Chapter 110 - Above & Beyond
Just a bit more… I was close to Mana Pool stage 6. At the moment I was at peak stage 5. It was about time I leveled up and increased my mana efficiency and purity. It would be extremely helpful for my upcoming battles.
In the past week I had finished Prince Landon's Mission and he held his side of the bargain. He allowed me to meditate and cultivate near the Yggdrasil tree of the Elven Forest.
Vesta and the other S rank beasts didn't bother with me due to Dianmu's orders, so my progress was steady.
I didn't care about going back to school and continued my meditation for 3 days and 3 nights without rest and finally I was close to a breakthrough.
'I'm almost done with building the secondary mana pool too. Although I'm going to need more time than you. The mana oozing off of this Yggdrasil is extremely potent so we've both been benefiting a lot.' Voad spoke through our mind link.
'Keep working. We only have a couple more days before we have to return.' I replied, focusing on my meditation once again.
I knew time was scarce. That stupid Prince only gave me 5 days to cultivate near the Yggdrasil tree. I could always meditate in the Magic Forest in The Vrimeon Kingdom but that Yggdrasil tree was much smaller and still in its baby years.
**
A burst of mana flowed throughout my meridians and body. It was getting harder to control the dense amounts of mana flowing around me.
'Voad. I'm almost there, help me a little.' I said, struggling and gritting my teeth. The Mana pool was expanding as I was speaking.
Voad mentally nodded before helping me out. The burden slowly lifted off me and I could feel the metamorphosis taking place. The mana pool was going through an evolution; newer and purer mana was being cyphoned into the empty mana pool.
'We're done.' Voad said, cutting off the mental link and going back to working on his own mana pool.
[Congratulations! You have reached a new Stage!]
[Mana pool 5 ->6]
[Intelligence has increased]
Suddenly, the urge to throw up engulfed me and I broke my meditation posture. I hunched over to the side before barfing out the sludge that built up inside me. The taste was horrible, it was like decaying meat and rotten apples were mixed together.
Black Sludge splashed all over the ground and when the dark sludge stopped flowing out from my mouth, an overbearing stench engulfed the whole area. What the f*ck was this black sh*t?!
I got up and wiped my mouth before distancing myself from the area. I was about 50 metres away. The horrid stench could still be smelt all the way from here.
'Voad. What the f*ck was that black sludge that I vomited?' I asked, gulping down some water to get rid of the aftertaste.
'This normally only happens to magic beasts, after the leveling up of a mana pool stage all the impurities that built up in the body are excreted as that black sludge.
'If my hypothesis is right, since you've inherited my dragon blood you're part beast now. Like I said before you're a tribrid. The first of your kind: A human, True dragon and a Demon.' Voad explained.
'So what's the benefit of excreting these impurities?' I asked.
'Your body is much more efficient in using your mana, muscles, everything. It's like washing your body from the inside. You should feel much lighter and stronger.'
As he said that I flexed my hands, sparks of lightning formed around my fists.
'What rank would you say I am right now?'
'If we were to scale you with Xanxus, that Geezer and Elena, I'd say you're mid A rank at your full power. You still have a long way to go.' He sighed.
Mid A rank wasn't half bad. At the moment I was at level 86, so theoretically S rank was at level 100.
'Status Menu Open.'
[Status Menu]
[Name: Zeref Amara]
[Species: Tribrid (Human, Demon, True Dragon)]
[Level: 86]
[Exp: 2,000/ 86,000]
[Mana Pool: Stage 6]
[HP: 30,000]
[MP: 12,000]
[Strength: 205]
[Stamina: 184]
[Agility: 187]
[Defence/ Durability: 209]
[Intelligence: 180]
[Total Available Stat Points: 60]
[Weakness: Increased damage taken from Earth Magic, Nature Magic and when consuming Eggs]
[Affinity/ Perks: Lightning Magic, Fire Magic, Ice magic, Gravity magic.
Immune to Lightning magic attacks and Mental attacks
Resistance against fire and ice magic by 80%
Rapid healing
Heightened Senses
Super strength and Super speed
Levitation
Demon Eye (Increased Perception and Visual Prowess)
Sixth Sense [Echo Location using mana instead of sound waves] ]
This was the first time seeing my stats since the metamorphosis and assimilation with Voadhailis. He was right, my stats had all skyrocketed. I had 60 available stat points so I placed them into Agility, Intelligence and Stamina.
[Intelligence has increased 180 -> 200]
[Stamina has increased 184 -> 204]
[Agility has increased 187 -> 207]
I felt a surge of power flow through me as all my stats were above 200. Now to test out my upgraded body.
**
How the h*ll did I get myself into this situation?
RAarrrghhhh!!!
The cyclops shrieked loudly, swinging down with his club. I dodged evading the attack and threw a fireball at its head.
A large explosion made it stumble back but there didn't seem to be any damage? How?
'Cyclops are fire proof you dimwit.' Voad informed.
Boom!
I was hit from the back with another club, making me skyrocket towards a large boulder.
[You have sustained 700 damage]
Ow!
I dusted myself and scanned my surroundings. 1..2...5…7 cyclops surrounded me, ready to clobber me to death.
Time for a challenge… I cracked my neck left and right and removed my eye patch feeling a surge of energy flow through me.
[A rank - Cyclops are temporarily intimidated]
I began first dashing towards them with my bare fists. A swing came for me but I dodged it by zigzagging up the beast's arm and throwing a punch towards its head with my full power.
The cyclop's head kicked back like it had been hit by a shotgun; I finished it off with an axe kick at its forehead, crushing its brain to gooey bits.
The others weren't going to just stare and watch, they charged towards me in a frenzy throwing wild strikes.
'Vooadhailis, Cambio Forma!'
'Zeus's Wrath.'
BOOM! CRACKLE!
The soon to be Lightning Monarch had descended… Streaks of white lightning surrounded my body and dark clouds had formed above me.
Multiple lightning strikes fried some of the Cyclops stunning them and I finished the rest of them cutting them up like sushi with an arsenal of different swings and cuts.
[You have earned 12,000 EXP for killing an A rank beast!]
[You have earned 12,000 EXP for killing an A rank beast!]
[You have earned 12,000 EXP for killing an A rank beast!]
[You have earned 12,000 EXP for killing an A rank beast!]
…
[Congratulations! You have levelled up!]
[You are now level 87]
[You have 10 Total Available stat points]
I looked back at the chopped up chunks of Cyclops carcass and wiped my sweat off my forehead.
This might have been overkill.
"Young Demon. Let's talk."
A familiar voice echoed from behind me.
**
"Numen. Why are you here?" I asked, dematerialising the Voadhailis's Claws in my hands. It was odd to see the Alpha of the Magic Forest here in the Elven Forest, in foreign territory.
"This is my real body." He said, opening his arms. Slowly, the vines covering his body dropped to reveal the person underneath. Another Humanoid S rank beast, just like Dianmu.
A man in his mid 20's stood in front of me. He was a bit taller than me at 6 ft 2 and had a slick body figure. He had emerald green hair and green eyes; a long green coat stretched from his neck to his knees, similar to a trench coat. Underneath seemed to be black clothes. I couldn't determine if they were part of his body or just clothes.
"I have come to you in person as I have some things I want to discuss. Things are going to get rowdy soon and I need you to prepare yourself for the worst." He spoke, his voice resonating no hostile intentions.
I nodded in understanding, sitting on one of the boulders.
"Firstly, I want to warn you of the threat to come. There is a special phenomenon that happens in this world at random times, usually every 100 years or so: The Blood Moon.
"On this day the moon turns a blood red and causes magic beasts that haven't reached a humanoid form yet to lose their senses and wreck havoc.
"I came here to warn you that this day is near. I received a premonition in a dream that it was coming and I'm sure all the Alpha's have received the same premonition.
"I need you to prepare yourself as this could bring the downfall of everything if we're not prepared." He explained.
'A blood moon huh. You guys are doomed. Apart from S rank beasts all other magic beasts will be affected. They'll grow in strength and attack whatever they see. You understand what that means?' Voad asked.
'What?'
'Double EXP.' He grinned at the golden opportunity. This could be my ticket to level 100.
"Thanks for warning me Numen, I'll make sure to prepare myself and the others for it." I said, "...How come you came in your real body and not in another clone form?"
"The real reason is I want to form a contract with you. The same one you made with Dianmu; I've met up with her a couple times and each time she seems to be growing stronger. Your growth is stimulating her growth." He replied truthfully.
'So he's seen the benefits of forming a contract with us. That means he's probably desperate to gain more power. We can use that as leverage and make him our slave.' Voad spoke.
"What are the contract details then?" I was interested in his offer.
"I will send clones to your aid whenever you need me and I'll stay loyal to your side till the end. In return, I want nothing. The growth in your strength will automatically boost mine, the same as Dianmu. That's all I desire."
'That sounds fine. We're ultimately getting his loyalty for free.' Voad scoffed.
"Deal. Let's begin." I said.
I made a cut in my hand and he did the same. We shook our hands together forming the contract seal. A surge of mana reverberated from us and after a couple seconds the contract deal was done.
[Congratulations! You have formed a master and familiar contract with S rank - Forest KIng, Numen]
A smile stretched across his face and immediately tight thick vines surrounded my body. Sh*t! I couldn't move.
"Now sit back and wait, while I take over your body for myself. You think I'd be your slave just like that?! Ahahahahaha. Don't mess with me you imbecile!" Numen laughed hysterically, coming closer before placing his hand on my head.
Everything immediately went dark…
**
I opened my eyes slowly. My body felt as light as ever like there was no gravity acting on it. Where the h*ll was I? Picking myself up I spotted where I was.
Inside my mind. Why was it so white everywhere?
Suddenly, a dark shadow engulfed the white ground under me. I looked back at the thing causing the shadow to form.
Voadhailis!
"We finally meet in person. This is the boring place I have been caged in by the system. This place is unbreakable. I've tried everything." He spoke this time with his true voice. It was deep and husky like during our mental talks but this time it had much more of a domineering feel. He towered over me at a great height of 150 metres.
His fiery red scales shimmered under the light and his wings stretched out wide.
I spotted an unconscious Numen in his hands and I couldn't help but laugh.
"Ahahhahahahaha!!!! He really thought he could take over." I laughed hysterically at the irony. Even a mighty True Dragon failed and this fool was really thinking to even try.
"That's enough. You're invading my personal space. Seeing your face irritates me. Get out!" He said loudly and immediately everything went dark again. Maybe that was the only place he had control in; the system did in fact cage him there.
Why was he in such a bad mood? That was our first encounter since the forming of the bond and he kicked me out already.
I finally woke up with Numen shivering in fear in front of me on his knees. The vines that held me down were gone now and I was free.
I smiled at his petrified state, "I see you've met my bond."
His eyes met mine, then he remembered his experience with Voadhailis.
"Just don't do that again or your punishment will be worse than what Voad did to you. Now go." My voice came out cold and he immediately disappeared out of my sight.
'Voad what the h*ll did you do to him?' I laughed mentally.
'Don't worry. Just move on. We should carry on with our meditation.' He replied shutting my question down.