NOVEL NEXT Chapter 58: True Enemy
Hayden's focus was shattered as a searing pain exploded in his head. It felt like a hot blade had been driven into his skull…
"Ahh!"
He doubled over, clutching his temples as he could barely endure the pain.
"What… what's happening?!" He gasped as his vision started blurring since the pain just intensified.
The Ocularis Lens activated urgently as it monitored Hayden's body.
[ Warning: Unusual energy surge detected in neural pathways. ]
[ Source: Residual memory imprint from Aura Crystal. ]
[ Threat level: High. Immediate countermeasures recommended. ]
Hayden barely had time to process the warnings before his mind was flooded with images—fragments of memories that weren't his own.
The pain subsided slightly, replaced by some vivid but disjointed scenes from someone else's memories.
At this time, Hayden saw a battlefield, a lone figure standing amidst the chaos.
'This…'
Hayden soon realized what was going on.
The figure he was seeing was Clovis, the undead Aura Knight he had faced earlier. But this time, he was alive.
Clovis moved with his sword slicing through his enemies… But what caught Hayden's attention was the way Clovis's strikes seemed to bypass his opponents' defenses entirely, striking not their bodies but their minds!
Soon, information flooded through his mind.
'The Mind Sword,' Hayden realized, the name surfacing in his thoughts as if it had always been there.
'A technique that attacks the mind directly. Only a Great Swordmaster like Clovis could wield it.'
The memories shifted, showing Clovis training in solitude, perfecting the Mind Sword technique. Hayden felt the intensity of Clovis's focus, the willpower required to manifest an invisible blade that could pierce the mind.
Soon, he realized why Clovis had become the target of undead resurrection! It seemed that someone else wanted to obtain this crystal.
Someone failed to obtain the Mind Sword from Clovis when he was still alive, so Hayden immediately realized that this person seemed to have coordinated with a sorcerer to find Clovis' corpse and obtain his Aura Crystal…
"Not good…"
As he expected, the memories turned hostile.
Hayden felt a sharp, stabbing sensation in his mind as if an invisible sword had been thrust into his consciousness. It felt as if Clovis was still fighting someone…
'It's the Mind Sword!' Hayden realized as panic surged through him.
'The crystal didn't just contain Clovis's memories—it contained his techniques too. And now, it's attacking me!'
The pain returned with a vengeance, threatening to overwhelm him. But Hayden refused to give in.
'I can't let this beat me. I have to fight back!'
Hayden's Ocularis Lens immediately took action, its interface projecting a series of rapid countermeasures.
[ Activate Aura Defense protocols. ]
Hayden had no idea that he had Aura Defense Protocols already even after just awekening. However, he soon realized that it was quite similar to the knowledge he obtained by reading books.
[ Redirect energy flow to neural pathways to establish mental barriers. ]
'Right… There's that method… But this will be the first time..'
Hayden soon focused on his breathing, channeling his Aura to protect his mind.
The invisible energy in his body started moving, forming a barrier that pushed back against the Mind Sword's assault. However, even if the pain subsided a little, it was still not over.
Just like that, an invisible battle raged within his mind!
Clovis's Mind Sword was truly incredible, it was no wonder why someone else wanted to obtain this power. Thankfully, Hayden was not normal either.
With his Lens helping him, he was able to monitor his body and defend himself.
'I won't lose,' Hayden thought as he gritted his teeth. 'I've come too far to be defeated by a mere remnant of his Mind Sword!'
Slowly but surely, Hayden gained the upper hand.
The Mind Sword's attacks grew weaker, its energy started dissipating as Hayden's Aura barrier held firm.
As Hayden continued to endure, he was soon able to shatter the technique!
"Haa!"
Just like that, the pain in his head vanished as quickly as it had come.
He collapsed to his knees and started breathing heavily. However, there was a triumphant smile spreading across his face.
'I did it. I defended against the Mind Sword.'
As Hayden caught his breath, he then realized something extraordinary. The memories of Clovis's training were still there, etched into his mind.
'I… I know how to use the Mind Sword,' Hayden thought as his eyes widened in awe.
The technique was complex, requiring immense focus and control, but the knowledge was there, waiting to be used!
'This is incredible. The crystal didn't just help me awaken my Aura—it gave me Clovis's greatest technique.'
Just like that, Hayden rested for a couple of hours before he spent the rest of the night practicing the Mind Sword.
During this time, the Ocularis Lens guided him as well.
At first, it was difficult. The technique required him to channel his Aura in a way he had never imagined before… He had to start shaping it into an invisible blade that could strike the mind directly, after all.
But with each attempt, he grew more accustomed to it…
'Focus… visualize the blade… channel the Aura…'
By dawn, Hayden had succeeded. A faint, almost unnoticeable glimmer appeared in the air before him. It was the manifestation of the Mind Sword.
***
However, as Hayden expected, the person who truly wanted the Aura Crystal had finally arrived at the graveyard where they could still feel the remnant energy of the undead Aura Knight.