Gaming Sword Magician

Chapter 100: Memorizing Battle Style

The moment the countdown ended the Zen flame puppet opened its eyes. Scarlet eyes gleamed as battle force burst out of its eyes, raising a strong wind which bellowed towards Whittaker, who has started to perform hand signs.

The strong wind raised a dust of storm which swept up some patches of grass and his snowy-white hair; however, a thin bluish skin invisible to the eyes has appeared all about Whittaker body. Not a single speck of dust entered his eyes for Mana-Shield as activated; his devansha vision pierced through the dusty clouds and stared right at the Scarlet eyed puppet.

"Young boy, this battle puppet has learned a compiled battle style while yours isn't taught but learned through experience, moreover, your battle style is somewhat lacking in many ways. I advise you to not kill it in the initial moment of the combat as you will be able to learn a lot from its battle style; however, do so only if you wish to." Lord Dark spirit voice rang beside the battle-hardened expert.

Battle styles are defined as different ways of fighting. The way of battling is different in every Academy. Military Academies will teach their students to be brutal and fight with vigor, temples like the Zen temple would teach one of their many battle styles to their high-ranking disciples; however, these battle styles are only taught to their life bound members.

Life bound members are those awakened who have sworn to serve their chosen temple, military, royal, or noble house for life. They are branded with magic symbols that bound them to this oath. Except for death nothing can separate them from then on.

Whereas, Frost Fall Academy has an open library filled with hundreds of books on battle styles. A student can self-study the type of battle style he wishes to learn. There was no limitation as Headmaster Yeon just wished for the young ones to grow strong, hopefully, one of the many talented ones will be able to replace his old bones, shouldering the responsibility of the northern border for his sake. Even though Headmaster Yeon has retired from his military duty, his presence will still be sought whenever there's a problem in the northern border as he was still the most strongest in the Northern region. 

The Dark spirit was certain that Whittaker will be able to smash the Zen Flame Puppet within a minute if he gave his best even though the puppet has learned a battle style. This wasn't a boastful thought.

The Zen Flame puppet was outmatched in every single way when compared to Whittaker's strength. His class weapons, Azure-sky equipment, and legendary Magic Swordsman battle style far surpassed the battle puppet in every single way. His S-ranked sword was sharp enough to break the 4-star defense of its metallic body.

In the awakened continent, power levels didn't matter too much on the outside. The power high-ranked class weapon and magical equipment gave were much more useful. The way a person utilizes his pieces of equipment and class weapon in battle was more important than the personal mage or battle master ranking of an Awakened.

Ranks of equipment went from 1-star, all the way up to 7-star. Whittaker was equipped with three 4-star equipment and possessed boss-level class weapons. Because of the way the power system worked, Lord Dark Spirit was easily gauged that Whittaker an F-ranked awakened will be able to beat the dents out of the Zen battle puppet within a minute but that would be giving up a grand opportunity of stealing a battle style from the "Zen Mountain".

Whittaker's eyes narrowed in thought as he calculated that the benefits of following Lord Dark spirit advice outweigh the disadvantages. "I have good memorization ability, hence learning the way it attacks and uses its battle ability to attack will be easy for me to entirely memorize during this battle," he thought in glee. After a momentary pause, he internally asked, "But will it not be considered theft, stealing other people's battle styles? Won't there be problems, later on?" 

"Nope, they can only silently blame themselves even if you outright provoke them by smashing their disciples or students by using their battle style. Moreover, when you pass this trial you will have the backing of Elder Zachary so the Zen mountain will treat you as their own." The dark spirit said mysteriously. It seems like it knew the deep relationship Elder Zachary shared with the Zen mountain.

"Since there's no need to worry about future repercussions then I don't mind memorizing and learning its battle style." Whittaker thought with a smile, a hint of passion at becoming a battle style thief apparent in his eyes.

Although there was no need to, he still swayed his S-ranked sword, Blood Drinker, and swept away the dusty clouds with the gales of wind, in the very moment, crackling sounds were produced as the Zen Flame puppet stood up from its seated position.

In response, Whittaker, who was positioned in his signature battle stance with eyes flaring up in battle intent and a beaming smile on his face, shouted Frost Bolt three times.

The Frost Spellbook flickered in bluish icy light, releasing three Frost Bolts towards the 4-star puppet, each shooting towards its vital position.

Keng! Keng! Keng! 

The Flame-attribute spear clutched in the hands of the Zen Flame puppet thursts out three times, just like the most thirsty and poisonous snake, effectively shattering the three frost bolts shot at his heart, ball of steels, and forehead in the same second.

[Frost Bolt]...[Frost Bolt]...[Frost Bolt]...

Right after, around a dozen of Frost Bolt rained downed on it, in the very moment, the Flame spear of the Zen mountain puppet was set ablaze as it poured its battle energy into the attribute line.

SHUA! SHUA! SHUA!

In the perfect moment, the Zen Flame puppet spun the spear in its hand, creating blazing circles upon which the Frost Bolts crashed, melting away furiously and leaving behind no trace.