L observed all of these events unfold with great anticipation. Despite having lived a lengthy life dedicated to preserving the heritage grounds of the late Scarlet Sovereign, this was truly the first occasion that stirred genuine excitement within him.
Although he was imbued with memories and a distinct personality, he never directly encountered any events and only possessed a rudimentary understanding of the impact certain concepts had on him.
As the sword forged through Jacob's ancestral bloodline ability was finally completed. L watched with profound fascination as Jacob brandished it for the first time. The sheer magnitude of power emanating from the sword, crafted from the essence of seemingly feeble creatures, was truly remarkable.
It appeared that Jacob's innate connection and affinity to its formidable element significantly intensified the potential power the sword could wield. One could only ponder the extent of this power had Jacob existed in a more exalted domain, where even the most trivial entities possessed a more elevated foundation.
He understood that with the schemes and plans he had laid out for Jacob's future, the young boy would one day arrive at such a realm where the opportunity to engage with such imposing creatures would present itself. As Jacob confronted the wolves and bears, a confident smile appeared on his face as he began to stroll leisurely towards the animals.
The wolves growled ominously at him, as if warning him not to venture any closer. However, Jacob regarded the creatures with indifference. With his sword firmly in hand, he radiated an unshakable confidence that nothing could thwart his advance.
As he approached, the howl of the first wolf pierced the air, signaling the coordinated advance of the pack towards Jacob. Unfazed by the impending danger, Jacob maintained his steady stride, exuding an air of nonchalance as if the unfolding events were inconsequential to him.
The more L observed, the more content he became. He had already concluded that, despite his initial reservations, there was no one more suited for the position of heir. All the child needed was time to mature and unleash his inherent potential.
He anticipated a future when the young boy would rise as an indomitable force, unconquerable by any individual force or authority.
As the initial wolf approached Jacob, it leaped towards him with its hind legs, aiming to bring him down. However, just as it reached Jacob, he casually wielded his sword, striking down at the wolf, causing it to disintegrate into a crimson mist as the sword emitted another pulse of power.
Jacob once again experienced the exhilarating sensation surging through his body as he was invigorated by the essence absorbed through the sword. He once again drew his dagger from his side, a blade that had nearly faded into the background amidst the dominance of his sword.
As he readied himself for further mayhem and carnage, his sword appeared to hum in disdain as it emitted a surge of energy that disintegrated the inferior weapon.
Jacob looked at his sword with a mischievous grin, surprised by its unexpected response. Though devoid of any true consciousness, the blade seemed to emanate a certain enigmatic life of its own.
As he commenced his fierce battle against the wolves with his sword, they crumbled in the face of the blade's formidable power. A swirling crimson mist enveloped the area as the life essence of the blood was voraciously drawn towards the sword, enriching both itself and its wielder.
The remaining wolves scattered in various directions, followed by the bears. Jacob swiftly pursued the closest bear, his blade pulsating with power as he struck down upon the massive creature.
Unlike its companions, the bear did not explode upon impact. Instead, the blade cleanly sliced through the bear, almost severing it in half. With practiced precision, Jacob retracted the blade, its serrations effortlessly tearing through the bear's flesh, completely dividing it in two.
Another bear swiftly struck at Jacob upon witnessing the demise of its companion, realizing it would be the next target. Jacob deftly maneuvered his blade to intercept the incoming attack, causing the bear's paw to be severed upon contact with the serrated chopping sword.
He promptly followed with a decisive strike of his sword towards the creature's neck, causing its head to shatter instantaneously upon contact with the blade. L diligently documented his observations and carefully devised future lessons for Jacob based on the insights gained from his present performance.
He never expected that Jacob's unconventional choice to hunt prey amidst the upheaval caused by the fleeing creatures as a cover for his actions could lead to such an astonishing outcome.
As the lifeless figure of the recently slain bear tumbled to the earth, the mana in the vicinity began to thicken and work against Jacob, who felt as if he were ensnared in a viscous shroud that severely hampered his movements and even began to put a strain on his ability to breathe properly.
He began to regain his poise from the lingering effects on his mind and started to realize weight of his actions in slaughtering so many creatures and understanding the incredible strength contained within his sword.
Jacob was enveloped in a haze of confusion, entirely at a loss regarding the strange mindset that had overtaken him, as well as the mysterious way in which he had seemingly unconsciously forged and produced a sword into existence. Nevertheless, the peculiarities of this occurrence felt trivial in the face of his mounting unease as he confronted an increasing difficulty in both moving and breathing.
L, who resided within Jacob's consciousness, possessed acute awareness of the unfolding events. It was during this moment that L materialized once more before Jacob. "Kiddo, you seem to have landed yourself in quite a predicament this time. Your recent outburst was rather intense," remarked L with a smile, showing no signs of concern for Jacob's current situation. "What's...going...on?" Jacob asked, amidst his strained breaths, almost on the verge of wheezing or gasping.
L observed him with an impassive expression and remarked, "It seems that you have inadvertently captured the attention of a powerful entity within the forest, one far mightier than yourself, and it is now focused intently upon you." "As a consequence, the mana in the surrounding area has been stripped from your authority and is now exerting its influence over you."
Although L mentioned the involvement of a superior entity, he remained unperturbed as he was confident that its intentions toward Jacob were benign. The manifestation of mana would have been significantly more forceful if harm was intended, and the entity would have revealed itself by now.
Jacob, unaware of these facts, started to feel a sense of unease upon learning that a formidable entity had set its sights on him. Despite his heightened awareness, he searched in vain for any visible sign of this mysterious presence.
He also failed to realize that his passive skill Explosion did not trigger, which would have significantly boosted all his attributes for five minutes when facing imminent danger and being directly targeted.
But who could blame such an oversight, considering Jacob's age of 14. Despite his mature appearance and demeanor, his cognitive development and life experiences were still in their nascent stages. Prior to acquiring his extraordinary abilities, the mere concept of such phenomena eluded him.
Jacob suddenly felt a tug as he, for the second time in his life, lost control over his body and was forcibly pulled deep into the heart of the forest, towards an unknown location.