So, today is the 21st of June and I already bested Lilith and Xander's training. Lilith's training was harder than Xander's.
Xander didn't seem like a teacher. He taught me about getting things on feeling. In other words, instinct. That's all there was to it.
Can't lie, it was a bit awkward.
Meanwhile, Lilith's training was about mana.
She taught me how to control my mana better. How to contain my mana and prevent it from leaking, even if I'm losing my mind. Lilith also taught me how to create a more powerful and pristine defence.
She taught me that I should limit the area of effect for my barrier. Sure, the area of effect for a mana barrier is usually big so that the opponent does not have a chance of touching the other person.
However, that expends mana. Lots of mana. Well, more mana than necessary. That's why limiting the area of effect, making it thinner, is stronger. Though it is thinner, more mana is concentrated into the barrier and excess mana is returned to the nexus.
One thing is that it gets scary to fight with it. I mean, when someone punches someone else's barrier, it does not come close to touching the person's face. But, with the thinner barrier, it's like a normal person hitting someone else. I've gotten used to it so...
Anyway, one other thing I learnt was how to draw in mana from the atmosphere. It's much faster than idling sitting about and chilling.
This is the reason that I stayed at her training for 4 days.
You have to, somehow, reverse the flow of your mana so that you don't expel mana from your body but take in mana, instead. Apparently, Sorcerers, a type of Magus, can do this as easy as breathing since they take in mana from the atmosphere to cast spells.
I'm considered an Incarnator, someone who uses mana directly from the nexus.
Yeah, all I'm saying is that it was hard.
Each time I tried to reverse my flow of mana, it felt like my body broke down. I didn't even know how to do it at first. After a day, the pain lessened. After two, it stopped completely. Three, I was able to reverse it. Four, I was able to absorb mana from the atmosphere. So, here I am now. Still alive, somehow.
Today, I'm starting my training with Aden-Lada, which I am dying over.
I assume it's going to be practical training.
"Oh?"
I met Aden-Lada on the same grassy plain that I had gotten punched a million times by Aether. Ah, god, I still feel the chills. I may have trauma.
Whatever sounds she made after that 'oh,' were inaudible since she was eating.
Looking at her now, I feel like her second title of the 'Mortal Sin of Gluttony,' fits.
She swallowed it and threw the wrapper of the breakfast bar she was eating. Yeah, a breakfast bar made her inaudible.
"Alright."
Aden-Lada said, swiping her hands against each other and breathing outward.
"All you have to do is beat me."
God, why am I getting similar vibes?
"Don't worry, I won't hit you hard and, when I go for the finishing blow, I won't actually hit you. I originally wanted to but Aether stole that role from me. Damn."
She made an annoyed face and silently gestured by clasping her fist suddenly.
At least I won't be getting punched in the face and she said she'll go easy. Hopefully, I stay emotionally stable after this.
And so, I got into a fighting stance, one different from the last one.
This time, I was side-on and my right hand was up, slightly open, while my left hand was simply hanging loosely, next to it.
"Interesting stance."
She commented, picking her teeth.
Let me try this.
"Erebus."
With one word, black flames shrouded my hand and jet-black glove-like gauntlets appeared. They would be my weapons now.
"Erebus in a different form. Interesting."
"I'll come now."
"With pleasure."
Aden-Lada smiled.
I rushed toward her. She hadn't taken up a stance.
Originally, I would've gone for a feint but, in this situation, that is probably the most predictable thing to do.
So, I'll follow through and follow my instincts.
I started with a low swing at her legs. She seemed to expect that; Aden-Lada skipped over my legs and gave down at me with her fist.
I pushed myself off the ground and dodged her fist, driving mine straight to her face. I hit her.
Suddenly, my arm struggled against her face. I couldn't blow her back.
Then, I realised what she had done.
Aden-Lada pushed her face forward into my fist to stop the power from increasing.
I thought I would have the upper hand with that but she has it!
The Mortal Sin grabbed my arm and twisted me, causing me to spin; she threw me to the ground.
I quickly recovered and got up.
Aden-Lada rushed toward me and sent swift chops at my arms. I was able to counter them with chops, as well.
She was trying to hit my pressure points and disable my arms temporarily. If I was using my Shadow Gauntlets, I probably wouldn't have been able to bring my arms up in time.
We had a small exchange before the Emperor kicked my knee and dragged it along, making me fall onto one of them.
When I saw another kick coming, I dropped to the ground and got back up, hitting her with a fast punch as she was off balance.
It connected but she didn't seem too affected.
I backed away and smiled slightly.
"What the fuck are you?"
I asked her.
Aden-Lada also seemed to be in the mood for a smile.
"Me? I'm an Emperor. And so are you."
"Yeah, but I punched you hard with Erebus. This was able to cause Aether's nose to bleed. But you don't seem to be affected."
I told her.
"Did you know that the Emperors are revered as the most powerful beings but we're not."
"Huh?"
"The most powerful beings are the Mortal Sins. They are disasters who do whatever they want, however, of course, they do not rule like us Emperors."
What's she trying to say?
"You should already know this but I am a Mortal Sin."
"Yeah..."
"I am ranked 5th when in the Mortal Sins. I am the Mortal Sin of Gluttony, Aden-Lada."