"Innate full soul power…"
Celestia Ruth whispered, her eyes fixed on the blue crystal shining in Anos' hands. The light grew brighter and brighter, filling up the whole room with blinding light.
Crack!
Her eyes narrowed. "The crystal—!"
The surface split apart, spider-web cracks streaking across it in an instant.
Boom!
The crystal burst into a cloud of blue dust.
"Eh?!" Anos blinked furiously, observing all these scattered chunks around them.
"Mother
Celestia Ruth stood frozen, her chest heaving with each struggling breath, as if she were being denied access to air.
"This. this is impossible. He's not just native full soul power like the geniuses in ancient times. he's.
Her throat constricted. He's just like Bianca.
Her eyes widened further. No – he's even more monstrous. He unleashed inner soul power… level twenty!
She did not hesitate to pour her own Soul Power into her son's body in order to confirm her conviction about the truth.
"…Level twenty," she whispered.
[You have discovered your inborn complete soul power level twenty.]
Zara's calming voice rang in Anos' mind.
"This is not normal, not normal at all. Moreover, this can only be achieved by supreme martial spirits. As for your case, it is because you have a triplet martial spirit."
Anos slowly clenched his fist, taking in Zara's words.
Celestia Ruth laughed weakly. "The brains of this generation. no, the brains of this world." She hugged him to her tightly, her face burrowed in his shoulder.
"My son. is the greatest."
Her voice was gentle, but her conviction hit Anos far more than any blows. He allowed her to hold him, but his thoughts wandered.
'That man. does not deserve her.'
His jaw clenched in thought. She gave her heart to two men. One was her teacher—who violated her. The other rejected her. He was consumed by pride.
He regarded her, her face, her small smile playing on her lips despite all she had endured.
I can bring her happiness which they took away from her.
The idea was fraught with danger, nearly presumptuous, but it lit a spark in his eyes.
"I can make her happy… and that man never could," he murmured to himself.
"Hm?" Celestia Ruth pulled back slightly, raising an eyebrow. "You can make what?"
Anos forced a smile, blinks slow in a Mikabolian smile. "Nothing," he repeats.
She narrowed her eyes, but his boyish grin put a sigh in her throat and she let it slide.
Rather, he spoke again, diverting the topic. "Mother, when shall we go hunting a soul beast for my martial spirit?"
She regained her serious composure. "We can go now, if you're ready," she stated.
His eyes were shining with excitement. "Then let's go to the Evil Mountain which is located behind the village. Although it's not comparable to Starshade Forest in scale, it still holds many soul-beasts."
Celestia Ruth nodded thoughtfully. "Evil Mountain. it's not as dangerous as Starshade, and it will do for a first hunting."
"When do you want to go?" she asked
"Very well. Let's go," she agreed, brushing a hand through his hair in a gentle, affectionate motion before they set to work.
__________________________________________________________________
Evil Mountain
The road twisted up into rugged country, dense forests sprawling on either side. The atmosphere was moist, thick with the scent of wild animals.
Anos walked with intent, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. His mother's presence with him was akin to a constant shield of protection, but he wished to prove himself.
Celestia Ruth suddenly stopped in her tracks, her bright eyes boring into the darkness.
"There's a soul beast over there. Anos, draw your sword."
But when she glanced at him, her eyes widened just a little.
The black blade of Dawn Breaker already sparkled in his left hand.
"He feels it...? No way. His sense of perception can't go beyond thirty meters," she thought with a fluttering heart.
The truth, in fact, is Anos hadn't detected it at all—not in a natural way, anyway. A red dot was already heading towards them from Zara's system map.
He took a slow breath, falling into Shadow Breathing, bringing his body into balance, spring-like. His crimson eyes smoldered.
*Mortal Sin: Endless Hunger
A deep-hunger lurked at his core, a vision sharpening abnormally.
"Mother," Anos said quietly but firmly, "let me handle this one. I want to try myself."
His eyes were red with an eerie light.
"…Anos," Celestia Ruth said, her lips thinning in shock. "But you can definitely defend yourself. However, if I notice a real threat, I will have to step in."
He nodded once. "Mm. I understand."
Leaves were rustling. The noise escalated—and suddenly a massive shadow emerged from the bushes.
A monster appeared: shiny black fur, four legs, armored plates along its spine.
[Name: Armour-Cl
[Species: Soul Beast]
[Age: 477 years
{Special Ability: Iron Skin}
The panther snarled, with golden eyes glinting as it launched an attack.
Anos sneered. "Intimidate you? Oh, please
He drew his katana in one fluid motion.
"Abyssal Blossom Tempest Sword Art
"First Sword: Early Summer Rain."
His sword flashed out, stabbing straight for the throat of the panther—
Clang
The punch slid off its armored fur, with sparks flying.
"Not enough, huh…" Anos whispered, smiling widely.
The panther roared, leaping again.
"Then—
His body tensed, muscles coiling as he activated the Gold Body technique—50%.
His blow fell in a burning arc.
Slash!
ROAR
The panther let out a howl as it saw that its armored leg had been completely severed. Blood spattered over the ground.
Its defenses may be thick, but its eyes—
Anos' eyes narrowed. "Your weakness. is obvious," he
He thrust his sword forward.
Puchi
The katana went right through the beast's eye and into its brain. The beast spasmed and then died.
"That was. easier than I thought," Anos pulled his blade out, shaking off blood.
Above this dead body, a paleyellow soul band flickered.
Zara's voice echoed monotonously
[Mortal Sin: Endless Hunger
Anos reeled as a flood of the monster's essence poured into him. His lungs labored, his sight reddening with a bloodlust, but the nulling in him receded.
[You have absorbed a part of the spiritual energy of an Armour-Clad Panther.]
[You have absorbed a fragment of its soul energy.]
[You have learned the skill: Iron Skin.]
"Heh. jackpot," chuckled Anos lowly, a smirk pulling across his lips.
Celestia Ruth's eyes softened when she observed him, feeling a mix of pride and discomfort in her heart.
His son wasn't just a genius. He was something beyond the world's measurement.