A Novel Concept - A death a day, MC will live anyway!

Chapter 190: Aced it - (2)

Lvl Up: [Hoplite Slash] lvl 5, 6, 7

STR +9

Lvl Up: [Unrelenting Thrust] lvl 19

STR +3

Lvl Up: [Battle Footwork] lvl 11, 12

AGI +4

DEXT +2

Lvl Up: [Spear Grappling] lvl 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

STR +5

AGI +10

Facing Priam, a new hoplite took a defensive stance. Lifting his spear, he nodded in respect before leaping forward. Soon, a deluge of thrusts, slashes, and feints rained down on Priam. Despite mental fatigue, his weakening arm, and his dissatisfaction, the young warrior parried, blocked, dodged, and countered. The pressure accompanying the fight forced Priam to focus. Once again in the zone, he shed the extraneous.

Only the spear remained.

Priam was in a sort of trance. The duels flowed one after another, each adversary an expert with a style fiercer than the shadows he had summoned during his training. His system had done its best but couldnt simulate the hoplites Supremacy. Mastery was more than just a technique. It was a truth, a path, a unity.

A philosophy.

The tip of a spear approached his head, and Priam pivoted slightly to evade it. His add-on pinged him, rating his dodge as excellent. His system analyzed each duel, helping him refine his fighting proficiency.

Overclocking the muscles of his torso and arm, Priam attacked, adding a twist to his thrust. The air screamed as the tip of Promesse hurtled toward his opponent. Despite his superior mastery, the attribute gap forced the hoplite to overclock his body to resist the impact.

Priam nodded as he analyzed his opponent's defense and pressed his advantage. His muscles, attributes, and instinct resonated to optimize each move in a deadly choreography. More than the veneer provided by a skill, Micro was one with him. The Supremacy gave him perfect control of each gesture, and his body responded instantly.

Dodging the hoplite blade that threatened to decapitate him, Priam counter-attacked, aiming for his opponent's agile legs. The latter was moving too much for his liking. His long spear bit cruelly into his enemy's thigh, partially severing a muscle.

Promesse was more alive than ever in his hands. His spear skills were forged in his body, imprinted in his muscle memory, written in his mind, and engraved in his soul. Each duel was a crucible that purified Priam's style. Facing masters was an exceptional opportunity as he could witness the connection between warriors and their weapons. The hoplites, in turn, opened up.

When Priam had violently thrown the first soldier to the ground, the others had smiled. Products of a strong martial culture, they appreciated Priam's will, talent, rage, and above all, his strength. A few words of encouragement were murmured at the end of each fight. A few quick pieces of advice were dispensed. Respect appeared in the soldiers' eyes.

Priam respected them in return and learned from every battle. Under the crimson light of the Necromoon, he refined his art.

Yet, in his focused eyes, a gleam of frustration shone. All the ingredients necessary for Spear Mastery were present, but Supremacy still eluded him. The duels had been going on for almost a day now, and while his skills progressed, Priam didn't feel any closer to the epiphany. What was missing?

Dodging a slash that threatened to open his abdomen, Priam dashed forward. Lifting his leg, he executed a roundhouse kick with all his might. His heel struck the hoplite's solar plexus, and although the warrior absorbed the blow by moving with it, a crack indicated a few broken ribs. The guard raised his hand as he landed outside the circle.

"I lost. A good fight," said the hoplite between two laborious breaths.

"A brave opponent," Priam added with a smile. Fatigue was no excuse for rudeness.

As the hoplite headed towards Log-a-rhythm to drink some regenerative sap, Priam tightened his grip on Promesse. Another failure... I'm no spear genius like Kazuki, but my technique is excellent now, so what am I missing?!

Priam had progressed at breakneck speed using his physical and mental attributes and his system, but he felt he was reaching a turning point. To progress further, he lacked the talent that Spear Mastery would give him. Yet the Supremacy was still eluding him. The snake was biting its own tail.

As his hearts raced with frustration, Priam decided to carry on regardless. Through duels, he would eventually find what he lacked!

"Who's next?" he asked the audience.

"Me."

Priam turned to Louis. The old man had been observing him for some time now. He seemed diminished, but his eyes harbored smoldering embers of rage.

"... Are you sure?"

"We both need a good fight. You to stimulate your blade and me to resume my journey."

Priam opened his mouth before closing it. Louis had been affected by Mirscella's death and the awakening of the Necro Envoy. Despite that, it was dangerous to underestimate the old man. A lifetime of combat and meditation had forged an iron will and honed a remarkable martial proficiency.

Priam took his stance. "Whenever you're ready."

Without a word, Louis leaped forward, closing the distance between them. The palm of his hand parried Promesse as his foot whipped through the air. Priam blocked with his shin, grimacing. His attributes were high but insufficient to face Body Mastery.

The two adversaries exchanged a few blows, and suddenly Louis breached his guard.

He was so close that Priam no longer had the distance to thrust. He stepped back, and Louis followed, blocking a slash before Promesse could even accumulate kinetic energy. Priam was only entitled to his spear skills, and they were unable to block the blow he received to his stomach.

Bent in two, Priam barely had time to see the martial artist's knee smash against his face.

Propelled backward, he caught himself in a roll but took a few seconds to regain his senses.

Louis waited at the center of the circle, his face neutral. "The spear is weak in close combat."

Louis had spent decades training youths but found it difficult to judge Priam's talent. His attributes, Talents, race, and the System in general prevented him from doing so. The young man was a prodigy with the spear, but was he the first of a thousand, a million, or a billion? It was hard to say.

Nevertheless, it was evident that the boy was ready. He only had one step left to unlock Mastery, but it was the hardest. Priam had to crystallize his knowledge and transcend the mundane.

Any other path would be shameful. Wielding a spear as dangerous as Promesse, Priam had to prove himself worthy. Louis could almost hear the weapon roaring, calling for blood and battle.

Without a word, the young warrior got up and took his position in the circle. Louis waited for his opponent to blink, then leaped forward. A fatal error in a high-intensity fight.

Dodging a powerful but soulless thrust, he ducked to avoid a slash. Priam's attacks were so perfect that their trajectories became obvious. Louis could have explained it to the young man, but the lessons learned in pain were the ones that were never forgotten.

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Taking advantage of a flaw in his opponent's guard, Louis dived into close combat. Feet, fists, and daggers; these were close combat weapons. The spear was not one.

Seizing Priam's wrist, Louis attempted a judo hold. The young man used Promesse to remain stable. Lifting his knee, the old man struck at his opponent's testicles. A low blow, but necessary. As expected, Priam pivoted to absorb the attack with his thigh.

Using his opponent's movement, Louis threw him into the air. Priam landed outside the circle.

"You protect your family jewels but don't use them much."

The young man's mask fell for a moment, revealing an angry expression before he sighed. Louis almost smiled seeing him resist the rage. It was a powerful emotion, but useless in a fight.

His own anger was powerful enough to set the world on fire, but the old man forgot about Mirscella's death during the duel. His emotions provided him with direction, but it was his will that allowed him to climb the mountain.

Priam came back at him, and Louis dodged dangerous slashes. Body Mastery could block many things, but his mental endurance was limited.

Resisting a devastating combo, Louis opened his mouth. "Your technique is improving, but your strikes lack soul. Behind every genius, there is a passionate man."

Priam hesitated for a moment, and Louis took advantage to throw himself at his feet. In a capoeira move learned fifty years ago, he swept his opponent to the ground. I knew those dance classes would come in handy one day.

Spitting out some dirt mixed with grass, Priam got up, a troubled expression on his face. His technique had improved incredibly in the last twenty-four hours, but it hadn't been enough to break through the wall that was Spear Mastery. Yet, Louis's words had shaken it.

"That's good advice, old man."

"I'm still young enough to kick your ass."

Priam raised an eyebrow. "You still got it, but I only use five skills. It's not exactly a fair fight."

"I recognize a loser's line when I hear one."

Masking a smile, Priam got back into position. In his hand, Promesse vibrated. His spear was ready to fight, to progress, and to move forward. So was he.

Without warning, Louis leaped forward. His fist was colored with a blue aura. Priam parried and lifted his foot to counterattack. The old man blocked with his elbow and turned.

[Roundhouse kick incoming.

Advice: dodge backwards.]

With a thought, Priam silenced his add-on. If Louis was right, he had focused too much on technique and not enough on passion. This wasn't a kata contest, it was a duel.

His spear blocked the attack, and his feet dug trenches in the ground to absorb it. His arms protested, but Priam smiled. Advancing a step, he swung Promesse in an arc intended to bring down his opponent. Louis jumped over the slash, and Priam tried to punish the aerial dodge with a thrust.

Seizing the tip of Promesse between his hands, Louis began to rotate on itself. During his spin, he used his shoulder as a lever to wrench the spear from its wielder.

Obeying the laws of physics, the weapon's shaft began to rise. Time stood still as Priam's hands opened. His system would have wanted him to abandon his spear and attack Louis with a kick. In the midst of a somersault and unbalanced by Promesse, the old man was unable to defend himself. Victory was assured.

His soul refused. Promesse was his, and a warrior without his weapon was dead.

The last piece of a puzzle he hadn't even been aware of assembling appeared in his mind.

Priam closed his hands around the shaft of Promesse. Tipping over Louis's shoulder, the spear and its bearer soared.

The sky below him and the earth above his head, Priam locked eyes with Louis. The change in perspective and his realization created an epiphany.

Pulling his spear to him, Priam closed his eyes. A spear was both simple and complex. Complex because he could have spent millennia training without practicing all the possible combinations. Simple because it was primarily there to advance, pierce, and conquer.

The warrior called his weapon, and it responded. Two instincts merged and Priam-Promesse thrust. The trajectory was not ideal, and his movement was suboptimal. It didn't matter.

For a moment, the spear advanced, propelled by its wielder. Nothing could stop them.

The next moment, inertia took over, and Priam landed a few meters away. In his hand, Promesse shone, its tip red with blood. A sheath of golden energy wrapped around it.

"Bravo, kid," Louis smiled, waving his pierced hand.

Congratulations, you've unlocked Mastery - Stage 1.

[Supremacy - Mastery - Spear] - Your soul can now see the world through the prism of the Spear. In these moments, you observe and navigate through a different reality. Operating in Stages, Mastery is used in every Universe.

Your deep knowledge of Spear Art unlocks the Spear Link - Stage 0.

You have overlaid your will with that of your spear to influence the world - Stage 1.

Current stage: 1 - Mastery Imprinted

Bonus: PERC +20 / DEX +20 / MEM +10 / WILL +10

Achievement - Legendary:The Supremacies trilogy, enhanced by a Concept.

In less than a year, you have created a sublime foundation at Tier 0. Face your Tribulations and advance on the Zenith Way.

Message for Wandering Islands & Humanity:

Priam Azura becomes an Ace.

The Seven Concepts congratulate you.

Potential + 5000. Fusion Token - Epic skill. Title [Ace].

Title won!

[Ace - Legendary] - The System acknowledges you as worthy of training. Among the multitude of souls populating this Universe, yours stands out.

Despite this Title, you are not the only one.

VIVA +20%

MEM +20%

Vivacity exceeds 500 points. First milestone reached. Congratulations!

Status:

PHYSICAL:

Strength 557 (+32)

Constitution 860

Agility 552 (+27)

Vitality 840

Perception 714 (+25)

MENTAL:

Vivacity 505 (+84)

Dexterity 587 (+25)

Memory 385 (+67)

Willpower 998 (+14)

Charisma 615

META:

Meta-affinity 423

Meta-focus 350

Meta-endurance 299

Meta-perception 204

Meta-chance 230

Meta-authority 33

Potential: 7 004 (+5 030)

Tier 0

Sun points: 56 214 (+8 423)

[He Who Eludes Death] charge: OFF. Reloaded in 3 hours 3 minutes 49 seconds.

[Tribulation]: Three Tribulations pending.

Future Tribulations delayed until:

Time: 165 days 3 hours 37 minutes 2 seconds.

Next thresholds: 6 attributes > 600 / 3 attributes > 900 / 1 attribute > 1200

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