Four days of an exhausting march through the mountains, the glow of the two moons illuminated the dark sky, a beautiful sky that no one wanted to see. The good side of the large Urazaki mountains is that there are always several caves to camp in and rest. Alexander was in one of them, his division, the fourth, was all gathered in a rather cozy cave.
Some soldiers drank by the firelight, laughing and talking with their commanders. But he was separate, sitting against one of the cave walls, his sword beside him, holding something in his hands, the golden-covered book he received from the system, the Tome of the Heavens. His red eyes read the many words written on those thin white pages, which were strangely written in his native language from the other world.
Let's see… Demons. 'Demons are creatures originating from the underworld, created and shaped by the dark hands of the nameless god of the underworld, the arch-enemy of the gods. There are several types of demons that can be divided into the following classifications: Beast Demons, Lesser Demons, Medium Demons, Greater Demons, Infernal Generals.' The bigger, the worse… 'As the demons' titles increase, their intelligence and power grow exponentially. Beast Demons have the intelligence level of wild animals, but their power levels can vary between Greater and Lesser Demons. Lesser Demons have low intelligence levels, mostly following only their instincts to kill and destroy, causing as much suffering and pain as possible. Lesser demons the player encountered: ogre demons, goblin demons.' Goblin demons? Those ugly things weren't even close to goblins…
There must be a page here talking about magic somewhere in this book… Ah here, I found it.
'Information: Magic and Aura
For the player's better understanding, all information will be described and explained using examples from the other world.Sometimes seen as different concepts, magic, and aura go hand in hand in the world. Magic is one of the pillars of the world, all beings possess a bit of magic within them, as do all objects and things. Just as magic is one of the forces that move the world, it is abundant, constantly emanating from various sources in the earth, sea, and sky. Being a plentiful and powerful force, magic consequently transforms the world, all living beings can use magic if trained and skilled enough, some use it instinctively.'
So far this is summarizing what I already know, I want to see what I don't know. Let me see here… Types of magic.
'Magic can be divided into four fundamental bases, the four fundamental elements of nature: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. All magic is based on different types of use and manipulation of these elements. Just as these elements are the most basic forms of nature, magic can also be developed and, if used correctly, manipulate the refined elements of nature.
A refined element would be a developed form of a basic element of nature; the refined forms of the 'Fire' element are the 'Light' and 'Lightning' elements, the refined forms of the 'Earth' element are the 'Metal' and 'Gravity' elements, the refined forms of the 'Water' element are the 'Ice' and 'Nature' elements, and the refined forms of the 'Air' element are the 'Storm' and 'Sky' elements. Refined elements can have properties and joint affinities of other refined elements.' Now that's a good explanation.
My natural element is fire, probably because I arrived in this world with the paladin class. So in the near future, I could be throwing lightning around or illuminating things? Although most support and fortification magic in EverMagic was indeed related to light.
"What book are you reading? It has a pretty cover."
A woman's voice said Alexander was so deep in thought that he certainly didn't notice her watching him for a few seconds. The same nurse who helped him in Urazaki, with green eyes and pink hair down to her shoulders, Yukiko.
"Oh, it's nothing," Alexander said, adjusting his posture, seemingly trying to hide the book.
"Can I sit next to you?" Yukiko asked, her voice a bit shy. Alexander looked at her, staring into her eyes, which made her look away instantly.
"Of course, please sit here." Yukiko then sat next to Alexander, strangely close to him. He looked into the nurse's eyes, then smiled.
"I never thought you would join us on our march, I thought you would stay in Urazaki."
"I am one of the most skilled nurses in Lord Genichiro's army, my presence on the battlefield is almost as certain as yours."
"Well, a nurse like you is much more important than a simple infantry soldier like me."
"Don't say that, besides, you're not a simple infantry soldier, you're a soldier who has Lord Genichiro's attention, the only one of this 'special force' he trained who showed some talent."
"Coming from someone with an aura of yellow color, that's quite a compliment."
"Don't get too caught up in aura colors, I may have an aura with a more powerful color than yours, but in practice, you're a skilled warrior. I heard you managed to reach the orange aura, congratulations."
He laughed.
"Thank you, but I'm not a 'warrior,' at least not yet."
"How not? I heard you killed demons, and I saw with my own eyes that even though you are much weaker than Lord Genichiro, you withstood a direct blow from him."
"A blow that almost killed me, and the demons certainly almost killed me, but I think today I can kill them with almost no difficulty."
Killing those ogres in the spirit quest was very rewarding...
"You have quite a talent with a bokken. How do you imagine the battlefield will be?"
He thought for a moment.
"I think it will be noisy, dirty, and smelly. Dirty with dust, full of people screaming everywhere, the sound of swords clashing and flesh being torn, and the stench of many soldiers soiling their pants in fear." Yukiko laughed, she moved closer to Alexander, touching his hand gently, and looking into his eyes.
"Besides that boy, Yasuo, I think you are the youngest of the soldiers here, and the most handsome." A smile appeared on Alexander's face, somewhat embarrassed or awkward.
"Don't you find any of Lord Genichiro's samurais handsome?" Yukiko looked around to make sure no samurai or soldier would hear what she was about to say.
"The samurais here are all the same, either old and married or ugly and mistreat women." Alexander raised his eyebrows. "You seem different, you don't see someone who stands up to Lord Genichiro or breaks a noble's arm every day."
He laughed, and so did she.
I never thought I would miss this, certainly having a calm conversation with a girl was a feeling I didn't value much in the other world. And to think I would regret dying a virgin.
A scream echoed through the cave, followed by several others. Alexander became alarmed, standing up instantly and grabbing his sword.
"What's happening, we're being attacked?" he asked, some soldiers were running towards the cave entrance holding spears and torches, and one of them stopped.
"Lions! Mountain lions!"
Lions...
"Yukiko, stay here!" he said, looking at the nurse.
Like the soldiers, he ran towards the cave entrance, one of the samurais was there, and everyone gathered, screams and roars being heard everywhere. When he reached the entrance, a shiver ran through his body.
Beasts the size of horses, blood-stained claws shining like freshly polished silver, two fangs of at least thirty centimeters extending out of their mouths, an immense black mane covered the thick neck of one while the other had no mane. But what was most impressive were their auras, orange auras covering their bodies. Some soldiers approached with torches, waving them to try and scare the creatures, but the ones truly scared were they.
"Out! Out!" shouted a soldier, but he got too close. Faster than he could react, the claws of one of the lions tore through him like a hot knife through butter.
Now this is a magical beast...
More soldiers advanced, three of them, two with spears stabbing one of the lions in the chest, the spears did not penetrate the beast's tough hide. One of them drew his katana, jumping and trying to decapitate the lion, the sword had no effect, the blade just broke. With a single bite, the beast ripped off the unlucky soldier's head. Alexander placed his hand on his sword's hilt.
Wait... Now is the best time to test this, no one is looking at me so no one will notice.
"Inventory: Silver Fang." He said in a low voice, sparks flew from his right hand, where a katana slightly larger than the sword he was given appeared, the silver blade was a bit shiny. "Lighter than I expected..." Alexander raised the sword, holding the scabbard with both hands in a more comfortable stance. He observed, and waited, his aura slowly revealed itself and covered his body.
I don't know if I will be able to be faster than these beasts, our aura color is the same... Strange.
One of the samurais threw a torch at one of the lions, hitting its face and making the lion furious.
Now!
Alexander charged quickly, raising his silver sword and striking with all his might at the neck of the maneless lion. The beast roared in pain, collapsing to the ground. The sword cut through its hide and embedded itself in the flesh of its neck but did not decapitate it, stopping halfway through the neck bones. This left all the soldiers shocked but also gave them a chance.
"Now, men!" shouted one of the samurais. The soldiers acted in unison as if they all had the same thoughts at the same moment. Torches and spears surrounded the immense beast still standing. Alexander seemed to have difficulty pulling the sword from the beast's neck. He looked around, all the soldiers were now focused on the other lion.
"I think I can do the same, Inventory: Silver Fang." The sword, which had been immovable, disappeared in a shower of sparks.
"Out!"
"Get out!"
The voices were many, shouting, yelling, trying to drive away that lion straight out of a nightmare. The beast hesitated, slowly retreating, its powerful roars becoming weaker, thinner, and frightened. After a few more tense minutes, the beast fled the way it had entered. Shouts of joy and victory began to echo through the cave. Alexander seemed more relaxed, his heart pounding rapidly, a smile appearing on his face. The soldiers ran to Alexander, all impressed, perplexed smiles on their faces.
"Shura, that was incredible!"
"Damn, you're crazy!"
Voices and voices filled with praise.
"Calm down, guys, I didn't do anything," he said, trying to calm them down. One of the samurais approached, clad in dark green armor with a helmet decorated with deer horns. He was tall, and just his steps made all the soldiers back away and made way.
"That was impressive, soldier." Alexander thought for a moment, kneeling and lowering his gaze.
"Sir," he said respectfully.
"No need for so much formality, stand up. What's your name, boy?" He stood up, still looking down.
"My name is Shura, sir."
"Shura, huh? Lord Genichiro spoke of you; he said you are brave, audacious, and certainly strong for someone so young. I am the commander of our division, Hirata Shigenori, I'll be keeping an eye on you, maybe you're good enough to join my squad." He said, placing a hand on Alexander's shoulder.
"It would be an honor, sir," he replied, trying to fake enthusiasm in his voice, his face looking like an excited young man trying to hold back.
"But don't let it go to your head; there's still a long way to go." Hirata turned to the soldiers. "Fortify the entrance, treat the wounded, and...hold a proper ceremony for the fallen."
After the tension in the cave subsided, it seemed like Alexander was ready to rest. But a thought crossed his mind, looking at the fallen lion's body he had killed, some soldiers were cutting parts of the body, removing the hide, and pulling out claws and fangs. Alexander went to Taigen, who was sitting by a fire, looking quite happy drinking sake.
"Taigen, can I ask you something?"
"Ask away, oh great lion slayer." Taigen laughed, his breath reeking of sake.
"Lions, these mountain lions that invaded the camp, are they intelligent beasts?"
"They are very powerful predators, we'll have to be careful crossing the mountains not to fall into an ambush."
"Yes, they are cunning beasts, but are they intelligent? Like, can they talk?" Taigen stopped, staring into the red eyes of the blonde elf.
"Talk? Aha!" Taigen started laughing, laughing so much he spilled some sake. "Of course not!"
"Alright, thanks for confirming." Alexander then stood up and went to something resembling a bed, lying down but not closing his eyes.
Lions have auras... They're magical beasts, so they follow the rules of being born with a second heart, awakening, and cultivating. But how do beasts cultivate so much? They are predators and animals, they have to worry about eating, resting, and reproducing. A lion can't stand still for half a day just cultivating, it must find a way to do it while doing other things...
He changed position on the bed, thinking, reflecting.
Could it be possible? System, answer me something. The message box appeared.
[!!!Speak, player!!!]
The power of thought is indeed excellent. System, answer me something, is it possible to cultivate while moving?
[The second heart acts like a muscle, it requires concentration to use and cultivate, but like any muscle in the human body, it can be used in conjunction with other muscles.]
I knew it! If the act of cultivating uses muscles, then cultivating is like a reflex; if I concentrate and practice, I can force this reflex all the time. I just need to learn how...