Chapter 80: Shadow Steps

From what Damian had read from the first few pages of the Shadow Steps Skill Book, the Dark Shadow Energy had a unique attribute and application that couldn't be countered.

The base elements all had advantages and disadvantages when facing each other and some would even have the upper hand in a direct clash, but from what he read, the Dark Shadow Energy wasn't restricted in the same way as the other elements.

In the same way that attributeless energy wouldn't be directly disadvantaged or advantaged against other elements, although it didn't have any special attributes, the Dark Shadow Element could face any element on even grounds without disadvantages, but had advantages such as its unique application.

The Dark Shadow Element was unique to the Shadow Kin and allowed them to wield the power of darkness and mainly shadows, which allowed them to have incredible speed and power, and abilities that were rare and hard to battle against.

Their skills, abilities and constitution was perfect for assassins or rogues, and focused on speed and stealth, rather than raw power.

It was an element that would flourish in areas void of light and was one that was both opposing to light and also reliant on it.

The Dark Shadow Element was an element that was a sub-element of darkness, but formed an energy of its own that would use its own fundamental laws.

It allowed the wielder to have great speed, and in areas that didn't have light, their abilities would be enhanced in all aspects.

Damian's changeable energy was different, but superior to the Dark Shadow Elemental Energy and Damian's energy could change to match any elemental attribute.

Using it, he was able to replicate the abilities that the Dark Shadow Element provided and he was slowly getting closer to forming the energy on his own, without experiencing the energy first hand.

Damian could cultivate using all elemental energies to increase the amount of energy he had, but with his energy, he could wield any element, unlike most others who would either rely on attributeless energy or energy of a specific element to increase their strength.

The most basic technique in the Shadow Steps Skill Book was the Shadow Speed Technique, that used the shadows beneath the user's feet to propel themselves forwards and increase their speed.

It had a similar application to the Fire Burst Skill, but instead was in smaller bursts with every step, that wouldn't propel Damian forwards, but would increase his overall speed.

The Shadow Speed Technique also had many improvements and higher grades of the technique, but they weren't specified to Damian and the Shadow Kin were a race that would leave each to their own unique development.

Damian woke up excited to try out his new skill and practice it and instantly went to Milo's room and repeatedly knocked on his door.

"What do you want" asked Milo while yawning as he opened the door.

"We are going to do some training against each other, while we can also practice our skills" stated Damian.

Before Milo could refuse, Damian had already begun dragging him down the stairs of their residence.

"By the way, Milo what skill did you get from the F Rank Skill Library," asked Damian as they left their residence.

Milo had chosen an F:1 Ranked Skill and was lucky to have acquired it, but he was yet to attempt to learn or cultivate it, because he previously wasn't able to cultivate.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a green jade slip that he was yet to use.

"It is called the Iron Hammer Fist Skill and is a Fighter Skill that hardens the fist of the user in a similar way to Cole's ability, and is a downwards powerful strike" described Milo.

From his description, Damian could tell that it was a useful skill and suited his boar beast bloodline transformation, but it was merely a hardening fist skill that didn't have any elemental affinity that gave it additional attributes and charatcteristics.

But with his beast bloodline transformations, it didn't matter to Milo as he could overcome all the elements with raw power, if he was strong enough.

"Then you will train in your Iron Hammer Fist Skill, while I train in my movement skill" stated Damian as they rushed off towards the closest training centre.

The training centre was allowed to all, but students with Soul Spirit were given the privilege of using private rooms that were 10 square metres and cannot be entered by others when they are using it.

Utsusu had copied and memoried all the rules and information available to Damian about the academy, and from him, Damian knew about the private training rooms.

With the private training room, nobody would see him use the Shadow Steps Skill, that he wanted to keep secret unless he had to use it, and he trusted Milo to keep his secret.

The warning that the Shadow Kin King gave him stuck with him, and Damian knew he wasn't strong enough to protect himself and those he cared about from the beings that wiped out the Shadow Kin.

After seeing the Shadow Kin King, that was overwhelmingly stronger than any human Damian had come across, Damian was even more frightened of who was able to wipe him, and his people, out.

"Then its decided" agreed Milo, who seeing Damian's drive to increase his strength wanted to do the same.

They entered the training centre that was under the Combat Hall and were given their own private training room for the rest of the day and could use a private training room for as long as they pleased.

The large academy had lots of space and training centres used up a lot of that space, giving students a place where they could train freely and practice their skills, without breaking anything or hurting anyone.

They were assigned to private training room 12 and as they entered, they were shocked by how big it was.

In one corner of the room were racks of weapons and wooden dummies that could be practiced with, and the rest of the large room was empty.

The ceiling was 4 metres from the ground and the 10 square metre room more than enough space for them to begin practicing their skills.