Sneak Attack

While I was observing the skeletons I was thinking of how to go about defeating them.

'If I channel my mana too much, the skeletons will notice it and attack yet unless I do so, I cannot deal any significant damage against them.'

'Wait, if they sense the target's mana to find them, then can't I just fill in object with my mana to distract them?'

'The mana won't stay in the object too long but it should be long enough to attack.'

Not hesitating, I quickly pushed a sliver of mana into the dagger in my right hand before using the Sixth Movement of Flash Steps on my arm again, throwing the dagger at the back of a skeleton's head at an extremely fast speed. All of these actions happened within just a second seconds, not leaving time for the skeletons to react to my mana fluctuating.

*Crack!*

The dagger embedded itself into the back of the skeleton's skull before the force of the throw knocked it off its body at an extremely fast speed, landing not too far in front of the group of skeletons.

"Grrrrrhh!"

The rest of the skeletons, sensing mana had soared past them immediately pounced at where the skull and dagger had landed without noticing it was a part of their brethren.

'Now!'

'Fifth Movement.'

Normally, if I had used almost any other movement or art just the speed of my mana flowing would give my stealth. But with the fifth movement of Flash Steps, by trading in some time and more mana, I could move farther and faster than I normally could with the other movements. This is especially useful as I could focus on maintaining my stealth while using an art. This was due to having to spend more time to control my mana.

Taking my remaining dagger from my left and now holding it in my right hand, I prepared to do a horizontal strike while trying to control the mana in my body carefully. Focused on the flow of mana within my body, I concentrated on making sure that my mana doesn't flare up while using another art.

It was an interesting experience trying to make sure my mana didn't spill out while using multiple arts. To make things easier for myself, I used a mental image of two streams of mana intertwining with one-another into one twisted stream.

Feeling my mana discretely building up throughout my body, I stepped forward and slashed as well.

*Thud!*

Three skeletons that were the closest after I flash stepped ended up being bisected in half.

Despite three of their own being taken down right behind them, the other skeletons didn't notice me at all even after the dagger I threw lost its mana.

Taking advantage of my stealth, I used the sixth movement of Flash Steps again on my right arm.

'Sixth Movement.'

Doing a speed-burst jab, I managed to pierce another skeletons skull.

Seeing the results, I went after the other skeletons the same way.

…

As he was watching the 'battle', Alistar was slowly starting to go crazy because of Rick's progress.

[He already grasped how to use Shadow Cloak? It hasn't been that long as well! Not only that, he already can use multiple arts as well?!]

Using multiple arts at once wasn't something uncommon for a skilled and or an experienced fighter, but it was crazy for someone who had just learned the arts less than half-an-hour ago.

As the last skeleton fell to the ground with its skull pierced, Alistar sighed despondently before muttering to himself.

[Look at him go… With his speed of progression, he'll catch up to his peers in no time. He might be even more talented than me in manipulating mana.]

[He might be able to learn Mirage Steps even sooner than I anticipated…

…

"Phew."

I sighed from exhaustion as I stood around the bones of the defeated skeletons.

Picking up the dagger I threw earlier, I looked at myself in contemplation.

'This is definitely strange. I do not remember Rick having any talent to become stronger this fast. Just what else is going to be different from the novel?'

Before I could deeper about it, Alistar clapped to get my attention.

[Well done, you've truly surprised me with the stunning progress you have made. It won't be long before you can learn Mirage Steps, but let's stop here for today.]

"Eh? But I can kee-"

Midway through speaking, I suddenly felt light-headed before falling backwards straight onto the floor.

'Ow… Guess I was more exhausted than I thought I was.'

Alistar pointed out my condition to further prove his point.

[See, you need to rest. Not only have you spent quite a bit of your limited mana, your body is strained from using Flash Steps.]

Feeling drowsy, I couldn't help but start to drift off to sleep.

Noticing my drowsiness, Alistar was exasperated.

[Hey, I didn't mean right now!]

Ignoring his exasperated outburst, I had a thought before fully succumbing to exhaustion.

'How careless of me…'