Chapter 41 - Futile Endurance (2)
Kai grunted as water formed in his eyes because of the pain.
Kai was trying his best to ignore it, completely focused on the feeling within him. Wrath.
If Kai could see within his mind space, he would see the central island with the hill on fire, burning and bleeding.
Kai outwardly was roaring in power, in agony and wrath.
[NightFall's Magic-Martial Art - Level 1]
Kai felt once again mana enter and leave his body. It was intoxicating, but for some reason he looked at his mana.
[20,000/15,000]
This time he had gained even less mana, only 5 thousand!
And yet it was enough to deal with those in front of him. His real rank was far beyond level 10, and he was pretty sure killing these people would benefit him so greatly it would be stupid not to.
But right now he was focused on living. Clearly these damned paid hands were no longer trying to just pin him down but fully kill him.
Kai's body moved purely on instinct. He didn't really think of what he was doing nor feel regret for the lives he had reaped seconds ago. While his chest was exploding with fire deep within him, Kai could barely focus on what he was doing, so he allowed his instincts to take control.
To Kai's surprise, his body moved in a mixture of [NightFall's Magic] and [Bladed Mana]. As his body moved, he would suddenly lock up his arm, imitating a sword in motion, as a hidden slash left his blade.
And with the already stupid 16x to all stats he was gaining the upper hand yet again!
But another thing finally worked. The protective layer around his mouth allowed him to filter the air he was breathing to only what he needed. Finally, after all of this time, his resistance and the mask with the 16x form from [NightFall's Magic-Martial Art - Level 1] were able to finally push the sleeping gas out of his system.
While Kai also felt his power surging back like a dam exploding with power, his next punch cracked a ribcage, his next full-powered kick broke a forearm bone, and his next Bladed Mana slash did the rest of the job.
[Quest completed]
[Would you like to view your rewards now?]
Kai quickly deactivated Overcharge and everything else as he fell on his side. The only thing still up was the small makeshift mask around his mouth.
Kai glanced at his mana.
[1,000/15,000]
Kai still felt his heart pumping. For some reason he felt ecstatic, not from the deaths but from the fight itself. It was so difficult and he loved every part of the difficulty.
Though he was truly out for the count, he couldn't move a single muscle. Now that the adrenaline had run out and the Overcharge disappeared, their debilitating effects hit him like a truck.
Kai had tears falling down his eyes, but he didn't know it, and yet his face was scrunched up into a wrathful mess.
Though internally his body was on fire, his bloodline essence boiling with lingering strength, while his mana was so minuscule it was just some diffused golden fog within his body.
And yet worst of all, Kai could naturally feel it. He was truly on the brink of death.
Kai smirked and mentally said, "I've bet everything on you, so please... work."
[Supreme Regeneration Level - Max : Healing the body, mind, spirit, and soul at a rapid speed while being cost efficient.] (200 mana / 30 min)
Kai sighed as he felt the small amount of mana left become smaller. He sighed because the burning flame within his chest finally turned colder.
And yet Kai noticed that no matter what he did, his body refused to absorb mana.
This was bad. Really bad.
Kai shouted out, "Basic cultivation thing, why is it not working?!"
[As you have grown in power, your body has naturally created pathways for mana and bloodline essence within your body, akin to a different nervous system. One connected to your bloodline cores and one to your mana core at the center of your chest.]
[But in this moment those pathways are all damaged and too destroyed for even your ability to heal. They must naturally heal.]
Kai stared into nothing, dumbfounded. Clearly he was shocked. His mind was exploding and he just couldn't get his feelings under control.
This could also be a side effect of him overcharging three times in a single day.
Kai felt like the only way out was to use his second bloodline and run away from this damned place, and yet he had no way to get out of the academy. Hell, he didn't know how he really got here in the first place, much less a way out. And even if he did, there was the problem of Yuan's family out there hunting him down.
Elder Huan was clapping loudly, saying, "I may be blind, but even I can see your talent. Truly monstrous. Say, Kai. Dare to be my disciple?"
Kai didn't even have enough strength to answer. He could see Elder Huan standing there, hands behind his back.
Kai was too tired to even think of anything anymore. His body could no longer hold back the sweet release of sleep.
Elder Huan, seeing no response, poked Kai and said, "Kiddo?"
Elder Huan sighed as he picked up Kai and said outwardly, "Get one of the medical rooms ready."
His voice echoed through the small area.
Elder Huan's body floated just a few inches above the ground as he mentally spoke.
"Though for a kid not older than 18 to have such a level of mana manipulation? That is truly interesting. We should really start wondering what kind of family he belongs to. And yet it's such a... lackluster family. Sure, the mother was quite strong, being an earth bloodline user who had much to her side in talent and abilities."
Elder Huan sighed again and mentally said, "What a mess."
Elder Huan thought to himself how Kai tried too hard not to fall into the trap, and yet in the end he still was incapacitated. At least he tried.
Elder Huan quite liked that about Kai.
---
Kai finally felt himself waking up. He could have instinctively opened his eyes if not for him forcing them shut.
Kai said mentally, "Sharp Sight. Full Zone."
Instantly Kai had a mental image of what was around him for about 16 meters or so.
Though it was lackluster, he was on a metal chair in nature, his hands tied behind his back and tied to the chair, and so were his legs. But the chair was bolted to the ground. It was a small room, 10 meters on each side.
On the walls were grand magic circles, but they were really magical runes. Kai tried to understand them, quickly realizing they looked super similar to the original cell he was placed in.
His body seemed healed.
Kai also saw many vents at the top of the room. They didn't look like anything he had seen before, but the room itself had barely any mana. It was a stale, dry room.
One of the vents sent in oxygen, but along with that it produced sedatives and something Kai couldn't place his hand on, but it held mana.
And somehow made him super sluggish.
But even with that, his skill in control was superb, so the unknown gas could only slow him down by a few seconds.
Kai opened his eyes and to his astonishment once again, he jumped like a scared cat as staring not even a few inches away from his face was Elder Huan.
Elder Huan said, "I knew it! You did wake up."
Kai swallowed nervously and said, "Why are you here?"
Elder Huan sat on the ground cross-legged and said, "Well, I'm the one questioning you today."
Elder Huan didn't wait for Kai to respond, asking questions already.
"What grade is your bloodline? Don't lie."
Kai looked forward and already knew lying would only waste time. They would have already checked it, so he said the truth.
"Heaven."
Elder Huan nodded and said, "Darn, you're young."
Elder Huan asked, "What is the name of your bloodline?"
Kai didn't wait a split second and threw out a fake name. There was no way he was going to give them real info, but he should at least try to hide things he could.
Minutes passed, and finally after the questioning Elder Huan snapped his fingers and the chair as well as the ties disappeared.
Elder Huan smiled and gave Kai a small description on how to get out of the room, but Kai didn't even use it because the second all of the ties and crap were off him, he just kicked the damned door inward and walked out of the room.
Elder Huan shouted out, "YOU'RE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT!"
Kai answered, "Hell no."
---
Kai was running toward the 1st year's arena where someone had been waiting for 5 minutes.
There was a large crowd already waiting.
Kai jumped onto the other side of the arena and said, "Well, sorry I'm late."
On the other end,
Luca simply nodded.
Kai got ready and so did Luca as both got into positions.