded his senses as if every soul was being carved into his flesh.
[Rank-B: 8/8 complete]
[Starting Rank-A absorption...]
The shadows beca denser. The energy in the air beca heavy - almost suffocating. A high-pitched buzz cut through the silence of the room as the first Rank-A soul began to rge with it.
Kael fell to his knees, his teeth clenched. A muffled scream escaped his throat, but he didn't back down.
"More... I can take it..." he muttered between his teeth, his wide eyes now glowing a dark red.
[Rank-A: 1/9 absorbed...]
[Rank-A: 2/9 absorbed...]
Each Rank-A soul seed to contain the weight of a mountain. Strength, knowledge, combat instincts... all coming in violent waves, tearing at his inner limitations and rebuilding him stronger.
[Rank-A: 9/9 absorbed.]
Finally, the process stopped. The lights disappeared. The shadows slowly retreated. And Kael... Kael remained there, on his knees, breathing hard, sweat dripping down his face.
But his eyes said it all.
He was no longer the sa.
[Status updated. New analysis available.]
[Do you want to check the winnings?]
Kael smiled, grimly.
"Show everything.
[Na]: Kael Scarlet (11 years old)
[Physical]: Supre Soul Hunter
[Strength]: 148 ( 60)
[Agility]: 106 ( 20)
[Intelligence]: 214 ( 90)
[Stamina]: 170 ( 120)
[Mana]: 200 ( 300)
[Blessing]: World Tree (SSS)
[Contract]: Forest Spirit - Umbra (A ), Kitsune - Ahri (???)
[Traits]: Conqueror, Universal Language, Expanded Vision, Mana Sensitivity, Mana Core Blessed by the World Tree, Authority of Yggdrazil (Occult).
[Skills]: Soul Absorption (Level 1), Soul Hunter (Level 1), Blade Instinct (Passive), Dance of Cutting Shadows (Level 1), Elental Manipulation (Level 10), Shadow Manipulation (Level 1), Nature Manipulation (Level 1), Predatory Eyes (Level 1), Royal Web (Level 1), Intimidation Aura (Passive), Wield Winged Sword (Level 5), Magic Amulet (Level 1), Basic Healing (Level 1)]
Kael remained motionless, his eyes fixed on the screen floating in front of him. The ethereal glow of the letters danced in the air, and he swallowed as he processed what he saw. His hands trembled slightly, not from fear, but from sheer disbelief.
The increase in his statistics was absurd. Each number, each incrent seed more like a testant to how far he had co. What had once been a battle for survival had now beco a transformation of surreal proportions. He... had beco sothing more. Sothing dangerous.
Kael stood up, stretching his muscles as if they were now more alive, more powerful. He could feel the difference. He felt the energy pulsing inside him, as if every cell was charged with an unknown power. He knew he was no longer at the sa level as before. It was sothing stronger, more controlled.
The sensation was overwhelming, but at the sa ti, he felt a growing restlessness. What he had achieved didn't seem to be enough, as if sothing was missing.
"Normally these Statuses should be much more impactful... even though I've received a lot... it still feels... pretty weak." He muttered to himself, frowned and raised his sword again, intending to continue his training. Sothing wasn't quite right. He felt as if there was an invisible barrier he couldn't break through.
"Well, I imagine sothing has happened. Let's keep it under control, Kael." He reminded himself, trying to convince himself to focus on what was in front of him. The sword was an extension of his will, and with it, he could control any situation. But before he could take the next step, the door to the room opened with a slight creak.
The figure that appeared in the doorway made Kael's heart pound, although he didn't want to admit it. Lyra was there, standing in the doorway. Her presence was undeniable. She wore secretary's clothes, but in a way that transcended the professional. The tight dress, the high heels and the shirt strategically open at the top, not to ntion the well-grood hair and the challenging gaze, transford her posture into sothing irresistibly attractive. She was perfectly balanced between elegance and an audacious sensuality that dominated the atmosphere.
Kael felt the air in the room change. His gaze fixed on her for a mont, before he cleared his throat, trying to dispel the distraction.
"Lyra..." he began, his voice lower, but charged with a curiosity he couldn't hide. "What do you want?"
Lyra smiled, her eyes shining with a mixture of amusent and a sowhat enigmatic intent. "I've got so things for you," she said, taking a seat at a nearby table, "I've brought the information from the guy you captured."
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