The God Of Power

Chapter 75:

Noboru Chikara woke up early to train and master using Earth Aura. While Omni Energy gave him a perfect understanding of how to use and manipulate the Aura, he wished to perfect using it and get used to it. Noboru stood in the expansive training grounds of Baron Akira's estate, his shirt discarded to reveal a physique honed by countless battles and rigorous training. The air was charged with anticipation; Noboru could feel the earth itself awaiting the spectacle he was about to unfold.

He knew Emiko was perched on a balcony overlooking the grounds, watching with bated breath, her eyes tracing Noboru's body and his every move. She had never witnessed the raw power of a fighter like Noboru, and her heart fluttered at the thought of his impending display of strength. She felt herself getting hot looking at Noboru. She felt things in places she shouldn't and wished to jump him and take him for herself but refused to do so; she was a noble. She would never sully her father's reputation like that.

"Noboru is sooo hot," she said to herself, unable to keep her eyes away from his perfect build, his black hair and red eyes, and his perfect face. "I want him," she said dreamily. Noboru, however, was not fazed. He heard this but his heart belonged to Ayame, and right now, he needed to meet the Terravalean Earth God to complete the story of this world and be freed.

"I miss you Ayame-Chan. I will complete this, and we will meet again soon," Noboru said quietly to himself.

Noboru's gaze was fixed on the horizon, where the first of his challengers, a massive Earth Drake, emerged from the treeline. Its scales shimmered with a stony resilience, and its eyes glowed with primal ferocity. Baron Akira had told him this training ground was once a labyrinth that was cleared by the hero. However, it did not become inactive; only sites like this former labyrinth and dungeons were turned into training grounds due to the land here's ability to spawn monsters, making it the perfect place to train. This was Akira's personal training ground.

"Let's see how you fare against me, beasts of the earth," Noboru murmured, his voice calm before the storm. The Earth Drake roared and charged, its massive frame shaking the ground with each step. Noboru stood his ground, his aura flaring with intense, earthen light. His body became as unmovable and hard as earth. His strength skyrocketed, which Noboru noticed was different from other aura elements. Wind would make the user feel free and fast and allowed its user to cut with deadly precision. Water required you to flow into your next attack and fight as if you were dancing, keeping a clear and collected mind. This was why most Aquorans were weak; their nature before Noboru changed them was violent and hot-headed. Fire Aura was the opposite; it required rage and heat, but if you used it like the Ignarockian, turning rage into power, you could create a stronger flame while staying open-minded.

"Earth Wall!" Noboru declared, thrusting his hands forward. Instantly, a formidable barrier of solid rock erupted from the ground, intercepting the Drake's charge and halting its advance. The Drake tried to break it, but Noboru's Earth Aura was stronger than the Drake.

"Impossible," Emiko said back on the balcony, her eyes widening. "Noboru-Kun stopped an Earth Drake with a simple Earth Wall. That's a B-rank defense technique, but the Drakes are classified as the S-Rank city-destroying beast."

Undeterred, the Drake reared back, unleashing a torrent of boulders from its gaping maw. Noboru's eyes narrowed in concentration as he sensed the stones coming at him because the dragon shot the rocks over the wall.

"Stone Shattering Fist!" he shouted, launching forward with explosive speed. His fist connected with the incoming boulders, pulverizing them into dust with the sheer force of his blow.

"So Cool," Emiko said in awe, her body heating up. If one were to check her temperature, they would think she was burning up.

The Earth Drake, momentarily taken aback by Noboru's prowess, roared in defiance, its tail sweeping towards Noboru with deadly intent.

"Sandstorm Spin!" Noboru exclaimed, leaping into the air and executing a graceful spinning motion with sand surrounding him, creating a sand tornado as he evaded the tail's lethal arc. As he landed, he seized the moment to counter.

"Crater Smash!" With precision and power, Noboru's fist struck the ground, sending a shockwave towards the Drake. The ground beneath the beast fractured, creating a gaping crater that ensnared the creature, rendering it immobile.

Emiko gasped in awe, her hands clasped over her mouth. The sight of Noboru, commanding the earth with such mastery, was nothing short of breathtaking. "Noboru-Kun is definitely the strongest. Sorry, Hiroto, my brother, I think Noboru-Kun will win this," she said, not noticing how she had changed from addressing Noboru as San to Kun.

But the fight was far from over. Noboru wasn't done. As he waited for the next beast to spawn, he waited, and next, an Earth Rex, another S-Rank beast appeared. Its jaws were capable of crushing stone as it charged towards Noboru with a thunderous roar.

Noboru's stance shifted, ready for the next challenge. "You'll find I'm not so easily broken," he called out, his aura flaring even brighter. Noboru had to admit, fighting with such a limited and weaker power source compared to Omni Energy was hard, but he powered on, knowing it was the only way to meet the Earth God without having to hurt anyone.

As the Rex lunged, Noboru sidestepped, his movements fluid and precise. "Quicksand Trap!" he commanded, and the ground beneath the Rex transformed, swallowing the beast up to its neck and neutralizing its threat.

No sooner had the Rex been subdued than a flock of Earth Vultures descended from above, their talons sharp as obsidian. Noboru looked up, his determination unwavering.

"Rockstorm Cyclone!" With a sweeping motion, Noboru summoned a swirling vortex of jagged rocks and debris, ensnaring the Vultures and grounding them with the relentless force of the earth.

The final challenger, a pack of Earthen Dire Wolves, approached with eyes stone spikes as stony fur. Noboru, now surrounded, stood resolute in the eye of the storm.

"Earth Barrage!" Noboru announced as rocks soared from his fingertips, raining down upon the wolves with a ferocity that matched their own fiery spirit.

One by one, the beasts were subdued, each meeting their match in Noboru's unparalleled command of the earth. As the dust settled and silence reclaimed the training grounds, Noboru stood victorious, his aura dimming to a gentle glow.

Emiko, overwhelmed by the display of power and grace, found herself applauding, her admiration for Noboru growing with each passing moment.

"That was so cool

," she yelled at Noboru, who was catching his breath. As she said this, he looked up to meet Emiko's gaze. A faint smile graced his lips, acknowledging her presence and the silent support she had offered.

"Your strength is truly a sight to behold, Noboru-Kun," Emiko called out, her voice carrying the weight of her awe, respect, and a hint of love.

"Thanks," Noboru replied, his attention momentarily shifting from the battlefield to the young noblewoman above. Despite Emiko's obvious interest, Noboru's heart remained steadfast, his thoughts wandering to Ayame, whose presence was a constant echo in his mind. He offered Emiko a polite nod, a gesture of gratitude, before turning his focus back to the task at hand.

A few hours had passed as Noboru prepared to make his way back to the QuakeTown Inn, now that he got the armor he needed to fight in the tournament. The ground beneath his feet still whispered tales of his recent triumphs. He was intercepted by a servant of Akira's family bearing a message. "Sir Noboru, Lady Emiko requests your presence in the main hall. She has something of importance to present to you."

Noboru, curious about the summons, followed the servant through the corridors of the crystal manor, each step resonating with the power and elegance of the Akira family. As he entered the main hall, he found Emiko waiting for him, a mix of excitement and nervousness in her demeanor.

"Noboru-Kun, I have something for you," Emiko began, her hands delicately holding a finely crafted armor set, its design harmonious with the natural elements of Terravale. "This armor was commissioned by my family, crafted by the finest artisans in QuakeTown. It adheres to the tournament's regulations, allowing only Terravalean-crafted armors. We wanted to ensure you have the best possible protection and support."

Noboru examined the armor, appreciating the craftsmanship and the thoughtfulness behind the gesture. The armor was a masterpiece, its materials resonating with the strength of the earth, yet flexible enough to allow for unhindered movement.

"Thank you, Emiko. This is truly a remarkable gift," Noboru said, his voice sincere. He couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for not being able to wear the armor crafted by Ayame, but he understood the necessity of adhering to the tournament's rules. 'I'm sorry Ayame-Chan,' he thought.

Emiko, her cheeks flushed with a slight blush, attempted to flirt once more, her voice soft and inviting. "I hope it serves you well in the tournament, Noboru-Kun. And perhaps afterward, we could... celebrate your victories together?" she said, pulling his arm into her gigantic bust.

Noboru, ever the gentleman, offered Emiko a gentle smile and pulled his arm back, yet his heart remained untouched by her advances. "Your support is greatly appreciated, Emiko. As for celebrating, let us first focus on the challenges ahead."

Emiko, though slightly disheartened by Noboru's polite but firm response, nodded in understanding. She couldn't help but admire his dedication and the mysterious aura that surrounded him, even if her feelings remained unrequited. "If that's what you believe Noboru-Kun."

As Noboru donned the armor, feeling its weight and strength meld with his own, he knew he was ready for whatever the tournament would bring. With the support of the Akira family and the might of Terravalean craftsmanship at his side, he was a force to be reckoned with. After all, he was Noboru Chikara, The Blackstar Knight, and Grandson of Hiroshi Chikara. He placed his old but favorite armor into his pocket dimension.

"Thanks, Emiko, I will now be leaving to go to the Inn," Noboru said.

"Awww, but can't you stay a bit longer? I promise I will make it worth your while. I won't even tell my father or anyone, just me and you. I am 18 yrs old, and my brother is not here either, but daddy will be a bit, but I am sure you will not disappoint me. Then you can have all of me or some girls from town, but I would be jealous. But I understand if you do it after you win the tournament first, but I insist on being the first noble lady in your harem like in those fantasy novels," Emiko begged cutely, batting her eyes at Noboru.

"I am sorry, Emiko, but I will have to refuse your offer. My heart belongs to someone else, and it would be wrong to accept your offer when I already have someone special in my heart. As for your brother, he is back, and you should support him instead of a random person you met," Noboru said politely, as he wanted Emiko to treat her brother as he wished his own sister Meiyo would have him, but all he got was a toxic bitch.

Emiko sighed in sadness, not used to rejection, but quickly cheered up due to her being an optimistic person. But still, she didn't like it and vowed she would become his first noble lady in his harem at all costs. "I won't give up, Noboru-Kun. I will get you to fall in love with me," she muttered silently.

As Noboru entered the inn, he was greeted by Maria, who blushed at the sight of Noboru in his new armor. "Noboru-Kun, welcome back. You look even more handsome in that armor. If I did not know any better, I would think you were a hero from those fantasy novels," Maria said in awe, making Noboru feel uncomfortable at her comment due to him having Ayame.

"Thanks, Maria. I will be going to my room now, Maria-san," Noboru said as he closed the door to his room. Maria walked away, thinking of ways she can get closer to Noboru.