NOVEL NEXT Chapter 68: Breakthrough - 4
"You are no longer a Novice, Kai Lorne," Herald stated, his voice flat, yet carrying an undeniable power. "You have ascended. Welcome to the Apprentice realm."
As he spoke, a profound shift occurred within me. It wasn't just a mental realization; it was a physical, almost spiritual transformation. My mana core, which had felt stretched and strained for weeks, suddenly expanded. It was like a dam breaking, but instead of a destructive flood, a warm, invigorating surge of power flowed through my entire being. My body felt lighter, stronger, more connected to the mana around me. My senses sharpened, and I could feel the subtle currents of mana in the hideout with a clarity I had never experienced before. It was a breakthrough, a true ascension. I was no longer just Kai Lorne; I was an Apprentice-level Sword Knight.
The feeling was exhilarating. My muscles, which had been constantly aching, now hummed with a renewed energy. The mana that had previously felt like a separate entity, something I had to consciously guide, now felt like an extension of myself, flowing effortlessly through my limbs, ready to be wielded. My understanding of the D-tier techniques deepened instinctively. I could feel the intricate pathways of mana, the subtle shifts in energy required for Mana Sheath, Impact Burst, and Flowing Defense. They were no longer just techniques I performed; they were becoming instincts, second nature.
Herald watched me, his gaze unblinking. "The first step is complete, Disciple," he stated. "The Apprentice realm grants you greater control over mana, increased physical resilience, and the ability to wield D-tier techniques with true proficiency. But it is only the beginning."
My training immediately intensified. Herald pushed me harder, faster, demanding more precision, more power, more intuitive understanding of mana. He no longer just demonstrated; he forced me to experiment, to adapt, to push the boundaries of what I thought possible.
We spent hours refining the D-tier techniques. Mana Sheath became seamless. I could now activate it instantly, the blue shimmer appearing along my blade's edge with a mere thought. I practiced cutting through various materials Mudrel provided – thicker wood, harder stone, even sheets of crude metal. The Mana Sheath allowed my blade to slice through them with surprising ease, leaving clean, precise cuts. It was no longer just about cutting; it was about control, about directing the mana to the exact point of impact, maximizing its cutting power.
Impact Burst also saw significant improvement. I could now control the intensity of the burst, from a subtle concussive force that could stagger an opponent, to a powerful explosion that could shatter solid rock. Herald made me practice against moving targets, forcing me to time the burst perfectly, to unleash its power at the precise moment of impact. The hideout often echoed with the sound of shattering stone and splintering wood as I refined this powerful offensive technique.
Flowing Defense was where I felt the most profound change. This technique, which had been the most challenging for me as a Novice, now felt intuitive. The mana flowed through my body, making me feel lighter, more agile, almost intangible. When Mudrel would strike with his broadsword, I no longer just parried; I would subtly redirect his force, letting his own momentum carry him off balance, creating openings for my counter-attacks. It was like becoming water, flowing around obstacles, rather than a rigid wall. Herald would often spar with me, his own movements impossibly fluid, forcing me to push my Flowing Defense to its limits, learning to anticipate and redirect even his subtle mana-infused probes.
"Your defense is improving, Disciple," Herald commented one afternoon, after I had successfully redirected a series of his rapid strikes, leaving him momentarily off-balance. "You are learning to become the current, not the rock."
Beyond the specific techniques, my overall mana control saw a massive leap. I could feel the ambient mana in the hideout, draw it in, and refine it into manex with greater speed and efficiency. My mana core felt larger, capable of storing more energy, allowing for sustained use of my techniques without quickly exhausting myself. I was constantly aware of the mana, a subtle hum beneath my skin, a constant source of power.
My physical conditioning continued to be brutal. Herald still made me run laps with invisible mana weights, hold impossible stances, and meditate for hours to temper my body further. He explained that while the Apprentice realm allowed me to wield D-tier techniques, higher-tier techniques would demand even greater physical resilience and mana capacity. My body was a vessel, and it needed to be constantly strengthened.
Life in the hideout was monotonous, but purposeful. My days revolved around training, eating, and sleeping. Mudrel was a constant presence, often watching my training, sometimes offering gruff encouragement. He would prepare our meals, simple but nutritious, and tend to Bella.
Bella, the cat beast-kin, had slowly started to warm up to me. At first, she would hide behind Mudrel, her large, frightened eyes watching me warily. But as the days turned into weeks, she would occasionally venture out, sniffing cautiously at my feet, sometimes even rubbing against my leg. I would offer her small pieces of meat from my rations, and she would purr, a soft, rumbling sound that was a welcome change from the constant clang of steel and Herald's terse commands. Her presence was a small, comforting reminder of the innocent lives I was fighting to protect.
I often found myself observing Mudrel and Bella. Mudrel, the hardened revolutionary, the man was surprisingly gentle with the beast-kin. He would talk to her in soft tones, stroke her fur, and share his own meager rations with her. It was a stark contrast to his brutal exterior, a reminder that even in this grim world, humanity, or at least compassion, could still be found in unexpected places. His devotion to Bella, his lost daughter, was a poignant echo of Evelina's grief for Prudee.
My thoughts often drifted to the outside world. To the Sapphire manor, to Lady Sapphire's grief, to Luminous's innocence, and to Evelina, still lying comatose. I wondered if she had woken up, if she had learned the truth about her father, about her mana core. The guilt still gnawed at me, a persistent ache. My self-inflicted wounds had healed, leaving only faint scars, but the emotional scars were deeper, more permanent.
I also thought about Herald's true name, Aradel Kein. The Narrative Redaction, still tantalized me, a power I couldn't wield. I had zero Override Points. My plan to eventually erase Herald was still there, a cold, calculated contingency, but for now, I was utterly dependent on him. He was my teacher, my protector, and my captor, all rolled into one.
The Sword Knight Academy exam closer. Herald had given me a rough timeline. We had a few more weeks of intense training before we would make our way to the capital. The commoner's route. It was a harder path, but Herald insisted it was safer, a way to avoid the cult's early scrutiny. I had to trust him, for now. My survival depended on it.
My time in the hideout was a constant balance between pushing my limits and preserving my sanity. The physical pain was a constant companion, but the mental exhaustion was often worse. The weight of my secrets, the burden of my new identity, the terrifying power of Herald, and the looming threat of the cult – it all pressed down on me.
I was Kai Lorne, the Apprentice-level Sword Knight.