Rogue Villain-Chapter 279: Perfect!

Although Ackster had the same skill as a previous Calamity, Trana didn’t think he would become one, at least as he was now. Ackster didn’t have any intentions of destroying the world, and it looked like he was just a victim of coincidence or a force greater than either of them could understand.

Since Trana now knew what kind of skill Ackster had, she also knew best how to help him grow stronger using it. She felt a little conflicted about helping Ackster strengthen the skill of a previous Calamity, especially when she didn’t know his end goal. But, they had a deal, and Ackster’s goal was not part of it.

So, after supplying Ackster with a mountain of precious minerals, materials, and treasures, Trana left with Ackster’s Sea God Manual without asking any further questions. She was going to do her utmost to test the limits of this humanoid monstrous monster.

Trana reflected on herself and wondered if this was how parents felt. Seeing someone do their best and growing to achieve greater heights was a little exciting, and she couldn’t help but want to do her best to help the human. Of course, she couldn’t help but be a little worried since his potential didn’t seem to have a ceiling. But he had promised not to attack her.

It would be better if he had used a Covenant to guarantee that promise, but that was too much to ask of a newborn human.

While Ackster gorged himself on the first batch of materials from Trana, the dragon started studying the Sea God Manual while occasionally guiding Mara in her magic training. Trana was almost a little disappointed that she didn’t have to do much.

Mara was doing her best to become strong enough to break free from her master’s control.

’Is she already having her rebellious phase?’

Trana looked at Mara with a loving gaze as the latter tried to blast her with wind blades powerful enough to slice through mountains. Mara had started developing her own instinctual use of magic, and Trana could tell that she didn’t need to interfere. Her disciple only occasionally needed guidance. Aside from that, she would find her own way.

Ackster kept to himself as he stuffed himself in between training his mana and martial arts. But he and Mara still added a liveliness to Trana’s lair that she didn’t even know she had missed.

Time passed quickly for all three of them as they did their own things together.

Trana studied the Sea God Manual to see if she could make any improvements. But it was already perfect. The only way to make it better was to make an entirely new mana training manual that surpassed it. It wasn’t impossible for Trana to do. But it would take a lot of time, and it was unnecessary.

She could make one perfectly suitable for Ackster and his body, which would let him gather more and higher quality mana of all kinds. But Ackster had informed Trana of his deadline.

Instead, Trana started working on improving the environment for Ackster’s training so that he could progress his mana training even faster. She filled the valley with water and water element mana. She also brought out treasures, magic circles, arrays, and mana crystals that created a more conducive atmosphere for water mana.

Ackster just had to think, and mana rushed into his body. Surprisingly enough—or maybe not—the changes in the atmosphere and the increase of his mana also made it easier for him to advance his martial arts.

With more water mana in a water-rich atmosphere, Ackster’s understanding of the movements of water and its interactions with force and pressure increased. Even without risking his life, he was taking monumental steps forward, even if his mana was the only stat or skill that grew.

Ackster also ate away at the materials Trana supplied him and used them to refine his body using the incredible capacity of the flames he had stolen from Viztar. But he wasn’t satisfied. The materials weren’t up to par with a dragon’s body, and Ackster felt like he would grow stronger with a better flame.

All in all, although he was making great progress, Ackster wasn’t satisfied. He probably wouldn’t ever be until he had completed his mission. But as time crept past him, Ackster could feel a mounting sense of doom and failure.

So, he asked Trana to step it up. This kind of kindergarten-like training wouldn’t cut it. It was time to spar.

Since Trana was a lot stronger, Ackster skipped holding back and asked Trana to give him a challenge.

At first, she matched his strength and mostly fended him off, but that only fostered Ackster’s frustration. Remembering the monstrous display from when Ackster clung to Viztar, Trana obliged Ackster’s request and stopped holding back as much.

Trana bathed Ackster in a stream of lightning-filled azure fire that scorched the ground and turned the atmosphere electric. The force of the fire alone was enough to rip Ackster’s flesh off his skin, not to mention the burning and stinging sensation that was beyond even the fire from Viztar when he had covered his entire body.

"Perfect! More!"

Ackster opened his mouth wide as he swallowed Trana’s attack, strengthening the fires of Smelting Furnace further.

Trana felt a chill as she heard Ackster’s crazed and ecstatic roar. But he seemed to like it, so she continued training him as he tried to adapt and fight back.

However, the materials Ackster had consumed earlier weren’t enough to keep up with the damage. Even if Smelting Furnace refined them until they were beyond perfect, Ackster’s body still didn’t grow strong enough to defend against Trana’s flames and attacks. He needed something better.

"Hey, Trana, time out."

"What?"

"I just remembered you didn’t tell me about the broken trident and all that. I’m pretty sure we also got distracted from our talk about Calamities and what they are."

"Ah, right. And who’s fault is that?" 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Yours. Now, do you think I can eat it?"

Trana’s mind blanked. What an audacious and strange question for anyone except Ackster. But even for him...

"That might be a bit much for your current self..."