A week had passed since Ray had entered the wilderness. In that time, he faced beasts of all kinds, swift Shadow Cats, towering Boulder Apes, and thorn-covered Horned Lizards. With each encounter, his instincts sharpened and his skills grew keener. But it wasn't just his physical abilities that were advancing; his control over the Primal energy was evolving with every battle.
As Ray wielded it, he felt its nature shifting as if it were both a tool and a living entity. It calmed when he focused, sharpening his senses, and making the world around him more vivid, almost slowing down, allowing him to anticipate each creature's movements. At other times, his strikes would blaze with speed and strength, his primal energy coursing through his blade like shifting from one point to another in no time. And in rare moments, his sword seemed to cut in ways that drained life itself, leaving withered plants and dead silence in the aftermath.
Ray trained tirelessly, trying to understand these various effects. He knew that to break through to the Grandmaster stage, he needed to go beyond mere mastery of the sword and learn the true nature of his primal energy, to form an aura that could act as an extension of his body. This aura that Eldric had spoken of, a Grandmaster's aura, wasn't just power but the very essence of one's energy, a unique mark of mastery you could call it similar to attributes of Mages. Ray sensed he was close; the energy within him felt ready to manifest.
Besides his swordsmanship, Ray also began experimenting with his secondary energy source, the "mana core" within him. Though he understood little about its nature, he found it calmed his mind, sharpening his focus and clarity in battle. He even tried channeling mana into his vision, though he failed to do it effectively. Still, he could feel both energies, primal energy enhancing his physical body, and mana steadying his mind.
When he finally decided to head back to the hut, Ray felt stronger and faster, his movements more instinctual and efficient than ever. Eldric would be proud, and he looked forward to discussing his progress.
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The previous night of Ray's return, in the forest's outer regions, three powerful figures moved stealthily under the shadows of towering trees. Their auras were potent, matching Eldric's, or perhaps exceeding it. These were no ordinary travelers, they were Powerhouses of the kingdom, carrying a sinister purpose.
Inside his humble hut, Eldric sensed them before he saw them, their dark presences approaching. He stepped outside, meeting the three under the faint light of the stars. They were Sir Alaric, a saint of spear; Lady Seraphine, an Archmage dressed in robes; and Lord Darius, a sword saint known for his stealthy swordsmanship.
Darius's gaze was full of disdain as he looked around the modest surroundings. "Quite the humble life you've built here, Eldric," he said mockingly. "Living quietly, pretending the past doesn't haunt you."
Eldric's gaze didn't waver. "What brings three of the kingdom's finest all the way out here? It's hardly a social visit."
Lady Seraphine's voice was cold, "We're not here for small talk, Eldric. You were once a commander, and even in exile, you remain a threat."
Sir Alaric's voice was harsh, his words carrying a weight of finality. "The kingdom is changing. Organizations are rising, forces aligning against those who oppose their rule. And the king has ordered us to… clean up loose ends."
Eldric's jaw tightened, his hand resting calmly on the hilt of his sword. "So, I'm a 'loose end' now. After all this time."
Seraphine's eyes narrowed. "You could've remained in exile, living quietly. But even here, your very existence threatens the plans we're building."
Eldric's lips curved into a grim smile. "I want nothing to do with your kingdom's schemes. But if you've come all this way for a fight, I'll make sure you regret it."
With that, Sir Alaric lunged forward, his spear thrusting toward Eldric with deadly precision. Eldric met it with a powerful swing, his sword colliding with the spear in a clash that echoed through the forest.
The impact split the ground around them, shockwaves rippling through the forest. Alaric's spear moved with deadly precision, each thrust calculated to pierce Eldric's defenses. But Eldric, with years of experience and using his Aura, held his ground, parrying with skill and unwavering focus.
Alaric smirked, testing his former comrade. "You've softened, Eldric. Living out here in the middle of nowhere... do you even remember how we used to fight together?"
Eldric's eyes narrowed as he sidestepped a fierce jab, countering with a powerful swing that forced Alaric to backstep. "I haven't forgotten. But it seems you've traded honor for ambition."
They moved with a precision that spoke of countless battles fought side-by-side, an old familiarity guiding their moves even as enemies. Alaric's spear lashed out in wide arcs, fueled by his own intense energy, while Eldric's sword cut through the air with calm efficiency, each strike more potent than the last.
Meanwhile, Lady Seraphine observed silently, her eyes flickering with restrained malice, her hands already summoning a weave of magical energy to support Alaric at a moment's notice. Lord Darius lingered in the shadows, waiting, his sharp gaze studying Eldric's every movement, looking for an opening to strike.
As the battle intensified, Alaric's eyes blazed with an inner fire, and his spear began to emit a dark purple aura, swirling with an intense, foreboding energy. He smirked, his voice filled with malice. "You might have kept your little exile, but I've mastered my own way of war. Eldric...Heaven Piercer domain."
At that, a sinister field unfurled around them, distorting the very air. Eldric felt the weight of the domain settle around him, pulling at his primal energy, like claws digging into his strength and resolve.
The battle intensified, between the strongest of the kingdom, while Ray unknowingly headed back, steps away from a conflict that would forever change his fate.