Chapter 360 Limit?



[Third Person POV]

Ace paid no mind to the departing fire eagles, opting instead to slowly descend to the ground and release Blue from the protective dome, simultaneously freeing and sheltering the little gryphon. Meanwhile, Blue, noticing the departure of the red birds, called out to Ace in mid-air, beckoning him to come and carry it.

Ace wasted no time and promptly descended to the ground, where the little Gryphon eagerly rushed into his waiting embrace. His decision to descend wasn't solely driven by Blue's request; his mana reserves were dangerously low, necessitating a respite from the air. Despite the seemingly lengthy confrontation with the fire eagles, the intense battle had transpired in a matter of minutes, with a multitude of events unfolding simultaneously.

Ace's origin ability consumed his mana at an alarming rate, prompting him to employ his fire element and transmutation ability to facilitate flight. While this approach mitigated the rapid depletion of his mana, it didn't entirely alleviate the issue. Holding Blue tenderly, Ace reflected on the recent skirmish—it marked the first instance he had utilized his origin ability in combat. Even though his usage had primarily revolved around flight, he couldn't help but acknowledge its immense utility.

Ironically, prior to receiving Andrew Dawn's message, Ace had intended to deploy his origin ability in a different battle, one he ultimately cancelled to interrogate the dark elf. Nevertheless, circumstances had conspired to showcase the power of his origin ability, leading Ace to contemplate various aspects. "How advantageous would it be if I could transform my origin ability into a regular skill available at any time?" he pondered, acutely aware of the impact of his limited mana pool, which paradoxically surpassed expectations given his level.

"The ability is undeniably potent," Ace mused, delving once again into the wonders of his origin ability. While primarily employed for flight, its seemingly simple nature shouldn't be underestimated. In the true world, only a select few humans possessed the capability, and Ace had seamlessly joined their ranks through his origin ability.

He couldn't overlook the concurrent influence of his title, which had quietly shaped his journey. Ace recalled the initial challenges he faced when learning to fly, necessitating the activation of his title's effect to combat the fire eagles. However, he had swiftly adapted and matched the grace of their flight, not due to rapid assimilation but rather his ability to swiftly acquire newfound skills despite being a novice.

Ace was well aware of the limitations of his past comprehension ability, acknowledging that such rapid progress wouldn't have been possible without the effect of his title.

....…

[Alchemist Lord[Active]],

*Ability to grasp anything fast from learning to crafting.

.....

His title continued to function flawlessly, yet Ace couldn't shake the feeling that he hadn't reached his full potential. There was an desire within him to push the boundaries and test the current limits of his power.

Contemplating his depleted mana reserves, Ace reached into his storage ring and retrieved a pill bottle. Swiftly, he opened it and ingested a rank 1 mana pill, immediately sensing the bitter taste caused by its impurities. Nevertheless, Ace could already feel his mana recovering, revitalizing his dwindling reserves.

As his mana pool replenished without issue, Ace shifted his gaze to Blue nestled in his arms and softly uttered to his faithful companion, "Let us take advantage of the night and hunt monsters, Blue."

*********

Ace surveyed the battlefield, analyzing the environment and assessing the scientific elements at play. The Earth Bear's reliance on the earth element gave him an idea—a chance to harness the power of transmutation in a way he had never tried before.

Drawing upon his extensive knowledge of elemental properties, Ace focused his concentration. He visualized the molecular structure of water and the intricate bonds that held it together. With a surge of mental energy, he began manipulating the surrounding moisture, transforming it into a fine mist.

As the mist enveloped the area, the temperature dropped rapidly. Water molecules slowed down, bonding together and forming ice crystals in mid-air. Soon, a frigid cloud of ice particles swirled around the battlefield, obscuring Ace from view.

The Earth Bear, momentarily confused by the sudden change in temperature, searched the mist-filled air, its keen senses alert. Ace seized the opportunity and carefully maneuvered through the icy haze, his movements barely detectable.

With a swift motion, Ace materialized a transmuted ice blade using the moisture in the air as his raw material. The blade shimmered with an ethereal glow, pulsating with the power of frozen molecules arranged with precision.

Emerging from the mist, Ace launched himself at the Earth Bear with lightning speed. He deftly avoided the bear's swipes, his body moving in a mesmerizing dance with the ice element. As he darted around, his blade left behind trails of frost, evidence of the complex chemical reactions occurring in real-time.

The Earth Bear, now more aware of Ace's presence, unleashed a powerful roar, causing the ground to tremble. But Ace remained unfazed, channeling his focus into his transmutation ability. He absorbed the vibrational energy from the bear's roar, converting it into thermal energy that further fueled the icy aura around him.

In response, the mist thickened, creating an icy barrier between Ace and the bear. The Earth Bear, momentarily disoriented by the sudden temperature drop, struggled to see through the crystalline fog. Its movements grew sluggish as the cold seeped into its fur, slowing its reactions.

Ace seized the advantage, striking with calculated precision. His ice blade sliced through the bear's thick hide, leaving behind deep gashes that instantly froze upon contact. The bear roared in pain, but its efforts to retaliate were hindered by the encroaching frost.

Undeterred by the bear's roar, Ace continued his relentless assault. The icy mist swirling around him grew denser, coalescing into sharp icicles that hung ominously in the air. With a wave of his hand, Ace sent the icicles hurtling towards the Earth Bear, each one guided by his precise manipulation of the frozen molecules.

The bear's massive form was pelted by the piercing ice projectiles, causing it to stagger and lose its footing. As the bear struggled to regain its balance, Ace pressed his advantage, his movements fluid and graceful like a skilled dancer. He danced between the falling icicles, avoiding the bear's desperate attempts to swipe at him.

Drawing upon his transmutation ability, Ace summoned pillars of ice from beneath the ground, erupting in a spectacular display of power. The jagged ice columns erupted around the bear, trapping it within a frozen labyrinth. The bear thrashed and roared, but its movements were increasingly hindered by the encroaching ice.

With each strike, Ace's understanding of the scientific principles at play deepened. He felt the intricate dance of energy conversion within his very being, as the vibrational energy from the bear's roars was converted into thermal energy, fueling the intense cold that emanated from him. The air crackled with the power of transmutation.

Sensing an opportunity, Ace summoned a torrent of freezing winds, whipping around the battlefield with a furious intensity. The gusts of icy air intensified the bear's plight, freezing its fur and further draining its strength. Ice crystals formed on its paws, impeding its movement.

The Earth Bear, now encased in a prison of ice, struggled to break free. Its mighty roars grew weaker, and its once fearsome demeanor diminished under the relentless assault of Ace's transmutation abilities. But Ace knew that he needed a final blow to end the fight definitively.

Gathering his concentration, Ace focused on the icy barrier that surrounded the bear. With a surge of energy, he infused the ice with a potent combination of elemental forces. He channeled the latent power of the earth element, drawing upon the bear's affinity, and merged it with the frozen water molecules.

As Ace's transmutation abilities reached their peak, the ice surrounding the bear began to change. It shifted in color, turning from translucent blue to a vibrant, earthen hue. The frozen prison transformed, taking on the properties of solid rock while retaining its icy texture.

With a calculated strike, Ace delivered a powerful blow to the transformed ice barrier. The impact reverberated through the battlefield, resonating with the fundamental forces of nature. The barrier shattered, releasing a cascade of shattered ice and rocky fragments.

As the debris settled, the Earth Bear stood before Ace, its form now encased in a shell of crystallized rock and ice. Its movements were sluggish, its strength drained. Ace seized this moment, knowing that his victory was within reach.

Summoning the last remnants of his transmutation abilities, Ace focused his energy into his hand, gathering a concentrated mass of elemental power. The energy crackled and surged, taking on the form of a radiant sphere of ice and earth.

With a primal shout, Ace hurled the elemental sphere towards the Earth Bear. The sphere tore through the air with incredible speed, leaving a trail of frost and rocky fragments in its wake. It struck the bear's crystallized form with devastating force, causing a cataclysmic explosion of elemental energy.

The battlefield was bathed in a blinding light as the explosion engulfed the Earth Bear. The sheer magnitude of the attack sent shockwaves rippling through the surrounding terrain, shaking the very foundation of the land. When the light subsided and the dust settled, all that remained was a scorched crater, devoid of any trace of the once-mighty Earth Bear.

Ace stood at the edge of the crater, his chest heaving with exhaustion and exhilaration. He had triumphed over the formidable Earth Bear by harnessing the scientific principles of transmutation and elemental manipulation. The fight had tested his limits and deepened his understanding of the intricate relationship between science, mana and combat.

With a sense of accomplishment, Ace dismissed his ice blade, allowing the frozen molecules to dissipate back into the environment. 

As he turned away from the battlefield, the remnants of his transmuted elements faded into the air.