Locke was covered in white smoke the whole ti he circulated Falconim. Still, the distinct sound that marked a breakthrough was nowhere to be heard. Everything on the table was gone. Wooden boxes and tubes were strewn across the floor, with the blood essence and crimson potion within them having long been consud.
It had been three hours since Locke entered the training room. It felt as if an invisible chain was shackled around his body. No matter how strongly his Falconim surged, he just couldnt break out of it. His veins drumd from the pressure, streaks of blood eventually painted his being. His rampant Falconim was putting severe stress on his internal systems, presumably a side effect of consuming clif-fedge grass. Closing his eyes that were now swollen red, Locke willed his restlessness and discomfort away. His rich experience had trained his willpower to be exceptionally strong.
Another two hours later, his initially turbulent impetus began to weaken in intensity. Locke figured that the auxiliary potions were wearing off. Despite everything, the sensation of a breakthrough hadnt arrived yet. A thick crust of blood had ford on his back's clothing.
As the pain brought by his raging inner energy faded away, another sense of fatigue erged from the depths of his marrows. The symptoms of a failed advancent inched closer.
This was why many mid-ranked Knechts usually opted to avoid breakthroughs during the latter half of their lives. Aside from the low success rate, their biggest concern was probably a reduction in their lifespan. Locke hadnt voiced this concern to anyone. Hed like to think that he was a young man of only twenty-three years old. According to the fifty-year-old average lifespan in Faustian, he would at least have thirty years to spare. Knights lived a longer life compared to ordinary people, so he wasnt too scared.
Ten years off his belt was nothing. However, he wasnt too keen on failing. He had a feeling that success was rely an inch away.
The night had been agonizing, the barrier between a mid-rank and high-rank Knecht was finally manifesting in front of Locke. All Locke lacked at the mont was one last push. He needed sothing more to get through this!
With the slightest movent of his fingers, he produced a wooden box from his spatial ring, within which were two bunches of cliff-edge grass. Locke had never heard of consuming two cliff-edge grass in one go. He knew better than anyone of what these pretty looking herbs were capable. The pain was excruciating; it hurt his heart and made his blood vessels feel like they were about to explode. The thick maroon scabs that ford a layer on his body was primarily caused by cliff-edge grass too.
Co on! Locke cursed himself.
Another box of blood essence appeared on his right hand. Since the blood essences effect had been depleted; he intended to consu more to counteract the cliff-edge grasss ill effects in the hopes that the boosted blood production could help offset his blood loss.
Lifting a trembling arm, bits of hardened blood slipped off Lockes limb. The gaps between his fingers were filled with gri, a grueso mixture of blood and sweat. It had been too long since Locke last felt this flustered.
Perhaps his delirious state made him hallucinate. Suddenly, Locke felt like he was transported back in ti to when he was fighting the Battle of Gordon Heights. Locke, who had only joined the corps for two years, was a trembling ss hidden in a pile of corpses. Back then, the concept of life and death wasnt sothing he properly comprehended. The pain was his greatest fear. He shivered at the notion of his neck being cut apart and couldnt even bear to imagine how it would feel.
mories of his younger self made him chuckle. His arms stopped trembling and he stuffed another bunch of cliff-edge grass down his throat. His impetus surged again as he made a figurative final sprint for the finishing line!
By now, it was a little after midnight. Though it was sumr, the chilliness of the night made the won outside shiver. Yet, none of them dared to leave. Their eyes were still trained on the heavy stone door, hoping that itd open soon. Wrapped in the layers of blankets the guards brought her, Angelina continued to stare at the door. The night breeze blew at her exposed shoulder but she paid no mind to it.
Angelina thought, perhaps I should talk to Grandmother Parlina tomorrow. The Sanctum wasnt her only option as she had soone far more important to prioritize. Parlina was Angelinas grandisterin and one of the consultants of the caster faculty. She was a Magister and an extrely powerful hydromancer. Since Angelina was blessed with outstanding talent and a silver tongue, Parlina was extrely fond of her. The two of them were very close; Angelina would even call her Grandmother Parlina in private. Having no children of her own, Parlina was more than happy to consider Angelina as a granddaughter.
Compared to the Sanctum, Locke was much more important. Angelina felt almost as if she could see the man who survived the snowy night together through the heavy stone door. Just as everyone got increasingly worried about Locke, dawn arrived without them realising. A full night had just passed.
All of a sudden, the heavy doors opened to reveal a familiar figure with an intense husk of blood and sweat. Painstakingly, Locke dragged himself over with heavy steps that pitter-pattered with dripping blood.
Locke! Angelina exclaid, quickly running over with all her might. Lia, Suzzane, Glace and everyone else followed.
Are you alright? Angelina hugged Locke, who had been limping. It felt as if he would give out any minute. She, Glace and all the other won paid no mind to the pungent scent at all.
I wont be going anywhere, okay? whispered Angeline as she hugged him tightly.
No response ca from Suzzane and the others for they knew nothing. Glace, on the contrary, stared at Angelina with an understanding look. She was the only one who truly understood the implication of Angelinas words.
Enveloped tightly in their arms, Locke flashed his pearly whites. He strained to raise his right arm. Suddenly, his green impetus shined brightly. This was the proof of his advancent: he was a high-rank Knecht now! And with that, Locke slumped over.
It was supposed to be a September noon in Princeton, but it seed as if warmth had nothing to do with this piece of land. There were no signs of autumn at all. The cicadas outside remained lively as ever. It was already September, so why were the screaming insects still around?
Locke was out cold and resting in his bedroom. Today, it was Angelinas turn to tend to him. Glace had just left a few minutes ago. Though it had been three days since he broke through, he hadnt even shown the slightest sign of stirring yet. All the won took turns to care for him.
Angelina had stayed with him for the first two days. No one knew how she was able to last so long with the frail physique of a caster. It was only under the strong insistence of Lia and Glace that she finally returned to rest in her room on the third day. But as soon as she woke up, she headed straight for Lockes room again.
At the mont, Glace was off to fetch so food. Laffey had been in charge of making nutritious als. As a young servant who grew up in a margraves family, her cooking was absolutely splendid. While out cold, the won had been feeding Locke liquid als. There was plenty of major monster at in her cooking, which made for invigorating and filling dishes.
Opening up his heavy eyelids, Locke took everything in with a confused look. Where was he?
It soon dawned upon him that this was his room and the people gathered around him were familiar faces. The wons red and teary eyes reminded him of his dangerous missions. They seed to be really worried about him despite his advancent and successful breakthrough.
Angelina clamped a palm over her lips, doubling over to sob on Lockes body. Though he had been weakened by a few days of unconsciousness, he stubbornly placed an arm on Angelinas shoulder to offer comfort.
See, I made it, said Locke hoarsely. Despite being well-fed over the past three days, he hadnt been hydrated enough, so he felt parched as hell. Glace quickly passed a glass of water over.
Soone mustve spread the word out sohow as soon, a crowd gathered in Lockes room. Apart from Lia and Suzzane, Viscount Gage had arrived too. Kristin hugged his leg emotionally, screaming about not wanting Locke to ever leave her again. Lockes three-day coma and horrible state after exiting the training room had frightened her deeply.
While Kristin could glue herself to his side and be excused for her young age, Angelina wasnt given the sa privilege. She was a Faustian princess and she needed to maintain her image in the presence of Faustian nobles. Angelina could only wipe her tears away and stand up straight. Though so, her swollen eyes had never once left Locke.
Congratulations on your advancent, Brother Locke! congratulated Gage. Clever as ever, Gage broke the silence in the room and went forward to grasp his hand. Being a high-rank Knecht was considered a big deal in the Faustian Kingdom. Those with sufficient family support and strong background could serve as a regint commander in the army or even hold important roles in the palace. To Gage, Locke was bound to be a rising star among the Faustian nobles with Angelinas influence. However, it was clear that Locke had so talking to do with his family. Gage was well aware that he shouldnt linger long. After exchanging so pleasantries, he promptly led the other Faustian nobles away.
Dont you dare pull this stunt again! warned Lia as soon as the others were gone. Among all the won, Locke was the most obedient to her.
Sure. He leaned back in the bed and stared at everyone who truly cared about him.
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