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Chapter 43: Owen's Awakened Power
🕑 Added 2025-08-05 07:42:17 +0000 UTCThe sound of the explosion still echoed in Owen’s ears. He stood with his mouth agape, his mind going completely blank for a moment in disbelief at what he had just seen… The massive granite rock that had stood there a moment ago… was now crushed into nothing but small and large fragments that flew in all directions, leaving only a cloud of dust and the burnt smell of stone incinerated by pure energy.
He whipped his head around to look at Nova, who was standing not far away. She was casually dusting off her hands, as if the terrifying destructive power from a moment ago was a trivial matter, like swatting a fly.
“Amazing! Nova! That was incredible!” Owen burst out with praise, completely forgetting himself. He ran towards her, his eyes blazing like a child seeing their favorite hero for the first time. “How did you do that!? With just one punch!?”
His sincere and undisguised admiration made Nova, who usually wore a stern expression, blush slightly. She turned her face away and cleared her throat softly to hide her embarrassment.
“I-it’s nothing much. Just the basics! Stop babbling and let’s start your lesson!”
Nova immediately switched back into her strict instructor mode. She began to teach him "reinforcement," the most basic yet most important aspect of mana control. “As I said… the center of your mana is your heart. Try to gather it… then send it to your right arm.”
Owen nodded enthusiastically. He closed his eyes and tried to do as she said. He could feel the warm energy gathering at the core of his heart, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't force it to move as commanded. It remained scattered and formless, like a river without direction.
Seeing that Owen was getting nowhere, Nova sighed with exasperation. “You’re really useless. I guess I’ll have to guide you.”
She stepped up behind Owen, quick and silent. Her tall, warm body pressed against his back so closely that Owen could clearly feel her soft, supple, and massive breasts. The weight of them on his back made his body go rigid for a moment. Her faint scent of sweat mixed with her unique body odor drifted to his nose, awakening the primal instinct within him.
“Concentrate…” she whispered huskily in his ear. Her warm breath made goosebumps rise all over his body.
One of her hands rested gently on his chest, right over his heart, while the other gripped his right bicep tightly. The touch of her strong yet soft palm made his heart race. “I’m going to send my mana in to guide yours… just follow it slowly.”
But the close, soft contact from behind made it impossible for Owen to concentrate on his training. His face was flushed, his heart pounding like a war drum. The memory of the day he had squeezed those breasts came flooding back vividly… their softness… their size… their warmth…
Nova, feeling his abnormal heartbeat and rising body temperature, frowned. She dug her nails lightly into his arm as a warning.
“Focus, you idiot! What perverted thoughts are you having!?” she snapped, but kept her voice low, right next to his ear. “If you don’t stop spacing out, I’m going to throw you into the waterfall to cool you off!”
Time passed… The afternoon sun began to dip lower, casting long tree shadows across the grass. Owen was still standing in the same position, his back pressed against Nova’s warm, strong body. Small beads of sweat formed on his hairline and his tensed back. Every time he inhaled, he got a full breath of her captivating scent. It was the most brutal test of concentration of his life.
Nova’s threat was still effective. She didn’t actually throw him into the waterfall, but her punishment was perhaps even more torturous… She deliberately pressed her upper body harder against his back, using the softness and weight of her massive breasts to push against him periodically, a reminder of who was in control of the game, forcing him to fight his own primal instincts while trying to control his mana.
After countless attempts… he finally did it!
Owen could feel the current of his mana beginning to tame, slowly moving along with his and Nova's guidance. It flowed from his racing heart… through his shoulder… and spread throughout his entire right arm.
Vwoom!
He could clearly feel his right arm gain an immense amount of strength and fortitude. Every muscle was taut and hot, as if molten steel was flowing within. He tried to make a fist… the power overflowing within it made him feel as if he could easily crush a rock to dust.
“I did it…” he mumbled softly, overjoyed.
“Very good,” Nova’s voice sounded by his ear, her warm breath washing over it. “You did it… but it’s still too slow.”
Owen nodded in acceptance. He knew… it had taken him a full 5 seconds to concentrate and force his mana to reinforce his arm. In a real fight, a split second could be the difference between life and death.
After the first lesson was over, Nova let him continue practicing on his own. Owen spent the rest of the afternoon training to reinforce other parts of his body, his left arm and right leg, one at a time. He failed over and over, but he never gave up, until the sun began to paint the sky with shades of orange and red…
When the reinforcement training was done, Nova walked over to him with a satisfied smile. “You’re improving much faster than I thought… even if you got stuck a few times,” she said, giving him a knowing look. “Alright, let’s put reinforcement aside for now and start my second lesson.”
She sat down on the soft, green grass. “That is, understanding the 'essence' of your awakened power.”
She continued in a more serious tone. “Each Awakened's power has its own unique ability. It's a reflection of that person's soul. You have to be the one to find it yourself.”
“So… what do I have to do?” Owen asked with curiosity.
“Meditate,” Nova answered succinctly. “Sit cross-legged on the grass… feel the nature around you… then do the same as before… gather the mana from your heart… but this time… slowly send it up to your 'brain'… Do it as slowly and gently as you possibly can… Don't force it… just let it flow.”
Owen followed her instructions. He sat cross-legged on the cool grass amidst the quiet nature… closed his eyes… and began to concentrate…
Several long minutes passed… Owen remained still in his meditation amidst the quiet of the evening forest. The sound of the wind rustling through the leaves was a soft whisper of nature… The slightly damp smell of earth and grass calmed his mind in a strange way.
He slowly guided the warm current of mana from the "power core" in his heart upwards… It was a delicate movement that required the utmost concentration, not like "pushing" the power out for reinforcement, but like "inviting" it to flow back to the source of thought… And at the moment that current of power touched his brain…
Vwoosh!
A massive amount of information flooded his consciousness like a bursting dam! It wasn't his own thoughts, not a memory… but a pure "understanding"… like a "user manual" that had been buried deep within his soul from the very beginning, and now, it had been unlocked.
He saw the image of a massive, ancient set of scales in his mind… on one side was "sacrifice," and on the other was "reward."
And then, he knew… what his awakened power was called…
[ Scales of Covenant (Rank: S) ]
It was a power based on the fundamental laws of the universe and reality… "Equivalent Exchange."
All the information about this power appeared in his head naturally, as if it were an ability he had used countless times before.
1. Making a Covenant:
He could create a "covenant" or "vow" of any kind as a limitation on himself, to serve as a "sacrifice" to the law of exchange. Whether it was:
-Sacrificing a physical ability: e.g., 'I permanently sacrifice the sight in my left eye,' or 'I will not be able to use my right arm in combat.'
-Abstaining from an action: e.g., 'From now on, I can no longer tell a lie,' or 'I will never take the life of another human.'
-Binding himself to an action: e.g., 'I must always help those in need before me,' or even a covenant driven by the primal instinct of his "Sire" power… 'I must have sex with a woman at least once a week.' The thought flashed through his mind, making his body heat up… turning desire into a source of power… it was such a dangerous and sweet option.
2. The Exchange:
When the "price" was paid… the "reward" would appear. The more severe the "limitation" and the greater its impact on his life, the more powerful the "power" he received in return would be. It was a scale that was perfectly balanced and devoid of any emotion.
3. The Penalty:
This was the most dangerous part… If he violated a "covenant" he himself had created, he would receive a "penalty" that was severe and equal to the power he had received. Which could mean the temporary loss of the exchanged power… or perhaps… permanently.
4. Limits of the Covenant:
This power was not without limits but was controlled by strict rules to maintain the balance of the universe. He couldn't make covenants wantonly but was limited by a monthly "quota," divided by the impact of the agreement.
-Temporary Covenants: Creating a limitation with a clear end date in exchange for a reward that would also end (e.g., ‘I will not be able to use my left arm for one week in exchange for increased strength for one week’). He could make this type of covenant 3 times per month.
-Permanent Covenants: Creating a limitation that would affect him for the rest of his life in exchange for a great and permanent reward (e.g., 'I permanently sacrifice the sight in my right eye in exchange for the ability to see in the dark'). Because this decision would change his life forever, he could only make this type of covenant 1 time per month.
…..
Owen slowly opened his eyes. The last light of day stained the sky a brilliant orange-red, bathing his face and the surrounding forest in a golden hue. But in his eyes, which were once filled with determination, there now shone a spark of excitement and a profound understanding… He now knew where his path lay.
“I… I understand now,” he whispered softly, before turning to Nova with the widest smile. “Nova! I understand my power now!”
Nova, who had been watching him quietly, raised an eyebrow in genuine surprise. “What? It only took you a few minutes to understand your own power?”
She leaned in closer, her tall body moving until they were almost touching, staring deep into his eyes as if trying to see into his very soul, before letting out a soft whistle of unconcealed admiration.
“Damn… you’re very talented, Owen. Most of the geniuses I’ve met take at least a day to understand the essence of their own power… Your power must be at least A-Rank.”
Owen chuckled softly. He felt good to be acknowledged by the strongest person he knew. He decided to briefly explain his "Scales of Covenant" ability to her, focusing on the "exchange" aspect, where the more he limited himself, the stronger the power he received would be, but was still careful not to reveal his weakness or the details of the "penalty."
Nova’s eyes sparkled as she listened. She slammed her fist into her palm with a loud SMACK! before laughing with delight. Her laughter was bright and powerful.
“Hahaha! That’s a power that suits an all-or-nothing guy like you! The greater the risk, the higher the reward! I really like your power, Owen!”
After that, the atmosphere between them relaxed noticeably. The pressure of training was gone, leaving only the comfortable feeling of a student and a master… or perhaps more. Nova threw herself back onto the grass, spreading out comfortably, her arms raised to cradle her head. The posture made the sports bra she was wearing ride up slightly, clearly revealing her perfectly sculpted abs. The setting sun bathed her skin in a honey-colored light, accentuating every proportion, making her look both beautiful and strong at the same time.
Owen gulped unconsciously. The sight before him was so seductive and dangerous.
“Since you were brave enough to tell me about your power… I’ll tell you the secret of my power as well,” Nova said, breaking the silence. “Consider it a reward for your efforts today.”
She smiled knowingly, her emerald eyes sparkling in a way Owen had never seen before… It wasn't the gaze of a strict instructor, but the gaze of someone about to reveal their greatest secret… and it made her look a hundred times more mysterious and sexy…
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