Reincarnation of the Last Magus Emperor

The Technique Pavilion was an expansive library filled with scrolls and manuals, each imbued with the knowledge of countless generations. As Merlin wandered through the shelves of the Lightning Element Section, he could feel the faint hum of static energy in the air, a testament to the potency of the spells and techniques stored within.

Having reached the 2nd Circle Novice Realm, Merlin sought techniques that could complement his evolving philosophy of combining body refinement with mana mastery. The Lightning Element's inherent qualities—speed, precision, and overwhelming force—aligned perfectly with his vision.

Merlin perused the available scrolls, reading the brief descriptions attached to each, carefully selecting those that could both strengthen his mana control and augment his physical prowess:

1. Arc Strike

• Description: A technique that channels mana into a weapon, imbuing it with electrical energy. Upon striking an enemy, the charge releases a burst of electricity that stuns or injures them.

• Focus: Precision and timing, as improper control could discharge the energy prematurely.

2. Thunder Step

• Description: A movement technique that uses lightning mana to propel the user forward at blinding speed, leaving afterimages in their wake.

• Focus: Synchronizing mana flow with physical reflexes for seamless execution.

3. Static Guard

• Description: A defensive technique that surrounds the user in a field of static electricity. Any enemy attempting to strike physically will receive a mild to severe electric shock, depending on the user's control.

• Focus: Requires fine control to avoid unintentionally shocking allies or draining too much mana.

4. Lightning Veins

• Description: A body refinement technique that channels lightning mana through the user's pathways to stimulate muscles, increase reaction speed, and enhance overall physical power temporarily.

• Focus: Maintaining a balance between power and control to prevent damage to internal pathways.

5. Thunderclap Palm

• Description: A devastating close-range attack that channels lightning mana into the palms, releasing a powerful shockwave upon impact. The force can disorient and damage enemies in a cone-shaped area.

• Focus: Precise mana channeling to avoid dissipating the shockwave's energy too quickly.

6. Bolt Chain

• Description: A ranged technique that sends a bolt of electricity toward an enemy, capable of jumping to additional targets if they're in close proximity.

• Focus: Mana efficiency and aim to maximize the chain effect.

After careful consideration, Merlin chose Lightning Veins and Thunder Step as his primary techniques. Their emphasis on combining physical prowess with mana refinement aligned perfectly with his path. He also selected Static Guard as a defensive measure, ensuring he could maintain dominance in close combat.

With these techniques in hand, Merlin left the Pavilion with a renewed sense of purpose. He now had the tools to not only refine his lightning mana but also to integrate it seamlessly with his body refinement. The path forward was clear: master these techniques and push the limits of what a true body-refined mage could achieve.

Merlin's relentless training transformed the once quiet outer court into a storm of awe and inspiration. Day and night, the crackling sounds of thunder and flashes of lightning emanated from his training grounds, as if nature itself had descended to bear witness to his progress.

With the Lightning Veins coursing through his body, each punch and kick carried the force of a thunderclap. His mastery of Thunder Step made him a blur on the battlefield, his movements too fast for the eye to follow. The combination of raw power and precise technique painted a vivid image of an Asura of Lightning, reborn to conquer all.

****

Whispers soon spread through the Outer Court.

****

"Did you see him today? They say he shattered a stone pillar with just a Thunderclap Palm!"

"He moves like lightning itself… I swear, I saw afterimages trailing behind him!"

"Merlin's not just training. He's perfecting something—something we've never seen before."

"He's already reached the 2nd Circle Novice Realm! At this rate, the 3rd Circle Adept Realm will soon follow."

Merlin's training became a spectacle. Disciples gathered at a distance to watch him spar against training dummies reinforced with mana or practice techniques that left scorch marks across the earth.

****

Though aware of the growing attention, Merlin ignored the chatter. His focus was absolute. His goal wasn't to impress others but to forge himself into the perfect balance of body and mana refinement. Each session brought him closer to a seamless connection between his mana core and his body refinement, the 8 Blades Body Art now infused with lightning mana, creating a devastating synergy.

He began experimenting further, combining Static Guard with his strikes, creating electrified punches and kicks that paralyzed anyone who dared spar with him. His growing reputation as an Asura of Lightning didn't distract him but fueled his resolve to push the limits even further.

****

As news of Merlin's progress spread, so did the challenges. Outer-court disciples who once dismissed him now sought to test their strength against him. One by one, they fell—unable to withstand the raw power of his techniques and the lightning-fast precision of his movements.

In a duel against one of the top-ranking Outer Court disciples, an Advanced rank 2nd Circle Novice, Merlin displayed his full might. With Thunder Step, he closed the gap in an instant, delivering a Lightning Vein-empowered elbow strike that sent his opponent sprawling. The crowd erupted in stunned silence, solidifying his place as a force to be reckoned with.

****

It wasn't long before the Inner Court began to take notice. Whispers of his meteoric rise reached the ears of instructors and elders, who debated whether this "Asura of Lightning" should remain confined to the Outer Court. Some argued he was a prodigy who needed proper guidance, while others saw him as a wild storm that could either uplift or destroy the sect.

For Merlin, none of this mattered. His path was his own, and no sect politics would sway him. He had already begun planning his next steps: mastering these techniques to perfection and preparing for the day when his progress would no longer be measured by realms alone but by the storms he could unleash.

The outer court buzzed with tales of Merlin's rise, but just as his achievements lit up the sect, so too did the shadows of his past. Rumors spread like wildfire, and the disciples who envied his rapid progress dug deeper into his history, unearthing details of his 15 years of stagnation—a time when he was little more than a forgotten figure in the sect.

"Did you hear? Merlin was stuck at the Initiate realm for 15 years. Can you imagine? A complete waste of talent."

"No wonder he's training so hard now. He's trying to make up for lost time."

"What could've caused someone to stagnate for so long? He must have been hopeless back then."

"It's almost unnatural how he's changed. Something must have happened to him. Maybe it's not just hard work…"

Though many admired his transformation, others viewed it with suspicion or outright disdain. His rapid ascent seemed too sudden, too extraordinary, to be the result of mere effort.

Merlin heard the whispers but paid them no mind. He knew the truth—those years of stagnation weren't due to laziness or lack of talent. They were a prison of his own making, the result of his internal battle with a heart demon born from failure, loss, and despair.

He recalled the sleepless nights spent questioning his worth, the crushing weight of self-doubt, and the moments he almost gave up entirely. But it was that darkness that had tempered him, forging the resolve he carried now.

"If they want to talk about my past, let them. It's not the years that define me, but the choices I've made since."

Merlin's dark past became as much a part of his story as his newfound strength. To some, it made his rise even more impressive—a testament to resilience and the power of transformation. To others, it cast a shadow over his accomplishments, fueling theories that he had turned to forbidden techniques or unnatural means to achieve his current strength.

The rumors eventually reached the ears of the Outer Court Elders and Deacons. They saw in Merlin both a prodigy and a mystery. His transformation was undeniably remarkable, but his history of stagnation and sudden rise posed questions:

• Was he truly a rare genius who had finally found his path?

• Or was there something darker at play—an external force that had shattered his bottleneck?

Some Elders saw potential, while others viewed him with caution.

******

One day, Merlin was summoned to spar with an Outer Court Deacon, a test meant to determine if he was worthy of further attention. The arena was packed, with Outer Court disciples eager to witness the fight.

The Deacon, a 3rd Circle Adept, was known for his precision and control, traits honed over years of disciplined training. The fight began, and the Deacon's confidence was clear. But Merlin, with his 8 Blades Body Art and mastery of Lightning Vein Augmentation, proved to be an opponent unlike any he had faced.

Lightning crackled through the air as Merlin moved with terrifying speed, each strike a calculated blend of raw power and precise technique. The Deacon managed to deflect and counter, but only for so long. A Thunderclap Elbow broke through his defenses, sending him staggering back.

Though the match ended in a draw, it was clear to all that Merlin was no ordinary Outer Court disciple.

Following the spar, the Elders deliberated. Some argued for his promotion to the Inner Court, while others believed he needed to be watched more closely. Merlin, however, remained indifferent to their decisions. His path was not for them to dictate.

The duel cemented his reputation, both as a rising star and a subject of intrigue. His past and present were now inseparable in the eyes of the sect—a story of failure and redemption, of shadows and lightning.

For Merlin, the whispers and scrutiny were just noise. His focus remained on the storm he was building within, one that would eventually shake the heavens themselves.