Elio touched his book, feeling level 10's power flow through him.
It was time to put his training to the test.
The challenge chamber materialized its familiar scenario once more.
Aria, Lila, Valeria, and Taron watched from the entrance, waiting their turn to practice their movements for level 8, though first they would witness Elio's "practical class" with the Locus.
The monster, which once represented a formidable threat, now served as a daily training tool for everyone.
Today would be no different.
Elio deliberately positioned himself near the center, a silent invitation that the Locus was quick to accept with a mad rush.
The beast charged, its ten meters of mass moving with that speed that was now familiar to Elio. Every muscle, every movement, was readable to his enhanced perception.
The space between them reduced rapidly: 50 meters, 20, 10, 5...
"Isn't he going to...?" Aria whispered, holding her breath.
At the last instant, when the Locus's claws seemed inevitable, Elio slid to one side. It wasn't an exaggerated movement or a dramatic jump; it was a simple lateral jump (with the strength of 10 men, of course), so precise that it barely left the necessary space between his body and the deadly claws.
"Incredible," Taron murmured. "He didn't even use an impulse."
Elio repeated the exercise again and again, each movement more fluid than the last.
He no longer needed the red glow in his eyes nor suffered the bleeding it caused. Neither did he require the help of helium, neon, or wind; his base speed of 10 points, combined with his understanding of space and movement, was sufficient.
But it wasn't enough for him.
"Today we'll do something different," Elio announced, his eyes fixed on the Locus as it prepared for another charge. "Let's see if we can bring it to frenzy... while preserving all its body parts as best we can."
Valeria frowned. "Why would he..."
"Because he needs to understand his limits," Taron responded, a small smile forming on his lips as the Locus began its next attack. "And sometimes, to find those limits..."
He prepared himself, focusing on the monster approaching Elio.
"All yours," Elio indicated to his companions, wiping the blood from his face. "Practice your control for the level 8 challenge."
While watching them begin their exercises, his mind was already on the next day. The frenzy had revealed limitations he needed to overcome, spaces where he could improve.
'Tomorrow,' he thought, 'we'll see if I can dodge that jump without bleeding.'
♢♢♢♢
The days merged into one another while Elio perfected his movements against the Locus.
Each session was a constant reminder of the Artromus's speed: it doubled the monster's frenzy speed of 20 so... There was no margin for error.
On the other hand, the group's progress had been notable. Zara reached level 9, while the others conquered 8. Lila, Valeria, Aria, and Taron now provided enough security outside for Zara to join the practice sessions.
"Ready?" Kriz asked, spinning his resistant alloy blade between his hands.
Mei nodded, her eyes studying the Locus with the analytical intensity that characterized her. "Remember, the cut must be clean. A single line."
"As if it were that easy," Brok murmured, though his voice carried more positivity than pessimism.
Lila remained silent, focused.
Elio observed from the side while the group positioned themselves. Their magical damage statistics had barely increased, from 49 to 51 points of magical damage, as they still hadn't obtained the level 8 summon. But something had changed. .net
The first attack confirmed it.
Kriz's blade whistled in the air, finding the Locus's neck in a perfect arc. This time, instead of stopping halfway, the metal cleanly went through the flesh.
"You did it!" Mei exclaimed, her eyes shining with understanding. "The theory was correct."
"Theory?" Brok asked, as the monster's head fell.
"Fifty points is 5% of the total resistance," Elio explained, approaching. "It seems to be the critical threshold. With just enough magical damage, the monster's integrity yields in a specific way, allowing the cut to go through completely."
"Like breaking an invisible system barrier," Mei added. "Once you surpass a certain limit, the system doesn't protect you and the rest is easier."
Kriz smiled, retrieving and catching his blade. "Who would have thought that mathematics would be so useful for decapitating monsters?"