Mana Step

The threads threatened to slice Arthur, yet he wasn't perturbed by them. He simply mobilized his mana in an attempt to forge a skill his previous self used quite often. Although it had been a while, fundamentals were difficult to lose grip of.

Once he'd ordered the mana circuits and flow in the correct direction and speed, Arthur awaited the system to make an announcement.

[User has created a new skill.]

[Choose a name.]

'Mana step,' thought Arthur and a skill window appeared before him.

[Skill 'Mana Step' has been created.]

[It is registered in your status window.]

As soon as the last window appeared, Arthur activated his new skill, [Mana Step], to mobilize an enormous amount of mana. It rendered his body as light as a feather and his feet as fast as a cheetah.

Within seconds, the crimson-eyed man burst forward. His steps caused the ground beneath to shake, after which his body charged towards the black threads infused with the power of fate. It was a gamble to face the threads directly.

Melzer's eyes widened, and he attempted to withdraw the threads. He didn't wish to murder Anna and Magnus's child. However, the threads didn't follow his commands and simply hurled themselves at the crimson-eyed man.

"Fuck!" Melzer shouted, desperately trying to retract his mana. Yet, the threads were like their own entity.

Suddenly, Arthur's body performed peculiar movements, and his expression crumpled. He charged directly through the threads, yet he weaved them all through continuous use of [Mana Step].

'12… 13,' thought Arthur, counting the number of times he used [Mana Step] in such a short span of time. His legs threatened to shatter, and his mana was on the cusp of running dry. It was a dire moment for the man.

The threads… even touching them would've resulted in mana poisoning or something worse.

Yet Arthur avoided them all in a matter of seconds before finally approaching Melzer. His emotionless eyes shone, and his exhaustion was evident behind the faltering facade of strength, which seemed to be fading.

'One time…' thought Arthur before extending his arm. Melzer didn't pull away as he sensed no danger from the crimson-eyed man. However, as soon as Arthur's hand touched Melzer's skin, the latter felt his strength draining.

[Sin Toll has been used.]

[The Sins and Virtues of the target are being examined.]

[Target has 57% Sin and 43% Virtue.]

[Minor de-buffs are being applied.]

The de-buffs caused by [Sin Toll] were quite minor and lessened further due to Melzer's true power. Melzer, sensing the drainage of his power, quickly stopped reducing his strength and released his true power.

[Sin Toll has been canceled.]

[Target is too powerful.]

[Error… Error.]

At that moment, Arthur fell to his knees. The sound of cracks and crunches emerged from his feet, and the man's expression crumpled to one displaying sheer pain. Melzer simply watched Arthur with eyes of concern and worry.

He considered himself a former friend of Anna and Magnus. Watching their son in such a condition didn't deliver a feeling of elation but sorrow. Melzer dug into his pocket before retrieving a tiny vial.

The vial was transparent but shone due to the golden liquid stored within. Melzer, with trembling hands, pushed the vial towards Arthur, who snatched it immediately. As he gazed at the golden liquid within, his eyes widened.

"Nectar…?" Arthur asked before shutting his eyes in pain.

"The Norns gave me a bit before I left," replied Melzer. "I have two more vials."

"Why… are you giving me this?" Arthur asked, opening a single eye. His gaze remained on the golden liquid, that looked majestic within the vial. It was like grace from god.

"I… acknowledge that you're a player," said Melzer. "I don't know how you survived in the tower with meager strength, but I believe you've been to the tower."

"And why is that?" Arthur asked.

"The skill you made," said Melzer. "You made a skill within seconds which was powerful enough to evade the [Threads of Binding]. That's… a big achievement, and not possible unless one knows the fundamentals of the skill they wish to create."

"You recognized I was making a skill," Arthur chuckled bitterly. He then gazed at his own body. "I need a way to hide my mana circuits from being so… easy to decipher."

"Make a sealing skill," replied Melzer casually. Suddenly, his lips curled into a faint smile. "It's nice to talk about the tower to someone. You know, we're supposed to hide information about the tower once we retire."

"I know that," replied Arthur. "I know a lot more than you think."

"Drink the nectar first," said Melzer before letting out a sigh. The nectar was precious, but he didn't have a good use for it. Preventing his friends' son from becoming crippled was more than enough of a use.

Arthur, without question, chugged the golden liquid down his throat. Some spilt on the ground and disintegrated. The golden liquid seeped into Arthur's mana circuits and organs while strengthening them.

It also entered his legs, the body part on the cusp of becoming crippled. It quickly strengthened his bones, tissues, and the overall structure of his body, rendering him unscathed in a matter of seconds.

Once the healing process had concluded, Arthur slowly stood up, determination vivid in his eyes. "Thank you," he spoke.

Usually, as the Lord of Sins, he was the one providing favors. He was akin to the devil since he offered favors in exchange for assistance in the future. However, it was the first time he'd received assistance without receiving something in return.

"I wouldn't be a friend to Anna and Magnus if I couldn't do at least this much," said Melzer, allowing a faint smile to blossom over his face. "Also, how's that little one doing? Last I saw her, she was seven."

"She's still seven," Arthur let out a chuckle. "You probably saw her this year."

"Probably," muttered Melzer. "Now, shall we begin?"

"Begin what?"

"Your training… to unlock your constitution."