Chapter 581 Back Into Simulation



Ashton stood alone on the holographic platform, surrounded by the whirring and buzzing of the simulation chamber. The familiar scene of a futuristic battlefield unfolded before him, with towering structures and debris strewn across the landscape. 

Above, sleek spaceships zoomed through the sky, engaged in a deadly dance of aerial combat. Strange alien creatures lurked on the ground, their menacing forms ready to attack.

"Here we go again..."

With a deep breath, Ashton drew his sword, the blade glinting in the artificial light. The hum of energy surged through him as he prepared to face the simulated Xyran adversaries. He knew this was a training simulation, but his determination burned like a real battle.

"Dunno about the real battle, but my pain is definitely real."

The first wave of enemies appeared, a group of wiry, insectoid creatures with sharp, serrated limbs. They hurried toward Ashton, their chittering cries filling the air. With a swift motion, he launched himself into the fray, his sword cutting through the air with deadly precision.

Ashton had begun training from scratch to judge the abilities he received from the Drakonian. Right off the start, he felt the changes in his body. As the Grunts struck him, their blows didn't have much effect on him as they had before. 

Not to mention his healing had been boosted several times, which meant even if some Grunt somehow managed to hurt him, the effect of their blows did not last for long.

Ashton's movements were fluid and calculated, his body a blur of agility as he parried and struck. His training honed his reflexes, allowing him to anticipate and swiftly counter the creatures' attacks.

The clash of metal and the hiss of energy filled the battlefield as Ashton pushed back the first wave of foes with ease.

But the simulated Xyrans were relentless. As Ashton dispatched one group, another emerged from the smoke-filled horizon. This time, hulking robotic automatons stomped forward, their heavy metal frames emitting ominous whirrs and clanks.

"That's something new..." Ashton smiled and lunged at the automatons. 

Meanwhile, two old folks were busy judging him in real time. 

"He's doing better than I expected," Flintmace mumbled, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "What do you think, sir?"

"Stop with the sir," Vulcan replied, scratching his long-ass beard. "As for the brat... I don't think what he's doing is something praiseworthy. But at least he's still alive, so that's something."

Flintmace kept smiling. He knew deep down that Vulcan was just as impressed with Ashton's progress as he was. But the old man being the old man, refused to acknowledge it, thinking his words might affect Ashton's performance. 

"Let's see what else he has planned for us today," he mumbled. 





~~~

"Hm, these guys are tough," Ashton mumbled, scratching his head. "Maybe I should try and use 'that'?" 

[You've been prohibited from using <Scorching Rain>, but I don't think anyone would mind if you used something else.]

With a quick assessment of the situation, Ashton adapted his strategy. He leapt into the air, his vampiric wings spreading wide as he soared above the battlefield, evading the automatons' lumbering attacks. 

From above, he took a deep breath before unleashing a barrage of fire blasts from his mouth, each finding its mark and causing the automatons to stagger.

It was the [Draconic Breath] Ashton had been trying to employ in various situations. So far, he had been pleased with the skill effects and thoroughly enjoyed them. But the only thing he disliked about the skill was the aftereffect.

"Cough~ cough~ cough~ why does it have to burn my insides!?" Ashton complained, his chest heaving as he coughed violently while remnants of smoke escaped his mouth.

[Just think of it as a Drakonian-sized sneeze. That may help.

"If only the Cult were as smart as you, I wouldn't have had to worry about them." Ashton sighed, regaining balance mid-air. "What's next?"

The battle continued to escalate, with each wave of enemies becoming more formidable than the last. Ashton's heart pounded in his chest, his body pushed to its limits. Yet, he refused to yield. He knew that only by making himself further could he grow stronger.

As the final wave approached, Ashton faced a daunting sight—a massive alien creature, five times his size, emerged from the shadows. 

Its scaly hide shimmered with an otherworldly sheen, and sharp spines adorned its back. It roared, a booming sound that shook the air around Ashton.

"You never told me the Xyran had Drakonian pets?"

[If I were to be honest, I never realised they were Drakonians.]

"Bitch, were you thinking about women while on the battlefield or what?" Ashton smacked his forehead before continuing. "Who the hell made you a General? I really wanna have a nice and long chat with them."

[Here he comes~]

"Who, Seraph?"

[...the Drakonian.]

Undeterred, Ashton squared his shoulders and charged at the colossal beast. He ducked and weaved, dodging its powerful swipes and countering with calculated strikes. 

The clash of their powers sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield, causing the surrounding structures to tremble.

With every strike, Ashton could feel the weight of the battle, the desperation and determination fueling his resolve. He knew this was not just a test of physical prowess but also a test of his mental fortitude.

Why else would Flintmace and Vulcan force him to fight Drakonian after Drakonian?

As the battle raged on, Ashton's efforts began to pay off. With a final, mighty swing of his sword, he severed the creature's appendage, causing it to howl in agony. It stumbled backwards, its strength waning.

At that moment, Ashton sensed an opening—an opportunity to strike a decisive blow. With a surge of power, he channelled his energy into his sword and unleashed a devastating final attack. The blade cleaved through the creature's flesh, making it vanish in a burst of energy.

As the simulated battlefield faded away, Ashton stood amidst the dissipating holograms, his chest heaving with exertion. Sweat trickled down his brow, mixing with the residue of the battle. He had emerged victorious once again, proving his strength and resilience.

A wave of satisfaction washed over Ashton, knowing he had pushed his limits and become stronger. With each simulation, he grew more skilled and prepared for the challenges ahead. He knew the battles would be even more demanding, but he was ready to face them head-on.