Chapter 22: Wind Breather

The hovercar's speed slowed down not because its speed was slower when flying compared to when it was on the ground but because of safety.

Humans carved their own place in the world but it wasn't like they fully controlled every nook and cranny of the realm.

Aside from the territories that humans actively governed, there are many places that are dominated by other races such as demihumans and magic beasts.

Without absolute power, how could one not remain conscious when traveling outside their turf?

Kyrell is already aware of this and he wasn't surprised by the slow flying speed of the car.

"This ambush... how confident are you in winning?" Kyrell questioned. It surely is a matter of time before the people sent by the Evander Family would come to ambush him and turn him into a cripple.

Of course, whether they will succeed or not is a question.

"100%" Melissa answered with a grin and Kyrell raised his brows.

"And why is that?" He asked, wanting to know where Melissa's confidence was coming from.

The maid's grin grew even bigger as she gave a short answer. "Herrick Ashton".

Upon hearing that familiar name, Kyrell nodded his head in understanding. He also grew confident that his cultivation would be saved.

"To think that father would even send Herrick Ashton to protect me"

Herrick Ashton... that is the strongest Serpent Death Guard under Fraser's command. His power rivaled even the strongest Elders in the clan.

With him taking action, even if the Elders were to move personally, their success is also not guaranteed.

"Herrick Ashton will not only protect the Young Master until we arrive in the Royal Academy. He will stay in the Royal Capital as long as Young Master is there" Melissa continued and at first, Kyrell was surprised but he soon calmed down.

"Understood" he replied swiftly and their journey continued.

—-

"Young Master, please drink the soup while it's still warm" Melissa said while handing a bowl of newly cooked soup to Kyrell.

"Thank you" he said while accepting the soup.

To reach the Royal Capital would take more than a day considering that they have to drive slowly and carefully to ensure that they can act fast in case of emergency.

Fortunately, the Everbright Kingdom's territory is not that large. In a few days, even with the slowed speed of the hover car, they would reach their destination.

Kyrell calmly used a spoon to scoop a small amount of soup and sipped it before looking at Melissa.

"Say, isn't this the best time for them to launch an ambush" he asked with a grin and Melissa unconsciously nodded her head before her eyes constricted.

She looked at Kyrell for a moment in shock but she immediately regained her composure.

She stood up from her seat and retrieved her sharp needles. Even the 'driver' who was actually also a Serpent Death Guard stood up and went behind Kyrell to protect him.

At first, only the sound of the insect can be heard in the stillness of the night until more than a dozen figures clad in dark clothing suddenly appear.

These people were releasing a menacing aura with three of them even being Genetic Strengtheners.

"Focus on the target!" One of them who seemed to be the leader shouted and they retrieved their flying weapons.

They concentrated their attack against Kyrell who stared at them without even an ounce of fear. Although his group was severely outnumbered, he didn't feel the least bit afraid.

In fact, there was even a hint of ridicule in his eyes as if these men clad in dark clothing were mere circus clowns.

The assassins threw their daggers and shurikens, focusing their firepower on Kyrell who is the weakest of everyone present.

Just before Melissa and the driver can move to defend Kyrell against the flying weapons, a figure wearing a brown combat suit suddenly appears.

This man was holding a sword in his right hand and he moved like the wind.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Sparks flew everywhere as a single sword managed to deflect dozens of daggers and shurikens. The speed he demonstrated was simply inhuman.

His cold blade reflected his stone-cold face as he easily dealt with the assassins' first round of attack.

"It's the Wind Breather!"

"Damn it! How could the Wind Breather be here?!"

"W-were screwed!"

The assassins that saw who the newcomer was were immediately engulfed with fear. They are not unfamiliar with this person and because of that, they cannot help but feel like they would lose despite the numerical advantage that they have.

"The Wind Breather... Herrick Ashton... his reputation amongst the Genetic Strengtheners is no joke" Kyrell thought while calmly watching the 'show'.

Herrick is a fearsome cultivator and no ordinary Genetic Strengtheners can be his match. His Cultivation Art is called "Wind Breathing Art" and is a cultivation art even superior to the Spirit Serpent Art.

Compared to mainstream Cultivation Art which only requires the cultivator to increase their mana capacity to breakthrough, the Wind Breathing Art is different.

Aside from the 'basic' requirements, the cultivator must also 'inhale' wind and contain the wind inside their bodies. They are not able to have any breakthrough if they don't absorb enough wind into their bodies.

Of course, the wind that they inhaled wouldn't stay as normal wind. If not then even before reaching the peak of the Genetic Awakener Realm, the cultivator's body might have inflated to the point that they would explode.

No, the wind will fuse with the cultivator's mana and form a higher-quality wind-attributed mana. The advantage is that their mana's quality is higher but the disadvantage is that cultivators that cultivated the Wind Breathing Art can only use attacks with the attribute of the wind.

Also, in the higher rank, normal wind is not enough. The cultivator must absorb more potent wind which poses significant danger. Not to mention, Herrick Ashton only owed the manual of the Art up to the Genetic Strengthener Realm.

If he wants to reach the Spirit Nourisher Realm, then he must either get the continuation of the manual or develop the next part himself. Any of the two is hard.

However, while there are disadvantages, the advantages are also very powerful. Even without controlling his mana, Herrick's body was naturally enhanced compared to normal cultivators, specifically his speed.

If he were to use mana to enhance his physical abilities then his speed would be even more fearsome. Most cultivators aren't able to react before dying from his sword.

Speed is supreme! If you are fast enough, you can kill the enemies without giving them a chance to retaliate.

"Zero, record this battle. I will need you to simulate his power and attack in the future when I train"

Zero has many functions one of which is that it can simulate the attack pattern and strength of cultivators and later on, use it for training.

Kyrell would be able to see things that only he can see. By simulating certain people, his combat experience would definitely rise faster than his peers!

"Don't be afraid! They have a weakness. As long as we get hold of the brat, we will win!" One of the assassins said to calm the others and Kyrell can't help but have a sense of dejavu.

The same thing happened more than a month ago. The evil cultivators thought that they could use him but in the end, they were all killed by his guards.

Before the assassins can move, Herrick Ashton, the Wind Breather already beat them to it. He suddenly moved without a warning and with utmost ease, his sword penetrated the chest of a Genetic Awakener.

"Ackk!" The assassin's eyes widened in shock, his mouth tainted with the color of fresh blood

"N-no..."

That was the last thing he said before all the light in his eyes vanished and he died.

"Damn it!" The assassins can't help but curse and they jump back to create some distance from the Wind Breather.

However, as wise as their move was, their capabilities were not enough. It was as if the Wind Breather vanished from their vision and when he reappeared, another assassin was killed, his body splitting in half from the waist.

This scene horrified the assassins but they still did their best to counterattack. Most of them threw daggers and shurikens while the stronger Genetic Strengtheners used their skills

"[Martial Skill: Fireball!]"

The three assassins created a triangular shape using their hands and they gathered their mana into it. Their mana soon turned into a burning ball of flames that raised the surrounding temperature and fired it while still backing away.

It was foolish to engage in close combat with such an enemy that can move this fast.

In return, the Wind Breather poured strength into his legs as he activated a sword stance.

"[Core Skill: Raging Slashes!]"

Mana gathered and coated the Wind Breather's sword. His mana was different from pure neutral mana as it was pale green in color and exuded a sense of sharpness.