Among Monsters (Tensura)

Chap 12.

A week had passed since James first met the lizardmen tribe. During his stay, he had been immersing himself in their culture, learning their customs, and even participating in sparring sessions. Each match sharpened his skills, pushing him further along the path of becoming a capable swordsman. Though the lizardmen wielded weapons and fought with methods vastly different from the knights he'd observed, their approach to combat had its own strength, rooted in instincts and sheer physical prowess. Sparring with them gave him a new perspective, one he knew would help him adapt to unexpected battles in this world.

Each night, he continued his private training. Within the safety of his Sovereign's Amphitheater, he would summon Blade Knight and push himself to the limits, trying to learn as much as he could from the summoned creature's expertise. His journey toward mastering the sword felt like a race against time—a race to be ready for the dangers of Jura and beyond.

Yet, as focused as he was on honing his skills, something loomed over him: his magicule reserves. He had become painfully aware of how quickly he drained them when using Annihilation Creator, especially with more complex creations. It wasn't just summoning Blade Knight that exhausted him; each powerful summon, each unique trait he added, took a massive toll. Despite the potent sub-skills he had unlocked within Annihilation Creator, he understood he was still only scratching the surface of his potential.

Over time, James had come to understand all four sub-skills of Annihilation Creator, along with their specific limitations and benefits:

1. Imaginary Manifestation enabled him to summon creatures with attributes shaped by his imagination. However, maintaining them required a steady outflow of magicules, which meant they would vanish once his reserves were low.

2. Core of Creation allowed him to generate and store magicules in an internal "core." This feature made him function almost like a monster in this world, with the ability to absorb ambient magicules. However, his core had its limits, forcing him to be strategic in managing his reserves.

3. Arcane Sustenance let him channel stored magicules to enhance or extend the existence of his summons, making them stronger and more resilient. It was ideal for intense battles but risked rapidly depleting his reserves.

4. Malignant Mutation enabled him to modify creatures in real time, adding traits like elemental affinities or physical enhancements. However, each modification consumed even more magicules, requiring careful attention to avoid exhausting himself mid-battle.

Beyond the sub-skills, there were also additional effects that allowed him to mentally command his creations and save certain summons for easy recall. But each of these abilities also carried limitations that made their use challenging. Recalling Blade Knight, for instance, was convenient, yet still drained a considerable amount of his energy.

'If I'm going to survive here, I need to find a way to increase my reserves. I've barely scratched the surface of what I can do with Annihilation Creator,' James thought. 'If only there were a faster way to increase my magicule reserves…'

---

One night, as he lay in his Sanctuary, the idea struck him.

'Blessings.'

He remembered a post he'd seen back on Earth, one of those late-night rabbit holes he'd fallen into on Reddit. The post discussed a phenomenon called Blessings—a sacred connection established between souls, allowing a transfer of divine protection. In Tensura, beings could receive blessings from entities like True Dragons or Elemental Queens, potentially amplifying their abilities. Though a blessing wouldn't alter the recipient's physical form, it could enhance their magical affinity or even their magicule reserves if the source was powerful enough.

'If I could get a blessing from a powerful being, my reserves would increase without the slow grind of absorbing magicules bit by bit. I could create even stronger creatures, sustain them longer, and push my skill to new heights.'

James felt a thrill of excitement at the prospect. Jura Forest was known as a haven for monsters and powerful entities alike. If he played his cards right, there was a real chance he could encounter a creature of high enough standing to grant him a blessing. Though risky, it seemed his best option for rapid growth.

In the days that followed, James grew increasingly determined to seek out a powerful entity in Jura. He had a vague sense of the risks involved; monsters here wouldn't simply hand out blessings, and even being near one would be dangerous. But the possibility of receiving a blessing was too enticing to ignore. He was no stranger to taking calculated risks, and if this meant a way to reach his potential faster, he was ready to take it.

One afternoon, while sparring with a lizardman who'd recently shown him a unique spear technique, James found a quiet moment to ask, "Have you heard of any… powerful creatures within Jura Forest?"

The lizardman tilted his head, eyes narrowing in thought. "There are many beings who live in Jura. Some are very powerful… the kinds even we lizardmen avoid. But I do not think a human would want to meet them."

James gave a faint smile. "Maybe not most humans. But I might."

The lizardman frowned, but after a moment, he gave a nod of respect. "If you truly wish to seek strength, then perhaps Jura is the right place for you. But remember, power comes at a price. Jura has a way of testing those who enter unprepared."

James nodded, absorbing the lizardman's words. Though he hadn't mentioned his intention directly, it felt reassuring to be understood. These lizardmen weren't just primitive warriors—they were people with deep knowledge of Jura's dangers, wisdom gained from generations living in this untamed land.

That night, back in the safety of his Sanctuary, James summoned Blade Knight once more. He practiced, his movements growing sharper and more precise as his body began to understand the weight and balance of the sword. Each spar with Blade Knight was a reminder of his own potential—a potential he would unleash fully once he found the means to strengthen his magicule reserves.

'Soon,' he thought, glancing toward the shadowed expanse of Jura just beyond his Sanctuary. The forest was close now, and with it, perhaps the powerful blessing he sought.

End of chap.