Inside a dark narrow space.
Levitating atop an open palm was a luminous orb of dark light that pulsated oddly. Thick malevolent energy radiated from the ball of light.
"Bead Of Destruction."
A small quiver escaped from his lips, as two dark grey eyes stared in the direction orb.
The bead was made by sacrificing countless souls. It was a key to his rise. Once taken, his strength would reach an unimaginable level.
Closing his eyes to conceal his excitement, the man softly brought his hand towards his mouth and tried to consume the ball.
However, before he could consume it.
Rumble!Rumble!Rumble!
A surge of majestic energy sprouted out from the ceiling with a loud blast.
Swish!Swish!Swish!
Lightning flashes appeared in a zig-zag manner and a figure covered in lightning appeared.
The figure appeared behind the man and before the man could react, a thick undulating mass of energy spread over.
CLING!
"Ahhhhhhh!"
A startled terrified voice pierced the air.
A surge of majestic energy began to spread, extending around the area where he was struck.
"Impossible!"
"Who are you!"
"Kheumm!"
The man vomited blood and his voice quivered upon seeing a man covered with a black mask lodging his spear into his chest.
He then stared at the tip of the spear sprouting out from the front and tried to move.
"W...Where are the guards?" He spoke in a pained voice.
"Dead."
A cold voice echoed from the other side.
"Haa."
Opening his mouth, turbid air began to escape from his mouth.
"It's not over."
The man murmured, suppressing his pain and then tried to engulf the orb, but a flash appeared and his wrist flung into the air.
"Nooooo! My years of hard work!" The man screamed.
Despite the pain of the spear lodged over his back, he jumped towards the orb but he was pinned down on the ground.
"Aaahhhhhh!"
"Do you feel pain?"
A mocking voice resounded from the back that gave him chills.
The man's body froze and he stared at the enemy with a hateful gaze.
"You surely feel pain, huh!"
"Now think about the pain of the thousands of innocent common people you have killed and extracted their souls to make this thing."
"You disgusting devil wizard, Ikasa."
The lightning covering the person's body disappeared and the sight of a blue-haired man with a beastly pair of eyes reflected in the man's eyes.
"Frost? You are from the Frosts. I don't have any enmity with you so why?" He asked in a bewildered tone.
"You don't but I have."
"Now, die!"
BOOM!
The tip of his spear glowed and with a thunderous noise, the entire area in front of him exploded into pieces.
As the dust dissipated, Frederick gasped in relief witnessing the death of this guy with his hand.
"Finally, I can breathe in relief."
"This man won't cause any calamity in the future."
[What are you going to do with the orb containing souls?]
Frederick walked towards the dark mass floating over the ground.
As Frederick extended his hand, a scream echoed over his ears.
[Frederick, don't consume it .The power you will gain isn't worth it.]
From the moment Frederick had made a forced breakthrough, things had been quite hectic as he had looked around for ways to increase his strength as quickly as possible. If not for Saintess's blessing, he would have suffered a hidden injury and now taking the orb might cause irreversible damage and as its subordinates, it didn't want to see his master take a wrong step.
"Did you think of me as an idiot?" Frederick glared at his spear.
"Only an insane person would consume this. This thing might boost one's strength but it will shorten your lifespan and you won't remain human anymore."
[So, what are you going to do now? Are you going to hand it over to the Church to purify it.]
"No. The Church should be going through an internal crisis right now. The Saintess had already started cleaning, still we can't trust the lower rank Priest as who knows how many might be in cahoots with dark forces."
[Then what?]
A playful grin appeared across Frederick's face.
Frederick bit his thumb and drew a circle from the blood oozing out from his finger.
"Let's make a deal with him."
[Deal? Do you want to make a deal with the King Of Hell? Are you insane?]
"Don't worry. Compared to those Evil Gods, this guy is quite cute."
[Bullshit. Out of all those insane existence, you called him cute. If he hears that, he will do everything to descend here and teach you a lesson.]
[Frederick stop this!]
The spear screamed in his head but Frederick turned a blind eye to his blabbering.
[I knew it. It's all because of that Parth's influence. That guy is a menace, even I who have lived through countless eras can't handle that guy's bullshit. He has the unfathomable power to corrode a person. Frederick, you are done for by that guy.]
Frederick blinked his eyes in confusion and stared at his spear-spouting bullshit.
'Sure enough, this guy is affected by Parth more than me.'
Finishing the blood circle, Frederick placed the orb at the centre and began his chant of the forbidden spell.
"King of Hell, let's make a deal."
.....
When Lucas opened his eyes, he found himself lying in the cosy thatched bed made of straws.
"Are you alright now?"
Lucas rubbed his groggy eyes and stared at Harris who took a few puffs of his cigar and then blew the air at him.
"Ha!"
Lucas gasped feeling slight discomfort all over his body. His muscles had been sore and exhausted since day five but he carried on regardless.
Sometimes, he cried while other times he burst out in anger but no matter what Harris didn't show him any pity.
For the past few days, he had even forgotten how time flashed by and how many days had been since the torture session began.
Lucas stared at his tattered clothes soaked in blood and asked "Why didn't you change my clothes?"
"Did you think of me as your nurse? When I was on the battlefield, we kept wearing the same clothes for a month. Water and food were a blessing for us."
Lucas' words choked on his throat seeing those dark gazes.
"You said you are going to teach me a weapon art. When are you going to do that?"
"Today!"
Harris's answer startled Lucas.
"Really?!" Lucas' eyes gleamed with joy.
"However, before that I want you to take some rest. You passed out yesterday so in this gap of one day, your body might have recovered from the fatigue however this is it. Once you start learning the technique, you can't rest, you can't sleep. You may also lose control over your emotions, that's why you need to be in an optimal state and adjust your mind."
Lucas stared at Harris's solemn expression and nodded his head.
"So, all I have to do is rest?" Lucas asked with scepticism.
"No!"
"I want you to meditate and empty your head. At the same time keep on channelling your mana and fill yourself with vigour." Harris spoke, waving his hand.
"Empty my mind." A frown appeared on Lucas's face.
"That's more difficult than training."
"It is but a warrior needs to empty his mind and need to have a blank state of mind before the battle. Just try your best and relax, for the time being."
Taking a deep breath, Lucas stood up and struggled to keep his balance. He did some minor stretches and started meditating.
Harris observed Lucas.
Previously, Lucas had the golden aura encasing him but with time, one can see a tint of reddish aura covering the golden aura from outside, seeing that a smile appeared on Harris's face.
'He is finally ready.'
.....
Lucas swung his sword while taking steps in a rhythmical pattern that was taught by Harris.
After doing some light exercise, Lucas turned towards Harris.
"What are you going to be teaching me? A part of your sword art or a lesser version?" Lucas asked curiously.
"Lucas!"
Harris's sudden roar startled Lucas.
"This technique is my foundation. It's proof of my identity. In this entire continent, except for me, those who knew this art can be counted on one hand."
Lucas's heart started to boil hearing this.
"Lucas, today I am going to impart the art that wielded throughout my year. The name of the art is Abyssal Asura Sword Art consisting of 5 Movements."
"But most people know it as Asura Wrath:5 Stance.''
Lucas's expression faltered for a moment.
'Why did it sound like something that came out from a chunniboy?'
'Still, it sounds familiar. Where did I hear this? Maybe it's because of the word Asura.'
Lucas shook his head and complimented "That's a cool name but it sounds quite absurd.''
"It is what it is. I didn't give the name."
'I see, at least this guy doesn't have 8th-grade syndrome.'
"This art can be performed with any weapon as long as you master it. You can also make it your own and then develop a suitable version of it." Harris explained.
"Which grade is it?"
Harris gave Lucas a scroll made of beast's skin.
"The art doesn't have a Grade and depends on the user's skills. If you master it, you can even destroy a Grade 5 sword art quite easily. The true essence of this art is to wield your emotions."
At the moment Harris's red hair fluttered and a reddish enshine covered him giving Lucas a mystical feeling.
Harris drew his sword and took a stance. An overbearing aura akin to that of a person that dominates the entire world appeared from Harris.
"It consists of 5 movements," Harris spoke and executed a slash that didn't carry any momentum but Lucas's heart trembled as he could feel the entire world seem to be vibrating.
Pressure as if a mountain was put upon Lucas weighed him down. His balance faltered and he fell onto the ground but even after this,his eyes were locked onto those surreal mesmerising moments.
It was elegant and at the same time, it was quite destructive to the point that it stirs the heart.
"Swordsmanship reflects the suppressed desire of the inner you and would be an outlet to make the world feel your feelings."
"In each move, you can convert your anger, resentment, grievances, pain, suffering, sadness and all those fleeting emotions weighing in your heart into your strength."
"Look carefully as each slash is a declaration of your wrath and fight against the injustices you have suffered."
"Whether it's against humans or the whole world, once my sword moves, anyone who stands against me should be prepared to bear my Wrath."
Swoosh!
Finishing the sword moves, as soon as Harris put down the sword, under Lucas and every living being's astonishing gaze, the sky above them started to rip apart.
What the hell?Is he really a 6-Star?'
'This guy is pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger.'
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