The Nightmare Wizard-Chapter 113 — Knight Level 3

The Sword of Chaos rested in his hand, emitting a dangerous vibration. Despite his previous attempts, it hadn’t made a sound since its earlier words. With a thought, he sheathed it again. As he stood still, he could feel it close to his heart, giving him a strange yet satisfying sensation.

As his mind wandered, he thought about the technique Anubis had shown him. He was truly intrigued but didn’t understand how to use an ability that involved contact with the void. So, he decided to ask Anubis: "That technique... the sixteen void strikes—do you master them?"

Anubis, who had just poured himself a glass of dark wine, looked up and nodded solemnly.

"Yes, my lord. But it’s not just any technique. It’s not merely about movements or speed. To master the Void is... to comprehend the void itself."

William looked at him, expecting more. Anubis set down his glass without drinking.

"The Void is everywhere; it’s between the air particles, it’s in everything around us. Believe me, it’s the most abundant element in the universe, but no one pays attention to it. It maintains the world’s balance as if it were the foundation of all reality. However, the void is very dangerous; it will always try to devour everything within its reach. To enter and exit the void, you need enough strength to withstand it."

"And the sixteen strikes?"

"They are movements that touch the edge of the Void. Strikes that are executed and travel through the void. The Sword of Chaos is perfect for this technique because, being 100% dark steel, it faces no negative reaction within the void."

William listened, fascinated. Ever since he had seen Aurus execute his void steps, he had felt a need to learn it. For now, he could only use a knight’s steps, but they were far from sufficient.

"I want to learn it."

"You will, but first... you need to understand the void. Wait a moment." Anubis walked to a shelf to retrieve a black book with blue letters.

"This book contains all my family’s knowledge of the void. I hope you can use it to become invincible." William nodded slowly, feeling as if he had just stepped onto a staircase that seemed to climb to the sky.

The silence broke when one of the jackal servant women re-entered, this time without fear, carrying the trays they had left earlier. William took a seat, his mind still buzzing with theories and possibilities. As he pondered, he cautiously tried one of the appetizers.

It was... delicious. Crispy, salty, with a slightly acidic aftertaste that made him want another.

He drank the wine and felt a wave of freshness. It wasn’t just flavor; it was liquid energy. As if his body had been dehydrated for days and finally received the right elixir.

"What is this?" he asked, wiping his lips.

"Meat from black birds of the nightmare world. Rare. Aggressive. Their flesh has a very pure energy flow. The wine... is mixed with their blood. This recipe has been passed down for many generations; it’s nutritious and strengthening. My family’s children drink it from infancy to become powerful, though it must be consumed in moderation, as feeding on nightmares is... addictive."

William didn’t respond. He just kept eating, feeling his body absorb every sip and every bite as if they were pure energy for his muscles.

After a while, he placed the empty goblet on the table.

"I need to rest," he said. "I want to fully absorb the lizard’s energy. Its energy is still flowing inside me... and I haven’t finished digesting it."

"I understand, my lord. Allow me to take you to the largest room. It used to be mine... but from today, all of this is yours," Anubis said, gesturing to the servant woman still in the room, who left with a firm step, showing the way.

The walk was silent but not awkward. As they moved through the stone corridors, the lights shone, making the castle look more beautiful. Upon reaching the room, William observed how the servants had begun to change the furniture, hang new fabrics, and even perfume the air with soft essences. Everything was being adapted for him, without him even asking. Seeing their new master arrive, they all apologized and left after a slight bow.

"Thank you," William said, observing everything with a mix of pride and strangeness.

Anubis bowed.

"Take all the time you need. I won’t enter. No one will."

William nodded, closing the door with a firm sound.

As soon as he was alone, he sat in the center of the room and exhaled, releasing the accumulated tiredness. Angel appeared beside him, returning to his human form.

"What you did with the lizard... went beyond what should be possible, but the results are magnificent. You absorbed everything and maximized your magic power. You were on the verge of exploding, but fortunately, I was able to prevent you from ascending to a Level 3 magic apprentice. Otherwise, your slots would have been filled with the spells you currently know, which would be a huge waste for your future, so I forced your body to strengthen its physical part, just like when you ate the Kraken’s heart."

William frowned, asking, "Was it a mistake?"

"It can’t be said to be a mistake, as these events only happen once in a lifetime, and we don’t know when we might be able to repeat them. But you wasted energy that could have been used better. Your body became stronger, yes, but it is still inefficient. Your current stats are:

* Strength: 87

* Dexterity: 91

* Vitality: 94

* Magic Power: 24.99

"We can’t say it’s a waste, as you’ve almost reached the level of a great knight. If we consume another lizard, perhaps you could become a great knight, but I’m worried that the academy might suspect you and try to study you. That would be very bad; let’s avoid showing your true strength."

William nodded, understanding the concern and the great risk he ran if discovered. He lay back among the soft furs and closed his eyes for a moment.

"I think I’m ready to go back," William said, before being pulled by that mysterious force back to the magical world.