BXBX NOVEL Chapter 64: Everything as it should be
Finally, he arrived at the location without any issues, though three minutes late, and was met with a cold look from Xenovia. She had already prepared the entire place waiting for him, and he was late, which didn't make her very happy...
"Damn, was he having fun with his wife?" She wondered mentally, without letting her expression betray her thoughts. She quickly questioned him, "Are you ready?" Her voice firm and emotionless, something that really bothered Strax in a way.
"Yes, I am." Strax replied seriously, his eyes fixed on the woman who began explaining the day's training.
"Today, we will focus on your endurance and bodily and mana control. You have been learning to channel your energy effectively to maximize your potential, but you need more control over everything you possess." She explained, taking a combat stance that Strax was very familiar with.
He sighed internally, nodded, and positioned himself in the center of the hall. Xenovia began the training with basic endurance exercises, testing Strax's new capabilities after the first training session.
Once again, he endured the increasingly powerful attacks that Xenovia delivered, each stronger than the last, but he resisted without moving, concentrating his energy on protecting himself and enduring the pain. This was the best way for warriors like Strax to learn about their limits, by feeling it firsthand.
"Concentrate, imagine you are creating a skin over your own, a shell, like armor, strengthening from the inside out," Xenovia instructed, her voice calm but demanding.
Strax closed his eyes, visualizing the energy flowing through his body, forming a thin protective layer around him. The blows returned, each impact felt different, becoming more bearable, lighter, and more contained. After several minutes of incessant strikes, Xenovia stopped and observed him with that evaluating look that made Strax uncomfortable.
"Frightening..." He thought.
"You did better than before, but you need more refinement." Xenovia admitted, giving a small nod of approval. "Now, let's work on mana. We need to go beyond what you know. I want you to channel your energy to create that same ice sword from before, using your strength to mold the mana into a weapon as robust as steel." She said, sitting on the ground, waiting for him to begin.
Strax frowned. He could barely maintain a sword for more than ten minutes, let alone one with the consistency of pure steel. "I'll have to try even if I can't do it," Strax thought, knowing Xenovia wouldn't accept just an "I can't."
He had created swords before, but with this durability... it was really difficult. Taking a deep breath, he extended his hands and closed his eyes, focusing on channeling his energy directly from his mana core. He felt the mana flowing through his veins, directing it to his hands.
He focused entirely on ice, thinking of a massive iceberg that could easily destroy a ship. The air around him began to chill, a cold mist emanating from his hands, gradually taking shape, solidifying into a blue ice sword. When he felt the cold in his hands, he opened his eyes, seeing the shining weapon in his grasp, emitting a bluish-white glow with small sparks of light.
It was heavy and thin but as robust as pure steel, reflecting the ambient light coming through the windows.
Xenovia watched with an expression of surprise and approval. "Impressive... on a single attempt," she murmured, approaching to examine the sword more closely. "You achieved something far beyond what I expected; this is a great advance."
Strax smiled, not just happy for Xenovia's words... well, not just because of those words. "Thank you," he said, his voice a bit tired, but his eyes were fixed on a certain spot in front of him, specifically at Xenovia's cleavage height.
[You have partially understood the Ice Manipulation Skill, the skill has ranked up.]
"Where do you think you're looking?" Xenovia called his attention, and the screen disappeared, showing only the ample breasts of the woman in his field of vision. "S-sorry! I was lost in thought!" He said quickly, and the sword slipped from his hand, deactivating the manipulation magic.
"I see... keep practicing what you learned." Xenovia said and walked away, but her thoughts were... "Looking at my breasts and says he's lost in thought? Try to be more discreet next time." She thought, huffing slightly, having some rather... dubious thoughts.
After all that, Strax left the main hall directly for the mansion gate, where he had a brief encounter with Diana, but he didn't say anything, just gave her a mischievous smile. Diana arched her eyebrows but didn't say anything to him, as several maids were nearby.
Again. "Let's go, girl," he said and mounted Apocalypse, heading back home, still thinking about the training and how his ability had improved. He was absorbed in his thoughts when suddenly he felt a strange presence. Quickly he stopped Apocalypse and looked around, noticing suspicious movement coming from an alley nearby.
"Come out, I don't have all day," he said, his voice firm. From the shadows of the alley emerged Carlos.
"Ah, it's you. I thought you had forgotten our agreement," Strax said, observing the man who respectfully bowed before him. "My mistress wishes to see you in a few days," he said, his voice low and formal.
Strax looked at him, intrigued. "Oh really? She judged me worthy?" He said with a smile. "She has determined that you can be beneficial to her," he replied firmly. "I see, a deal, I presume," Strax said, "Time and place, and we shall talk." Carlos listened and stood up, bowing slightly. "I will find you on the day of the meeting.
Please be careful tonight," he said, and quickly disappeared back into the shadows.
Mounting Apocalypse, he continued his way home, still on alert while trying not to think of anything other than getting home. "I wonder what kind of woman you are, Miss Assassin," Strax thought. Again turning the nearby corner, he found himself once more facing the nun he had saved.
Strax didn't dismount from Apocalypse and talked to the woman in front of him. "You seem busy again, aren't you?" He said, and the woman looked at him with a rather... cute smile. "I was helping the orphanage again. They were causing a ruckus once more! They never tire!" She said quickly, seeming angry but sweet.
"You seem to always be helping others," Strax commented with a smile, she shrugged modestly. "I guess it's my calling, but tell me... what is your name? Last time you left in a hurry," she commented, seeming to want to repay him in some way. "It's Strax, just Strax," he said.
"Alright! Whenever you have time, come to the orphanage or the church! I'm always in one of those places, I could pray for you! Oh yes! My name is Cristine, Cristine Blair," she said, bowing. "Thank you very much for saving me last time!" She thanked, Strax just smiled and asked her to rise.
"Raise your head, you're like me, feel free to come to me whenever you want. I'm going home now, but I'll come see you sometime," Strax said, and Cristine nodded, understanding.
"The path of a knight is arduous but rewarding. If you need anything, I'm here to help!" She said, Strax could feel the determination in her gaze, he kept his smile and understood, "Thank you, Sister Cristine. Your kindness is a relief amidst so much chaos."
"Well, I need to get back to the house. I have much to do today before resting," Strax finally said, ready to leave and return home.
"Of course, take care, Strax. And remember, you're never alone, God is always by your side!" Cristine replied, giving him an encouraging smile.
Strax nodded, thanking her again before heading on his way. Upon arriving at the mansion, Strax found Beatrice and Samira waiting for him at the entrance. Both seemed worried, but upon seeing him, their faces lit up. "Strax, are you okay?" Beatrice asked, running to hug him first, which made Samira... well, not very happy about it.
"Yes, I am. Just had a long day," he replied, hugging her back. "Come here, you too," he said, calling Samira, who kissed him quickly.
"All as it should be," he thought.