General POV -
After Leonard left Asta to rest, he immediately had a meeting with his parents. He had kept a close eye on asta's development and he knew that his potential was really high but only today did he realize that there was a lot more that he has yet to know about the boy. So he got straight to the point,
"Does he have a darkness attribute? Something to do with his eyes?"
Wilson flinched and Elicia sighed. This was going to come some day or the other, so she said
"Yes father, but we didn't exactly know what it was so for now we let it be, did he awaken it?"
Leo " Yes, he faced his first defeat of sorts, although it was from a kid 3 years older than him, it probably still had an effect and he awakened it, his golden eyes were almost shining. So do you have any idea what It is?"
Wilson sighed "In our family's ancestral records it's stated that it happens only in the most talented people, other than that there's not much information"
Leonard could still feel that he was hiding more things, but decided to let it go since it was a family secret. Well he can always ask the kid, it's not like he'd know, right? Right?
Leo "Well anyway, before he got defeated he had faced 5 more people and he had his first kill too. But the more disturbing part is, all of them were covered up, and the kid who defeated him was a noble from the Phoenix Empire, I don't know what he was doing here but from the looks of if, it's nothing good, keep am eye out "
Elicia ans Wilson had their eyes wide, a noble from the Empire means that this could blow up into a diplomatic disaster, but they soon calmed down when they realized they were the ones who attacked. They would have loved to keep them here, but they most likely would leave. But still Wilson decided it was time to warn his friend Graham that something was about to go down.
Asta POV -
I was in a white space with nothing around. I had instinctively feeling to what it was, it had a connection the feeling in my eyes. I tried to look around but couldn't find anyone or any clue to what this was, suddenly I felt a crushing headache,
"Hmm, so you're the one who's gotten the blessing this time around. We can't communicate for long since your mental energy isn't strong enough but I have only one message for you, don't ever bow your head down to anyone, this will be your pride and your only condition to have this blessing"
I could feel my brain pounding but I still voiced out my question,
"Are y-you inside my h-head?"
*silence*
"Hahahaha you're worried about privacy, how cute. And no I can only sense your blessing and I have no interest in human lives" The entity said and I could feel my strain on my mental energy so I hurriedly asked,
"What sort of entity are you?"
"Hmm? you'll have to find it out yourself. Anyway this is it for now. have fun human"
And so I felt strain decrease, just being in a similar space almost made an idiot, I can't fathom the strength of such a being. That said though, I was back in another space, but this time it was more comfortable, more closer to myself.
'So this is my mental space, all those memories and experiences entering my mind in one go sort of tempered my mind and that conversation with that entity as well'
I sighed, this world was just getting more and more mysterious as time went on, but I'll take it one step at a time. If that man, my teacher had seen my previous state during the fight, he'd be pretty disappointed. I almost crumbled into despair, how pathetic. I opened my eyes and I could immediately feel the changes in my surroundings, it felt different. It felt comfortable and I could feel more than usual. Grandpa said he said something to do and left. So I decided to check my 'system'
Status -
Name - Astarot levathian
Race - human
Age - 9 years
Title - 1- star mage/swordsman
Stats :-
STR - 29
VIT - 35
DEX - 24
MIND - 28
PER - 33
MANA - 36
Traits :-
Passive Mana absorption - ????? (unlocked after the trials)
Zephyr Eyes - a blessing from *******
?????? (locked) - conditions unknown
Affinity :-
Fire - II
Wind - II
Space - I
Body - I
Inventory :- 10 slots - empty
I noticed that my stats skyrocketed at once, especially my Mind and perception. I see, Zephyr eyes huh. This blessing is more like a contract and I get boosts to my perception, Mana, and I have slight regeneration as well. Well that is until I improve the attribute. I don't know how to do it, but my father probably knows, well for now I'll just use it continuously and see what happens.
For now, I should probably get stronger physically and get my second circle as well, I have way too much mana for just one circle.
Those guys were strong but not that strong, but that final one, Austin, he was strong, really strong and he's going to be my first and last loss. I've been too passive in how I've done things. After I heard their conversation, I came to realize that the previous war might have been instigated by the Phoenix empire as well since they can just come in this deep in the forest, so it's safe to say that they have someone influential within the kingdom. And I'm sure they're plotting something, since he spoke about his teacher, but he wasn't anywhere near.
I don't think we're influential enough to get involved in whatever is happening, but for now I'll need to put up a good foundation. I immediately gave Dorothy a few instructions about what to do and how to set up an information network, I'm gonna have to use the children, the orphans, the prostitutes, whatever I can get on my hands for information. it's time for me to take my gloves off, but for now only Dorothy should know about this. I'll also need to create an alternative identity to do the dirty work. Sigh this is so troublesome. But I'll have to do this or this kingdom won't be able to hold on, not when we're the only independent kingdom on the continent.
General POV -
After Asta awakened his Zephyr eyes, the training from Leonard also intensified, and they started going deeper into the forest and fighting stronger beasts which more ferocious and more intelligent. This training continued for another 2 years where he was finally growing and getting much stronger and it was time for him to set out.
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A/N -
Sorry guys, been busy lately. Job interviews and exams are keeping me occupied, I'll try to write atleast a chapter per day, so don't worry!