Mystic Eyes of Death Perception from Zero

After much research, Graham finally understood part of his ability's function.

What he plundered was the target's life energy, known as 'mana'.

Everyone in this world possesses 'mana', which is essentially life energy.

Those whose 'mana' is drained are close to death.

Killing a target allows him to gain their life energy, which contributes to his awakening progress. For now, this is all he knows.

While he was contemplating, the second battle began.

Entering the arena, Graham's pupils contracted.

This time, his opponent was a muscular man about 1.8 meters tall.

His eyes were bloodshot, and he was licking his lips while looking at Graham, even drooling. This was clear gluttonous voracity...

Graham's heart beat anxiously, though he maintained a calm demeanour outwardly. This guy actually wanted to eat him!

"Go! Ogre! Eat him!"

"Come on, little guy! Don't lose, I believe in you!"

The audience was still very noisy. To the nobles, this was the best form of entertainment, they enjoyed those meaningless displays of viciousness.

Whether Graham was torn apart and eaten by the ogre, or if he turned the tables and defeated the ogre, it would make them happy.

"Come on," he beckoned. Facing an opponent twice his size, Graham did not flinch.

Or perhaps, he should thank Roswaal for giving him a good foundation in physical skills.

The Mathers family members were born magicians, but this also made their bodies weak.

Before activating the transfer magic, Roswaal had injected a special nutrient solution into Graham's body, enhancing his physique.

At the same time, the amount of 'mana' represented the strength of one's life force, which also meant recovery ability.

And Graham had twice the mana of an ordinary magician. So though inwardly shaken, he reasoned that this battle was feasible.

*Roar—!*

The ogre roared, directly discarding the iron sword in his hand, and charged at Graham.

He preferred the thrill of tearing his enemies apart over using a sword.

Such a small figure, he thought he could crush him with one hand.

In response, Graham's lips curled slightly. The sage mode had activated once more.

Under everyone's gaze, Graham moved his body, dodging the ogre's pounce, then gripped his iron sword tightly and slashed at the opponent's neck.

*Thud*

"Argh!"

As a titled sword slave, the ogre had experienced numerous life and death battles, so relying on his instincts, he quickly raised his hand to block, saving his life at the cost of his arm.

Missing a critical strike, Graham quickly retreated and picked up the giant iron sword the ogre had initially discarded.

This giant iron sword was the ogre's privilege, but since he wasn't using it, Graham gladly accepted it!

"Roar—! Damn it, die you brat!"

The pain from his injured arm was intense, and blood was gushing out. The ogre, now driven by anger, became even more ferocious.

His muscles tensed, and he roared as he charged again!

Surprisingly, his speed had increased this time. Graham, unable to dodge in time, was sent flying. Fortunately, he had used the giant sword to block his chest in advance, or he would have suffered internal injuries.

"Watch me tear you apart!"

The ogre swung its intact arm, delivering a powerful punch.

Graham quickly ducked, narrowly avoiding the muscular arm's sweep.

This left the ogre's opening exposed right in front of him.

Gritting his teeth, Graham fiercely raised his greatsword, jumped up, and used gravity to slash down hard on the ogre's back.

*Smack!*

Graham's pupils contracted as the ogre grabbed his arm and lifted him up before he could react.

*Bang!*

With a cruel smile, the ogre grabbed Graham and slammed him hard onto the ground.

"Ugh..."

Graham felt his head spinning and he could not muster any strength. It seemed the ogre wasn't careless, but had absolute confidence instead.

His muscular body wasn't just for show, and his combat experience was richer than Graham's, leading to Graham's downfall.

"Rip him apart!"

"Eat him!"

"Roar—"

The surrounding crowd continued to shout, seemingly anticipating the ogre's brutality.

The triumphant ogre naturally would not disappoint them. With a cruel smile, he walked slowly towards Graham, who was lying on the ground, spitting blood.

Graham's heart sank.

His head was already spinning, and his body felt like it was falling apart, unable to move.

Is my journey going to end here?

A strong sense of unwillingness surged in Graham's heart, 'No, I won't die here! Get up!'

'Move!'

'Body! Move, damn it!'

The ogre continued to approach, reaching out its large hand towards him.

Just as he was about to be torn apart, Graham suddenly felt his mind go blank.

At that moment, the world suddenly stood still.

Countless colorful light spots continuously flowed into his body, restoring his strength.

Graham could feel the countless light spots rejoicing, a warm glow enveloping his entire body—

This was the world's gift, an external aid called 'Divine Protection'.

At Graham's most critical moment, the 'Sorcerer's Divine Protection' finally awakened.

*Bang!*

The ogre's hand, reaching for Graham, was suddenly repelled, and the now mobile Graham gathered mana within him, swiftly forming a hand blade and thrusting it towards the ogre's heart.

*Splurt...*

Like a knife cutting through tofu, the ogre's tough muscles were effortlessly pierced by Graham's hand blade.

"Ugh..."

"How... is this possible? Ugh..."

The ogre's eyes widened in disbelief as he watched Graham pull out his hand and coldly stare at it. He could feel his heartbeat fading... This was the feeling of death.

*Thud*

The tall body crashed to the ground with a dull sound, and Graham, expressionless, walked towards the already open door.

The hand blade just now was imbued with wind attribute magic, making it incredibly sharp.

An ordinary person's body can't withstand wind attribute magic enhanced by micro-spirits.

At this moment, another message echoed in Graham's mind:

[Plunder successful, awakening progress 0.6%]

Perhaps the ogre's body was too strong, so the mana plundered was more than that from Mickey's prior...

.....

[T/N: A boring fight and a very predictable cliché... Translating this is becoming a drag. I hope this doesn't somehow devolve into Graham killing young masters left and right...]