Unfettered Sword

Slumbering Peak.

Atop the tallest peak stood a magnificent ash tree that spanned nearly a hundred meters tall, overlooking the whole mountain and its endless forest.

Below the tree was a child who seemed to be around 2 to 3 years old, sitting cross-legged as his milky jade-like hands held a seemingly ancient scripture.

Akin to a porcelain doll, the child's appearance was extremely pretty and adorable. His jet-black hair that seemed to be made from silk and the robe that was dyed with the color of snow formed a strikingly beautiful contrast.

However, the most attractive feature of this child was his precious pair of obsidian-colored eyes that appeared to contain the endless universe within, immeasurable and unfathomable.

Of course, this child was Allen who was now 2 years old.

With a quill pen in his hand, Allen tapped his chin as his eyes drifted far into the horizon, seemingly lost in his thoughts.

"It's been two years since I came to this world, who would've expected that I would be here right before the Great Mana Tide that flooded the world..." muttered Allen dazedly before releasing a mocking smile. "And what's even worse than that is the upcoming Eternal War...(sigh)."

As those words came out from his mouth, Allen couldn't help but remember his memories back ingame, and the things he had found out about the two world-shaking events.

The Great Mana Tide. It was said that the plane had experienced this event twice in the past. During those times, the density and quality of mana across all the worlds increased by countless of times.

During this time, all lifeforms will experience an existential strengthening, or even evolution, due to the quantitative increase of mana.

Breaking through bottlenecks and stepping towards higher levels would be possible! Children born during this time will have better physiques, innate talent, and sensitivity towards mana. Of course, monsters and other races would also be the same.

It wouldn't be wrong to say that the crisis of the Great Mana Tide was also the time when geniuses and prodigies shall rise up to the spotlight of the world.

However, due to the same heightening of mana across all worlds, the possibility of descending into insanity and madness is highly likely! While ordinary mortals might not get affected, it would be a whole different story for the stronger ones.

The stronger you are in the path of ascension, the more mana you have. And with the excessive increase of mana due to the Great Mana Tide, simply exploding from being unable to handle extreme quantities of mana wouldn't be out of the equation.

'However, while it may be dangerous, the benefits are simply amazing.' thought Allen. 'But what's truly horrifying will be the Eternal War that will probably take place a few years after the mana tide.'

The Eternal War. The war that shook countless worlds and realms, the war that destroyed civilizations and annihilated countless lives.

During this war, the lofty gods that resided in the fabled Eternal Horizon couldn't even escape this calamitous time.

Remembering a quote from a book that he previously read, Allen couldn't help but mutter. "With the coming of the mana tide, the devils of the nine hells prepared for slaughter, the demons from the 72 abyssal realms readied for destruction, while the gods on the far horizon assembled for conquest."

"Just remembering the books I've read about that war back ingame gives me the chills." with a wry smile on his jade-like face, Allen shook his head.

'Hayss, why couldn't I just be reborn on a peaceful time instead...' he thought before laughing. Although born in this dangerous time, he was still grateful to be given a second chance.

'Nonetheless, nothing will stop me from living my life free and unfettered. To achieve this, I will slay gods and devils alike if I must.'

Even during his life on Earth, despite his weak body and inborn blindness, Allen has always dreamed of being free, unchained by his tragic circ.u.mstances.

He wanted to roam the world, he wanted to see countless places and meet numerous people, he wanted to fall in love, yet the reality was he couldn't.

Well...that was at least, when he was on Earth.

Now that he was reborn in the Eternal Continent, he had been given a chance. A chance that was a narrow and thorny path. Along this path were numerous obstacles, bloodshed, and pain; but he knew, he knew that alongside the hardship there will also be joy, freedom, and love.

Putting his hand above his c.h.e.s.t, Allen felt the beating of his heart. It was steady and stable. It was like a mountain that couldn't be moved despite the fierce gales of wind and the terrifying waves of the ocean.

At that moment, he tilted his head and looked up at the endless blue firmament, his hair and robe fluttering along with the wind.

"I swear that as long as I live, as long as this heart beats, my will shall be indomitable, my mind impregnable, and my soul indestructible!" Allen shouted as his young and crisp voice reverberated in all directions.

As if praising Allen's boldness and determination, the Tree of Knowledge emitted a golden light which radiated in the surrounding as its branches swayed while its leaves danced.

As he bathed on the golden light, Allen couldn't help but exclaim as he felt utter comfortableness. At the same time, he heard a continuous system announcement in his ears.

[You have been blessed by the Tree of Knowledge!]

[The sacred tree applauds your firm determination and self-confidence!]

[Strength +1]

[Agility +1]

[Physique +1] (Author: Constitution -> Physique)

[Intelligence +1]

[Wisdom +1]

[Your Hidden Innate Skill has been stimulated by the sacred tree's power.]

[The Innate Skill: Sage's Eyes (Passive) has been awoken!]

Right when the series of system announcement finished, Allen's eyes suddenly shone with golden light that gave off a feeling of divinity, before returning to normal a few seconds later.

However, if one looked closer, right in the middle of his eyes that seemed to contain the cosmos was a hint of the color of gold.

It was as if a translucent star was burning with intensity amidst the endless vast expanse.

"Oh? I didn't know that I had a dormant Innate skill before," muttered Allen as he basked in the divine tree's golden radiance. "What is this Sage's Eyes?"

As a Level 501 Sword Saint back in the game in his previous life, Allen knew A LOT of skills, be they common skills, rare skills, or even legendary skills. He's even read countless books and scriptures with information of ancient martial arts, skills, and spells of the past, yet he didn't know or even heard of a skill called "Sage's Eyes" before.

At that moment, a burst of loud laughter could be heard, interrupting his thoughts.

"Master," muttered Allen as he pouted.

"Good, good! As expected of my, Akillas' disciple!" said the handsome man as he came over whilst clapping.

Standing before the 80 cm tall Allen, Akilles, who had the height of 190 cm, stared at the child's eyes that were as clear as glass as his expression became solemn.

"It's time," Akilles uttered with seriousness. Lifting an arm, he extended his hand before pointing his index finger a few centimeters before Allen's forehead.

"The Battle God's Physique is a body cultivation technique which absorbs the essence of all things in the world, be it the essence of fire, water, earth, lightning, and so on, your cells, organs, muscles, bones, and skin will be refined and tempered, strengthening and enhancing with limitless potential. With this technique, you can even absorb mana itself to strengthen your body to a whole different level."

"However, you must remember, you will experience excruciating pain as you continue cultivating the Battle God's Physique. Don't resist this."

As he said so, his index finger then lit up with a silver radiance which turned into a thin beam of light that passed through Allen's forehead, continuing towards his brain.

'Instant Transmission,' thought Allen when he saw the silver light entering his forehead.

Akilles then continued. "With your comprehension and perception, I'm sure that you will be able to reach the peak of this technique which is level 6. And once you do, killing gods with just your body alone will be feasible."

Closing his eyes, Allen asked a question as the technique's methods appeared in his head. "What level have you reached, master?"

"Level 5." smiled Akilles.

Nodding his head, Allen's heartbeat sped up as he closed his eyes and thought. 'The Battle God's Physique. To think that I'll be able to learn this overpowered martial art that was considered as one of the strongest in history!'

Sitting cross-legged, Allen started to study the technique that was engraved in his mind.

Walking towards the Tree of Knowledge, Akilles whispered a few things to it.

Its branches swaying, the Tree of Knowledge emitted a soft verdant light as a few of its leaves scattered, landing in different areas near Allen, as if forming a domain.

In a few moments, a sense of etherealness could be felt within the area of the tree's leaves that had formed a small domain.

Allen didn't even know what was going on since he had already descended in a state of comprehension. It was akin to an enlightenment!

Right then, a few system announcements resounded in Allen's ears which he didn't hear.

[The body cultivation technique: Battle God's Physique has been acquired.]

[The body cultivation technique: Battle God's Physique has been learned.]

[The passive skill: Sage's Eyes has been triggered.]

[Wisdom, Awareness, Perception, and Comprehension have increased by 500% until the duration of the skill ends.]

Without even knowing it, Allen's small body started to devour the incredibly rich and pure mana in the surrounding.

One must remember that since one of the three primordial trees, that was only below the will of the plane itself, was rooted in this place, the gathering, the quantity, and the quality of mana within the mountain had been greatly increased due to its presence.

And now, the incredibly pure and abundant mana was currently being devoured by Allen!

[Battle God Physique: Level 0 (0%)]

[Battle God Physique: Level 0 (3%)]

[Battle God Physique: Level 0 (7%)]

[Battle God Physique: Level 0 (9%)]

[Battle God Physique: Level 0 (12%)]

[Battle God Physique: Level 0 ...]

[Battle God Ph...]

[Battl...]

[...]

Staring dumbstruck at the child that sat in the middle of a dense amount of mana that had seemingly formed a vortex, Akilles couldn't believe his eyes.

'What in the eternal is this speed?! This little demon wouldn't achieve the first level on his first sitting right?'

'Wait... don't tell me that this disciple of mine actually possesses the [Sage's Eyes]?' he thought.

As one of the strongest beings of this world, Akilles knew plenty of secrets of the world. Naturally, he had also heard about the gift that was the [Sage's Eyes].

When he heard his disciple mutter earlier, 'What is this Sage's Eyes?', it was as if he was struck by a lightning from the heavens.

At first, he thought that his disciple had only heard of that somewhere or someone, but then, when he thought about it, this child had never even left this mountain, not once!

Since taking in the infant Allen two years ago, Akilles had made Allen read innumerable books. Books containing information about this world, teaching him about the world's cultures, races, fierce beasts, and so on.

Therefore, when he heard his disciple mutter, 'What is this Sage's Eyes?', he merely thought that Allen simply read it in a passage from a book or two.

Yet now, his disciple who already had a monstrous comprehension even before possessing Sage's Eyes simply became heaven-defying!

It was said that the requirements to obtain [Sage's Eyes] were first, to have a heart that was free from darkness. Second, an incomparably strong will and heart. And third, which is also the final and most important one, was to be chosen by the plane itself!

Don't tell me that my disciple is a child that was chosen by this plane's will? Then wouldn't that explain his astonishing wisdom and intelligence despite still being a baby?

At that moment, a saying that he once heard rang like a bell in his mind once again:

"Thou possessor of the eyes of the sage shall walk upon the earth unhindered; thou possessor of the eyes of the sage shall see through all the truth in the world; and thou possessor of the eyes of the sage shall be loved by the will of Eternal."