Chapter 240: End of the Vacation [1]

Chapter 238

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Episode 61 - End of the Vacation [1]

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Boom!

The crimson petal blades shot through the air at incredible speed, leaving a trail of smaller petals behind.

In the blink of an eye, one of the three assassins was within their reach.

".....!?"

Boom!

The crimson petal blade was slightly deflected from its trajectory; however, the assassin’s sword sustained visible damage.

However, that wasn’t the only crimson petal blade.

"....."

The expressions of the three assassins grew fiercer as they launched a counterattack.

Their movements became so fast that they appeared as nothing more than blurs.

Clank! Clank! Clank!

A dozen crimson petal blades cut through the air and struck the three assassins.

The assassins’ swords slashed through and deflected the crimson petal blades; however, due to the effect of the crimson-colored flower...

Conventional swords were of little use and soon shattered.

The moment their swords shattered, I activated the Traits Immersion and Spatial Movement.

Immersion caused my mind to focus on every single movement of the three assassins. Then, I used the Trait Concentration and divided my mind into three parts, one for each assassin.

Finally, with Spatial Movement, I teleported in front of the first assassin.

At that moment, crimson petals formed in my hand, and I created a long sword.

Clank!

I swung the sword and managed to sever one of the assassin’s arms. Then, using my leg, I kicked him.

Boom!

His body was sent flying backward, and before he could crash into a wall, I used Spatial Movement and redirected his body toward another assassin.

"....."

The assassin farther away crossed his arms when he sensed something appear in front of him.

Boom!

Both assassins were sent flying backward, and without wasting another second, I moved.

The world around me slowed to a crawl. Then, manipulating the crimson flowers, I formed something resembling a tornado and completely enveloped the nearest assassin.

Then, I created multiple crimson petal blades and launched them into the tornado surrounding the assassin.

Clank!

At the same time, my senses, which covered the entire area, detected movement on both sides of me.

Then, orange petals covered my hands, and I extended both of them.

Boom! Boom!

Both assassins, wielding daggers, struck the palms of my hands covered in orange petals, and then...

"...."

"....."

The Mana accumulated at the tips of their daggers rebounded, and instead of harming me, their daggers shattered, followed by their arms.

Their arms were torn apart, flesh and bone flying through the air.

Then, I moved my body and spun 360°. Using my heel, I struck the assassin on the left.

Then, I spun my body once more and struck the other assassin.

Boom! Boom!

Finally, I leaped backward, putting some distance between us. Not far away, I could sense Professor Ashly’s presence as she evacuated people alongside the others.

’Only these two are left, right?’

The crimson petal blades consume one-third of my Mana, and creating that tornado consumed another third of my Mana.

’Even so, the Mana consumption of this Trait is still enormous.’

Especially against extremely powerful enemies.

To damage or kill them as quickly as possible, the amount of Mana required increases by at least threefold, regardless of how strong the opponent is.

Although I could use Inverted Heaven, I wasn’t particularly fond of drawing too much attention by relying too heavily on a Sword Art and, naturally, a physical sword.

’There are Traits for a reason.’

There was no reason to always fight with a sword and a Sword Art.

So this time, I decided to get more creative.

I extended my hand, and then petals of crimson, black, and finally white flowers emerged.

The crimson petals were extremely sharp, like the edge of a sword.

The black petals exclusively attacked Mana.

The white petals disrupted Mana control.

Using the black and white petals, the two had a perfect combination.

Then, all three colors swirled together and merged.

Then, with a single thought, I sent the petals forward like an avalanche, and they engulfed the two assassins.

But just then...

"Zone of Isolation."

"Zone of Isolation."

Thanks to my heightened senses, I could hear their murmurs.

Then, suddenly, a black veil emerged and devoured the flower petals.

In an instant, the petals had disappeared.

"...."

Honestly, it wasn’t really surprising. I already knew this could happen against enemies above Six Stars.

’A Zone of Isolation is really useful, isn’t it?’

I had truly longed to reach Six Stars for the sole purpose of obtaining the Zone of Isolation, exclusive to a Six-Star Awakened.

Boom! Slash!

Without wasting any time, the assassins rushed toward me.

Short swords crystallized in their hands.

"....."

I smiled and then crystallized two short swords, one in each hand.

Clank! Clank!

When the Mana swords clashed, something unexpected happened to the assassins.

Crack!

Their swords let out a sharp crack, and then something even more unexpected happened.

Boom!

Their swords shattered, and Mana crystals fell to the ground. Their expressions varied.

"Greater Attribute Control means a greater advantage, even if your Star is higher than mine."

Especially when combined with my physical strength and the Mana Coating covering my entire body.

The simple exchange of blows had been decisive.

Finally, I made purple petals appear, but then I stopped...

’...What if I try it?’

I thought about it for a second and then nodded inwardly.

At that moment, instead of purple petals...

Rainbow-colored petals appeared.

The rainbow effect was meant to attack the opponent’s emotions.

Until now, I hadn’t noticed anything particularly interesting about this effect of the Trait.

But after the information Mia had given me about the Emotional Erosion Potion, I realized my mistake.

’The name of that potion is merely a cover. Rather, it has the ability to alter and manipulate emotions.’

Then, theoretically, I should be able to do the same with the rainbow petals.

Thus, the rainbow petals cut through the air and pierced both assassins’ foreheads.

"....."

"...."

Both of them looked at me in slight confusion for a few seconds, but suddenly...

’Fear...’

I thought of the emotion Fear, and suddenly, both assassins’ expressions changed to ones of terror.

Their bodies began trembling uncontrollably.

’Horror...’

To me, Fear was inferior to Horror, so theoretically, the only emotion I was manipulating at the moment should increase even further.

Then...

"...."

Just as expected, their expressions twisted, and suddenly, their eyes rolled white as they collapsed to the ground.

Their bodies began trembling uncontrollably.

"It really worked, huh."

I muttered to myself as I observed the single emotion that had suddenly surged within the minds of both assassins.

Finally, I let out a sigh and, using my sword, made both assassins’ heads roll across the floor.

Then, I noticed my surroundings.

The white lines in my vision had multiplied, rendering everything in greater detail.

The entire place was completely destroyed. In particular, the walls and floor had become unrecognizable.

Multiple cracks spread everywhere. It was probably the result of the crimson petal blades the assassins had deflected, which eventually struck the floor and walls.

"Aah, I used almost all of my Mana."

I had around 8% Mana remaining. Unexpectedly, the rainbow petals consumed five times more Mana than the other colors.

Especially when manipulating the enemy’s emotions.

"....!?"

’Mhm...’

Suddenly, I felt a rather familiar sensation arise within me.

’Wait a second...’

The next second, a notification appeared in my mind.

〖Trait: Growing Flower has reached Maximum Mastery〗

〖The amount of Mana required to use Growing Flower has decreased by 25%〗

".....?"

"So, in the end, all I needed to do was discover the use of the rainbow petals."

Although unexpected, this meant that all of my Traits had finally reached Maximum Mastery.

***

The Atlas Seminar ultimately had to close its doors earlier than expected because of the assassins.

My primary objective of protecting Professor Ashly’s life had been accomplished quickly.

And my second objective of obtaining the Golden Elixir had also been accomplished.

And although it hadn’t really been an objective at first, I had gained the opportunity to have a conversation with the Golden Alchemist in the near future.

Because, in two years, he would be creating a Supreme-Quality Elixir.

Its primary ingredients were the Heart of a King-Class Great Ancient, the blood of a King Phoenix, and the blood of an Astral Soul Bird.

It was an elixir created by a legendary Alchemist whose name had, for some reason, disappeared along with his identity.

Moreover, he was an Alchemist who had lived during the Mythical Era, long before the Three Dark Eras, approximately six thousand years ago.

’If I can get the Golden Alchemist to teach me even a little, I’ll be able to learn much more about Alchemy.’

And with that, I would be able to create that Supreme-Quality Elixir myself.

In any case, I wasn’t in a hurry, and I hadn’t even obtained the supplementary materials yet.

Thus, the next day, the three of us—Professor Ashly, Lumina, and I—returned to the Imperial Capital, heading back to the Holy Academy.