Martial King's Training II

Magnus led me out of the forest, the terrain shifting as we moved further away from the dense canopy of trees and deeper into the rocky highlands. The air was different here—thinner, sharper. The ground beneath my feet was uneven, the landscape barren, as if nature itself had been stripped away.

Magnus stopped atop a jagged cliffside and turned to face me, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. "Your next task," he began, his voice echoing in the vast emptiness around us, "is simple, but it will test you more than the first."

I raised an eyebrow, my grip tightening on my sword. "What do I need to do?"

Magnus gestured to the steep cliffs and rocky hills that stretched as far as I could see. "You'll be training here in the Highlands for the next month. Your objective is straightforward: climb to the summit of Mount Valos." He pointed to a massive mountain in the distance, its peak obscured by clouds. "It is said that those who reach the summit find something far greater than strength. Of course, you can't use mana unless absolutely neccessary."

I looked at the distant mountain, its height almost daunting, and then back to Magnus. "And what am I supposed to learn from this?" I asked, genuinely curious.

Magnus's lips curled into a smile. "You'll learn to trust your instincts and embrace the unknown. The climb will push you to your limits—physically, mentally, and spiritually. You won't be alone on this journey, Arthur. There are other mana beasts, dangerous terrain, and forces of nature that you will have to face."

The idea was to push me beyond relying solely on my magic, to rely on my physical strength, agility, and instincts instead. It was as if I were stripped of one of my most important tools, left to confront the mountain with nothing but my body and my determination.

The climb tested me in every possible way. The sharp winds cut through my skin, and each rocky ledge seemed to mock my efforts as I scrambled to pull myself up, hands bloodied and muscles aching. There were moments when the exhaustion became so overwhelming that I wanted to give up, but I knew I couldn't. Magnus had left me here to prove that I could endure even without the crutch of my mana.

My heart pounded as I clung to a narrow ledge, the drop beneath me hundreds of meters deep. The rock crumbled beneath my fingers, and I almost lost my grip. Panic surged through me, and I felt the instinctive pull to channel my mana to reinforce my strength, but I stopped myself, gritting my teeth and forcing my body to climb instead.

No mana. Not unless it's life or death, I reminded myself.

The climb was painstakingly slow. I had to assess every step, every hold, making sure that I didn't slip. The beasts in the highlands were relentless too. Mana-infused creatures that thrived in the harsh conditions ambushed me frequently, forcing me to fight with only my physical skills and swordsmanship. It was a grueling process, one that demanded everything from me, but it also taught me to appreciate my body's raw capabilities.

When the mana beasts did come at me—jaws snapping, claws outstretched—that was when I allowed myself to unleash mana. My body would light up with the sigils of Lucent Harmony, Luna's power guiding me through each battle. It was a constant struggle to reserve my mana for only the most crucial moments, and each time I felt it leave me, I knew I had to use it efficiently, or risk having nothing left.

Day by day, I made progress, slowly but surely approaching the summit. The cold was relentless, my body screaming for rest, but I pushed on. I had to reach the top. Not just to complete Magnus's task, but because I needed to prove to myself that I was capable.

On the final day of the climb, I found myself at the base of the peak, the summit just barely visible above me. It was close—so close I could almost touch it. My muscles burned with every movement, but I focused on my goal, on the feeling of triumph that awaited me.

The growl came from behind me—a low, guttural rumble that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end. I spun around, my eyes widening at the sight of the creature emerging from the shadows—a 6-star beast, a Duskclaw Panther. It was massive, its sinewy frame rippling with power, dark fur blending into the forest shadows as if it was part of the night itself. Its eyes glowed a fierce gold, fixated on me with murderous intent.

This was it. The true test Magnus had spoken of.

The panther pounced, moving faster than I could have anticipated. I barely managed to throw myself to the side, my body rolling across the dirt and rocks as the ground I had been standing on was torn apart by razor-sharp claws. I scrambled to my feet, my eyes locked onto the beast as it prowled around me, its gaze unrelenting.

There was no running from this. I had to fight, and I had to win.

I steadied my breath, letting the flow of mana awaken within me. The sigils of Lucent Harmony began to glow, faint blue lines wrapping around my arms and legs, bringing a sense of calm even in the face of such overwhelming danger.

The Duskclaw lunged again, its body a blur of movement. I focused, my mind sharpening, mana gathering at my fingertips.

"Lightning Spear!" I shouted, conjuring a 5-circle spell. A bolt of lightning formed in my hand, crackling with energy before I hurled it at the beast.

The spear of lightning struck true, hitting the panther's side. It let out a roar of pain, its body convulsing from the impact, but it wasn't enough. The beast twisted, shaking off the pain, its eyes now locked onto me with even greater fury.

It lunged, claws outstretched. I dodged to the left, barely evading its strike, but I could feel the air being sliced apart by its attack. I had no choice but to respond in kind.

My body moved, my sword shining as mana gathered within me. I whispered the name of my technique, feeling the surge of energy as I stepped forward.

"God Flash."

Time seemed to slow as I moved. The world around me blurred, and I closed the distance between us in an instant, my sword cutting through the air with the force of my mana behind it. The blade struck the panther's shoulder, cutting deep, and for a brief moment, I felt the rush of victory.

But the beast twisted violently, its massive paw slamming into me, knocking me off my feet. I flew back, hitting the ground hard, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs. My vision blurred, and I struggled to get up, every muscle in my body screaming in protest.

The panther was relentless, already closing the distance again. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to my feet, feeling the blood dripping down my side. I couldn't give up—not here, not now.

I gathered my mana once more, my mind focused. This was it. I had to end it, and I had to use everything I had.

I fully activated Lucent Harmony.

The Duskclaw lunged again, and I met it head-on. My sword glowed, mana coursing through it, and I whispered the name of my technique once more.

God Flash: Absolute

The world around me shifted. The panther's form seemed to slow, and I moved, my body reacting purely on instinct. The sigils of Lucent Harmony flared to life, shining brilliantly as I poured every ounce of mana into the strike.

I stepped into the attack, my blade slicing through the panther's chest, cutting deep into its core. The beast let out a final roar, its body convulsing before falling limp, the light fading from its eyes.

I stood there, panting, my vision blurred from exhaustion. My body felt like it was on the verge of collapse, every muscle aching, but I had done it. The beast was dead.

'Arthur,' Luna's voice came, her tone filled with both pride and concern. You've done well, but you need to rest. 'You've pushed yourself too far.'

I nodded weakly, my sword slipping from my grasp as I fell to my knees. The world around me spun, and I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I had used everything—God Flash, 5-circle spells, God Flash: Absolute. The Duskclaw Panther had pushed me to my very limits.

But I had won.

I stood there, panting, the last remnants of mana fading away as I looked up at the summit. It was just a few steps away now.

With a weary smile, I climbed the last stretch, my hands trembling as I pulled myself up. And then, finally, I stood at the summit, the world stretching out below me, endless and vast.

I had done it. Without relying on my mana, without taking the easy path—I had climbed to the top.

'Arthur,' Luna's voice echoed in my mind, her pride clear. 'You've accomplished something incredible. Magnus will be pleased.'

I smiled, exhaustion washing over me as I looked out at the world below. This was the next step forward—a step that showed me the strength I was truly capable of when everything else was stripped away.

The second task was complete, and I was ready for whatever Magnus had in store next.