Chapter 91 - The Survival Round (Part Two)

"Bingo. Now, manipulate them just as you manipulate the water within the Icicles", said Valentine and he went silent. Lucas was still fighting, and he tried hard to concentrate. "Since this is the first time, I think I need to concentrate wholeheartedly", he frowned. "Robert, I might need some cover. I'm going to try something", he said as he stepped back.

Robert nodded his head and he slid past his crowd, and he killed everything that was nearing Lucas. Lucas was now sensing every particle that was near a hundred-meter radius around him, and he began to manipulate them. Ice needles began to form, and he wanted to ass in his element to make it powerful. 

"Just how much will I be able to make out of manipulation? Without adding in my power?", he thought. He was curious as he always depended on his own Mana a lot. He wanted to test out the efficiency of his manipulation. 

He threw the thought of adding his Mana to the back of his mind. After he made fifty needles, he decided to attack. "Thank you Robert", he said as he placed his hand on his shoulder. Robert turned around and looked behind Lucas. "So that was what you meant by terrains that are suitable to each of us", he amused as he went back to his position.

"Come at me, you Basics. You shall be my test subject", he smiled wickedly. A lopsided grin was seen on his face, and he released his needles from behind him. They began to insert into every Goblin that Lucas had his eyes on, and still didn't break. "It looks just like telekinesis, except that I am using the water particles in the air to make them move as I want", he smiled.

"Seems like you are finally getting the hang of manipulation", came a female voice from his right. Lucas smiled as he recognized the voice. "Yeah, kind of. Can't say I have learned it all, Emilia", he replied to the woman that whizzed past him. Emilia had a smile on her face as she was shooting everyone down. 

Lucas was beginning to sweat. "That is enough kid. Overworking your Mana channels can cause you permanent damage", came Valentine's voice. Lucas didn't want to let go, but since he didn't want to lose his Mana channels, he reluctantly let go of the needles that were killing the goblins around him.

He once again began his slaughter, and he tried to control five needles. It was hard at first, but as time passed by, it slowly turned into second nature. "A terrifying amount of talent, he has", amused Valentine. Lucas was slowly catching up to Emilia in terms of Magic. And in terms of combat prowess, Robert was his only equal.

Valentine was still amusing when a hologram appeared in front of them.

[Wave 1 has been completed. Commencing Wave 2 in 15 seconds]

"As expected", said everyone at the same time. Everyone turned their heads and looked at Tobias. "What? I may not be super brainy, but I can think a tiny bit", he retorted. Everyone smiled, and they were still holding in their laughter. "Serious face, Lucas", he thought but couldn't do it anymore.

He began to laugh and began a round of laughter for everyone. After the time was up, everyone seized their laughter as they were waiting for the exact moment. Once more, goblins spawned. Lucas looked at every last one of them and smiled again. "Intermediates", he said.

Everyone nodded their heads and readied their weapons. "Tobias, after this. I will need the crystals that you have earned in this venture. Let me make you a gauntlet", he said. Tobias's eyes went sparkly. "Are you for real, bruh? You promise to make me one?", he asked. Lucas smiled at his act.

"Yes, I will. Now stop acting all cute with me", he said. Tobias turned his head back. "And for your information, I am not acting cute", he replied as he went to his position. The timer went down and began another massacre. The monsters they were facing were a mix of all the things they had faced in the tower. 

"Now, if this thing goes up to King, and we need to face a horde of those. We don't have enough weapons for it", he concluded as he looked at the horde they were facing this time. Everyone began to attack as the buzzer had gone off, and it was the same as last time. The killing spree continues, and Lucas had now improved his needles to six. He was slowly trying to increase the capacity of control, and it was working.

Emilia was shooting with her guns, and behind her were her throwing knives. They were covered completely in Ice, and she didn't have a sweat on her face as she controlled all ten like her limbs. "It seems so natural", he thought. He then recalled something which he had. 

"Maybe I must visit the Beginner's Dungeon. maybe I will be able to improve myself there", he thought. "Yes, kid. You had rushed here. You must have gone there the first thing you got the key. But it doesn't matter now, as you would be able to clear it more easily as you have accumulated enough experience", replied Valentine.

"I hope so", he said with a tinge of worry as he cut down a Goblin. His thoughts were racing, and he didn't want anything to distract him at the moment. After a few more minutes, a hologram appeared signaling the successful completion of the wave. A hologram popped up in front of them.

[Please choose the Survival Terrain]

[1. Lush Forest

2. Cold Mountain Range (Current Terrain)

3. Steamy Volcano Island

4. Underground City]

[Note: Terrain will be changed every one and a half hours]

"Where shall we go next?', he thought. "Volcano", said Emilia. Everyone agreed with her choice. "And you can get to train your Fire Element too", she whispered to him. Lucas nodded his head as that thought never struck him. He also needed to train his Azure Flame. "But will that environment be alright for training my flame?", he thought.

"Kid, you have a flame. And that place has loads of it", snorted Valentine. Lucas smiled. "Then Steamy Volcano Island it is", he said as he turned back. He made the choice and the terrain began t shift, and in front of them was a large volcano. Everyone was in awe at the volcano.

[Caution: Volcano will erupt every thirty minutes]

"What kind of a sick twisted joke is this?", commented Robert as soon as he saw the hologram. Everyone felt the same way. But Lucas for some reason felt that this might have something to do with him having the connection to Fire Element. "Is it even possible to control the flow of the Lava?", he thought.

"Kid, I'll give you one small hint. Lava is nothing but Earth, Water, and Fire", he hinted and remained silent once again. Lucas smiled after he heard those words. "Emilia, is it possible for two people to use two different elements, and manipulate a single compound element?", he asked.

"Unless there is a synergy between them, it is impossible for it to happen. What are going to?', she asked. Her eyes widened in shock as she realized what he was trying to do. "I would say we have a thirty percent chance to do what you're trying to do", she said. "I think that would be enough for now", he smiled.

That was the reply he needed and he began to concentrate on the Mana around him. He couldn't sense anything. He couldn't sense any flames. "And someone said this place is full of flames", he retorted. "If you thought sensing flames within Lava will be easy, this is to prove you wrong", said Valentine.

"Listen to me. I will only say this once. Compound elements are made of two or more elements mixed. And you can bring out the flames from it. All you have to do is separate it and make then back to the state of singularity", instructed Valentine.

"Harder than it's going to be", thought Lucas as he began to slay his enemies. He needed his utmost concentration for it, and right now, it was not possible for him. "Can't practice it now. Maybe someday in the future, I guess", he smiled. A few minutes later, a loud eruption was heard.

"It's coming!", announced Robert as he came back running towards them. Lucas looked at Emilia and nodded his head. "Kid, wait. Draw a formation as per my instruction", said Valentine as he saw the plan in his head. 

Lucas went next to Emilia and drew a circle around her. He motioned for Robert to come next to them, and he included him in the formation. He was following the instructions from Valentine to the letter, and he drew three lines linking in the center. Later, he drew another circle in the opposite direction, and he drew arrows to link them all. 

"This? Isn't this Mass Elemental Manipulation Circle?", asked Emilia as she saw the circle. Lucas smiled at her and nodded his head. "Indeed it is. You have a good eye", he said with a smile.. Emilia's eyes widened in shock.