I exhaled and fell down on the ground. My rage made me consume alot of mana and stamina. Although I wasn't Really angry, just kinda upset because I received a big hit. I wanted to win by not getting alot of hits or damage. But in the end, I failed. It seems like my old habit of always wanting to get the perfect win in games manifested in real life. I remember in my previous life getting angry when I play video games that are hard to get a perfect win. One of those were DMCs, and Dark Souls.
[I think I'm gonna need to train my new habit.] I murmured to myself.
*******
[Are you alright?]
Rutelae stared at me as I was laying down on the grass.
[I'm fine. Just need to clear my mind a little.]
I was actually inside Senoki's Library just a moment ago before he came to me. I was asking her to help me find any information that can help me with my new habit, and my mental problem. I'm not saying I'm sick or anything, I'm just trying to find a way to calm my mind during battle, and also a way to make myself more focused and concentrated when I am fighting, just like everytime I use Senoki to guide me during battles. And I have to admit, she didn't disappoint me, not a little bit. Because she came up with 43 different ways to solve my problem.
See? Who said there is only One or two solutions? Take that you other Isekai Systems Suckers! My Senoki is the Best!
[Pfft... I need to stop saying that.]
[Hm? Say what?] Rutelae looked confused when he saw me laughing.
[It's nothing, just remembered something funny.]
I then stood up and went to cut the Red Swifter snake into parts before storing them inside my ring. After that I quickly moved to my fourth target on the map.
...
On the southwest part of the middle area of the Mystic forest, we arrived somewhere near a small waterfall. The environment around me looked a little like the rainforest. I looked at the 3D map again and followed the red line on it which showed the exact location. The target was inside a cave that's near the waterfall.
Decided not to make the same mistake again, I created a clone using earth magic, and then send it into the cave. Using a "Link Vision" spell to share its vision, I watch it slowly walking inside.
Two minutes later, something flashed at my sight, and I lost my connection with the clone. That meant it got destroyed by something. And that Something was extremely fast.
[!!... Rutelae, you better cover yourself with your barrier.]
[Huh? Why?]
[Because It's coming!]
I quickly took out a shield from my storage ring and braced myself for the impact.
*Swoooosh-!*
*CLANG!*
It came out and attacked me directly, but I was able to block its attack. The sound of a metal clashing was heard, and I was knocked back by the force. I lowered my shield down to see my opponent, and I was surprised to see a large dark green mantis in front of me. It wasn't a wild beast, but a monster. And I didn't know about it because I didn't ask Senoki, except that its level was a high B rank.
'No Shirt. You got to be kidding me.'
A high rank B monster can rival a rank A wild beast, that means it's alot stronger than the Red Swifter snake.
The mantis dashed towards me at incredible speed and I quickly enhanced my shield with Magic Impact and enhanced my body with Magic Boost.
*BANG!*
Because of the great force that came from the mantis's attack thanks to its speed, and from the Magic Impact that's on the shield, it created a wind pressure explosion that pushed the both of us away.
[Damnit Senoki. I understand why that thing is perfect for my practice, but still...] I murmured in frustration.
I know that in order to defeat it, I will need to go all out, and I also know that I will end up with many cuts and wounds. But I don't want that!
*CLANG!*
I blocked another attack from the mantis on my right side, and counter attack it using Magic Impact to push it back, sending it flying back.
'Damn it. I need to calm my mind'
I took a very deep breath and then exhaled through my teeth.
*Suuuuuu...hsssssss~*
I focused my mind on three main things. Me. My opponent. And the battle field. My main goal is to defeat this monster in a best way possible, while avoiding getting injured.
*SWOOOOOSH!*
The monster leaped straight towards me with it's two scythes ready to slash. This time, instead of just blocking them, I chose to deflect them. Using Mind Acceleration Magic to slow down my perspective, I waited for the perfect moment before swinging my shield.
*CLANG!*
The impact of the force pushed us back a little, but I didn't just stopped there.
[HAAAAA!]
I jumped forward and swung my shield towards the mantis, but it blocked it.
*CLANG!*
My expression still remained calm but serious, and my heart was raising fast with excitement.
*CLANG!-CLANG!-CLANG!*
Every time I deflect its attack, I go for a counter attack using the shield. Meanwhile, the mantis will try to sneak attack me every time I block it. Fortunately, thanks to my super senses and my Mind Acceleration Magic, I am able to predict its next attack.
*CLANG!*
This lasted more than an hour, and I was finally able to adapt to its speed. I didn't even need to use Mind acceleration to slow down my view anymore.
*CLANG!-CLANG!*
[Hah...hah...what's wrong? Tired already?] I mocked the mantis and then hit the surface of the shield to taunt it.
*Clang!-Clang!*
[Come On! What are you waiting for!?]
Although it doesn't understand human language, I was able to spot it's green eyes glowing.
[KIEEEEEEEEEEEECK-!]
For the first time, the mantis started screaming, before dashing at me. A wide smile appeared on my face as I readied myself.
*SWOOOSH!*
It slashes through the air as it was aiming for my abdomen, but I was able to see it clearly. What I did next was something stupid, but I didn't care at that time because of the excitement.
I used my left hand that I have enhanced it with mana shield and magic reinforcement to deflected its attack to the side. And then used my right hand that was holding the shield, and thrust it forward at the opening.
*Bang!*
Hitting its stomach using the bottom tip of the shield, I then used Lightning Magic to enhanced the shield and send a shock waves of electricity into its body.
*BZZZZZZZZZZZZ-!*
[KIEEEEEEECK-!]
After stunning it completely, I enhanced my shield with multiple strengthening magic and thrust it towards its face.
[HAAAAAAAA!]
*BANG!*
The head of the monster exploded, and its lifeless body fell down to the ground. I also let my body fall down because of the exhaustion.
*Thud!*
[Ha!...Ha!...]
I was breathing heavily. My whole body was in pain. There where multiple cuts all over my body, but it wasn't a lot, and my muscles feels like as if it got torn a part or something. Not to mention, my left arm that I used to deflect the attack is now broken. Literally.
[Xora, are you okay?!] Rutelae came flying to me.
[I don't think so... please, help me drink this.]
I took out three high potion from my storage ring and showed them to him. He quickly grabbed the bottles and then poured them into my mouth one after another.
After taking three minutes of resting while laying down on the ground, I was finally able to stand up.
'Man, that was one Hell of a fight.'
I looked at the material that I was able to get from the high level monster.
[Whoohoo~?]
I looked at the headless mantis that's on the ground with an interest. More precisely, my eyes was locked on the two scythe. I could use them to create something good, hehe.
I then looked at the shield that's on the ground. It was completely damaged and can not be used again. If it wasn't for my magic enhancement on the shield, I think it would only lasted for five or six strikes. The monster's scythe was so sharp that it was able to pass through my mana shield. If I wasn't able to dodge or block it quickly, I'm afraid I would have lost a limb or two.
*Vooooom!*
I stored the dead corpse inside my ring after freezing it. It's better to keep it fresh.
Huuuuuuh. Seriously, I don't know if I should thanks Senoki for choosing a perfect target for my battle experience, or should I curse her one time for putting me against a deadly opponent.
I don't know if you guys already realize it or not, but Senoki is actually not just randomly choosing my targets. She is actually picking which target is more suitable for practicing my weapons mastery for each. The weapons that I chose to use, and the prey that I fought against, they were all calculated by her. Because she 'Knows' each weapons I was going to use next, so she was able to know which prey was suitable against it.
I fought the ape using daggers, which was not a good match for me. I fought against that damn snake using a spear, which was also not very suitable for my style. And just now, I fought against a speed type monster, which forced me to only use the shield. And it wasn't just hard, but also dangerous.
Now that my last weapon that I will be using next is the giant double head axe, I wonder what kind of crazy monster or wild beast I will face next. After realizing that the difficulty level are rising up fast, I will guess that the next target is Rank A or higher, right?
[.... ha-ha-ha.] I let out a fake laugh.
In that case, I will use two weapons this time. How about that, Ha?!
I looked at the new mark that has appeared on the 3D map. The location was... in the Deeper area.
No Shirt Senoki.
....
After running and jumping between trees, I arrived at the location. I was about 40 meters away from my target. I then create a bird clone made of wind magic, and used it to scout my target. By using the 'Link Vision' on it, I was able to finally see it.
[Haha..Haha...] I let out a very awkward laugh.
[What's wrong? What did you see?] Rutelae was looking at me with a confused expression, because of my laugh.
[I'm dead.]
[Huh?] Rutelae was still looking at me with a weird face, thinking that I have gone crazy.
I took out the giant double axe and stuck it to the ground before closing my eyes. I entered the Senoki's Library again to create my subjugation plan.
[You really want to torture me, don't you Senoki.] I murmured while looking at my target's information that was displayed on the screen.
My last target is a large tiger with blue fur and two extra tails that are coming out from its back. Its rank level is high B, and it's also a magic beast called the Klay Tiger.
Yes, a magic beast. A beast that's ranked B high, and is able to use magic is a lot stronger than any normal B rank wild beast, and can rival A rank beast and monsters. The differences is obviously because of magic. I know that I'm able to win against it if I used Senoki or any of the magic tools that I have in my dimensional storage, but I can not do that, because this is still a training for me. I can not always rely on Senoki or other short cuts, that's why I need to develop my own battle experience. Not to mention, Senoki would not make a mistake in her choices, so I trust her because she knows everything in this world.
[Since I said I would use two weapons this time, I think I'm able to pull it off somehow... and with a perfect score.]
Without realizing it, a wide smile appeared on my face as I was writing down my plans.
....
After spending one hour in the Library, trying to come up with multiple plans, I finally came back to reality with one perfect plan.
I laid the axe down on the ground, and began putting multiple enhancements on it. I then took out a Rune Pen from my ring and began curving some runes on the blades and its cheek.
[Rutelae, I will be going in, try to not get blown away.]
[Okay... wait, what do you mean getting blown away?]
[Hehe, You will see.]
[W-wait! Your not going to use a large spell are you?]
Before leaving, I waved at him from behind as if saying 'You will be fine'.
Now then. Let's get the show on the road.
*****
(Third POV)
An adult Klay Tiger was sleeping on alarge tree branch peacefully. But that peace was gone when it sensed a presence of someone approaching.
*Rustle!*
From the bushes, a human holding a large double axe on his shoulder came out. His green eyes was staring right at the beast's blue eyes.
[.....]
None of them said a word or a sound. The Klay Tiger was examining the stranger that came to him. It knows that the being before him came to hunt it down, because it learned from its past experience. It have seen many adventures in the past, coming here into the forest to hunt down some wild beast. Sometimes the tiger would see them winning and taking the corpses with them, and sometimes it sees them losing and getting killed. The Klay Tiger was also the same. It also understand that it was the law of the jungle. Wild beast and magic beast would fight each other for survival, and sometimes they fight monsters, and the adventurers who comes from the outside are the same too. They hunt for the same reason. The Klay Tiger have killed many preys in the past, and survived multiple time against stronger opponents. Today was no different.
The tiger beast was able to tell that the person in front of it was not strong. The amount of mana that can be sensed from him was not alot, but it didn't want to underestimate its opponent. From its past experience, it learned to always be vigilant to the opponent, even if it was weaker then him.
The magic beast jumped down from the tree, and then began walking to the side while observing the human.
Xora, who was still standing in the same spot, grabbed the handle of the axe with both hands before raising it above his head. Seeing his action, the magic beast stopped moving and prepared itself.
[HAAAAA!]
Enhancing the giant double axe with mana and then releasing it, Xora swung it down with force towards the ground.
*BANG!!!*
The impact of the force broke the ground and created a shock wave that traveled towards the tiger. The magic beast used its Wind magic to leap high from the ground, dodging the attack. It then created six sphere balls of water magic and shot them towards him.
*Pew-pew-!*
Xora enhanced the axe with mana and wind magic that covers the axe's surface. He then swung it hard, creating a strong gust of wind and wind slashes that nullified the beast's water attack, while still traveling towards the beast. The tiger beast used his wind magic to manipulate the wind to push itself away from Xora's attack.
*Boom!*
The wind attack hit the trees behind it, cutting them into pieces. Seeing the large damage that was made by the human, the beast started to become more wary of him, and then created three winds of tornadoes.
*Woooooooh!!*
The three tornadoes were about 80 ft, but small, and they were heading towards him. Seeing this, Xora then gripped tight the handle and swung the axe to the left side, creating one large tornado that reached 100 ft. The large tornado moved towards the three small tornadoes and collided with them.
Because Xora's tornado was rotating the opposite way of the beast's tornadoes, the moment they collided into each other, they created a large wind vortex that began to suck everything to its center.
Xora stab his axe to the ground to hold himself from being pulled in, and the beast too was holding onto the ground using his claws. The vortex only lasted for 11 seconds before exploding, and creating a strong gust of winds that blew everything around 100 meter radius away.
*SWISHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!*
Everything that was around 100 meter radius was gone, from grasses and trees, leaving only the soil wasteland. Not so far from the center of the empty field was the magic beast. It was covered by a barrier made of water and wind magic, which saved it from blowing away by the wind.
The barrier was gone, and the beast was looking around, wondering where did the white hair human have gone.
[....!!]
The tiger's ears twitched when it heard a voice coming from above. When the beast looked up, it felt surprised to see the human falling down from the sky with an incredible speed.
Moments before when Xora was holding his ground using his axe to not get pulled by the wind vortex, he loosen his grip and released the axe off the ground, letting his body get blown away when it exploded. By using wind magic, he manipulate the direction of the wind, so that he can be thrown up high into the air. Ofcourse, all of this won't have happened perfectly if it wasn't for the runes that was engraved on the axe. The runes that Xora used on the axe were Gravity magic, which allows him to manipulate and adjust the weight of the axe as he wish by pouring some mana.
The axe weight is originally 180kg. When Xora wants to swing it fast and hard to create a strong wind attack, he would reduce its weight to zero, and then increase it to 1000kg at the very end of his swings. Adding wind enhancement to the axe, Xora is able to create a strong tornado. He got this idea reference from an anime that he watched in the past.
While in the air, about 500 feet high from the ground, Xora raised his axe above him and began pouring more mana into it, increasing its weight to 9000kg before swinging it down and letting it go.
*SHOOOSH!*
With a high speed that almost reached the speed of sound, adding the extra weight, the axe fell down with incredible force.
*BANG-!!!!!*
The impact created a large crater that reached rage 470 meters radius. The magic beast tried to use magic barrier to protect itself, while trying to jump away, but it was too late. Pieces of the shattered ground flew every where like bullets, damaging anything that is near the impact force, which includes the magic beast too. Unfortunately, the barrier was shattered instantly, and the tiger beast received critical damage.
From the air, Xora was landing slowly to the ground because he was using wind manipulation magic.
*Thud*
He looked at the axe that was laying on the ground, still intact and in a good shape, thanks to the protection runes that he place on it.
[Grrrrrrrrr.]
Xora looked at the tiger beast that has multiple injuries. He was able to sense that the Klay Tiger has consumed a lot of mana to protect itself from the explosion. Now, Xora is able to execute the last part of his plan.
Xora took out a katana sword from his storage ring, and then waited. The tiger beast then began releasing a strong pressure of killing intent at him, but Xora felt nothing.
Xora placed his right hand on the handle, and then lowered his body a little and leaned forward, while still staring at the magic beast's eyes with a calm face.
He then took a very deep breath before exhaling.
[Huuuuuuuh~]
The magic beast too did the same, it enhanced his whole body with mana, ready to deal its final attack.
[Grrrr...]
It's eyes and its whole body began to glow in blue energy.
'Activate magic enchantment, magic boost. Activate Time Magic: Time manipulation, Time control.'
The space around Xora distorted for a second, before the wild beast dashed forward towards him at incredible speed, destroying the area where he was standing.
*BOOM!*
*SWOOOOOH-!*
The moment Xora saw it disappear from its place, he activated the third and the last runes that's on the axe using hand sign.
*VOOOM*
The giant axe that was on the ground, and was between Xora and the Klay Tiger has released a Time space barrier that is transparent, reaching 10 meters circle. Inside the time space barrier was the Klay Tiger, hovering in the air while frozen, and in opposite side of the axe was Xora. He was also frozen in the same position, but that was for a moment until his right hand that was holding the handle of the katana moved.
*Click!*
*Sling!*
The next thing that happened after the clicking sound that came from his katana, he disappeared from his spot, and then reappeared behind the magic beast, right outside the barrier. The moment he appeared outside the Time space barrier, the barrier was canceled, and a sound of something sharp slashing was heard.
*Slice!!!*
Right after, the Klay Tiger that was inside the barrier was cut into four, and the sound of the blood splashed was heard as its lifeless body fell on the ground.
(manga image)
Rutelae who was watching the fight from afar was in disbelief and confused. He was eating a sandwich, but because his jaw was opened wide from shock, the foods was falling from his mouth.
*****
I unsheathed the katana back to its sheath slowly, in a cool way, before exhaling a cloud of mist.
[Huuh...]
I turn around and looked at the magic beast's dead body.
'I did it.'
I clenched my fist tight as I was trying to hold myself from screaming. But I couldn't.
[I DID IT!!!!!!] I screamed with joy.
I can't believe that I actually did it. The plan worked perfectly. My heart was beating fast from excitment... and also because of the exhaustion, but I didn't care.
[To think I was able to use It earlier. And without Senoki's help.]
You are maybe thinking that I am happy because I was able to defeat a rank high B magic beast without Senoki's cheat, but you are half correct. I am happy because I was able to use an awesome Finishing Move, like Vergil and those katana users in animes.
'Hehehe, I am getting close.'
....
[Hey Xora, how did you do that?]
[Hm?...]
I looked a Rutelae who was looking at me, while I was eating a hotdog. I was taking a break and having a quick snack, because I felt so hungry after that intense battle.
*Gulp!*
[Do what?]
[... Stopping time, I saw you create a barrier where the time is stopped inside.]
[Ah, that. I didn't actually stopped It, but more like Froze it and made it slow. Very slow.] I explained.
[....Huh?] He looked at me with a question marks over his head. Not really, it was just in my imagination.
I chuckled a little and looked back at him.
[You don't get it, do you?]
He shook his head.
I took some seconds to think of an easy way to explain to him, so I asked him if he knows about the characteristic of Water that he learned. During the past weeks in the Library, I gave him some science books for the elementary grade, so that he could learn more and catch up to me. That way, it would be more easy to explain to him.
[Yeah, I already know about those. Water can turn to ice if it gets colder. Or to gas if it gets heated.]
[Yep. You see, Time, work in a similar way like Water.]
[Huh? How?]
To his answer, I gave him a demonstration. I placed my hand on the ground and used earth magic to create a wide hole, but not too deep. Then I filled it with water.
[Think of this pole of water as Time. Flowing and Moving normally.] I explained to Rutelae and he nodded.
[Everything that's inside the Time will move and flow Normally, just like the Time.] I threw a small piece of wood, and it floated on top of the water.
[Now, what do you think will happen to that wood if I Freeze some parts of water around it?] I asked Rutelae.
[It will Freeze?]
[Correct.]
I put my index on the water, and then activated ice magic. The ice traveled to the middle of the pole, and froze the wooden piece, creating a mini island of ice.
[This is how I was able to Freeze the magic beast from moving. It looked to you like it stopped moving, but in reality, the beast was still moving, but in a very slow motion, to the point that it looked like the Time was stopped.] I explained.
This is something most of science people knows. Time is something that can't be Stopped, no matter what. Even if someone tries to freeze the Time in the world to make it stop forever, it won't last for long until the freezing effect is gone. Just like an ice cube inside a pole of water. If someone wants to stop Time forever, then they will need to freeze the entire worlds and universe, which is infinite. Because the size of the Time is the same as Space.
So good luck with that whosoever crazy High beings outside there.
[I see, but how were you able to move? You were inside the frozen Time too?] Rutelae looked at me with anticipation for an answer.
[Oh, that's easy to answer. Tell me, what makes the water move Fast?]
[Oh, I know. It's Heat. That is because the molecules of the water will move around fast, making them far away from each other. This will result in turning the water liquid into gas.]
[Correct! That's 10 Mark's for you.] I said while patting his head, making him chuckle and happy from the praise.
[Like you said. Heat, makes the water move fast. If you try to heat something inside an ice, then it will be able to move through it.]
I stretched my hand and pointed at the wooden piece that's still frozen inside the icy island. I then began to concentrate my mana, moving them to wrapped around the wooden piece. Next I created a thin mana cover around it, and began making it heat. This way, the outside is turning hot, while the inside is kept warm and not getting burn out.
Rutelae watched the scene in front of with a wide eyes and focus. He saw the wooden piece started to turn red a little, creating a small smoke because the ice around it started to turn into liquid and gas. I wave my hand and pulled the wooden piece out of the icy island, making it fly towards me before catching it.
[This is how I was able to move inside a frozen Time. I covered my whole body with a Heated Time that allows me to move freely in a frozen time, and Fast too.] I gave the wooden piece to Rutelae, who stretched his hand to take it.
[I see... I understand now.] He looked at the wooden piece on his hand, while sensing the remaining mana that I used on it.
I stood up from the ground and clapped all the dust off my clothes.
[Come on, we are heading back now.]
He nodded his head before starting flying next to me.
'Finally I can go back now.'
*****
(Information)
- Rune pen: a magic item or an artifact that used to write and engrave magic runes on something. The shape looks like a large pen, with a small opening on the top, which is used to fill up with mana liquids. Mana liquids can be created by melting the mana stones, and turning them into mana liquids. This process is very hard because mana stones can only be melted using a high level of fire spell. It can't be melted by a normal fire, unless the fire is created using mana.
(All subjugated preys image)