บท 21: Chapter 21: More Training, and a Decision
Zaos willed and the void mana in the surroundings stirred. This time, his intentions were not to create an elemental weave, instead, he wanted to train his mana control.
Zaos materialized the void mana in his control, instantly the room was filled with a purple-black color. The void mana swirled around him like a dark purple whirlwind.
[How beautiful… ] Zaos thought in awe.
He stretched out his hand and the turbulent void mana gathered in his palm, forming a long spear.
[Although mana constructs like these have no use in battle, they are an efficient method in training my mana control… ] Zaos spun the solid-looking spear.
Mana was a natural fuel that existed throughout the world of Krulon. On its own, it had no potential to harm anyone, only by combining it with an Edict Rune can an elemental construct be formed.
Zaos manipulated the Mana construct, changing it from a spear to a Glock 19.
[Modern-day weapons probably won't be very effective on Krulon… ] He thought. Battles on Krulon relied heavily on elemental weaves. Weapons like guns would have little effect in battles that featured fast-moving opponents or greatly armored opponents.
Only things like bombs and missiles could do actual damage, but even then, their effectiveness dwindled against high-level individuals.
Old fashion weapons on the other hand were more suited for these kinds of battles, their value depended greatly on the user.
Zaos shook his head, he manipulated the mana constructs once more, turning them into daggers.
With these daggers, he began practicing his combat techniques.
These techniques were learned by the original Zaos during his time at the sacred academy. They consist of quick strikes, parries, and a movement technique.
The quick strikes involved fast and precise attacks aimed at the vital points of their opponents.
Parries were the defense aspect of the combat techniques, they ranged from blocks to disarming methods.
Lastly was the movement technique, which was a technique developed for an assassin, featuring soundless movements, quick reactions, and incredible flexibility.
Zaos had pretty much understood the first two styles of his combat technique, but the movement technique gave him difficulty.
[Even with muscle memory from this body, my movements still feel clumsy.] Zaos lamented as he tried reenacting the moves from the original Zaos' memories.
Aside from his reactions; which were boosted by his vampiric genes, Zaos' other movements were stiff. He had to compensate for these aspects with elemental weaves like invisibility to mask his presence, and his incredible physique to forcefully perform incredible maneuvers.
After a while of his awkward but deadly dance, Zaos stopped, and promptly dissolved his mana construct.
[Ugh, I have reached my limit for today.] He felt mentally and physically exhausted after that bout of training.
With unsteady steps, Zaos made his way to the bathroom in the hideout. He stripped himself of his clothes and sunk into a refreshing hot bath.
After the slight rejuvenation from the bath, Zaos moved to the library.
[Let me see if I can find information on the events that unfolded yesterday.] Zaos thought as he searched the library.
The libraries in the Qildor clan's hideouts were information hubs created for the benefit of all Qildor clan members who were unable to receive information from the surface world.
These libraries were sectioned into two parts, the first section contained knowledge almost everyone on Krulon knew, while the hidden second section contained information acquired by the Qildor clan after years of accumulation.
Zaos was currently in the hidden section. During his previous visits to the library, he hadn't come across any information about the subject he searched for in the first section, so he hoped to find it here.
However, even after multiple hours of flipping through the books in books here, he couldn't find anything.
[It seems the situation was more abnormal than I originally imagined.] Zaos frowned as he speculated.
[Information on demons doesn't exist, or it is hidden from regular members of the clan. There are also no records about the abnormalities of the crimson star… ] Zaos began pacing around the small room filled with bookshelves.
[Kolvar seemed to have transformed under the radiance of the star but, how come it didn't affect the rest of us present?] Zaos felt troubled on the matter. He mused it over for a few more minutes before ultimately giving up.
[I lack crucial clues, and his mutation might have been the product of an experiment… it's difficult to conclude.] Zaos sighed.
[For now, it doesn't seem to be a problem so I can only ignore it.] Zaos thought to himself as he stopped his pacing.
He left through the secret entrance in the library and returned to the hallway, once there, he made his way out of the hideout.
This time, he didn't teleport and instead ran back to the Mercenary City.
After smoothly crossing the gates, Zaos went over to Ronik's shop.
[*Sigh*. Teleportation is so much more convenient than running, but it's too tasking… ] Zaos lamented as he made his way through the bustling market.
Before long, he arrived at Ronik's dilapidated wooden store.
He walked into the store with a resolved look on his face.
"You're here, have you decided?" Ronik paused his work, focusing his attention on Zaos.
As usual, the store lacked any customers which made it easy for Zaos and Ronik to discuss such topics.
"Yes, I would like to become a mercenary," Zaos spoke firmly.
He had given it some thought on his way here. He needed funds but working with Ronik might expose his peculiarities to the latter eventually. But, as a mercenary, he was free to do whatever he wanted, he only had to report to the guild after a mission was completed.
Although the risk still existed, it was much smaller.
"Is there any particular reason?" Ronik asked with a slight frown. As someone from a noble bloodline, his impression of mercenaries wasn't the best. If not for his circumstances, he won't be living here.
[Yes, I need money!] Zaos lamented.
"I wish to gain experience and hopefully find the truth about my parents' deaths as I travel," Zaos said with a resolved expression.
Ronik stared at him for a few seconds before responding.
"Alright. Have you thought of the guild you wish to join?" Ronik asked with a sad look on his face as he gazed at Zaos. To Ronik, Zaos was a young man who was driven by revenge.
"I haven't," Zaos shook his head.
"If you're going to join a guild you might as well join the Raven Guild, they are the strongest in the City," Ronik suggested with an expression of pity.
[What's with this old man? But, the Raven Guild does sound good,] Zaos squirmed in discomfort at Ronik's gaze.
"I will consider it," He responded.
"You can stay at my house as long as you want young man, just remember that the path of revenge is treacherous," Ronik said with a weary smile.
"I understand," Zaos acknowledged simply as he left the store.
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