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Alexander returned to the same empty cave he had been in before. He took out all the magical cores he had collected from the wolves and orcs and began absorbing them. "Well, it seems I'm just one step away from the high-level first rank, but I shouldn't rush. I need to make sure I have enough techniques and magical power to advance."
Alexander opened the scroll and started examining the techniques. He found a high-level first-rank technique called "Hellfire," which allows the user to turn into a mass of fire and increase the power of their fire attacks for a duration depending on their strength.
"This technique is much better than 'Firestorm,' but at my current level, it might only last 30 seconds. If I reach the high-level first rank, it could last a minute."
Alexander looked closely at the second technique and burst into laughter. "Ha ha ha ha, is this just ordinary luck or some kind of joke?" The technique was "Advanced Mental Manipulation," the very technique Alexander desired and envied the goblin wizard for. This manipulation was stronger than the goblin wizard's.
The manipulation Alexander now possessed was stronger than the goblin wizard's. If they faced each other at full strength with this technique, Alexander, at the mid-level first rank, would easily crush the high-level first-rank goblin wizard. This was because the mental technique the wizard had was "Basic Mental Manipulation," the weakest and undevelopable technique, only capable of defeating those weaker than you.
Alexander looked excitedly and said, "I have a plan I want to try, but it was really worth risking my life. Okay, let's see the last technique."
The last technique was more like a skill called "Ten Shadow Moves." This skill made the user's body incredibly agile, which was perfect for Alexander as it would help him sneak behind enemies like a professional assassin.
Alexander sat in a meditative position and began studying and memorizing these three techniques.
(Five days later)
Alexander awoke from his meditation, feeling extremely hungry. "It seems time passed quickly, but my understanding of these techniques now qualifies me to enter the high-level first rank. But first, I'll go try my plan."
Alexander used the "Ten Shadow Moves" technique. Naturally talented, Alexander's only weakness was his body. This allowed him to learn a great deal of this technique in five days, making it impossible for even those at the peak of the first rank to reach him.
After a few minutes, Alexander found what he was looking for: a large group of goblins, about 100, with a high-level wizard in the center. Large goblin groups usually included a mid-level wizard, and it was rare to find one at the high-level first rank.
Alexander didn't hide his aura; instead, he exploded it, alerting the high-level goblin wizard, who cast a powerful fire spell at Alexander.
Alexander laughed, "Good, because this is what I wanted, goblin wizard. Fire fights fire." Before the giant fireball hit Alexander, he used the "Hellfire" technique, releasing a wave of flames that burned everything within 50 meters.
Alexander looked closely and found that he had eliminated all the goblins except a few protected by the goblin wizard's shield. The remaining goblins were terrified of Alexander, and his body had become so fiery that some goblins burned unintentionally.
"Wait, wait, this isn't what I wanted. I still want to try more techniques on you, my test subjects." The goblin wizard screamed loudly and placed a fire-resistant barrier around the remaining goblins, about 15 of them.
The goblin wizard pointed his finger at Alexander, and within a second, the remaining goblins gathered their courage and charged at Alexander. Alexander said, "What a clever plan to put up such a shield, but unfortunately, these aren't just ordinary flames; they're hellfire."
Alexander then disappeared and reappeared behind one of the goblins. The goblin turned to see Alexander behind him. Alexander placed his finger on the goblin's head, burning it to ashes. In the next second, seven more goblins burned, all within less than two seconds.
"Okay, enough playing around. I'll try what I came to try." Alexander combined the "Hellfire" and "Advanced Mental Manipulation" techniques. Despite the low chance of fusion, he succeeded in creating a technique he named "Mental Flame," allowing him to burn cores weaker than his level and control the burning bodies like undead.
Alexander tested it on three goblins farther away...
From 30 meters away, the three goblins burned and turned into fiery bodies. Alexander commanded, "Kill the remaining goblins." The three burning goblins, now called "fire puppets," clung to their remaining comrades and turned them to dust in less than a second.
"Kill that wizard," Alexander ordered. The fire puppets went to kill the high-level goblin wizard, who cast spells to create a giant water ball towards the puppets, extinguishing them. The goblin wizard smiled, but the smile vanished in a second.
"What's wrong? Shocked that they reignited? Didn't I tell you it's hellfire?" Alexander's flames, inherited from his father, were legendary. With a powerful fire technique, he could reignite the puppets even if they were extinguished over 100 times, though this was beyond his current level.
Using the "Ten Shadow Moves" technique, Alexander surprised the goblin wizard by appearing behind him. Before the wizard could cast any spell, his body ignited and turned into a fire puppet. Alexander said one word, "Absorb," and absorbed the goblin wizard's core.
Alexander's fiery form disappeared, and he coughed up blood. "Cough, it seems this is the result of overusing the technique for a minute." He used all his healing potions and sat in a crouched position, preparing to advance to the high-level first rank. After absorbing a second-level core, obtaining mid-level magical stones, and learning many techniques, Alexander found it easier to advance.
(After a day)
Alexander sighed, "Finally, the high-level first rank. My dantian has expanded 20 times, and I bet the expansion at the peak of the first rank is more than 50 times." He noticed the magical core he had with him making noise, indicating someone was contacting him.
Alexander pressed accept and saw Leonard's face. "Hello, Leonar-..." Leonard interrupted, "Sir! Where are you? Are you okay? Have you eaten well? Are you hurt?" Alexander felt Leonard was like a caring mother. "Everything is fine, I'm in perfect health. But is there a problem? Why do you seem anxious?"
Leonard paused and then said, "Actually, sir, your uncle Gabriel has been sending his soldiers to see you. Each time, I sent them away, claiming you were too weak to meet anyone. But last time, he came personally to see you, and I refused. He tried to break into the room. Victor and I barely managed to stop him, but Victor lost consciousness trying to protect me from your uncle Gabriel's attack."
Alexander was annoyed by this. Although he hadn't spent much time with Victor, he knew he was completely loyal. Alexander said through gritted teeth, "Leonard, I'll come to you soon." Leonard replied, "Shall I secure the gate for you, sir?" Alexander responded, "No need, I know how to enter the castle." Leonard, worried, said, "But be careful, sir. It seems your uncle Gabriel suspects you left the castle. He has placed heavy guards at the gates, including two mid-level wizards and his right-hand man, a high-level wizard."
Alexander said, "Don't worry, I'll come right away." Leonard replied, "I'll be waiting eagerly, sir."
Leonard was about to leave when Alexander reached the castle walls and used the "Ten Shadow Moves" technique. Now, at the high-level first rank, it was impossible for anyone at his level to detect him, and even those at the peak of the first rank would find it difficult.
Alexander successfully sneaked in, hiding his energy to appear as the weakling at the low-level first rank. He entered his room and used his magical power to locate Leonard quickly. Alexander appeared behind Leonard, who was shocked and tried to use his sword. Alexander grabbed his hand and said, "Calm down, it's me, Alexander."
Leonard, astonished, said, "Sir, I'm sorry, please forgive me." Alexander replied, "It's okay." Leonard asked curiously, "But how did you sneak up on me like that, sir?" Alexander said, "You just weren't paying attention, that's all." Leonard responded, "Okay, sir." Although Leonard had many questions, he chose not to ask them now.
Alexander looked at Victor, who was lying weakly on a bed in Leonard's room. "Why haven't you given him at least a mid-level healing potion yet?" Alexander asked. Leonard replied, "It's not that I don't want to, sir, but I don't have any. Your uncle Gabriel has confiscated all magical items from me, Victor, and the other soldiers loyal to your father to ensure we can't touch him."
Alexander gave Leonard a mid-level magical potion and told him to give it to Victor while he went to settle some scores. Leonard grabbed Alexander's hand and said
"Sir, please calm down. Victor and I are used to this treatment. Don't let your emotions drive you to face your greatest fear (Uncle Gabriel)."
Alexander chuckled lightly and said to Leonard, "Don't worry. From today, no one will be able to touch you or any of my soldiers." Then Alexander disappeared in the blink of an eye, leaving behind only the healing potion he had given Leonard to treat Victor.