C13 A Leap in Strength

Ahalin's Fighter Display Skill, Level 2, Agility +0.2, Strength +0.3, Constitution +0.1 – but this time was different. There was an unexpected plus sign following the upgrade prompt.

Odin was puzzled. Why such a rapid increase? Had his practice skill unknowingly reached its peak during his bout with Karna?

There was no time to dwell on it. Odin kept tapping the persistent plus sign.

As he did, his combat skill transformed. He realized he had absorbed all of Karna's display skills, adapting them to his own capabilities, crafting moves that suited him perfectly.

Take Odin's psychic force, for instance. As he leveled up, his display skill harnessed the power of his psychic force, each strike stirring the air and sending a tremor through the minds of those around him. Even Curott and Federica, standing to the side, felt the air's vibrations.

They exchanged looks, their eyes wide with shock and disbelief. Years of combat training had never introduced them to someone with such formidable learning abilities.

Clearly, Odin had been at a disadvantage at the start of his fight with Karna. Yet, he managed to rapidly assimilate her moves, transforming them into something uniquely his – a testament to his astounding learning capacity.

Odin was oblivious to Curott and Federica's astonished stares, too engrossed in his own swift progression. When his display skill finally reached level 10, the plus sign vanished from the message box.

Karna was no match for him now. With a casual flick of his wrist, Odin evaded her attack and, with the swiftness of a thunderclap, seized her arm with a grip as firm as an eagle's talon. A slight lean forward, and he sent Karna tumbling to the ground.

Exhausted from the mental exertion of their prolonged duel, Karna lay sprawled on the ground, soaked in sweat.

Karna's eyes widened as she gazed at Odin. Unlike the spectators below the stage, she had personally clashed with him in combat. She could distinctly perceive the incremental shifts in Odin's power—from initially struggling to keep up to effortlessly managing the fight. Despite her reluctance to concede, Karna had to acknowledge that Odin was an even more formidable presence than her sister.

After Karna's defeat, two notifications appeared before Odin:

Ahalin's ground fighting display skill acquired. Practice it two hundred times for an agility boost of +2, strength increase of +3, and constitution enhancement of +2.

Gained +30 experience for defeating the enhanced Karna.

Odin wiped the sweat from his brow and stooped to lift Karna to her feet. "You've improved significantly since we last met, Karna."

"Don't tease me," Karna said, brushing off the compliment. The recent bout had drained her of much energy and psychic force, leaving her barely able to muster the strength to talk.

"Odin, Federica and I will forgo our matches with you. I've seen enough to gauge your capabilities and have decided to entrust you with the fighting club's most advanced combat skill," Curott said, clapping Odin on the shoulder. Any previous skepticism he held about Odin's abilities had vanished; he was now convinced that Odin was the one to lead the Ahalin fighting club to greatness.

"Your aptitude for learning is astounding," Federica remarked. "Curott mentioned you visited the Death Cult today. Did something happen? Since we've resolved to formally instruct you in our combat skill, you're someone we trust. Feel free to trust us in return; we might be able to offer assistance."

The word "trust" momentarily dazed Odin. He pondered how long it had been since he had truly trusted anyone, especially since encountering the Ebon Hand after gaining his status bar, which had only fortified the walls around his heart. Yet, witnessing the genuine concern of the siblings, Odin decided to share that the Ebon Hand intended to use him as a divine vessel.

The siblings fell silent, momentarily at a loss for words on how to console Odin.

"This isn't a situation where we can rely solely on the Reaper's assistance," Federica said after a moment of contemplative silence, as if a thought had just struck her.

"What might that be?" Odin pressed, eager not to miss any chance that presented itself.

"The school's fighting club ranking competition is fast approaching. If you can represent our club and secure first place, one of the prizes could prove useful to you," Federica explained.

"But sister, is it really wise to have him compete in the fighting club tournament? Even with his remarkable strength and rare talent, it doesn't guarantee he can best you. And if he can't beat you, how can we expect him to perform well in the competition?" Karna expressed her concern, her brow furrowed.

"On the contrary, given Odin's rate of progress, it's only a matter of time before he outpaces me. Another bout with me might just elevate his strength above my own," Federica replied, her gaze fixed on Odin with unwavering conviction.

"What's this thing you mentioned that could help me?" Odin was less interested in their debate over his participation and more focused on the reward Federica hinted could aid him in breaking free from the Ebon Hand's grasp.

"It's related to the God of Life, specifically the badge of the God of Life. I'm not certain of its exact purpose, but I've heard it's a formidable artifact tied to combat. Even without knowing all the details, if it's connected to battle, it's bound to be advantageous for you when facing the Ebon Hand's onslaught," Federica said earnestly.

"The God of Life? The deity who founded the Life Church?" Odin inquired, a flicker of recognition crossing his face.

"Exactly. The powers wielded by the Life Church's followers all stem from the God of Life. But even after all these years, the true extent of the God's abilities remains a mystery. I've only encountered a disciple of the Life Church in combat once; it was as if they possessed boundless strength, making them incredibly formidable," Curott chimed in.

"Boundless strength?" Odin mused, sensing a glimmer of insight, yet unable to grasp it fully.