Extra Pages: The Author's Odyssey
Chapter 59: Breakthrough

-Slash

-Thud

-Slash

-Slash

The strike left a shallow cut on the dummy's chest, which would have been fatal for an ordinary person but was too weak for an Awakener like me.

"This lacks power..."

I knew that the Celestial Parry is a high-level sword art that focuses on defence and counterattacks, but its strength was lacking. After all, it was only a 3-grade sword art. What had I expected?

I can increase its power when I counterattack enemy power but if I have to use Celestial Parry in the normal way, its strength decreases in half.

I tried again to use Celestial Parry.

Feeling my Mana being slowly drained, I continued to practice, repeating similar movements and masking my blade's trajectory.

As the class of Ravi eventually ended, I looked around and noticed that most of the other students had already left for their dorms. I was alone in the arena with my thoughts and my sword.

"If only they knew..."

I said to myself, raising my sword once more and striking the wooden dummy with shaky hands.

***

The Lynraith dungeon ended eventually without any hitch yesterday, there were some problems with Emma but it's okay for now.

But why did Emma come to me in the first place? Is she upset that our team came before them?

No, that's not possible. I thought as I shook my head.

Anyway, let's think about that letter.

"Status Window"

===Status===

Name: Lucas DarkHeart

Rank: F+

Strength: F+

Agility: F+

Stamina: F+

Intelligence: E-

Mana Capacity: F+

Luck: E+

Charm: D

-] Profession :

[Swordsmanship lvl.2]

[Archery lvl.1]

--] Martial arts:

[Movement Art: Stellar Stride Grade 3

The Stellar Stride, a graceful and agile movement technique that harnessed the energy of celestial bodies, was divided into four distinct parts, each with its unique name and power:

Click to expand ]

[Sword art: Celestial Parry:- Grade 3

Celestial Parry is a high-level sword art that focuses on defence and counterattacks. The Grade 3 version builds upon the previous versions, incorporating advanced techniques for more effective combat. It is a versatile technique that allows the user to block, deflect, and counter enemy attacks with precision.

Click to Expand.]

--] Skills :

[{G} Mana Eyes]

[Mana Eyes] was a skill that offered unique benefits. It allowed the user to perceive the flow of mana in their surroundings. It also enhances user eyesight.

-------------------

Finally, after all of the hellish training I went through during this entire month paid off.

As you already know my stamina was G+ Rank but it is now F+ rank.

It's all thanks to Lumiarn Crystal Shard. Not anyone can go from G+ rank to F+ rank unless they are a protagonist.

But I don't have to worry about anything like that at all. My potential is now limitless which means all I have to do is train without worrying about sticking at the same rank for a long period.

I take one closer look at My rank, It's F+ and my state ranks are also at F+ which means I can break through the next Rank.

Of course, my intelligence stat is already at E- rank but it doesn't matter.

Now let's get started. I took out one low leave healing potion in case of emergency.

I looked up at the sky and realized that the sun had already set, casting long shadows across the Traning ground. The hours had flown by as I lost myself in training, and I couldn't believe how much time had passed.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and allowed myself a moment of tranquillity.

"It's beautiful..."

I murmured to myself, feeling a sense of peace and contentment settled over me.

Crossing my legs, I focused my attention on the mana in the surrounding environment. I breathed deeply and allowed the mana to flow into me, invigorating my tired muscles and washing away the pain and fatigue.

But it wasn't enough. I needed to make a breakthrough. I was already more than a whole rank weaker than the protagonists, and I couldn't afford to fall further behind. I felt that my foundation was sturdy enough to take the next step forward.

I knew that my newfound strength would draw attention if I didn't replace a way to conceal it, but it didn't matter to me I'd already let other people see my strength so there was no need to hide it anymore. Besides, the Academy would be informed of my achievement, but that information was confidential and no other students would be privy to it.

Swish...

The mana around me swirled as I absorbed more and more of it into my body, my skin feeling like a furnace as the strange heat radiated from within me. I ignored the sensation, focusing on drawing in even more mana and becoming a vortex of power.

Soon, my skin was covered with a black mass of impurities that smelled like crap. I knew that this was a side effect of the breakthrough process, as the body expelled imperfections to make room for more power.

"Haa! Haaaaa! Haa!"

But with impurity came pain. My whole body suddenly started to feel more pain as

impurities left my body.

My heart was slamming hard against my chest as if it was about to burst out, making his breathing ragged.

Despite the sweat drenching my tank top and slacks and the sensation of needles piercing his skin pores, I persevered with as I firmly shut my eyes.

I clenched his teeth and gritted through the pain until a sudden, searing sensation engulfed my abdomen as if it was set on fire.

"Mrghhhh!"

Fwoo—

Thud—

I collapsed onto the ground, completely devoid of any and all strength or will to even twitch his muscles.

"Aaah! Haaa! Haaa!"

Gasping for air, my hands desperately reached for a healing potion that I took out from my Ai bracelet, my hands slick with sweat and devoid of strength.

Twice, the bottle almost slipped from my grasp before I finally managed to grip it tightly.

Bringing the bottle to my lips, I twisted the cap open and took long, thirsty gulps of water, relieved as I finally felt a cooling sensation wash over my body and numb the burning pain.

As I absorbed the mana, I felt it vibrating within me as if it was responding to my heartbeat. But suddenly, it stopped.

Click...

A dull sound echoed through the area, and I found myself absorbing mana in unnatural amounts to support a stronger body. I could feel the power surging through me, and I knew that I had finally made a breakthrough to Rank E-.

"Fuuuu."

Finally, he let out a content sigh as he couldn't help but say, "I did it. I'm not dead!"

My body is still in pain but with the healing potion pain is bearable now.

"Status Window." I again called Status Window to check my new progress.

===Status Window===

Name: Lucas DarkHeart

Rank: E-

Strength: E-

Agility: E-

Stamina: E-

Intelligence: E

Mana Capacity: E-

Luck: E+

Charm: D+

-] Profession :

[Swordsmanship lvl.2]

[Archery lvl.1]

--] Martial arts:

[Movement Art: Stellar Stride Grade 3

The Stellar Stride, a graceful and agile movement technique that harnessed the energy of celestial bodies, was divided into four distinct parts, each with its unique name and power:

Click to expand ]

[Sword art: Celestial Parry:- Grade 3

Celestial Parry is a high-level sword art that focuses on defence and counterattacks. The Grade 3 version builds upon the previous versions, incorporating advanced techniques for more effective combat. It is a versatile technique that allows the user to block, deflect, and counter enemy attacks with precision.

Click to Expand.]

--] Skills :

[{G} Mana Eyes]

[Mana Eyes] was a skill that offered unique benefits. It allowed the user to perceive the flow of mana in their surroundings. It also enhances user eyesight.

-------------------

It feels nice seeing your new rank.

With my current rank, I'm confident that I can face anyone from 100-200 Nova Academy ranking, without any worries.