Chapter 262: Plan to Change the Current Situation

[Manifold Aether Burst's Proficiency has been upgraded to Skilled]

[Manifold Void Burst's Proficiency has been upgraded to Skilled]

[Flourishing Steps' Proficiency has been upgraded to Skilled]

[Vanishing Steps' Proficiency has been upgraded to Skilled]

[You have created a new Elemental Spell]

[6-nodes Aether Elemental Spell: Cure]

[You have created a new Elemental Spell]

[6-nodes Void Elemental Spell: Curse]

[Due to your Passive Skill: Enhanced Casting, Cure and Curse's Proficiency have been raised to Dabbling]

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A day has passed after the failed attempt of the Dark World Transcendents and their Noxian allies against Fleur. Instead of killing her, one of their Transcendents was killed. The crossbow guy who's probably stronger than what he'd shown us. Due to how fast the events and the decisive action we did back then, he failed to show everything he had to offer before his head fell off his shoulder.

Surprisingly, Benedict lived through that, thanks to his woman, Marina, saving him before he breathed his last. Fleur didn't have the time to make sure of it since Marina rushed over to him right after hitting him with a 12-nodes Spell. Fleur still couldn't cast the Transcendent Spell she showed me before due to time constraints and the situation. She needed at least the Skilled Proficiency for her to actively use it in battle but until now, it was still at Beginner Proficiency.

The reason we found out that Benedict survived was because Marina came knocking at the Elemental's Forest yesterday. She brought the news of Benedict's survival as well as their declaration of another war.

She left right after shouting that, in fear of us catching her.

Because of what happened, I stayed in the Forest with Fleur and spent the rest of the day there.

Though the Transcendents hadn't made a move, the Mortal Ranks I saw at the encampments sent their troops down to tighten the circle they made.

One of those encampments was wiped out by me, however, it's not that big of a deal for those in command. They refilled it with new troops from their huge pool of cannon fodders.

Since it's still just a day, there's nothing major happening yet. The surge of Dark Energy also stopped at some time but according to the World's Will, that doesn't mean they stopped descending.

Even as we speak the Portal was still being widened further. The pause of that only meant that the next one who will descend will be stronger than those who are already here.

Also, I received two notifications yesterday. The first was about the change in the Supported Individuals' Average Stats. It signified Boris and Hikari's successful attempt to Transcendence. The second notification was about Zerina's Transcendence and the Passive Skill I got from her.

Maybe because of her Rune Knight System, what I got as a passive from her was Enhanced Casting. It allowed for all of my Spells' Proficiency to be upgraded automatically by one level. It also has an effect on my other Skills and Abilities, though it's not as apparent.

Because of that passive, I spent the day raising the Proficiency of my most used Spells. When it reached the Skilled Proficiency, I stopped. I only needed one more breakthrough to raise the limit of nodes I can put on my spells after all.

Also, I still mostly relied on my Halo Skills as well as the Skills I got from the Meta Pathway that is closely tied to my Adaptability.

After that, I created two new Spells. This time, I intentionally made Support Skills.

Cure is just a minor healing spell which can slightly enhance the natural regeneration, close wounds to stop the bleeding, or cleanse less potent poisons.

The importance of a healing spell was now more pronounced. If I was late even just for a bit, Fleur wouldn't just receive damage on her dress. Even if there were medicines or potions available throughout the various Worlds, I still couldn't get my hands on a Blessing.

That's why I created one. I even intended it to be strong enough to save someone from a fatal wound. However, six Elemental Nodes weren't enough to get that effect

Curse is the opposite of Cure. Once a target is hit by the spell, it will slightly lower his natural regeneration, enhance the bleeding or make the poison pester and become more potent.

By interchanging between Aether and Void, the result was the opposite of each other.

Just like how the Manifold Aether Burst and Manifold Void Burst. The former is an offensive spell which grows stronger the farther it travels by absorbing the surrounding Elemental Energy on its way to the target. The latter is another offensive spell which is best to use at close range. It is stronger due to the nature of Void which could be likened to my Nullification Zone, however, the farther it travels the lesser the Void Energy will be.

Flourishing Steps and Vanishing Steps also have that stark difference from each other.

I'm pressed with time so… I intended to focus on the six spells first. By the time I mastered the six or even before that, I would've already broken through to the next realm.

I guess in this Pathway, the phrase 'Jack of All Trades, Master of None' carries a more negative context.

A fight between someone who has a lot of Spells while none of them were mastered against someone with only a few mastered Spells, the result is easy to discern.

Maybe I can master more Spells than anyone else but there's no point collecting something I will not use. I already deemed the Spells I made from evolving the original Flash Steps and Air Bullet enough variety. I might be able to use them once or twice but in the end, I will use the strongest one available given the situation.

"Daisuke, you're still here."

Fleur flew down and landed in front of me. Just by the expression she had on her face, she was high on alert since she was commanding the Elementals to keep their eyes open to the possible start of the assault.

"Un. I just finished raising the Proficiency of my Spells. Any change in the situation?"

Because the enemies declared that war and their Mortal Ranks had already surrounded the Forest, Fleur couldn't take it to leave with me. That's why I stayed here with her.

Though she already contacted Sofiel about the current situation and I told her that my staying with her is my own choice, she's still somewhat guilty that the training of the Elites will be delayed.

Fleur shook her head before detailing the current situation.

"They're still out of range of our ballista and other defense structures. I believe they're trying to eat away the morale of my people. You can go back to the Aves first, Daisuke. They're waiting for you there."

"I see. It's true that the training of the Elites is being delayed but I can't leave yet after seeing the situation outside."

Aside from those Mortal Ranks, just like the three that were intimidatingly standing in front of Aves, five Transcendents were behind them.

If either of us moved out to deal with those below Transcendents, they will also move.

Currently, we're at a standstill waiting for someone to make their move first. But I know that it will not stay like this forever.

They lost two Transcendents while we got two more. Hikari went back to Serenia along with a few thousand Protectors of the Great Protector Church. Boris was also on his way back here with the reinforcements from Aves.

Sofiel can spare that much. She preserved her whole race so among the natives of this world, the Luxians have the highest population and all of them are believers of the Church. Also, all of the Protectors are at a minimum at the late stage of Elemental Forming Realm or peak Rank 3 Mortal. Compared to the Humans and Elementals who already lost a lot within three years of fighting, a few thousand of those are enough to at least raise their current strength to how it was months ago.

Upon hearing my answer Fleur could only accept that my mind wouldn't change about not leaving this place. After thinking and observing me for a while, she asked.

"Do you have a plan in mind?"

I smiled before nodding my head. Of course, I have a plan but…

"I do have one, however, some of your people might die."

"Everyone is ready for it, Daisuke. We will still die if we lose here, am I right? For them, sacrificing for the survival of the race is a huge honor."

Honor, huh? I guess that's their difference with me. Everything that I am doing currently is all for the sake of my Companions and anyone I deemed important. There's no honor to be gained, just the peace of my mind that they will stay safe.

"If that's the case, let me talk to your people. I don't want you to shoulder this all by yourself. I will be the one to direct them."

This way, even if something went wrong. The blame will be on me and not hers.

"I understand. Let's go."

Fleur nodded with conviction before holding out her hand, I took it and she pulled me up with her to the sky.

By casting a Spell to enhance her voice, she gathered everyone's attention before passing the baton to me.

My plan isn't complicated at all. And it's not even that grand. The risk is high but this is better than wasting the time being holed up when I have the necessary skills to gain a huge advantage in a large-scale battle.

Right. It will be the same as that war in the World of Barbarians. Instead of waiting for them to attack, we'll meet them outside.