"Bzzt, bzzt, bzzt!"
The fight was over yet, the rapidly flowing aura of anger instantly started wrecking havoc within his muscles and veins.
Countless bright, crimson flares simultaneously were sucked back to the crystals which Aedan stored away in his pocked. Following that, the armor broke as well revealing Aedan in a white suit.
Looking back, Aedan was shocked at his progression. For five months he came to this region where he would train and try to adapt to his newfound abilities.
Slowly turning his head, Aedan caught sight of the three youths.
Previously, when the Frostbite Spiders assaulted these people, Aedan knew they had no chance. Despite approaching the late stages of the core formation, Anne, Luke and Rayan's bodies couldn't handle the frostbite venom which affect even those of higher stages.
Since it was an opportunity to test himself, Aedan brought forth the Crimson Heartspark Armor and rushed into the fight.
In his armored form, the frostbite venom of the spiders couldn't get to him which made a lot easier.
Considering it all, he was pretty satisfied with the result and as proof of that the aura within his body changed to yellow. This is one of the nine auras projected by his emotions.
Contrary to the Aura of Anger which was aggressive and explosive perfect to use in fights, the yellow aura was soft and mellow. As it flowed through his body, every cut and bruise on his skin was healed very quickly.
Aedan lifted his head and spotted the returning group of people. He said with a smile while pointing at the bodies beneath him. "I won't need it, you three can have it."
Behind him, the bodies of the frostbite spiders began oozing with a bright green light. That was the life essence of the beasts dissipating into the air, this essence was highly beneficial to every being and even more for those in the path of lifeforce.
"Are you sure?" The older of the three, Rayan hesitated. Despite inexpedient, he knew very well not to trust people of unknown origins. The beastly essence of these frostbite spiders are worth a fortune! Who would give it up so easily and offer to three weak Lifeforce Warriors like them.
Aedan noticed his thoughts and after a second he had a idea and followed. "Oh, were you scared by my astral artifact? I was just testing it out. I'm not any older than you guys. There's no need to be courteous."
'Astral Artifact?' The three of them froze and then their eyes moved to the white suit, stopping over the milky-white belt. As students of the noble Sword Empire, they knew of Astral Artifacts, Items imbued with great power.
Of all the forces in the continent, the sword empire is the few who possess such artifact and it is only available to the imperial family.
Rumors of such items were everywhere and one thing everybody knew was that only Astral Warriors can use these artifacts.
"Really? I seriously mistook you for an old monster for a moment." Luke stepped forward with big smiles and gave Aedan a friendly punch.
Aedan smiled back. The reason he was friendly to them was because he recognized the insignia on their armor, it belonged to any of the institutes of the Sword Empire.
Among all forces in the outside world, the sword empire is famous for sticking only on the path of lifeforce training and the pratice of the sword. They abhorred the use of anything such as drugs, artifacts and all that could potentially increase their strength in a unnatural way.
The people from there are all straightforward and only acknowledge the strong. As long one proved themselves, they would still respect those who opted to use artifacts or special kinds of medicine in battle even if it was against their beliefs.
Behind him, Rayan was relieved to know the one before him wasn't an old monsters, and could interact with Aedan much easier.
Aedan then gave a quick glance at the surroundings and said. "Other beasts already took notice of us. Be sure to absorb all the beastly essence here then we find a better place to talk."
Rayan and the others were alarmed but still did as they were told and knelt down near the bodies and taking in all the essence of the beasts.
Fifteen minutes later, the three of them opened their eyes which were full of light. They all had just formed two consecutive layers of their core, taking them much closer to completion.
Once they were done, Aedan, Luke and the others all rushed to a little lake on the edge of the huge crater.
Ever since his first memory fragments awakened five months ago Aedan found much harder to stay in the village. He still did his work in the kitchen and only after he was done would he come to these parts to train.
Considering his past, Aedan had a different view from before. He still held hatred towards the sacred soul sect and all practioneers of such vicious methods
For the next hour, Aedan came to know more about the three youths. It turned out they had come here in a bigger group but got themselves lost.
'Students from the sword empire...' Aedan thought for himself before his eyes shone and he raised his voice. "There is a town southeast of here run by one of the bigger tribes, near the Graylith Ruins. It is the only one in these parts that accepts outsiders and they deal with a magnitude of rare and precious items. You can ask about the whereabouts of your brothers and sisters there."
Telling the general directions and route to the town, Aedan guided them until for a little while and when tall wooden walls were seen from the distance he stopped.
"This is the farthest I can go, I still got to see my grandpa so I can't get to the town with you guys."
"That's fine." Rayan and the other two were shook their heads and bowed to him. "You did more than enough and we are grateful for the help."
Rayan then exchanged glances with the other two than handed a brown pouch over to Aedan. "We found this in the next of frostbite spiders. It's best you have it."
Aedan picked the pouch and with a quick peak inside noticed it was an triangular-shaped artifact the size of an hand with thin spikes on the bottom.
Well, it looked like an artifact but there was no notable energy fluctuations coming from it. What surprised him the artifact was quietly beating as if it was a living heart.
Even so the material itself very cold seemed devoid of any vitality so it couldn't be something from a living being.
"Huh? When you found this, did it make anything strange."
Anne was the one who replied to his question. "Nothing, it just a simple and useless object in our eyes. We wouldn't have even noticed it was an artifact if it was not from the recordings of our school."
After accepting the gift and separating from the three youths, Aedan dashed back into the woods.
Rayan, Luke and Anne exchanged glances and the latter was the first to speak as she fixed her hair. "That guy, Aedan, he was pretty strange isn't he?"
Rayan nodded then replied. "Yes, but we shouldn't think about that. He told us that he lives in one of the tribes deep into this forest, but I noticed that he was also particularly knowledgeable about the outside world. Otherwise, he would not have revealed his Astral Artifact to us. Either way, he's very formidable for a boy our age. Let's just not tell our superiors about his Artifact so the news doesn't spread."
"Right."
"Fine by me."
The three of them agreed to keep the details of their meeting with Aedan in secret as they headed inside the town.