The Villain's Story

Chapter 667: [667] The influence of Darkness.(2)

”We can work around it, it isnʼt an absolute law that the influence of the elements will always work. Your species may be highly susceptible to it, but you can avoid it.”

Azmakul explained. While every element did have a special influence on the user, it also didnʼt change them completely unless in special situations. The ʼchangeʼ could be minimized, utilized, and even avoided completely. How that would happen, was something only Azmakul knew how to do.

”The simplest way to do this is to engrave a rune into you, one that heightens your emotions, but not to a degree where it will affect you negatively in serious situations.”

He spoke with ease, as the mana in the surroundings condensed in his hands to perform a peculiar palm sized symbol.

”... A hashtag?”

Sabrina looked at the hashtag that manifested itself in Azmakulʼs hands with interest, and mild confusion. It looked like a hashtag, but the ends were crooked and pointing inwards.

”I have no idea what a ʼhashtagʼ is, but this is a standard rune used to negate the influence of elements, in cases where it is extreme. The artifacts you possess serve a similar function, but at the expense of mana, which can be used somewhere else.”

The symbol floated towards her, Sabrina found herself unable to look at it for a prolonged period, but was drawn to it nonetheless.

”And this wonʼt consume my mana?”

She asked, raising her hand in an attempt to touch it, but she was unable to do so, the rune evaded her hand.

She felt a little insulted by that, for some unknown reason.

”I can engrave it onto you, and we can proceed to our next lesson.”

The rune vanished into thin air, and Azmakulʼs weird face caught her attention once more. Spending some time to think, she asked.

”What would you be teaching, and why personally? Why waste your time with me instead of Alan?”

Azmakul tilted his head, and chuckled.

”You made two mistakes right there.

One is you think this amount of time is of any significant importance to me, and the other is you think the prince needs my guidance more.

The prince requires only the minimum amount of guidance, just enough to steer him into the right path, he just has to go forth on his own. I had my concerns about his combat ability, but he is surprisingly well-versed in the art of combat.

His regeneration is also an amazing ability, with all those abilities of his, he is a force to be reckoned with in his own rank...”

He paused for a bit, stroking his chin, and went deep in thought.

”If I had to make an assumption, he can hold his own even against SSS-ranked individuals using everything he can at his disposal. An epic being would be too much, though.”

She had to agree, she had witnessed Alan almost kill the sword saint back in Gigantia, if not for her timely intervention, she feared Sword Saint Arken may have died that day.

Granted, Alan was in the form of enlightenment, but she had a hunch he could still ʼhold his ownʼ against individuals of the same rank.

Killing them may be questionable, but he wouldnʼt be pushed around. She was sure of that. ”And as pathetic as your cohort is, you are the one who needs my guidance most. I would have opted to just send a spirit to teach you, but the soul crystal you possess makes you... Special. As infuriating as it is.”

Ignoring her, He asked a question.

”In your cohort, based on combat ability, where do you think you rank?”

She had to think for a moment, if it was based on pure combat ability then Alan was undoubtedly at the top, the second place was debatable between Alexander and Kazikato. Though Kazikato may have won their previous bout, it was hard to say who would come out on top if it was to happen again.

She would still Kazikato a higher rate of approval, he was a dragon, whilst Alexander was not. Whatever he was, he surely wasnʼt equal to a dragon of death, as young as the dragon was.

Leaving the second and third spots empty... She would be next. She was confident she could defeat Olivia, Emma, and Edward easily. Maxwell wasnʼt worth considering.

”What your thinking is wrong.”

Before she could answer, Azmakul interrupted her thoughts.

”While you may have an edge on the female fox, her brother will be a tough foe for you. The human girl with silver hair is definitely able to defeat you.”

”Thatʼs impossible.”

She didnʼt believe it, she couldnʼt imagine losing to them at all! Edward and Olivia would get obliterated before they could even get close to her. She would blast them away, in powerful

lightning!

”You lack any sort of close combat ability, in a battle where they isnʼt anybody to draw attention and allow you to leisurely cast spells, you would most definitely die.

The fox wouldnʼt find it hard to dodge your spells, and his natural resistance and instincts are enough to save him if he makes a mistake, as for the girl, she may look uninterested, but even she is trained, at both long and close range combat.

Your edge in long-range combat over them is insignificant. The moment they close the distance, you die.”

Without giving her a chance to retort, he stood up and caused the mana in the surroundings to move like a storm, and summoned strange crystals in his hand.

”With this, we have plenty of time. I will teach you four things, The sorcery of names, runes,

circles, and the knowledge to use the crystal bound to you, for special occasions.”

Despite how cold and tired she was, she found herself backing away as the smile on the dragonʼs mask irked her.

”As for physical combat, just ask the prince for lessons.”

He floated into the sky, and the crystals in his hand shone with incandescent light.