Chapter 10: Damage Mitigation

    Eryndor approached the altar, his steps slow and steady as he took in the majesty of the Cloak.

    The Sovereign''s Cloak was made of a dark black fabric. It was embroidered with golden runes, each of them pulsing faintly with a soft glow.

    The edges were trimmed with a thin line of shimmering material embedded completely with various patterns.

    Eryndor returned his gaze to the lines etched upon the altar.

    [Sovereign''s Cloak]

    [Grade: Latent]

    [An inviolable shield that encompasses all forms of protection, including but not limited to:

    Defense against physical attacks.

    Resistance to mental manipulation, psychic attacks and mind-reading.

    Immunity against attempts to scry/divine your location or future.

    Protection from control-based abilities such as immovability, body manipulation, and possession.]

    [Note: The Sovereign''s Cloak consumes energy of Consciousness]

    Eryndor''s eyes widened in surprise, his heart filled with astonishment as he read through its description.

    Is it mine to use? I mean, of course it would be, but...wow. I wonder what does ''Latent'' mean though.

    And what is this new energy? No information I''ve come across ever mentioned this energy.

    Judging by the name, he figured that it was probably an inherent energy which every living being possessed.

    Eryndor stepped forward, now face to face with the cloak as he raised his hand to touch it, wariness evident in his approach.

    Fortunately, nothing happened as the Cloak gracefully wrapped itself around his body as soon as he touched it.

    It''s comfortable.

    The Cloak brought about a warm comfy feeling to him despite being in his own mental space.

    He also noticed that the Cloak re-sized itself automatically to fit his personal body measurements.

    Ahh, this Cloak looks cool as fuck. It''s even better when I wear the hoodie.

    He excitedly thought while examining the Cloak.

    After looking around the room, he left after realizing there was nothing else.

    It was a point of considerable importance because they weren''t common gloves but specially reinforced heavy gloves.

    Even in the face of Paulina''s accurate strikes he always somehow turned the situation around such that he wouldn''t be the one to retreat.

    He counterattacked every chance he got, parrying strike after strikes easily to swing his hammer of a fist with deadly force and precision.

    He seemed to have eyes everywhere, with an almost inhuman combat sense to always respond correctly in any situation.

    Can I ever reach that level? Even if I practice endlessly?

    Eryndor hesitated for a moment before a wry smile graced his face. It would be difficult.

    But he quickly cheered up again.

    He most likely wasn''t a human, he could afford to not be stuck on limited means of combat.

    Passive Regeneration

    Telekinesis

    Cognitive Scrying

    And now, Sovereign''s Cloak.

    He could very easily afford an entirely different style of combat which had zero need to rely particularly on being proficient at basic human level of fighting.

    The fight ended shortly after, with both of the women panting due to being out of stamina. Drakarion looked the same as always, with no hint of sweat or heavy breathing.

    Eryndor was curious.

    "Is your ability combat related?"

    The young man grinned.

    "Yes, but I never used it once in this fight. Or more like, I didn''t feel the need to."

    Without anyone prompting him, he continued with a laugh.

    "No need to ask, I''ll tell you. My ability is Damage Mitigation.

    "As long as I am conscious, I can mitigate a part of the damage I received to anyone in my vicinity."

    The two women had pale faces when they realized how much more difficult it would''ve been if they had managed to even land an attack.

    Eryndor sighed and shook his head.

    Fucking monster. Will I be able to defeat him if I use everything I''ve got?