* * *
I headed to the training hall.
Whizz—.
After looking around, I breathed a sigh of relief.
Fortunately, Rene and Diana were nowhere to be seen today.
I could train without any worries.
There were no other students in the training hall at the moment.
Right after the weapons skills exam, many students needed to rest.
…It would be strange if there were any students who emerged from a spar with Ares unscathed.
I was fine thanks to Luna's healing magic.
So,
“Now, let’s begin.”
I drew the Fang of Darkness from my pocket.
Samuel, who was still awake despite the late hour, asked,
[Are you sure about this? As far as I know, Fighting Spirit isn't an easy technique to learn.]
“I wouldn't have made a bold promise to Instructor Ares if I wasn't confident.”
[I have my doubts…]
Samuel still seemed unconvinced.
Well, his skepticism was understandable.
No matter what tricks I had up my sleeve, Fighting Spirit was a realm of extraordinary skill.
It wasn’t a technique that I, who hadn’t attained enlightenment in the martial arts, could easily grasp just by observing Ares’s movements.
But I was confident.
“Just watch.”
Leaving those words for Samuel, I closed my eyes and began to channel my mana.
I recalled the meaning behind the 【Killing Intent】 trait.
The aura emanating from the ‘Killing Intent’ was released through mana.
However, it was an intangible energy, so it couldn't be directly utilized like Fighting Spirit.
Still, it was a useful technique for setting the mood and subduing opponents with weak mental fortitude.
But…
‘…As my mana control reached a higher level, I became able to see it.’
The mana flowing through my body when I utilized the Killing Intent trait…
Right before it was released outside my body, it lost its property as mana and transformed into pure intent.
That's why it was different from Fighting Spirit.
If Killing Intent only contained the will to kill…
Fighting Spirit was the materialization of that will, integrated into a weapon.
It would have been easier if I knew the proper process of materializing will, but as a writer, how could I possibly have a deep understanding of martial arts?
So, I could only describe it in fragments as the realm of materializing will.
However,
‘…I have the power to materialize intangible mana.’
The trait that imbued mana with color.
‘Darkness.’
I was going to use it to color the Killing Intent right before it was released outside my body.
Well then.
Let’s give it a try.
Hum—.
I gradually channeled the mana within my body, circulating it through mana control.
And I activated the Killing Intent trait.
In that fleeting moment.
Just before the Killing Intent escaped my body, I overlaid it with Darkness.
And then…
Unlike the aura that Ares and Baltan emanated, which distorted the surrounding space, a distinctly different aura dwelled within the Fang of Darkness.
That aura…
Woong—.
…didn’t distort the surroundings with immense destructive power.
Instead, it enveloped the surrounding space in a hazy darkness.
With a sharp ‘edge’ that made my skin tingle.
It was an ambiguous energy that couldn't quite be called Fighting Spirit.
I blinked in confusion.
…What is this?
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Thank for the chapter.
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