Chapter 81 – A Step Forward
[Alden's POV]
The soreness still lingered in my muscles, a dull ache from overexerting voidstep. But it wasn't anything I couldn't handle.
I pushed myself up from the bed, stretching out my stiff limbs. The events of last night replayed in my mind—the chaos of the black market, the stolen items, and the leader of the Veiled Serpent, Rose.
She saw me. She noticed me.
And that meant she would start looking for me.
Shiranui, my fox companion, lay curled on the bed beside me, tails flicking lazily. "You're thinking too much again," she murmured, her golden eyes half-lidded with amusement.
Kurenai, my sword, chuckled from where it rested in the corner. "Let him be. The fool's realizing how reckless he was."
I rolled my eyes. "I'm not reckless. I planned everything."
"Sure," Kurenai replied, sarcasm thick in his tone.
Ignoring them, I dragged myself into the bathroom for a quick shower. The hot water eased some of the stiffness, and by the time I stepped out, I felt more like myself again.
Throwing on a black shirt and comfortable pants, I headed for the mini-fridge.
A half-eaten sandwich and a bottle of water.
It wasn't much, but it would do.
---
After eating, I pulled out one of the stolen items—the potion.
The liquid inside the vial was a deep crimson, swirling faintly as if alive.
This wasn't just any potion.
It would increase my mana capacity.
And more importantly, it would make future mana growth easier.
Shiranui wrinkled her nose. "That smells disgusting."
Kurenai scoffed. "Stop complaining. It's not like he's offering you any."
I ignored their bickering and drank the potion in one go.
The effect was immediate.
A burning heat spread from my core, racing through my mana circuits. It wasn't painful, but it was intense.
My entire body felt like it was absorbing something potent.
I clenched my fists, allowing the sensation to settle before opening my status window.
---
[Status Window]
Name: Alden Blackwood
Race: Human
Rank: D-
Mana Capacity: D → D+
Affinities: None
Physique: Enhanced (Due to Purification)
---
Basic Stats
Strength: D-
Agility: D
Intelligence: C+
Mana: D → D+
Stamina: D-
---
Skills
Eclipse vision
Voidstep (Trait)
Ability: Allows the user to phase through objects and enter a personal pocket dimension. They can teleport by stepping through space itself.
Illusions & Mind Control – Can trap enemies in illusions or briefly control weak minds.
Enhanced Perception – Slows down movements and improves reaction speed.
Mana Manipulation (Intermediate) – Allows precise control over mana circulation.
Stealth (Basic) – Reduces presence and sound of movement.
Aura Control (Intermediate) – Enables reinforcement of the body and weapons using aura.
Telekinesis (Intermediate) – Grants control over objects using mana and willpower.
Mark of Connection (Unique) – Allows Alden to imprint a mark on objects, enabling mana transfer, reinforcement, and remote interaction.
---
Weapon Arts Progress
Five Forms of the Crimson Moon (5-Star) [1/5 Unlocked]
First Form: Lunar Severance – A devastating single slash that cuts through mana defenses.
Shadow Fang Dagger Art (3-Star) [30% → 40% Proficiency]
A fast, deceptive dagger art specialized in speed and misdirection.
Phantom Edge Sword (2-Star) [63% → 70% Proficiency]
A balanced style that blends offense and defense.
Swift Blade Style (2-Star) [70% → 78% Proficiency]
A sword art designed for rapid attacks and movement.
Shadow Step Footwork (2-Star) [72% → 80% Proficiency]
I stared at the status window, absorbing the changes.
My mana capacity had increased, and my weapon proficiency had improved.
The potion's effect on mana was obvious, but my constant battles and training in the dungeon had also paid off.
High-star techniques took longer to improve, but even a small increase meant better control and execution.
I exhaled and leaned back in my chair.
"This was worth it."
Shiranui yawned. "Good for you. Maybe next time, drink something that doesn't smell like death."
Kurenai chuckled. "Stop whining. He's getting stronger."
Shiranui huffed but didn't argue.
A small step forward.
But progress was progress.
Now, it was time to plan my next move.
--
The morning air was crisp, carrying the scent of damp earth and leaves.
The academy grounds were vast, but most students never ventured beyond the training fields and classrooms. However, behind the academy lay a stretch of dense forest, untouched and teeming with natural mana.
It was the perfect place to clear my head.
Shiranui hopped onto my shoulder, her small, fluffy form warm against my neck. "You're unusually quiet today," she remarked.
Kurenai, strapped to my back, hummed. "Let me guess—you're overthinking again?"
I didn't answer. Instead, I adjusted the black cloak I had thrown over myself and stepped into the wilderness.
--
The further I went, the quieter everything became.
Birds chirped in the distance, but aside from that, it was just the rustling leaves and the occasional crunch of twigs beneath my boots.
I wasn't just aimlessly wandering.
I had been here before.
In the game, there was a small, mana-filled clearing within the forest, a naturally formed space where mana gathered.
And I needed it.
After last night, my mind was in chaos.
The blood, the slaughter, the burning corpses.
I had killed monsters before.
But this was different.
The sheer scale of death was unlike anything I had ever witnessed.
And I knew—this was only the beginning.
---
Reaching the Meditation Spot
After nearly half an hour of walking, I finally arrived.
The clearing was exactly as I remembered.
A ring of ancient trees enclosed the space, their roots stretching deep into the ground, absorbing the thick mana in the air.
The grass glowed faintly, a sign of natural mana saturation.
I stepped into the center, breathing in deeply.
Kurenai spoke first. "So, what's the plan? Meditation?"
I nodded.
Shiranui stretched lazily across my lap. "Don't take too long. Sitting around doing nothing is boring."
I closed my eyes.
The moment I focused my breathing, the images returned.
Bodies collapsing, screams fading into silence, the scent of blood thick in the air.
I clenched my fists.
If not for voidstep and my enhanced vision, I would have died countless times.
It wasn't just a matter of strength.
The sheer number of high-ranking individuals present made survival nearly impossible.
And yet, I had walked through the chaos untouched.
Like a ghost.
I exhaled, letting the thoughts settle.
I needed to accept it.
This world wasn't a game anymore.
Death was real.
And I would have to kill again.
The thought didn't frighten me, but it left a strange hollowness in my chest.
Not guilt.
Not sadness.
Just… emptiness.
I pushed those thoughts aside and focused on the mana around me.
The dense energy in the clearing made it easier to guide my own flow.
I activated Aura Control and let the energy seep into my limbs.
The effect was immediate.
The strain from overusing voidstep eased.
The lingering stiffness in my body faded.
Mana coursed through me in steady waves, stabilizing my core.
Kurenai's voice broke the silence. "Don't dwell too much, Alden."
I opened my eyes.
Shiranui tilted her head, golden eyes gleaming. "He's right, you know. The past is the past."
I let out a quiet chuckle. "Says the ones who keep nagging me."
Kurenai scoffed. "That's called wisdom."
Shiranui flicked her tail. "No, that's called annoying."
I stood up, rolling my shoulders.
The meditation had helped.
My mind was clearer now.
The next time I found myself in a situation like that… I wouldn't just survive.
I would thrive.
---
To Be Continued…