Chapter 166

Vorbuk sat down outside under a large tree. There was nobody else close enough to watch over him as he pulled out the book he'd borrowed from the temple's personal library. Scanning through the contents of the book slowly. Studying each page one by one as if he had found some kind of treasure.

Wind mana, wind magic, that was detailed within the book as he read it. Many things in the book were difficult to comprehend. The basics were simple enough. Though it would take a long time to fully grasp everything thoroughly.

Holding his hand out to the side Vorbuk closed his eyes and concentrated. Trying to feel the wind against the palm of his hand.

One second... Two seconds... Three...

Nothing happened.

He could not feel any form of wind mana. Was it impossible to use a second element? No. He'd seen few people who could use more then a single element.

[ Dual elements require higher mental strength to handle. ]

[ It is also needed as one levels up. That is why dual elements are seen in those with higher levels. They have higher mental strength. ]

A voice called out to him to answer his thoughts.

"A higher level," Vorbuk mumbled to himself. "I guess this bottleneck is in the way right now."

"What do you mean, master?" A calm voice called out from behind.

As Vorbuk turned his head to the side he could see Ashley's figure stepping around the tree from behind. He was not sure how long Ashley had been there. Vampire? This guy moves around more like a phantom!

Vorbuk studied his expression carefully. Ashley had a gentle smile on his face as he slowly tilted his head as if confused. The fact that Ashley was talented in appearing out of nowhere without a sound could be considered rather terrifying. It made the gentle expressions he made cause Vorbuk's heart to pound.

"Ashley," Vorbuk called out to him curious. "what level are you?"

"Master, I am a third level." Ashley spoke honestly without hesitation and with pride.

"Do you have dual elements?" Vorbuk asked.

Ashley flinched and shook his head. He was indeed strong enough to have one. Yet Ashley was not someone who controlled dual elements. It was indeed something rare.

"Is something bothering you, master?" Ashley asked while noticing how trouble Vorbuk looked.

"No, just keep watch here for a while." Vorbuk said while slipping the book inside his clothes to hide it from sight.

"Yes, master." Ashley bowed slightly, respectfully, and stepped aside.

A black fog slowly enveloped Vorbuk until his body was completely covered. While dissipating from the air his true wolf form could be seen sitting. The fog slowly settling to comfortingly wrap itself around his paws where he sat. His eyes were shut as he concentrated on feeling the mana run throughout his own body.

Feeling the bottleneck in his mana level he knew he had to somehow break through that limit. He could feel his body heating up the more his mana tried to fight against that bottleneck. Fur dampening from sweat a bit as he struggled.

The stronger he wanted to get the more he had to learn to control his mana.Whether it was it was to defend, fight, or even heal with mana it was all a matter of control. The more mana his body consumed as it grew the more mental strength he would need in order to properly control it.

If someone's mental strength was not able to comprehend how to control the mana they could go out of control and die. It was only because Bredret was a fifth level existence with knowledge over mana that he was able to be saved in the past. Bredret had been able to force Vorbuk's body to remember on its own the right path to flow in order to save him.

Vorbuk had to find his own way to control his mana. He could not always expect someone else to protect over him as he grew. That kind of growth was not something he wanted even if it was possible. The closer they got to danger the more Vorbuk subconciously desired to become more capable in protecting himself and those around him.

Ashley watched over Vorbuk as time passed. Daylight turned to night. Night turned to day. The group had stayed at the temple for a few days while Vorbuk trained his mana control in meditation. They could not leave him behind so they spent their time training and resting as well.

Ashley never left Vorbuk's side once throughout the passing time. As a vampire he did not require sleep so rest was not something he worried over. He could even go weeks without food as long as he did not waste energy needlessly.

In the distance he could see a group of temple priests whispering to each other in a hurry. Something was going on amongst the temple from the way it looked. Ashley focused his senses into the surroundings to make sure the area was clear. Slowly making his way towards the group to listen.

"Has the king of Theapan lost his mind?"

"Sending his knights directly towards that beast?"

"Does he really intend to wake that thing up and bring it to attack the temple?"

"I told you he has lost his mind!"

"Mind your words!" Johan Lovette shouted as he walked up on the group in front of Ashley.

Ashley narrowed his eyes as he observed the situation. The group quickly broke apart and went their own ways after being scolded by Johan. They were clearly scared they would speak something wrong in front of him.

"Did something happen?" Ashley bluntly asked Johan where they stood.

"The king has sent some of his knights to attack the temple." Johan answered honestly but his expression was showing his frustration. Taking a puff from his pipe as he exhaled smoke deeply into the air around him.

"I don't think that is something the temple would be worried about." Ashley said while watching him.

"You're right about that." Johan answered honestly once more.

"Then why are you?" Ashley asked.

"They sent some men to wake up something sleeping in these mountains. You should tell that prince of yours to get your group out quickly. This shouldn't involve you." Johan exhaled smoke once again as he spoke.

"Is it that dangerous?" Ashley glared at him for an answer.

"No," Johan answered instantly before whispering to himself. "He's just annoying to deal with."

Ashley's hearing was good enough for him to hear the words that Johan whispered to himself clearly. He tried to understand what Johan meant. The pope was not worried about the strength of the one being sent after the temple. It was only that the pope was worried how annoying the one being sent after him would be.

Does he mean the fight would be annoying?

Or does Johan just personally thing the one being sent after him was annoying?

He did not have time to ask further questions. Due to his confusion he missed his chance to speak before Johan Lovette turned around and headed in the direction of the temple gate to speak to some people working. There was a lot of things for him to prepare for and little time to do it.