I left the house before sunrise. Since Nrowe and May were still asleep, I had breakfast with Alfred and Nunu. Nunu was somehow... eccentric.
We watch as Nunu do his little ritual dance of some sort.
"Um... Sir Michael, that bird is a bit weird" (Alfred)
Well no shit about that! He have an arrogant personality after all.
Making signals with his wings and feet, his pretty much saying that he is on the top of the hierarchy.
"Well he is quite special. Also, for today you should focus on maintaining the flow of your aura. Control it and meditate. Because tomorrow I will be starting to teach you about martial arts." I replied.
I left after he thank me. Seriously, do they not get tired thanking me over and over again?
Since the warp gate is a no go, I just run with Nunu inside my clothes again. Of course we also grind on the way, raising our levels even further though I only went up by two this time. Weak monsters gives little amount of exp. Sigh.
We agreed yesterday that our match will be held at three in the afternoon.
Too bad I can't go see the faces of the nobles that will be imprison and the ones that will be executed. If I go, they will assume that I help the Earl on this turn of events. They never said to the public about this so me knowing it would seem pretty suspicious.
Before arriving, I wore a cloak to hide my identity. It would be problematic if people would flock to me. I stayed in my room at the palace. So many things already happened in only a few days.
I started reading about the history of the kingdom and the continent while Nunu is sleeping. He may be arrogant but when he sleeps he sure is a cutie!
I would like to to know what he(Prince Kaesul) is capable of although that would make me feel guilty. If I know what he can do meanwhile he doesn't know what I can, that would wound my pride as a soldier. But as a tactician, this is illogical, I don't wanna resort to cheap tricks on a friendly match.
I ask the maids to bring some snacks, I may not need it but the taste is simply amazing. I want to have that cook as my own. Whoever it was.
Only one hour remains until our match starts. I went ahead to the underground training grounds beneath the palace. Since it is only a "friendly match", though that is what it is on the surface. In truth they want to see what I am capable of.
The higher ups from both the military and magic ministers. In addition, nobles and others who specialize in tactical warfare and leaders of the noble factions. They should have made every spectators to wear a mask so that I won't recognize them. Though I am pretty sure that they do not think of me as someone who is that advance.
Prince Kaesul came in and he seems a bit different. I approach him and made a friendly handshake. And what the hell, his level was 9 the first night I was here! Its my third day today here and his level is 29. I am confident I can win though the sudden change in his level just shock me.
"That's because he was wearing an artifact than can suppressed your energy therefore changing his level from your eyes" (Loki)
Right, the system is mainly made from the goddess of truth but that doesn't mean that it can also discern the truth from false. Then how come Rita told me he was level 9 back then? Well, asking that in my head won't get me anywhere.
I started to prepare and double-check my equipment; One short staff and one normal orb. Both are inscribe with runes. But honestly, I don't want to show the orb since its defensive capabilities are high. They will just interrogate me where I got it.
The only rule was that not to create any potential injury that will last and of course killing is a no go.
We got into position, my staff in the floor and the orb hiding in my inventory. Meanwhile, Kaesul is using a saber.
If he was wearing a pirate's uniform, he'd definitely pass as one!
"Start!" Yelled by the referee.
I quickly covered myself with aura and charge cautiously. While Kaesul's sword started to glow emanating a vibrant light.
What's up with all the glowing the few past days?!
That's not the problem, now that I know he's a magic swordsman, this will be tiring.
His attributes seems to be light. I don't wanna use my soul manipulation though since I might kill him.
As rays of light started to fly towards me, I just dodge them. I don't know what kind of effect they have so rather than blocking it would be wiser to dodge instead.
It was hard. The bolt-like light was fast.
His gone?!
After images of him appeared all over the ring. The entire area were filled with little balls of light from his fast movements. As if hundreds of fireflies started to surround me. It was mesmerizing. I would have enjoyed the sight if this was not a battle.
Behind me!
Thankfully my aura is able to fend off his magic.
So by covering himself in his own power he gets even faster. Well that is indeed a good way to use it but it lacks control.
Using any martial art would also be overkill, therefore I envelop the whole ring in my aura and restrain him by closing it on him from all sides. This haphazard technique shaves off a lot of my energy. Doesn't matter how fast you are if I can just attack from all sides.
I'm sorry your highness, but I can't let them see what I can do.
"I lost. But next time I will win!" Kaesul said with a determined expression.
"I will be looking forward to it" I replied.
The audience started to cheer and the Queen approach me herself. Wow she looks young! If I didn't know that she's already in her late forties, I would have assume she was in her mid twenties.
"So that was the blessing of the gods" The queen said.
"Be careful, she is able to tell whether someone lies or not from the necklace she is wearing" (Loki)
Ugh, that's even more of a headache than sparring with Kaesul.
"I am sorry to disappoint you, your highness. But that wasn't the blessing I received from the gods" I replied.
All of them were in shock and was taken aback.
"W-what do you mean by that?" Kaesul ask with a terrified expression.
I explain them that the blessing I had was still not mastered and may cause an accident since I just came here after all. And what I use in our fight was a from of martial arts. They didn't get what I said no matter how much I explain it to them.
"Where did you learn something like that anyway?" (Loki)
"Aura? From my ancestors. Apparently several hundred years ago one of my ancestors was also a "chosen one", and she learn how to use aura when she was there. That's what I've been told about it. But shouldn't you already know something like this?" I whispered.
"I'm a very busy God. that's why instead of reading your information, I'll just ask you directly" (Loki)
If you are a very busy god, then how come you are here chatting with me?
After resting for a bit, I went back to my room and went outside immediately.
I investigated on the all the royals and nobles; such as rumors, connections, and etc. Including the several nobles that have already been arrested, there aren't that many nobles who are rotten. They are half decent at the very least.
It is weird though that I can't find any info about the first and the fourth prince. Naturally, I would have already got some kind of rumor here or there, it can be a positive or negative opinions, but the fact no one even know that the two princes are not even in the kingdom just feels something is wrong.
Putting those aside, I went back while grinding on the way. Though my level didn't really went up. It was already past midnight.
[Aura proficiency have increase]
Hehehe, I wanna see how they will react if I attack the house from this distance. I installed an alarm if the barrier was somehow attack. Naturally, the sensors will activate the barrier if it deemed it to be an attack capable of damaging the house base on the amount of mana or energy.
Around three hundred meters, I started preparing. Using the staff I inscribe with runes as a catalyst, I poured some of my aura into it to launch it as a projectile.
Bam!
Bam!
The bullet like projectile from my aura almost destroyed the barrier I put.
How come it almost destroyed the barrier I made?!
"Idiot, by inscribing runes on your staff. Even if the amount is small it will still get amplified due to your title. Hahaha! How stupid of you!" (Loki)
Right. Its irritating that he is correct though.
Alfred, Nrowe, and May came out with battle stances as if preparing for battle. They seemed shock. Well if I were in their position I would also be shock. After all not knowing that the sturdy defense I put was somehow barely breached already.
I came out and explain to them that someone was trying to get me and that the projectile was also from that same person.
When May tried to follow that non existing person, I stop her. I can't just tell them that it was me! Definitely not! Additionally, knowing May is a daughter of a high ranking noble, now its a bit awkward to look her in the eyes but I can't let that hinder my relationship with her.
[Skill: Soul manipulation have evolved to Soul manipulation 2]
I was a bit surprised about the sudden notification then I remember that I left Nunu somewhere nearby. Now that he is hunting alone, I now notice that when someone is in my party list or they are my 'slave' some of their experience will be transferred to me.
We went in and I told them to rest since I will be keeping watch while fixing the barrier.
Now the barrier is five times stronger than before. It drains my mana though.
Leveling up seems pretty useless since you can't raise your stats with the supposed stat points, but every time someone reached a certain threshold, they will gain another kind of skill which is vital to becoming stronger. Which makes people who have a high level cap more valuable.
Morning came and I started training Alfred. Too overpowered though. A beast man is a few to several times stronger than an average human but isn't he on the same strength as I am while using aura already. He's not even using it and I'm already having a hard time just from his raw power. Is this an effect from having a blessing from the God of War?
With great physique and power, now he only needs techniques that can compliment his innate talent. I guess he still have a long way, so sloppy. How can you trip like that? No offense to him but he sure have muscles for his brain. Thinking back the average INT is <15> for anyone no matter the race. So how come he have <3>?
Now I see why.
After a few hours he became tired from all the training.
"Sir... may i ask for a bit of break?" He ask.
Can they not just call me Mike? Being called Sir again and again is embarrassing.
I healed him restoring his stamina. And since I also healed his muscles now he can use them all up again!
"Now let us continue! I told you right, that it will be extremely hard" I said happily.
Ten days have passed since and we would just keep on training. And as expected he didn't really changed much. His control over aura is not bad though his movements are still stiff. But what I'm surprise the most is the fact that he is still willing to train under me despite having a brutal one at that.
Two and a half week passed, now I've been here for a month already. Alfred's level rose to level 18 while mine at level 27. His movements are still sloppy but better in comparison to what he was before.
During the past days, at night, I would continue my own little project. Creating an open space underground. A hundred metres from the surface is an underground facility with the size of three football fields and the height of ten feet. The place itself has been temporarily reinforce by runes.
I'm planning to use stronger metals as the foundation in the near future. I plan on making something else in this facility that will enable me to control this whole northern continent.
At sunrise, I told Alfred that we would be going to the Earl's mansion. And after a while we run at full speed. Now he can keep up with properly! I am so proud of him. After arriving we waited in a room and Alfred was already curious as to why we were here.
The Earl entered the room and led us to another basement. Different from the warping gate. He then left after giving a side note. The two of us are now alone.
"May I ask Sir why we are here?"
"You wanted to take revenge right? Well this is your golden opportunity then" I replied.
"You mean that those trash are here?!" He ask in both shock and excitement.
He look at me with a smile on his face but blood lust was oozing out of him. He can't even hide his real intentions.
"Yup. What you do to them is up to you. Inside you will find a lot of good toys to use and don't worry they are all tied up with chains that I inscribed. So do your worst. I will wait here. And make sure to take your time"
I patted his back lightly so that I can make his mind a bit calmer at the very least.
His face was delighted to hear what I said and entered the room slowly. Shortly after he went in, screams of agony can be heard.
He didn't even hesitate, huh. Well he does have an extreme case of what you'd call 'little sister complex syndrome'.
Two hours have passed and the door opened. Alfred came out with blood all over. Blood that came from someone else. Despite being drenched in blood he have this ecstatic expression as if he was drunk from alcohol for the very first time.
"You should go and take a bath. It's already prepared."
"Thank you... I... will be going now then" He replied.
He went up after removing his clothes that was stained by blood.
I stand up, and took a look inside and holy shit!
It only have been two hours and I can't even recognize their faces or bodies anymore. From the looks of it he even toyed with the insides at the same time. Even at my time at the military can't compare to this scene.
I joyfully collected the soul cores and distributed it. The souls cores are mine and the soul energy is for Nunu.
Though the view is exactly taken out from a brutal horror movie. There is no shame claiming the 'spoils of war'!
By destroying the soul cores, it burst and turn into pure soul energy. I then slowly absorb it so that my own soul won't get damage. This way, I can refine my aura and also increase my capacity.
After he took a bath we went back to the house and resume our training.