1544. Evolution
Noah had acknowledged his powerlessness in those short exchanges. His best efforts couldn't even force Madame Canson to attack. He would only run out of darkness if he kept launching a pointless offensive.
His battle prowess was almost there. The fusion of his enhanced centers of power, companions, and abilities placed him near Madame Canson's level, but he needed to take another step forward.
Noah knew that his potential could bring him into the eighth rank, but his worries had held him back. The fear of the drawbacks had applied limits on his law.
Those limits mostly came from his survival instincts. Noah knew that his ambition would exact an immense price once his empowerment ran out. Still, he didn't know what else he could do to defeat Madame Canson.