章 515: New Power, New Responsibilities
Akiol was scrolling through various messages. Due to the sudden change of plans, he had to discuss his plan to take on the undead through messages instead of actual meets. He felt that due to this more people were unwilling to help, but he hoped that the numbers from the Guilds and Torch's mechanical army were enough.
As the date grew ever so close he was finalizing the details with several people. Today, he had to meet with two last groups before the window closed. Waving away the various group chats he was reading through he then crouched to a sitting position. While he waited for the agreed meeting time, there was another issue at hand.
Mira was sliding across the dirt with axe in hand, throwing it forward the moment he began to slow. Givale easily dodged it and fired a handful of arrows, except not towards Mira. Another small kid watched the arrows casually, hair and eyes such a deep blue they seemed black. As the arrows landed they swirled and were absorbed into his body.
Lowering her bow she frowned, "That's not fair! You can't just negate my whole magic!"
"Your magic?! The wielding of space was my thing first! You're just a copy cat!"
"It's clearly different?! Besides who said you get to be immune to magic?!"
"I do. It's my thing."
"Your thing is being a black hole!"
This third kid was none other than Stars. The third Strand had indeed accelerated Akiol to Third Stage. With it his power was even more dramatic than previously. His whole being almost radiated with an essence of strength. This level of change was expected, and to his surprise the level was higher than from his previous world. Third Stage, along with his usage of Aura and new sword style, had transcended his peak against the Demon Lord. Now, not a single thing was holding him back, and he could only improve.
Of course, this ascension to Third Stage seemed to have unlocked Stars' ability to use him humanoid form outside of his special world. Now Akiol had to supervise three children with incredible strength. Narrowing his eyes he began to wonder the irony of this all, now being a father to seemingly children who are far older than him in pure age. As for their mental maturity. . . well they were currently arguing over fair abilities.
Mira retrieved his axe, "You control space, that alone is pretty unfair."
"I worked hard for that! Stars gets to just ignore it just because?!"
Stars simply shrugged, "It just goes to show your magic isn't invincible."
At this moment Akiol decided to speak up, "Stars has a very fair point. If you become to content with your advantage, you'll be helpless the moment you lose it. Adapting in battle is very important, now that you have a target that's immune to magic you can improve in other categories. For instance, I do believe Stars is only immune to magic and not say. . . a pair of daggers?"
The mana bow almost vanished immediately as Givale leapt forward. Stars nearly fell backwards out of shock, "Akiol?! Let's not give her any ideas!!"
"The same goes for you Stars, can't be relying on your immunity to magic."
"But I'm a sword! I don't fight!!"
"Yet you're participating in the duel. Abide by the rules."
Barely dodging a slice Stars immediately tried to negotiate, "Okay okay! You're right, it's a bit unfair! Now let's not slice me up!"
"Try and defend against this then! Let's see that immunity in action!"
"Akiol!!"
Stars morphed into a stream of dark blue and entered the empty scabbard on Akiol's back. Givale slid to a stop and frowned, "Coward!"
'I'm a sword! This is how I fight.' -Stars
Akiol stood back up and exhaled, "This is also true."
Unsheathing Stars he took a stance, "Now, let's make sure we're all adjusted shall we?"
Givale leapt back and returned to Mira's side, "This is not fair at all."
Leaning the axe on his shoulder Mira crouched down, "But I learn so much!"
"Always eager to learn from Akiol aren't you. Was all that time we spent training mean nothing to you?"
"Akiol's better at fighting."
Givale's face twisted slightly, but found she couldn't argue.
The two leapt forward suddenly in sync, and a friendly sparring battle began. Before creating {Way of the Galaxy} Akiol wasn't confident on dueling both Mira and Givale at the same time. The training they had undergone was nothing short of incredible. Yet those decades Akiol spent alone perfecting his own technique, the rise to Third Stage, and all the fighting he had experienced. It now put him in an entirely new realm.
It did not take long for Akiol to overwhelm the two. Not even a flicker of Aura was present as the two fell to the ground. Pointing the tip of his sword towards them Akiol smiled, "I'm doubling training for the next few days. Your speed at adapting is incredible, you'll get used to this in no time."
Mira was the first to complain surprisingly, "I really thought I'd be able to land a hit this time!"
Givale chose to remain silent. An apparent frown remained on her face, but no complaints were voiced.
Sheathing Stars Akiol turned towards a direction, "Alright, time to go."
The war against the undead drew closer!
~ ~ ~
"So we're meeting him here?"
"Mhm."
Pink hair fluttered slightly as the wind picked up. A stern look rested on their face as their arms remained crossed. An old but recognizable person. Era, the sword wielding individual from Determined Souls.
The very team Akiol and his party tutored during the professional matches. To get as far as they did into the professional matches they were no doubt skilled. Although still full of flaws, they were a cut above the rest. Thus they made a good choice for Akiol to bring along during the raid.
A sharp change of the wind drew their attention as a figure appeared. Silver hair fluttering, and armor remained unchanging. Era's gaze narrowed as she noticed that although his equipment hadn't changed, Akiol's presence was shockingly different.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet me."
Quol's incredulous gaze couldn't be removed, "What happened to you?!"
"I'm sorry?"
"You're practically the same, but it feels like I can't approach you no matter what."
Akiol didn't have an explanation so he spread out his hands helplessly. This was the first time he was hearing about this. The only people he had spoken to since his rise to Third Stage was the ones he was linked to.
"Damn, no wonder. It's Third Stage. That's why you were so confident in starting a raid.", Inmen's eyebrows raised in realization.
Era spoke up at this moment, "If you're Third Stage, then why ask us to tag along?"
"Try as I might, fighting against an army with just these hands is not very smart. I need capable people."
"Capable you say, we were there at the professional competition. You and your party clearly have a lot more up your sleeve, what can we offer?"
"One of my members won't be attending. However, if you insist on thinking like this then may I offer another alternative? I am extending an offer to you. Granted, there are no guarantees this will succeed."
"So why us?"
"Because you're capable."
Determined Souls remained quiet for a moment before Uyu finally spoke, "Alright, we're in."
Era turned in surprise, "I thought you were against this?"
"Because the undead are really high level! But look at this guy, and if the rest of his attending party members are at this level?? Call me crazy, but this might become a missed opportunity. Both material and witness."
"In that case.", Era turned back towards Akiol, "How confident are you at winning this?"
"I could never predict the outcome of a battle.", Akiol shook his head at the question, "We already lost to them once before."
"No guarantees.", Era echoed previous words.
To this Akiol nodded.
"Alright fine. Might as well. You have the details?", she asked.
"I'll message you with the info. Thank you for helping."
"Hope this isn't something we regret."
"Likewise. Is there anything else?"
"We might have you tag along for a dungeon sometime in the future. But for now no, we need to make some preparations."
"I'll take my leave in that case. Farewell."
In a blink Akiol vanished. Unable to tell if it was pure speed or a teleport, Determined Souls merely shook their head at it all. After their defeat in the competition, they had put their all into their growth. Further improving their levels, gear, and overall fighting ability. Just as they finally had some confidence in themselves, a new mountain made its presence known.
It was slightly humbling, but experiencing it a second time made the impact easier to bear. Knowing such power was capable of being obtained served as a very effective motivator.
Meanwhile Akiol was already heading to the second location. His speed underwent such a huge performance increase he could travel incredible distances on foot. Undoubtedly flying on Givale would prove to be faster, but she still hadn't perfected controlling the speed. So as he traveled, a shadow occasionally made its presence known.
Soaring through the skies Givale kept up with the pace. Occasionally she would do a trick to boast her speed. In response Akiol would kick up the pace a bit and force her to speed up. Even while traveling they were improving. Never failing to take an opportunity for growth.
As for Mira, he sat cross-legged in Stars' world. For him this strength was always available. Instead of undergoing growth, it seemed more like unlocking more of what he already had. A strength he had to confront himself and could not ask for assistance on. With each growth in Stages the Origin Hydra within boiled closer to the surface of his skin. The very blood coursing through his body itching. His training was to not suppress this, but rather come to terms with it.
As for Stars, he wasn't a fighter so instead he watched the others. As he always had.
For their next destination, a meeting with a group that impressed even Akiol. None other than the victor of the professional competition, Bakery Basics!
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