Ch 48 - Dungeon Training (2)

Albion slowly walked over. His sword was covered in mana that flickered like a violent flame. His new skill Weapon Mana in use. He felt it consume a lot of mana, but he had plenty to spare. Albion began to use Fear on them. Opponents who were scared were much easier to fight. But the goblins behind the barrier showed no fear of death. Even with Fear on they didn't know fear. Albion figured it was the same reason they didn't speak the monster language. Because they were fake constructs made by an artificial dungeon.

The barrier around the goblins fell as Albion walked in the puddles of ash. The burned forest around him reminded him of where he came from. But this time he was on the other side. He was the one with the power here. Acknowledging the three regular goblins and that other variants were all different. The three regular goblins charged at Albion as he swiftly cut them all in half. From left to right in one clean horizontal cut. With Weapon Mana he was a completely different swordsman. Not one regular goblins would ever have a chance of beating.

Albion: Just in case this is the tower artificial calculating what smart goblins would do in this situation. I hope you understand me. I make a promise I won't use magic… there's no need.

Albion smiled and taunted, the goblin variants seemed to get angry at the remark. Albion was surprised they could even understand him but it was useful like this. Even if the goblins seemed poorly designed compared to how they actually were. Any creature that fell into a taunt would be reckless. Yet this plan didn't seem to work either. They all seemed to have a plan without even discussing it. The large goblin with a battle axe moved in front of what Albion assumed was the mage. Another goblin with two daggers and another with a bow on the other side of the battle axe goblin. Another robed one behind the mage began to slowly chant.

Albion: If you all want to line up for me go ahead. I'll make sure to cut you all down.

A blue aura surrounded Albion as he charged towards the large goblin. Albion was fast as he left his steps before the water could even ripple, swinging his sword to cut the head off the larger goblin and move to the mage, the archer was not good enough to properly aim at Albion going this fast. But as Albion went to slash the larger goblin, its battle axe was quickly raised as a blue aura surrounded it. Weapon Mana. On collision sparks flew, a variety of blue hues as the large goblin grinned. Albion pushed harder but the goblin was stronger than him.

Albion: This… was not expected.

Albion was sent flying back as the large goblin swung its battle axe. Albion falling backwards into the ash. Then Albion felt something telling him to move, Albion rolled backwards fast on the floor. An arrow fired at him which he avoided. A dagger was thrown at Albion's head but he quickly parried it out of instinct. But his sword that parried the dagger blocked his vision from the very fast goblin that slid on the wet ashy floor and cut his leg.

Albion: {A fast one? Like an assassin? That's new.}

The shallow wound healed with Albions regeneration. The fast goblins tried to attack Albion again after grabbing the dagger it threw. Jumping and going for an X-like slash behind Albion, but he blocked the two daggers by turning and cutting down the middle. The slash stuck midway through the attack. Albion moved his head slightly as an arrow cut his ear and hit the fast goblin in the shoulder. The archer still trying to kill him, but instead making the goblin dropped a dagger on its right side as Albion cut through to the left arm that held the dropped dagger. Cutting off the arm compelled off. Another arrow fired into Albion's back. But that wasn't what Albion felt. Albion felt death looming over him as he used the goblin assassin's body to push himself out of the way. Avoiding a deadly swing from the large goblin. A battle axe that would have split Albion completely down the middle was now embedded deep into the ground in front of the one-armed goblin.

Albion went and charged at the mage. The mage formed a barrier but the barrier it formed was cut like paper as Albion brought down his sword. But as Albion got close to cutting the goblin's head off a bright light emerged from its cloak. Another barrier forming next to its neck. But Albion could barely cut through this one, with his momentum being slowed by the previous one. But he got through, ready to cut the goblin mage's head off, but not before a jet of water blasted him back.

Albion landed on his feet and took breaths to regain the wind that was knocked out of him by that hard force of water. But he immediately turned and ran to the large goblin, he couldn't take a break or else he would be taken advantage of, Albion avoiding an arrow that would have hit his head. As he got close, Albion swung his sword as the large goblin went to defend its head. But instead of decapitating the goblin, Albion dropped down and slid across the wet floor, severing one of its legs. Turning back while sliding in the mud and throwing a dagger into the back of its skull. The larger goblin dropping dead on the floor. But small black mists emanated from its wounds. It's skin slightly dripping.

Albion looked at the goblin without an arm in front of him as he picked it up by the back of its neck. It seemed to give up after it couldn't use one of its arms. Its face lacked emotion and it wasn't trying to scream or speak anymore.

Albion: Enjoy being a shield then.

Albion looked at the archer as he charged towards him. The archer watched as it didn't panic even in this situation taking out another arrow. Firing it as Albion blocked with the goblin he was holding. The arrow pierced the goblin assassin's skull. Throwing it hard as it collided with the goblin archer. Albion flashed Body Mana as he got a lot quicker, piercing them both into the floor with his sword. But a giant fireball hit him in the back. Battle Instinct being new and low in grade wasn't all-knowing. The burn on his back was severe.

Albion: Don't use heal, don't use heal. {OW OW OW!}

Albion turned around as he looked at the goblins. Running and severing the head off the goblin mage's body as his cloak didn't glow this time. Albion was too fast that it couldn't cast a spell. Albion now looking at the goblin behind as it continued chanting.

Albion: So what do you do?

The goblin slowly stopped changing as it smiled at Albion. The goblin had small rat corpses around his neck as they began to twitch and move. Albion senses something moving fast behind him, something dark, as he was smacked down to the ground. His Danger Barrier broke as he felt something stab into his back. Pinning him to the ground. Albion slightly turned his head as he shouted in pain. He saw Skeleton's feet. A skeleton pushing the weapon deep into his back. Albion, enhancing his Body Mana in a much larger aura swiped the leg of the skeleton hard while he was face down on the ground. Causing the skeleton to fall to the ground. Pressure alleviated from his back as Albion stabbed the goblin in front of him in the neck.

Albion felt the thing stabbing in his back disappear. All the goblins around him were dead as he slowly stood up in lots and lots of pain. It felt like he was nearly split in half. Taking deep breaths to calm his mind.

Albion: {Was that necromancy? So that was a rare goblin with an affinity for dark mana. Ow!}

Albion casted Heal and Purify. Also cleaning his dirty clothes with Clean.

[156/10]

[Do you want to move up to the next floor?]

Albion: Yes. {AHHHH! My back is killing me!}

There was a reason for his back killing him. He nearly lost the ability to walk as the axe that attacked him only landed millimetres away from his spine. Albion disappeared from the forest, going to the next floor. The forest that was ashy and burned slowly healing. Turning back into its previous luscious green look. Normal goblins appearing.

Scene change

Veldris: Hmmmm. So Sylvia's new disciple isn't completely useless. And what is this new magic he using? Did Sylvia create something new? And she didn't teach me?

Veldris was in a pitch-black room with many floating glass balls in the air. Every single glass ball had a student in view. Each student seen in the glass ball going through the tower. Some on the same floor as Albion, others much higher in the tower.

Veldris: He seems to be a better mage than a swordsman. He's a half-decent mage though.

Veldris clutched his hands as his old nails drew blood from his old and wrinkly hands. His face was scowling as he looked at the glass ball that showed Albion.

Veldris: But she dares take a commoner as a disciple. SHE'S MINE! A FILTHY COMMONER DARES EVEN APPROACH HER! MY PRECIOUS SYLVIA! ONLY I'M ALLOWED TO GET THAT CLOSE TO HER! YOU MONGREL!

Veldris had a stone spike appear and spear the glass ball Albion was seen in as it shattered. He was breathing erratically as he slowly tried to calm down, having a coughing fit before he could properly breathe.

Veldris: I… I just have to speak to her. She'll definitely take my side. I take care of her after all. I made the school she enjoys teaching in so much. I brought her the home she lives in. I'm a noble. An Arch Mage! She's mine. That dirty commoner dared to even breathe the same air. THE ONLY REASON I LET YOU IN THIS SCHOOL IS BECAUSE I RESPECT MY TEACHER'S JUDGMENT! THE TEACHERS I CHOOSE TO LEAD THE NOBLES OF THE FUTURE! REMEMBER THAT YOU RAT!

Veldris shouted in the dark as he had another coughing fit. Spitting up blood from his dry mouth.