Child of Destiny

…

Clang! Clang!

Bang!

Swoosh!

After enduring yet another barrage of strikes from the combined forces of the Eclipse Clone and Elemental Clone, Shin was sent flying once again.

He flipped multiple times in the air before landing on the ground on his feet, skidding back while reducing the force that he just received from the impact.

Swoosh!

Shing!

On his left, the Sword Phantom suddenly appeared and threw yet another quick-draw attack, seemingly trying to cut him in halves.

Shin quickly responded and swung his sword to the side.

Bang!

His strike seemed to be a casual swing, but surprisingly, it was so strong and heavy that it forced the Sword Phantom to retreat right after the collision.

Swoosh!

That simple strike from Shin was not actually a simple one. Instead, it was a strike filled with the toughness and sharpness of Metal Element.

His sword was also glowing with a metallic radiance with glittering lights on its surface. It seemed to be metal particles that were floating in the air and surrounding the sword.

This was the Metal Elemental Mana that he currently controlled.

After fighting these clones and getting defeated repeatedly, Shin reached his tenth attempt for his Promotion Class.

He was pretty much exhausted both mentally and physically, but he was still rather excited. It was because he was finally able to gain a benefit that he would never expect.

After his repeated collisions with the Elemental Clone, he was able to adapt to its style and learned a couple of things. Through his ‘True Sight’ Skill and sharp mind, he was able to copy one of the tricks of the clone – the elemental shift and control.

Having such an inspiration, Shin tried testing some of the ideas that he just gained. With that, he started using the newly improved skills that he had gotten from Astaroth – the Metal Synergy and Pulse of Earth Elemental Skills.

These skills improved his control over Metal Elemental Mana and even gained a certain understanding of them.

He was constantly using these skills whenever their cooldowns ended. He was trying his best to familiarize himself with this element while constantly infusing it with the ‘Judgement Form’ of ‘Mondi’s Style’.

Pairing his greatsword with the ‘Telekinesis’ Skill that he had gotten from Grimrace, Shin was able to fully mimic the movements and sword techniques of the Elemental Clone when using the same form.

He still could not use the Earth Elemental Mana along with the other elements that were currently under his arsenal, but he was able to use both Fire and Metal Elemental Mana together.

He could either shift between the two or wield them together.

Naturally, his control over Fire Elemental Mana was still much better compared to the Metal Elemental Mana since he had the Solar Breathing Technique to control the former.

But with the help of Metal Synergy and Pulse of Earth, along with the basic Metal Breathing Technique that he had already learned from the real world, he was able to bridge the gap temporarily and create an equilibrium.

This resulted in the current form that he had right now.

What was surprising was he just found out that this element perfectly matched his Mentalism Methods. Or to be more precise, the ‘Sacred White Tiger Method’ of the ‘Four Symbol Scripture’ and even the sword-drawing style of his ‘Jade Kirin Scripture’.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

A hail of blades suddenly fell from above and started pouring toward Shin.

Shin did not even bother to look and calmly raised the sheath on his left hand before transforming it into a transparent greatsword.

‘Legacy Skill: Mondi’s Style – Judgement Form’

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Infusing the Metal Elemental Mana under his control, Shin used the surface of the greatsword to block the incoming hail of blades.

He was using it as some sort of umbrella.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Taking this opportunity provided by the Doppel Phantom, the three other clones made their moves simultaneously and surrounded Shin in three different directions.

They then launched a series of coordinated attacks, not giving Shin any time to catch his breath.

Looking at them, Shin remained calm and collected. He had been fighting these four for quite some time now, so there was no panic as he was already used to their respective styles.

Using the ‘Telekinesis’ skill, Shin let go of the greatsword and left it hovering above his head. Then used one of the blessings of the [Yamato] and made it split into two, turning it into a pair of katanas.

Holding the twin swords in each of his hands, Shin tightened his grip over them before regulating his breathing. He simultaneously used the ‘Solar Breathing Technique’ and the ordinary ‘Metal Breathing Technique’.

At the same time, he used the ‘Metal Synergy’ and ‘Pulse of Earth’ Elemental Skills once again.

Psh! Psh! Psh!

Silent sounds of metal sparks could be heard as he did this. It was as if the Mental Elemental Mana was currently being melted by the Fire Elemental Mana.

It was because the equilibrium between the two elements was broken. Shin was now using the Power of Brilliant Sun instead of the ordinary Fire Elemental Mana.

He did not have a choice since he did not have any control over any kind of higher form of Metal Elemental Mana.

The balance was broken. The fire was now stronger than the mental and started melting it.

But Shin did not panic as this was his initial intention. This was one of the destruction cycles of the elements – fire melts metal.

In weakness, there was also strength.

With the melted Metal Element that fused with the Power of the Brilliant Sun, Shin swung his pair of swords and blocked the combined assaults of the three clones surrounding him.

And instead of using the original version of this sword technique, he used the in-game version since it perfectly matched his current form.

‘Legendary Combat Technique: Infinity Edge’

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

With a series of swings, he deflected the incoming strikes in a steady manner while also borrowing the force behind each of the attacks of his enemies and returning it to them twofold.

There seemed to be a splatter of melted metal mixed in the blazing trail of his sword left in the air. This created an illusion where Shin was currently surrounded by a blazing net while he was swinging his swords.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The exchange continued for a few more moments before the threw clones started using a more advanced technique. They increased their paces and strengths, putting more pressure on Shin.

Shin did not panic and started controlling the greatsword hovering over his head.

Swoosh! Swoosh!

Clang! Clang!

On top of his pair of swords, he now had another one that he would swing through his will. His movements were quite crude at first since it was hard to perfectly synergize his attacks with the addition of the greatsword. But he was able to adjust after a few more exchanges, getting used to the rhythm.

Splitting his mind and doing multiple jobs at once was one of his strong points since he had monstrous willpower.

Even though he was just randomly swinging the greatsword through his will and without a proper technique, it did not affect the ‘Infinity Edge’ since he kept this floating sword right outside the range of attacks.

It was for not affecting each of his attacks.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!

The intense changes continued until Shin was finally able to force the three of them to retreat. He then broke free from their encirclement to make sure that he would not be trapped again.

At that point, the duration of his two elemental skills finally ended, which also made him sigh in disappointment.

“I guess I have to find a way to control a higher form of Metal Elemental Mana,” muttered Shin to himself before adjusting his breathing once again.

Now that he had learned another element that was suited for him, he could start awakening his second innate attribute later.

This was quite a surprise for him, which also made him respect Professor Henry more. Everything that this old professor had told him was happening one after another, making him want to learn more from the professor.

Once he awakened his second innate attribute, he would next train some of the advanced techniques under the Sacred White Tiger Method both in the real world and inside the game.

He would not have any problem in the real world since everything there would be under the supervision of his seniors. As long as he awakened the innate attribute properly and trained his control over it under strict training, then he would be fine.

He could also find a suitable breathing technique for it, which could be comparable to his Solar Breathing Technique, as long as he asked Professor Henry for some help. The Springfield Family was also there, which would definitely look for such breathing techniques if he mentioned it.

But his in-game progress would definitely have some problems. He would never be able to achieve the absolute balance between the two elements if he did not find a higher form of Mental Elemental Mana that was comparable with the Power of the Brilliant Sun.

Knowing that he was starting to lose in his thoughts, Shin decided to end this current attempt for now.

He waved his hand and surrendered before directly exiting the trail ground.

Once he did, he found himself back in the place where he met Kentas earlier. But this time, the NPC was nowhere to be found. It seemed like he had left Shin in this place without waiting for his result.

Looking around, Shin found that it was already dark. It looked like he had spent quite a lot of time inside the trial ground already.

He instinctively turned his head to gaze at the digital clock in the corner of his eyes and noticed that it was only a day inside the game.

He thought that he had lost track of time when he was inside the trial ground and missed his wake-up time. But it seemed like he still had plenty of time before it happened.

But despite having that much time, Shin did not have the mood to continue exploring the game. He just learned his second innate attribute just now, so he had to study it further if he wanted to awaken it.

Having that thought in mind, Shin decided to make plans for his next progression. He needed to further study the Mental Elemental Mana, so he had to be in a place that was rich with it.

He did not have to think much about it since he already had a perfect place for it. He then quickly summoned Hanzo and Vladimir when such a thought crossed his mind.

When the two materialized in their humanoid forms in front of him, Shin quickly voiced out his thoughts. “I need to enter the independent dimension where your Rebirthing Place is located. Is it possible?”

Vladimir quickly flashed a lazy expression before saying. “It is troublesome. Don’t ever think about it.”

On the other hand, Hanzo gave him a detailed answer. “It is possible, but you have to prepare quite a few things before you can enter.”

“Before, that powerful being helped you enter it, so you are able to enter that place without a problem. But it is impossible for our current selves since we currently command a limited amount of power.”

“Our real strengths are currently being restricted due to the restraints of the world.”

The old spirit paused for a moment before continuing. “The truth, entering is just one of your problems. Exiting it will also be a little troublesome.”

“We are only able to exit that independent dimension due to me borrowing the powers of the seal of that world. But now that it had become free from the corruption, that seal no longer existed.”

“Aside from us, elemental spirits who have made that place into our rebirthing place, it is pretty much impossible to enter and exit it at will.”

Shin suddenly felt a little dejected when he heard that.

But before he lost his hope, Hanzo quickly added. “But that does not mean it is completely impossible. You just have to create a dimensional token connected to that world, similar to the one that you currently have.”

Hearing that, Shin could not help but turn his gaze at his status window. There, he could see a certain icon that represented the ‘Key to the Chamber of Secrets’. It was an item that would let him enter the trial grounds where he previously fought his four clones.

It seemed like it had already fused with him after Kentas sent him to the trial grounds.

Understanding what Hanzo had meant, Shin turned to the old spirit and asked. “So, what do I need to create such a token?”

Hanzo closed his eyes, shook his head, and smiled bitterly. He then turned his gaze back to Shin and said. “You are asking the wrong person. If you want to craft such an item, then you have to ask that Saint Blacksmith friend of yours.”

“Ah!” remembering Berlin, Shin slightly nodded his head in understanding.

At that moment, Hanzo added. “Once you are done, you can ask two again-… no, I mean three since Astaroth has transferred his rebirthing place in that dimension.”

“If add Goddess Solus and the tiger siblings, then I guess we have six of us, who are using that dimension as our rebirthing place.”

Hearing that, Shin nodded his head and thanked Hanzo before again unsummoning the two elemental spirits.

After that, Shin fell into deep thought before mumbling. “I guess I have to take a rest from my Promotion Quest for today and continue again tomorrow.”

“Let’s study my innate attribute for now,” he added before looking for a place to rest.

He first thought of returning to the city for a better environment. But after thinking about it for a few moments, he decided to stay in this place. Since Kentas was staying here earlier, Shin felt that there must be some secrets here, so it would be better to explore them later when he had time.

In the darkness in the distance, Kentas was hiding while observing Shin. He then nodded his head and praised the latter. “This kid sure is observant. Not bad. Not Bad at all.”

……