NOVEL NEXT Chapter 175: Getting More Points
Kairn defended Van's attacks, and their exchange continued for a few more seconds…
Kairn was indeed fast—but soon, Van realized that his opponent was predictable.
Because of that, his Ocularis Lens didn't take too long to analyze his opponent's movements.
[ Combat Prediction: Initiating Pattern Recognition – Grab Loop Detected]
[ Counter Window: 1.2 seconds after the third feint]
Kairn struck again—left, right, spinning elbow—then he would grab forward with his leg extended, attempting to catch Van and overpower him with his strong arms… It was exactly as the Lens predicted.
Because of that, Van didn't hesitate and dodged this grab… Then, he slammed his palm into Kairn's thigh, knocking his balance off.
Pah!
It was his Aura versus Kairn's Aura at this point!
However, with his impressive control, he formed the Aura in his palm to be sharper!
Then, with a movement, he twisted and caught the arm Kairn used to regain footing!
Aaargh!
Kairn didn't expect the painful grab and he was soon flipped over Van's shoulder.
The crowd gasped seeing this masterful display of balance and skills.
Bang!
Kairn hit the ground hard and rolled to his feet while blood was trickling from his mouth.
"…Not bad," Kairn muttered, though his face didn't look good.
"But let's see if you can handle this."
Just like that, the Aura of Level 1 Knight erupted from his body. It was an invisible aura but everyone could feel it...
It flowed down his legs and arms, reinforcing his muscles. Kairn grinned as he knew that he was now capable of crashing or even splitting a tree in half…
Seeing Van's small figure, he knew that he was about to win…
Just like that, he darted forward, filled with the desire to destroy Van… Although he wasn't really planning to cripple Van at first, he was already pissed off!
In any case, Van's master was rich, so he should be fine after getting high-level potions.
Then, as he was moving forward, Van also activated a burst of his own Aura, barely perceptible compared to Kairn…
However, to his surprise, it also had the thickiness and pulse of a Level 1 Aura Knight!
'He's not even fifteen!' Kairn was shocked as he thought that Van was about thirteen or fourteen years old.
Being a Level 1 Aura Knight at this age was definitely an incredible feat!
Kairn sensed Van's aura protecting his body… It should be enough to absorb his attacks!
Indeed, Van just blocked a series of vicious strikes, redirected a kick, and then ducked—and drove his elbow into Kairn's gut!
Bam!
The slave staggered but it was not enough to bring him down… However, Van followed up with a clean chop to the side of the neck, hitting a pressure point.
Thud!
Kairn collapsed and lost consciousness…
***
Just like that, cheers erupted around the outpost. The Apprentice Mages and the Slaves weren't offended at Kairn's defeat!
They were all just happy to see an incredible fight…
'Seriously… Is this their only entertainment here?' Julia thought as she already realized the situation here in this outpost.
"Well I'll be damned," Niles said, stepping forward and slapping his knee. "Didn't expect that. You two can stay the night. Free of charge."
Julia wryly smiled and nodded. She then turned to Van. "Good job…"
Van bowed. "Thank you, My Lady."
After a few moments, Kairn sat against a post, coughing slightly... He still felt bitter but he knows his position…
"You're something else. What's your name?"
"…Van."
Kairn nodded. "Hope we meet again."
***
That night, Julia and Van were given a modest but very clean wooden cabin on the far side of the outpost. It had two beds, a small table, and a clay lantern giving them a soft light.
Outside, the wind rustled, and embers from the bonfire continued to dance… It seemed that some servants were ensuring that the bonfire wouldn't die during the night.
After cleaning themselves and having their meal that was served by Harrison, Julia couldn't fall asleep…
She leaned against the window and muttered. "You really are too competent to be a slave," she muttered.
Van didn't respond. He sat quietly, wiping the dust from his boots after he arranged his satchel. But at this time, his Lens reported something.
[ Mapping Updated: Pinewatch Station — Cleared ]
[ New Goal Suggested: Investigate Aura Techniques of Other Slaves ]
'So… It seems that you also noticed the unusual Aura Technique that Kairn used…' Van mused… He only had two Aura Techniques after all. It wouldn't be too bad if he actually learned another one.
'Still… I don't think their Aura Technique is that good. I should observe for now.' He mused.
Well, his two Aura Techniques are Mind Sword which attacks someone's mind, and Dawn's Crescent Reversal which returns someone's attack.
As for the Aura Void Method, it was something he could only learn once he reached Level 3 Aura…
In any case, the two soon felt tired and slept for more than eight hours… Of course, they weren't completely defenseless as Van's Ocularis Lens was still active even while he was asleep… That way, he would receive a warning if they were ever ambushed.
***
On the next morning, after having some soup and jerky that Harrison had prepared for them, Van and Julia departed the Pinewatch Station.
At this time, their goal had expanded.
Julia and Van agreed that they would target the 100-Point Mana-Rolling Beetles.
It wasn't found easily. According to what Niles and Harrison had mentioned, the beetle lived in specific mana-saturated environments, typically burrowing into mossy rock beds or under sun-warmed stone mounds near the roots of aged trees.
Thankfully, the morning started promisingly.
By mid-morning, Van had already collected five more Honeycap Mushrooms…
[ +250 Academic Points Registered: Honeycap Mushroom x5 ]
To be honest, these Mushrooms were truly difficult to find as most of them were hidden by dried leaves, stones, and covered by shadows.
However, Van's Ocularis Lens was simply too capable.
Even Julia harvested a healthy bundle of Glowplume Ferns…
[ +70 Academic Points Registered: Glowplume Fern x7 ]
But then, Van's Ocularis Lens had picked up something deeper in the terrain.
[ Environmental Scan: Residual Mana Trail Detected – Consistent with Mana-Rolling Beetle Nesting Patterns. ]
[ Direction: 29° Northeast – Elevated Slope, Dense Brush, Rocky Outcrop Detected. ]
'That's very detailed… Nice…' Van mused as he looked in its direction.
"Found something?" Julia asked, noticing Van's sudden stop.
She was already used to this movement.
"Yes," he replied calmly as he pointed in the direction that his Lens mentioned.
"Mana-Rolling Beetles. Or at least signs of their presence."
Julia's eyes lit up as soon as she heard this.
"Really?! That's awesome! One hundred points for each of them… I hope we can get a lot…" Julia said excitedly. She was already getting bored of these mushrooms and ferns after all.
Well, she had no idea that the other teams were struggling to find these things, so she couldn't really appreciate it when Van was finding them easily.
Nonetheless, Van guided Julia as they pushed through the thick brush…
They were trying to move in silence to not disturb the beetles but it was not easy. There were occasional chirps of forest birds and the crunch of dry twigs as they walked...
But soon, they arrived at a small rocky ground between two tangled trees.
Van held up a hand. "Wait."
[ Threat Detection: Mild Mana Fluctuations – Anomalous. Caution Advised. ]
He crouched and Julia followed his movements.
Soon, he swept his hand across the moss-covered rocks. His Aura pulsed subtly through his fingertips—then stopped.
There were burrows.
Not beetle-sized. Far too large.
And the residual mana was… unstable…
Soon, a faint snort echoed from within the rocky mound.
Then, they felt the presence of three creatures!
The ground trembled slightly, and what emerged were squat, broad-shouldered creatures with black fur!
Their eyes were reddish-orange as if they were always angry!
Ember Badgers.
"Magic Beasts…" Van muttered. "But… no horns."
Julia quickly scanned the creatures. "That means they're pre-evolution. We can handle them."
"Carefully…" Van warned. "They're still fast, and their mana glands might ignite if provoked too much."
There were three of them—probably a small nest. Their burrows likely overlapped with the habitat of the Mana-Rolling Beetles.
Unfortunately, the beetles were likely long gone… or eaten. Still, they have to search the area to make sure of it.
One of the Ember Badgers let out a bark and pawed the ground.
"Let me handle the first one," Van said.
He adjusted his footing, activating a sliver of Aura along his forearms.
'Just enough to put this guy to sleep…' Van mused as he didn't want to smash the badger and splatter its flesh and bones everywhere.
Soon, the ember badger in front pounced bravely toward Van!
It didn't care about the difference in their size as expected of a magic beast!
Still, Van didn't move until the last second—then sidestepped smoothly, and made a chopping motion!
Boom!
His Aura rippled outward as he redirected the badger's charge back into its companion.
He actually used the essence of his Dawn's Crescent Reversal on that move!