'Are you okay, Alty?'
No, I don't think I am. I just fought in my Group-C stage match and I somehow got into the top eleven.
«You had already been chosen for the eleven, from even before you thought. You're too strong, that's why.»
It's weird hearing an indifferent voice speak in contractions, but, yeah, I guess Ai is right. The other people were amazing. To be honest, majority of my match, I was idle and just watching everyone else. I didn't get to show my strength because people were ignoring me, most likely because I'm a child. People probably hate me because I got in due to luck.
'It seems like all of us got in.'
'Yep!'
Arcana said and Sakurako shouted in reply. Now, what I need to focus on is my future match, or just getting better at close combat.
«Assessment. You can use the Status skill, Kinetic Flow, to make your movements and coordination smoother.»
Cool, but I don't have that skill.
«You unlocked it while tossing and turning in your sleep.»
R-really?
«Really.»
That's good, then.
'Well, isn't it time to go, didn't the event finish?'
'Yeah, we're going.'
◈◈◈
Ever since then, I've been out here fighting off wolves and other monsters. My goal now is to progress levelling up. I haven't levelled up since two days before we entered Riel, but now I'm going up.
I've levelled up to Level 17, but no skills have been unlocked. Maybe it's because I'm close to the evolution threshold. I've been getting used to fighting with skills, so I guess I should fight with my bare hands. This could be getting in practice for the tournament.
What should I fight now? There don't seem to be any more wolves or boars in the area. I remember Arcana and Sirius told me about a ruling creature in this area. Though I have no idea what it is. I have had a plan ever since I started grinding here. If there's a ruling creature in this area, then they won't like their animals disappearing a lot at a time. Meaning that they should go to the cause of the problem.
I turned to the sound of leaves rustling and what do you know? There it is, the ruling creature of the forest, or so I think it is. It looked similar to a deer but slightly bigger. The markings on its body glowed white and there were no irises in its eyes.
(Appraisal.)
[Name: N/A
Species: Mana Impala
Lvl: Level 23
Evolution: Light Impala
Skills: N/A
Disclaimer: Skills are hidden by the Status Skill, Conceal.]
A Light Impala? It's Level 23 as well. Instead of using physical attacks only, I'll have to buff myself up a little since the leader of this area is glaring at me, pissed. Okay, Iron Body, Kinetic Flow and Lightweight. As soon as I applied the skills, my joints felt looser, my body felt harder and my weight felt lessened–not that it was much, to begin with.
Seeing that it's a part of the Mana Impala species, I'm sure it uses magic, but it'd be not as fun if I used Magic Nullification. It only works for a minute–three at best. Ah, but if I cast it on my arms and legs, then the whole impala will still be able to use magic, but my hands and legs can deflect magic. Smart, right?
And so, I use Magic Nullification on my limbs. Oh, and the trade-off for nullifying magic is that I can't use magic for the same time. Not that I'll be using it. Ai, how long will this Magic Nullification last?
«Approximately seven minutes.»
That's enough.
The Light Impala charges and shoots light magic, just as predicted. I put my hands forth, but they were knocked away before I was able to use them as a shield. The magic didn't disappear. That means my nullification failed. Light is faster than I thought.
It launches a series of attacks on me, with its horn–they were imbued with light magic. The only way I will be able to block the light attacks is if I predict their trajectory. I hit back, but it only knocked the impala slightly backwards.
It shot a ray once more. The light ray went straight to my solar plexus but got cancelled out. Luckily I predicted that it would go there. There's no point in fighting melee with an animal, plus he's not playing fair. Though all this hard work for nothing. I can't use magic, so the next best thing will be Ultimate Skills.
This shouldn't count as magic. I raised one arm into the air–in a ready-to-click gesture–and face the impala. It shoots its light rays, but I end it. Fast. And I mean, real fast.
'Spatial Rupture.'
CLICK
The Light Impala and the majority of things around it were reduced to nothingness. The only thing that replaced them was stone. My core started hurting, but I was able to endure the pain. Spatial Rupture. Never going to use that unless I'm in a sticky situation. One click of the finger and the area is erased from existence, or "it ruptures." That wording would be more accurate.
I should find a humanoid monster. That would make melee easier.
«Threshold reached. You have levelled up.»
Sweet!
«Demon, Altair Nox, has levelled up. Level 17 → Level 23. Evolution option is available.»
Ah, so you don't have to evolve if you don't want to. But, I'm going to evolve. I know from fantasy RPG games that not evolving when you can is, sooner or later, regrettable. Accept evolution request.
«Evolution in progress.»
I felt different. All of the skills I had activated were gone, but it felt like I still had them on. A hardened body, quicker movement and loosened joints. I don't know how to explain it, but I also felt progressively... smarter. That would be the best word to describe it.
«Evolution complete. In accordance with both levelling up and evolving, you have gained six skills, one new type of magic and a title.»
Six new skills, one new type of magic and a title?!
«Those skills are:
Race Skill: Demonic Salvation
Ultimate Skill: Hound of the Baskervilles
Ultimate Skill: Myriad Teleportation
Ultimate Skill: Dominion Over Shadows
Unique Skill: Azure Flames
Auxiliary Skill: Accelerated Regeneration
While the new type of magic is Astro Magic and the new title is Arc Demon. Two of the three Ultimate Skills were said to be a gift from the god-like being, Zyn.»
Two Ultimate Skills as a gift? I really don't want to trust that guy. [Hound of the Baskervilles] is the more interesting one for me. That was the name of one of the Sherlock Holmes novels if I remember correctly. About a fictitious supernatural dog. Wonder how that would work.
«[Hound of the Baskervilles] and [Dominion Over Shadows] cannot be used until you hit Level 30.»
Okay, then that makes sense.
[Myriad Teleportation] is probably what it sounds like.
I used it and teleported three feet away from my original position, then I teleported back.
That felt trippy as fuck. But that skill probably allows me to teleport an unlimited amount of times, as long as I have mana. Azure Flames will definitely help in battle, if I want to roast my opponents or if I want to toast my prey while they're alive and Accelerated Regeneration will help me if I'm in a sticky situation. I have no idea what Astro Magic is though. Ai.
«Astro Magic uses constellations and astrology to help with the individual's attack. Converts space into mana.»
That was somewhat confusing. Oh, I almost forgot about Demonic Salvation. I wonder what that's all about. Ai-sensei!
«Demonic Salvation's information is classified. Once you hit Level 50, you shall unlock the privileges to access the information.»
Level 50... Demon King, huh.
Well, anyways, this levelling up session was amazing. I mean, I evolved and went up five levels. I became an Arc Demon, which probably also increased my strength, meaning that the tournament will be easier. I also gained more skills, more magic and an evolution title. Today was worth it. Really.