What Is This Shadow Energy Bollocks?

Quinn gripped his dagger in a normal grip in a defensive manner. He waited for Aaron to attack but after a few seconds had passed with them just standing still, Quinn closed the distance again, in an instant and threw a feint stab, after which, he performed a fast roundhouse kick aimed for Aaron's face.

SWISH-

As Aaron successfully guarded against the kick, it almost made a THUD sound and the wind could be felt shifting strongly.

"How on god's green Earth, is this guy a level 0...?"

Quinn quickly backed off from Aaron. He also noticed how nimble and flexible he was, now that he has such high dexterity.

He cast Shadow Blades one after another, in such to manner as to almost trap Aaron and restrict his movement.

[-60 Mana]

[-60 Mana]

[-60 Mana]

[-60 Mana]

[-60 Mana]

[-60 Mana]

This time, Aaron went on the offensive. He used Ki to strengthen his legs as he kicked off the ground and almost instantly, gathered the Ki to his right hand, then to his left, and then his legs as he kept on attacking.

But fortunately, for Quinn, he already felt familiar with Aaron's attacks and could dodge them easily. As Quinn finally spotted the one move with an opening, the ground stomp, he parried Aaron's simultaneous action straight punch with his left hand and used a low kick to trip him down.

THUD-

Silence filled the room. That is until Carl finally spoke:

"*The... victor is: Quinn Maw!*".

[Level up]

There was an uproar of the students in disbelief at how a student, a level 0 at that, beat the well-known Ki Grand Master, Aaron.

"Well done, Quinn. I'm incredibly surprised as to how you could beat me unarmed and use just 30 per cent of my Ki. Ha, don't feel down just because of how I put it!

Yes, I am incredibly strong, and yes, you beat me at a very low level but, that is still an incredible achievement for a student" Aaron said out loud as he held Quinn's hand up, "Well done".

...

"You can come meet me tomorrow two hours before the afternoon classes, in the training hall"

"Hah.... that I will"

"*The rest of today's duels will be conducted by me from now on~~*"

***

'Well done, Quinn' Void said.

'You've been quiet for a long time'.

'Ah that, yes. I was in my Astral form, outside of your body' he answered. 'Doing what, exactly?' Quinn asked him.

'I suppose you don't need to know'

'Well, fair enough'

'You should go rest for today. I'm pretty sure you must be tired not just physically but also mentally'

'Yep, I'm gonna sleep through the whole day' he then looked at the watch, wondering what time it is:

7 PM

***

Quinn finally reaches his room, freshened up, sat on the bed and opened the system shop.

———

126,892 G

All Equipment Consumables Materials Skills

Branch of Zyrrkvonskeel 440800 G

Potion of unfettered capability 27000 G

Vibro-crystal Katana 279300 G

Demon King's Black Blade Of Eternal Fire[Locked]

18799380 G

Short Sword Of The Exiled Guardian 173810 G

Legendary Alchemist's Potion Of Eternal Life[Sealed]

999999999 G

.

.

.

———

"There's a skills tab?"

All Equipment Consumables Materials skills

Dew of Ares 357500 G

Dew of Athena 357500 G

Dew of Mercury 357500 G

Dew of Anicetus 357500 G

Throwable Weapon Mastery 45520 G

Art Of Stealth 89990 G

Art Of Explosions 125500 G

Art Of Soul Sculpting 168900 G

All-Weapons Mastery 200000 G

.

.

.

———

"Well.... that's a lot. I think I need to get the soul-sculpting skill though. It's obviously got something with soul extraction and I will need it. I'll also need to save up for All-Weapons Mastery. Sounds sick."

'Guess it's time to use those coin purses that've been piling up...'

———

Small coin purse ×81

Medium coin purse ×57

Large coin purse ×50

Bulging coin purse ×61

———

[Gained: 178,100 G

Total G: 304,992 G]

[You have purchased Art Of Soul Sculpting

Remaining G: 136,092 G]

———

[Art Of Soul Sculpting] Lvl 1

Change the property/skill/element of a soul just once. The skill is basically a gamble and if failed, the soul core will be destroyed. The chances go up from 30% of success to an 80% success rate after levelling the skill to the max.

Success rate: 30%

———

"Welp, time to sleep now"

***

11:11

....

'Fuuuuuck....'

'I got about 19 minutes to get to the weapons training room before the classes start at 13:30'

Quinn got up, took a bath, wore the school's sparring clothes, and dashed out as fast as he could. In less than 3 minutes of leaving his room, he was already at the place. His speed had gone up by leaps and bounds with the increase in Agility. Normally, it would take a bit less than 8 minutes.

"I sensed a body moving around at an incredible speed, it was you, Quinn" Aaron stood in front of the training room. "We are running out of time, come inside".

"Uh, yessir"

"So, what was the reason you called me here before the classes?" Quinn asked him as they moved into the training hall. "I was just curious as to how much potential you have in learning to utilise Ki" Arron answered.

"Wait, so you're gonna teach me how to use Ki? For free?" since Ki learning material and teachers were being marketed at ridiculously high prices, Quinn was speechless: untrusting even.

"Hmm, not exactly. I will just see how much your potential values up to and decide whether I want to take you in as my disciple. When you fought me, it didn't seem like you were using any powerful marital art and were just using some MMA moves along with your flexibility to feint attacks.

"And so, I wondered how much you would progress if I taught you how to utilise Ki and teach you some advanced martial arts... so, here I called you to check your potential" Aaron explained.

"Uhh, great! So what do I have to do?"

"Give me your hand"

"Left or ri-"

"ANY hand"

'Jeez, okay'

Quinn put his right hand forth and Aaron placed two of his fingers on his palm. With a concerned look on his face, he said: "Uhh, I'm sorry to say this but, you have null talent. I'm sorry"

'Wooow, seriously?'

'So, he couldn't detect the shadow energy after all. What a disgrace' Void spoke up. 'The hell're you talking about, dude?'

'Silence. Heed quietly...'

"But, there is another dormant energy inside of your body.... Is it Demonic Ki? Oh, I certainly hope, from the bottom of my heart, that you are not one of them.... Now, you only need to prove yourself innocent, right here, RIGHT NOW!" Aaron's shout surrounded the entire training hall.

"How the fu- I mean- how do you expect me to do that?! One of who?! I've never even learnt Ki control, much less... Demonic Ki!"

'Hoh... Although slow, he was able to vaguely distinguish the shadow energy from your life force of a human' Void snickered. 'Would you please mind enlightening me with your knowledge, Prometheus?'

'Hmph, tell him exactly this...'

....

"Where the Aetherblade tears through the void, all shall converge on the Astral plane of Erxenos" Quinn repeated with a not-so-sure-this-is-gonna-work look on his face.

....

"You.... You know of my master? If not so, then how do you know of his prophecy?!" Aaron appeared to be pretty restless; shook unlike before.

'I'm not sure about this one...'

"You don't need to know" Quinn said stoicly.

"Then, what is this foreign energy in your core? Explain, or you will bite the dust" Aaron threatened Quinn as he placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.

'What do I do now?'

'Tell him that the energy is from the void and that it is called Shadow Ki'

'Are you sure about this? I don't know shit about this shadow energy bollocks but I don't think we should let something related to Shadows be leaked out to humans'

'Are you not a human yourself, Quinn?'

...

'I....'

'Do not forget your origin, your family or friends. You may be a Shadow through and through yet, but do not forget the human part inside of you. Because that is what makes you special.

'I know much more of this man, and his master and lineage than yourself. Trust me and do as I say so' Void persuaded.

'Hah... I really cannot argue with you, huh?'