Chapter 464 - Translation

<h1>Chapter 464 104.5 - Everchanging Glyph</h1><p>Chapter 464 104.5 - Everchanging Glyph</p><p>"Disciple, come at me." Standing on the mat, Dakota stood face to face with Astron, looking at him.</p><p>"We are going to spar?" Astron asked. He had started his training just one day ago, and for a usual procedure, it was not a normal thing for them to just start constantly.</p><p>"Yes," Dakota replied, but then she changed her stance. "However, we both are only going to use [Gale Stance]."</p><p>"Ah, right." Since Astron had been training only one stance, it would make sense that they would do such a thing. However, the main reason why Dakota wanted to see Astron in a spar was not to see his progress in [Gale Stance] but rather to test his new body after the changes.</p><p>'The Everchanging Glyph. I wonder how effective it is,' Dakota thought, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed him. She was eager to see how the ancient rune had affected Astron's body.</p><p>The Everchanging Glyph was not something used lightly. It was designed to adapt the wielder's body to optimize the use of any weapon, ensuring that muscles, tendons, and bones were always in an ideal state. The glyph consumed a steady flow of mana to function, with increased consumption during combat or weapon switching.</p><p>Out of many different things that the organization had under its disposal, this rune was one of the most situational ones. Rarely would people have different types of occupations, thus requiring them to have such a chance in their bodies. And even if they did, none of them would need a drastic rune like this. It would mostly be wasted.</p><p>That was why she was curious to see its performance as well as to understand what kind of training they would need to undergo from now on.</p><p>"Begin," Dakota said, and the air between them seemed to thicken with tension.</p><p>Astron moved first, stepping into the [Gale Stance] with a fluidity that surprised even him. His body felt lighter, more balanced. He launched a quick succession of strikes, testing his speed and precision.</p><p>This was the first exercise that he was doing after the rune was engraved on him. Since he was forced to rest for the whole night, he was not allowed to wake up early and train on his own.</p><p>THUD! THUD! Dakota parried his attacks with ease, her movements smooth and controlled. She noted the increased speed and power behind Astron's strikes. The Everchanging Glyph was already showing its effects, enhancing his dexterity and agility.</p><p>'Interesting,' Dakota thought. 'The glyph is adapting his body efficiently. But how well can he maintain this under pressure?'</p><p>She decided to increase the intensity, pushing Astron to see how he would handle a more challenging opponent. Her strikes came faster and harder, forcing Astron to react quickly.</p><p>Astron felt the glyph working within him, adapting his muscles and enhancing his reflexes. He dodged and countered with surprising accuracy, his body moving in perfect harmony with the flow of mana.</p><p>On the other side, the strain of maintaining the glyph's effect was noticeable, but he pushed through it. It was a hard task even for him. While maintaining the mana flow of the [Gale Stance], he also needed to maintain his Glyph's efficiency.</p><p>Dakota was impressed by his resilience and adaptability. 'He's already integrating the glyph's benefits into his combat style. But he needs to understand its limits and the cost of maintaining it.'</p><p>For the time being, Astron's options in combat styles were just limited to one style. But Dakota knew that if he were to understand how one style worked, he would be able to adapt it to the other styles.</p><p>SWOOSH! She launched a particularly fierce combo, testing his endurance. Astron met her attacks with focus, feeling the burn in his muscles but also the thrill of the challenge.</p><p>Each strike and counterstrike honed his skills further, the glyph ensuring his body was always in peak condition.</p><p>Finally, Dakota stepped back, signaling a pause.</p><p>"Not bad," Dakota said, her tone carrying a hint of approval. "The Everchanging Glyph is enhancing your abilities, but remember, it consumes a lot of mana. You need to manage it carefully."</p><p>This was her first impression of the glyph. "Or maybe it is related to your mastery. The more you understand the rune, the more likely it is that you are going to consume less mana. I would suggest that when you are free, you should experiment with your body to increase your understanding."</p><p>She decided to shift the focus from the rune to his technical abilities. "Now, let's focus on the [Gale Stance] itself. As you know, the [Gale Stance] is designed to maximize speed and fluidity. It has three primary moves, each with a specific purpose."</p><p>Dakota began to outline the moves, reminding Astron of their importance. "We have the [High Gale], [Medium Gale], and [Low Gale]. Each one targets different areas and has its unique strategic advantages."</p><p>She continued, providing detailed feedback based on their sparring session. "During our spar, I noticed a few things. Your [High Gale] was quick and precise, but your strikes lacked follow-through. You need to commit fully to each strike to maximize its impact."</p><p>"For the [Medium Gale]," Dakota went on, "your transitions were smooth, but there was a hesitation in your movements. That hesitation can cost you in a real fight. You need to trust your instincts and the flow of mana within you."</p><p>"And finally, the [Low Gale]," Dakota said, her tone becoming serious. "Your low strikes were effective, but your stance was too rigid. Flexibility is key here; you need to stay loose and adaptable to react quickly to your opponent's movements."</p><p>"I see," Astron said after looking at his body. He imagined how he was moving in his head, and even though his imagination may not have been inaccurate, in his imagination, he had simulated his flaws.</p><p>"Now, take the [Gale Stance], and let's work on those details," Dakota instructed.</p><p>Astron assumed the [Gale Stance], his body poised and ready. Dakota moved around him, observing his posture and movements closely. She made small adjustments, correcting his form and ensuring his stance was perfect.</p><p>"Your left foot needs to be angled slightly more," she said, nudging his foot into position. "And keep your shoulders relaxed. Tension will slow you down."</p><p>As she continued to adjust his stance, Dakota explained, "These mistakes stem from the techniques you learned before as a combatant. For a normal, non-awakened human, those methods make sense. But now, as an awakened, you need to adapt and change."</p><p>She stepped back, watching as Astron made the adjustments. "Remember, your body is now enhanced by mana. You need to rely on that, not just your physical strength. Let the mana guide your movements, make them more fluid and powerful."</p><p>Astron nodded, focusing on integrating her corrections. He could feel the difference, the increased ease and efficiency in his movements. The Everchanging Glyph's effect on his body made it even more evident.</p><p>"Much better," Dakota said with approval. "Keep practicing, and these adjustments will become second nature." She said while slowly turning back. "From now on, you may see a little decrease in your sleep. Are you ready?"</p><p>But then she suddenly dropped the bomb.</p><p>"What do you mean, Master?" Astron asked, feeling a bit ominous. He was kind of predicting what was about to come.</p><p>Dakota turned back to face him, a smirk playing on her lips. "While your body is one of the best to change itself to suit the art you are using, it is not only limited to art but to every situation."</p><p>She paused, letting her words sink in. "For instance, extreme conditions."</p><p>The moment Astron heard this, he understood what she meant. A long and painful road awaited him, filled with grueling training sessions designed to push his limits and adapt his body to the harshest conditions imaginable.</p><p>Dakota's smirk widened as she saw the realization dawn on his face. "The Everchanging Glyph will help you adapt, but it won't make the process any less painful. You need to be prepared to endure and overcome."</p><p>Just as she said that there was an ominous glint in her eyes, and Astron knew what it was.</p><p>'The same eyes as those….' A memory flashed for a split second, a memory that he had buried underneath for a long time.</p><p>"001. Do you know why this number is given to you?" The man's voice was cold and emotionless as he looked down at Astron with eyes that held no empathy, only superiority.</p><p>The man continued, his tone icy. "No matter what you do, you are the first in everything, the best. Best at combat, best at thinking, best at analyzing, best at killing. You are the best in everything."</p><p>The man's gaze bore into Astron's, unyielding and merciless. "But at the same time, you are also the best at not feeling anything. You are not a human but a number because of that—a tool that can only be used by humans. And I want to see….. I want to see the monster that you are going to become…. That is why we have prepared something for you." For a split second, only a millisecond, his eyes flashed cold. The memory…. It was not something that he wished to remember.</p><p>Dakota's eyes contained the same madness that that person had. And his end was not well.</p><p>Dakota's voice pulled him back to the present. "You need to be prepared to endure and overcome."</p><p>Astron shook off the haunting memory, focusing on the present and the path ahead.</p><p>'I don't want it to end the same.' Compared to the past, he was different now. He was changing. He did not want to return to the same person that he was at that time.</p><p>"I understand, Master. I'm ready," he said, his voice steady despite the turmoil within. For the time being, he would see how things would go.</p><p>'As long as it does not harm my goal, I can endure everything.' The other person could desire whatever they wanted; he would not care. As long as it is within reasonable limits and something that would not hinder his goals or align with them, he would comply.</p><p>No matter how painful it was, as he was already accustomed to the pain long ago.</p><p>Dakota nodded, her expression firm but approving. "Good. I will be looking forward to it."</p>

<h1>Chapitre 464 104.5 - Glyphe Changeant</h1> <p>Chapitre 464 104.5 - Glyphe Changeant</p> <p>« Disciple, à toi. » Debout sur le tatami, Dakota fit face à Astron, le regard perçant comme une lame tout droit plantée dans ses yeux.</p> <p>« Nous allons nous entraîner ? » s'enquit Astron, légèrement surpris. Il n'avait commencé son initiation que la veille, et selon les protocoles établis, il était inhabituel de passer directement à un affrontement.</p> <p>« Exactement », confirma Dakota en ajustant sa position avec une précision millimétrée. « Mais nous nous limiterons exclusivement à la [Posture de la Rafale]. »</p> <p>« Ah, je comprends. » Astron hocha la tête. Puisqu'il n'avait maîtrisé qu'une seule posture jusqu'ici, la restriction paraissait logique. Cependant, l'intention réelle de Dakota n'était pas d'évaluer sa progression technique, mais bien de tester les capacités de son corps nouvellement modifié.</p> <p>'Le Glyphe Changeant... Dans quelle mesure a-t-il transformé son organisme ?' songea-t-elle, ses paupières se plissant légèrement tandis qu'elle l'observait avec une intensité presque palpable. Une curiosité insatiable la tenaillait - comment cette rune ancestrale avait-elle altéré la chair et les os de son disciple ?</p> <p>Le Glyphe Changeant ne s'utilisait pas à la légère. Conçu pour remodeler en permanence la morphologie du porteur, il optimisait chaque fibre musculaire, chaque tendon, chaque articulation pour l'utilisation optimale de n'importe quelle arme. Son fonctionnement impliquait un drainage constant de mana, avec des pics de consommation lors des combats ou des changements d'équipement.</p> <p>Parmi l'arsenal phénoménal de l'organisation, cette rune figurait parmi les artefacts les plus spécialisés. Rares étaient les individus dont les activités exigeaient une telle polyvalence corporelle. Et même dans ces cas exceptionnels, peu nécessitaient une modification aussi radicale. La plupart y verraient un gaspillage pur et simple.</p> <p>C'est pourquoi Dakota brûlait d'impatience. Non seulement pour évaluer ses performances, mais surtout pour déterminer le nouveau régime d'entraînement à adopter.</p> <p>« Commence », ordonna-t-elle, et l'atmosphère entre eux sembla se solidifier sous le poids de l'attente.</p> <p>Astron bougea le premier, adoptant la [Posture de la Rafale] avec une aisance qui le surprit lui-même. Son corps répondait avec une fluidité inédite, comme si chaque mouvement était parfaitement équilibré. Il enchaîna une série de frappes rapides, testant les limites de sa nouvelle agilité.</p> <p>C'était son premier exercice depuis l'insertion de la rune. Contraint au repos forcé toute la nuit, il n'avait pu s'adonner à son rituel matinal d'entraînement solitaire.</p> <p>BOUM ! BOUM ! Dakota para chaque attaque avec une grâce nonchalante, ses blocages précis trahissant une expérience phénoménale. Elle nota immédiatement l'augmentation de vitesse et de puissance dans les techniques d'Astron. Le Glyphe Changeant manifestait déjà son potentiel, aiguisant sa dextérité comme une épée sur une meule.</p> <p>'Fascinant', analysa mentalement Dakota. 'L'adaptation corporelle est remarquablement efficace. Mais jusqu'à quel point tiendra-t-il sous pression ?'</p> <p>Elle intensifia soudain l'assaut, ses coups gagnant en vitesse et en puissance, forçant Astron à puiser dans ses nouvelles ressources. Le jeune homme sentit le glyphe s'activer dans sa chair, remodelant ses muscles en temps réel pour optimiser chaque réflexe. Ses esquives et contre-attaques gagnèrent en précision, son corps dansant au rythme des flux manaiques.</p> <p>Néanmoins, le coût énergétique se faisait sentir - maintenir simultanément la [Posture de la Rafale] et les effets du glyphe exigeait une concentration herculéenne. Chaque fibre de son être criait sous l'effort, mais il persista, les dents serrées.</p> <p>Dakota ne put réprimer une lueur d'admiration. 'Il intègre déjà le glyphe à son style. Mais il doit apprendre ses limites et le prix de son utilisation.'</p> <p>Pour l'instant, le répertoire technique d'Astron se limitait à un seul style. Mais Dakota savait qu'une fois maîtrisé, ce socle lui permettrait d'assimiler toutes les autres disciplines.</p> <p>SWOOSH ! Elle déchaîna une rafale de coups vicieux, testant sa résistance. Astron répondit avec une détermination farouche, chaque impact brûlant ses muscles tout en attisant la flamme du défi en lui.</p> <p>Chaque échange sculptait davantage ses capacités, le glyphe veillant à maintenir son organisme au pic de son potentiel.</p> <p>Soudain, Dakota rompit l'affrontement d'un pas en arrière.</p> <p>« Correct », commenta-t-elle, une nuance d'approbation dans sa voix habituellement impassible. « Le Glyphe améliore tes performances, mais n'oublie pas son coût manaique exorbitant. Gère-le avec parcimonie. »</p> <p>Elle poursuivit, partageant ses observations : « Peut-être est-ce lié à ta maîtrise. Plus tu comprendras la rune, moins elle te drainera. Je te conseille d'expérimenter avec ton corps pendant tes temps libres pour en explorer les potentialités. »</p> <p>Recentrant le sujet, elle enchaîna : « Concentrons-nous maintenant sur la [Posture de la Rafale]. Comme tu le sais, elle privilégie vitesse et fluidité. Ses trois variantes - [Rafale Haute], [Moyenne] et [Basse] - répondent à des besoins tactiques distincts. »</p> <p>Son analyse devint méticuleuse : « Tes [Rafales Hautes] manquent d'engagement total - chaque frappe doit être portée avec l'intention de trancher l'adversaire en deux. Tes transitions en [Rafale Moyenne] trahissent une hésitation mortelle en situation réelle. Fais confiance à ton instinct et au mana qui coule en toi. »</p> <p>Abordant la [Rafale Basse], son ton se fit plus grave : « Ton bas du corps est trop rigide. La souplesse est reine ici - sois comme le roseau qui plie mais ne rompt point. »</p> <p>« Je saisis », murmura Astron, visualisant mentalement chaque correction. Même si ses simulations internes n'étaient pas parfaites, elles révélaient clairement ses lacunes.</p> <p>« Reprends la posture », ordonna Dakota. « Nous allons éradiquer ces défauts. »</p> <p>Astron obéit, son corps se positionnant avec une précision accrue. Dakota tourna autour de lui tel un faucon, ajustant chaque détail avec une exigence maniaque.</p> <p>« Incline davantage ton pied gauche », rectifia-t-elle en le guidant physiquement. « Et relâche ces épaules - la tension est ton ennemie. »</p> <p>Tout en peaufining sa forme, elle expliqua : « Ces erreurs viennent de ton ancien entraînement. Adapte-toi - tu n'es plus un simple humain, mais un Éveillé. Laisse le mana guider tes mouvements, pas seulement ta chair. »</p> <p>Astron intégra chaque correction, sentant immédiatement la différence. Le Glyphe Changeant amplifiait chaque ajustement, rendant son corps étrangement... obéissant.</p> <p>« Bien mieux », concéda Dakota. « Avec de la pratique, cela deviendra naturel. » Elle marqua une pause dramatique. « À partir de maintenant, prépare-toi à dormir moins. Cela te convient-il ? »</p> <p>Puis elle lâcha sa bombe avec un calme déconcertant.</p> <p>« Que... voulez-vous dire exactement, Maître ? » s'enquit Astron, une sourde appréhension lui tordant les entrailles. Il devinait déjà l'horrible vérité.</p> <p>Dakota pivota face à lui, un sourire de prédateur aux lèvres. « Ton corps est exceptionnellement adaptable, mais cela ne concerne pas seulement les techniques de combat... » Elle laissa planer un silence éloquent. « ...mais toutes les situations extrêmes imaginables. »</p> <p>Astron comprit instantanément. Une voie douloureuse s'ouvrait devant lui - un enfer d'entraînements conçus pour repousser les limites de l'endurance humaine.</p> <p>Le sourire de Dakota s'élargit face à sa réalisation. « Le glyphe t'aidera à survivre, mais n'atténuera pas la souffrance. Sois prêt à endurer l'inendurable. »</p> <p>À ces mots, une lueur inquiétante embrasa ses pupilles, et Astron reconnut immédiatement cette lueur...</p> <p>'Ces yeux...' Un souvenir refoulé jaillit des tréfonds de sa mémoire.</p> <p>« 001. Sais-tu pourquoi ce numéro t'a été attribué ? » La voix métallique de l'homme résonnait, glaciale et dénuée de toute humanité. Son regard perçant ne reflétait que la supériorité du dominant sur l'outil. « Tu es le premier en tout. Le meilleur guerrier, le meilleur stratège, le meilleur tueur. Mais surtout... » Son œil se fit plus intense. « ...le meilleur à ne rien ressentir. Tu n'es pas un humain, mais un numéro - un instrument entre des mains humaines. Et je veux voir... Voir le monstre que tu deviendras. C'est pourquoi nous avons préparé un programme spécial pour toi. » Pendant un éclair, une lueur inhumaine avait brillé dans ses yeux. Ce souvenir... Astron aurait préféré qu'il reste enfoui à jamais.</p> <p>Les yeux de Dakota irradiaient maintenant de la même folie calculatrice. Et cette personne... avait connu une fin atroce.</p> <p>« Sois prêt à endurer », répéta Dakota, le ramenant au présent.</p> <p>Astron chassa violemment le souvenir, se recentrant sur l'instant présent. 'Je refuse que l'histoire se répète.' Il avait changé depuis. Il ne redeviendrait jamais cette chose sans âme.</p> <p>« Compris, Maître. Je suis prêt », déclara-t-il d'une voix ferme malgré la tempête intérieure. Il avancerait, quitte à souffrir mille morts.</p> <p>'Tant que cela sert mon objectif, aucune souffrance ne m'arrêtera.' Les motivations de Dakota importaient peu. Si cela restait dans des limites acceptables et ne contrecarrait pas ses plans - ou mieux, les servait - il endurerait tout.</p> <p>La douleur ? Une vieille connaissance.</p> <p>Dakota hocha la tête, satisfaite. « Parfait. J'ai hâte de te voir à l'œuvre. »</p>