Gracious versus Axel Part: 1

So if they're being concerned by the Monster beasts that might invade Laplace, Why bother on fighting amongst each other?" Axel wondered.

[It seems that Monster beasts aren't a bother to them. And there might be some things we don't know yet as to why they are having conflicts.]

But if they all worked together, They could repel the Monster beasts from beyond the Western region, Since they are powerful races. Unlike humans who aren't Deviants, They possess unique abilities that can even take down a Salamander easily."

Axel thoroughly wondered, Bothered by their infighting since there are enemies that they should be focusing on anyway.

But if Monster beasts truly exist beyond, Then returning home might not take long." He pondered, Believing that Helium is beyond the western region.

"Young one, Gracius is looking for you. He said that he wanted to talk with you after we ate." Erza said whilst eating her meal.

Axel who already finished his meal nodded and got up from his chair, "Okay. I'll be right back." He said.

Erza nodded and continued on eating while Axel left the dining room and headed towards the Living room where Gracius was currently waiting.

A strong headache occured that made him stumble on the hallway, "Ugh. My head hurts." He said in a distressed manner.

[It must be due to the progression of your passive sub skill: Profound Wisdom.]

I see. But it really hurts alot." Axel grumbled wearing a frown.

[Kyahaha! Its nothing compared to what I've felt. Kyahaha!]

Axel then got up from the floor and continued on walking, Heading towards the Living room. Gracius was seen sitting in the cushion with his legs crossed, Waiting for Axel's arrival.

Axel then sat infront of Gracius while Gracius signaled the servants to leave them alone for the meantime.

"Ahem! Kid, I told you my part. Its time to tell me yours." Gracius stated, Wanting to learn about the Gun that Axel showed recently.

Axel felt bothered and didn't have a choice, He then modified the gun into an empty casket that had the appearance of a gun but without any proportions inside.

"Here it is." He said and handed the Empty Barret M82 towards Gracius who looked totally curious about it.

Gracius inspected the gun from top to bottom and uttered, "Hey... Are you making fun of me?" His eyes became serious, Knowing that Axel had shown him an empty vessel.

"Why? Its the one I showed you last time." Axel said, Trying to pretend about it.

"Are you kidding me boy? Do you think I'm an idiot?" Gracius stated, Angered by Axel's mockery.

His eyes didn't waver and stared intently at Axel who sweated profusely, Guilty of showing him the fake gun.

Axel then sighed and mumbled, "Here it is." He touched the gun that he handed and modified it through the inside without adding any ammos.

"Now this is the real deal." Gracius uttered happily, Inspecting the gun again.

[Look at his expression Kyahaha! It's as if he just witnessed Diamond kyahaha!]

"But what is your skill boy? I've never seen anyone able to create things with their skill." Gracius uttered in a serious demeanor.

Should I tell him?" Axel asked through telepathy.

[Well its up to you. He doesn't really look like a bad guy anyway. I think he's somehow trustable.]

"My skill is String manipulator. I can release strings and alter them by will, Somehow creations were added." Axel replied, Demonstrating his skill in his palm.

"So you're a Deviant unique skill user huh..? Its rare to see skills that can create things, Especially ones that can even fully copy the metallic essence of their designated creation." Gracius said, Flicking the Gun as it made metallic sounds.

"Strings can't produce metal such as this. Your skill is quite the rare one." He said and got up from the cushion.

Axel silently stared at Gracius as he handed the gun back to him. "Follow me, I want to see how good you are." Gracius said in a serious tone.

Axel gulped, Somehow knowing the outcome if he followed Gracius.

*Quest: Defeat Gracius, Reward: 200 Experience points*

[Kyahaha! You better be careful with that minotaur. He's no ordinary one I tell you.] Greed stated.

Yeah I know, But I badly need some experience points. Especially when I don't know when the quest might show up again." Axel responded through telepathy.

Axel got up from his chair and nodded, Gracius grinned and mumbled, "I like this child." As he led Axel towards an open field at the back of his manor.

*Beep*

*Status Display [User]*

[Name: Axel Echevalier]

[TITLE: N/A]

[Level: 12 (0/20)]

[Ego Skill: Greed (Permanent)]

[Skill Rank: E]

[Skill Type: Growth]

[Mana Core Level: Master Realm (12/100)]

[Mana: 1000]

[User Stats: (STR: 26) (AGI: 25) (VIT: 26) (INT: 54)]

[Active Sub Skills Acquired]

[String Absorption LV.5]

[String Marionette LV.1]

[String Creation LV.5]

[Alter Ego LV.1]

[Passive Sub Skills Acquired]

[String Manifestation LV.3]

[Resistance LV.3]

[Profound Wisdom LV.1 (13%)]

[String Materialization Acquired]

[Solid String, Sharpened String, Steel String, Diamond String, Wooden String, Poison String, Regeneration String]

*Skill Status Display [Greed]*

[Name: Leviathan (Seventh Prince)]

[Level: 12 (Based on User's level)]

[Ego Skill: Greed (Permanent)]

[Skill Rank: S]

[Skill Type: Growth]

[Active Sub Skills Acquired]

[Power Absorption LV.???]

[Total Authority LV.???]

[Profound Creation LV.???]

[Return User LV.???]

[Passive Sub Skills Acquired]

[Body of Leviathan LV.???]

[Demon King Aura LV.???]

[High-level Resistance LV.???]

[Profound Wisdom LV.???]

I don't know if I'll be able to beat him in my current state, But I somehow feel confident." Axel mumbled through his head while confronting Gracius.

Gracius smirked and uttered, "You can attack first boy." Taunting Axel to lose his composure.

But Axel who obtained Profound Wisdom, Gained more knowledge and became intelligent that cannot be easily persuade by mere provocations. His confidence rose, Staring intently at Gracius who was currently wide open. While Axel analyzed the best possible route for him to attack.

A sure strategy that would make sure one of his attacks get to hit Gracius openly. But as he analyzed him, He could not find any patterns that could possibly struck him a fatal blow.

Axel who had become more aware of strikes that could not budge an opponent became wary of his attacks. He must deal a fatal blow in order to win, A blow that would impact entirely that'll make his opponent lose composure, Especially when Its a mere child that struck him.

Just as he was about to move, Gracius smirked. Axel then hurriedly ran towards him, Flinging several sharpened strings. While doing a back up string release prepared back at his body.

Just as the Sharpened strings were about to hit Gracius, He vanished and instantly appeared behind Axel.

"You're too young to hit me boy!" Gracius said, And was suddenly shocked after seeing the Sharpened strings Axel had prepared for him. His back turned into strings and struck Gracius like needles while Gracius was forced to enforce himself with Mana armament.

Scratches covered his body and face, Surprised to see that Axel's attacks even penetrated through his mana armament's defenses.

Just as Axel turned, He then threw his formed Chained blades at Gracius while Gracius noticed it was coated in mana. He grinned and mumbled, "I see. This child has potential." And immediately vanished only to appear infront of Axel.

Axel who had already calculated his attack patterns prepared several strings in hand, Just as Gracius was about to grab Axel from his neck, Several Sharpened strings penetrated through the ground and struck Gracius. While he was forced to retreat with his hands crossed.

"You're a cunning one." Gracius said, Staring intently at Axel.

Axel did not respond and was still aware that Gracius was still holding back.

[Be careful, He still hasn't shown his skill. He's only fighting you with his Mana.] Greed informed him, Worried about Gracius' true ability.

Meanwhile Axel performed a stance and held two katanas coated in mana in both of his hands.

Chapter End.