"T-This… This matter… I will think about in the future. Spirit Ster, you are right that it would indeed be ideal if that was the case, but the main principle regarding that is for me to still become strong! In this world, almost everything can be decided if one is strong enough, so there's no point in thinking about it now! Anyways, I'm surprised that you were even able to think of something like this in the first place… it seems like I greatly underestimated your way of thinking."
Noctis was still a bit dazed during the first part of what he said, but overtime he was able to relax and calmly speak the rest of his words. This was because he hurriedly changed the topic to his lack of strength, so with this cover and ambition, he was able to righteously say that he would indeed need strength no matter what! The last part of what Noctis had said was meant to somewhat ridicule Spirit Ster's intelligence, as he gave a subtle sneer while he continued walking behind Spirit Magi.
Spirit Ster had caught on to Noctis's words, but wasn't troubled by it at all as it said,
"Hahaha kid, no need to disguise your words if I can tell what your intent is… you would be surprised of the amount of experience I have gained in the past and the number of different ways I did to gain the knowledge that I have accumulated. In my youth, before I had acquired the title of an 'Empyrean,' I had spent many of my days chasing after women and was able to win the hearts of many of them! From this matter alone, I am far ahead of you because I have seen what you were like as a child! I can tell that you don't have much experience with women, which is why you were very hesitant about it, but don't worry I can help! I can help if you come begging me for it! Hahahaha…" |
Noctis furrowed his brows as he wasn't able to refute any of Spirit Ster's words, but he was quite interested in the spirit's past. He thought about asking, but he realized that it wasn't really the right time for it and that he didn't know the spirit all too well for him to just casually ask…
A couple of moments later, Noctis and Spirit Magi finally reached the ground level after walking down the path from the tall mountain for what seemed like a long time.
Noctis moved forward to stand right beside Spirit Magi, and noticed that his vision had entirely been taken up by the sight of countless trees and bushes ahead of him. He took a few more steps forward, but then heard Spirit Magi say something with its deep and hoarse voice,
["You have received special training by your adoptive father and the trusted warriors beside him during the time you were in Highwind Kingdom. It seems that you were quite talented in the way of battle before you had lost your physique… not to mention that you had studied upon a variety of methods in techniques and skills even after you did lose it… You were quite ambitious, but you have slept for several years, so your abilities might be rusty."]
Noctis lightly smiled and thought for a moment before replying,
"When I was a child, my adoptive father had taken notice that I was especially keen towards the natural energy of the world and the use of insight during a battle. It is known that every cultivator in this world relies on the power of insight, since it's not only the basis of it, but it affects the natural energy as it overlaps with it and distorts it. They are like strings… invisible countless strings that is prevalent in the entire world and permeates through all living beings. Insight in the most specific sense could be regarded as a unique type of energy, but in the general broad sense, it is knowledge and with it contains the secrets of the Dawnfire World…"
Noctis stopped for a moment and closed his eyes to remember the words his wise adoptive father had spoken to him before continuing,
"I was 'talented' in the way of battle because of something called 'Premonition Insight Perception,' which apparently only a handful of people possess. This ability is formally known to grasp various information a slight ahead of time due to recognition of the use of insight that affects the natural energy in the surrounding area… Before I even knew what the term was called, I had called it 'Precognition,' but it wasn't merely limited to being able to predict and anticipate any attacks coming my way due to the opponent's use of insight. I felt that it was much more than that… like it was an extrasensory perception that allows me to subconsciously move my body after analyzing my opponent's involuntary movements in real time!"
Noctis had thought that this strange ability of 'Precognition' had always been an extremely helpful and convenient tool for him, which essentially greatly heightened his senses. This not only helped him against opponents that were a part of the 100 Races, but against beasts and other creatures that relied on physical strength and not much on insight.
He didn't know how he had gotten this ability, and wasn't really sure that he was born with it or he somehow mysteriously gained it... Either way, this enabled him to have a better chance of survival even though it was definitely not 100% useful to him if it ever came down to facing against an opponent that was way stronger than he was.
There was a limit to his ability and it was that he simply couldn't be overwhelmed. During a real battle to the death, he couldn't just continually rely on it because it would be extremely risky and that the outcome of a match could be instantaneously decided! He was still a weak cultivator after all, so how could he bare to overload his mind by constantly trying to see every preemptive attack coming his way!? And even if he did, what would be the use if he wasn't able to defend himself from repetitive attacks or from a very fatal strike?
He turned to slightly look at Spirit Magi, but didn't continue on talking about his 'Precognition' ability. Rather, he changed the subject and asked a question regarding the area that he was in,
"Spirit Magi, I need to increase my cultivation base as quickly as I can, and there's no other better way of doing so other than fighting the beasts and creatures in Mount Trinity. Can you sense that there are low-level creatures around?"
Noctis started to walk through the woods and carefully observed his surroundings while Spirit Magi 'latched' onto his body by slowly floating around near him,
["Yes… there are a lot of Forest Wild Boars around this area and the people of Mount Trinity usually hunt them for food and for their hide. There are various sizes to them, and the larger ones are barely enough for you to handle considering your cultivation base. It really depends on your ability to fight, but you shouldn't have any problems… Don't disappoint me and the Old Great One Animo's divine power that resides within you."]
Noctis was a bit off guard by the sudden statement made at the end by Spirit Magi, but he didn't falter and resolutely said,
"You won't be disappointed!"
Noctis walked for a short time and had walked past several bushes before he was able to notice many animal footprint tracks on the ground.
He kneeled down and closely observed it before coming to a conclusion that it was somewhat fresh and had been made by several animals of the same species. The footprints were spread and disordered, which made him think that they were chased or was simply running away from something.
Noctis didn't continue any longer and had increased his pace as he followed the footprint tracks since it was obviously going to lead him towards the animal… It wasn't before long that he was able to find what he was looking for.
He found several Forest Wild Boars as they were drinking water from a small river stream!
He didn't immediately attack them because he knew that they were in a pack and that he had to make sure that there wasn't a 'king-sized' Forest Wild Boar amongst them.
Noctis was at the First Level of the Mortal Blood realm and he definitely had no choice but to run at the sight of one. He was confident that he could fight it for a short while, but to kill it with his own hands would be an extremely difficult task. It would also be difficult if there were more Forest Wild Boars and that he would have trouble escaping if they were very aggressive and were hell-bent on killing him!
Noctis carefully searched through his surroundings and realized that the other Forest Wild Boars were not far from him and there weren't that many. He also found no traces of a king-sized Forest Wild Boar, so he finally decided to come out and face the Forest Wild Boars that were near the river stream.
This would be the first time Noctis would fight after waking up from his slumber!