Chapter 95 New Trick To Using Cores



Typically, mana is spent in combat. When a mage activates a spell, their mana will be drained from their core to construct runes and spell models. Later, the spell model induces some change in the environment. That change can be called a spell. While casting a spell, they couldn't use their core to recover mana. It was basic knowledge among mages.

Up until this juncture, Alex shared similarities with mages, employing a comparable technique to manifest spells. However, when it came to his physical prowess, he possessed an exceptional talent for mana manipulation. Through this unique ability, he could direct mana into his muscles, bestowing upon himself the formidable physical capabilities of a warrior. Referred to as the "warrior mode" by Alex, this state was effortlessly sustained by harnessing his mana in such a manner.

However, Alex's body had one critical difference from a normal mage. He had almost a hundred cores distributed all over his body. 

This realisation made Alex think. And in the moment of inspiration, Alex decided to try out the new method he devised on the spot. 

He abruptly shut down one of his ninety currently active cores. The mana saturation inside his body didn't decrease. This meant he could still use the warrior method. 

By adhering to his method of harmonising the cores bilaterally, Alex embarked on the process of systematically deactivating the cores within his body. Within a matter of minutes, he discovered that he only required the sustained but arduous exertion of twenty cores, strategically distributed throughout his physique, to sustain his warrior mode. These twenty cores radiated like miniature stars, dispersed within his body, steadily releasing mana to fortify his physique.

This was a great discovery for Alex. After unlocking ninety cores, he had never tried out a similar experiment on himself. He always tried to use a tiny bit of mana from all his cores to maintain his warrior mode. 

Now, he realised his foolishness. 

Although mana in the twenty cores would run out faster, he could shift the burden to another twenty cores. This gave a great boost to the efficiency of the mana usage. 

However, Alex didn't stop there. Now that he had 70 cores as spare, he was not going to let them be unproductive. He shifted the task of 50 cores to recover mana.

"Thuck…" Alex stumbled while he was running away from the mages that were attacking him. The burden of using the cores in a contradicting manner put a strain on Alex's mind. Nevertheless, he clenched his teeth and endured the agony. It resembled the strain he had experienced while multicasting spells, amplified a hundredfold. Yet, despite the excruciating ordeal, he deemed it bearable, refusing to yield.

After all, there was no gain without any pain. Recovering mana was very important for him currently. His life was dependent on it.

Like that, the fifty cores inside his body turned into miniature black holes that devoured mana from his surroundings. 

The remaining twenty cores acted as a spare. They were needed in case of emergencies or when he need to change out the exhausted core. 

Through further experimentation, Alex discerned that by synchronising the fifty cores, their collective recovery rate would render him virtually tireless. However, he emphasised the significance of the term 'virtually.'

While he could achieve continuous mana recovery, he anticipated a substantial escalation in mental strain, eventually becoming a potential limitation. Nevertheless, he postponed concern for this matter, as he was accustomed to enduring high-strain situations relentlessly, without rest or sleep. With his current mana output, it would take a minimum of 10 hours for him to exhaust himself.

So, with newfound confidence, Alex continued his battle. He dashed around the battlefield stabbing and critically wounding the enemy mages. Occasionally, he used to teleport to escape from danger and to appear behind powerful mages to take their life.

For a moment, he looked like a grim reaper that was dancing on the battlefield. Although his white robes didn't match the aesthetics of a grim reaper. The blood on it displayed his might. With relentless and tireless assaults, he instilled fear deep within their hearts. 

Now, even the black-robed minions of the evil organisation, who was willing to die and kill for the organisation were trying to avoid him.

This was proof that his goal was within reach. He was spreading fear among the black robes. Despite the black-robed individuals being intended to resemble emotionless robots, their fearful and panicked reactions betrayed their true nature. Witnessing their trepidation, a hidden smile graced Alex's face, concealed beneath his stoic expression.

'Forty-nine…'

'fifty …'

'....'

'Fifty-eight…' 

Alex counted one by one until he eradicated the last of the black-robed men. Only the elder of the thousand-headed serpent tribe who was battling with Kalina remained.

—

The battle, that was happening near the beach didn't go unnoticed. The thunderous sound of the clash between Kalina and the elder. The screams of pain from the black-robed men. All that caused a crowd to form near the battlefield. Hundreds of men and women from all walks of life crowded near the battlefield. They observed from a safe distance to know what was going on.

However, as they laid eyes upon the lifeless bodies of the black-robed men, panic gripped the onlookers. Were these attackers launching another assault on their city? Such thoughts raced through their minds.

Yet, their apprehension quickly subsided when they saw Alex, clad in his white robes, meticulously washing the blood from his garments amidst a sea of black-robed corpses. Based on the rumours they had heard, the white-robed figure was the arch-nemesis of these black-robed individuals. It was said that he had decimated the Noble Trader Association for their cooperation with the Black-robes.

Then why was he here?

Why was he in a battle with the black-robed men here?

What happened to Penthe?

Question one after another popped up in the mind of the crowd.

However, their shock didn't end there. When they observed the battle between Kalina and the Black-robed man. They quickly identified the skills used by the man.

The man was using the skills of the thousand-headed serpent tribe. This shocked the crowd beyond anything. There were traitors in the thousand-headed serpent tribe. The crowd realised quickly. 

"Is that the elder of the Thousand-Head Serpent Tribe? The current acting patriarch?" One individual astutely observed, pointing out the obvious.

Amidst the fierce clash of combat, the elder found it impossible to conceal his face beneath the protective cover of his hood. Kalina made sure of that. Thus, to the elder's misfortune, the crowd swiftly discerned his true identity.

"The lady is the princess of the Ice Phoenix Tribe. I remember her from when the Black-robes attacked the city before. She extended a helping hand then, and I witnessed her captivating beauty firsthand," proclaimed a young man standing among the crowd. His voice carried a tone of admiration.

"Yes, she is." Another young man verified the other man's claim.

Nevertheless, just as the onlookers were beginning to find solace in the situation, their relief was abruptly shattered. They witnessed Kalina being forcefully pushed back by the elder, stirring a surge of anguish within their chests. The young men's instinctive reaction was to rush in and save Kalina, but their friends, family members, spouses, and girlfriends swiftly intervened, preventing them from making the gravest mistake of their lives.

Alex stood speechless after watching this from the sidelines. He couldn't understand them. As strong as he was, he didn't want to interfere in the battle that was raging near the sea. Each one of Kalina's attacks was freezing a wide portion of the sea. The elder changed his tactics by running over the water, sometimes diving in and emerging to attack Kalina.

The battle was going in a crazy stupid and extremely difficult direction. And yet, they wanted to save her. 

Alex rubbed his head to find some relief from his headache. He was already feeling mentally drained by the previous battle. However, he needs to prepare himself to interfere in the battle that was taking place over the beach and in the sea.

"Elder, your identity is already revealed. You have no place left to run. Even your tribe wouldn't protect you now. Do you know what that means? You will die today." Kalina spoke amidst the battle.

"Kids these days…" The elder chuckled mockingly, his amusement fueled by Kalina's warning. "Your words may hold some truth if you possess the power to stop me. Otherwise, I have no qualms about eliminating everyone here to conceal the truth. My options are far from exhausted. Even if more witnesses were to emerge, I can always resort to eliminating them to safeguard the truth. That includes you," he sneered, taunting Kalina.

"Why can't I stop you? Can't you see corpses of your men strew across the beach? Unlike you, I seem to have better allies." Kalina taunted back while looking at Alex who was wearing white robes. "And soon, other strong warriors would come for my help. So, until then, wash your neck and wait."

"Ha ha ha… I could say the same. You have yet to see the strength of my organisation." The elder warned while attacking Kalina.