Chapter 405 - A downside to your strength

The destined time that Garry had mentioned was coming was always on the back of everyone's mind. It seemed like it was only weeks ago when it was announced and now the time was finally here. However, the question was, was Ray now strong enough to face the Demon within the old dragon hammer?

According to the information Bliss had given them, the Demon possessing the hammer was equal to a god. Or was what they referred to as God's just like her. This was also similar to what was inside of Van. It was just one that was more in the side of wrongdoings. When they had fought a long time ago, Gary had come out the clear winner. Ray was sure that the Demon was confident in its victory again, and the only thing that held him back from finishing him at the time was Gary.

Essentially the two of them were in a race, a race to see who could get stronger faster. However, there was a clear problem. There were two easy ways for Ray to get stronger. By consuming higher tier beast crystals which the Alure kingdom nor the Redwing kingdom had, or by saving people. 

Ray was a little surprised to see after the events of Zrey, he hadn't obtained any new skills completing saving many lives. But the system often acted in ways he couldn't understand in the first place.

Regardless of this, the most important thing was that Ray needed to push himself just that little bit further before meeting Gary, and this was what he was looking for. 

"I think I need this more than anything," Ray replied. "My strength lately has been on a bit of a plateau."

The others hearing this couldn't really believe it. After all, every time they saw him return, it was as if they were meeting a completely new person, he would improve that quickly. 

"The fact that I can no longer use magic during this tournament is great, it will allow me to hone my fighting skills that have grown a little blunt. Von, Sir K. I hope I hope during this time that the two of you will be happy to take me as your student again."

"Of course." They both replied. 

"Well, I can't say I hundred percent agree with your decision but honestly. Because of your teleporting abilities, if the shadow were to attack at any point and time, you could easily return to us." Slyvia said. "I guess the next question is who to take with you?"

"Isn't that an easy one?" Martha said. "It should be Jack, I mean no offence to anyone else but in terms of raw power he's the strongest out of all of us."

The others agreed with Martha's statement, but there was one person who rejected that idea. 

"That won't do," Ray replied. "When Jack returns its best, he stays with the people he brought with him. They are close to Jack. I think it would be best they were kept under his care for a short while until they are comfortable. You will understand when you see them."

The room went silent once again as they all thought about it, until a single person had volunteered. 

"If no one else goes, I would like to," Harry said, raising his hand. 

"Hmm, Harry. I actually think you might be the best choice. Clam, skilful and most of all, sensible." Slyvia said. "You might actually be a better choice than Jack."

"Yes," Martha said with a smile on her face. "And after the beasting process, his natural physical abilities should increase more just making him even stronger." 

"I have no complaints," Ray said. Truthfully Ray didn't really care who would be participating in the tournament with him. Because he was planning to beat everyone there in the first place, so it didn't matter to him. 

"Can I ask?" Kyle said. "What position does the Alure kingdom usually come in?" 

"I will answer this one," Wilfred said. "Every year even when Avrion was a part of the Alure kingdom, they would come in the last place. While we left our strongest to fend for the front lines, we would often send the winners from our own tournament to the event. Of course, the difference in experience between an a.d.u.l.t and a child was many. 

"Still, the Alure kingdom had its reputation as the weakest kingdom, and so they had no choice but to accept the students we sent at the time. The best students at Avrion, against the strongest people in the other kingdoms. We never stood a chance in the first place."

"Let's not keep the mood so down." Slyvia interrupted. "We shall proceed with what Ray has said, on top of this we will decide a small group that will be able to go with Ray and Harry to the All kingdom tournament. We will update you further when we have more information."

The meeting had finished, and as Ray was about to head to the gate area to make sure Jack and the others were okay, an unexpected person had tugged on his sleeve. 

"Do you have a second?" Bliss said. "In private." As she looked at the others staring at the two.

Ray didn't have a good feeling about this, whenever the Divine being would talk to him, it seemed like she was only doing so to ask a favour. The two of them continued to walk off to a more secluded area. They entered one of the rooms that was used as an office space for one of the elders. Currently, no one was inside, so it was perfect. 

"I wanted to ask you something?" Bliss said. "When you were away, did you use the mana steal spell on those that were contracted?"

Thinking back, Ray did use the mana steel spell to supplement the power that would be used to create the giant fireball. After all, half of his mana was already gone from using another spell. It was because of mana steal he was able to be so reckless with his powers often. 

"Yeah I did, how did you know?" Ray asked, knowing that she had no contract herself, so none of the mana was taken from her. 

"Well, I don't know if you care or not, or if you even know but I thought it would be best to tell you." Said Bliss. "Even though you can take mana and give it back freely. Each time you do, you're taking a little bit of their life force, Ray. That's right, you're slowly killing all your allies."

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