Aca Nerd – 35 — Beast Tide

Regretfully, there was no extra sense as my mana reserves filled to near capacity.

[ Mana: 129 / 130 ]

While I was inching closer to understanding the nature of attunement, the shadows I had hoped to sense remained elusive, it became clear that I needed to shift my focus again. The mysteries of mana could wait; for now, it was time to return to my Sword Mastery. 

I would need to think through new experiments carefully, plan my next steps with more caution, and ensure that I was better prepared before diving back into the unknown.

With that resolve, I decided to test my progress with a more challenging exercise, pushing myself further to see just how far I’d come. My eyes scanned the cluster of smaller branches on Sir Twistopher, each one varying in thickness and angle, growing in their twisted form. Well, they're high, but nothing a good jump can't solve. At least for the lower-hanging ones, I could reach them with a decent leap.

Despite their height, the branches were actually more spindly than they appeared, not as thick as the trunks suggested. There were just so many of them that they created the illusion of being more substantial. Thankfully, this meant that even with less force behind my strikes, I could still slice through them with relative ease.

The branches formed a tangled web, a perfect test of precision and control. My goal: To cut through them cleanly without disturbing the surrounding foliage.

Taking a deep breath, I locked onto the first branch. I bent my knees and sprang upward, my sword ready to strike in mid-air. 

My Spatial Perception highlighted its position, the grid overlay mapping out the perfect trajectory for my blade. In a split second, I selected a distinguished line for my sword edge, and swung my sword in a precise arc.

While I couldn’t get much purchase to force my sword deeply into the wood while airborne, I found that it wasn’t as necessary as I had feared.

The steel sliced cleanly through the branch, severing it without so much as a quiver from the leaves nearby. The cut was smooth, controlled, and to my surprise, the branch remained in place, supported by the side branches.

I paused, eyeing the branches with curiosity. The severed branch didn’t fall. Instead, it hung there, gently swaying, supported by the surrounding twisted limbs. 

The realization dawned on me—these branches were interconnected, strong enough to hold each other up like a mesh. Even if I cut Sir Twistopher down entirely, the whole canopy might remain suspended, or perhaps it would collapse all at once, like a broken roof. 

The thought lingered as I glanced at the nearby brothers and sisters of Sir Twistopher, their branches stretching out in a protective embrace.

Was it due to the mana? Normally, trees wouldn’t grow so closely together, competing for nutrients in such tight spaces. But here, it seemed different. The presence of mana could definitely explain it, allowing these trees to thrive in ways that defied the usual rules of nature.

Encouraged by the success of my first strike, I moved on to the next branch, maintaining the same level of focus and control. Each swing was deliberate, calculated. I varied the speed and force, adjusting to the different resistances I encountered. 

The thicker branches demanded more power, while the thinner ones required a gentle touch to avoid shaking the surrounding leaves. The practice was demanding, each cut a small victory that slowly built my confidence.

Spatial Perception Lvl 11 -> Lvl 12

As I worked through the branches, I made sure to check each one after the cut. The canopy slowly descended, inch by inch, but it didn’t fall—except for a single branch.

This particular branch, positioned directly toward the plains, began to drop slowly, almost as if it were reluctant to let go. It finally separated with a soft rustle, landing lightly on the forest floor. I stood still for a moment, watching as the leaves settled. The branch had been more isolated, unsupported by its neighbors, and so it fell alone. It was a small reminder of the delicate balance.

[ Mana: 124 / 130 ]

I checked my surroundings again, scanning for any signs of disturbance. But the forest remained silent, with only the gentle rustling of trees in the evening breeze. The sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting a warm, golden light through the canopy. The rays were slanting longer now, stretching shadows across the forest floor

I continued my work, methodically cutting through the remaining branches, always mindful of the canopy above.

Sword Mastery Lvl. 9 -> 10

As I progressed, I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of satisfaction. My movements were smoother, and more controlled, and with each successful, I could clearly see the result of the recent practice.

But then, as I paused to take in the scene, my thoughts drifted toward the forest beyond Sir Twistopher. There was still no sign of the beast tide. The memory of the Wendigos lingered at the edge of my mind. Do they also have different attuned mana? 

For a brief moment, I wondered if I should seek them out, and confront the fear that had been festering inside me since our last encounter. The idea stirred something within me—

And then another message popped up, pulling me back to reality.

Finale Rush: Get 1X Rewards for the killing in the last hour. 

Haha, you noobs didn't use your token when given the chance and decided to outsmart this professor.
Sucks to be you X5.

Ends in 00:58:12 Minutes.

Damn! I thought, feeling a mix of frustration and amusement. That professor must really be enjoying his job, messing with us like this. It was almost as if he took delight in these little jabs, knowing how they’d get under our skin. I shook my head, ignoring the taunting message.

[ Mana: 119 / 130 ]

What mattered now was that eighty percent of my motivation had evaporated. I had felt noble about the idea of confronting my fears, but after seeing that message, I realized how much it had influenced my thoughts. At least now, I was certain—I’m not exactly heroic material.

Snap–

The snap of a twig pierced the stillness, jolting my senses to full alert. My gaze shot toward the edge where the darkness of the Mistshade Willow Forest met the last rays of light.

I saw Sevvy, Octo, and Nemo, all three coming. There could be more inside in the darkness.

I didn’t wait to see what they would do next. My body moved on instinct, pivoting hard on my heel as I bolted toward the plains. My legs burned with the effort, muscles straining as I pushed myself to the limit. The ground blurred beneath me, Sir Twistopher rapidly shrinking into the distance, but I didn’t dare look back. Maybe, just maybe, they’ll stay within their territory, I thought, a desperate hope clinging to my mind.

But the hope was short-lived. A quick glance over my shoulder was all it took to shatter it. Sevvy, Octo, and Nemo weren’t alone. More shadows emerged from the forest—a second Sevvy, then another Octo, followed by a third Nemo—each one moving with terrifying speed, their glowing eyes locked onto me. Maybe I should name them different numbers… What is the Roman for hundred? Was it L or C?

“Damn it!” I hissed, my breath coming in ragged gasps as I forced my legs to move faster. But no matter how hard I pushed, it wasn’t enough.

A blur of movement to my left caught my attention as the first monster entered my spatial perception. The Sevvy CI lunged, its claws aimed at my legs. Reflexively, I swiped my sword in a diagonal arc. 

The movement of the claw registered in my spatial perception and I nudged my sword edge towards the most acceptable line that I felt. The blade connected with its forelimb, diverting the creature’s path just enough. 

[ Mana: 115 / 130 ]

For a brief moment, surprise flickered through my mind. Did I really just calculate that on the fly? The realization that I had not only reacted but had adjusted the angle almost perfectly sent a rush of adrenaline through me. But there was no time to celebrate.

I twisted, using the force to turn my swing into a downward slash. My Spatial Perception flared to life, mapping out its movements, and guiding my blade as it sank into Sevvy’s neck. 

Warm blood sprayed across my hand, but I didn’t stop to wipe it away. I was already moving, muscles screaming in protest as I pushed forward.

Didn’t even get far enough, I thought bitterly, my eyes locking on Sir Twistopher only thirty feet behind. Scanning the area for the next threat, my heart pounded in my chest, a wild rhythm that matched the chaos around me.

Despite my frustration, I couldn't help but acknowledge one thing: while my speed hadn't improved, my lethality had. Each movement, every strike, and defense was now calculated down to the smallest detail, precise to the hairbreadth. 

I was no longer just swinging wildly in desperation—I was attacking with purpose, guided by the sharp edge of my spatial perception. Except it consumed my mana like a leech.

[ Mana: 115 / 130 ]

Instead of drawing on my dwindling mana reserves, I reached into the abyss, pulling in the ambient energy around me. But the moment the mana entered my filter, I felt it—a resistance, thick and heavy, like trying to force water through a blocked pipe. 

My gaze flicked to the black mist swirling around their feet. They’re doing something to the mana, I realized, a cold dread settling in my gut.

A piercing screech split the air as Octo and Nemo surged forward, their movements unnervingly synchronized. Nemo’s arms whipped through the air in chaotic arcs, each strike aimed with deadly precision. 

I gritted my teeth, pivoting sharply. Instead of running, I dropped low, feeling the rush of air as Octo’s swipe missed me by inches. I lashed out with a powerful kick, sending Octo CI crashing into Nemo CI, buying myself a moment of breathing room.

But Nemo CI was relentless. His arm twisted unnaturally, swinging back around to strike from behind. I barely had time to raise my sword, the force of the impact vibrating through my entire arm. Pain flared, but I didn’t relent. I shifted my weight, thrusting forward in a quick, decisive strike, then feinted to the right. 

Octo CI tried to counter, but I was already moving, my sword slashing across Nemo’s side. The blade bit deep, and dark blood oozed from the wound, but there was no time to celebrate. Another feint, another quick attack, then a final thrust straight to the core. I didn’t bother looking back to confirm the kill—I couldn’t afford to.

My breath came in ragged gasps, my chest heaving as I checked the filter in my mind’s eye. The mana was still flowing sluggishly, but with each kill, the resistance eased slightly. The Wendigos… they’re manipulating the mana, I realized, making it harder for me to filter.