Dungeon of Niflheim

Chapter 538: Chapter 538: Enlightening lecture

Frost continued to show off his skills to the children. Since he'd displayed his weapon mastery and magic capabilities it was time for chakra.

"The two main branches are of course weapon mastery and magic however there is a third, Chakra." After removing any remaining effects from his magic Frost kneaded his internal mana forming it into an artful suit of ice armour that added to his charm.

Chakra was still very much in development as far as Nova was concerned. Unlike with weapon mastery and magic there was no measurable scale when it came to chakra. That didn't mean it was disregarded in fact the opposite held true. Anyone who could utilise their chakra to a reasonable level was not to be underestimated as Frost was about to clearly show.

"Chakra is a very wonderful skillset to have. Not only does it grant an enhancement to your main techniques it can function as both an offensive and defensive weapon." In response to his words the chakra armour donning his body morphed in many ways.

Spikes of ice suddenly formed on one of his shoulders, the layers surrounding his heart and organs thickened to an extreme level and a glaive of ice grow from his hands.

"Chakra is effectively the kneading of one's internal mana without the use of a magic crest." He regurgitated some of the lessons taught to him by Maya and Sam. "To utilise -at least at the moment- your mana needs to have a natural elemental quality. Mine for instance as you can see is ice." He displayed a few more adept manifestations of his chakra to show off its wonderous capabilities.

"Many describe using chakra as an instinctual method of kneading mana, a direct opposition to the heavily knowledge based applications of magic. You don't need to be book smart or well-read to use chakra it's all about feeling." This was a commonly accepted notion as many less than intelligent people were capably of using powerful forms of chakra while being completely illiterate to magic.

"Whether you can utilise but a small level of chakra or have a practically endless supply, practise makes perfect. If you do not experiment and flex your mana veins you'll never be able to utilise it in battle regardless of your reserves." While Frost was clearly in the endless supply camp, Sam was cursed with a very modest amount internal mana, severally limiting his adaptations.

However Frost never looked down or underestimated Sam for this supposed weakness. Sam was strong and well versed when it came using his chakra perhaps even further along than himself despite his ability to change its inherent nature.

Frost decided not to reveal that last part given that he was already quite an oddity, showing off too much may in fact douse the ambition of the young students. He didn't want to paint himself as someone born with a silver spoon, even if was true. One's starting point did not dictate one's end point after all.

With his skills revealed and his advice given he opened the floor for some Q and A. Many wished to hear about his life as an adventurer, especially his battles so he regaled them of some of the more exciting and meaningful battles as well as the thoughts and feelings going through his mind during.

Of course he remembered Mrs Fennec's warning and kept his tales kid friendly making them sound like fanciful fairy tales.

Following that he welcomed a few of the older students, the self defence instructor as well as some of the more demanding and enthusiastic students -Jasmine- to the stage for some personal skill assessment. Only the older students who had already established a firm foundation and knew where their skills lay could really benefit and provide a good demonstration.

The younger students were too green for him to give any particularly noteworthy advice.

The self defence instructor who introduced himself as Mr Javas would serve as a good display for more intense combat and help to reveal the extent of the gap between someone at C-rank and someone at B-rank.

Jasmine who was only 8 years old and incredibly stubborn refused to be left out of such an opportunity. Given his relationship with her parents he didn't refuse and allowed her to take part.

The older students all displayed some of their skills before the master that was Frost and their bright eyed juniors. Frost even if he didn't specialise in their chosen weapon or even magic element was able to quickly identify flaws in their stances or in their construction of magic crests.

He patiently guided each of them in a way before either summoning an ice golem to serve as an opponent or personally allowing them to attack him.

At one point he even allowed all of the students including little jasmine to attack him at the same time. What ensued was Frost easily dodging each and every one of their blows with ease. They were just too slow and too green to even land a single hit on him but nonetheless a few showed a decent amount of promise. Jasmine especially was far beyond her young years when it came to her battle intuition.

Frost was reminded of Nanna and Loki as he watched her swing her large two handed training sword.

Once the children had gotten their chance to 'spar' with the fabled B-rank it was finally Javas' turn and he couldn't be more thrilled. He dreamed of reaching Frost's height since he could wield a weapon. He envisioned himself becoming the most powerful solider of the enclave, charged with protecting it from its most fearsome adversaries.

Unfortunately the vast majority of people are trapped, unable to cross or even sense the door to B-rank. It didn't help that he received a debilitating injury to his left leg that permanently reduced his mobility while he was still in the later years of his prime. Even now after years of teaching at Kranor elementary he still walked with a limp, but Frost didn't underestimate the man.

Despite his injured leg Javas clearly re-trained himself to fight with such a disability. His strong leg faced forward and supported the majority of his weight while the weakened one played more of a support role.

Frost's lips curved upwards into a smile and respect was clearly reflected in his eyes. Javas was a warrior, one who's edge hadn't dulled in the slightest. It was clear Javas was going to throw his all into this spar. He wanted to see the limits of his current body and perhaps peer into the endless gulf that separated him from B-rank.

His once diminished ambition rose to the forefront of his emotions, demanding that he prove himself. He may be middle-aged, but he wasn't dead. Man could always improve regardless of circumstance; it was only their preconceived mindsets that acted as an obstacle.

Javas closed his eyes and readied himself for battle before staring straight at Frost with clear intent. His narrow rapier poised and ready to thrust with unmatched speed.

"Please let me experience the true strength of someone at your level." The massive amphitheatre grew silent at his words. Javas' students all stared at the stage with intense focus.

Frost's forearms formed goosebumps and his wildness began to suffuse into his smile, he was excited.

"Come." With his secondary glaive in one hand -using the [wolf howling at the moon] would give him way too much of an unfair advantage- he beckoned Javas towards him, allowing the instructor to make the first move as per his rank dictated.

Boom! The moment Frost called, Javas shot ahead through the use of a special movement technique, he was fast, incredibly fast but still not fast enough to catch Frost off guard.

Clang!

Javas' narrow and flexible rapier thrust forward in an attempt to skewer Frost through the heart but was easily met with the glaive's blade.

"You're certainly fast."

"[Swallow's pierce]" Javas didn't let up transitioning straight into an adept level rapier skill that enhanced his weapon's already devasting speed and thrusting ability.

Wooosh! The sharp rapier pierced the air where Frost's head once was, a slight trickle of blood adorning its edge. Javas managed to scratch Frost's ear with his fast flurry, hardly damage worthy but he successfully drew blood from a B-rank fighter, something to be proud of.

However just to achieve this minor victory he opened himself up to an easy counter. If this was a real battle Frost would have more than enough opportunity to deprive him of an arm or land a critical blow against his chest, but since this was a spar Frost showed no intention of wounding his opponent. Instead he showed disappointment as he stepped away from Javas.

"I thought you wanted to spar and understand the true might of the B-rank not get some kudos by taking advantage of my mercy." His words were suffused with his royal aura causing Javas to visibly tremble.

"…..My apologies." Javas genuinely apologised, feeling contempt at himself. Frost was giving him a genuine opportunity to improve yet he almost squandered it.

"Let's continue Mr Javas." With Frost's criticism Javas no longer allowed himself to be so easily exposed to counterattacks and treated the spar as a proper match.

Of course in the end he lost in every possible way, Frost was faster, stronger, more reactive, and surpassed him in both endurance and weapon mastery. He was well and truly outmatched even before Frost used his royal aura.

The students watching the fight were truly amazed by Frost's prowess, he easily dealt with any move Javas sent his way, similar to how an adult could easily handle a child. There was practically no way Javas could win, the difference was just too substantial.