Bab 8: Last Test
Six months have passed. I was still training with Cynthia and Elina. They were my two teachers. Cynthia taught me on how to properly use a bow and gun. She also taught on how to use them on close combat. I never really thought that bow could actually defend, maybe because Cynthia's bow were exceptional. It was on the Legendary category. It was one of the Legendary weapon used by her ancestors. It was lent by her father which was the Elf King. Cynthia also helped me with my practice on Elementals. She was an incredible wind user but a good one to other elements too. She taught me on which was good combination or which was odd one. The 'rockstorm' I did on my first try was a sandstorm all along. She taught me a few spell that could be a life saver when it comes to escaping some dangerous event like the Urarean bear. I was tricked yet again on that day. I was mad but quite happy that I passed a test that people with Cynthia's level could. Cynthia said that Elves were not good fighters. They were Mage who uses Elementals as a medium on fighting. They might be have an affinity on using all of Elements but they were not all good at it. People who could control those at an expert level were few. Aelvaard's power houses were equals. Dwarves might be good at weapon but they were not good at fighting. Elves could use any Elements but they were weak against close combat battle. Demons could use their own magic and good at close combat but they were not powerful at Gomuan, where the moon that made them strong were nowhere to be found. Humans were the only variable that could defy the balance, especially human from Earth.
Cynthia, with her long light orange hair, also taught me on how to use their clothes. Elves armor where made from leather and sill which were excellent in defense but shows too much skin. I wouldn't voice that out to Cynthia especially she made one for me after she warmed up to me. Elina with the help of Cynthia trained to me to become strong enough to travel alone while making myself safe. It was one of a hell practice. I would end up fainting at the end of the day because of too much training. I developed muscles through training which made Elina and Cynthia proud like I was their son.
It was exactly six months since I trained under them. I was also trained on how to cook my own food. They taught me basic knowledge when I was on my own. It would be useful on upcoming battles on conquering the tower. Elina left for a week and who knows where she went. But after she came back, she announced that the training was over and a test was needed if I was one step closer to conquer a tower.
"We will grade you based on close combat, Elemental, and with use of gun. You're sparring partner would be the bear while also evading our attacks." Elina looked at me with eyes full of pride then changed into a scheming one. "We will give you a reward based on your performance. Remember every hit would deduct some points. The highest item you could receive would be Legendary."
"Really? Are you sure? Isn't legendary items were rarer than divine? How could you give me some?"
"You just have to pass the test. You don't have to worry about the rewards." Cynthia said smiling like I would never even get it. "Then we'll begin." then they disappeared. It was one of their trick again. I was tricked again on believing that it would be easy.
I looked on my surroundings but couldn't sense any abnormalities. I tried taking a step forward only to see a spear was thrown on my direction coming from my right. I dodged it, at least I tried, only to sense that it was a homing spear. It hit me, but it didn't hurt. It was one of those spell that Cynthia taught me. It was also possible to make any item that looked like it was real using wind and water element. I was screwed. I never thought that they would really be serious. I changed the way I moved. I unleashed multiple clones at the same time. It was my ability to produce clones that looked exactly like me but it was too weak. The ability to clone myself was developed for my escape and also for buying some time. It could also use my abilities but it wouldn't do any damage. It was the only restriction that couldn't be lifted even if I used my last ability which uplifted restrictions and limits of my other abilities. I willed my clones to take every direction while moving forward on my own. After the training, I could freely control them on how to act and I could also feel, hear, smell, and see the things they encounter. But it was done unconsciously, I couldn't explain it how but I knew it. It was OP if you used it wisely. I was searching the forest using my clones but couldn't find a trace of Elina and Cynthia. It was like they were totally gone. They were that skilled. I took the chance to find the bear which was the real test.
Three hours passed and I finally faced the bear. It grew another meter. It was on it's evolving stage. It would yet again evolve into a higher being. The bear was too exceptional. It would soon ascend if it continued to grow up in the Clevi forest. The forest was known for it's rare plants and fruits that would help beasts to get stronger. I looked at the bear and smiled. Cynthia named him, Urara. Urara was a male bear who loved her master so much. It would do anything for Cynthia and the bear disliked me for an unknown reason. I could guess that the beast has its own intellect that's why it was ascending soon. But, I wasn't his match, not anymore. I ran sideways activating my last ability and using my second.
"Power Up! Produce and Transform!" I got an addiction on voicing out my skill. Elina said that it would improve my visualization on how I could activate my immediately. It was a training of mind and coordination. I produce a gun in midair, no longer using anything, and transformed it into a form of a shotgun. There were three types of gun on Aelvaard for now. It was the handgun, shotgun and rifle. I needed to penetrate the bear's defense, so I settled for a shotgun. With the power to invoke an elemental on my bullets, I am an OP gunner. "You are so done bear!" I rushed on the bear while also staying vigilant on upcoming attacks from Elina and Cynthia.
"Roaaar!" the bear roared and smacked its paw on the ground. It produced a shockwave that would make me immobilize if I was that kid from before. I easily maneuvered from the above using an Earth element. I could easily cast spells because of my mastery of it. The pillar I used to remove from myself on the ground was hit by the shockwave, but before it could collapse I jumped on it but while on midair, Cynthia and Elina attacked me using their skills. It was a time freeze skill, it stopped me from falling while Cynthia used her wind cutting skill to hit me. I was longed prepared for this. I used my 3rd ability and enveloped myself on it. I might not have any skills that could remove me from the Time Freeze but still, with the experience I have when facing it multiple times I developed a resistance to it. I could now at least react now than letting myself hit freely before. The wind attacked me multiple times but with my exceptional defense I was OP. I am too OP. We, Elina, Cynthia and I, have the same conclusion that my skills were too OP when powered up. But useless when not, so they willed me to use my last ability every time. It exhaust my mind first but I got used to it. The training showed its fruit. I was too engrossed on complementing myself that I forgot that I wasn't their match yet. I was suddenly flung on to the nearby tree. I wasn't hurt but the force made me jolt and deactivated my defense. It seemed that Elina cancelled the Time Freeze and let the bear attack me. It was a nice tactic against me that always engrossed on thinking too much inside a life and death battle. Maybe, that was why were having the test.
I grinned. I was happy that they made an effort on teaching me until the very last moment. I took a stance again. The bear and I have an understanding that we should give our best shot now. I ran, so did the bear. Elina and Cynthia skills rained down on me, that could slow me, but I also used my clones wings to cover me. It was my 3rd skill and it focuses on defense rather than flight. It has that restriction. It was 2 white wings that could fully cover me. I let the wings defend me while focusing on recharging the gun with lightning element. It might be an Earth type beast but with it's flesh it would still feel it. I wasn't trying to kill it. My test was to defeat it not kill it. The bear also had a skill, not ability. Beasts have their own skill like Elves which have an innate talent on using Elementals. Beasts have its own skills that was based on their elemental affinity when they were born. The Urarean bear has two elemental affinity, Earth and Fire. It could only choose one if it wanted to ascend. Urara, the Urarean bear, chose to learn Earth Elemental skill which was good on forests. Urara's body was enveloped by dirt and stones which looked like an armor. It would use it's weight to pounce on me and injure me. It would definitely hurt or kill me. Before it could fully enveloped him I shot my powered bullet on its head. It would only hurt him a little but it was enough to momentarily stop. I transformed the gun into a hammer. The bullet connected to the bears head and it immediately took an effect. The bear stopped like I predicted. I used the momentum from my run to leaped into the air and used the hammed to smash the bear. I gathered Earth Elemental to the hammer making it solid and heavy. I let myself dragged by the hammer and positioned it to the bear's head. Urara, sensing the danger from above looked up only to be smashed by an incoming hammer.
Due to the momentum of the hammer and the heaviness of it, Urara was stuck on the ground. Witnessing my victory Elina and Cynthia showed up after a few minutes when the bear was not getting up.
"It seems that I passed the test, aren't I?" I looked to their direction. They were both smiling.
"Yes, you passed. Congratulations, Rain."
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone