The Author's POV

If there was anything that changed during the two years I devoted to training, it was my combat approach.

Even while I continued to use the Keiki style as I had in the past, I was able to modify it in my own unique way.

I didn't need to grip my sword and hang on to the sheath like I had in the past.

The only thing I needed to do now was to gently tap my finger in the air.

When I sheathed and unsheathed my sword, the speed at which I could do so increased to the point where those of a high level could no longer see it with their unaided eyes. To those on the outside, it appeared as though I was simply pointing at my enemies and killing them, but in reality, I was actually doing the same movement as in the past, but a lot faster.

But it wasn't just that.

I was also able to tap into a new power.

Mana agglomeration.

Typically, one would form an armor when reaching this level. Sort of like Monica with her shining orange armor.

...I knew this because she tended to show this off quite often. Liam could also somewhat do it, although his armor was a bit strange.

How could I describe it? ...Let's just say that it is severely lacking in the defensive department with gaping holes everywhere.

In any case, it was different for me.

Unlike them, I never created an armor for myself. Rather, I came up with something else.

Mana aggregation functioned by physically bending the mana in the air to your will and controlling it in such a way that you could make it into a tangible material that could be used to cover the human body as armor.

I could now summon actual sword energy out of thin air by bending the mana in the air to my desire.

Due to my two-year research of the psyon composition in the air and the pill I took after returning from the conference, I was able to regulate my psyons to an extreme degree, which was necessary for my new technique.

In a way, I was confident in facing any opponent of the rank range without feeling the littlest of intimidation from them.

"Hm?"

I was jolted out of my thoughts by the presence of several shadows in the air. Squinting my eyes, I casually tapped the air.

Thump! Thump!

The two shadows fell from the sky after I pointed in their direction, revealing the figures of a couple of demons.

They crashed against the hard ground, sending dirt flying in the air.

At the moment, over ten different birds, each with a different size and strength, were circling the skies above us. I glanced at Ava as we walked silently side by side in their direction.

"Quick question Ava, how many beasts can you control at the same time at the moment."

"About forty."

Ava replied, leaving me impressed.

beasts at the same time…that was practically a small

lot of progress over the past

searching for monsters to tame,

how many beasts she could summon at the same

is

"Right."

nodded her head, and I fell

the

mean you're about to

"Mhm."

Ava confirmed.

break the next seal

of visible excitement in her voice when she said the last words. Clearly, she loved the idea of her and

group, I

keep

even able to finish when I heard someone's voice coming from

can see the fortress and castle in the

belonged to none other than Ryan who seemed a lot more comfortable walking around. At least compared to when

feet coming to a halt, I thought for a moment before shifting my

"Call for him."

"Got it."

her

***

time,

within the castle were currently filled

were the highest ranking members of the orcen race

sat on a big throne at the opposite end of the room. The hall was completely or at least partially surrounded by his presence as

than Omgolung, the previous orcen

attention was currently fixated on Omgolung, and the entire room was dead silent. The arrival of the former chief caused some people to express obvious happiness, shock, and

show as they all focused their attention

"Khrrr…khrrr…"

labored breathing resonated across the space, shaking it along

"Prepare yourselves."

finally spoke, allowing for his deep and coarse voice to echo throughout

side arms of the throne, he slowly stood up from his seat and scanned everyone in the

tint that heightened the tension already present

to move a muscle as they

words stirred the heart

It is time for us to take the initiative and recapture some of the

toward

He'll be running the army, and his words will count just as

Omgulong, a figure whom they used to follow in the

then, but the presence

happily accepted Silug's

"Yes."

the representatives

satisfied when