"True Hubris" Abe finally activated his only breath. His opponent was tricky. Although Abe was stronger, the man he was facing had good reflexes. Abe wasn't sure how, but the man seemed to be capable of predicting his moves. Although Abe had landed a few good blows and avoided most of his opponent's attacks, he was getting frustrated. He reckoned that Mane was done by now. If his captain wasn't done yet, Abe was confident the blond boy would finish soon. He didn't want to be outdone.
Once he activated his breath his eyes became brighter. They were filled with pride and the dignity of a ruler. Other than that, there was no observable change. Many people wouldn't even have noticed the change in Abe's eyes. But the man Abe was facing wasn't an 'average' person. He was able to discern what many wouldn't.
Abe disappeared from the man's view, reappearing right behind him. The man's expression changed when Abelard disappeared. His glow quickly informed him that the enemy was behind him. But by the time it did, it was too late.
*Boom*
The pseudo-scholar was sent flying from the brutality of the attack. Although his glow was still functional, Abe's current speed had far outstripped his. He wasn't able to accurately foresee and avoid the attack. As he was sent flying through the air, he thought to himself that he needed to stay back and avoid a direct confrontation. It was going to be difficult to do since he was a rod user and was skilled in close combat. However, if he was able to open a sufficiently huge gap he could use 'that' ability he had just comprehended. He wasn't sure it would be enough to deal with the boy who had caused him so much grief. But it wasn't meant to kill or incapacitate Abelard. It was just supposed to buy him enough time so that he could escape from the kid.
Once he landed on the ground he flipped himself back up and jumped out of the way. And just in time too because Abe landed where he previously stood with his huge hammer. The hammer came crushing down with ferocity, crushing the ground into dust and creating spider web-like cracks on what remained.
*Boom*
Once the pseudo-scholar was sure he was a little safe, he activated the technique that was meant to save his life.
"Rod Arts: Flying Rod"
He hoisted the rod like it was a spear and flung it towards Abe with all his strength. He injected more than half of his remaining inner energy into the rod before he threw it. If this was his last resort, then he would try his best to pull it off.
Abe watched the rod fly towards him. It flew with ferocity, and an insane amount of inner energy. It was more inner energy than he could currently master. This realization allowed Abe to understand that this move was the man's last resort. If he was able to deal with it, he would be able to finish off the pest who had cost him so much time. His breath was still active. After his second awakening he had been able to fully comprehend 'Hubris'. The breath which initially started out as a fist technique was now a full energy technique. Not only did it boost his speed and strength, it also heightened his senses and strengthened his connection to the edict. But more importantly, it allowed him to use fire masterfully.
Since he had just awakened to the element of fire, his use of it couldn't be compared to the earth element. However Abe felt a strange connection to the fire element. It was different from his connection to the earth. He felt closer to fire. But he hadn't used it for long so he wasn't as proficient. Hubris created a bridge between him and fire. It allowed him to use it better. As he watched the rod fly towards him, getting bigger and bigger as it flew and making it impossible for him to escape the attack without direct confrontation, Abe closed his eyes to feel the connection he had just built with fire. It was still there. It was weak, but it was there. He held on to that connection, and used Hubris to make it stronger. Then he tugged on that energy. Once he confirmed the connection, he opened his eyes.
"Seven-walled fortress"
Abelard activated the technique Mane had given him to deal with the incoming rod. After his breakthrough into the profound realm, his inner energy pool had gotten bigger. He was now able to use this technique without expending much of his energy. Of course he could use all his inner energy to reinforce the walls but he didn't think it was necessary. The walls weren't the final solution. They were just the prelude.
*Boom*
*Boom*
*Boom*
*Boom*
*Boom*
*Boom*
*Boom*
The rod went through all seven walls. But it wasn't without cost. It had slowed down significantly. It would be too easy for Abe to dodge it now. Although it was still large and covered a wide area, it was so slow that even a seven year old could skid across the field without getting hit. That was exactly what Abelard was aiming for. He was planning to turn his opponent's attack against him.
"Hubris fist!"
Abelard screamed and struck the end of the rod with reckless abandon. His fist was coated in flames. They burned hot and bright. The flames quickly engulfed the rod as it was flung back to its owner. The rod which was completely engulfed in flames was sent back with the same ferocity it arrived with.
"This-" the pseudo-scholar had a bitter smile on his face as he watched the rod return to him. He expected Abelard to be sent back by the attack. At the very least the attack was meant to buy his some precious time. The momentum of the attack should have carried Abelard away from the battlefield. He didn't expect it to come back to him in less than ten seconds. That's right. Although it took so many words to explain, the entire ordeal had only lasted for a few seconds.
"Talk about getting screwed over" he vulgarly swore as the rod he had used for most of his adult life landed on him and took his life.
*Boom*
"I guess that's that" Abe stated when he felt his opponent's aura disappear. And it was just in time too because he felt an explosion of aura from Mane's end of the battlefield.
"Something's wrong" Abelard stated when he realized that Mane's aura was filled with fury. Mane wasn't one to lose his temper so easily. He needed to go there and check it out.
*Boom*
Abelard turned in shock at the unexpected change. The huge rod had reduced to its standard size, and the man who was supposed to be dead was holding it in his hand. The huge groove that was formed from the rod's ruthless descent was the evidence that the pseudo-scholar had indeed been buried there a few seconds ago.
"What is going on" Abelard wondered as he prepared to fight again. The man was different from earlier. His eyes were glazed over like an opium addict and he walked sluggishly. Yet even his slow movements seemed well coordinated. The aura the man gave off was vastly superior to the earlier one. His scholar senses kept warning him to be careful. Abe quickly summoned his combat armor out and dashed towards the possessed man.