Chapter 657
New Power and New Companion
After Haina woke up, she felt like the whole world had changed.
—After obtaining her new profession, she clearly felt that she had become much stronger.
Her physical strength became more abundant, and martial skill memories she had never learned were imprinted in her heart.
—[Elephant Charge].
—[Fierce Leopard Strike].
—[Running Wolf Stance].
…
In addition to these new abilities possessed by a “Warrior,” Haina also mastered the traits of the new advanced profession, “Royal Guard.”
The Royal Guard is an advanced profession that emphasizes defensive counter-attacks. Compared to the Oathkeeper who wields a sword with both hands, it is a profession that encourages the use of shields.
It can even maintain agile movement while holding a giant tower shield with one hand.
Its basic characteristic is the ability to strengthen combat power through “speed.” The Royal Guard can “build momentum” by moving, defending, enduring attacks, or attacking others, and then use the accumulated “momentum” with any action, gaining several times the bonus for the next action—whether it is movement, defense, counter-attack, or pursuit.
Therefore, the lighter the weapon, the greater the assistance it provides to the Royal Guard. Even in an absolutely passive situation, the Royal Guard still has a chance to turn the tables.
By using agile speed to dodge or defend against the opponent’s attacks, after accumulating enough “momentum,” a fatal blow is launched—one blow to kill, no second strike.
This perfectly aligns with Haina’s Path Trait!
With just a period of training, she could become stronger… as long as she digested and adapted to this new power.
The basic profession called “Warrior” gave her higher strength, agility, and physique than before. If strength and physique had only slightly improved, then her agility could be described as a world-shattering change—previously, after putting on the full armor of an Oathkeeper, she would clearly feel her movements being hindered.
But now, she felt that she could even spin and throw her sword with two fingers without losing her finger. Even when wearing all her armor, she could launch a “Charge” martial skill several times more ferocious than before.
The only drawback… was probably the significant reduction in her Mana Pool.
Her Mana Pool was only a quarter of its former size, and she had lost her light-attribute Mana Pool—as an Oathkeeper, Haina’s original Mana Pool was light and wind. Now, she was left with only wind.
The profession “Warrior” has a Mana Pool, and there are four types of mana—wind, earth, water, or fire are all possible, but Warriors can only have one type of Mana Pool. Additional Mana Pools obtained through Path Traits are also converted into Life force, and this extreme purity is the source of their physical strength.
Haina stood in the courtyard, looking down at her hands.
This courtyard was the official residence assigned to her after she became an Oathkeeper.
She no longer needed to rent a place to live, but instead resided in a three-story garden villa, and was even assigned six servants. Of course, these did not truly belong to Haina… Once she resigned from the Arbitration Hall, these things would have to be returned to the Arbitration Hall.
She took a deep breath, and then her hair crackled with electrical sparks—
A strong current erupted from her body, accompanied by a storm. In an instant, she transformed entirely into lightning.
Haina’s mind moved, and her entire body turned into a streak of lightning, rapidly transferring to another location. Sparks exploded, scorching the grass on the ground black. This startled Haina, and she exited this state.
—This is the “Elemental Avatar” state.
A Warrior’s Mana Pool is used to cast corresponding elemental martial skills, or to transform oneself into the corresponding elemental state by burning the Mana Pool. Haina possesses a wind-element Mana Pool, so the martial skill inheritance she received was related to storms and lightning.
“So strong, this power…”
She murmured in a low voice, her eyes filled with unconcealed excitement.
Although she didn’t seem to have any use for this power… Haina had experienced many difficult battles. She knew the meaning of power—it was to protect oneself and those close to you.
It was the ability to resist a fate one did not wish to accept—an ability that one could never have too much of.
“Haina…”
Just then, Haina heard Liz’s voice.
She subconsciously turned her head, “What is it, darling?”
The longer Haina spent with her Gryphon companion, the more affectionate her address for Liz became.
But as soon as Haina spoke, her heart suddenly skipped a beat—
Given the telepathic connection she had with her Gryphon companion, at this distance, she should have been able to sense the other’s thoughts easily.
But she couldn’t sense Liz’s thoughts at all.
“…The contract is terminated, Haina.”
Liz, who had completely transformed into a white-feathered Gryphon, slowly walked over.
Her voice was somewhat lost and confused, “What happened… I can’t hear your thoughts anymore…”
“Liz!”
Haina quickly hugged Liz.
How could this be…
The joy in her heart instantly cooled like being doused with cold water.
—She had gained new power, but lost her telepathic companion?
But Haina hesitated for a long time, then gritted her teeth and told her everything honestly, “It’s like this, Liz…”
The white-feathered Gryphon Liz listened quietly to everything, but did not speak a word.
Haina, feeling a mix of sadness and fear, caressed Liz’s feathers and repeatedly apologized, “I’m sorry, Liz… It’s my fault…”
“…If you want to find a new companion…”
Haina stopped here, unable to finish the sentence.
Although Gryphons are Sapient Creatures and naturally Extraordinary beings, they do not dream. Without a contract partner, Gryphons cannot deepen their Path of Authority and continue to grow stronger.
In other words, for Gryphons to develop better, they must sign a contract. Using a partner as a conduit to absorb Path Power.
…So, should she send Liz back?
Her eyes welled up with tears, and she gritted her teeth and hugged Liz tightly.
—But Liz was like her child!
She knew that letting Liz go back was best for her.
But she simply couldn’t say it…
“—Haina.”
Liz, whose speech had become very clear, spoke in a gentle voice, like a literary girl, “Do you dislike me?”
Liz was a Gryphon with a peculiar temperament.
As she underwent her transformation into a white-feathered Gryphon, she became quieter and even liked to read books.
When Haina was in college, a friend had given her a book of poetry. Haina had been reluctant to throw it away at the time, but she really couldn’t bear to read it, so she kept it with her.
Unexpectedly, Liz grew to like reading it very much.
“I don’t dislike you, I like you very much! But…”
Haina was silent for a while, “I am no longer an Extraordinary of the Path of Authority… I can no longer help you grow stronger.”
Liz, however, smiled.
Haina could actually see sisterly tenderness on the Gryphon’s face.
“It’s okay, Haina…”
She gently admonished, wiping away Haina’s tears with her head, “As long as you don’t dislike me, it’s fine. Since you didn’t accept the new power with the intention of breaking our contract, then this is just an accident.
“If one spouse in a marriage gets a serious illness or disability, does the other spouse leave them? Their contract only exists on a legal level, but our contract is based on the soul.
“We are still companions—I will not leave you. As long as you don’t leave me, I will never leave you.”
Gryphon Liz replied affirmatively.
This was the “loyalty” brought by “Authority.”
Liz hugged Haina and said softly, “Just as a sheep searches for salt, I also search for you.
“You still have a heart of storms, don’t you? We can still fly together.
“By leaving the Path of Authority, you’ve broken a window. Perhaps it’s not broken, but rather created a new path and welcomed new light.
“Just as I am no longer your contract partner, I can still be your companion.
“Nice to meet you, Haina,”
Gryphon Liz smiled gently.
“My name is Liz.
“I like you very much.”
(End of Chapter)
