NOVEL NEXT Chapter 98: Dream: Floating Island
---Thank you!---
Hi! Before starting the chapter I'd like to thank [kozod] for his support on "p a t r e o n" as it is really motivating to me, especially in such challenging and stressful times (got exams, and my graduation is drawing ever so near).
Truly, thank you!
I know that my upload schedule has been very slow but it is truly the best I could do in my current situation without affecting myself IRL, so I am also thankful to all of those who stuck with me until now.
I've thought about just dropping it and writing another one in the summer with all the experience and knowledge I gained considering that this is my first novel, but it seems that I am too stubborn for that.
Gotta finish what I started!
So here we go.
---Chapter Start---
Atop a mystical floating island covered in mist and surrounded by fluffy cotton-like clouds.
Lorien could be seen standing in the middle of a forest, his left hand holding a bow that looked like it was made of multi-colored flames, while his right hand had an arrow of similar traits.
Putting the arrow to the string and pulling, Lorien tilted his head slightly, took a deep breath, and held it in, then, he started aiming.
*Swish*
Freeing the arrow, it instantly pierced through the air like a shooting star, only leaving a trail of multicolored light behind it.
But contrary to the norm, the arrow didn't fly in a straight line, as whenever it was faced with an obstacle, it instantly 'dodged' it, this included trees, animals, stones, and wherever it is in between.
This arrow flew for nearly 950 meters before it finally found its target which was a small red-colored stone.
*Puff*
The moment it hit its mark, both the arrow made of Source Energy and the stone, instantly disappeared from reality; One moment they were there, the next, they were not.
Seeing this, Lorien released the breath he was holding as he then smiled lightly.
"Bullseye!"
"This should do it for long-range attacks, not to mention that I can place any ability or setting I want to the arrow, so it's very versatile.."
"As for medium range, I can use the 'sword qi' I developed using energy manipulation!"
"Great! now, I have fixed most of my shortcomings when it comes to combat."
Thinking of this, Lorien felt a burst of joy; Him suddenly gaining the ability to control the Source Energy inside of his body is really significant!
It effectively pushed his strength to another level while also making his attack method much more comprehensive; He no longer has to only rely on using the 'air' as a medium for long and medium range attacks.
So even though he is now only able to somewhat control this energy and is still not able to masterfully use it, nor is he able to make advanced applications, he is very happy.
After all, he reached this level in only 4 months and most importantly without any guidance or outline from any other power system.
If he had a training manual or a sample of another energy, his progress would have been much quicker.
"Tsk, I have to stop being so greedy, I should be satisfied with what I gained..."
"But I really wonder, What will the next world I travel to be like? I hope that It'll be useful."
Shaking his head, Lorien quickly threw all of those thoughts aside and then turned his head in a certain direction.
"Did she also finish training?"
.
.
.
On the other side of the forest, Saigai could be seen holding a scarlet-colored sword; she held it up above her head and then slashed forward.
The moment the sword went down, an arc of blood-colored energy exited the sword's blade, it looked nearly identical to 'Sword Qi'.
This is exactly the ability Lorien previously spoke of, and it appears that Saigai is currently practicing it.
*Swish*
Exiting the blade, this 'sword wave' flew at an outlandish speed, it instantly cut apart whatever came into its path, be it trees or rocks.
It Sliced everything in its path into two clean sections, going all the way unimpeded and only stopping after it flew for about 200 meters; Only then did it finally dissipate.
Seeing this, Saigai straightened her body and sheathed her sword.
"We're leaving today huh..."
"It's been 4 months, I really miss absorbing energy..."
.
.
.
Of course, Lorien and Saigai weren't the only ones who improved a lot in this dream, the one who gained the most relative to their own strength is actually Saeko.
After all, in this period of time, she turned from your run-of-the-mile swordsman to one that actually mastered her own special breathing technique that Lorien helped her make.
[Slaughter Breathing Technique]
This breathing technique is very ferocious and specializes in attack; this is very different from Lorien and Saigai's breathing techniques which acts as just a guide or support, not the main attack.
During this period of time, this breathing technique was completely mastered by her, moreover, she isn't that far from gaining the [Transparent World].
*Swish*
*Slash*
Looking at another part of the forest, we can see Saeko training; She kept moving quickly and slashing her sword around, her footsteps and movements were completely stable, and contrary to her [Slaugher Breathing Techniques] her movements weren't aggressive at all.
Rather, they were completely balanced, neither focusing on defense nor offense, they can even be called mediocre.
This is because Saeko isn't currently practicing the [Slaughter Breathing Technique], she is now practicing another breathing technique given to her by Lorien a while back.
It's called [Basic Breathing Technique], it is a technique that doesn't have any 'attributes', moreover, it is very balanced, so balanced in fact it became mediocre.
The reason Lorien made it so is because this breathing technique is destined for the other Combat Force members that'll join later on.
Such a technique is much easier to learn compared to its counterparts which greatly reduced the minimum requirement for talent.
Moreover, with it being 'attributeless', it made it easier for those talented people to modify it and adapt it to their needs; This is effectively hitting two birds with one stone.
As for Saeko's place in all of this? She'll be acting as a trainer, after all, you can't expect Lorien or Saigai to train them one by one.
*Swish*
*Swish*
*Swish*
With sword trails appearing with each slash, Saeko's training session continued for a while, about 15 more minutes, and only after finishing her routine did she finally stop.
"I have completely mastered it, I am now able to teach it to others..."
"But who else will join the Combat Force I wonder?"
"Lorien said that currently, there aren't any talents in the base, so we'll have to wait until new survivors are welcomed."
Sheathing her sword, Saeko then stretched lazily, this small action completely showcased her perfect curves, but sadly, there was no one else there to witness it.
Narrowing her eyes slightly, Saeko then looked in another direction, and more precisely it is the place where they lived for the previous 4 months.
"It should be time already, We'll be leaving today."
"I have already finished my training, and there is nothing else to do, so I better get moving."
Thinking of this, Saeko didn't hang around there any longer as she then started walking towards the house which is also the case for both Lorien and Saigai.
"4 Months huh..."
"A lot has changed."
---Note---
The next Chapter '99' Is available for FREE on - P a t r e o n
---Author---
P a t r e o n . c o m /AuthorHoussem (Support me there and get to read up to 15 advanced chapters or more)
You can also find me now by simply typing: 'Houssem' in the search function (Talked with the support and they fixed it!)