Dungeon of Niflheim

Once Javas had expended all his fighting methods Frost finally unleashed his royal aura, pressing on the man's soul, causing his once vaulted speed to degrade by an entire level and his movements to become rigid as if his entire body had grown tense. He felt as though his body weighed far more than normal and every fibre of his being was screaming to either run or bow down to his enemy.

Frost didn't hold back in directing the full weight of his aura upon Javas, allowing him to bear his full force for just a few seconds.

"As you can see and perhaps maybe even some of you can feel the main difference between B-rank and those below is the application of aura. This mystifying ability is the result of a qualitive change within an individual, those who reach this realm have truly started upon the path of power." Frost spoke with a booming voice before looking back at Javas who was struggling to keep his composure.

"Mr Javas can you please explain how it felt being assaulted by my aura."

"…..It was like I was wrapped in a chilling pressure that filled every fibre of my body with fear, like I was being stared down by a vicious predator." Frost nodded his head, happy with his answer.

"One's aura is always different depending on the person however for B-ranks especially in the early stages the prime affect is to subject an enemy to a strong pressure. Like how a rabbit will freeze when met with the gaze of a tiger a person with aura becomes a veritable predator, an unbeatable existence in their eyes.

Only those with their own auras or who have gained a glimpse into it can resist the pressure. It's one of the main reasons why quantity becomes far less efficient in the upper levels. By use of my aura alone I can severely reduce the combat effectiveness of any C-rank and below."

"Of course such notions aren't completely infallible, those with very strong will or a tempered bloodlust tend to do better when it comes to resisting aura. Mr Javas here performed remarkably well even while under my full pressure despite not being able to interact with aura himself."

"If I'm correct Mr Javas you were likely part of the military in the past and have a substantial wealth of battle experience." Javas reminded him a lot of the officers in the frost wolf battalion.

"Correct, before my injury I was part of Kranor's military and defended her against multiple assaults." The former military man replied with pride, subconsciously arching out his chest.

"Thank you for your honoured service, it was pleasure to spar with you Mr Javas." Frost replied with upmost respect.

"No, the pleasure was all mine Sir Frost, thank you for teachings." Javas bowed his head in reverence before limping towards his seat. Frost had showed him the gap between them step by step, enlightening him of the path forward. Perhaps he'll be able to improve again, perhaps not but he was willing to try.

Javas was welcomed back with a loud round of applause and numerous shoulder pats from his fellow teachers and more advanced students.

"What I displayed before is but the tip of iceberg when it comes to the manipulation of aura. Following the simple application of emitting a heavy presence and protecting yourself from such attacks comes more advanced forms which I have really only seen or just started to experiment with.

For example [wyvern's maw]" Frost activated one of trademark glaive skills once again however this time he infused some of his aura into it, enhancing its corporal form and giving it more presence.

"During my fights in the monster stampede I witnessed more than a few of my allies and enemies use this method to enhance their techniques and even spells, granting them additional qualities and power. I've been told that one can also eventually turn the benefits of their aura inwards granting them more strength, speed, endurance or even improvements to their mana flow and control.

Unfortunately I'm not at that level yet." All the students were thoroughly engaged with his words, and immensely grateful. None of their instructors or family members could accurately describe the nature of aura or the fabled B-rank realm because none of them ever reached such a level. Frost was truly giving them a lesson they couldn't get from their home state.

Jasmine was practically shaking with rapture as she imagined herself reaching such a level. However her curiosity instead of being sated grew exponentially.

"What else? What about A-rank or S-rank?" She couldn't help but ask, Frost was the first one she'd ever met who could possibly answer these questions.

Frost turned to face the inquisitive little demon with a bright smile.

"Unfortunately I've only just stepped into the realm of B-rank so my knowledge in regards to those beyond is rather lacking…..however someone was kind enough to give a basic explanation of those ranks." Sharp inhales erupted throughout the amphitheatre. Frost had already enlightened them so much about B-rank, a level likely none of them would ever reach.

Yet now were they going be graced with knowledge about the levels even further beyond. A-rank was seen as pretty much the acceptable peak, S-rank was just too far ahead for anyone to even contemplate. Even the mighty Northrend empire lacked anyone at S-rank.

Frost let them regain their calm before explaining some of what he knew.

"If up to D-rank serves as the foundation of mortality, then C-rank is the preparatory stage for ascension to a higher life grade.

Once one reaches B-rank their internal make-up changes drastically, they become far stronger, have extended life span and are able to generate aura which is the beginning of the next stage." This was the foundation of progression in Nova according to those at the very peak. It was how Maya explained the journey to him, he was merely repeating her wisdom.

"Within B-rank one needs to understand and formulate their own personal aura, their own individual power, creating a strong foundation for the upper stages. At A-rank one gains the ability to physically influence the area around them in far more literal terms than simply generating fear in their enemies or boosting their attacks. Their aura is of a much high quality than what I can muster.

I was once able to witness a General from the Northrend empire form invisible chains with her aura that fully restrained her B-rank opponent." His words resulted in his audiences' already wide eyes to stretch open further.

"As for the legendary S-rank as far I'm aware they're capable of generating domains, a field in which they are invincible, akin to Gods." Domains were the precursor to forming a dimension that could establish life, once an S-rank was able to form their own personal dimension they ascended to the ultimate level, they become true Gods.

"What power these abilities entail I do not know but I'm certain that the aura available to me is nothing to such entities. The gap between ranks only grows with each jump, the journey to the peak is never over." At this moment Frost was akin to a legendary professor who's students hung onto his every word.

Silence suffused the amphitheatre as his revelations worked their way through the minds of the young students and even teachers. Mrs Fennec despite her advanced age was no different, this was the first time she was hearing such an explanation.

And with that his lecture was finally over.

Once he was finished Frost was met with grand applause and a standing ovation, everyone thoroughly enjoyed his lecture and would take his words and lessons to heart.

Mrs Fennec led him back to her office after dispersing the students back to their classes.

The two of them sat down opposite one another for a minute or so in silence before the old fox beastwoman finally said something.

"….That was far more enlightening than I expected Sir Frost and my expectations were quite high from the start." Frost was the first B-rank to ever give a lecture at her school and was most definitely a prodigy, so she expected something grand, but this was something else entirely.

"I've never heard the division of ranks being put in such a way….it clears up a lot of confusion surrounding the premise." Frost gently smiled feeling a little guilty in taking credit for his words, he basically parroted what Maya said while adding his own flair.

For those at the peak of Nova the division of ranks was abundantly clear as was the methods to breach them however knowing how it was done and achieving it were not the same thing. People like Mrs Fennec and those in Kranor however didn't even know much about C-rank let alone the mysteries of B-rank and higher.

It was no wonder none of them reached B-rank, they were practically fumbling in the dark without any sense of direction. Frost had now given them that direction.

"On top of that you managed to keep every single student hanging onto your every word even those who held no interest in ever developing their strength. And for those that do you patiently guided them, pointing out their faults and suggesting improvements without the slightest bit of arrogance.

Your spar with Mr Javas was particularly educational showing your ability to teach anyone, regardless of age or station...Do you perhaps have any interest in becoming a teacher, or perhaps at least a guest lecturer here at Kranor elementary." Mrs Fennec was desperate to have Frost join her staff. Unfortunately she was ultimately going to be disappointed.

"Afraid not Mrs Fennec, most of my teaching methods were just me copying the one who taught me -albeit without the brutality- so I doubt I'd make a very good teacher, one lecture was enough, besides I won't be staying in Kranor.

"….That's a real shame, regardless if you ever change your mind our doors will always remain open to you."

"Thank you."

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