CHAPTER 77: THE LAW OF LIGHT’S PROPERTIES

Lux chose a secluded spot away from the waterfall, finding a tranquil space where he could sit in meditation.

He began his breathing exercise, drawing in the ambient energy around him. Much like Elreth, he envisioned a white cocoon forming around himself, a protective barrier designed to filter the chaotic prana swirling in the environment. This cocoon not only shielded him from distractions but also focused his intent on the energy he sought to absorb.

As he concentrated, he visualized the chaotic prana flowing toward him, swirling in vibrant colors. With each deep breath, he inhaled this energy, allowing it to pass through the luminous barrier he had created. The white cocoon acted as a sieve, filtering out impurities and only permitting the refined essence of prana to enter his core.

Lux had already pushed the boundaries of his core’s capacity, refining it to its utmost limit. He had mastered the art of compression, allowing him to store more energy than most. Through consistent practice and discipline, he had learned to condense the prana within his core, compacting it into a dense reservoir of power. Each inhalation filled his core with this refined energy, enhancing its potency.

He focused on the sensations within, feeling the prana intertwining with his spirit. The process was not merely about accumulation; it was about harmonizing with the energy, allowing it to resonate with his being. This deep connection enabled him to refine the chaotic energy further, shaping it into a form that aligned with his own essence.

With every breath, he continued to cultivate this refined energy, strengthening his core even more. The white cocoon shimmered softly around him, a visual representation of his focused intent and unwavering dedication to mastering his abilities. In this serene state, Lux embraced the challenge of pushing his limits, determined to unlock even greater potential within himself.

After completing his breathing technique, Lux exhaled a plume of white mist through his nostrils. Now, it was time to focus on refining his skills. The Law of Light was known for its gentleness; if it had a personality, it would embody a gentle and benevolent spirit. Mages who wielded the Law of Light often served as support, healing and buffing their allies, although some bravely fought on the front lines. Lux aspired to master both support and combat, striving for perfection in every aspect of his abilities.

Typically, he created light arrows to engage his enemies, but now it was time to expand his arsenal. While the Law of Light is primarily associated with healing and enhancement, it possesses a darker side. By reversing its properties, the benevolent energy could transform into a potent poison. Lux understood that to harness this duality, he needed to delve deeper into the essence of the Law of Light.

To begin this transformation, Lux concentrated on the core principles of the Law of Light—purity, healing, and vitality. He visualized these attributes as vibrant beams of energy. By focusing on the inherent qualities of light, he could identify the opposite end of the spectrum—the potential for corruption and harm.

With intense concentration, he envisioned the light refracting, twisting, and warping. Instead of allowing the energy to flow smoothly, he manipulated it to create tension, channeling it into a more volatile form. This process involved infusing the light with intent, altering its natural benevolence into something that could cause pain and destruction.

As he worked, he imagined the light’s healing properties being inverted, becoming a sharp, piercing energy capable of inflicting damage. He focused on the idea of light turning into darkness, crafting a new skill that would allow him to unleash this potent energy as a weapon. Each beam of light he created now held the potential to burn or poison, targeting the enemy’s vitality rather than enhancing it.

He practiced this new technique by forming orbs of concentrated light, swirling with a menacing aura. These orbs would hold the potential to sap energy from foes, leaving them weakened and vulnerable. Lux visualized launching these darkened light projectiles with the same precision as his arrows, but instead of healing, they would disrupt and devastate.

With each iteration, he refined the balance between light and dark, ensuring that he could switch between healing and damage seamlessly. This mastery over the duality of the Law of Light not only expanded his combat capabilities but also reinforced his identity as a versatile mage, capable of adapting to any situation on the battlefield. Lux was determined to wield this newfound power with wisdom, understanding the responsibility that came with such strength.

Suddenly, an epiphany struck him—he could temporarily strengthen his body, boosting his strength before unleashing a new offensive capability. The idea of creating gauntlets made of light, imbued with reverse properties, ignited a thrill within him; he envisioned bashing the skulls of monsters with this power. The thought of wreaking havoc on his foes (monsters) stirred something primal within, and for a moment, his darker persona threatened to take over.

However, he managed to rein in that impulse, focusing instead on the technique he was about to develop.

Rising to his feet, Lux was eager to put this new idea into practice. He began by generating a brilliant light that enveloped his body, a shimmering aura that coursed through his muscles, enhancing their strength. He could feel the surge of power flowing through him, invigorating every fiber of his being. This was no mere boost; it was a transformative experience that heightened his senses and amplified his physical capabilities.

Next, he conjured white gauntlets around his hands, each one forged from the very essence of light. These gauntlets were not just ordinary constructs; they were imbued with the property of decay—the opposite of healing. While they were still a work in progress, Lux understood their potential. The gauntlets would sap the strength and defense of any enemy they struck, weakening them significantly before delivering the final blow.

’’Well, it’s time to test how powerful these gauntlets are. Hehehe! I hope I won’t be disappointed!" Lux smiled, a smile who gave one chill.

With his newfound strength and the gauntlets firmly in place, he prepared to test this unnameable skill on a nearby tree. He focused intently on his target, visualizing the force he intended to unleash. As he drew back his fist, the gauntlet glowed with a radiant light, infused with a darker aura of decay ready to be unleashed.

Fhoosh!

With a powerful swing, Lux struck the trunk of the tree. The impact was explosive. The moment his gauntlet made contact, a shockwave rippled through the air, and the tree shook violently.

Bam!

The bark splintered and cracked under the pressure, the gauntlet’s properties of decay coming to life as the energy transferred from the light into the wood.

To his astonishment, the area around the impact point began to rot and wither, the vitality of the tree drained as if it were succumbing to a sudden illness. The once-solid trunk bore a deep dent, and the decay spread outward, causing the bark to darken and crumble. The tree was not just damaged; it was visibly weakened, a testament to the potency of Lux’s creation.

He stepped back, marveling at the result of his test. The gauntlets had proven effective, demonstrating their ability to not only enhance his strength but also to inflict debilitating decay upon his enemies. The exhilaration of his success surged within him, and he knew he had tapped into something powerful.

This newly crafted skill, which he had yet to name, brimmed with the potential to shift the balance of battle, enabling him to instill terror in the hearts of those who dared to confront him. He envisioned using it to toy with the abominations that should never have existed.

"Well, if they didn’t exist, I wouldn’t have fun crushing them," Lux mused, a smile spreading across his face, one filled with nothing but malice. Even he couldn’t quite articulate why he harbored such hatred for monsters, but the feeling surged within him like a dark tide.

Just as he contemplated canceling this skill, which was steadily draining his prana, Lux sensed something. His hatred for monsters had sharpened his instincts, making his senses more acute. He detected a foul presence in the distance; judging by the disgusting stench emanating from its soul, it was unmistakably a Red Goblin. A wicked grin spread across his face as he felt the familiar thrill of the hunt. The gentle persona he once embodied evaporated, replaced by a visage filled with malice and a desire to annihilate his enemy in the cruelest way possible.

With a burst of speed, Lux shot forward like an arrow released from its bow. The thirty-meter distance evaporated in an instant, and he materialized before the startled goblin. Its face contorted in fear as it sensed the intense malice radiating from Lux.

"Die!" Lux screamed, throwing a punch at the monster’s head, a deranged smile plastered across his features. The enhanced strike sliced through the air with lethal precision, the white gauntlets glowing ominously as the skill manifested in full display. The goblin froze, paralyzed by terror, as Lux’s fist connected with a sickening crunch.

The impact was devastating; the punch crushed the goblin’s skull in an instant, decaying flesh and bone upon contact. Brain matter and blood erupted from the shattered remains, splattering across Lux’s face in a grotesque display of carnage. He reveled in the chaos, a primal glee surging through him as the warmth of the goblin’s life force faded away.

Lux’s aura intensified, becoming more violent and feral. In that moment, he embraced the darkness within him, fully accepting the thrill of destruction. The satisfaction of obliterating the enemy only fueled his desire for more, igniting a hunger for battle that he had never known before. This was not just a kill; it was a statement, a declaration of his newfound power and the depths of his resolve to eradicate every last monster that dared to exist.