Chapter 27- Bitter
The first stance was the easiest to learn. The second one, Quicksilver, was taking ages, so the old man suggested moving on and starting training the third stance.
However, never Ceaser expected to actually imitate the old man so closely and even get his arm almost burst into pulp after his first attempt.
After that, the damage was reduced, but the backlash showed no sign of disappearance.
The white bearded old man continued to wrap the bandage as he spoke, "Every stance you have learned and you will learn has devastating strength…something that can bisect mountains. You are just proficient in using the third stance from the get-go and other ones need some time to reach their original strength."
At that time, Ceaser scoffed at the man, saying that it was impossible to actually damage a mountain using these techniques.
However, after getting introduced to Soul Energy, Alex believes that the old man might be right.
A five-star mage warrior was pushed back because of his technique, the best one he could perform.
Alex couldn\'t have reached this stage despite how much he would have warmed up his muscles and body. If not for the addition of Soul Energy throwing that fragment at such a threatening pace would have been impossible.
Currently, Alex was wrapping his hand in a potion-coated bandage that would give some relief to his burnt arm. His muscles were torn but it didn\'t hurt much. And given his heightened regeneration, he would heal by tonight.
"Alex, can you move?" Julie, who had finished assessing the deadliest moves of the other three, approached the silver head.
"Yes, Professor," Alex replied as he moved his arm around to show that he wasn\'t harmed much.
…well, the sound of muscles tearing and flesh snapping was not much assuring, and the green-haired girl nearly puked. However, Jullie didn\'t force him to rest.
"Okay, for now, tell me what you are weak at so I can focus on teaching you in that field." The teachers didn\'t have the time to assess the students through training. They were only given ten days for this training as such, Jullie has to rely on the students to sharpen them and push them to their limits.
Without much thinking, Alex responded, "I can\'t sense soul energy, and also, I cannot use it to coat around things. I can\'t freely manipulate soul energy at all."
Alex has missed several years of training with Soul Energy, given he reincarnated in this world just a few days ago. And if a teacher could help him gain that much-needed knowledge, then he would be quite thankful.
"Wait…you performed that technique without coating it with your Soul Energy?" The green haired girl who goes by the name Anna Ashton, spoke up.
Alex shook his head, "Nope."
Evident shock could be seen on the two girls\' faces and even Ark seemed quite taken aback.
Jullie was surprised but not like she didn\'t expect it. Although it was a mystery how a mage can muster up such brute strength, she held the question in and said,
"Since you are physically strong and have a strong foundation in sword arts, we will focus on your Soul Energy manipulating during the training."
Alex nodded, "What should I do?"
Jullie asked him to bring a specific box from the nearby shelf before she took the box and pulled out a steel orb from inside.
"This artifact allows one to store Soul Energy and absorb it on mental command." Throwing it at Alex, which he easily caught, she said, "Feed, absorb repeat. Do it until you don\'t pass out."
Alex raised his brows, "That\'s…some limit you set."
Jullie shrugged, "Intensive training, remember?"
As such, Alex began to train. The others were given specific tasks according to their weaknesses. Like Aiden was told to carry heavy loads and run around to increase his stamina. Ark was provided several aiming targets which he needed to aim with his eyes closed.
Very precise training it was, for Alex at least.
The more he struggles with Soul Energy, the lady has given him a difficult task to supply his Soul Energy into the orb.
He has called forth his grimoire to keep a record of how much he gives. Having little to no control over his SE, Alex might end up draining it below the lower limit.
\'Haah…fuck…\' His body quivered as he forcibly released the energy into the orb which hungrily devoured everything thrown at it.
Sweat build on his forehead as Alex gritted his teeth and pushed out as much SE as he could for the sake of gaining more domination over his control.
[Soul Energy: 48]
The numbers were now in red, indicating he was reaching the very dead end.
Alex stopped at 40 and heaved a sigh.
"You have to command it," Jullie said and Alex did just that.
He no longer was supplying but demanding, his entire focus was on the orb and the energy it has stored.
His fingers felt it, the warm sensation which Alex felt for the first time when he was introduced to SE.
\'This is my Soul Energy…\' It was strange that when he was utilizing this strange energy or when it was getting drained he never felt it. But now that the energy is flowing back in, Alex could feel the vividness of its presence; almost like it was a tangible thing.
Mid-way absorption, he opened his eyes and brought his left hand to his eyes level. The strange warmth remained but he knew it wouldn\'t be for long.
Hurriedly, he crouched and picked a fallen out fragment before throwing it at one of the targets.
Ark frowned as suddenly the dagger he threw collided with something and he missed his target.
Opening his eyes he turned towards Alex only to find the guy apologetically raising his hand, "Got a little excited. Continue."
Ark didn\'t say anything after that and returned to his training.
Alex continued with the absorption and when he took everything back in, Alex frowned upon seeing his soul energy lesser than what it initially was.
Maybe like she read his thoughts, Jullie said, "When you release, some Soul Energy dissolves into your surroundings. To not let that happen, focus on the orb and not anything else."
Alex\'s expression turned bitter. He was actively trying to gain as many Soul Points as he could but, now, he was wasting it for nothing.
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It was evening, and the training was over. Alex, in that duration, was able to release and absorb over seven times before Jullie told him to return and recover.
Now en route to his dorm, Alex could be seen currently swaying a little.
\'Agh…it\'s all….blurry…\' He previously rejected getting help from Jullie since she had to continue training with the others. But now, Alex could barely feel his body and his mind was turning numb because of magic exhaustion.
"Hey Alex…" He heard someone from his left, turning towards them in reflex.Nôv(el)B\\\\jnn
"Sarah?" He can barely see their face but he felt that…she…was her…his first love.
But how can it be possible….?
"Sarah-ah!" The girl asked, however, rather than an answer she received Alex in her arms as the silver head fell onto her.
The girl held him before they both would have fallen.
Looking at Alex, she sighed,
\'I came to ask him about Edric but it doesn\'t seem he can answer anything as of now.\'
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A/N:- Guess, guess~