Lord of Annihilation

The biggest problem that Lucius was facing right now wasn't the lack of food, but the lack of fuel.

That's right. The spaceship, which Lucius was currently aboard had no fuel remaining. In fact, the last of the fuel cells were depleted 8 days ago.

Since then, the spaceship had been freely floating through space, with no possible way to control its movement or direction.

'Thankfully, we are almost at the Neutral Zone. If the ship is to maintain its current course, we will reach there in a month.' Lucius thought about it, as he stared at the navigation system in the control room.

The panel which was showing their current amount of fuel was blinking with a red light, reminding him of the depleted fuel cells. Thankfully, the system that maintained the oxygen and pressure inside the vessel was still functioning optimally.

Thinking about it, it wasn't surprising for the spaceship to run out of fuel. Apart from the time, it was fueled at Deatov, he had never refueled it again. As such, the fact that the fuel had lasted for almost a year's worth of time spoke volumes about the energy technology of mankind.

Seeing that there was no problem with the ship's current course, Lucius returned to his room. 

Inside his room were a single bed, a desk, a bookshelf above the desk a door that leads to the bathroom on the right, and a mini wardrobe that held his items, such as his clothes, the scythe, etc.

Atop his bed was a faintly glowing golden crystal that floated in the air. It pulsed with alternating shades of brightness and darkness, periodically. Looking at this, Lucius sighed.

'Ka'lor'ah had yet to wake up. Seems like the price paid for setting up the formation to capture 23 of the Forgotten, depleted her essence by a large amount.' 

'Shame. I was hoping to have some help in deducing my advancement condition.' He shook his head. Walking up to the bed, he atop the mattress cross-legged. Closing his eyes, Lucius sunk his consciousness into his mindspace.

The scene inside his mindspace was completely different when compared to when he was in Deatov.

At the center of the all-encompassing darkness, stood a vague, humanoid figure. It was pitch black in color, with threads of red and white highlighting its figure. Clouds of soul power surrounded the figure, making it indiscernible and hazy. 

Controlling his consciousness, Lucius flew through the clouds of soul energy and approached the figure. Unlike how it had resembled flowing water previously, Lucius' soul had now completely solidified.

The soul and clouds of soul power, resembled polished marble, as they ripped with energy and solidarity. During this period of time aboard the spaceship, Lucius had not slacked in his cultivation. His unceasing efforts had led to a steady accumulation that had resulted in the soul's current form.

His soul had completely condensed and was at the very top of Peak Level Stage 1. It was impossible for the soul to accumulate or condense any further. What this meant was that, unless Lucius completed his advancement condition and elevated his soul to Stage 2, it was impossible for him to grow in strength.

'To protect myself in the Neutral Zone, a minimum of Stage 2 cultivation is required.' Lucius recalled his memories of the Neutral Zone, that he had experienced in his previous life.

The Neutral Zone was exactly as the name implied. It was a neutral territory where members belonging to a variety of races lived and mingled. Members of races that belong to both the [Good] and [Evil] faction of the Universe, were present here.

The [Good] and [Evil] factions presented the division of order in the Universe. Each faction was led by a Primordial Race.

The [Good] faction was led by the {Heavenly Sovereigns}. While the [Evil] faction was led by the [Abyssal Rulers].

These two races represented the absolute peak of the Universe and ruled over 70% of its territory. 

For some unknown reason, both the races abhorred the existence of the other. They were constantly at war with each other and wouldn't rest until the other was completely wiped from existence.

This unresolvable hatred led to the [Good] and [Evil] factions also being at odds with each other.

In planets controlled by the [Good] faction, members of the [Evil] faction were hunted and killed without mercy. And in planets controlled by the [Evil] faction, it was vice-versa.

However, this rule was not absolute. With the Universe being almost infinitely large, not all territories were under the control of the [Good] and [Evil] faction.

Some territories were controlled by powerful individuals or races, who disliked to participate in this mindless war or were simply too far away to be controlled by either of these factions. These territories were commonly called Neutral Zones.

The planet that Lucius was currently heading towards was one such planet. It was situated on the fringes of the Western Territory which was controlled by the [Good] faction. As such, there were no significant conflicts between the members of the opposing factions and remained was therefore Neural.

The next phase of Lucius' plan was to increase his strength to Stage 3. Only after reaching this stage would Luicus possess enough strength to move with sufficient freedom through the Universe.

Stage 3 was the threshold that separated the weak from the strong. Reaching this level meant one possessed sufficient strength to protect oneself and roam the Universe. 

'When I arrived at the Neutral Zone in my previous life, mankind had failed in its Ascension and was thoroughly annihilated. I was the only survivor.'

'Being alone and without any support or guidance, I was like a lone traveller, lost within a desert ' My strength was also similar to now, being only at Peak Level Stage 1.' 

'I was almost 50 years old and had already lost much of my youth. The next decade was filled with an inestimable amount of hardship and suffering. Being weak I was unable to protect myself and was repeatedly bullied and trashed by the Stage 2 beings.'

'Fortunately, [Killer] is a relatively common soul type. After a tremendous amount of effort and sacrifice, I was able to advance to Stage 2, finally possessing enough strength to fight back.'

Lucius's indifferent eyes stared at his fists, Clenching and unclenching his fists, he thought.

'Alas, this time I do not have the time I passed in my previous life. I have less than 3 years before the next phase of the plan must begin.'

'Three years to reach Stage 3, in a soul without any precedence. Once again, I do not have any guidance and have to tread a path that I have never walked before.' there wasn't a single flicker of emotion within his eyes.

'What a bother.' he sighed and shook his head. Closing his eyes, he started to silently refine his soul power.

-----------------

Next day, Combat Training room.

Lucius stared at the black-haired violet-eyed beauty standing in front of him. With a bland voice, he asked.

"Have you decided which style you want to follow?" 

Hearing his question, Olivia nodded her head. With a resolute voice, she replied.

"Spellblade." her bright eyes shone with anticipation and excitement.

Lucius simply nodded his head at her reply. He wasn't surprised for he had expected this answer.

"Spellblade refers to the style, which infuses their magic spells into their fighting style. People who usually possess the [War Priest] or [Light Paladin], [Chaos Fiends] or [Spectral Warrior] soul type follow this style."

"You, however, possess the [Soul Supperssor]. A soul type that has no precedence." 

"Your spells comprise mostly of mental-type attacks, while your soul power has the property of buffing your physique. Being a back-liner or a pure spellcaster is a waste of your power."

"Being a Spellblade can allow you to maximize the abilities of your soul. Walk towards that bench and pick up your weapon," he instructed her.

Olivia immediately complied and walked towards the bench. Wrapped within a black cloth was a long metallic longsword. Staring at the sword in admiration, she traced her fingers across its body before holding it by its hilt. 

Raising the weapon up into the air, Oliva gazed at it with an excited expression.

'He made this? For me? Pretty....' she involuntarily thought to herself. 'Ah! Wake up, Olivia. This isn't the time to be dreaming' she shook her head. Walking back to her previous position, she awaited Lucius' instruction.

"Over the past few months, I have trained you in your close combat and soul power usage. Starting today, I will teach you the way of the sword."

His expressionless face turned serious at this moment as Lucius continued.

"Also remember, I will be teaching you the way to kill. Therefore do not hold back. Fight, like your life depended on it. Be hesitant in your actions and you will die!" he grimly reminded her.

"A month remains before we reach our destination. And within this month, you will learn to kill."

"Let us begin." the moment he said those words, Lucius disappeared from her vision.