147 The neatest glare (1/2)

”Our Souls can be defined by different levels, each of which describe its compatibility with the Mana essence our bodies are filled with. The higher our Soul's level, the neater the glare our Mana will cast upon the world around us,” said Iblis as he began to explain everything to Helial.

Helial pondered over the meaning of these enigmatic words and furrowed his eyebrows.

”Before you rack your brains to pieces, I'll give you a very practical example. What's the difference between looking at your face in a rain puddle and in crystal-clear water?” Iblis said calmly.

”In the muddy water of a puddle you won't be able to see your face as neatly as in crystal-clear water,” was Helial's prompt response as he felt an Epiphany drawing nearer. His Soul seemed to be pounding. It was about to realize something. However, the Epiphany lay one centimeter away from Helial's reach. The awareness of his own limits weighted down on him unbearably.

”So, I notice you've grasped the principles behind the Levels. The higher your Soul's Level, the better it projects your very essence onto the world around you. If you have but a blurry image of yourself, it will only cast a faint reflection which won't let your essence emerge completely. This makes the climb down Daos of Mana much harder. It also kind of changes our attitude, somehow.”

It was only then that Helial realized why Iblis had asked him about their chances to defeat the Undead.

It wasn't just one way or the other. I was me who decided we could only choose to either lose or run away, Helial thought as he gritted his teeth. My mind is still too restricted.

”Does this mean my Soul is weak, Master?” Helial asked in concern. The boy had always thought he had an extraordinarily strong Soul, thanks to which he boasted an extraordinary Mana Control. But ever since the Devil had entered his Soul, all of his certainties had begun to fall down.

Iblis gave him an inscrutably deep look before going on to say: ”Your case is a strange one. On the one hand, you have been pig-headed enough to reach an impressive strength. Your Soul does seem unwavering as iron. Your Mana Control and the refined nature of your Soul let you receive inside of you both two legendary Legacies. In your shoes, any other living being had already been stone dead.”

Iblis climbed down his invisible chair to approach Helial with small firm steps.

”Your heart, on the other hand, has kept hardening even after you left your brother. That's why you managed to face ever greater difficulties. So now your Soul is strong, but impure. It can't reflect your true essence despite the outstanding power you got from this very transformation,” Iblis said as he yawned.

Helial stared blankly. This meant, a change in his Soul could lead to a complete change in his Dao?

”Doesn't matter how long you analyze this. You need to experience it on your skin…”

***

Countless years before

Siche received yet another attack, this time in the face. Her indescribably destructive beauty risked to be lost forever.

Siche's body fell down to the ground. The impact spread through the earth as the ground cracked open beneath her.

Her opponent stirred up the corners of his mouth in a sneer. Amaterasu's pupil Marte cast her a disdainful look. He was three meters tall. His build was a brawny tyrannical one. On the contrary, Siche was but five feet tall. Her silhouette was slim and shapely. It was indeed true that one couldn't tell the strength of an Immortal by their size, but Marte did nonetheless strike utter fear into the heart of his opponents. ”Why would so stunning a woman side with those Destruction slobs?”

Siche gritted her teeth as her expression turned angry: ”Slobs? How come this slob of my master alone had all of you lower your head five years ago?”

Marte gave her a smile as he said: ”Might be. But we all know we have let him have this cease-ire for mere pity.”

Siche began to foam with rage. Her master was the only one who granted her the chance to fully live her second life. She would let no one tarnish his name, let alone an arrogant blowhard from the Clan of Life.

The only reason why she had stooped so low as to practice with one of those Life hypocrites was that she was trying to grow stronger in any way. She needed to help her master. She surely was one of the strongest warriors in the Devil's ranks. However, her skills were nowhere near as outstanding as those of Iblis.

According to the truce declared by Life and Destruction, the disciples of both factions could now freely challenge the members of the counterpart Clan, given that no one would kill no one else. Beating someone to death was strictly prohibited, as well as make them crippled or destroy someone else's Dao of Mana. Every irreparable damage purposely inflicted would have undergone punishment. This way, they would avoid the umpteenth war.

”Truth is, Iblis couldn't defeat the greatest leaders of the Forces of Life. That's the only reason why he came back with his tail between his legs, to beg for truce!” exclaimed Marte as he burst into laughter.

Siche's eyes were sparked out by a feeling Marte could not define.

”An ugly truth to accept, huh?” Amaterasu's pupil went on laughing wildly without taking notice of the ghastly shadow staring at him with a piercing glare behind his back.

A large mocking smile spread across Siche's face.

”What's up, whore? You laugh, now? You must be out of yourself. Did I beat your head too hard?” Marte giggled. ”Why don't you crawl back to your master to ask for some further advice, for example on how to suck…”

Toc Toc

Marte felt a fingertip tumble on his hip. His expression darkened. ”Who dares interrupt me?”

”Just wanted to know, like, how exactly did this Iblis surrender to the greatest warriors of Life.”