Infinite Cube: Extra's Life in Another World-Chapter 48: Training Montage [2]

Eve lingered on Kai's lifeless, pale face before speaking. "Do you know why ascension even exists and why mages don't simply absorb mana and grow in rank?"

Kai relaxed his tense expression, his hands gently rubbing his ears. "It's because the human body can't withstand that magnitude of power, so changes in rank enhance the human anatomy, bringing it closer to perfection."

Eve nodded, her voice sharp like that of an instructor. "Exactly, that's why it's rare to see an unattractive mage, as ascension not only amplifies your strength and physique but also refines your appearance. Although the few who remain unattractive are usually those who resembled beasts to begin with."

Kai was already familiar with this information since in ICUWSA it had been mentioned over ten times, but he still couldn't connect what she said to the revelation of his impending demise.

"But what does that have to do with anything?" he asked, meeting his master's gaze directly.

Eve paused for a moment before speaking, her tone edged with concern. "That's..." She muttered. "I don't know how exactly you acquired this system, whether it was originally yours or belonged to the prior owner of the body, but I can say without a doubt that it is a double-edged sword intended both to aid and destroy you."

"Though that's the fundamental concept of being a mage, the cube transforms us into monsters and grants us the power to fight monsters," she concluded, her expression darkening.

"So what you're saying is, being able to enhance your strength far beyond your rank isn't exactly beneficial?" Kai asked, his tone hoarse.

Eve looked at him, then at the roses planted several meters ahead. "Yes, as of right now, your core capacity is equivalent to that of an expert, not even accounting for the extra stat points you possess."

Letting her words sink in, she continued. "But because you haven't reached the expert rank, your core doesn't know how to process mana or even utilize it effectively since it is still black and hasn't turned red yet."

'This is a little confusing. Is she implying my body will break down if it can't process the mana?'

[Most likely yes. It seems that having too many stat points has caused your core to overflow, and with no other place to store that excess mana, your body would be forced to expel it.]

'Causing my body and core to shatter into fragments.'

Kai swallowed hard, cold beads of sweat forming on his temples. "So what do we do now?"

Eve didn't know how to respond, it wasn't as if she had encountered such a case throughout her years of combat, but she still couldn't allow her only disciple to die.

"We try to force your ascension, or better yet, send you outside the dome or to the beast glands."

"Can't I wait until after the academy?" Kai inquired.

Eve shook her head in response. "No. During the academy, you will inevitably have to kill monsters, and if your stat points surpass this threshold, I doubt you would survive."

[Shit...]

Kai's heart sank at Eve's words. 'Great, just fucking great.'

"Well, I think that will be a problem," Kai murmured, turning to the left to avoid eye contact.

Raising a brow, Eve asked, "What do you mean by that?"

Instead of answering, Kai decided to show her his mission window, which almost made her faint.

It was already bad enough that he had a unique system, but he also had missions, one offering a direct path to expert rank and the other offering simple exercise missions for points.

"This is going to be a problem," she said, rubbing the bridge of her nose.

"Can't I wait until after the league?"

"No. If it's the Lisa Arundel I know, she would find a way to prolong that league, even if it meant merging it with the elves', dragons', and dwarves' academies," she responded, standing from the bench.

Picking up one of the scattered swords, she continued, "So I doubt you would see its end soon, plus the Seven Stars are the ones who planned it, intending to introduce missions and the real system to students in exchange for an entertainment channel for the gods."

"So does this mean I would have to die?"

"Don't worry, Legion. Neither you nor your master are going to die," she said, pausing to gesture for him to join her. "I have an old friend who might be able to help you, Queen Bee."

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"Queen Bee, like the Witch of the Demoness Path?"

Eve smiled and nodded. "Yes, the one and only."

'If it's her, I think I would be able to ascend with my current stats.'

"But," Eve said, pulling off one of her earrings, "you have to wear this from now on, so in case your stats go overboard, I can intervene."

Kai caught the feather dangle drop earring that was flung toward him. "Ok?" he said, putting it on in his single left piercing.

Eve smiled as she held onto her matching earring. "Now we match."

Kai smiled as the system rang in his head.

[YOU HAVE EQUIPPED THE MYTHIC VESPER: FEATHERING... YOUR STATS AND ABILITIES HAVE INCREASED BY 30%... USER CANNOT ACCESS OTHER FUNCTIONS.]

'30% along with other functions.' Kai couldn't believe she had given him something so priceless, even if it was primarily for his surveillance, which in itself was something he had to be grateful for.

"Now," she ordered, snapping Kai back to reality, "let's get back to training."

Kai slowly stood to his feet and picked up his tachi blade resting at his side. Eve had already broken her own sword and had to settle for wooden swords.

"Ok," he replied, moving closer to where she stood.

------

Kai spent another hour training with Eve, though it was more akin to a one-sided beating.

"I'm so tired." Kai complained, slowly ascending the stairs.

"That witch, doesn't hold back, does she want to kill me." Kai's face tightened as memories of their training flashed through his mind.

Legion in a hurry, jumped passed him landing in front of his room's door.

Sinking into his bed, Kai completely ignored his rumbling stomach and drifted straight to sleep.

'Let's rest now and eat later.'

His eyes slowly shut, as he heard of voice that sounded like that of Alpha.

[Extraction of ICUWSA's information complete... You now have something to look forward to tomorrow.]

Alpha wishpered, as something resembling a spirit dressed in a white gown with silver hair and silver eyes emerged from his body.

Kai stirred slightly, a deep, childlike comfort sweeping over him as Alpha stroked his head

[You really are growing fast. I can't help but see you as my child who is slowly becoming a man.]

Legion, who was sleeping next to Kai and acting like a plushie, stirred in the bed, prompting Alpha's spirit form to retreat back into Kai's body.

Legion shut his eyes tightly, as minutes soon turned into hours.

The night was rather brief, and soon the sun's warm light bathed the room.