Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 1858: The Initial Soul Stance

Amelia had deliberately brought Adam to this state. She needed to ensure he had no powers left to continue fighting and that his energy was depleted as well.

This was her best chance to fulfill her part of the deal, since she had lied to Adam during their first meeting.

It was impossible to teach someone the Soul Stance with any guarantee of success. Amelia could try to use every resource at her disposal, but if Adam wasn’t capable of doing it on his own, there was nothing she could do to change that.

Basically, Amelia had to help Adam harness this power much sooner than it would have happened otherwise.

Draining Adam of his energy was her best chance to force him to awaken the Soul Stance, at least a small part of it.

Step.

Amelia stepped forward and attacked. She was ready to go all the way and inflict a serious wound on Adam if necessary.

Soon, she saw what she had been waiting for so long.

“This is…!” Her eyes widened as Adam used the only thing he had, his aura.

Every Phantom knew how to use their body and energy for battle. That was common knowledge.

Sure, fairly early on, a Phantom also learned how to use its aura, but even the aura armor that Laroza had taught Adam wasn’t meant for attack. It was simply a more powerful form of containment and protection against an enemy’s aura, which would hit a Phantom like a powerful wave.

Adam couldn’t wrap his hand in aura to make his strike stronger.

Well, at least that had been the case until now.

“He did it.” Amelia smiled as Adam’s fist collided with hers.

A bright flash lit up the training hall before a shockwave sent Adam flying to the side, leaving a trail of blood in his wake.

Thump. Thump. Thump.

Adam’s back slammed against the floor again and again until he came to a stop on the other side of the training hall.

The fact that he’d used his aura to attack for the first time was a significant achievement, but it wasn’t enough to overpower Amelia, who now possessed the Baron’s power.

“Kha…!” Adam coughed up blood as everything before his eyes blurred.

He had been fighting nonstop for over four hours. One more hit or any movement, and he would pass out from exhaustion.

Step. Step. Step.

The light footsteps of bare feet on the wooden floor echoed as Adam looked up.

“Huh…” Adam rasped. “Judging by your slight smile… I managed to do what you wanted, right?”

Amelia nodded deeply. Now, even she couldn’t hide her joy.

“Yes. You used your aura to attack for the first time. It’s not yet a full-fledged Soul Stance, since that requires combining energy and aura, but it’s the first step toward mastering this power.”

“I see.” Adam tried to get up, but he quickly realized that was a bad idea. “Rgh… You’ve been beating me up for four hours, no… even longer. So this is how you thank the person who saved your father?”

The corners of Amelia’s lips turned up for a moment.

“To be honest, you’ve given me quite a few bruises as well.” She held out her hands. “I have to admit that if I’d lowered myself to your power level, I wouldn’t have lasted this long. You’re a real talent, Mr. Adam.”

Adam closed his eyes, feeling a sense of satisfaction from this long and painful training session.

“You know, I changed my mind at the last minute. Laroza’s training helped me with that.”

“Hmm?” Amelia gave him a questioning look. “What are you talking about?”

“I used my aura, and as a result, my two flows merged into one. My aura needed exactly that form to attack. Now I understand. That’s what you were trying to achieve. But… Do you realize you could have just died?”

For some reason, a chill ran down Amelia’s spine.

She sensed that this wasn’t a silly joke and that Adam was serious.

Then, he opened his palm as two energy blobs materialized above his hand: one black and one purple.

Amelia’s eyes widened instantly as she realized what they were.

“Dark Energy and Ancient Energy… You’ve completely isolated these energy types from your attacks. If you’d poured all the Dark and Ancient Energy you have into that last strike, then…”

“Yeah.” Adam shrugged. “That would’ve been a big problem for you. At the very least, you’d have lost your arm, though I think the consequences would’ve been even worse. Am I right?”

Amelia touched her shoulder and nodded slowly.

“I’m afraid so.”

Adam said nothing more.

From this training, he not only made progress in mastering the Soul Stance, but he also gained a better understanding of where he stood in the power hierarchy.

‘So Laroza and Farla were right. I really can defeat a Baron. Once I master the Soul Stance, I’ll become even stronger! Huh, it looks like my journey through the Grand Abyss will be easier than I originally thought.’

After a while, Adam opened his eyes.

“So, what happens now?”

Amelia replied immediately:

“If possible, I’d like you to return to treating my father after you’ve rested. We’ll alternate between your training and my father’s treatment. That way, we’ll trust each other and make the process as effective as possible.”

“Alright, I get it.” Adam waved his hand.

Then, he closed his eyes and collapsed onto the floor.

“Oh…”

Amelia sighed as she looked at Adam, who was already unconscious.

“He really fought until the very end. Agh… I’m glad I chose him. Now, everything’s going pretty well.”

It was important to Amelia that Vador recover. Not just for her own sake, but for the family’s.

There were plenty of monsters who would be ready to take control of their family if they found out about Vador’s death.

Amelia couldn’t let that happen.

However, even she made mistakes.

She focused on her father, her family, and Adam’s training, completely forgetting that Adam himself was a prime target for many monsters.

The upper level of Varreyn was no exception, and given the Grad family’s vulnerable position, it was a perfect opportunity to attack Adam.