Becoming Legend

Chapter 231: Start

"Mana manipulation, elemental manipulation, all the same."

Roy stared at the bladelooking like Fireblade.

"How did you do it?" Ned asked.

Ned learned how to conjure spells even back at the Empire of Sskat. But they were accustomed to the abundance of pure mana that all they needed to do was to think without too much of a gesture and incantations.

Simply put: think and conjure. Ned could conjure spells even just standing still.

But it was different now. Absorb the mana, store it in the body, and if it's time to use the stored mana, Ned must guide it to his body, to his veins, to his hands, and mutter the spell for timing. He also needed time to recover the used mana. Which was frustrating, but satisfying at the same time. Since Ned's spells were far stronger than the rest.

"Focus," Roy said, "let the mana flow. From your body to your hands. Then, instead of conjuring a spell, direct the mana to the blade."

The flame wrapping the blade ignited even more. Now, the chamber was filled with orange light and Ned could feel the heat coming off Roy's blade.

"We'll get there, soon."

Roy focused once more and the flame from the blade was slowly vanishing. Until all that was left was the blade with fumes, and smokes.

Then the ground below them rumbled.

Roy stopped with the rumble. And waited.

And waited.

Until it was gone.

"What was that?" Ned asked.

"Nothing," Roy said. A place we should not go into. "Now."

Roy waved his blade then sheathed it back to the scabbard.

"They will be here soon."

Soon they waited until the wooden door behind Ned was bombarded by knocks.

Three figures entered carrying weapons hurdled over their back wrapped in a ragged cloth.

These figures were male arachneas with their bulky bodies and thicker exoskeletons.

They threw a gaze at Ned just like how they threw the wrapped weapons on the ground, it was fueled by force and contempt.

Yet they bowed at Roy and left the chamber.

Roy waited for them to leave.

"Don't worry," he said, "they'll be accustomed to you soon."

"Why did they looked at me like that?"

"Well, you're human, that's one. And"

"So are you."

"Yes," Roy said, rubbing his burned temple. "But most of it was abandoned a long time ago."

"Did you eat the Core Moloatiss given you?"

Roy didn't move or changed his breathing. He remained with his eyes fixated at Ned. But his eyes weren't exactly looking at Ned. He was like in a dream but awake. He must have thought of the past he had given up the movement he chose to become one of the beasts.

"Did you know how I found you?"

Roy shook his head.

"You're a wanted man on the surface."

"I guessed as much," Roy said, voice was soft. "After what I have done.... "

"Did you eat the Core because of guilt? Or was it because of power?"

"Would you eat the Core, Ned?" He asked instead.

"I'll answer it as though I am you." Ned walked closer to Roy. "No. I would face them. The family of the people I killed. They were innocent. I would face them even if there's a hundred of them. It won't atone for my sins. But, at least, it would give me peace. Thinking that I gave them respect."

"Whoever your Master is," Roy said. "I commend him for teaching you things."

It wasn't my Master, Ned thought. It was the life I had once. If only...

Ned shook his head, vanishing the thoughts of him subjugating species.

But Edwin is different, Ned still thought. I could look at him in the eyes but still, kill him. After what he has done to my Master. Looking at him in the eyes is respect. Now, you just need to wait.

"... gone. Now, it doesn't matter. Right, Ned?"

"Uhm," Ned said, lost in thoughts. "Y-yes. How do we proceed?"

"Show me your weapon handling."

"Then?"

"Easy, Ned. How we proceed will depend on your mastery of weapons. Now, choose."

Ned rounded Roy and stopped at the pile of weapons.

A mix of swords, blades, daggers, and knives was making a tiny hill in front of him. To his surprise, the weapons were not using a sign of wearing.

"Spoils of war," Roy said, sensing Ned's contemplation. "Got them mostly from hunters that tried to invade the Hive. Nobody went back to the surface, though."

Roy's eyes were gleaming with hatred. Hatred to humans, and hatred to the things they have done to him. Making him forget his nature and become a beast. His horns were burning red.

"So you hate Hunters?"

"Not all, but mostlyyes," Roy added. "But not just hunters, humans in particular that scheme on their own. As for you, I'm only helping you because of Edwin."

"What is the Queen's take on this?" Ned said. "On me?"

"Nothing," he said, "she trusts her subjectsus. She knew if you're lying. But she trusted you because you are you. She's a martyr. Hunters were invading her Hive. Yet, she was still concerned about the Gate. That is why other Lords were mocking her. They thought she is weak. And if by chance. If other Lords feel that she's becoming weaker, they will invade. You see, Kruthiks from below, humans on the surface, and Lords everywhere. Yet, we still stand."

"Perseverance," Ned said, looking at the blade over a knife, beside a mace.

"Determination," Roy added.

"Dedication," Ned added. "Those were the traits we rarely see on humans."

Roy nodded, satisfied. And smiled, if only humans were the same as you.

"I'm worse," Ned muttered. "Will this suffice?"

Ned bent and pulled the blade. It was heavy for a meter long blade, the edge was ragged but uniform, like crystals in different formations making tiny teeth.

Ned used Detect skill but to his disappointment. The blade was only cool looking. It was Graded E and made of contaminated iron.

"Let's begin," Roy said, and smiled, and unsheathed his blade. He then spun around to position himself across Ned. They were ten meters apart. "Come at me anytime you want."