Free Web NovelChapter 224: Disciples [3]
"Gabriel, I want you to tell me what happened. I can’t hold this stupidity anymore. That’s an order." Lucas said with a firm tone and in an authoritative manner that made Gabriel feel that Lucas was angry for a short time.
For some moment, Gabriel’s eyes turned into a tamed lion, teary for some moment as he eyed Lucas’s anger. His head was down, internally feeling guilty of his anger. He could also feel that Lucas was serious about being angry at him. Thus, he took a big gulp and stated his thoughts.
"I am sorry for the misunderstanding, Master. You don’t have any fault with what happened. It was my fault for not being enough, despite the fact that you had already left me techniques that I could use in critical situations. Therefore, I cannot blame you for it. Please forgive me."
Lucas sighed, seeing Gabriel’s soft expression. As he realized that he had also clenched his fist, Lucas could see that it was indeed a heavy topic for Gabriel.
’This is absurd. There is no useful matter to be discussed in such a dragging manner.’ Lucas thought. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
"Master, my clan has already perished. They were trampled and massacred by a nearby village. The protective grand array formation that you left was destroyed, making the clan defenseless."
As soon as he heard that, he had a recollection of what conditions he had put into the barrier. Since it was a dependent array, seeking Qi was applied. Lucas realized that Gabriel might not be around, resulting in the array collapsing.
’It was my fault...?’ As guilty as it seemed, Lucas clenched his fist. ’Then, there was a reason why he was angry with me. I cannot blame him as it was my fault.’
"Master, it is not your fault. It was our lackings that caused our village to perish, and I had already avenged them. There is no need for you to feel guilt."
’Even if you say that, I gave you false hope.’
***
[Lucas’s Point of View]
It was hard for me. I didn’t expect that it was the reason why they left their village. And from my memories, it seemed that I really gave them false hope. However, I can also understand that it was part of their fate. ’Wars are inevitable, and so is death.’
I wish that he could talk to me freely. I didn’t mean casual but open with me. His eyes just became dark and deep in front of me, and he didn’t even dare to ask anything about me.
Am I still his master?
’Subjectively, things are indeed hard. Emotions are sometimes difficult to look at, but empathy and sympathy are important matters in growing up.’
"Master,"
I was sitting on top of the roof of the main building when I heard Gabriel’s voice behind me. I looked back and saw him lowering his head in respect.
"What is it?"
"Can you please teach me the Shadow Movement Technique?"
It was the subject I had been waiting for, and he finally inquired about it. However, I noticed that he was reluctant to make that kind of request of me. I could see his fist forming behind his back. I realized it could only make me shake my head.
"That is good to hear."
I wanted to be his real master. The purpose of visiting him was to find someone who could teach him to prosper and grow. And seeing that he was dead serious about his request, I smiled.
"Then, prepare yourself because this training won’t be easy."
***
[Third Person’s Point of View]
A week had passed. Lucas was sitting on top of a tree, watching Gabriel play with the shadows in front of him. He was playing as an assassin, and his entering the shadows was a challenge for him.
In the span of a week, Lucas taught him to be flexible with shadows. Connecting with it was the first phase he needed to focus on. And every time he failed, he felt a pain strike on him and disconnect, forcing him out of the shadows.
"That is better, Gabriel. Keep it up." Lucas shouted as he saw Gabriel disheartened by the result of his effort. But, Lucas here was willing to lighten his mood and motivate him.
’It made me worried for a short time, but his endurance to the recoil of the shadow movement was improving. Later on, he will get used to the feeling of controlling the shadow course. I can see that he indeed has a talent in every field.’ Lucas let out a sigh.
Meanwhile, as Gabriel was still dejected, deep inside, he was also motivating himself. Even though on the outside he was mad about his progress, on the inside he was elated.
"I am getting better. I can see it now." He mumbled in joy as he took another course of the shadow.
He disappeared into the shadows, moving like the shadow of a snake, following the shadows of the rocks around him. And as he finally had the chance to reach the tree where Lucas was sitting, suddenly, he was forced out of it.
He panted, but with a smile. "I can finally travel through shadows within 30 seconds and 100 meters."
Lucas smiled as well, wide as if grinning in delight. He jumped off the tree and tapped Gabriel’s back and said, "You finally reached the requirement to intake the pill for shadow aptitude."
Gabriel continued panting, then, with perplexity, asked. "What do you mean by that, Master?"
"Shadow Movement Technique is originally from the Heavenly Demon Sect. But, with a few modifications, it became the Magique Shadow Movement. Thus, with what I mean by aptitude, it is surrounded by your unique cultivation, which is the Magique Cultivation."
Lucas ended his explanation and followed with his soliloquy, ’It was a nice idea that I prepared the Enigma Pill. Although it is not totally for the Magique Shadow Movement, it gives the person who had intaken it the ability to be flexible in puzzling techniques.’
"Then, I am ready, Master!"
***
Another week had passed, and Lucas was walking down a path by himself. Around him were tall green trees and a gloomy atmosphere. Currently, he was going to the next target person that he would bring to the Northern Continent. As Gabriel had already accepted his call, now Lucas was down to another 4 people.
What he was told was about a cultivator named Manigi. He is a unique wood cultivator who creates branches of wood as his offensive specialty attack. Although it was weird, Lucas came to visit him to see it for himself. And as he arrived at the dense forest where it was said his house was, he was blocked by a few erected wooden fences.
"A wood bender," Lucas mumbled as he had a recollection of the ability in front of him. Although he was not sure if there was a similarity, Lucas had already seen this kind of ability, and it was way back in Encanta.
In Encanta, there were also different types of aptitude for passive abilities that could give people uniqueness in their magic talent. And as ’wood bending’ was one of the unique ones, he could not help but smile in nostalgia.
"How did you learn the name of my cultivation?" A sudden voice loomed behind him, and as he turned his head, he was threatened more. "Don’t. If you continue to move, I will pierce it through your neck."
Lucas smirked and just shook his head. "That is impossible." He stated.
"What did you say?"
Lucas continued to smile, and slowly, the wood that was holding his neck behind deteriorated. The person behind it was shocked that he almost panicked about what had happened to his woods.
"What is happening?! How is this possible?"
’It is not uncertainty. It has different similarities with the passive ability, hence, I was able to negate its build. But, there was just a question in my head. How was that possible?’
"Who are you?"
"You should stop hiding. You know, I already know where you are." Lucas stated and looked in one direction, where a gigantic tree was standing. "I am Lucas White, a faction leader from the Xiao Dynasty. I heard that you were a squad leader. Is that true?"
Dejected by his exposed concealment, Manigi revealed himself. He was a young man in appearance, with slightly long hair reaching his shoulders. He was slightly well built, and he wore a minimalistic robe that had few tattering in its sew.
"You are a faction leader? Then it explains how you were able to overpower my cultivation. Still, an impossible one. But, why are you here? I am just an ex-squad leader."
Lucas scoffed and made a smug face in front of him. "Oh, you don’t know what is coming. I am here to ask you to join me."
"What if I don’t want to? What are you going to do?"
Lucas was speechless for a second and then smiled afterward. "Killing you would be just absurd. Aren’t you afraid of offending me?"
"Oh no. I am ready to die by now." Manigi jokingly said.
"Then, how about this? I will tell you something more about your cultivation? Aren’t you curious how I was able to negate your power?"
