Chương 24: Change is what you need

It was already nearing midnight, Erza agreed to train Kibaki starting the next day after he continuously begged infront of Erza without letting her speak up.

Axel lied on the mat he made, Deeply staring at the sky. Hey greed...? Are you there?" He asked via telepathy.

[Yeah why? You know I'm always up.]

I was just wondering, Do you know about the teleportation incident that brought me here?"

Axel has been desperately wanting to know about the Teleportation incident, But was too scared to ask Greed that might tell him some shocking news regarding to his family who was with him back when he got struck by the light.

But his curiosity could not handle it anymore, Whether Greed tells him that something bad has happened, He was ready to accept it all.

Yet deep inside his heart, He does not want to let Greed utter horrifying news about his parents.

[The light that struck you back in your homeland?]

Yes... Do you know something about it?"

[Yeah, But I don't know who caused it.]

If you know something.. U-um...."

[Relax, I can feel your emotions boiling...]

I'm sorry."

[You're the only one that got teleported, Based on what I've seen in the memories that zapped through my data.]

So that means..? No..." Axel instantly got up, Wearing an extremely worried expression.

[What are you worried about? Your parents didn't get teleported. And they are still in your homeland.]

At that moment, Axel's worries and uneasiness instantly vanished. His mind became clear, And his breathing became stable. The worries he had been carrying was finally resolved.

He smiled gently while his tears slowly fell, He finally felt relaxed and chuckled whilst wiping off the tears from his eyes.

[Stop crying User. It ain't like you Kyahahaha!]

I'm sorry Greed, I'm just happy that my parents are safe. I've been too scared to ask you before, Scared to hear about the outcome of that strange incident. But now that you've told me that it was just me, I could finally feel at ease." Axel replied while smiling.

[What a crybaby you are. Keke!]

After several minutes, Axel stopped crying and lied on the mat happily while he thought about his parents, I can't wait to see them again once I get out of Laplace and return to Helium." And gently smiled, Whilst closing his eyes.

...

....

The next day arrived, It was another bright sunny morning. The open field within the woods had several cracks on the floor while Axel and the others formed a line infront of Erza.

"Listen up, You three will be cultivating your mana cores and use the method I've taught you." Erza said whilst pointing at Kraig, Zephyr and Zigion. "And Kibaki you will need to breakthrough since you're already at the bottleneck of the Advanced stage." She stated, Staring intently at Kibaki who held his Greatsword.

"What about me?" Axel asked.

"Just cultivate your mana core, It has been a while now since you've last cultivated. Just find some place and do some alone time, I'll be busy with these four for now." Erza replied, Gently holding Kibaki's shoulder while he sat on a lotus position.

"Fine." Axel spoke in a dejected tone and searched for a shaded place to stay.

[Hahaha! Don't be too sad, You still have me!]

Sigh, I wanted to spar against Erza today. But I guess that won't be happening since there's a few people she needs to teach." Axel said via telepathy.

[It's fine, You won't be able to win anyway.]

How are you sure!? You haven't even saw me getting serious yet!"

[Kyahaha! User, That woman already succeeded in mastering Advanced Mana Coating, How will you be able to beat her in your current state? Haha!]

Advanced Mana Coating?"

[Yeah, The one she used on you last night.]

Oh so that was Advanced Mana coating!?"

[Yes, It's an upgraded version of Mana coating. Only the strong ones can develop their Mana Enhancement techniques. Since it requires full control and immense concentration, And profound knowledge of the Mana fundamentals.]

I see... Can I also do that?" Axel asked and sat and he leaned on the tree behind him.

[Yes, But in your current state.... It'd be impossible. You're still to weak. Kyahahaha!]

I guess I'm still weak..." Axel responded, Wearing a dejected expression.

[Yes, What you need isn't Mana training, But Combat experience. You really lack combat knowledge as far as I can see.]

"Combat Experience?" He mumbled, Staring at Erza who was currently guiding the four in their Mana training.

[Your combat knowledge is still similar to an amateur's, So in order to grow stronger. You must learn not just by experience but by also building a solid foundation.]

Hmmm..." As Axel briefly clenched his fist and released several strings from his palm. While it levitated like a snake infront of him.

[You must learn how to fight in a more vicious way, With the intent to kill not just by incapacitating your opponent. There's a big difference between a single strike with the intent to kill and a single strike that's half-heartedly. Hesitation could lead you to death, Remember that.]

After Greed spoke, Axel realized that he really lacked the things Greed mentioned. Killing was never on his mind from the beginning since he was still afraid. Scared of becoming a murderer. That's why when he fought against the Draconians, He could only think of injuring them while he never knew that Erza was the one that finished his preys from behind.

He already knew that the place he was currently at, Was a place where killing was needed in order to survive. But his guts could not do it.

[I know you're still worried, Since killing is truly the worst sin you could ever do. But if you want to protect the people you cherish, You must not hesitate anymore or else the ones you cherish would slowly disappear one by one, Killed by the enemies you've fought half-heartedly.]

Thanks greed, But if I could still not do it... Please do it for me in my stead." Axel said, While gazing up on the bright sky.

Silence occured, While Greed didn't reply until thirty seconds passed.

[Fine, If you truly are scared... Then I'll do it for you.]

Thanks."

After their conversation ended, A sudden notification appeared infront of Axel.

*Ding!*

"Huh?" He murmured to himself, Surprised about the sudden appearance of a Quest notification.

*Quest: Reach Master stage and learn Mana coating. (Countdown: 76 hours) Reward: 150 Experience points.*

Huh?" Axel wondered, Why a quest suddenly popped out.

"What's this? It wants me to reach master stage and learn Mana coating? And what is this countdown?" Axel mumbled to himself, Confused about what was happening.

[Well isn't it an opportunity? You learn something and become stronger while earning experience at the same time.]

Yeah I know that, But what's with the timer? It says I need to finish the quest within 76 Hours. I'm still at the middle stage of the Advanced stage. How can I advance to the Master stage within 76 hours? And especially learn Mana coating!" He grumbled, Knowing that the contents of the quest were impossible to achieve.

[Just do it Kyahaha! I'm sure the system won't give you quests that aren't achievable. It just means that you have to work hard in order to complete it. Kyahahaha!]

Ugh... This is really...." Axel grumbled wearing a displeased expression whilst facepalming himself.

He had no choice but the do it, Since the system rarely appears. But Axel didn't really know why there was a countdown needed. Since an upcoming battle was about to come.

Chapter End.