After capturing the killer, Sam turned his attention to learning new elemental magic spells. He acquired a total of four spells, with two focused on offense and the other two on defense.
[Spells: Water Sphere, Wind Blast, Wind Blade, Occultatio, Transmission, Silence, Lumos, Heal, Barrier, Fireball, Boulder Toss, Earth Dome, Stone Skin, Flame Spike, Exploding Fist.]
With a sense of satisfaction, Sam examined his spell collection. His focus then shifted to a location where he could enhance his abilities—the western edge of the dark forest near Eiyu.
The current area he was in had few beasts due to its proximity to the city. However, as he ventured deeper into the forest, he anticipated encountering various elemental creatures.
Sam chose this location because it possessed a concentration of all five natural elemental mana types, attracting corresponding elemental beasts. His aim was to locate and defeat these creatures to level up while also cultivating his elemental cores.
Luckily, he discovered that by devouring the defeated elemental beasts, he could achieve both objectives simultaneously—an efficient use of his time and efforts.
Driven by his urgent desire to grow stronger, Sam had come to realize his own incompetence during a previous encounter with vampires. He swore to himself that he would never again find himself in a position where he had to rely on his grandfather or father, as it was a source of deep humiliation for him. Sam was fiercely proud and wanted to stand on his own.
With the determination to reach the pinnacle of strength, Sam took a step into the dark forest, guided by his heightened senses. He murmured the incantation for the "Occultatio" spell in a voice only he could hear. A small blue magic circle briefly appeared above his head before vanishing.
Following his senses, Sam gradually made his way through the forest until he came across a group of hippo-like elemental beasts bathing in a river. There were six of them in total, with four being smaller in size compared to the other two. Sam decided to start his slaughter with the smaller water-elemental beasts.
However, there was a challenge—the beasts were in their territory, the river. It would be foolish for Sam to willingly enter their domain.
"I can handle the smaller ones, but I'm concerned about the larger ones," Sam devised a strategy. He planned to eliminate the smaller beasts in the water first and then lure the larger ones onto land where he could finish them off.
Swift as a bullet, Sam darted towards the smaller beasts. He closed in on the first and smallest water elemental beast, approximately four meters in length, and swiftly beheaded it with his adamantine sword. The beast fell to the ground like a shooting star.
Without pausing, Sam capitalized on the momentum from his first attack and swiftly struck the next beast. As water-elemental creatures, they lacked agility and couldn't react in time, allowing Sam to slash the beast's head at its center. His sword tore through the creature's skin, skull, and brain, instantly ending its life.
With a 'Crrrr' sound, Sam withdrew his sword from the beast's head, witnessing blood and brain matter gushing out. He dispatched the remaining small beast with a single slash.
Witnessing the slaughter of their comrades, the remaining three beasts became alarmed. One of the smaller beasts attempted to flee by leaving the river.
Unfortunately for them, it was a grave mistake. Sam closed in with incredible speed and effortlessly decapitated the beast as if cutting through butter.
With the smaller beasts taken care of, it was time to face the larger ones. However, it wouldn't be an easy task as they were both braver and stronger.
Sam provoked one of the two larger water elemental beasts, prompting the water in the river to dance around it, forming a protective barrier. Despite Sam's efforts, he couldn't coax the beast out of the river, even by biting its tail.
Meanwhile, as the charging beast made its way toward Sam, the other directed water blasts at him. The aquatic beast stubbornly refused to leave the river, and Sam didn't want to waste time or energy battling it.
Instead, he made the bold decision to confront the beast in its own territory, accepting the challenge with a grin. With his heightened speed and the three levels he had gained, Sam was faster than ever before. Combined with his skill, [Speed], he moved at a pace faster than the beast's eyes could track.
Dashing towards the charging beast, Sam aimed to slash through its head amid the torrent of water. He shouted, "Breath of Life, First Form: The Birth," further accelerating his speed as he performed his sword dance technique.
Closing in on the beast, Sam tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword. He felt his mana flowing out of his body, surging through his hands and into the blade. The sword started glowing crimson, and both his hands and words were engulfed in flames.
This ability bestowed upon Sam the title of Magic Swordsman. He infused his sword with his fire-elemental mana.
The beast noticed the changes in Sam's speed but instead of slowing down, it increased its own speed even further. Sam was mere meters away from being hit.
Leaving behind a trail of white and red hues, Sam ran. He drew his scorching-hot sword and, in an instant, appeared in front of the charging beast.
"Kill!" he yelled, slashing his sword horizontally at the water barrier.
BOOM!
A small-scale clash erupted as the opposing elements of water and fire collided. Water extinguished the fire, and fire evaporated the water, resulting in a fog that obscured everything. The clash came to a standstill.
No one could determine the victor.
As the fog dissipated, two figures stood motionless—one towering at seven feet and the other measuring five feet and four meters. The larger figure collapsed, indicating Sam as the victor.
Having broken through, Sam felt a tremendous surge of mana entering his body. He shifted his attention to the remaining beast and swiftly ended its life by beheading it. His newfound speed and strength far surpassed that of the beast, making the task appear effortless.
"System," Sam called.
...
[The Evolution System]
[Host: Sam Verninne/Tatsuya (Mortal)]
[Titles: The Miracle Child]
[Race: Half Mage, Half Hero (Unique)]
[Class: Magic Swordsman (Unique)]
[Mana Cultivation: Mythical Realm]
[Magic Comprehension: 1st Circle (perfected)]
[Origin Core(s): 3 (97%).]
[Physique: Boundless Earth Body]
[Stats:
Strength: 64 --> 70
Agility: 64 --> 70
Speed: 64 --> 70
Spirit: 64 --> 70
Stamina: 64 --> 70
Heroic Energy: 64 (6400) --> 70 (7000)
Origin Mana: 3 (300)
Stat Points: 20]
[Affinities: Wind (7%), Fire (5%), Water (5%), Earth (68%), Lightning (6%)]
[Bloodlines: Verninne (Mage Bloodline), Tatsuya (Hero Bloodline)]
[Skills: Dance of Swords (Breath of Life), Mana Sense, Speed, Heroic Energy Sense, Influence (Unique)]
[Abilities: Devour (Unique)]
[Spells: Water Sphere, Wind Blast, Wind Blade, Occultatio, Transmission, Silence, Lumos, Heal, Barrier, Fireball, Boulder Toss, Earth Dome, Stone Skin, Flame Spike, Exploding Fist]