After a grueling week of intense training under Lamech without being able to see anyone and constantly teetering on the verge of death—Asher progressed at an outstanding pace.
Finally, after a week, he sat cross-legged, a fine sword planted firmly into the soil beside him as Lamech approached.
“Come. Let me see what you have learned today.”
Asher rose to his feet, opening his eyes and wrapping his fingers around the hilt of the fine steel sword while his gaze locked on the white bear.
Swoosh!
With a light tap of his foot, he closed the gap between them in an instant, unleashing a slash that appeared horizontal at first glance but was slanted to a subtle angle to seal off any openings!
Lamech squinted in approval before blocking the strike and lunging for Asher’s throat. His attack was swift and effective, but Asher’s footwork granted him an undeniably stunning agility.
Before Lamech could follow through, Asher had already shifted to the right and had unleashed a horizontal cut while moving forward.
Lamech breathed out white mist as he slapped the sword away, momentarily losing his balance due to poor positioning. Rising onto his fours, he breathed out again—this time, a thicker, frost-laced mist.
His eyes narrowed.
Asher had entered a new threshold. A realm where he no longer needed to release his frost deliberately but could let it flow naturally within him!
This meant that although there was no ice in sight, the sheer cold radiating from him would inflict unbearable pain on those nearby—sometimes even freezing them solid!
Even Lamech, an ancient-ranked mythical beast, felt the chill!
‘This monster… I had no expectations that he would master it in just one week—let alone transform his entire fighting style!’
While speaking inwardly, Lamech watched Asher shift his stance, his sword tilting downward.
Then—he moved.
He burst forth, unleashing a swift cut that sliced through the air, immediately followed by a clenched fist. The moment Asher’s knuckles touched Lamech’s shoulder, jagged ice spread outward.
Had it been anyone else, the frost would have pierced through their flesh, killing them instantly. But Lamech’s hide was far too tough.
“You’ve done well.” Lamech nodded, watching Asher slide his sword back into its scabbard.
“Focus on refining your cut—make it sharper, strong. Belial’s army will soon be at our doorpost.”
Asher tilted his head. “What about Sirius? Even if piercing his heart with Ithamar can restore him, how can I do it when I can’t wield the sword?”
“When the time comes, I shall be there to assist you.”
Hearing that, Asher nodded and walked away with Lamech.
_____
Deep within the Forest of Shadows, a rowdy camp of humans gathered, some leaning against trees while some were perched on the branches above.
“It’s been a week since I saw Asher,” Eder muttered. “Last I heard, the chief of the White Lotus has been training him.”
The others turned to Alex, who had been training with the White Lotus ever since Zillah warned them of the impending war.
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“Are we going to fight with those beasts?” Mahil asked, his eyes shifting to Eder.
“We have no choice,” Eder replied.
“Would you prefer leaving when a mythical creature—one that is capable of enchanting and taking over your consciousness—already knows about your presence?” David sighed.
“The birds in the skies are its eyes,” Jesiah added, staring at his sword. “We can’t escape being seen.”
“Then why would that bear train Asher and not us all?” Jed scowled. “What makes him so special? Just because he is a lord?”
A tense silence fell over the group as everyone looked at him with varied expressions.
Jed barely had the time to react before Alex spoke—his voice eerily calm.
“Jed… I do not appreciate the way you speak to my lord.” His tone was ice-cold. “And I have made up my mind… to kill you”
The moment those words came out of Alex’s mouth, all eyes were fixed on him.
Witnessing the cold glare Alex gave to Jed, Eder was certain that the man wasn’t joking.
“…If you don’t plead for forgiveness.”
Shing!
“Come and make your lord proud, loyal dog!” Jed unsheathed his sword, pointing it at Alex’s face.
Alex responded in an instant. His sword swung upwards so fast that Jed barely had the time to react. Stunned, Jed stumbled backwards, swiveling as he swung his sword horizontally in a desperate counterattack.
Swish!
Alex touched his cheek, his eyes narrowing upon the sight of his bloodstained fingers.
Boom!
His wings sprouted, this time as if made of pure gold and a radiant halo formed above him, radiating formless pressure that filled the air.
His black eyes revealed a bright golden glow and his fiery energy erupted around him, enveloping the entire place.
“W… what!” Eder stuttered, his eyes wide open.
The others also could only stare, unable to believe the transformation that had unfolded before their very eyes.
Was this Alex’s true form all along?!
The sheer force radiating from him was overwhelming. Even Eder, the strongest among them, felt humbled by the overbearing force. One moment, Alex was hovering in the air—then, in the blink of an eye, they found him right before Jed.
As their swords clashed, Alex’s sword cut through Jed’s like it was paper. Before Jed could retreat, Alex’s head smashed into his skull, sending him flying 100 yards away.
Eventually, he crashed into a tree with a loud thud, causing the branches to shake and leaves to fall on the knight.
“So you’ve been holding back all this while,” Jed spat, staggering to his feet, only to see Alex standing right before him once again with his sword poised at his abdomen.
“One more word, and you die.”
Jed stiffened.
“Alex, that’s enough,” Eder spoke with an amicable tone.
The others, even David who believed himself second only to Eder, stared at Alex in silence, his expressions amid as Alex overflowed with golden-coloured force.
In this state, Alex was too glorious to be considered a mere human.
How could someone like him be loyal to a man as young as Asher? Was there more to him than his strength?
While the knights grappled with these thoughts, elsewhere in the desolate part of the forest, Asher was seated cross-legged with his eyes closed, alone.
His mere presence caused layers of frost to appear on the ground, tree trunks, branches, leaves—everything within 100 yards around him!
His mana flared out in a dazzling mix of gold, white, blue and crimson glow.
He had mastered internal absolute zero!
Anything or anyone 100 meters around him would freeze almost instantly. Even if they were knights with strong bodies, breathing the air in this space would be painful and gradually their organs would also start failing from the creeping frost.
At a certain level, the cold became extremely unbearable. Agonizing.
This was that level.
This was Asher in his new rank.
The Saint Rank!