Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 283: Oscar The Demon

Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 283: Oscar The Demon

"So this demon state–" Remulus cleaned out the rest of the snacks, making Draven clench his fist in frustration. "How does it work? What exactly changes about the boy?"

Draven slammed the table, scattering the empty plates and cups before they turned into dust. After this outburst, he sighed and set up a new table with fresh plates full of snacks and a pot of tea. "I suppose it's when he's truly at the backfoot and at a point where he can't back down. That sounds typical, but for Oscar, he's always thinking; although he sometimes comes up with maniacal plans, it's all from his thoughts turning to find a way to win."

"A proper warrior and Exalt," Remulus said as he helped himself to the new snacks but coughed from the dry crumbs.

"However, what if he can't retreat and can't find a way to win? He's the type I'd say would give up an arm if he could win, but what if giving up an arm wasn't enough? That, combined with a spiked emotional state and at the brink of losing consciousness, might be the cause." Draven flicked his wrist, and all the snacks went to his side, making Remulus frown. "The fighting demon comes out and is one hell of a monster."

"Meaning?"Upstodatee from n(0)/ve/lbIn/.(co/m

"His spells, Ein, Reis, and techniques all flow seamlessly." Draven laughed.

.......

At this moment, Oscar moved the bulwark from his grip and used the thread to tie it around his forearm, freeing his left hand. With both hands clenched into fists, he took up a stance.

Orden looked at Oscar with a slightly pale face; a hint of fear had crept into his heart and latched itself firmly. There was no helping it because of Oscar's current state, which would unnerve anyone. Orden chuckled weakly to rouse himself, but Oscar was too terrifying at the moment with his dark eyes and bloodstained face. "Is this a trick? Just because you've changed demeanors doesn't mean you've suddenly become stronger."

However, instead of getting a response, Orden looked taken aback at Oscar's incredible speed as metal protruded from his heels and instantly closed the gap between them. It was unbelievable because Orden had seen Oscar use the 'Silver Burst' many times and had a good gauge of its speed. Shaken but not deterred by Oscar's sudden boost, Orden swung his hammer, intent on ending this battle.

'Twenty Multiple Weight Boost'

'Twenty Multiple Earthen Echo'

His trusty hammer fell upon Oscar. He knew Oscar had a superior Prinstyct, but that mattered very little to his Meld Stage hammer. As his hammer struck against Oscar's bulwark, Orden felt uneasy at how there was little resistance from Oscar.

In their previous exchanges, Oscar had always met against his hammer and retaliated with another strange empowered attack, but now, Orden felt he had struck air. Suddenly, Oscar spun with the hammer, his entire body parallel to the floor, and Orden saw what came next. A burning blue kick to his temple; it was so fast that Orden could barely recall his hammer to defend against it.

In an instant, the kick swerved down, and Oscar shifted his center of gravity by rotating with his hands on the floor. His other leg came swinging with a fierce kick right into Orden's abdomen, all of this at an erratic pace and timing that threw off Orden's Prinstyct.

"This strength!" Orden had used 'Weight Boost' on himself and tightened his muscles, but Oscar's toes still pierced through and spewed out blood. The thing Orden knew, he was thrown several yards to the side, an incredulous expression across his face at how powerful Oscar's kick was. Then, a groan of a beast caught his attention, and Oscar's deer anima kicked Orden back away, not too much damage but a heavy blow nonetheless. "What kind of beast does a backflip?"

Skidding his feet across the floor, Orden used the momentum to swing at Oscar, focusing every fiber of his body on Oscar's next move. However, Orden let out a confused mumble as Oscar swiped his hands over Orden's hammer. In the next moment, he was thrown up into the air and slammed onto the floor.

'I used Weight Boost, so I should be so heavy he can't lift me, and yet he was able to throw me around like this?' Orden didn't feel much pain in his back due to his overwhelming stature and dense muscles, but he felt disorientated by the sudden nonsensical throw. His eyes widened at the hoof and lance nearing him. He managed to roll away, but Oscar and the deer anima kicked him, causing him to smash into a wall.

"Kuh!" Orden managed to block that, but he still felt Oscar's toes had pierced his forearm, and blood trickled down.

'Edureisclad x Flowing Mountain'

Once again, Oscar charged into Orden's face and unleashed a fierce thrashing of his silver lances and erratic kicks. Orden let go of his hammer, letting it float around while he encased his arms in a dense stone fist, smaller than usual, resembling a pair of boxing gloves.

'Weight Boost'

Orden moved swiftly and tightened his guard, keeping his hands close, but each time he attacked, whether with his arms or legs, he used 'Weight Boost' at the last moment to increase the potency of his attacks.

It worked, and his attacks improved, alleviating some of the pressure he felt.

.......

"So far, Oscar had always put his Reis atop his spells or Ein. Such is when he's refining metals, using Shattering Wave and letting the Ein ride on its coattails or using that lance spell of his with Shattering Wave." Draven swirled some sugar into his tea. "But the Ein is the most versatile thing in existence. We use it to perform great feats, transforming Ein into elements, illusions, and more. Who says that Ein can't adapt to fuse with Reis?"

"Impossible, if I recall correctly; you only achieved that at the peak of Knight Exalt," Remulus said.

"Stop thinking about it in terms of Ein and Exalt. The realm doesn't matter; what matters is the control of Reis, and he is far beyond the norm. He truly is suited to be my disciple." Draven laughed, shaking his cup and spilling tea everywhere as Remulus watched solemnly. "He touched upon it with Dual Awaken, but now he's reached the fusion as a Greater Apprentice Exalt, although unconsciously."

"That's a terrifying weapon."

"Truly is. The Ein takes in the physical force of Reis and adapts to become something new. If layering them together is considered an addition, then fusing them is multiplication. The spells he uses would be created from this fused power and become far deadlier than ever."

.......

Oscar's heel stamped atop Orden's head, and despite Orden's attempt to boost his weight, Oscar still forced him to his knees. Soon after, he continued his barrage on Orden's kneeling body.

"UOOOHH!" Orden limped to his feet and fought with all his might, displaying excellent control over his Ein and body. The ground quaked as Orden's foot clashed against Oscar's, but Orden came out the loser as several lance jabs pierced his body, gaping wounds that spilled blood all over him.

Finally, the lances shattered, but Oscar's fist touched Orden's chest.

'Eduresiclad x Ripple Shroud'

Orden was blasted and sent tumbling onto the floor. He chuckled weakly and said, "Unbelievable. What kind of monster are you? Are you truly a Grade Four?"

Oscar stomped forward, his eyes still staring at Orden as if he was an ant with soul-crushing dark pupils. It was as if Oscar had become a soulless monster.

.......

"The problem is he doesn't know when to stop. Everything else is fine, but he will fight even his allies, unable to recognize them. Like a savage beast, all he sees are the prey around him." Draven looked up, wondering how Oscar was doing.