Heaven's Greatest Professor

It appeared not only had his spear mastery and intent improved, but even his steps and movements became more direct and faster. He moved closer, like a ghost, although he lacked their ethereal constitution to fully implement such movements. That was why he took a more direct route, prioritising speed as his most necessary element.

He matched the echo's speed, his movements and spear operating in their own in perfect synergy. With the combination of battle lust and frenzy, he drove the monstrous echo to the back foot.

And finally, June witnessed something odd. The malevolent spirituality of the surroundings churned around Warden just as they did around the ghostly echo. She did not know if he realized it or if he was still fighting on instinct, but the more he fought, the more the malevolent energy swirled around him, being absorbed into his body.

This might create a block in his path of advancement, June thought. She was ready to stop him from doing whatever he was doing when something even more peculiar happened.

Warden's fear spear swiftly flung into the echo, driving it into the ground as he stood atop it. Somehow, the echo couldn't respond as void energy surged through the spear. The echo's form began to convulse around the spear. The intent and the void energy worked together and devoured the malevolent energy from the echo.

June was dumbstruck as she saw him doing as he pleased, driving the spear further to devour more of its malevolent nature. He seemed to have finally come back to reality as the wild battle frenzy calmed around him, his eyes returning to normal. Almost.

"Warden," June called. It did not seem like he heard her, so she called again, moving forward. "What in—?"

Warden lunged up from his stance, swinging his spear in her direction. It drove towards her neck, but just at the very glimpse of her, his spear stopped a few inches away from her neck, though the air ruffled her hair, her eyes wide in alarm. The attack carried the malevolent nature of the valley, as well as a hint of his intent and void energy.

"June," he mumbled and rested his spear. Then he fell on his back.

Warden hadn't gone unconscious, though he felt a terrible pull of exhaustion from all the fighting and the strain he put himself under. He did find a way to reinforce his energy and intent together, but it had taken almost everything out of him.

"So, you are not going to play ghost this time?" he asked with a thin smile on his lips. "How many days has it been?"

June came down and sat next to him, casting a ward around them so that evil spirits wandering about wouldn't find them. "Only a few hours remaining."

"Ah," Warden groaned audibly. "Let me just rest for the remainder of the time."

With that, he closed his eyes and slept.

***

Warden awoke a few hours later, and June was still there. She had arranged food over a table, which she carved through on the stone. A delectable fragrance came out of the meal, enough for Warden's mouth to water in hunger.

He found himself laid with his body mostly clean of all the dirt and blood he had stained it with, covered by a thin blanket.

"You're awake," June said with a smile. "How are you feeling?"

"Other than the fatigue, I am mostly alright."

"You'll feel better after you have a meal," June said as he stood up. She looked away, unprepared to look at him when he was almost naked. "Don't forget to put on something. If you need water, ask me; I can conjure something with a spell."

"Water would be good," he said. Although he had mostly cleaned, he felt a need for it, anticipating dining with the fair lady. Warden nodded and brought out a new tunic and pants to drape on.

June didn't look at him as she manifested water for his needs. It cascaded down like a shower as Warden let himself be completely bathed in it, wiping away all the crumbs of blood from himself. The tears and scars were open to display, but he did not mind, as she had seen it already.

After refreshing himself and putting on civilised clothes, Warden sat next to her, finding her cheeks a tad redder than usual. She blush just with this?

"How's your gain?" she asked, quickly changing the mood.

"I managed fine, but there are still ways to go," Warden said, summoning his system to note that his intent was at 37%. "It will take more training, and I can already see a path for myself. Thanks for bringing me here and also for the food."

He thought the simple thanks wouldn't be enough for what she did for him, but that was all he could muster at this moment.

June studied his face and nodded. "What did you do at the very end? Did it have any drastic effects on your body?"

"Well, my void energies seem to be making it very difficult for me to use my intent together with it," Warden said. "So I thought I needed another tyrannical power to keep it in check. After more testing and experimenting with it, I finally found I can draw the cursed power of the valley, and even devour the evil spirit into my intent."

June stared at him in disbelief. She didn't think such matters were possible, unless... "So you know what you are doing?"

Warden laughed. "I mostly knew what I was doing, but I did recognise the consequences of failing. I deemed it would not be that consequential, and the gain would outweigh the loss. It did not take me long to make the decision."

June seemed to easily see through his face and learned that he had taken the decision rashly. "It seems I have lacked foresight yet again," she let out a sigh. "I shouldn't have left you alone here."

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