Hero of Darkness

Vildred pushed Kahn's soul form out of his body to teach him the technique which he claimed to be helpful for the latter to become an exceptionally powerful magician in the long run.

Kahn in his spectral form floated in the air as his intangible, translucent and glimmering figure was still stifled and taken aback.

"This is the only way to help you practice this technique." spoke the dragon emperor.

"Okay… Ancient One." replied Kahn.

Soon, the Sage of Preservation started chanting and as a result, 10 blue and glowing threads came out of Kahn's spectral form and attached themselves to Kahn's body which was in the Atreus persona.

"Hmmm… Now what is this?" asked Vildred himself after he noticed something odd while forming a connection between the soul and body.

"Your soul… there's something inside of it." he spoke with a concerned gaze.

"There's something akin to a parasite that is attached to your soul but it has always been inactive." spoke the royal dragon.

"What?! What are you talking about?" asked Kahn, completely bewildered.

"Is it harmful?" he asked hurriedly.

"I cannot say. I have never seen anything of this kind. But by the looks of it, I don't see a threat to you from it." replied the dragon emperor.

"Will it hinder me from training?" queried Kahn again.

"No. Not in the least.

But it's better to stay vigilant." replied Vildred with a worrisome expression.

His gaze then turned to the old man Rathnaar.

"How come you didn't find it? You were a peak saint weren't you?" he asked the first emperor in an admonishing tone.

"Who do you think I am? I'm but a remnant soul now. I have my limitations to notice something so well hidden.

Besides, it took a Sage like you to notice it. I'm sure no other mage would even have sensed it in the first place." argued the peak saint.

"Just a poor excuse for hiding your ignorance." scoffed the royal dragon.

"This is not my area of expertise anyway.

And even you didn't notice this before making the Contract of Familiarity. So aren't you to blame as well?" rebuked the old man.

"Alright! Stop your bickering, you two!" shouted Kahn.

"Since it's not something hazardous and we don't have a way to find out anyways… Let's focus on the topic at hand." he spoke, almost irritated by these two former archenemies.

As the discussion progressed on its own…

Without all 3 noticing, a red and archaic formation akin to a massive rune etched on Kahn's back suddenly appeared.

This formation imprinted on Kahn's soul was something he had no idea of and none of them could even see it for some reason.

It quickly disappeared as the 3 of them were engaged in conversation.

And to this day… The truth behind this red formation shall remain a mystery.

Vildred taught Kahn to chant a spell.

Kahn followed the instructions suddenly…

His body laying on the ground stood up and cast the spell instead of his soul.

Kahn was stupefied to see his unconscious body activating the skill as if he was controlling it like a puppet.

The gust of wind element coalesced on his palm and the whirling windblades blades created friction and then Kahn compressed it like an orb.

This seemingly small orb of wind full of hundreds of windblades was actually carrying the strength of a full cyclone.

If Kahn used it and threw it in the middle of a city… The full strength will be revealed and like a raging storm, the entire city will be uprooted and decimated easily.

Suddenly, Kahn felt great pain and his spectral body caved in like all the strength was leaving out of nowhere.

"What… what's happening?!" asked Kahn as he groaned.

"At this moment, your mind is at rest.

However, your soul is commanding your physical body using your soul essence.

Although the amount is extremely negligible compared to what using a Divine Weapon demands… The aftereffects of using it are still there." responded the magic mentor.

"Each time you use it, your soul will become weaker for a short span. But it will also recover naturally in a few seconds.

So without using your 'mind'... You're 'revisiting' the state of casting spells and attacks.

That's why it's called Mindless Revisitation." explained Vildred.

"What's the use of doing this?" asked Kahn as soon as he recovered.

"To reform and build the resilience of the soul.

This way, your soul will keep strengthening in terms of quality and your soul essence will become denser compared to others.

I have already perfected your body while you get all the credit for your mind which is already on the level of an Archmage due to the trials and torture you persevered through.

By using it, we will bring your soul essence to the point where surpassing the restrictions of body, mind and soul can be achieved.

And only that way… you can achieve your 3rd enlightenment in Law of Magic to become a saint magician." he iterated in a scholarly tone.

"What about Archmage and Sage?" queried Kahn again.

"That can only be achieved once you get 4th enlightenment and cross the 5th stage saint.

As for Sage, 5th enlightenment and a rank of an 8th stage saint is a must."

"I see."

"Now, you have to practice all elements to strengthen your soul.

Although you can't use the Light element, perfecting the rest will do the job." commended the royal dragon.

"This… this will extinguish my soul for real." spoke Kahn as he was feeling constantly tired after using the skill again.

1 WEEK LATER.

[1% soul strengthening achieved.] reported the system.

Ever since that day…

Kahn was practicing incessantly.

He trained in using Reminiscence of Eternal Flame art, and on daily basis, he kept merging his Space Law with his Dimensional Domain in the Hall of Sentience.

He was being taught in using basic weapon skills under Romulus, on the other side… His training in Magic by Vildred in basic spells and performing Mindless Revisitation every day without any breaks or rest didn't stop either.

This strict regime would've broken a normal person and they would've gone mad already.

However… Kahn didn't give up.

Why?

'No great things were achieved without great sacrifices.'

He was continuing for the sake of his future. Because he did not want to be at anyone's mercy any longer.

And even among summoned heroes… he no longer wished to stay at the bottom of the food chain.

He didn't just want the strength to protect himself anymore. The current Kahn… wanted to dominate everyone.

Kahn was tired of being the prey of the world. And now…

He wanted to be the Predator.