Vrmmmm.
Sangrelia, resting across his back, gave a subtle vibration that he had come to find both pleasant and comforting, her familiar resonance easing the tension in his body as a small smile appeared on his lips.
Reaching back, he let his fingers glide along her reforged blade, "Thanks for the support."
"Sangrelia will always be with Master!"
The words had barely reached him when, without warning, the world shifted.
He was now in a blood-soaked world with a red sky and numerous bones and bodies that extended as far as the eye could see, and that wasn't all, as even more eye-catching than this apocalyptic spectacle was what was near him—or, to be more precise… who!
Standing not far from him was a silver-haired, crimson-eyed beauty who stood atop a small mountain of endless bones and corpses, the 'ground' beneath her soaked in blood, staining her feet a deep red, but contrary to the disgust that could be expected of someone… more normal.
This beauty seemed utterly at ease in this apocalyptic world, standing atop the pile of bones like it was her throne and, and she was… looking at him!
Her crimson eyes were fixed on his form, an intense glint flickering within those beautiful orbs as a smile began to take shape on her lips, slowly widening until it became impossibly broad, carrying that strange and unsettling mix of gentleness, madness, and bloodlust.
Their gazes met, emerald locking with crimson, and for a long heartbeat they remained bound in a silent exchange, neither moving nor speaking, until—
Mikael blinked.
The next moment, the apocalyptic world vanished, replaced by the peaceful clearing he had been in just moments before.
Instinctively, as if guided by an unseen force, his hand moved to Sangrelia's handle and lifted her, bringing her to eye level.
"Did… was it you?" he asked, his serious gaze seeming to search through her, but…
Sangrelia stayed unusually silent, resting in his hands without saying anything, and yet Mikael could distinctly feel that she was awake—it wasn't that she couldn't speak, it was that she didn't want to.
"Sangrelia!" he spoke in a serious tone, seconds passing with both of them remaining face to face, yet even then, under his strict gaze, she stayed strangely silent.
"Ahhh…"
Mikael sighed before giving her blade another look, "Whatever, do what you want, you can keep your little secrets…" he murmured, nonchalantly placing her sharp form on his back.
Contrary to what his words and casual movements could lead one to believe, he wasn't about to let it go, and the fire burning in his eyes made it perfectly clear, 'You can keep your secrets… for now!'
Just after this thought passed through his mind, he acted as though nothing had happened and, without further ado, he once again began his Qi Control training.
It was as if the previous out-of-this-world experience hadn't affected him in the slightest, but if one could listen to Mikael's thoughts, it would become excessively clear that such was not the case and that his focus still lingered on the strange vision and Sangrelia's reaction.
And Mikael, not being clueless, already had a suspicion about what had just taken place—a clue that he pondered over as he continued with his Qi Control training.
Thus, amidst Qi Control exercises, 'relaxing' swims in the stream every 24 hours, and occasional conversations with Sangrelia—who had no issues speaking about anything except matters even remotely related to what had happened, for which she would immediately fall silent—time began to flow rapidly, like the unstoppable river it was.
In this fashion 2 months passed.
***
"Fuuuh."
A sharp exhale escaped Mikael's mouth as he slowly emerged from his meditative state, his eyes opening to reveal a calmness so profound that it seemed unshakable, as though even if the sky were to collapse in the next moment, he would not so much as blink.
'Time to see my progress after 2 months of intensive training, especially considering the "little" change I made…'
"Status"
[Name: Mikael Angelini | Race: Human (Akashic Records Universe Variation) | Lifespan: 26/300 | Military Rank: Corporal (Rank 3) | MP: 2,000/10,000
Cultivation Realm:
Spiritual Foundation Realm - 1st Layer
Special Energy:
- Aura (Dirarnia World): SSS+ 50K/50K
- Mana (Dirarnia World): SSS+ 50K/50K
- Mental Force (Myrrakar World): Perfection Realm
- Vitalis (Zarvital World): Perfect Human Realm
- Anima (Eidorym World): Ascendant Realm
Cultivation Aptitude:
Prodigious Cultivation Aptitude Level 5
Traits:
- Self-Sustenance
- Partial Body Control
Talents:
Unique Type Talents:
- Prodigious Evolution Talent Level 3
- Unrestrained Mind
Rare Type Talents:
- Prodigious Spiritual Wisdom Talent Level 3
- Prodigious Cognitive Prowess Talent Level 3
- Prodigious Tactical Genius Talent Level 3
- Prodigious Close Quarters Combat Talent Level 1
- Prodigious Adaptive Combat Talent Level 1
- Prodigious Vital Vessel Talent Level 1
- Prodigious Fluid Motion Talent Level 1
- Silent Predator Talent Level 5
- Energy Mastery Talent Level 5
- Arcane Elementalism Talent Level 5
- Forging Talent Level 5
- Runic Arts Talent Level 5
Common Type Talents:
- Prodigious Sword Talent Level 3
- Energy Efficiency Talent Level 5
- Alchemy Talent Level 5
- Fate Affinity Level 1
Cultivation Technique:
Main Cultivation Method(s):
- Elemental Unity Path (High Level Core Formation Art): Entry Realm – 10% toward Small Success
- Sun-Moon Unity Technique (High Level Core Formation Art): Entry Realm – 10% toward Small Success
- Ninefold Physique Method (High Level Core Formation Art): Entry Realm: Second Transformation – 30% toward Third Transformation
- Obsidian Spirit Reinforcement (High Level Core Formation Art): Entry Realm – 0% toward Small Success
- Divine Sense Refining Method (High Level Core Formation Art): Entry Realm – 20% toward Small Success
Offensive Cultivation Technique:
- Moonpiercer Sword Art (High Level Core Formation Art): Small Success – 35% toward Great Success
Movement Cultivation Technique:
- Cloudbreaking Stride (High Level Core Formation Art): Entry Realm – 60% toward Small Success
Defensive Cultivation Technique:
Auxiliary Cultivation Technique:
- Sword Nurturing Art (High Level Core Formation Art): Small Success – 10% toward Great Success
- Foresight of Heaven Mandate (??? Art): First Layer – 0% toward Second Layer
- Ferocity Art Mark II (Low Level Core Formation Art – Stage 2, Mid Level Core Perfection Art – Stage 1): Mastery
Qi Control Method (High level Spiritual Foundation Art: Mastery(NEW)
(NEW)'Real' Cultivation Realm:
3rd Layer Spiritual Foundation Realm.
(The talents currently possessed by Mikael Angelini grant him various benefits, most notably possessing the base stats of someone two layers above in all categories.
Note: This represents only the most minimal benefit of his talents compared to their true value, which lies in greatly accelerating cultivation in multiple aspects.
Also note that this 'Real' Cultivation Realm does not take into account the many other factors contributing to Mikael Angelini's actual battle power—this is purely in terms of raw 'stats' before anything else is applied.) (NEW)
(NEW)Sword Dao Progress:
Threshold of Sword Intent(NEW)
(NEW) Efficiency:
Cultivator Battle Experience: Initiate(NEW)
Demonic Beasts battle experience: Adept(NEW)
Global Combat Experience: Competent(NEW)
Efficiency in using Cultivation Techniques and Cultivation power in combat: Efficient(NEW)
(NEW) Energy Control:
Aura: 5 millimeters(NEW)
Mana: 5 millimeters(NEW)
Mental Force: 1 centimeters(NEW)
Vitalis: 1 centimeters(NEW)
Anima: 1 centimeters(NEW)
Qi: 50 micrometers(NEW)
Control level: Current Cultivation Realm suppression up to becoming a mortal after it became a level of precision, beginning at 5 centimeters and going downward.
Special Abilities:
'Precognition': Entry Realm – 5% toward Small Success(NEW)
Life Points (LP): 545 800 | Akashic Credits (AC): 0]
A/N: 'Realms' for the first three linked to battle experienced in the Efficiency category: Novice, Initiate, Competent, Adept, Veteran, Master
'Realms' for the Efficiency in using Cultivation Techniques and Cultivation power in combat: Inefficient, Basic Control, Efficient, Refined, Masterful
"Yeah…"
As Mikael eyed his Status Window, now more full than ever, a smile that was somewhere between wry and proud took shape on his lips, 'Seeing it like that with all the new categories I… really don't know what to think!'
He rubbed his chin, 'On one hand it makes it "messier" to read so it's worse in a way, but on the other hand I simply prefer it like this, as it lets me "quantify," so to speak, my progress in various categories that were previously unlisted.'
He then shrugged his shoulder carelessly, 'No matter, if it's a little more messy, there is more information, and I can "quantity" my progress, which can be somewhat helpful and—'
'More importantly, I simply prefer it in this fashion, so even if it takes a "lot" more time to read my Status Window—a fraction of a second more—it doesn't matter!'
On that thought, Mikael rose from his meditative position and closed the Status Window, satisfied with his progress over the last few months.
'On that note…' His gaze swept over the beautiful clearing around him, "I damn think that I deserve a little break after all that training and…" A gentle glint passed in his eyes.
"To be able to once again see the girls after so long, I—" he stopped himself mid-sentence and finished the thought in his mind: '...missed them.'
He didn't know why, but saying the last part felt embarrassing, and he couldn't bring himself to say it aloud, so he kept it to his thoughts.
Step, step, step.
His steps echoed through the clearing as his rapid pace carried him away, soon, he was back at the Cultivation Manor, more than happy to make up for the lost time with the girls.
At that time, the only one present at the Manor was Lyra, who was reading in a small library that was part of the Manor, so he joined her, and together they both began to read the same book, occasionally exchanging laughs and words about this or that, which happened in the book.
This moment was one of peace and tranquility as they passed time together, there were no grand declarations of love or anything of the sort, but this was infinitely more meaningful as they simply enjoyed each other's company.
Still, no peaceful instant can last forever, and after a while, their interest shifted from literacy to something far more intimate, consequently, they moved to the bedroom where they had an intense 'discussion' together for hours on end…
Afterward, Mikael moved to find the blue-haired yandere, she was in an isolated corner of the Azure Peak, playing her harp and practicing her Musical Dao.
Both lovers passed an enjoyable time together before Mikael wanted to go see Amelia, but sadly—
He wasn't able to find her, as the beauty was currently outside of the Sect like she often was. Being a warrior at heart, she was nearly as passionate as him about growing stronger and often took missions outside of the Sect to temper herself and push her growth forward even faster.
Normally, this would have worried Mikael, but knowing that she had the same talismans as him and her status to protect herself if they failed, he didn't worry…
Okay, that was a lie!
In truth, he often worried about her whenever she was outside of the Sect, but he didn't show it, knowing it was useless. It would only bring sadness to Amelia, knowing she was the cause of his concern, yet change nothing and offer nothing positive in return, so he kept it to himself.
Still, even though he was inwardly worried, he didn't show it outwardly and didn't let the worry he was feeling taint the beautiful and joyful moments he passed with Lyra and Kiara.
'If only days like these could last forever…' Mikael surprised himself by thinking that as he enjoyed these beautiful days spent with the girls.
In this way, time quickly and peacefully passed until a couple of days later, when Mikael 'regretfully' needed to return to his training.
At that instant, Mikael felt partly regretful as he really enjoyed passing time with the girls, but at the same time, he liked training and growing stronger, so his mood was… weird.
It was in that conflicted mood that he left the Cultivation Manor and returned to the clearing where he intended to continue his training. But just as he was walking through the dense foliage on the Azure Peak, he suddenly remembered something—something that caused him to abruptly halt in his steps.
Author Note:
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I wonder, I really wonder what was this vision that Mikael had, it's sure that it's not related at all to the totally normal Sangrelia right?
The Status Window I think was too much in a way, I wanted to add the other category that would have their places on it but I think it's starting too be too long…
What do you think about the Status Window do you prefer when I don't show it, show it not often, show it but only the changed part while cutting the rest, or even something else entirely?
I would be curious to know because I really aren't sure what to do with it.
———
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— End of Chapter —