Lucen was staring intently at the four books on the table. He knew about the other three and was already ready to pick one, but then Faust showed another one, and like the others, it was good but had some limitations.
’Damn, should I just choose the skill I’m already familiar with, or should I pick the new skill?’
Lucen started thinking about what to pick. He was originally going to pick the pressure point technique because of its versatility, but now with the new skill, RELEASE, it had competition.
’Based on the description of the technique, it feels like an awakening skill that most RPG protagonists have. Now that I think about it, didn’t Alexander have a similar technique?’
Lucen’s memories of the game he used to play in his past life were clearer than most since he played it for so long, and he remembered that Alexander did have something similar to RELEASE.
It was a power that he manifested using nothing but his willpower. When the damage he accumulated had reached a certain point, and when his HP dropped to a certain threshold, he was able to enter his Burst Mode, which increased his stats for a few turns.
It was written in lore that this state was reached by Alexander because of his never-give-up attitude, and his willpower to protect those who are precious to him. It was a manifestation of his fighting spirit.
’Maybe that’s the reason why Faust never offered this technique to Alexander, since that guy already had something similar, and in a way better. Since Alexander’s Burst Mode did not have the drawbacks RELEASE has, but there was still a time limit for its use.’
Lucen stared at the four books, and while he was thinking his companions remained quiet, allowing him to think.
Sir Thalos, Harlik, and Mark had their own opinions as to which technique Lucen should pick, but they kept their opinions to themselves as they understood Lucen would choose what was best. If they added to his thoughts, it might lead to a bad decision.
’Should I just choose the technique I’m sure of?...’ Lucen closed his eyes for a second and smiled as he opened them. ’I guess there really wasn’t that much to think of in the first place. There’s a new technique I haven’t tried, of course, as a gamer and a completionist, I need to choose that. Not to mention the technique could be good when used in a desperate situation.’
Lucen’s hand moved towards the book about RELEASE. "I pick this one."
When Lucen picked up the book on RELEASE, Faust had a soft smile on his face. On the other hand, Lucen was hoping that once he made his choice, he would instantly learn the technique, but there was nothing.
’I was hoping that I would just touch skill books and I’ll learn them. It would seem that my system just likes me doing everything manually.’
After Lucen made his choice, Faust, with swift and precise movements, took the remaining three books and hid them back into the chest.
"So you have made your choice, give the book to me for a while," Faust spoke to Lucen.
Lucen handed the book to Faust, who got some ink and a brush that were on the side. He then started writing something in the book.
"Since you have a mana core and have aura, I need to revise some parts of the technique to make the two powers flow properly."
When the trio heard that Lucen had aura, they were shocked. Even though it had been a while since Lucen had awakened his aura, only a few knew that he had awakened it.
"Young master!" Sir Thalos suddenly had tears in his eyes. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"Your efforts... They’ve finally borne fruit," He said with great joy, but still tearing up."The training you have spent your entire life doing without stopping, no matter what anyone said, has finally paid off! I’m so happy for, young master!"
Harlik gave him a long look, then snorted. "To think you’ve been keeping something from us." He thumped Lucen’s back with a meaty hand
"It’s not like I wanted to keep it a secret, but the fewer who know, the better. So you guys better keep your mouths shut."
"Come on, little leader. You can trust us, we won’t speak a word of it, right, Mark?"
"Yeah, I promise you that I would never betray you, little leader. So I’ll die first before telling your secret." Mark spoke with such conviction that it made Harlik and Lucen feel a little weird.
"No need to go that far. Just keep it a secret as much as you can, and if somebody learns about it, then let it go."
While Lucen’s group was talking, Faust finished his revision of the book. "I have fulfilled a part of my promise." He mumbled to himself. Faust then handed the book back to Lucen.
"Yes, thank you for this."
"No need to thank me. I simply gave out an old book."
Lucen’s group stayed for a little while in Faust’s house. The book had few words in it and was mostly pictures, so Lucen had a ton of questions. After gaining the answers he needed, Lucen, in front of Faust, tried the RELEASE technique.
Lucen did as was instructed. Despite just learning it, his body moved with uncanny precision, as if the technique had always been part of him.
’First, you want me to do it manually, now you’re helping me activate it? Why not just give me the skill then? Such a f*cking weird system.’ Lucen sighed as he continued.
His breathing had changed, and his heartbeat started beating faster and faster. His veins bulged as blood rushed faster through his body, pounding in sync with his accelerating heartbeat.
Lucen’s muscles expanded a little and then suddenly compressed. There was steam radiating from Lucen’s body. He now looked like something akin to a raging demon.
Lucen could feel strength surging from within, but at the same time, he was feeling incredible muscle pain. It was then that the system notification screen appeared before him.
[Gained an Active Skill: RELEASE (NOVICE)]
The second he saw the system notification deactivated the skill. Once the skill was deactivated, Lucen felt intense pain. It was like his muscles were chewed on and were now being pounded by hammers.
Lucen’s body shuddered. The pain was like fire threading through every vein, like something inside him had been pulled too tight and suddenly snapped. His breathing turned ragged. Each beat of his heart felt like a hammer blow on bruised flesh.
Lucen could not remain standing as a sudden nausea hit him. Lucen’s knee hit the ground hard, and breathing was getting harder. It was as if he were drowning.
He was now sweating bullets as everything was painful. He could taste iron in his mouth. Was he bleeding internally? He could not tell. He had been hit and stabbed before, but the pain he was feeling right now was like no other.
"Young master!" Sir Thalos quickly moved to Lucen’s side.
"What happened to him?!"
Both Harlik and Mark asked at the same time, both ready to attack Faust. Despite knowing they were no match, they still grabbed the hilts of their swords, ready to defend their little leader.
Faust was not offended by their actions. It was not like they could do anything to him, even if they did attack altogether. He had already assessed their capabilities and knew the strongest among them, Sir Harlik, was at the beginning stage of the fifth aura mantle. They had no chance of touching him, much less claiming victory.
Still, he was actually quite impressed by them. Their loyalty to Lucen seemed to be genuine, and the way they acted in his defense without fear, despite understanding the disparity in their abilities, could be applauded.
Faust then shifted his attention to Lucen, who seemed to be in great pain, and nodded his head in approval.
’To think he would be able to activate the technique in his first try. Truly a talented young man. The way he uses it is still crude and will cost him the most pain, but that will be improved over time with a little practice.’
"This is merely the aftereffects of using RELEASE. The young one is still not that proficient in its use, which is why he’s feeling so much pain. Even if he does master the technique, it will only lessen the pain, not erase it."
Faust approached Lucen, and of course, the trio blocked his path.
"Don’t worry, I won’t harm the young one, just ease his pain."
Harlik and Mark looked at Sir Thalos, waiting to see what they should do. Sir Thalos, seeing how much pain their young master was in, nodded his head.
"We will trust you, Sir Faust."
The three gave way, and Faust kneeled in front of Lucen. Faust, with swift, practiced motions, pressed several pressure points. Lucen stopped breathing heavily and fainted.
"He will wake up after a while feeling better."
The three looked at Lucen, who was breathing calmly, unconscious, and felt relieved.
"Thank you, Sir Faust." Sir Thalos placed his right hand on his chest and bowed. Harlik and Mark followed suit.
"There’s no need to thank me. I just did what I wanted to do. Nothing more, nothing less." Faust stood up. "Now, while we wait for the young one to wake up, do you want to have some tea?"