A few days after the capture of the woman spy, some of the extermination squad team from the nearby city arrive at the Black Fortress. After a few times of interrogation and torture, they find the spy is actually one of the chief spies from the Nergal Kingdom.
Knowing that there is a chance that she is killed or rescued by the Nergal Kingdom, the extermination squad decides to increase their security until they move the spy to their base.
While the extermination squad is busy securing the spy, Angus and the others continue their daily routine inside the Black Fortress. Although Angus, Jayna, and Anna are already enough to complete their graduation mission, they still decide to stay on the Black Fortress.
One of the primary reasons is the Ogre community. Even though they couldn't participate in culling down the Ogre community number with Borkins, they decided to help protect the Black Fortress.
Moreover, the soldiers from the nearby cities also start to go back during the last few days. Therefore, there is a shortage of manpower in Black Fortress at the moment.
Angus and the others decide to return to the Royal Academy after Borkins and his team return to the Black Fortress.
Inside the inner base, Angus didn't always do his research or read books. Sometimes he also did some training with Jayna and Anna. Currently, he is in meditation to train while surrounded by the candles around him.
Knowing the usefulness of Nature Firecast during the fight with a fifth-grade Explosion Bug, Angus decided to train this skill. After a while, Angus ends his meditation and opens his eyes.
"Huff… It seems it will be hard to increase the Nature Firecast skill further." said Angus.
Then, Angus decided to check his status panel as usual.
Host: Angus Victory
Age: 17 Years Old
MP: 609/609
Chi: 129
Heritage chi: ???
Strength: 50
Dexterity: 50
Intelligence: 49
Vitality: 48
Soul Point: 393,843
Soul Reserve: 558
After reaching third grade, his mana once again increased, albeit at a slower pace than before. This is a normal phenomenon.
The higher the mana core grade may have a larger the mana reservoir. However, it is with the premise the core is already fully matured or has reached its limit.
At the same time to reach this limit, each person has a different pace and growth. Still, the higher the mana core grade, the lower its growth speed. Therefore, Angus's current mana growth is also slower than before.
As for Angus himself, he didn't complain about this matter since his current mana is more significant than an ordinary fourth-grade combatant. Moreover, he could already keep fighting for a long time with his current regeneration.
After killing many monsters during the monster wave, he gets a lot of increase in his Soul reserve that leads to a massive boost in his mana and stamina regeneration.
Despite his current strength, he still didn't dare fight any fifth-grade combatant or fourth-grade monster from his manual system.
The system calculates he only has a 50% winning rate when fighting with them. At this point, Angus still decides to fight opponents with at least a 70% or above winning rate. Even at 70%, he is still almost dead when fighting them.
The major reason is the opponent from the system is a suicidal opponent and very unpredictable. Not only did they not care about themself, but they also seemed to be able to bring out all their current power to the maximum.
In other words, they are stronger than their real counterparts in the real world. Fortunately, Angus currently has a lot of soul points and is not in urgent need to increase them. He decided only to use a manual battle system as training and not let his body rusted.
Because of this, he has a lot of time to focus on other things such as training Nature Firecast, researching, or cultivating chi. Although cultivating chi is a very arduous task and takes a lot of time, he knows that it is still essential for him in case of an emergency.
Looking at the grayed-out color in strength and dexterity attribute, Angus couldn't help thinking for a moment.
'If I want to increase them further, I need to open the second gate. But, that test… that clone. Ha… No matter, I will prepare to my best condition before trying to open the second gate.' thought Angus.
After diminishing his transparent status panel, Angus shoots a fast Firebolt towards his front. *Bam* The Firebolt instantly hit Anna's small head and woke her from her sleep.
"Ouch!! My Head!" yelled Anna.
"Anna, it seems that my training is so easy that you fell asleep." said Angus from behind her.
"Ehh.. Nonono.. Anna just feels bored. I mean.." said Anna.
"No excuse!! Now, run the entire arena while wearing this armor." said Angus while taking out a few heavy armors.
As soon as Anna wore the armor, she immediately fell to the ground.
"Urrgghhh… Heavy!!" said Anna while dragging her body.
Curious at Anna's heavy armor, "Angus, what is that?" asked Jayna.
"Oh, this is actually one of my failed experiments. I planned to create a very sturdy suit or armor. But, it turns out to be an armor that siphons your mana to make it more durable." explained Angus.
"However, the conversation rate is terrible. So, I thought it would be great training tools for Anna, who has bad mana and miasma control. Though in the end, I also tinker a little bit to be able to absorb her miasma." added Angus.
"I see… Did you have another spare of that armor?" asked Jayna.
"Yeah, I have. Why did you ask?" asked Angus.
"I planned to wear it while doing my training." replied Jayna.
"Hmm.. Sure, but let me modify it a little bit so it could withstand your fire a little bit." said Angus while taking out another armor.
"Okay, I will be waiting. Em… Angus, last night… My father suddenly called me." said Jayna.
"King Leon… That's rare. Is there a problem?" said Angus.
"No, he didn't talk much. Lately, he got a lot of engagement proposals for me. Many other nations or kingdoms decide to use our current situation to force the engagement plan with me."
"They will lend their strength in the incoming war if we agree to their engagement plan." said Jayna.
Angus's eyes become chilling cold for a moment before returning to normal. He knows during the war, anything could happen. If all the other countries decide to attack them together, they surely could get destroyed. Therefore, having an alliance or help from others is important.
At this time, Angus somehow feels uncontrollable anger and his expression is chilling cold. Fortunately, he keeps looking at the armor and not letting Jayna find out.
"I see… Then, what is King Leon's response?" asked Angus.
"He.. He told me to prepare for the worst. But don't worry…" said Jayna.
*Crack* *BAM* the armor in Angus' hand crumbles to pieces under his grip.
"Ahh… Damn, It seems I made some mistake when I modified the enchantment. Hahaha…" laughed Angus while keeping his face from Jayna.
"Angus… Don't worry, father only said that he will only agree to this as a last resort." said Jayna in a hurry.
"Jayna… I… Never mind, ahh… come to think of it. I need to check the hunting area a little bit. Please, keep looking out at Anna." said Angus before disappearing from his spot towards the Black Forest.
"Ehh… Angus.." called Jayna, but Angus was already disappearing.
Angus travels fast and immediately arrives at the deep Dark Forest using Beast Walk nonstop. Under his uncontrollable anger, the armor in his hand slowly crumbles like a piece of paper.
After going deep into the Forest, Angus released his mana out of rage and attracted a bunch of monsters. At this moment, the surrounding monsters feel like they face death itself.
"Now.. Now.. since you are here, why don't you accompany me a little bit." said Angus with a smile and cold expression.
Instantly, the surrounding monster could see his black eyes like the abyss that swallows everything. In a few moments, Angus begins butchering the monster with his own hand and going on a rampage.
There is no trace of the usually calm and happy-going Angus as he keeps butchering the monster in the surroundings without mercy. Blood and various meat splattered all over his body. But, he didn't care about that at all and kept butchering the monster while going deeper.
"ARRGGHH!!!" shouted Angus while releasing a massive mana wave towards the surrounding.
After going on a rampage for a while, Angus kneels on the ground ignoring the area that has already turned into a wasteland. Like knowing Angus' gloomy feeling, soon a rain poured down on him.
At the same time, Angus gets a vision. The vision happened in a flash, and he couldn't even understand it. It only showed various kinds of images. However, the lingering feeling he feels is real.
The feeling of sacrificing the loved one, the feeling of couldn't protect the loved one, and the feeling of helplessness as seeing the other taking his loved one. *BAM* Angus slammed his hand towards the ground.
"No.. I'll kill. I'll kill everyone that dares to get her.. She is mine and mine only!!" shouted Angus, like declaring this to the world.