Chapter 278 Mana Circuits Training

Eren pressed forward, determined to quell the flames of his adversary.

His attacks intensified, the flames engulfing the female dire tiger growing more voracious with each passing moment. As the blaze reached its crescendo, the dire tiger's defiance faltered. With a final, anguished roar, she succumbed to the overwhelming power of Eren's fire element spells.

During their fight, Eren had strategically distanced himself from the remaining two dire tigers by driving the female dire tiger away from ground zero with his relentless attacks. So when he finished off his second kill, he almost couldn't hear the distant struggle between the dire tigers and his summoned creatures. The forest almost fell silent, the crackling of flames fading into the stillness.

Eren stood amidst the smoldering aftermath, his breathing heavy and his body adorned with fresh wounds. The second dire tiger lay defeated, its body consumed by fire.

Yet, the battle was far from over. The remaining two dire tigers still posed a threat, engaged in a fierce struggle with Eren's summoned creatures. Bloodied but undeterred, Eren prepared himself for the next phase of the arduous battle that awaited him within the depths of the Ironhaven Forest.

***

Eren let out a weary sigh, acknowledging the daunting magnitude of the mission before him.

It had become clear that the dire tigers surpassed his initial expectations, their ferocity rivaling that of formidable draconic creatures while their agility mirrored that of nimble wolves. Their sculpted, muscular frames exuded raw strength, yet they maintained a remarkable nimbleness thanks to their mastery over inherent spells.

Eren observed their fire-element movement spell, enhancing their already formidable speed and their robust mana defense bolstered by their control over flames. Their instincts were razor-sharp, and their lightning-quick reaction times added another layer of challenge to the encounter.

To compound matters, Aleph, the enigmatic force guiding Eren's journey, had restricted his use of the Hex gear. Aleph's reasoning was twofold: preserving Eren's spiritual force and facilitating the training of his mana circuits.

While Eren possessed an infinite mana core, his ability to cast spells indefinitely was hindered by the strain it placed on his mana circuits. Aleph intended to remedy this by enhancing Eren's mana circuits, allowing him to harness the full potential of his infinite mana core.

This training regimen, however, posed an obstacle, impeding Eren's ability to cast spells with the same efficiency and efficacy he once possessed. Each casting now required more effort, dampening his effectiveness in the heat of battle.

Aleph insisted that this method was a gentler alternative compared to his own arduous mana circuit training when he was at the beginning of his ranking journey. Yet, Eren couldn't help but harbor doubts, as this current approach seemed to only complicate an already treacherous mission. The burdens placed upon him seemed to outweigh any perceived advantages, leaving the Last Spider to question the true purpose and value of this challenging training.

Nevertheless, Eren steeled his resolve, understanding that his only path forward was to confront the dire tigers head-on, even with the added difficulty of his hindered spellcasting. He knew that perseverance and resourcefulness would be his allies in this uphill battle against the formidable predators lurking in the shadows.

***

Eren knew that facing both dire tigers simultaneously would be a formidable challenge, given his own condition. But he was not alone. His summoned creatures still stood by his side, their loyalty unwavering. With a flicker of determination in his eyes, Eren focused his attention on the wind element spells at his disposal.

"Screw these big cats, damn it," Eren's voice carried across the forest, resonating with power. In response, three majestic white elephants materialized beside him, their massive forms radiating an aura of calm strength. These wind-element creatures would prove instrumental in turning the tide of the battle.

With a subtle command, Eren directed the Anemoi White Elephants to position themselves strategically. As the gusts of wind engulfed the battlefield, Eren seized the opportunity to unleash his wind-element spells. Igni Wave and Igni Chains had served him well in previous battles, but now it was time to harness the might of the wind.

Venti Ball!

Eren cast a modified version of his wind-element spell. The air crackled with energy as swirling cyclones formed around him, ready to be unleashed upon his adversaries.

The first Rank-2 dire tiger lunged forward, claws extended in a swift and deadly strike. But Eren was prepared. With a wave of his hand, a battalion of Taranbiest emerged from the cyclones. These small but agile lightning-element creatures darted through the air with incredible speed, distracting the dire tiger and diverting its attention.

Seizing the moment, Eren stepped into action. Igni Wave, infused with the power of the wind and launched by his dual axes, transformed into razor-sharp gusts that sliced through the air with deadly precision. Each strike aimed at the vulnerable spots of the dire tiger's body, inflicting pain and disorienting the beast.

But the second dire tiger was not to be underestimated, even if it was only a Rank-1 entity. It was on the cusp of breaking into the next rank, after all. It charged toward Eren, its primal instincts honed to perfection. With lightning-fast reflexes, Eren activated Igni Chains, intertwining his dual axes with ethereal chains of fire. The extended reach allowed him to parry the ferocious attacks and retaliate with swift counterblows.

As the battle raged on, Eren's control over the wind and fire elements grew stronger. He summoned Alfem once more, their fiery bodies now cloaked in the swirling winds. The flock of fire-element birds launched kamikaze attacks, their detonations adding an explosive element to the chaos that unfolded.

Yet, the dire tigers fought back relentlessly, their sheer strength and primal instinct pushing Eren to his limits. In a moment of desperation, he summoned the ultimate wind-element spell at his disposal—Blitz Storm.

The arcs of lightning erupted all around Eren, with him as the epicenter, and consumed his and his opponents' visage in their red and blue brilliance.