NOVEL NEXT Chapter 61: 61. Spar(2)
「Mana Mastery (S)」
In an effort to compensate for your abysmal swordsmanship and physical aptitude, you immersed yourself in mana theory, weaving, and circle dynamics. What others struggle with, you understand as naturally as breathing. In this aspect, you are a true genius.
And it was true.
In this world, after Licht's Mana Circle Theory was published, it came to govern everything. It was the core of combat, the secret to unleashing multiple techniques in harmony.
As the theory became more popular, Most students would have 1 or 2 mana circles. Elite geniuses topped out at 3.
Even the original protagonist had only 6.
Licht had checked his mana circles once and nearly choked.
He had 12.
Twelve.
Twelve independent mana circles, all orbiting his core like silent moons.
If he wanted to…He could activate twelve techniques at the same time.
It wasn't just unheard of. It was insane.
A single mistake and his body would rupture into mana-drenched ash.
But if used correctly?
It was godlike.
"More techniques" didn't always mean "more power." The combat system in this world wasn't that shallow.
But more techniques meant more versatility, more synergy and More ways to dismantle enemies.
That… was Licht's territory.
At a certain point, he realised the truth.
Maybe It was Licht's destiny to be born with a trash physique.
Because if the original Licht had even a half-decent body and I mean just the bare minimum to survive real combat, then with his unparalleled talent for mana theory, his monstrous twelve Mana Circles, and that cold, calculating mind…
He wouldn't just be a genius.
He'd be a disaster.
A calamity in human form.
And with the backing of House Valtier, their influence and resources, Licht could very well become a threat that even rivalled the demons that were already pushing humanity to extinction.
Licht's physique was still weak, but with the activation of his 「Infinite Copy Eyes」, his physique had improved.
'Tilly… I'm gonna need your help.'
There was no flashy response, but if one looked closely, one could see a web of silver scales flickering faintly beneath his skin, forming lines along his arms like
Across from him stood Instructor Garrick, a mountain of a man with a worn greatsword resting lazily across his shoulders. Licht approached, with his sword at his side.
Garrick grinned.
"Come at me, Valtier."
Licht's fingers tightened on his hilt as mana pulsed through his palm.
『Valemont Sword Style — Rushing Thunder God! (A)』
In a sapphire blue flash, lightning danced up his spine and into his eyes. He launched forward, zigzagging erratically, faster than most could track with their eyes closing in from the low angle.
BOOM.
Garrick didn't move.
His sword blocked the attack as his arm shimmered with lightning from Licht's strike, but he stood there, unimpressed.
WHUMP.
With one kick, Licht flew backwards like a cannonball as all air was punched out from his lungs. The entire time Silver scales rippled across his chest just in time to blunt the impact of the attack as Licht clumsily stood to his feet.
"Again," Garrick said, voice like rolling thunder. "You can do better."
Licht exhaled and adjusted his grip on his sword once again.
『Rushing Thunder God!』
But this time, it wasn't just speed.
Licht's steps twisted in a broken rhythm. First fast, then slow, left, then right. His path flashed and flickered like a glitch through reality in a wild, chaotic pattern no one could predict. And in that storm of misdirection that Licht struck. He moved forward like a ghost, turning a seemingly direct low feint into a vertical cleave aimed clean at Garrick's collar!
'Got you!' Thought Licht
But just as Licht's strike landed..
FWOOSH.
The instructor dissolved into a gust of wind, causing Licht to know exactly what was happening
Fuck! An afterimage.
Licht bareley even had any time to feel surprised before a voice echoed in his ears
"Your footwork's improving," Garrick's voice said from behind him. "But you still think speed is the end of motion."
Garrick smiled.
"Let me show you something."
『Slayer Sword Style – Tempest Edge (B)』
CRACK!
A slicing gale tore across Licht's back cuaing his 「Dragon Soul Guard (S)」to flash as Tilly helped manifest scales on his back to partiay block the attack. As this was happening Licht quickly twisted and raised his barely intercepting the next attack just in time!
Fire burned in Licht's eys as he prepare Garrick was already gone.
Another gust of wind blades came from the right.
Then left. Then behind.
Licht quickly realsied that Garrick wasn't just attacking him, he was surrounding him.
Each strike felt like a like was overwhelming making licht feel like he was inside a tempestous tornado.
If Licht raised his sword wrong or stepped out too recklessly, he would receive a swift strike in the centre of wind tornado until he inatavbly corrected his technique with bruises and blood.
Each strike was a teachinf opprotunity and lesson. But it was A lesson in accomapnied by pain and blood.
Licht couldn't take it anymore
Lightning pulsed from Licht's boots as he tried to disengage but Garrick stalked him like a plague, his greatsword howling through the wind and chasing after him with every step.
"Ugh..!" Licht grunted, blocking another attack that came crushing overhead. It's force so powerful his dragon soul Scales flared up his arms again
『Rushing Thunder God – Storm Chain Edge! (A+)』
Licht roared.
He abandoned as much defence as possible and slashed in a frenzied rhythm, bolts of mana striking the ground around him, trying to break free of the storm — but Garrick's wild laughter only grew louder.
"Come on, Valtier! I know you're better than this!"
Garrick grew more amused and complacent, but little did he know that that was the exact moment Licht had been waiting for
That gap.
That single moment of arrogance. A flicker of overconfidence.
Licht saw it, and His eyes narrowed.
'Now.'
「Dragon Soul Guard (S)」 — Full Activation
A thunderclap shook the field as a dragon's roar tore from Licht's chest.
Scales surged across his arms, down to his fingers, until they locked no different than a pair of dragon's claws, allowing Licht to catch Garrick's sword strike head on!