Capítulo 16: For Her(3)
Three centuries passed by, and I finally completed my "training".
I also kept diligently devoting time to mastering the Harmonic Convergence technique. Now, after a staggering 446 years, I had achieved mastery. Advancing beyond this point would risk breaching the divine rank, which would draw unwanted attention if I were to venture into another world as a God.
Becoming a God with my young mana core would also render me a feeble deity. The path of advancement once embarked upon, allowed no retreat in terms of expanding the mana core.
The Harmonic Convergence technique consisted of nine mortal layers and six divine layers. Mastery of all these layers signaled the fusion of the mana core and the body, resulting in an existence that breathed mana with every action.
Having completed the nine mortal layers, both my mana core and body were perfected for fusion at any given moment. Although my mana core continued to grow, I encountered no bottlenecks along the way, and it seemed unlikely that I would face any in the foreseeable future as my physical body kept growing at the same speed.
Moreover, the refinement of my mana core through this technique granted me an extended lifespan. According to the book, I could potentially reach an age of 30,000 to 40,000 years without concern for my longevity. It was an astounding prospect, yet it held a disquieting undertone. If I were to outlive Ais, I resolved to follow her in death.
As for the other prodigies, they had yet to even reach the first layer of the technique. How had I managed to break through so fast, you may ask?
Perhaps my rumored potential to match the strength of Goddess Eve played a role. But honestly, such details mattered little to me. The stronger I became, the better equipped I would be for what lay ahead...
---
Naturally, the culmination of my training did not instantly elevate me to the status of Prime Harmonic, nor did it make me the strongest among our kind. For now, I was merely a skillful puppet, adept at executing precise movements. I now needed to spar against a real opponent.
Without any training to occupy my mind, I found myself struggling to fill the void, desperately seeking something to engage my thoughts.
...And so, I found solace in organizing Lucy's Archive meticulously, arranging every piece of information in alphabetical order, categorizing them into macro and micro divisions, and refining the system further.
However, my contemplation was abruptly cut short when the Elders selected the opponent I shall defeat—a so-called Honorary Harmonic Elder.
Despite his laughable title, this man had secured his position by single-handedly defeating the entire Council of Elders, granting him access to special resources for advancement. I, too, received a share of those resources.
The term "spar" seemed inadequate as I was forcefully slammed hundreds of meters away.
A crimson cascade erupted from my wounds, painting the air with the metallic tang of blood. The sight of it, both mesmerizing and chilling, intensified the harrowing reality of the fact I couldn't even register the moment the man moved, leaving me defenseless and bewildered.
Doubt crept in.
How could I win?
But surrender was not an option. I mustered my resolve, seeking a glimmer of hope, but found none. I was sent hurtling through the air, engulfed in agony.
Yet, from the depths of my spirit, defiance surged. Battered in a pool of my own blood but unbowed, I rose, embracing unwavering resolve. The air crackled with energy as I fought to turn the tide.
---
After two decades of intense "sparring", I began to predict the man's every move—the how, the why, and the timing. With this knowledge, I started evading one out of every thirty strikes, then one out of twenty...
My success rate continued to improve until I could effectively endure his onslaught. Yet, the mental pressure it exerted was immense. Ignoring the excruciating pain that coursed through my body, I kept my focus, spurred on by the illusory image of a certain woman appearing before my eyes.
Yes, I knew that if I couldn't overcome this challenge, I would lose her to Bell Cranel. That thought was...
"Unforgivable."
After minutes of continuous evasion, my mind became clouded, and amidst the haze, I somehow managed to land a hit on my opponent. It was as if my consciousness had zeroed in on that singular purpose, unleashing the untapped reserves of strength I had kept hidden within me.
I... was channeling her presence to fuel my power, shattering the boundaries I believed were insurmountable.
What good is a perfect body?
What good is a flawless mana core?
I pushed myself beyond my limits, grinding harder and harder until the world around me flipped upside down.
And then, I simply collapsed.
Yet, to the astonished spectators, my eyes changed color from blue to a deep cyan, and even more astonishingly, I delivered a devastating punch that sent my opponent flying. However, before I could follow up, my body gave in, bringing an end to that day's match...
---
Another two hundred years passed, and finally, I emerged victorious against the Honorary Harmonic Elder—an achievement deemed unfathomable by the Elders.
They acknowledged that my strength had surpassed their own limits, and I was crowned the Prime Harmonic, despite my tender age.
This should have brought me joy, as it signified my invincibility. However, satisfaction eluded me. All I truly desired was to see Ais.
With no more training to occupy my time, with no more duties to fulfill, a profound emptiness and loneliness engulfed me...
And so, when the foolish Elders beseeched me to start a war and unite the continent, I agreed. But I made sure to safeguard the Seraphis Family, placing them beyond the reach of the flames of war. I could not bear the thought of losing my father and mother for such a futile cause.
.
.
.
After a mere twenty years, the war came to an end. During the conflict, I continued refining my skills, paying little heed to my role as a leader. Most enemy camps were decimated by my hands alone, further honing my experience in facing opponents.
I might have extinguished the lives of millions of Asuras, yet it held no significance for me. Soldiers should be prepared to die—it was their own foolish choice not to surrender.
Estado de energía semanal
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