Before The Black Nightmare

The following day when I woke up, I practiced the Severing Blade's practice method before heading into the place where I teach the children. Even though I wasn't older than most of them, I don't consider myself as a child, mind you.

Anyway, when I reached the training yard, I was surprised by the scene I saw. All seven of their group sat together in a circle as Lina, Rayle, and Siri taught the rest of the group regarding mana manipulation.

Each one of them gave advices on their own style.

For Lina, it was practical. "In order to manipulate mana, you have to sense it first. How about closing your eyes while focusing on various feel inside your body, and find a certain warm cluster a bit above your abdomen..." She said.

For Rayle, it was something about feel. "You see, when I control mana, it feels like *guuushh~* with a bit of *wheeee~* kind of thing."

And for Siri, it was more spiritual. "The mana within the body is closer into one's soul. First, clear your mind and remove the impurities it brings into the soul..." Or something like that. I wonder how she sees my lesson?

I leaned on the wall as I let them continue. However, Sally saw me and called out.

"Hey! Lancell's here! Hello Lancell. Good morning." She said as she waved her hand.

I waved my hand back, and then told their group. "Okay. Actually, I just came to tell everyone that I won't be teaching today. I have something important to do, so continue what you were doing."

The student's eyes lit up at my words as they all smiled. Even Ludivine smile a bit, but I turned around and started leaving. Siri called out to me as I walked. "Lancell!"

I turned my head and saw her wave her hand.

"Thank You!" She thanked me as she knew what I was doing.

I smiled, and then left the training yard.

It was time to make preparations.

◇◇◇

The Black Dogs. A wolverine creature that stood on two legs, covered in black fur with the head of a jackal. They very much resembled werewolves, but they were much faster, and their claws much sharper.

During the early days they appeared, countless people died and disappeared during the night as they had no idea what was attacking them They were too fast for a normal human to even follow with their eyes, and they were to efficient in their killing as they always went for vital spot.

'However, they have a weakness.'

It was only about half a year before its weakness was discovered. It was light and fire. The Black Dogs only appeared during the night as they had extremely terrible resistance to heat and light. As such, in the span of only 2 months, they were quickly exterminated.

◇◇◇

I travelled through the nearby forest, searching for a tree. It was a tree that only appeared in legends, but no one knew what it looked like so it was neglected.

However, during my past run, I was fortunate enough to find an extremely old record about it. It was recorded that it only grew where a Divine Beast of Holy Flames had died and experienced rebirth, as such it was a powerful material for weaponcraft, and has extreme mana conductivity.

During my past life, I had the luck of encountering one of it in these woods, however, due to my stupidity and lack of knowledge, I had ignored it, only to find it eaten by a monster during the wave of the 15th year.

"If I remember, it should be right here..." I muttered as I turned into a certain direction.

I kept walking, and about 15 minutes later, I found it. I grinned subconsciously as I spoke its name.

"The Phoenix Divine Tree..."

It was only about five meters tall, and one and a half inch in thickness. It only had three branches that was as thick as one's pinky, but it would be a powerful wand if used by mages. I marvelled at the sight of the inconspicuous tree, but my attention was elsewhere. It was on the three fruits that was growing between its lowermost branch and the trunk.

I could feel extremely dense mana inside as it even leaked to the surroundings. I approached the bright red fruits and probed it with magical perception, and was shocked.

'This!! This much mana would be able to push me directly into the later levels of Level 60! Did I just hit a jackpot?! And this is just one either... what more for three...' I thought in shock.

This was unbelievable, however...

'But how come there wasn't any fruit in my past life?'

During my past life, if I had seen the fruit. I wouldn't have dismissed it as a mere tree, as all trees which bore mana rich fruits were all unmistakably mana conducting trees, so who took it?

'Well, it doesn't matter. For now, I have to take the tree.'

And so I picked up the fruits, put it in my bag as I cut the tree with Arkenvalle. However...

CLLLAAAAAANNNNGGGG!!!!

A sound of metal hitting metal resounded within the forest as it echoed afar.

'Wha?!! What incredible toughness!'

I was shocked at how tough it was, but I was even shocked the next moment as Arkenvalle suddenly vibrated as I felt will coming from the blade.

'...wait...Will?...'

I was confused if I was just imagining it, but a voice resounded within my head.

"...I...want it..."

My mouth gaped at the unbelievable event. It was the first time in both lives that I felt will from Arkenvalle, and the first time it spoke. The voice sounded feminine, and young. Like that of a child.

"...Laws of...Rebirth...I...want..."

'Laws of Rebirth?'

As a person who once cultivated to the peak of humanity, I naturally knew what the Laws were, however, I had never heard of the Laws of Rebirth.

"...Divine Sword...Salvation...Rebirth..."

".......FEED ME........"

Arkenvalle suddenly demanded as I suddenly lost control of my body and slashed at the tree while Arkenvalle emitted blinding radiance.

CLLAAANNNGGG!!!!

Again, the sound of metal hitting metal resounded, but the light from Arkenvalle suddenly turned into dark purple and the tree suddenly wrapped its trunk around Arkenvalle like a vine. It then suddenly started to slowly enter Arkenvalle as I felt Arkenvalle getting stronger at an insane pace.

Arkenvalle then started morphing. As it had unknowingly levelled up. The sword became a bit wider by about three centimeters in both sides as it then became a lot sharper, and its hilt grew intricate rose patterns.

I also felt my body getting even stronger as I knew the passive boost from Arkenvalle increased from 15% to 25% which doubles once I summon Arkenvalle.

After Arkenvalle finished morphing, the tree was almost consumed, but I stopped it as I said.

"Wait! Stop! At least leave a single branch!" I pleaded with urgency.

Arkenvalle seemed to have heard my voice as it answered.

"...Alright...get...stronger..."

Then a branch fell from the tree as it was completely consumed.

"...Tired...must sleep..."

And then Arkenvalle went silent. As for me, I just stood in place as I had yet to process what had just happened.

◇◇◇

By the time I returned, I discreetly checked the progress of the students. It seems studying as a group drastically improves learning speed as all of them was capable of using mana now.

However, when I saw Ludivine, I was shocked. Her mana manipulation skills were almost on par with mine as she made her mana dance along her palm making various shapes of animals and such.

'I see...so the one who'll be using the Phoenix Wand had already been decided, huh?' I thought.

I approached the group as they then saw me. Rayle asked.

"Oh hey! Lancell! You done with work?" He asked casually as he waved.

I waved back and said. "Yeah."

Everyone then noticed I was looking at Ludivine, while the person herself hid behind Argos after realizing I was looking at her. I walk towards her and crouch eye level in front of her as I held out a finger in front of her brows.

She shrank in fear but she didn't dare step back. The moment my hand went in contact with her forehead, her eyes widened as I then told her. "You can start whenever you want. Ask me if you have questions."

She snapped out of her daze as she then asked nervously. "C-Can I really have this?"

"You earned it. Also, here." I gave her the Phoenix Tree Branch. "It's a wand. You'll need it." I added.

She took the branch and the moment she held it, her eyes lit up as she looked at it in a daze. "Beautiful..." She muttered.

'I knew it. She's a descendant of the Ancients, is it atavism?'

Descendants of Ancients could manipulate mana like their own limbs, and they could see thing that a normal person couldn't. As such, she should be seeing the scene of a Phoenix's Rebirth right now.

After a while, she regained clarity as she lowed her head. "Thank you." She said in a low volume.

I smiled. And then asked. "So? What do you plan next?"

"Umm...I'd like to train....and, and then...learn...and then teach it to others." She said as she stuttered for a bit.

"Do as you like." I told her as I then left.

◇◇◇

I returned to my(?) house as I was preparing to absorb the mana from the fruits. I only needed to absorb one as I knew my body wouldn't be able to adjust if I absorb all the fruits in one go.

Since Ludivine should be starting her cultivation now, I plan on giving her a fruit once she reaches Level 30.

I sat crossed legged on the ground as I closed my eyes and meditated. I then took out and ate a fruit when I was at my optimal state.

The moment the fruit entered my stomach, an explosion of pure mana suddenly exploded within my as I struggled to control it all. I then guided the energy as instructed from the Void Severing Blade Manual, as I felt my levels continuously rise.

Level 34...

Level 35...

Level 36...

Level 37...

Level 38...

...

..

.

Level 57...

Level 58...

Level 59...

...

..

.

Level 64...

Level 65...

And finally, Level 66...

A single fruit from the Phoenix Divine Tree pushed me from Level 33 to Level 66. It doubled my cultivation, but the strength I gained was several times as the higher on reaches in their cultivation, the more strength they gain in their breakthrough.

With my current strength, I was confident it defeating a normal warrior who had touched upon the First Wall. In other words, I could beat a Level 100 Warrior. It would have been impossible if it was my past life, but now, I had Arkenvalle which boosted my strength without any cost, I had powerful techniques at my disposal and they didn't need chants. And lastly, I was confident in the combat experience I accumulated for 20 years.

I was getting stronger now, but this was far from enough. Until I become capable of cutting down the Calamity Dragon, I will not stop in my quest to grow stronger.

I swear. I'll definitely reach it. Becoming the worlds strongest.