As Ares and the pup entered the new trial space, they were greeted by an empty expanse adorned with peculiar stone scrolls and steles. The pup's eyes glittered with anticipation as it made a beeline for a stele with cryptic inscriptions, clearly drawn to the enigmatic knowledge it held. Meanwhile, Ares strolled around, fully aware that he couldn't instantaneously acquire skills like the pup. However, his infinite comprehension value allowed him to grasp sword-related techniques more effortlessly, sparking a glimmer of ambition in his eyes.
As he wandered further, the trial space unfolded before him, and soon, his gaze locked onto an awe-inspiring sight—the colossal stone megalith. The megalith was magnificently bisected as though a sword wielded by a god or a celestial laser had cleanly cleaved through its imposing structure. He had once heard of a similar megalith in the real world, located at the famed Tayma Oasis, but nothing could prepare him for the spectacle he was about to behold.
Drawing closer to the megalith, Ares settled into a meditative posture, immersing himself in the profound sword intent that reverberated within the very stone it had hewn. An overwhelming aura of dominance and arrogance emanated from the sword mark, reaching heights that seemingly defied the heavens themselves. The scene depicted on the megalith began to materialize before him, unfolding like a divine play.
Within this ethereal vision, a majestic figure defied the laws of gravity, soaring effortlessly through the air to confront a ferocious dragon. The man stood his ground, devoid of fear, and his eyes emitted an icy coldness, as if he gazed disdainfully at the dragon, daring it to challenge him and the heavens. An aura of unyielding superiority encircled him, making it apparent that he believed himself to be a force beyond reckoning.
With a grand flourish, the man raised his hand, and the very essence of mana in the surroundings seemed to respond to his beckoning, converging into a torrent of power within his palm. The mana coalesced, transforming into a colossal sword that seemed to mirror the might of a celestial deity's weapon. All of existence quivered as if the world itself recognized this man's prowess and submitted to his indomitable will.
The manifestation of the sword took on a formidable height which soon compressed into height of 5-6 meters, dwarfing all else around it. With a voice that resonated through the cosmos, the man roared, unleashing the move:
"1st stance of Mana Arts, Vanquisher."
The world quaked with the sheer force of the attack, as the gigantic sword, now compressed into an even more potent form, cleaved through the dragon and the very planet itself. The world seemed almost bisected, as if acknowledging the omnipotent power of the man and the strike he wielded.
As the colossal impact sent tremors throughout the trial space, Ares' heart pounded like a war drum, and cold sweat trickled down his forehead. The unparalleled display of power ignited an exhilarating mix of awe and excitement within him. His own sword intent surged forth in response to the intensity of the moment, as if seeking to mirror the magnificence of the man's incredible skill.
In the wake of the spectacle, Ares could only marvel at the limitless potential and might that lay before him. With unwavering resolve, he vowed to embrace the path of the sword, to attain mastery over mana manipulation, and to harness his own sword intent with the same dominion and arrogance as the man depicted on the megalith. The profound scene had ignited an unquenchable fire within his soul, fueling his ambition to ascend to heights that transcended the mortal realm and reached the realm of the divine.
Ares started to mimic the man's technique, attempting to summon the mana around his surroundings, but his efforts miserably failed as he couldn't even sense the mana. The pup watched him with an air of superiority, as if observing a bumbling fool, and Ares felt a surge of frustration, wanting to give it a swift smack for looking down on him. However, after a while, the pup approached Ares and gently touched him with its paw, as if offering consolation. Ares sensed a hint of pity from the pup, just as he was about to give it a piece of his mind, a notification suddenly materialized before him.
"Ding!! [The Heavenly pup wants to share its senses with you. Do you wish to accept?]" Ares was astonished by the pup's extraordinary abilities and quickly accepted the intriguing offer. He gazed at the pup, its tail wagging with excitement, and it affectionately licked his cheek. Ares responded with a tender caress, patting the pup for a while before it set off to acquire more skills.
Now, Ares found himself endowed with a new passive skill: [Heavenly Sense], an enchanting ability that heightened his thought process and comprehension, allowing him to transcend into a deep, focused stage.
The skill was truly wondrous, and Ares resumed his meditation with renewed determination. As the passive skill took effect, he felt a heightened awareness, sensing all the minute details in his surroundings. The manifold manifestations of mana of varying types flowed around him, and Ares' excitement surged, eager to delve into the skill he yearned to learn—the illustrious "Vanquisher."
Once more, Ares stood in awe before the megalith, observing the awe-inspiring display of the "Vanquisher" stance, depicted by the mysterious man—a spectacle of profound mastery and unbridled dominance that ignited an insatiable thirst within him to wield such incomprehensible power..
With the understanding that internalization of the "Vanquisher's" essence came first, Ares sought out a tranquil and isolated sanctuary within the trial space. Seating himself in a meditative posture, he closed his eyes to banish any distractions, imprinting the image of the "Vanquisher" firmly within his mind. He plunged into an abyss of concentration, absorbing every facet of the stance. And soon the passive skill took effect again.
In his meditative trance, Ares endeavored to emulate the man's aura of unparalleled dominance and arrogance, qualities that enshrouded the very essence of the "Vanquisher" stance. He envisioned himself as a celestial being, capable of commanding the very fabric of the cosmos, and he internalized this newfound sense of authority with each profound breath.
In order to wield the "Vanquisher," Ares comprehended the necessity of forging an unyielding bond with mana, infusing it seamlessly with his unwavering sword intent. He extended his consciousness, tapping into the very core of mana that permeated the trial space, envisioning its shimmering threads intertwining seamlessly with his resolute sword intent, forging a potent and inextricable connection.
Graced by the pup's benevolence in sharing its passive skill, Ares swiftly grasped the fundamental principles of manipulating mana. Empowered by this newfound knowledge, he stood before the imposing megalith, poised to practice the "Vanquisher" stance. With haughty arrogance and supreme dominance mirroring the mysterious man's vision, Ares envisioned the colossal sword materializing in his grasp. He meticulously condensed his mana into the embodiment of unrivaled ambition, fueling the technique with unyielding purpose through his unwavering sword intent.
Exhausting himself in tireless practice, Ares incessantly repeated the "Vanquisher" stance, each motion honed to the brink of perfection. With each iteration, he pushed the boundaries of comprehension, striving to infuse the technique with even grander dominance and arrogance, seeking an elusive equilibrium between boundless power and impeccable control.
After days of unwavering dedication, Ares felt an overwhelming surge of confidence surging within his being. He knew that he was standing at the precipice of mastering the illustrious "Vanquisher." Renewed determination consumed him as he unleashed the stance with unbridled might, directing his mana and sword intent to weave the most potent rendition of the technique.
The "Vanquisher" manifested in the realm before him, an awe-inspiring colossus that seemed to mirror the very heavens themselves. Its unparalleled dominance and arrogance reverberated through the trial space, as Ares reveled in the newfound power he wielded—a mastery of skill that he now embraced wholeheartedly. Yet, humbled by the realization that the man's level of proficiency remained beyond his grasp, Ares vowed to persist on his transformative journey.
"Ding! [You have learned 1st Stance of Mana Arts]
As the notifications chimed, Ares was eager to check the interface for more information, but before he could do so, a sudden tremor shook the monolith. An awe-inspiring divine light emitted from the rocks, and the once sturdy structure began to crumble before his very eyes. In that magnificent display, a mystical token soared out from the disintegrating monolith and swiftly merged with Ares' body. Another notification echoed through the trial space, announcing his newfound inheritance.
"Ding! [You have earned the right to inherit the legacy of the Dragon Slayer]"
"Ding! [Acquired the Dragon Slayer Token]"
The Dragon Slayer Token bestowed upon Ares a unique opportunity, granting him the chance to comprehend the elusive 2nd and 3rd stances of Mana Arts. However, the stakes were high, as successfully grasping these two profound stances would lead him to a new trial space—the legacy of the Dragon Slayer.
Energized by the triumph of mastering the "Vanquisher," Ares now had an additional goal. He envisioned himself harnessing the power of the Dragon Slayer legacy, an ambition that fueled his determination further.
As he pondered the next steps, Ares looked around to find the pup, expecting to see it diligently learning from the stone scrolls and stele. However, to his astonishment, the pup was far more efficient than he could have imagined. It spent no more than a mere five minutes before each stele or scroll, swiftly absorbing the knowledge of various skills. The pup's comprehension ability was truly beyond comprehension, and Ares found himself once again marveling at the divine hound's innate talent.
The pup continued its rapid learning, acquiring an impressive array of skills one after another. Ares could only stand in awe, knowing that the pup now wielded a vast arsenal of abilities.
Once the pup had completed its learning spree, it returned to Ares, transforming back into its adorable puppy form, and leapt onto his shoulder. Ares gently cradled the pup in his arms, feeling a sense of camaraderie and affection towards his divine companion. With the pup by his side, Ares prepared to face his next trial with newfound confidence and determination.