System vs Rebirth

"Hu…" Noel took a deep breath. It seemed that the pill had stopped transforming his veins as the pain gradually subsided.

As Ardagan said, the pill was transforming his human body instead of the spirit's. But because he had forged the Spirit Link, the veins that had been affected by the Spirit Link would also be transformed, indirectly mutating the connection with the spirit.

However, due to this pill, he noticed that not all veins were connected to Heisk. It might be due to Ardagan, but the veins each spirit had were different despite connecting his entire body.

"Heisk…" Noel called her name, thinking the process had finished.

'Yes. We're almost complete. I will take this time to send you my ability… Because the effect of the pill is more than I originally thought, I have decided to change the ability. I hope you don't mind."

'I know that you and Ardagan are choosing the best thing for me. I will trust your judgment completely.'

'In that case, I will show you the transformation. Please remember the feeling as this will be the closest form to that of a Spirit.'

After those words, Heisk began circulating her energy.

Noel could feel that the icy energy revolved around crazily. His eyes remained closed, so he didn't know what happened to his body outside.

On the other hand, Raincart and the soldiers couldn't help but drop their jaws, noticing a transformation.

"This is…" Raincart widened his eyes. "The icy energy around him is transforming his body…"

The Spiritual Energy began gushing out of his body. Like Anna, his black hair gradually changed its color, matching the bluish ice. A crown made of ice formed on top of Noel's head, and a pair of wings emerged from his back.

He didn't have the tiny stature or pointed ears like Heisk, but the new appearance was similar to hers.

When Noel raised his eyelids, his black eyes had turned light blue like that of a crystal.

"This is…" Noel looked at his right hand. The power he had in his body had transformed completely. Although there was no change in his vision, his instinct had been sharpened.

As if trying to test the change in his body, Noel waved his hand.

"!!!"

In that instant, a thick layer of ice spread in all directions, covering everything underneath. The ice spread quickly while releasing an intense amount of Spiritual Energy.

In just two seconds, the ice was about to reach the soldiers that encircled him in a meters radius.

The soldiers were releasing their Spiritual Energy, trying to block this wave of icy energy. But before it reached them, another burst of energy shook the field, clashing with Noel's.

As a result, they formed an ice crystal at the very edge, ultimately stopping Noel's energy.

All the soldiers couldn't help but look at the only person who could stop Noel, Raincart.

Raincart was furrowing his eyebrows. As the one who clashed with him, Raincart could feel the ferocity of that energy.

"It seems that rascal has leveled up to a whole new level. To think he forced me to instinctively use my full power just to block it…" Raincart smirked. The more he transformed himself, the more monstrous he became. The soldiers even wondered if they should be here or not.

Meanwhile, Noel believed that his grandfather could stop him. Hence, he took this time to inspect his change, especially the ability he used earlier.

'That's the ability I would like to give you. It's called Frozen Domain. The rest of the information shall be transferred through Ardagan.'

'Thank you, Heisk. Are you going to accept the True Spirit Body after this?' Noel asked.

'Yes. But after Ardagan finishes his transformation.'

'So, the Frozen Domain is an ability to create a domain that has an extremely low temperature. In this domain, I can easily freeze anything. And the only way to use this domain is through this Ice Transformation?'

'Correct. The Ice Transformation is basically using those transformed veins to the very limit, matching my own veins. However, it's going to be a heavy burden for a human, so you shouldn't use it too often. As for the rest of the benefits, Ardagan should explain it to you later.'

'Alright then. Although I'm curious about all this, I should focus on finishing the transformation first.' Noel took a deep breath to recondition himself before ingesting the second pill.

As expected, the second pill dissolved like the first one. However, he didn't feel a single pain coming from Heisk's Spirit Seal. In fact, the icy energy surrounding him had completely disappeared and his transformation had been undone, allowing him to return to his original state.

Just like the first one, Noel could feel the sharp pain coming from Ardagan's Spirit Seal. It might be due to its position, but Noel could feel that the transformation moved in one direction, which was from the right to the left side of the body.

It first spread to his right arm, then moved to his body as well as the brain and lower body, before continuing to the left arm.

However, he noticed something different in the second pill. Even though he had used the same amount of time Heisk required to completely refine his veins, Noel's instinct was telling him it wasn't enough.

'The veins have been transformed, but it's not enough?' Noel frowned, finding it weird. However, he remembered the mission, which required him to ingest the third pill.

Without hesitation, Noel took another pill and put it inside his mouth. At the same time, he asked Ardagan, 'What is happening, Ardagan?'

'Have you forgotten about what kind of spirit I am?'

'Huh?' Noel was confused at first, but a certain idea appeared in the midst of pain. 'Sword…'

'That's right. You already know about the classification of Spirits. The highest-ranked spirit is the humanoid rank, but I am nothing but a sword. I'm different from Heisk and other humanoid spirits.'

'But the first pill still expands my veins like in Heisk's case.'

'That's right. But the second pill is…' Ardagan paused for a moment. In that instant, the energy around his veins started to erupt as if trying to refine the veins once more.

"!!!" Noel didn't know what was going on, but it was clear that something was changing. 'Ardagan… I can feel it, but I'm not sure what it is.'

'I'm transforming your veins like mine. I am a sword and have no veins like you and other spirits. Instead, I have this strand that connects my metal body. It's the strands that you can see within minerals or metals. I'm transforming your veins and crystallizing them.

'It will make your veins sturdier, which is required if you want to completely use my power. At first, you won't notice, but the more you use my power, the more that fiery energy will harm your body. Reinforcing your veins this way will not only strengthen its endurance but also insulate the heat.

'This way, my power won't bother your body,' Ardagan was fundamentally different. Despite being on the same rank as the humanoid rank spirits, he wasn't one of them. After all, he was a sword created by the Spirit God.

That was why he had to make one extra effort to match Noel.

Still, Noel noticed one problem. "You said that your flame will harm my body, but it won't affect my body as long as these veins are intact. What if I use the True Spirit Body in the future? You are surely going to give me that opportunity, right? Then, does that mean I won't be able to use it?"

'Not necessarily. I will definitely share the True Spirit Body, even though it's not now. I want you to fully master the fire ability and get an understanding of what all this transformation has brought you. Only then your body and mind are ready to receive the True Spirit Body. Before that, you can ask Heisk first.'

Noel fell silent for a moment. This was related to the last mission Ardagan gave him about the Force Awakening. After he progressed to this point, the mission changed slightly and became more detailed. The reward also became clear.

Although Noel felt disappointed that he couldn't get the True Spirit Body despite yearning for one after seeing how powerful it was when Anna used it, Noel had to accept it.

Ardagan had been considerate to him and used everything to ensure his path was smooth. This might be the details that Noel had missed this whole time.

Ardagan had been providing him with all the strength he required to get stronger. That meant the only thing he needed to do was to master it.

That was right. Instead of frantically searching for a stronger ability, he should focus on mastering the current ones. As he took that step forward, Ardagan would create a new path for him.

He finally connected Ardagan, his path, and grandfather. He realized that he had been mistaken the whole time.

During the past few years, he had been asking Ardagan for more strength despite having all those achievements. Whenever he encountered a problem, he had another overwhelming strength that could suppress his enemy. He used his brain to outsmart his enemies.

But he had never done what an expert always did… he never used the overwhelming mastery and control of his technique to fight someone beyond his level. How could he use it without having it?

When that thought appeared in his mind, Noel wanted to laugh.

'Ardagan. I am not a perfect human. I am selfish, have made a lot of mistakes and have wronged you a lot. However, I promise that I will continue to strive forward and correct myself. Will you accompany me on this journey?'

'I am your sword, your spirit, and your supporter. Unless you drop me, I shall remain as your sharpest blade.'

Noel smiled.

Outside, Ardagan began to float in front of Noel as fire gradually formed a chain, connecting Ardagan and Noel's right hand.

Without even opening his eyes, he reached for Ardagan, knowing where he was. The fire that linked the two together started bursting. There was a thin black layer that spread from Ardagan to Noel's right arm, covering his entire upper arm.

This was his transformation. It wasn't that flashy compared to Heisk, but its power was far more destructive.

Noel rotated his blade and stabbed the ground. The fire from the blade spread in all directions, igniting the ground. With just the first burst, he created a huge crater with him in the center. The fire continued rampaging in all directions before Raincart's ice formed, freezing it.

Surprisingly, Raincart had a hard time suppressing this fire as it ended up evaporating together.

Ardagan said, 'This is my Fire Transformation as well as the ability I want to give you, Outburst.'

A smile appeared on Noel's face as he gradually opened his eyes, saying, "I'm counting on you, Partner."