Child of Destiny

……

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Within the Virtual Space of the Empyrean Talons, Shin was able to try quite a few things, especially when he was trying to recreate the Heart Realm Technique in the virtual world.

He did not encounter that much of a problem with the technique since it had become a second nature to him. Along with the help of the Reality Manifestation, Shin was able to enter the special state without encountering that many problems.

He repeatedly experimented with this technique, trying all sorts of things.

He then found that all his senses had become extremely sharp under this technique, particularly his Spiritual Sense within the virtual world.

Even all his skills and other techniques had noticeable improvements and enhanced powers. Not only executing them had become much easier and simper, but their overall performance had become more powerful as well.

Even his signature techniques seemed to have undergone transformations, making them much simpler to execute and less complicated. However, their might did not decrease even for a bit and had even become much stronger and more effective than they used to be.

Aside from this, Shin had also realized that his overall attributes seemed to have undergone massive boosts that directly enhanced his combat prowess even further.

“Even my True Sight and Sensing Circle Skills have gained massive boosts with the help of the Heart Realm Technique. It seems like I have buffed myself greatly this time,” mumbled Shin as he finished his current training.

He then opened his message panel to look for any news from the other, learning more about their current situations.

The girls were currently busy with the mission that Jilian had, while Arthur and Leonard were busy with their respective quests that had been pending for quite a while.

Chaotic Luck was current stuck at his troublesome quest once again, still looking for clues on how to clear it.

Huahua was with Akailu in the Bestial Kingdoms to improve their understanding of their respective class and race, while Samael was still accumulating more merits while participating in the ongoing war at the Dark Cloud Kingdom.

What piqued Shin’s interest was the news from Diablo and Alucard, who seemed to be clashing against Demonic Players at some remote kingdom of the Aurora Continent.

Moreover, there were two Demonic Churches involved in that operation, which further piqued his interest. “Demonic Churches of Envy and Terror?”

“Should I give them a visit and lend a hand after I am finished with mt trial?” he mumbled before exiting his training.

Looking at the time, he still had quite a lot of time before his scheduled logout time, so he still could finish quite a lot of things before then.

…

Swoosh!

Not long after, Shin exited the Virtual Space and logged back into the game.

Whoosh!

He then appeared at the center of dark space, where he was supposed to clear the trial prepared by Cecil.

“Oh~! You’re back?” said a voice from behind, seemingly carrying a playful tone.

Turning around, Shin immediately saw Cecil, who was leisurely laying on the floor while playing with her daggers.

Cecil was originally planning to tease Shin a little more, but that thought was immediately pushed back right after her eyes fell on Shin.

Squinting her eyes further, she immediately realized that Shin seemed to be somewhat different from the last time they saw each other.

“It has only been a short time, yet you feel like a whole different person already,” said Cecil while wearing a somewhat serious expression on her face.

Hearing this remark, Shin could not help but raise his brows a little, realizing that Cecil was able to see through his newfound strength.

“I guess this is the time that you will be able to leave this place,” Cecil chuckled, seemingly understanding something.

Shin did not want to waste that much time either and immediately entered his strongest state.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

He swiftly entered the Reality Manifestation before swiftly the Natural State of ‘Pinnacle Zenith’, improving his overall combat prowess.

It was then followed by the activation of his True Sight and Sensing Circle Skills, increasing overall performance of all his senses.

Boom!

Then it was followed by the new technique that he just learned – the third stage of the ‘Heart Realm Technique’.

Right, this technique was activated, Shin’s overall senses were further enhanced, especially his spiritual sense.

Shin could also feel the sensation of two ‘realms’ fusing more clearly, which was something that Professor Henry had told him previously.

There was no specific ‘Spiritual Realm’ within the game, but the sensation of these two realms fusing was quite clear to him. Or more specifically, he felt like his mind, body, and spirit had become one under this state.

“Hmm?!?” Cecil could not help but squint her eyes even further when she saw this changes from the other party’s aura, especially when she felt like her entire existence was being exposed to the other party.

Sensing that something was wrong, she immediately used her signature technique.

Poof!

She disappeared while a black smoke replaced her body in that direction, veiling all her tracks.

However, Shin was able to clearly see how she managed to do all of the things that had confused him before.

He could see that she entered a special state that seemed to be in phasing between illusion and reality. It was as if she was able to turn herself into an elemental spirit in their spiritual form or back to her original state, which was in physical form.

Seeing this, Shin found out that the initial assessment that Professor Henry had told him was right. His current opponent was indeed phasing between two states, with her tracks further hidden by the black smoke she was constantly generating.

He was still unable to understand her powers and abilities, but the current state that he currently had was more than enough to deal with the current situation.

Swoosh!

Responding the expected movements of the opposing side, Shin locked on her hazy figure while assuming his signature sword-drawing stance.

Seeing his actions, Cecil could not help but feel an intense shiver down her spine, especially after realizing that Shin’s eyes were accurately locking at her.

Normally, she would take advantage of her momentary ‘disappearance’ to charge Shin with her extreme speed, rendering him powerless in front of her technique.

However, the current situation seemed to be way different from what she usually encountered whenever she faced this young man. She fully understood that her previous methods were no longer useful against the current state of the opposing party had.

Unfortunately, it was still far from being enough to pass this trial.

“Heh! I must say that I am impressed! But you are still too green if you want to pass this trial of mine,” she smirked while accelerating her speed, seemingly transforming into wind right after she sprinted.

Swoosh!

Huu~!

On the other hand, Shin inhaled deeply as he focused his mind while locking on his opponent’s actions before suddenly unsheathing his sword and swinging it forward.

Click!

Shin could feel that his movements were much smoother than how used to be. He was able to execute this technique that he was extremely familiar with in extreme ease, making it flow naturally.

From his perspective, it was as if he was looking down on himself from an omniscient point of view, making him control his entire body like a puppet. He felt like an absolute being that could control even fate itself.

Shing!

Cecil, who was confident that would be able to take Shin down easily just like how it used to be, suddenly sensed an intense danger coming from the latter.

When she woke up in a daze, she realized that the tip of Shin’s sword was already upon her. It was already right before her face when she realized what happened.

Swoosh!

Her body then moved on instinct, swiftly raising arms and quickly swung the daggers in her hands to redirect the course of the sword that was rapidly magnifying right before her eyes.

Clang!

Blazing sparks flew in the air as Cecil slide through the ground.

She leaned back to further lower her body, almost aligning herself parallel to the ground. She then went on Shin’s side while turning her body into a series of spinning motions.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!

Alongside it was a series of sharp strikes, which were also being accompanied by waves of shadows that seemed to come from the underworld.

Wail~!

Eerie cries of ghosts filled the air and sent powerful mental attacks at Shin. The ghosts that were accompanying Cecil’s sudden attack seemed to dominate the entire surroundings while also trying to swallow everything in the process.

Shin just raised his brows when he sensed the powerful mental attacks that were bombarding his mind. It was as if the eerie voices and terrifying cries were trying to drag him into the world of the dead.

However, he was still able to keep his calm, completely ignoring everything aside from the incoming attack from below.

Shing! Shing! Shing!

He then swung his sword multiple times, repeatedly clashing against the spinning attacks coming from Cecil, while retreating.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Not long after, he managed to regain his footing and stood his ground.

He then raised his head and looked at Cecil, who was now standing a few meters away from him, while also giving him a look that was filled of mixed amazement and annoyance.

“Since Senior has suddenly changed her attacking method, I guess that I have finally passed the initial test,” said Shin with a smile before continuing. “It looks like the next test will be the final assessment.”

…