Second World

He looked at the last skill which had improved, Heightened State. Each star increased mana regeneration by an additional 5% and decrease skill cooldown by an additional 2%. This upgrade increased the effectiveness of this spell by 10%, overall a good upgrade in his opinion.

After understanding the improvements he had gotten from his skills, he went on to the next thing which he had put on hold since early today. He took out the Ice Seed from his inventory bag. He had learned about the chilling touch of the seed so he had prepared a thick cloth to hold it. His current arm equipment, Silver Beast Vambrace, didn't have the part that covered his palm. He hoped later he could get better arm equipment that covered his entire hand.

He had never stop thinking about what skills he was going to use this seed on the entire time he was practicing in the Training Ground. During that time, Peniel had also informed him that the effect of the seed would differ depending on which skill it was used on. But mostly it should have the characteristic of the seed, which was of the ice element. So it should provide some slowing effect if not outright freezing the target.

At first, he thought that it should be his Warrior's skills, since that was his primary class. However, most of the skills from that melee class were for single target. Even Swing had very limited range, which reduced the numbers of potential targets getting hit. To maximize the extra effect from the Ice element, it would be better for him to choose the one with the widest area of effect range.

After reviewing his available skills and spells this whole time, he had decided on one spell with that AOE attack. He activated the ice seed, a list of all his available skills and spells on which he could use this seed appeared. Jack clicked on the Mana Detonation spell.

This spell was a crowd control spell designed for keeping a mage free of interference from the melee classes. However, since Jack's Warrior class made him excel in a melee fight, the spell became rather useless. But if the effect of the spell was changed to freezing or slowing instead of knocking the opponents back, It would become a much more effective spell in combination with his melee prowess.

The ice seed shone brightly before breaking into several strands of bluish light that entered his body. He felt a biting cold for an instant when the light entered, but it receded soon after. When he felt the process was completed, he opened his skill page. The Mana Detonation was replaced by a completely new spell name.

Ice Ring, level: 1/20 (Active Skill, range, required magic weapon)

Deal 150% ice damage to a radius of 6 meters area around caster.

All enemies within the area are slowed for 10 seconds, 10% chance of enemies struck to get frozen for 2 seconds.

Cooldown: 2 minutes

Mana: 50

The damage and range had increased, and it was an ice element damage now. The effect of slow and frozen was as good as he could hope for. The cooldown and mana consumption, however, had increased, but he thought that it was still fair considering the increase in power and effect. The spell formation to activate the spell was still only one rune. The lines in the rune were slightly more complicated but as long as it was still one rune, he should be able to cast it with speed during battle.

Jack was satisfied by the result of the evolution. Today had provided a good harvest in terms of his personal battle prowess. Increase in levels, skill grades, and one evolved skill. Tomorrow he should be able to increase the grades of his other skills, some of them were close to their first star as well, while Power Strike which he had been continuously using since he became Fighter class, was not far from its second star.

The next morning, he woke up early and went to the Training Ground immediately while skipping breakfast. He repeated his extreme regime of training again.

He spent hours repeating his skills and spells, until he was distracted by a commotion. He turned towards the sound. It was from the direction of this mansion's entrance. Curious by it, he took a break from his training and went towards the front side of the mansion.

He could hear loud voices as he went closer. Sounded like a dispute. Who had the nerve to create an upheaval in front of a commander's residence? At one point he even thought that he heard his name was mentioned.

When he walked out of the front door, he saw a crowd in front of the residence. The Commander and Lindsey were there standing with a few soldiers. Opposite them was a larger group, mostly comprised of armored guards, but at the head of this group were three people in noble robes. He recognized one of them. He suddenly knew what this commotion was all about.

The person who Jack recognized, was Walter, who turned his gaze at him. His eyes went wide when he saw Jack. "That's him!" He exclaimed loudly to notify the person beside him.

The person, who was an obese middle-aged man in a luxurious green robe. Turned to where Walter had pointed at. His already slanted eyes squinted when he looked at Jack. "So you are the audacious outworlder that dares to cripple my son," he uttered.

Son? So he was that magistrate commander Quintus had warned him about.

"Mister Storm Wind here is my guest, I warn you to not cause disturbance here," Commander Quintus spoke up in defense of Jack.

The fat magistrate harrumphed upon hearing the commander's words, "Hmph! I didn't believe at first when I receive the report that you are harboring a criminal. But even if you are a Knight Commander, it doesn't mean that you can protect him. Now be compliant and hand him to me. I will make sure you are finely rewarded."

"Do not mistake me for the colleagues you used to deal with. Not everyone appreciates your bribe."

"Then you will prefer a threat then? We know of your capability, but we outnumber you here. Even if we can't do anything to you, we have enough manpower to prevent you from protecting this outworlder."

Jack understood that the magistrate was not bluffing. He had been inspecting the groups here with his God-eye monocle. Commander Quintus was the strongest, yet on his side were only four soldiers of basic human grade with level 45. The magistrate's side, on the other hand, had over ten guards of basic human of level 40, six basic humans of level 50, two elite humans of level 50, one special elite of level 55 which was one of the three who wore noble robes apart from the magistrate and Walter.

The Magistrate himself was an elite human but only level 30, yet him alone would already prove to be a problem to Jack. With such a roster, there was only so much that the commander and his four soldiers could block. Even if one of the magistrate's guards managed to reach him, he doubted that he could survive long.

Jack considered if he should run away, but then again, those high-level guards should have better dexterity. He didn't think that he could outrun them.

"Are you saying that you will be trying to make a move in this place? Here? In my residence?!" Commander Quintus' voice boomed out. His aura exploded outwards, enveloping the surrounding.

Jack felt suffocated from the dense pressure. He realized then that in their spar yesterday, the commander did not even use a fraction of his true power. The magistrate and his guards behind were giving an uncomfortable look in their expression.

The special elite from the magistrate side took a step forward. He tapped a long staff which he was holding in his right hand on the ground. A soft light radiated out and opposed the commander's aura, greatly relieving the pressure felt by the magistrate and the others.

"I see that you are determined to protect this outworlder," the magistrate said with a threatening voice. "Is it worth it to risk yourself for an outsider? I won't be able to guarantee that your daughter over there will be unharmed when we made a move."

"Try it! You disgusting toad!" Lindsey showed no fear of the situation. He even drew her sword out to show her determination.

The magistrate's face was especially ugly hearing the insult. Jack was inertly cheering inside his mind. He didn't think the teenage girl had such mettle in her. Perhaps it was due to the confidence of having her commander father beside her.

"Do not try to use threat against my family, Warren. You will regret it," Commander Quintus said. "Know that at this moment, my soldiers were en route to this place. I would suggest you make yourself scarce before they arrive. Otherwise, I will not show any mercy even if you are a magistrate of the palace."

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