Death... and me

Roan usually stayed at most three hours in the Blue Orchid District but ended extending this time because of Malaka's sudden appearance. After making sure he put Malaka in her place, he finally left, but not before leaving a final warning.

"I believe you saw just now what is waiting for the lazy ones. I'm looking forward to seeing the results next week."

The girls trembled once again and immediately avoided his gaze. They understood that Roan had been hiding his real scary side all this time. Only after Malaka gave him a good hit did he finally show what it meant to be ruthless.

Of course, even though Roan made Malaka suffer quite a bit, he healed her completely with Rean's Life Style. In the end, she just had to go back and rest. The impressive thing was that Malaka still had enough energy to sulk after everything was over. It was quite remarkable since none of the other girls would be brave enough to complain right to Roan's face after receiving such a beating.

Roan didn't care, though. He simply turned around and ignored the angry-looking girl. Well, Malaka's angry face couldn't really scare anyone to start with...

Still, on his way back to Old Worm's hut, Roan seemed quite satisfied.

'I created that Flowing Dragon Skill for Malaka back then. It is part of the Death Staff Style Manual. However, it was a little too dependent on Spiritual Energy manipulation. Malaka was in the Energy Gathering Realm, not to mention that she was still a kid, so she couldn't use it before. Now that she is in the Foundation Establishment, she was able to bring it out. However, it looked completely different from what I devised. The essence of the skill was still there, but its form was not the same as what I created. There is no doubt, Malaka showed the real Death Staff Style Manual that I made for her to Mia.'

Roan had mentioned it in the past. The Death Style Manuals that he made for others to use was not at the same level as what he and Rean practiced. Of course, they were usually at the same level or were even better than the others.

Nevertheless, there were exceptions. For example, Juri, Alanda, and his Parents got a version that was almost at the same level as his one. The only reason it wasn't at the same level was that none of them used Light or Dark Elements. Still, he made his best with what he knew, bringing them very close to it.

As for the last exception, it was obviously Malaka. Her manual, too, was at the limit of what Roan could create at the moment for a Water Element User. Every time he made some new breakthrough in his Death Style, he would send a copy to Varen Tribe and revise Malaka's one in the Sect.

In Juri, Alanda, and his parents' case, he warned them to never show them to anyone else. If possible, they should do their best to memorize everything and destroy it right after. Malaka, of course, was the same.

'Still, Mia seemed to have been able to obtain it.'

However, after what he saw today, he didn't think it was a bad thing.

'Mia completely modified the Flowing Dragon Skill with her own understanding. Not only that, but it turned out better than my own. Although it lost a little of its deadly power, the defensive and surprise elements got several times better. It was an excellent trade as far as I can see.'

Roan couldn't help but feel a little excited.

'Indeed, there is just too much about the application of Spiritual Energy that I still don't know. I was afraid that I would get to the limit soon, but I was so wrong that I feel like I'm an idiot. If Mia can already improve my Death Staff Style like this, then I still have a lot to learn. Perhaps, this was Mia's message, showing that I'm still far from understanding the principles of Spiritual Energy. No, I can't even tell if I'm at the starting line or not. That's how big the difference between Mia and me is at the moment.'

Roan's eyes shined for a second as he looked ahead with a newfound resolve.

'So what if I'm far? That's perfect. The further it is, the more interesting it will become. I'm truly looking forward to it.'

However, Roan also understood another thing.

'She modified my Death Staff Style Manual. However, she didn't let Malaka give up on it. That being said, one thing is sure. When it comes to the use of weapons without Spiritual Energy, even she can't beat me. That's why she didn't pass a different Style for Malaka to practice. At least, it seems I'm on the right path.'

Roan then increased his speed and returned to the Alchemist Hall to continue his alchemy practice.

Back on Rean's side, Droman had just returned to the Sect and went straight to pay him a visit. Rean was quite relieved since Droman took longer to return than he thought. That gave him enough time to finish studying the Formation's Books that Droman passed to him.

"So, how was it? I chose those books because I thought they would give you the best results based on what you showed me."

Rean nodded.

"Indeed. If I make the same Energy Gathering Formation now, I can increase its power by at least 5%. But I also noticed one thing. Did you select those specific ones because they were also connected to the Communication Formations?"

Rean found out that some of the books were not related to the Energy Gathering Formation but to Lightning Type ones. Still, they were just basic books that were far from enough for Rean to become proficient in it. Besides, Rean hasn't tried creating any Lightning Type Formation yet.

Instead of answering Rean's question, he made another one.

"Did you comprehend them?"

Rean pondered a bit about their contents and nodded.

"I did comprehend them. In fact, they were the easiest ones in there. I haven't tried making any Lightning Type formation yet, but I'm pretty confident I could make a very simple one."

Droman couldn't help but nod in satisfaction.

"As I thought, that's where your talents reside. The Lightning Type ones were easier for you because your mind works around the Lightning Runes much better than it does on the other types. You might not know this, but every Formations Master has a field they excel at. In your case, Lightning Type formations are definitely the right one. In fact, I'm also the same. Even before you showed me the Communication Formation, I was already used to build Lightning Type ones."

Droman continued.

"However, I had to initiate you in the most common type ones first because they were the basis for all the rest. For example, that Energy Gathering Formation you used has no need for any kind of special knowledge. Any Formations Master can build it using thousands of different combinations."

"Without the knowledge of the basics, it would be several times more difficult for you to understand the Lightning Type Principles in those books."

Rean nodded. It was a fact that all the examples he found used several neutral elements.

"I see. Well, that's good then."

Droman smiled.

"Still, you surpassed my expectations once again. Even if you have an affinity for Lightning Type Formations, I thought you wouldn't comprehend them this fast. It seems like I was wrong."

"Anyway, it is true that I gave you those Lightning Type Formations' Books so that you could help me with the Communication System. That being said, I have a proposal for you. How about you follow me for the next few months while we build the System? I believe that would be of great help to you in your Formations' Path. Not only will I show you what I know about Lightning Type Formations, but all the other types too."

"Also, you have no need to be afraid of assassination. Now that I'm at the Soul Transformation Realm, I doubt someone will be crazy enough to try something with me there."

"This..."

Rean pondered a bit before saying.

"Unfortunately, I have to decline. I need to focus on my cultivation as well, so I can't leave."

Droman then thought about something.

"Is it because of the Cultivation Tower's Formations? If that is that case, you don't need to worry. I can make similar formations as those ones with my eyes closed."

Rean shook his head, though.

"That's not it. As Elder Droman knows, cultivation has a lot to do with the elemental affinity of each person. However, I'm a special case. I can't rely on Light Element alone. I also need my brother's Dark Element to progress. It is not that I can't cultivate without him, but the results would be several times worse. I wouldn't be able to do even 1/10 of what I do while I'm with him."

Only now did Droman remember that Rean and Roan have some kind of connection that allows them to use each other's Elements.

"I see... Well, you can ask him too. I don't mind bringing two people with me during this time."

However, it was then that a voice appeared in the room.

"Out of the question. That kid is mine."

Droman narrowed his eyes and looked at the newcomer. He was quite displeased that someone eavesdropped on his conversation with Rean. However, his eyes changed when he saw who it was.

"Oh! So it is you, Elder Fauk."

Rean also recognized that person. After all, he had seen him a few times with Roan. However, it was the first time he heard his real name.

"Old Worm!"