Observing the tattered punching bag after a single powerful strike, I was utterly astounded.
My newfound strength far exceeded my expectations.
Consider the [Body] Talent, for instance. It isn't merely about toughening my physique; it provides an innate understanding of how to maximize my physical capabilities. This secondary ability operates seamlessly, a constant presence without an on-off switch.
Despite my Sixth Sense and Observe reaching remarkable levels, my body now reacts to everything, visible or not. [Absolute Area] had experienced another boost, thanks not only to these two skills but also to [Orc Body], heightening my awareness to potential threats. It's a survival instinct only those who experienced war can match, or at least, that's my guess.
Of course, the effect is much weaker if I do not form the [Absolute Area] but it's still improvement compared to the past.
The [Determination] Talent, too, unveiled additional facets. It's pure speculation, but I feel I might withstand intense killing intent, maintaining my focus even in the face of imminent danger.
It might sound fantastical, but staring into the eyes of a killer who has a body count higher than one can even imagine, often triggers either paralysis from fear or a complete loss of fighting spirit.
My Sword Talent likely spared me from such a fate in my first loop.
Despite the milestones I've reached and the newfound strength coursing through me, doubts linger like persistent shadows. The impending clash with Fiona Frost raised the haunting question: If I can't overcome her, how can I expect to conquer this Trial?
In the original manga, Fiona Frost's strength was hinted at, but no actual confrontation between her and Yor Forger was depicted. This absence leaves me grappling with uncertainties. How vast is the gap between them? What is Yor Forger's actual Combat Prowess? The ambiguity beyond the Medium stage leaves me with speculative logic, placing Yor in either High Combat Prowess or the stage beyond that.
Even if I manage to ascend to Medium Combat Prowess in future loops, it might be inconsequential if Yor's Combat Prowess is so high.
I tried defeating someone of Low Combat Prowess as a Weak Combat Prowess, and the results were not pretty.
Yet, for now, dwelling on these uncertainties serves no purpose. More information is needed to formulate a strategic approach.
Reflecting on my initial encounter with the Thorn Princess, where my weakness rendered me incapable of even tracking her movements, I can at least be grateful for the progress.
This time, I estimate I can survive more than 30 seconds in battle, promising a substantial increase in the insights I can glean.
Even if the situation ahead of me was grim, I had to do this, for my own survival.
---
Looking through my skills, the [Overload] Skill stirred mixed emotions in me. Despite its incredible potential, I deemed it too harmful to use for my safety. A double-edged sword, it could lead to victory but at a significant cost.
The ominous phrase "straining" my body held worrisome implications. What if it resulted in my Talents losing levels? It would be a disastrous setback that would only make me weaker while falsely suggesting progress.
For these reasons, I decided to remove [Overload] from my mental list of emergency options.
if I'm in my last loop, and I had no hope to beat the Thorn Princess. Only then would I use it.
Amidst the confusion, I realized I'd missed a few prompts beyond what the status revealed.
[Your Mind and Body have reached a certain threshold. The cost to level up [Karate] Martial Art has been reduced to 8]
[As a result of your [Body] Talent, the Skill [Mirage Veil] is now stronger]
[As a result of your [Body] Talent, the Skill [Turtle Shell] is now stronger]
While the reduced cost for [Karate] Martial Art was a nice bonus, my attention shifted to the changes in Mirage Veil and Turtle Shell.
Upon closer inspection, Mirage Veil and Turtle Shell hadn't leveled up, yet their effects had improved.
Turtle Shell's effect had increased by 50%.
Mirage Veil, however, exhibited a notable change.
[Mirage Veil]
.
.
.
[Limitations: Mirage Veil is partially ineffective against those with Combat Prowess 1 stage higher than yours. For those with Combat Prowess 2 or more stages higher, its secrets are laid bare before them. Beware, for the discerning eye of magic users can pierce through its illusion easily]
It wasn't the skill itself but the vessel executing it that had evolved. This realization hinted at a broader trend, suggesting the potential to grow stronger without expending skill points on leveling up.
An intriguing prospect, indeed.
However, my curiosity lingered. Had any other skill been affected by this even with no prompt recognizing it?
A thorough examination of each skill led me to believe that certain conditions were necessary for their independent enhancement, since not a single one of the other skills changed more than I already expected.
While I lacked specific knowledge on how to facilitate the growth of my skills, the awareness of its possibility sufficed.
Moving on to the final piece of the puzzle—These 24 Skill Points marked the culmination of my gains for this trial, with no prospect of acquiring more.
Skill upgrades were off the table. The realization dawned that either building bridges or autonomously strengthening skills were the sole avenues for substantial progress.
The question then shifted to what kind of skill I should create.
Contemplating this led me to the library, scouring its shelves for additional insights. Despite devouring numerous books, the breadth of my ignorance became glaringly apparent.
The quartet of Photographic Memory, Wisdom, Intuition, and Observe played fundamental roles.
After I read through several books, coupled with my own Talents and understanding, I drew my conclusions.
I had a clear idea of the Skill I needed to create, yet it demanded more effort than I anticipated.
Crafting such a Skill within a few days seemed unlikely, but determination fueled my resolve to complete it before the Festival.
My aspiration was to confront Fiona Frost in the peak of my strength, acknowledging my shortcomings against her. If possible, I also aimed to discern the path forward for my upcoming loops against Yor.
If Fiona Frost chooses to disregard my words and skips the Festival, it will be a huge letdown.
Considering her affection for Loid, she'd likely feel compelled to attend and discover what the fortune teller predicts, wouldn't she...?