System vs Rebirth

'Free' in his words meant unlimited potential. If the Undying Fire was free, it meant the fire could take shape into anything.

Of course, this kind of thought would surely lead the Undying Fire to be omnipotent. However, there was a hidden problem.

If he chose this path, it would mean the Fire could become heavy, hard, or even empty. It was already in the realm of impossibility. Anyone would surely think he was insane. There might be some ambitious and positive people that thought it was possible, but Noel was different. He might be ambitious, but he was still looking at the world realistically.

That was why the second question was like a chain that dragged his ambition to the ground, making it look reachable.

'How do I want this ability to help me? The answer is obvious. Undying Fire is a fire that is far stronger than any other flame I have seen so far. So, I want it to stay that way. I want this fire to burn everything I wish to burn.'

With this statement, Noel abandoned the possibility of having his Undying Fire turn into something else.

He had already answered the third question that asked him how to achieve it. The answer was obvious as soon as he finished answering the first two questions. He needed to improve his control over Spiritual Energy so that he could change the shape of his flame without the need of Spirit Abilities.

Last but not least, the fourth question.

'Can I proceed in mastering the ability right now?' Noel assessed his current situation. 'I already know the method and I have settled all the immediate problems, giving me some time to practice. I should be able to start practicing this technique.'

'But mastering this power will require a huge amount of effort and time. I have to be diligent and never give up if I want to succeed. That's why the fourth question is actually asking me whether I have the resolve and determination to master my ability or not.'

Noel took a deep breath as he gradually opened his eyes. He raised his head, looking at Damian.

"There are a lot of people trying to kill me. I have to be strong so that all those people won't be able to kill me. I have to survive if I want to achieve my goal. That's why please help me, Sir Damian."

Damian smiled. He already knew the answer, but he still had to confirm it from his mouth. "Have you answered those four questions?"

"Yes," Noel answered without a shred of doubt.

"I'm not going to ask the answers you have in your heart. After all, that will be the secret of your abilities. Unless you are planning to disclose the secret, I'm not in a position to force you to reveal it. However, I have to ask you… How do you want me to help?" Damian smiled.

Noel answered without hesitation. "Help me to improve my Control."

"Do you mean the Soft Approach and Hard Approach?"

"Soft Approach and Hard Approach are only a method to change the type of destructive power. However, I find something else that seems to be even more specific than these two approaches."

"In both Approaches, you are required to have a certain degree of 'control' over your Spiritual Energy. With that control, you can increase your firepower or even change the shape of your abilities. That's why I'd like to ask you to teach me how to control my Spiritual Energy."

Damian's smile couldn't help but grow bigger. Of course, he understood the concept of Control and the two Approaches. The latter was formed in order to simplify the former. But when one became as strong as him, they would return back to the very core, which was control.

Damian was surprised that Noel had chosen this way. But he liked the answer.

"Alright. I'm going to help you practice your control. Of course, I can only give the knowledge to the limit of my ability." Damian warned him that he wouldn't disclose an important secret.

Noel understood his position and politely bowed his head.

Damian began training Noel like there was no tomorrow. He was strict and harsh.

Noel didn't complain because he knew his training was effective. So, he followed his instruction no matter how hard it was.

Noel would spend the majority of his free time practicing his control. He would use the remaining time to improve his Swordsmanship and Runes. And he didn't forget to spare some time to write down the concept of Rune Engineering to fulfill his side of the agreement.

Time passed quickly. Because of the recent incident, the Demon Banner Army became even more careful. They also stopped the Demon Relief Squad from taking any action for the time being. So, Clara used this time to strengthen the squad while observing the situation.

Noel didn't have any problem with it. Though, there was one thing he had to fulfill. He had to go to Anna's side soon since there was a mission he had to complete. Because Ardagan had given him a mission, he knew that Clara would be asking the Zero Squad to leave.

In addition to Dimitri's return, he had asked Harley to begin investigating the area that he was going to visit.

Noel wasn't rushing at first. But as the date was approaching, Noel couldn't help but go to Clara to see if she had any mission for them.

Clara was stunned when Noel came to her, especially when she was wondering whether she should give them a mission or not.

In the end, Clara decided to give them a mission, which happened to be similar to the mission Ardagan gave him.

Unbeknownst to Noel, the mission would take a sharp turn for Noel. Something that he would never forget. After all, this mission connected him with Anna. And Noel would consider it to be worse than the recent defeat.