Today is the fourth day training against everyone, and it has become a small tradition to come train every morning before breakfast. Over these days I noticed how Sers had been trying something different. I saw him practice a skill and improve noticeably in every session, and today he finally succeeded. I was left stunned.
The lightning around him took on a dark, almost black tone. At first I didn’t pay much attention to it, and because of that I almost lost today’s training match. When those bolts touched my mana and Imra, I felt them disintegrate. It was pure, uncontrolled destruction.
First it was the constructs around me, then my toughest defenses, and finally my body. My constructs couldn’t last even a second — they shattered like glass the moment they touched those black rays. My body held out a little longer thanks to my affinities with death and life, which bought me just enough time to retreat.
I couldn’t teleport. I couldn’t build anything with mana or Imra during the first few seconds. That strange ability destroyed everything around it. Gritting my teeth, I used every bit of my mental strength to overpower his ability with sheer willpower. My Imra overwhelmed his, and only then was I able to escape his pursuit.
My body was covered in wounds, blood pouring from different places. Wherever one of those rays touched, that area was completely destroyed. I even had trouble removing the aftereffects of the skill, and it was even harder while being chased by five people trying to take me down.
Sers collapsed to the ground like a battery at its final moment. He had used an enormous amount of Imra and mana in that skill — he didn’t weave them the way I do. The ability was pure mana, and he must have used his Imra to control it and avoid injuring himself in the process. His mind must have been completely fried.
Once Sers fell, everything became easier. I ended up winning because he ran out of energy.
“Did you like it? I’ve been planning that skill for a long time.” Sers takes my hand and gets up from the ground.
“Yesterday I received the notification to merge two rank III skills. I was stunned when I obtained such a powerful rank IV ability. I had this idea years ago when I obtained a pseudo law after so much effort. In the end, all that effort paid off.” He looks completely proud — and he should be.
“What pseudo law? I’m very resistant, and that ability neutralized almost all my defenses. I broke into a cold sweat for a moment.” For a second, I really thought I was going to lose.
I see an excited smile on my brother’s face, his eyes shining brightly. “Pseudo Law of Annihilation. It was torture to obtain it and implement it into a skill. I was lucky to have a good training partner.” Sers looks genuinely emotional as he says that, probably remembering all those brutal days of training. In the end, they paid off.
“It’s extremely strong for a rank IV ability and consumes a lot of resources. You need to be sure you’ll finish your opponent when you use it.” Ritmo joins our conversation, everyone else listening from the side.
“I know… I’ll improve my control over time, and the consumption will drop as I gain more levels. Right now it’s a double-edged sword.” Sers looks focused, not discouraged by its flaws — he already knows them and knows what he must improve.
“At least you’ve already paved the way to the Ruby rank with a pseudo rank V ability. Congratulations.” Brendu congratulates my brother, and everyone applauds.
She must have noticed my expression because she immediately asks me, “You don’t know what we’re talking about, do you?” For a second I thought about pretending to be offended, then realized it made no sense. Everyone had already seen my dumb face.
“No… I read about those titles in some books, but I just skipped them.” An ability is either rank IV or rank V — there’s no middle ground for me.
Everyone opens their mouths at my simple reaction. Some facepalm in disappointment, others just laugh.
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
“Pseudo rank V abilities are very important. They’re part of the foundation for reaching the Ruby rank and having more chances to keep ascending in the future. Everyone in Diamond and Obsidian rank had some when they were Sapphire rank. It’s extremely important if you want to go further.” Brendu explains.
“They’re called that because they show power or functionality far beyond normal. They don’t reach rank V for different reasons, but in most cases they already fulfill some of the requirements to evolve. As Sers said, once he gains more experience and levels, he’ll be able to exert strength far beyond other Sapphire ranks — even Ruby ranks after he ascends.” Ritmo continues the explanation.
“I see… then it’s very important.” My thoughts are interrupted before I can ask anything else, as Marga speaks up.
“Don’t worry about trying to obtain one. I’m sure you already have at least one. That healing ability proves it — your regeneration is a real headache.” Marga looks completely serious.
“Your perception ability must also be one. Everyone I’ve met below Ruby rank with something similar looks like children next to you.” Sol adds.
They all start giving their opinions about my abilities, and everyone reaches the same conclusion: I must have at least three skills categorized as pseudo rank V. That makes me really happy. I would’ve smashed my head against the ground if I had wasted my potential just because I didn’t want to read a few books.
The only one worried for a moment is me — they already see me as a monster.
My two brothers leave with their fiancées. Ritmo has been receiving multiple invitations from minor nobles like us, and even letters from viscount families. They’re all proposing marriage and alliances between families, seriously considering him for a second wife.
Sers has also received some letters from small noble houses, mostly knights and baronets. He and Ivad aren’t very interested right now, but they’re not ruling it out. They’ll take their time.
I haven’t received any — not because I’m unattractive to noble houses, but because I have a massive protective shield. The presence of Sol, Arisa, and Marga alone would scare most nobles away, and now with Brendu added, no one dares to propose their daughter.
I check my status after a long time. I’ve been receiving many notifications. Since the time I was imprisoned on that island, the many battles with monsters, the insane fire mage of Ruby rank in that small town, training with Lucio and Ruddo, and finally the recent stampede — I gained some levels, fewer than expected.
Maki: 12 years old – Intermediate Sapphire.
Skills:
-
Death Sharpness (IV) – level 14
-
War Architecture (IV) – level 9
-
Deadly Arcane Construction (IV) – level 8
-
Personal World (IV) – level 8
-
Thundersnow (IV) – level 7
-
Dimensional Step (IV) – level 4
-
Advanced Vital Synthesis (IV) – level 3
-
Crushing Zone (III) – level 14
-
Electrifying Fierce River (III) – level 12
-
Gravity Surge (III) – level 14
Laws and Pseudo Laws:
-
Yin-Yang Law: Life and Death.
-
Celestial Dominion Law: Space.
-
Dragon Law: Gravity.
-
Absolute Frost Law: Ice.
-
Eternal Edge Law: Sharpness.
-
Electric Pseudo Law.
Banner (special) – rank 1
I’m still very far from bringing any skill to rank V. At minimum I need 21 more levels. I need tougher opponents — that’s where I’ve gained the most levels. Fighting hordes of grade-three monsters barely helps now.
My cube has improved enough to attempt evolving my last pseudo law. I think of Sers — his pseudo law is extremely powerful and synergizes well with his abilities. It might be time to seek another interesting pseudo law, depending on whether my cube survives the process.
My Banner is almost complete, it only needs a small push to reach rank 2. A light shove or a real life-or-death battle is all I need. Once I achieve that, only a few minor requirements will remain.
It’s time to take advantage of having training partners. It’s time to focus on my rank III skills.
Just when I think today will be another calm day like the previous ones, I sense someone running quickly toward the house where I’m with the girls.
I teleport to find the person. The poor guard falls backward when he stops and sees me appear in front of him. I offer him water — he downs it in one gulp. Finally he controls his breathing, opens his Imra, and I connect directly to him. The moment he feels my presence, he speaks — this way it’s easy to know if he’s lying.
“Young Master Maki, something happened in the forest expedition. A very strong grade-four monster appeared recently. We urgently need reinforcements.” The man speaks as fast as he can.
“Why did you come looking for me? Shouldn’t Cokue be handling this?” I’m sure he leads all expeditions — I trust him to deal with any grade-four monster.
“Your grandmother instructed all the guards to come find you if something like this happened. She made it clear that you could solve it.” The guard takes another breath before continuing.
“I’m part of the expedition group. Lord Cokue ordered us to retreat because he wasn’t sure he could defeat it or restrain it. He also told us to come find you.” The guard is telling the truth — a Sapphire rank can’t lie to me in these conditions. I’d notice immediately.
“Show me where it is.” I grab the poor man in a gravity prison and we both levitate. I hear his surprised shout, but he calms down and points in the direction. I shoot off at full speed. I have a bad feeling.