Draco's POV
One. Two. Three. Four.
That was my limit.
Gravity had stopped playing nice. It wanted me back on the ground. The grip I had on the bark gave way, and I slipped.
At the last second, I caught myself. My body twisted midair, and I landed in a perfect backflip, feet firmly planted.
I remembered how, in Naruto, shinobi trained their chakra control with specific methods. Tree climbing was one of them. I decided to try it myself, except I used mana instead of chakra.
The results weren't exactly game-changing, but I could feel it. My control was sharper than before.
That little delusion I had been nursing, that maybe the plot here would follow the original, was completely shattered after the whole Rose incident. No sign of Cid anywhere.
Of course, saving her was just a side effect of my looting activity. At least, that's what I tell myself instead of admitting it was a dickheaded, impulse decision to leap in and risk my life for some girl I barely knew.
Some girl I'd only ever seen in an anime.
Still, I didn't regret it much, mainly because nothing happened to me, but also because of that theory that a butterfly flapping its wings might cause a storm.
Who knows what her death could have caused? In the anime, she was alive. Here? Maybe her death would have sparked a war. Or something worse.
Anyway, the end result was simple. After that incident, I increased my work hours, especially since my injuries were finally healed and no longer holding me back.
"Ah, finally, five." I grinned. This time I hadn't fallen right away… only to lose my balance a moment later and land squarely on my backside with a dull thud.
"Ouch… I should not lose my concentration." I was frustrated, sure, but the grin stuck, proof I was still pleased with my progress.
There were still many steps to go. I glanced up at the tree, which somehow looked even taller from down here. But the sight didn't discourage me.
Without wasting a moment, I pushed myself to my feet and stepped onto the trunk again, determined to climb higher this time.
The Template Assimilation was progressing nicely too. I could use Total Concentration for a quarter of an hour now, longer if I pushed myself. But overdo it and I would just collapse unconscious afterward.
As for Paul, after his Assimilation boost, I was on a whole other level. I could beat the past me in seconds. The reason? Battle aura.
I had completely forgotten that swordsmen in that world used mana to boost their physical attributes. Sure, I remembered they were fast and strong, it is practically a cliché in any fantasy world, but for some reason I ignored it. Maybe I just did not pay enough attention to the series.
Anyway, it is exactly the same here. Similar method. Same effect.
The result was a massive leap in my combat ability, with Paul's years of adventuring experience steadily sharpening my skills.
Still, despite all the good things, my symptoms of possession are not going away. In fact, the sudden increase in my mana has only made them worse. I am better at controlling it now, but recovery will take time. That is why I am focusing on controlling my mana even more now.
To speed things up, I have decided to find someone else in a similar state. If I can compare us, maybe I can figure out whether our conditions are the same or if there is a difference.
Use them as test subjects.
Yeah, it sounds cruel, but I am dying here. Between me and someone else, I will always choose myself.
And who knows? If I figure out the method properly, maybe I could save others too. Maybe even start my own Shadow Garden.
Just a dream for now.
Anyway, the real problem is that finding them will not be easy. I cannot risk tailing anyone. It is way too soon to attract the Church's attention. My best shot is to go somewhere with the highest chance of running into one.
Lucky for me, there is supposedly a fox clan in the area. Not exactly close, but not too far either, just a day's journey if I take the forest path.
Still, I have my doubts. Could it be the same fox clan that gets wiped out? The one where Cid saves a survivor who later becomes the leader of the Lawless City?
If so, I have to move. Fast.
Once they are gone, finding another possessed will be nearly impossible.
I have already asked the inn guy about the route. I am still keeping up the cover for now, not for much longer though. I double-checked with a few folks in the city too, so actually getting there should not be a problem.
The real pain will be catching someone without the whole clan knowing. If things go south, I will probably have to fight, maybe a bunch of them.
Not that I am backing down. My life is on the line here. Worst case, I bail. Simple as that. Ego is nice and all, but it is not worth much if I am six feet under.
And hey, two steps in a day. I finally hit six.
Thud.
"Ow… damn it."
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