Ryn
patreon
Chapter 260
🕑 Added 2025-01-20 19:00:06 +0000 UTCStephanie POV
She let the fake smile slide from her face as they finished up celebrating and were getting ready to hit the sack.
She was angry. More angry than she has been at one of her teammates in a while. It took her using her focus skill to calm her emotions.
They were on a mission, so it would not be proper if she freaked out in front of everyone. But she was still going to get some answers and depending on his response, she would decide what to do next.
Luckily, she knew exactly his routine and knew that they would have some space to talk without any interruptions.
She walked with firm steps toward his back, where he was watching the stars with a calm gaze before deploying a sound barrier around them.
“What the fuck was that, George?” She asked softly, her anger simmering just below the surface.
“What was what?”
“Don’t play dumb. I am too pissed off to play these games with you right now,” she gritted through her teeth.
He must have realized she was one second away from blowing up and gave her an ashamed look. “It was a stupid mistake,” he admitted.
“Mistake?! You could have gotten him killed,” she said furiously.
“I know.”
“Then why did you do it?”
“Because I had to see what he would do,” he said, raising his voice slightly, letting some of his frustrations leak out.
“What do you mean by ‘you had to’?” She asked.
“Are you telling me you have not been at least the littlest curious about him?” He responded with a knowing look in his eyes.
She knew exactly what he was talking about but she couldn’t support his actions. “That doesn’t mean I’m going to risk his life like that. You know how dangerous one of those blasts can be.”
“I was pretty certain that even if it connected, it wouldn’t have hurt him that badly,” he said too assured in his assumption for her liking.
She had a disbelieving expression on her face and had to restrain herself from punching the man.
“And what gave you that confidence, huh?”
“His body enhancement is powerful,” he explained with no hesitation.
“Yes, powerful for someone his age. But not against a dangerous monster like that.”
George laughed at that. “You really think that? You really think Julius was using his body skill at full power?”
She paused at that.
No, I actually do not know that, she admitted to herself.
“That still doesn’t make what you did right. Even if he wouldn’t be too badly hurt, he would have still been injured deliberately by you.”
“I know, I messed up big time. I wasn’t thinking properly. I am just… I don’t trust him.”
“What? Why?”
George sighed. “You know about the attacks on House Easten’s operations, you’re telling me that you don’t think there is something fishy about them?”
She couldn’t believe what she was hearing. “Oh, so you’re saying that Julius is working with the people who have been robbing and attacking these transports?” She asked sarcastically. However, when he didn’t immediately respond and just looked downward she let out a choking laugh.
“You do! You really think that! He's a kid George!”
“You’ve sensed his aura, Steph! You’re telling me that someone with that weak of an aura is capable of taking out two Null Fiends, without any help?”
“So he has an item that artificially restricts his aura, so what? That doesn’t mean he’s a spy for a bunch of criminals,” she said dismissively. She already knew that the boy was stronger than his weak aura would indicate. His mana control was too elegant not to be, so she wasn’t surprised.
“He has no item. He’s doing it manually,” George said meaningfully.
Stephanie froze at that. She knew exactly what George meant by that. Being able to restrict your aura was impressive, it was a sign of a skilled practitioner. But something along the lines of what Julius was doing was absurd. The boy hadn't just been restricting his aura for a few hours, he had been doing it for several days.
“You’re sure it’s not an item?” She asked slowly.
“Not entirely, but there are too many signs of natural fluctuation within his aura to be an item. I have been watching for the past few days. The only way it could be possible is if the item is extremely powerful and thus expensive,” George said assuredly.
That is something a bit more worrisome. Skilled people, especially assassins could hide their aura for hours, but to restrict one’s aura for that long would already be massively uncomfortable and practically impossible without an Authority or Domain to help do so.
“Would you be able to do something like that?” She asked a question she already knew the answer to.
George shook his head. “Not a chance. Maybe several hours or a day if I was under a lot of pressure, but a few days? No way.”
She pressed her lips together. That would mean that Julius had been keeping his aura under heavy restriction for days without letting anything slip out.
What if George is right? What if there is a nefarious reason why Julius came along with the caravan? It is weird that such a young boy was given permission to come along with them, she tried to process everything.
However, she gave herself a mental jolt and reminded herself to not make assumptions. This was still a boy at the end of the day and she wasn’t going to write him off just because he was hiding some secrets.
"He was assigned by House Easten directly, so it would make sense if they gave him something that could shroud his aura. They have the means," she pointed out.
"That is a good point, but still, why is he hiding so much? I just don't get it."
“It doesn’t matter,” she finally said to him.
“It doesn’t matter?”
“No, what you did was wrong. Plus, we have no actual proof that Julius is with this organization attacking transports. He has every right to hide his secrets, we barely know him after all. But if you do something like that again, I promise I will report this to the guild and House Easten,” she said sternly.
George didn’t look very happy with her answer but held his tongue seeing that she was serious about it. “Got it. But don’t blame me if something happens.”
“Remember, he got permission from House Easten and Rolus even verified it. And you still think he’s a traitor or our enemy?”
“You know that doesn’t prove anything. How do you think all of the other transports have been attacked? There must have been someone from the inside feeding information to them. I am just trying to ensure that you and our friends aren’t killed on this mission,” he intensely exclaimed.
She gave George a sympathetic look. “If we get attacked by the organization attacking these transports, I think we are going to have bigger issues than Julius.”
When she didn’t get a response, she nodded and began to walk away. She wanted some sleep, today was tiring enough as is.
But as she was walking away she heard George mutter something behind her.
“I think he might be a bigger issue than you give him credit for.”
***
Julius POV
After they finished the small party and everyone got ready to go to sleep, he smiled to himself.
Finally.
He had been waiting to check his notifications all night and so with a jolly jump in his step, he collected some leftovers onto a mana-created plate and walked over to an empty rock to sit down.
The stars were quite beautiful all the way out here. The skies were perfectly clear, which let him get a totally undisturbed view of the night sky. He took a few moments to take in the fresh night air and pick at his food before eventually opening up his notifications.
[Empowerment of Will] has advanced to level 20. Would you like to evolve the skill?
He accepted the notification and waited patiently.
Appraising requirements…
Congratulations. Skills requirement met.
Congratulations. Concept requirement met.
Congratulations. Soul requirement met.
Skill [Empowerment of Will] is evolving… possible advancements: [Ruler’s Will], [Willpower of the Resolute], [Unrelenting Will of Resolve], and [Inexorable Aura of Ruin]
He quickly looked over his options while chewing on some piece of bread.
Truthfully, he was a bit bewildered to see so many options that were obviously influenced by his Concept of Will. Three of the four of them had direct connections to the Concept.
But he didn’t have a problem with this. He was actually glad for the most part. His Concept of Will has been so important to him so far, and it was partly the reason he had gotten to this level in the first place.
First, he took a look at [Ruler’s Will]. If that was the general upgrade then it sounded quite… domineering.
It would probably be a skill that would allow him to more easily impose his will onto others. Something that would make using his kinetic restriction technique to better effect as well as perhaps imposing his Concepts on top of it. Definitely not a bad skill to choose.
The next was a skill called [Willpower of the Resolute]. He didn’t know if this was an upgrade, but he liked the sound of resolute.
He didn’t know what the difference between ‘Will’ and ‘Willpower’ though. He assumed they were similar, but he was just confused where they differed.
If he had to guess, he would think that [Willpower of the Resolute] focused more on the overall strength of his willpower, making it harder for someone else to impose their will onto him.
Which would make it the other side of the same coin when comparing it with [Ruler’s Will]. One was for imposing his own will onto others while the next was to prevent others will from imposing their wills onto him.
In other words, one was for offense while the other was for defense.
At least that was the feeling he got when he focused on the notification, something he was beginning to realize was a feature of whatever system this world used.
The next two skills were the ones that he was more interested in. [Unrelenting Will of Resolve] just sounded like a better skill than either [Ruler’s Will] or [Willpower of the Resolute].
The last skill [Inexorable Aura of Ruin] though was what his eyes were ultimately drawn toward. For one, it was the only skill that used ‘aura’ within its’ name. Furthermore, it was undoubtedly a skill that was offered because of his recent development and problem with his aura.
It was highly likely that this skill would make controlling the ruinous effect of his aura a bit easier and less burdensome.
As of now, he wouldn’t be able to use his abilities to their full potential if he was worried about controlling his aura.
Not to mention, it sounded really cool and could have some dangerous if not powerful effects.
And while he would love to have someone like Alice or Dante give him some advice, he was feeling pretty confident in what skill he would be choosing.
So without giving him too much time to overthink it, he chose something that would make his life extraordinarily easier as well as potentially giving him a new shiny weapon.
Congratulations, skill [Inexorable Aura of Ruin] (Epic) acquired.
Comments
Reid Thompson
They need to focus on doing the job they were paid for. Not pay amateur detective
ItWasIDIO!!
I don't know wouldn't a name like the skills imply more doubling down on the effect aka the problem he's having
nicolas
Tiers increase is exponential but from what I am seing, Julius power increase also seem exponential. So when he has multiple legendary skill and is a peak T3, he might be able to beat a T5.
Mitchell Calhoun
Honestly kinda wild that it’s been 40 chapters since they were offered the challenge rift.
Derek Walker
Well his body skill only needs to level up to reach legendary so I doubt he needs to combine them. But also I don’t think he can combine that many skills that are so wide ranging. Maybe at a mythic level (if that’s the next step) but for now I just see them as being empowered by similar concepts to do different things
Derek Walker
He probably wants to consult some of his mentors on what to take next. For example Gabriel has extreme mana resistance, it sounded like that combined a few skills. If Julius wanted a similar skill, he might need all 3 slots available. Even if wants to go in a completely different direction it may be helpful to keep the slots open, especially since kinetic restriction works well enough already.
Thomas Grimshaw
From previous encounters, tiers increase exponentially so i highly doubt he will beat ANY T5 even a high T4 would be a problem. we still don't know what the difference from T4 to T5 is.
Thomas Grimshaw
At this point it has all but been confirmed that Julius has a space affinity, I wouldn't be surprised if it was perfect, so getting a spatial concept isn't beyond realms of comprehension
George McKibbin
I think having it evolve from something Will related will allow him to control his ruinous aspects far more easily
DeathTick
He'd need a apace concept
Paul Smith
Ya that’s where I’m thinking. Don’t like the guy at all.
Amanda
Thanks for the chapter!! The new ruinous aura affecting his skill development is so cool. Excited to see what changes the new skill brings!
Daniel Hamilton
That’s what I thought too, seems like it would be the complete opposite of control and he’d be constantly fighting for it.
nicolas
So ruin is just like the minus sign in math ? xD
nicolas
I agree that he would wipe Dustin now. But I don't think Dustin was particularly strong. When he compared him to Rolus, Julius said that Rolus was much stronger and I don't even think that Rolus is a peak T4. From my point of view, Julius should now be able to beat the average T4 and could maybe even challenge strong T4, but he should not even be at the level of peak T4.
Chaoticgoose
I know he can keep it under control, but ain’t no way the tier 5 in the academy wouldn’t notice and keep him around the tier 2s and 3s. Hell it could be a problem for tier 4s
Alex Galaitsis
See, the second ruin effect will ruin the first ruin, so he’ll be back to normal. Obviously. 😅
Kevin McKinney
This is gonna get interesting!
Alex Galaitsis
Makes one wonder whether George is the rat. Perhaps he doth protest too much? And he’s the only one so far who has sabotaged anybody. 🤷♂️😅🤨
Hamfist
"Something that would make using his kinetic restriction technique to better effect..." Speaking of Kinetic Restriction, why hasn't he taken that skill now that he has open slots?
Michael M
Now Julius just needs to get some sort of mental attack skill that can be merged with [Spatial Perseption] to get something like [Inescapable Mind of Ruin]. Mind, Body, and Spirt (aura) of Ruin skills would combine into one scary legendary skill.
Kanyau
Is George... an idiot? If he really believed J was that strong that young, it means that he has serious BACKING. If anything had happened to him, the blame wouldn't just fall on George, it would be a TPK. And Rolus might get murked too for allowing someone incompetent and callous enough to sabatoge a serious investment, a generational talent, AND a child. No matter what side he was working for.
PatronTurtle
He almost beat a strong T4 at T2. Since his fight with Dustin he's gone to T3 and gained Ruin. He would wipe Dustin out for sure now
nicolas
He hasn't even beaten a T4 yet.... To just match an average T4 he had to get to the pinacle of T2 and even going further than his soul was capable. Do you really think that the jump between T4 to T5 is any less than from T3 to T4? I could see Julius beating a T5 when he reach the limits of T3, but if it's before that, than T5 and their domains would just become a joke.
PatronTurtle
I don't think T5s are out of his league at all. The lower bound ones will be a huge challenge, and I doubt he could take a top tier one, but the overlap is there
nicolas
he just want the Ruin super concept and don't care about colaterals :p
nicolas
If you remember correctly at the begening Empowerment of Will came from an uncomon aura skill, so to me this just fell like going back to the basics. Furthermore, this ruin skill has the most chance to be a superior skill and so be much more overpowered than the other ones.
nicolas
T5 are still out of his league. Let him first beat a T4, then oblitarate multiple T4 as easly as he is curently doing with T3. Only then might he fight a full power T5 and survive without help
Kyfe
I'm looking forward to it being both, haha
Kyfe
Instead of the friendly grandpa hermit, it's the friendly teenager hermit.
Kyfe
That would be hilarious, actually. "Woops! That backfired!" -has to sit in meditation for basically the rest of the trip until the baddies show up.
Kyfe
Also, let's not forget that evolved Skills incorporate the previous iteration's abilities unless it is a complete overhall. This doesn't sound like that. I'm guessing he'll be able to infuse his Aura into his Skills and Abilities directly, just like with Empowerment of Will, but it will probably be an even greater effect.
PatronTurtle
Double the Ruin and now tied to his willpower concept directly? RIP the next T4 and maybe T5 he fights
11037
Inexorable (adjective): continuing without any possibility of being stopped
Derek Walker
He hasn’t really been using it for a while. He’s been infusing his concept, but many chapters ago he noted how the skill was lagging behind everything else. It fell out of his repertoire. This seems like a way to make it more relevant again
Alexander Graber-Tilton
That choice does not make sense to me, and actually somewhat ruins the immersion. Julius in general has used Empowerment of Will as a means of enhancing his other skills and as a means of bolstering his willpower. And it's served as a skill multiplier for the rest of his skills. Inexorable Aura of Ruin sounds like it's much more narrow in focus, and has an entirely different focus (Aura, not Will/Augmenting other skills). It's entirely different and such a massive risk to his force multiplier that it just doesn't make sense, even if it might help controlling his Aura (which is doubtful).
Prent
....That skill does not sound like it'll make his aura problem better at all. If anything it sounds like it's about to get way worse.
Raymond Mouton
Thanks for the chapter. I gotta be careful with those cliffs, someday, I may walk off of one, if you keep putting it infront of me…
Nim
Right??? 😆
Zack
This cliff means it's going to be either underwhelming for us (edit: this would be funny), or Julius just made a massive mistake and we get to be very entertained next chapter. 👌
Quasimotolovesbells
LoL Skill roulette time >.<
Usernames_are_annoying
TFTC. I wonder if more of his skills will gain the ruin modifier…
Bosparan
Thanks for the chapter! Why do I have this feeling, that with two ruinous skills now he has to work twice as hard to control his aura? ^^ Or at least, that's what I'd assume if this mini-arc wasn't intended to demonstrate the OP-ness of our MC compared to his tier equivalents, so instead his new epic skill is going to help control it, presumably ;) (not that I mind - "numbers going up" is kind of meaningless if you don't show it off occasionally)
Kevin Jalop
Yes. But I think it's more to do with the enemy not being able to go against the aura of ruin.
Adrian Auriat
am i the only one who want to see this status ?
William Johnson
Last skill I got with Ruin in the name made the thing it's attached to actively dangerous to everything around me, surely this time it'll work out! Oh Julius, never change.
Azulmar
You're killing me Smalls!
adam1
More focus on Ruin... he's going to annihilate whoever shows up to challenge the caravan.
Adoltin
I almost feel like Julius is headed down a path of giving people emotional whiplash. A friendly young man who enjoys food and laughing, who has an absolutely terrifying Aura, and stupidly destructive Skills.
Zach
TFTC! Can’t wait to see him go super saiyan ruinous aura 🫡
brennon Petersen
Tftc!
Voral
Man I'm so hyped to the reaction of everyone in the caravan when Julius will let out his aura and fight for real! TFTC!
CapeShifter
The label [Inexorable] makes me think it would make his aura harder to stop, not easier. What makes this different from last time he got an aura skill?
Profile Name
Tyftc. thought for shure a skill with ruin would be superior
Quentin Cozzi
Thanks for the chapter!
Austin
First
