The Inner Odyssey

What exactly did it mean to be an [Adept]?

Well, for starters, it signified that one's mana purity had reached a certain threshold. In other words, the mage in question had a more potent and refined mana pool.

That was not all.

As a direct consequence of possessing more powerful mana, one's proficiency when using Skills also rose, becoming more adept at utilising them.

In Alden's case, his breakthrough was long overdue.

From his very fight against the three scouts to his extended stay in the Wilderness and now the vast horde, the young man had seen more than his fair share of combat. Coupled with the dire urgency of seeing Ignia and Celeste in trouble, he had the catalyst to break through and become an Adept Mage.

A sense of newfound power filled Alden's body. A searing warmth rapidly spread from his core to the rest of his body, engulfing and tempering his frame under his now more potent mana.

He suppressed a wince.

The process was quite painful. That was without mentioning the pain of his brief skirmish against the Dark Elf. Alden gritted his teeth, ignoring the agony running amok through his body.

He turned his focus to his precious familiar and his expression both darkened and softened.

Ignia appeared very weak, having no strength left in her body.

He knew it was because she had unleashed that wave of fire, doubtless using up all her flame essence.

A surge of fury flowed through Alden.

How dare the Dark Elf corner his precious little bird and his love like this!

Alden guided more of his mana towards his right hand where he had stopped the frozen lance with a combination of [Shield], [Dark Tentacles] and his Magic Class. The gelid weapon was still going, though, intent on skewering him, Ignia and Celeste.

Alden didn't let it. He increased his grip, pouring more of his decay over the ice spear until it eventually crumbled into nothingness.

He slowly straightened, gazing at his corrupted foe with an endless, furious bloodlust.

If he hadn't broken through in the nick of time - a feat that had helped him increase his speed considerably - then the two people he cared about most would have met their end. And to Alden, that was completely unacceptable.

He snarled, his fury palpable.

Ignia cried weakly through their bond and Alden's heart jolted with anxiety.

'It's okay, little one. Don't worry, I've got everything from here. I'll vanquish the bastard that dared to kill you and Cece.'

He handed the little phoenix gingerly back to Celeste. He didn't bother to linger or say anything.

He needed to concentrate.

…And dispose of that blasted Dark Elf.

The young man slowly walked toward his corrupted opponent, the red in his crimson eyes turning deeper and darker. Alden inhaled a chilly breath. The frigid air cooled his lungs.

But not his fury. That was immolating.

He came to a stop a fair distance from the Dark Elf. Both of them stared at each other for a brief moment, as if savouring the calm before the storm.

Alden gritted his teeth and burst forward, [Haste] propelling his figure.

The Dark Elf also moved.

Now that he was an [Adept], the difference between them wasn't too large. At least compared to when he had been an [Apprentice].

Still, even though his speed had doubtless increased, the being with grey-blue skin was faster. In response, Alden placed multiple [Shields] in his immediate vicinity.

He watched as the Dark Elf effortlessly created a gelid blade and struck one of the magical barriers. The [Shield] held for a moment before it collapsed.

Alden used that second to control a tentacle to parry the icy blade.

At the same time he shifted his body, ensuring the frozen weapon whistled past him instead of hitting true. Not wanting to waste the opportunity he had created, Alden covered his fist with decay and punched. He imbued the attack with another dose of [Haste]. It swiftly reached the Dark Elf. The corrupted being parried the blow, barely breaking into a sweat.

It encased its forearm with ice to counteract the dark, roiling power of its human opponent. Then, using Alden's momentum against him, it launched a sudden kick to his side.

The young man erected a thick layer of magical shields. The barriers managed to slow the Dark Elf, but only by a little.

Razor sharp spikes of ice formed on its legs. The [Shields] crumbled almost immediately after.

Alden stayed calm and hurriedly used a few dark tentacles to maneuver himself out of the way. Half of them rushed to stop his corrupted foe's attack, while the other half burrowed into the snow a couple of metres away.

Alden tugged on them.

With their help, he could take a step back and exit the range of the Dark Elf's harrowing kick.

Activating an improved version of [Haste] once again, Alden closed the distance he had just created. He formed a claw, wishing to mar the Dark Elf's ghastly face.

That would be a fitting punishment for making his loved ones suffer.

'Die!'

Alden roared.

However, in the next moment, the pain he felt suddenly multiplied. He groaned and staggered.

…That was enough of a disturbance to mess up his attack.

It seemed his breakthrough didn't magically heal his pre-existing injuries. Instead, with a hint of dread, Alden realised that it had only made them worse.

'Damn it!'

He gritted his teeth, his eyes unconsciously watering under the pain. The Dark Elf made full use of the gift handed to it and formed another gelid blade.

Alden desperately tried to block, but to no avail. The frozen lance pierced his right shoulder.

Alden screamed.

Immediately after, the Dark Elf stabbed his other shoulder.

A bigger scream tore through his throat.

Alden's throat quickly turned raw.

He fell to his knees and gasped.

The Dark Elf wasn't done there.

It kicked him in the chest - Alden had tried to put a [Shield] there, but that was quickly destroyed. He groaned, his awareness muddled from the pain. As he fell on his back, the Dark Elf ruthlessly stabbed both his legs.

An agonised croak left his lips.

He stared at his corrupted foe with hatred and defiance. He would not give the Dark Elf the satisfaction of breaking him. And so, Alden burned his opponent's visage in his mind. He kept staring and staring, and staring some more.

The Dark Elf displayed a jagged set of teeth, triumph, amusement and disdain apparent in its gaze.

Alden ignored that, though.

He focused and focused, and focused some more.

Eventually, his eyes turned bloodshot.

A burning sensation enveloped them.

…And it was then that Alden finally understood the prerequisite to unlock the second stage of his Magic Class.

Following his instincts, he flooded his left eye with mana. In the next moment, a tenebrous lance shot straight for the Dark Elf

From such a short distance, it seemed all but impossible to dodge.

A burst of blood impaired Alden's vision, yet through his Mana sense, he perceived the dark blade pierce the corrupted creature's shoulder. It had managed to shift its body at the last moment, evading a blow to the heart.

The Dark Elf's arm quickly began to decay. It instinctively chopped off the appendage, escaping the gruesome fate of being decayed into nothingness.

It swiftly retreated.

As the Dark Elf's arm fell to the ground with a thud, Alden's eyelids threatened to close.

He sensed his awareness turned faint.

…Death was just around the corner.

'...No.'

He thought hazily.

Yet no amount of praying would change his reality. At the back of his mind, he registered Celeste releasing an anguished scream from afar. A pang of sadness appeared in his heart at the thought of leaving his precious love behind.

He sighed internally, a little depressed.

Just before darkness fully enveloped his vision, Alden thought he saw an older version of Celeste walking through a beautiful meadow, a happy smile on her face.

Alden's lips instinctively curled into a small smile.

In the next moment, everything went dark.