Let's Learn The Power of Magic! (1)

"Yep... This tastes absolutely disgusting."

As I chewed the beast crystal of the weak monsters that I've hunted, feeling it break apart under the pressure of my teeth, I couldn't help but contort my face in a strange expression after finally managing to swallow it.

"Trust the process... I really need to trust the process..." I chanted to myself, my hand instinctively moving to cover my mouth in a desperate attempt to suppress the urge to vomit.

Staring at the five remaining beast crystal in front of me, I shook my head in defeat... God, this is tough. The taste, the texture, the whole experience – it's a challenge on a whole different level. But I had come this far, enduring the disgust and discomfort, all in the name of strength.

"Alright, let's get this over with," I muttered to myself, taking a deep breath as I picked up one of the crystal and hesitantly brought it to my mouth. I closed my eyes as I chewed, doing my best to suppress the revulsion that threatened to overpower me.

Continuing to consume more beast crystals, my mind was consumed by thoughts of the trials and tribulations that the original Saber had faced on his solitary journey.

His core formation should have taken place a year ago, right from the outset of his journey. But his reluctance to ingest anything derived from monsters held him back. Consequently, according to the the novel, it was depicted that he managed to establish his core only after three long years of isolation, nearly succumbing to the brink of starvation.

The weight of his hardships settled heavily on me as I reflected on the arduous path he had chosen. The solitude, the desperation, the choice to endure hunger rather than compromise his principles – all these elements of his struggle resonated deeply within me.

I apologize for insulting you for being the weakest, Saber. Now that I'm experiencing your life myself, I gotta say that I'm slowly learning the real meaning of "endure the process and be patient".

And so, as I chewed through the crystals that now seemed to carry a different significance, I silently paid my respects to the original Saber's journey.

"Finally..."

After what felt like an eternity, I finally managed to gulp down the last bit of the core. It wasn't a pleasant experience by any means, but I couldn't deny the sense of accomplishment that came with overcoming it.

"Next step, is to meditate."

Having consumed the last of the beast cores, I found a secluded spot beneath the shade of a large tree. Sitting down, I crossed my legs and closed my eyes, focusing on my breathing. This was the moment I had been working towards – the meditation to form my core.

As I began to quiet my mind and delve deep into my consciousness, I felt a surge of energy coursing through me. It was as if the essence of the consumed beast cores was awakening something within me, something primal and powerful. I embraced the sensation, allowing it to wash over me and envelop me in its warmth.

In the midst of my meditation, flashes of memories from my journey played before my closed eyes – the battles, the victories, the moments of doubt and determination. Each memory was a testament to my growth during the whole month of training in complete solitude, a testament to the path I had chosen. And now, with the culmination of my efforts, it was time to take the final step as I could feel that the core inside of me was about to finish forming.

I focused on the energy within me, shaping it, molding it into a concentrated point of power. It wasn't an easy process – my body trembled, sweat forming on my brow – but I held onto my resolve, drawing strength from the challenges I used to overcome the whole month.

Time seemed to blur as I continued to meditate, the world around me fading into the background. And then, as if guided by an unseen force, I felt a surge of energy gather at my core. It was a sensation unlike any other, a mixture of intense heat and vibrant power.

Although the process feels absolutely painful, I had to endure this and stay calm until I completely finish the process.

And then, with a sudden rush, the energy coalesced into a brilliant sphere of light within me. It was my core – the culmination of my efforts, the embodiment of my strength and determination. I could feel it pulsating within me, radiating power and potential.

"Haaaa....."

As I opened my eyes, a sense of accomplishment washed over me. I had done it. I had formed my core through sheer will and determination.

I let out a deep sigh of relief, feeling the tension slowly ebb away from my body as I leaned back against the sturdy tree trunk.

"I'll give practicing magic a shot after a quick power nap..." With that thought in mind, I allowed my eyelids to droop, surrendering to the soothing embrace of sleep. The world around me faded as I let go of my conscious thoughts, sinking into the realm of dreams.

***

Somewhere.

With a determined gleam in his eyes, Maximus rallied his party members around him, their weapons drawn and ready for battle. The Minotaur before them was a formidable opponent, its towering form casting a menacing shadow over the group. The air was thick with tension as they braced themselves for the imminent clash.

"Alright, team! Attack!" Maximus's voice resonated with a mix of confidence and determination, spurring his companions into action. Swords glinted in the sunlight, arrows were notched, and spells were prepared as they took their battle stances.

As the battle began, it quickly became apparent that the monster was no pushover. None of the spells that his companions had casted worked. Plus, each of it's attacks were fierce and relentless, forcing Maximus and his party to move swiftly to avoid being struck.

Maximus, with his sword raised above his head, focused on dodging and weaving through the monster's attacks. His quick reflexes and well-practiced swordplay allowed him to strike with precision, his blades finding gaps in the creature's defenses. Beside him, a mage unleashed torrents of fire magic, while the archer took aim and fired arrows with uncanny accuracy.

Despite their skill and determination, the battle was far from easy. Maximus felt his muscles burn with fatigue, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he pushed himself to keep up the fight. The monster's roars and the clash of their weapons as he parried it away echoed around them, creating a chaotic symphony of battle.

"Goddamn it, Aria, strike it now!"

"O-oh... Alright." Hearing Maximus order, Aria took her stance and rushed forward to attack. Unfortunately, when was about to reach the Minotaur's back when it noticed her.

"Gah!" The Minotaur landed an attack on her with it's huge cub, throwing Aria towards the wall.

"You're useless!" Maximus raised his voice as he continue to evade the incoming attack.

As the battle raged on, Maximus's party members began to show signs of weariness. Aria stumbled, barely evading a sweeping claw, while the mage's spells grew weaker as her mana diminished. Maximus gritted his teeth, his resolve to finish this fight immediately and berate Aria for being incompetent continued to reach it's peak as he press on.

With a rallying cry, Maximus led an "uncoordinated" assault, with their only focus is to target the monster's weak spots. The luck and effort of his party members began to take its toll, and cracks appeared in the creature's defenses. With one final strike, they managed to bring the monster to its knees and strike it's neck to end it.

Breathing heavily, Maximus wiped sweat from his brow as he surveyed the aftermath of the battle. His party members stood around him, panting and battered, but victorious.

As soon as the dust had settled from the battle, Maximus's face contorted into a scowl as he surveyed the scene. He turned his piercing gaze toward Aria Ravenscroft, his frustration palpable.

"Is this the best you can manage, Aria?" he sneered, his tone laced with thinly veiled anger. "I had heard rumors of your prowess, but I must admit, your performance was underwhelming at best."

Aria could only clench her jaw, her eyes narrowing as she met Maximus's gaze with a mix of frustration and restraint. She knew he held authority both as the leader of the party and a prince, and any retort on her part could only lead to more trouble. Instead, she swallowed her pride and remained silent, her lips pressed in a thin line.

"Perhaps if you weren't so busy hogging the spotlight, we could have worked more cohesively as a team," Maximus's voice was cutting, his words slicing through the tension as he tries to out the blame on her. "Not all of us are driven by the need to stroke our own ego."

But you're the one who had a stroke of ego! Even though she wanted to say this, she just lowered her head and went silent. "Sorry...." Was the only thing that left her mouth.

Aria's fingers curled into fists at her sides, her nails digging into her palms as she struggled to hold back her response. She wanted to defend herself, to remind him that she was no less capable than the others, but the weight of Maximus's status as a prince and their party leader kept her words locked behind a tight barrier of silence.

After a few minutes, Maximus was finally able to calm his nerves down and turn his attention to his party.

"Well done, everyone," Maximus praised, his voice genuine and proud. "We faced a tough opponent, but together, we prevailed."

While he was busy talking to his party, Sylvia walked up towards Aria to talk to her.

"Are you okay...?" She asked, her face showing a worried expression.

Without raising her head up to look at her, Aria rubbed her arm using her other hand. "I'm fine... Don't worry." She says, walking towards the corner to sit.

Sylvia looks at Aria's back as she walks away. Since she didn't know what she could do to cheer her up, she let the matter go by shaking her head and turning her attention to the others.