VOLUME 4 : CHAPTER – 2 : THE TIP OF MY BLADE

CHAPTER - 2

THE TIP OF MY BLADE

“I will be defeating the boss monster of this floor today and this time it will bend before my all mighty black scythe.” I flailed my scythe in the air and finally balancing it on the ground looked at my big sister who was making preparations. But I know it must be something amazing and an impossible feat as usual. Well that’s what anyone would describe with what she has been doing in the six days I have been spending with her.

But it makes me wonder that why I am not surprised anymore. Even the current black scythe I am holding is similar to the legendary weapon scythe I had owned previously. No, better said it has even gotten even more powerful. Not only big sister made it stronger but it also feels lighter than before and the range of the scythe has been increased to fit my size unlike the previous one which was still a bit uncanny for my size.

Original magic spells that she created on her own, while usually it takes years and so much valuable resources to create a spell. Then the delicious food she cooks everyday which I never had before in my life. Usually for blacksmithing to create magical swords one would need a special magical hammer and a large magic furnace. But to make legendary weapons which are from the age of gods and cannot be actually copied, she used a special kind of magic to store its information and magic specifics and then alter it to synchronize with her own magic. Even though she made it sound so easy I think even father would have trouble going through each step, no I think even he won’t be able to do something that ridiculous and then finally using some kind of skill that can rewrite the molecular structure of a substance and magic flow, that I had never heard before and bringing everything into place. And behold there was my new black scythe.

“Lili, I am done. I think you should prepare for a one-on-one battle now. I wish you best of luck.”

We were on floor 92 where everywhere you look, you will find red and blue coloured trees spanning all across the floor. This floor supposedly is the dwelling of a special kind of wolf species that has an absolute control over fire and ice element.

Big sister has been using magic to create fake presence over various places in the entire process luring all the wolves in numbers of thousands towards us while keeping the boss at the opposite extreme side. Since she is ready now means, that all the small minions of the boss which are at level from 5000-5500 have left the boss’s range. All we need to do is for big sister to wipe them out. I was hoping that she would use those two special swords, but maybe today’s not my day.

She torched a small black flame in her hands, much darker than what father’s would manifest. I wondered what such a small flame could do and how it will handle those large numbers. Yes maybe she will turn it into a huge firestorm.

The next moment she gently pushed the flame which hit one of the trees and later the whole forest was burning black. As if light itself had been snuffed out of this floor and a mysterious grim shadow befell upon us. The black flames had spread across the floor in an instant. I couldn’t understand what it was. How could such a small flame become this huge to burn down an entire forest?

“kyaaaahhhhh….whooffff…..ihiiiiyyyyy……ffffaaaaaqqqq…chyaaaa…”

Several cries could be heard in the midst of that forest fire.

According to sister it’s her original spell ‘Black Flare’ which actually burns on consuming magic energy in the surrounding or the target’s body. It is a culmination fusion magic of fire magic, dark magic and gravitational magic. All three of the attributes mixed at advanced. How is she even handling that?

In simpler terms if something is alive then there is no escaping this fire.

Five minutes passed and the entire forest had been burned to grounds. On the scorched ground except for black soot, there did not lay a single corpse. Must have been consumed by one of big sister’s skill. I looked ahead and saw that a blue shield had covered a small part of the forest where the boss was supposed to be dwelling. For me to fight to have a good match, the boss needed to be intact and unharmed.

Since all the minions of it have been cleared out the boss was sure to make an entrance.

The earth started to tremble and the next second when it stopped a huge body leapt above the blue shield and took flight in our direction. In that moment I looked up and could make out a gigantic wolf with half of its body in red fur and other half in blue fur. It was a bit smaller than the nine-tail demi-god fox. Nonetheless I had come to hate dog-type monsters for the rest of my life.

Even in mid-air I could tell that the wolf was frustrated and angry with what we had done to its habitat. Opening its mouth wide magic particles accumulated and launched into a thick pillar of ice ray.

I kicked the ground and gaining considerable height cut through the ice pillar into two using my black scythe. The cut was smooth like a knife passing through melted butter. The wolf looked agitated while it moved its bones and landed on the ground maintaining a fixed distance between us and itself. Big sister had hidden her presence and her magical aura to the point that even I could not pin-point her location.

This was supposed to be a test of how much I had improved in the last few days and also for the testing of this new weapon which I was holding in my hand. So, no help would come for me, unless I give up. Which was never going to happen, not when I can exact my revenge.

I dashed towards the wolf with my curved blade pointed at my enemy while its hind protecting me at the same time. This time massive heat rays rained down from the wolf’s mouth, which were supposed to surround me.

But I smiled and swinging my scythe in a circles and dispersed the flames. Ultimately the range of my scythe and its effective length was increased by concentrating wind magic overlapping the tip of my blade, which was also an idea given by big sister and it works better than we thought.

I did not wanted to waste time anymore in gaining the chocolate cakes which she promised to make if I finish this monster quickly. I dashed in full speed towards the monster and cut through its hind legs avoiding the several ice crystal projectiles it prepared in advanced. Not a single one hit me, while those headed for me were blocked through barrier magic.

Reaching its hind, it got confused and started running in an odd fashion. This was my chance to cut through its legs and aim for the neck.

Making a deep cut at the back of its two legs it sunk down, while dodging its tail swipe I jumped over its huge body and ran directly towards its neck to chop it off. I wanted to finish it in one blow.

But just like every monster it had a hidden card. From inside of the fur flames rose up and started following me. I had no choice but to retreat and make a proper distance to start my next attack. For now I needed to know what the ability of this monster actually is.

Big sister pointed out that how I would jump in battles without figuring out the attack pattern of the monster and this could end up in getting me injured badly. Big sister cares so deeply about me, so I had to make sure that I do not make her sad and end this fight without me sustaining a single injury which I had set a target for myself after looking how she defeated that demi-god. I wanted to be as cool as her and be equally strong.

The annoying skill of these monsters - the ultra-self regeneration kicked in. To be frank it’s a skill upgrade of self-regeneration which I possess with an added effect of body and magic enhancement in emergency situations. Just like mother and father, big sister also has the skill. Most probably, I too will earn it if I defeat this monster.

The flames got denser and denser as the fur straightened itself on the wolf’s body. The red part was glowing with flames while the blue part was now covered in dense ice with protruding sharp ice blades. This kind of body had both offensive and defensive stance at the same time. Not to forget the annoying healing ability.

“So just die….. ‘DEATH INCARNATE’.”

A black mist formed over my blade and the front lining of the blade turned blood red. Actually the tip was covered now with my own blood, it’s just a small amount so it did not matter if it is for proper conduction of magical powers over my blade.

What makes legendary weapons stand over all other weapons are not only various effects imbued on it like other high-class weapons but it has its own skill.

This skill was added to my scythe by big-sister. DEATH INCARNATE. Its ability as it sounds nullifies all healing ability. That means the ace ability of the monster is done for. All I needed is to do now is to behead it.

With the new skill activated, I jumped up high in the sky, while the wolf did the same but this time it curled up its body and rotating in a loop headed in my direction with all the heat surrounding it and the ice blades covering it at the same time. The fox monster looked formidable in first glance.

But in this one exchange and after landing at diametrically opposite sides the one coughing blood was the wolf. With a deep wound inflicted on its black with my scythe, blood rolled all over its body which later burned in its own flames releasing more magic to intensify it. After all the blood of creatures is a powerful source of magic energy in itself.

With this special new ability it wouldn’t regrow the crushed bones, shattered flesh, and it’s annoying tail. That worked for me. I didn’t want to have to deal with the beast healing from time to time.

“Woooohhhhh….” Letting out a huge howl, I think it was preparing itself for the final blow. I too got excited. It must have realized that its healing ability is not working any longer and if the battle prolongs then either he will run out of magic or excessive blood loss through the back wound will surely guarantee its loss.

The earth started shaking rigidly, as I quickly sensed something coming from beneath my feet I braced myself for anything to come my way.

Intense energy was welling up from deep underground, heralding the break of the surprise attack the wolf had prepared for me. There was an eruption as the ground broke apart and the below glimmered a brilliant red as chunks of molten rocks and flares blasted outward.

The molten magma continued pouring into the area and anything that the lava touched liquefied immediately. There was no point in trying to cut the exploding magma with my scythe, so I used the barrier magic squares to climb mid-air as I used them as temporary steps. But it did not stop there. Molten rocks started raining from above too. But I guess it comes with the territory, when I think about it.

It was getting chaotic and managing to block everything and go on defensive…..

“I don’t like it. So, get ready to face your doom.”

SWOOOSSHHHH….

“Now… what…” White fog suddenly engulfed the whole place, but as soon as I cleared it by swinging my scythe with massive force….the wolf was nowhere to be found.

“Gahhh – How did such a huge beast vanish so suddenly?”

The air around me froze over, coalescing into dozens of enormous sized ice arrows that shot in my direction at a massive speed. I leaped far back from the previous step to another barrier step.

A pillar of ice grew out of the ground but it was much denser than before it broke through my barrier from below and headed in my direction. With a two step jump I aimed higher to avoid it.

That’s when the wolf appeared from above with a giant-sized circular piece of ice falling from above. Even if I used shadow step and teleported some distance away it would still end up hitting me.

“No choice – I will face it head on.”

Crunch. The ice creaked, shattering into thousands of fragments with the scythe which was now densely enveloped and reinforced with my magical energy.

But that was not the end; flames broke apart just when the ice shattered. It was just a thick outer covering to keep me there and use the flames as the real attack.

Radiating like a beam and a giant flame ball it engulfed me from all sides, while the wolf landed safely on the ground howling at the top of its voice.

“Huwwwwwhhhh…..” the monster was glad as it thought its enemy disappeared in the blast unable to do anything.

But the fox’s face agitated again as it looked in despair at the sky.

BOOM.

Tens of thousands of flaring embers were now spread across the whole sky.

“Your senses are quite sharp to realize that I am still kicking alive.”

The smoke cleared and a ball of shining black chains coalesced into a sphere floated mid-air. It was clear to the wolf that it heard the voice coming from inside that ball of chains.

“It’s taking too long and so I am going to really end it this time.”

The chains rattled as several protrusions with needle like tip started flailing in the air and rushed in the direction of the wolf. It jumped trying its best to dodge the heavy chains. But everyone was a close call as each piece landed it pierced the ground reaching till its end.

“There’s no escaping it.” I unleashed all of my chains at once on him.

“Kyacckkkkk….” It led out a roar as it shook in pain. One of the spear chains had finally got him in the leg, halting its movements while other soon made it through its whole body.

The wolf tried its best to move, but after lot of struggle and its energy vapourizing at a considerable speed it realized that it was no use. But it still did not wanted to give up. So it started rolling in the ground.

“Big sister was right; the monsters over here are surely persistent. The monsters on the surface are always so easy to deal with; just a single punch is enough to make them run away.”

The most important part being that this guy had gained my respect for doing everything to survive against me. But even so, I am here to kill it just because I want to let out my frustration of defeat from before. For a monster it must be slayed; that is its destiny. And since I am the hunter, I will decide on how to end its life in a way that it deserves - with all of my might and power. Holding back in this labyrinth meant certain death no matter how much your enemy is in pain or weakened.

With the last of its energy it kept on pulling me, while a torrent of wind was now surrounding me as  I assigned them a shape and casted it over my blade giving it a final transformation.

It howled, a ball of rage and fear as it foresaw its death. It tried to open its mouth wide and gathered a charge for another roaring blast. Aimed directly at me, it still showed its will to live and the terrific stare it directed towards me. Even in pain it knew that if he succumbed to its weak side even the last glimmer of hope would vanish for it.

I closed my eyes and gripped my scythe tightly in my hand. I decided to use my remaining magical reserves in a single blow as I got drenched in a black aura akin to the colour of my blade which further accentuated its shine. And this was it – my final strike.

“With my black scythe I banish you from this world to eternal sleep.”

A sharp edge light emerged out from the blade possessing overwhelmingly strength—strong enough to slice the wolf monster into pieces. The energy beam forming in its mouth broke in two halves around its origin, dissipating into particles of light. My attack didn’t stop there; it continued straight through the sky and sliced the monster’s body in two halves.

My attack was of such power that it carved deep into the artificial wasteland, previously a forest, cutting a deep crevice in the earth below. Into that pit hole, the two halves of the monster submerged.

It was finally over. As I tumbled toward the ground and lay on my knees, about to lose consciousness from excessive magic consumption and obvious deficit. But I did not worry about such small stuff.

In that moment, I felt an odd sensation, like I could achieve anything Iwanted.

I heard a familiar voice reaching me as my head was about to crash on the floor it landed on something soft. Trying to prevent my eyelids from drooping there and then, I allowed them to finally set down.

Ah, sweet warmth...

I woke up to see my big sister’s face which was as charming as ever. Still not fully aware of my surroundings, I looked into her eyes as she stared at mine.

“Good morning Lili…” I studied my surrounding in haste and still foggy vision, I realized I was not in my bed and it wasn’t morning.

... Wait; is my head on her thighs or something? I rolled off to the ground to escape the situation. How long was I sleeping like that?!

Wait maybe I should have stayed like that a little longer. I could feel my magical energy was back and for it to be brimming this high, my sister must have transferred it to me. Usually people would use magic recovery potions or take magic from others but it is always done in small amounts because for the transferor it takes more than twice just to transfer a fixed amount. For my sister to fill my deep magic reserves her own magic capacity is unfathomable.

She rose up from her sitting position and facing the corpse her eyes glowed with a deep blood red colour. The corpse of the huge monster suddenly started vanishing as vortex of black threads appeared to consume it. This was also one of my sister’s skills, to turn the body of a corpse into a source of magical energy of her own.

I soon forgot about my embarrassing situation, and ran to her as I remembered the promise.

“Big sister how did I do?”

“It was quite amazing seeing you go all out with the scythe proved that it was a successful creation.” She said breaking into a smile.

“After all you made it for me. The giant wolf monster stood no chance against my special skills and the new magic spells I have learned from you.”

“Fine then let’s go back home and prepare a chocolate truffle cake together but first you need to take a bath.”

I tilted my head confused. Was I stinking… does not seem to be the case… nor I was hurt around anywhere. Well a bath would do no harm if I still get to eat my fill of cake as quickly as possible.

I had leveled up a lot and it seems that I have acquired some new skills. Well I will check that later on.

***

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MONSTER DIARY

FENRIS        {WORLD DISASTER CLASS}

NAME : ZOEN

AGE : 5000 YEARS

RACE : WOLF PROGENITOR

LEVEL : 7000

HP : 140,000

MP :180,000

SP : 180,000

SKILLS : [FIRE MAGIC LV 9]  [ICE MAGIC LV9] [DARK MAGIC LV 5] [FLAMES OF PURGATORY] [MAGIC RESISTANCE] [MISTY ICE]    [ULTRA-SELF REGENERATION][FROSTFIRE] [FREEZE-FLAME MANIPULATION]

TITLES : BLUE CRIMSON, FROSTFIRE

STATUS WINDOW

NAME : ALICIA ASCALON ASHBORN

AGE :  2 YEAR

RACE : HUMAN

LEVEL : 26

HP : ERR                       MP :  ERR                                SP :  ERR

UNIQUE SKILL : ALL SEEING EYES OF THE GODS

Ø FIRST FORM: EYE OF INVESTIGATION

Ø SECOND FORM : KINETIC EYE

Ø THIRD FORM : EYE OF ADRANEIA

Ø FOURTH FORM : EYE OF SOUL

Ø FIFTH FORM : EQUIVALENT EXCHANGE

Ø SIXTH FORM : EYE OF BEING

Ø SEVENTH FORM : EYE OF VOXDEUS

SKILLS :[GLUTTONY LV 10][ETERNAL POISON]   [WORLD SEVERING WEBS] [SAGE OF ADVANCED FIRE MAGIC ]   [SAGE OF ADVANCED WATER MAGIC] [SAGE OF DIVINE LIGHT]   [SAGE OF ADVANCED WOOD MAGIC][SAGE OF ADVANCED WIND MAGIC]   [ADVANCED SOUND MAGIC ][SAGE OF ADVANCED SPACE- TIME MAGIC] [SAGE OF ADVANCED ICE MAGIC] [SAGE OF ADVANCED GRAVITY MAGIC] [SAGE OF DARK MATTER] [SAGE OF ADVANCED LIGHTNING MAGIC] [SAGE OF ADVANCED EARTH MAGIC] [BIO-ENGINEERING]   [ELEMENT MANIPULATION]  [ABNORMAL STATUS INFLICTION] [BARRIER MAGIC LV 10]

TITLE : LEGACY OF GODDESS ARACHNE, SECRETIVE PLOTTER, IMMORTALITY, MERCILESS, TRUE DEMON LORD CANDIDATE

MASTERCHEF

STATUS WINDOW

NAME : LILI ASCALON ASHBORN

AGE :  12 YEAR

RACE : DEMON

LEVEL : 2500

HP : 90,000

MP :  100,000

SP :  90,000

UNIQUE SKILL : DEMUTATOR

SKILLS : [FIRE MAGIC LV 8] [WATER MAGIC LV 7]  [WIND MAGIC LV 8]   [SPACE- TIME MAGIC LV 7]                                                 [ICE MAGIC LV 7] [DARK MATTER MAGIC LV 7]    [PYROKINESIS][UMBRAKINESIS] [ABNORMAL STATUS INFLICTION]   [BARRIER MAGIC LV 7]    [ULTRA-SELF REGERNARATION] [MAGIC IMMUNITY]

TITLE : TRUE DEMON LORD CANDIDATE

BLACK SCYTHE

WIELDER : LILI ASCALON ASHNORN

CLASS : LEGENDARY WEAPON

CREATOR : ALICIA ASCALON ASHBORN

SKILL – [DEATH INCARNATE] [MAGIC ABSORPTION] [MAGIC CUTTER]

DESCRIPTION – ‘DEATH INCARNATE’ ability to nullify all healing abilities of an organism which has been cut through the scythe. Dealing it permanent damage with a long term effect. This ability manifested with being conjoined and in synergy with the unique skill ‘DEMUTATOR’ – which is a chemical reactive ability to rot/slow disintegration of organic and inorganic matter.

REMARK/USES – Initially skill ‘DEMUTATOR’ came with various disadvantages of excessive magic particle consumption and condition to touch the target. But with this scythe’s magic absorption and its efficiency to conduct it along the blade enhances the ability and also its range and time period.

ALICIA ASCALON ASHBORN

Mother and Lili had already headed for the hot spring, while I originally thought that it was better to mix the dough first and then leave the cake batter for it to settle down.

On our way back seeing both of us heading to the bath mother too showed her willingness to join us but I could tell from the look in her eyes that she wanted to get her hands on something. No matter I just need to prepare myself to take on anything and keep my guard up, I too headed for the hot spring. I had resolved myself for any accidents about to come.

I slid the door open and white steam from the bath attacked my face transferring a heated and comforting sensation. As I passed my legs through the surface of water which formed several concentric ripples on the surface.

While I felt a bit unsettled with the intense gazes the other two were passing on to me.

“….Mom….” Lili gasped as she appeared to glance at me from top to bottom.

“Don’t ask me Lili. I know it’s tough to believe. But you must not lose hope. I am sure you will get there one day.”

Lili started walking towards me slowly yet steadily creating drifting motion in the water, closing in the distance between us.

“Big sister, teach me too.” Her eyes shining with the sincerity.

I was taken aback by her sudden outburst. Was it magic or something else – she did try to learn cooking but each time messed up. Every time she goes for it she messes up between salt and sugar. ‘They both are white, so why do they taste so different.’ That’s what she always ends up sulking about and destroying the dishes.

“I don’t know what you want to learn Lili.”

She deepened her glances, “Your secret… I want to know.”

I took a look at mother while she wore a fervent smile and trying to look the other way when I gestured for some help. Just what talk did she feed her with while I was away?

Suddenly there were forced movements inside water, and before Lili could herself realize it, her grip on the floor had slipped away.  As we careened downwards in a free fall, I gripped her tightly so she wouldn’t get hurt.

I fell on my hip, but it did not hurt much because of the water.

Click.

If I was not wrong mother stole one of our photo in that embarrassing posture during our bath for her special collection. Saying that it’s a research on how we grow up, or that’s what she has been telling us. She held a black box with a long tunnel fitted with a glass lens at the end – or rather a camera which I made.

People in this world for pictures would use a skill called {MAGIC PEN}, which is quite rare and so they are too costly and only falls in the hands of few nobles. But with my knowledge and creation magic making a camera is not big of a deal.

I stared up at the sky and at that moment realized that how many months have passed since I started living here. I needed to hurry up and get stronger. Tomorrow was the day for me get my hands on a soul weapon. I was quite happy about it.

My dual blades do not allow me to wield other weapons which I have not made myself. Usually they would send a stingy sensation in my body. So sometimes to hold back I use ice magic to make my own weapons or rather create from scratch with Magitite ores.

Looking back from the day my swordsmanship training started with mother it was a remarkable and such a wonderful experience.

I can still vividly remember how things went down that day….

A month ago my training with a single sword started. I had already mastered all wielding techniques that existed in this world for other weapons.

I and mother were standing on the training ground, which appeared to be a vast grey brick stage placed in the middle of forest surrounded by mountains and huge boulders that can withstand the impacts of our attacks from our training.

“Listen well Alicia you have been till yet diligent with the training but from here on I will be strict than before because when it comes to swords it’s a matter of heart. So without wasting any moment we will start with our training and I am going to make sure that wielding a sword becomes a second nature to you.”

“Yes mother.” So, playing a part of yes and no was the right thing to do so that no time would be further wasted.

“Right so take out your sword trainee…”

I manifested an ice sword which was fit to be for my arm length and height.

“Now keep swinging the sword until you are exhausted.”

Wait… this was not how we trained for other weapons.

“Don’t look around. Keep swinging as if your life depends on it.”

“Hiyaaa….” I panicked there but soon gained my composure.

15 minutes passed. An hour passed….

“Keep swinging the sword as slowly as you can that it makes me yawn. And if the tip of the sword wavers start again.”

Wait but isn’t that too much….

“It’s not. So don’t question. Don’t think. Keep on swinging.”

Wait... how is she even reading my thoughts.

Another hour passed. Two hours later. Three hours later.

I was getting a bit worried about mother. She had kept me cheering on and explaining different positions while I swing the sword repeatedly in the exact same mannerism.

“Make your muscles remember how you move and keep on moving.”

She was getting sloppy with her words and a damaged vocabulary. Maybe she forgot that if I want I can switch off my fatigue or heal myself to keep on with the training.

Should I suggest a break here for a minute or two? It seems that mother was at her limit and was earnestly seeking for water.

“Mother, should we take a break and then maybe restart again.” I tried to sound as a pathetic I could.

“Yes, we definitely should…. I mean it’s your first class so taking some rest in between should help you relax your muscle while they get accustomed to the changes.”

We sat under the shade of a giant oak tree as the artificial sunlight rained over the training ground. We had been at it from morning.

“Tell me Alicia, why do you work so hard? Shouldn’t you spend some time playing around?”

I felt as if the question came out of nowhere. But mother wanted to just know more about me and what I have in my mind. It is only proper if I respond honestly.

“Back on earth, my health conditions were not that good. If I ran too much I would end up with fever, then I could not even stay under the sun for too long since it would end up with a whole day headache. So, I usually did not attend any sports activities or group events and was then isolated even from the class. Even if I wanted I could not travel very far off. Then there were no others with whom I could play even if I wanted to.”

“Don’t tell me you still feel down because of that.” Mother looked worried.

“Not at all. In this world I can run for all I want. I won’t feel any pain and keep doing what I want. When I would exit this place I would travel around the world with Athena. But maybe first I would have to search for her.”

Mother stared at me for a while and holding my head gently pushed it down as my head landed on her thigh which functioned as a pillow. It felt so wonderful because no one had done it for me before, not that I can remember up till now.

“Stay like this for a while and rest. I may be too old for you to play with. But when you leave this place I know you will make lots of friends and connect with people with whom you can enjoy and live a happy and fun life. How about today I share with you the secret of how to survive in this world. Never forget these two things I am about to tell you.”

Mother had never sounded so passionate before. Usually she would be enthusiastic while showing me other weaponry and their various techniques and stances. But when it comes to sword she gets hella serious. Why wouldn’t they when it comes to other world – you have to do and live with sword and sorcery.

Mother continued with her explanation as she made a victory pose at me.

“There are two things you must always remember. Number one. The strong in this world is always the right. With strength of yours recognized, people consider it absolute justice – no questions asked. The sharpness of your blade can cut through any obstacle and can take you anywhere in this world.”

Might reigns over the all – truth, good and also when it comes to lies and evil. I could even compare it to our world and things that happened at my school, at home, everyday lives of people and in entirety – people loves to listen and believe for what the strong has for the masses to hear.

Whether that’s really the pristine truth or a tainted one.

“But isn’t that unfair for the people who will be weaker compared to those who are overwhelmingly strong.”

Mother’s face stiffened and now she wore a much grave expression. The air around us seemed to be changing.

“That’s why you must always use your strength to defend the weak and not misuse your authority. Always remember this Alicia; a true hero is not the one who defeats his enemy for some superficial cause. But the one who realizes what’s needed to be done and acts on it. Even the weakest person can at times be strong. I was late in understanding this and lost so many precious things in my life and having my regrets. I don’t want you to suffer the same fate. For what you are pursuing it will make you an enemy of not only this world, but the gods in the divine realm and devils of hell. So search for people in whom you can believe and know that I will be always there for you.”

“Yes… Mom…” My feelings overwhelmed me as I gulped.

The space which was until now still under the grip of solemnity turned into a bunch of emotional and a teacher’s lifelong lesson mingled into one sentence.

“Well coming to the second secret, which is could be considered a special convenience for us.” Her voice a mixture of marvel and relief.

“And that is…” I wanted to hear what followed next more than anything.

“The people of this world loves filmy and over-dramatic dialogues.”

“Wait…what….” I was dumbfounded for a second. The secret…

“Yes, you heard it right. The people of this world likes motivational and action-oriented lines that pack a punch. They fall madly in love with anyone who does so. That’s how you captivate their hearts and earn their trusts.”

“But… but for real. Isn’t that what a conman or a politician does?” I tried to raise a valid point.

“Well as long as you keep your heart pure. Everything is fair.”

“But to what extent does that hold true.”

“I am telling you with my more than two hundred years of experience. The people of this world are a sucker of fancy lines and courageous words which instill hope in them. After all this is a land of miracles. A world where once gods themselves used to reside among the mortals. A world where wishes comes true and every forces in this world comes together to make it happen.”

To me it sounded so beautiful and stellar at that time. Even if it had such a typical and weird character… but ….

“A place where wishes comes true and miracles happen. I was living in such a world.” I said to the stillness.

Is this really it, a place I am searching for to call home? Did my wish really come true? Can I say to myself that miracles do happen, when you accept who you are and live your life to the fullest.

But, now that I am here I was already at home as I forgot exactly when I ended up sleeping in my mother’s lap.

***

TRAINING GROUNDS

This time both father and mother were present for my training. Usually he doesn’t come here, unless we wanted to practice magic. This comes to show that how special this ‘soul weapon’ could be.

I couldn’t wait any longer, and in excitement I could feel my heart beating faster. It was like a lottery gacha where you will always end up winning something good and so you will be always looking forward to it.

“Are you ready Alicia… we will be starting the ritual. So let’s begin with the explanation.”

Wait… there was a ritual. I can’t wait any longer to find how my soul weapon looks like.

“Umu…” I nodded in a yes.

“Soul weapons are supposed to be the reflection or materialization of the shape of your soul. It will consist of that attribute to which it has the most affinity with.” Father paused there for a moment.

“To be able to realize your soul weapon you first need to learn to see others soul realm and identify their soul core. Where you can even say all the life force and magical power of that individual is stored. Everything in the living has a soul core – the monsters, plants, humans, demons, demi-humans and elves.”

“So, how will I enter this soul realm?” I am hearing.

A broad smile appeared on mother’s face. As if she wanted to say I would have never told if you wouldn’t have asked or, I thought you would never ask for it, or something along those lines.

“By forced means. Unlike Lili who learned it naturally by training from childhood. Since you have less time, we will force it out. Though with your high affinity with all kinds of magic and life force in nature there shouldn’t be a problem. Otherwise, this method could make your brain and heart go puff.”

Wait doesn’t that mean I will ultimately die. But I was ready to do anything, if something was about to happen then I would use thought acceleration and then heal myself. And there was nothing to worry since I have the immortality title but I shouldn’t depend on it in this case since it does not imply and take into consideration about the spiritual damage.

“I am ready for anything.”

“That’s the spirit so embrace yourself. Dear I think you should do this. It would be much safer this way.”

“Leave it to me. You are in the care of good hands.” Father for a moment there sounded high on proud. Well that’s just show how confident he is and the lesser the chances of accident. Though it might also be signs of a flag appearing.

Now that I wonder, can there be a skill to spot doom flags too. It might be good to know about the predictions of your future. Maybe I will search about it later in the library.

He closed his eyes and meditated for a minute. I was waiting for something to happen when I suddenly realized that the things around me have changed.

“So, you did notice Alicia. Even without practice you have such sharp senses and good eyes.”

“Yes… is it really… this world is not real.” I looked in confusion everywhere and I could tell that even though the place looked same, and it appears that my body is here. But everything is just without any material or structure….

“Isn’t it like a soul without a body. Aren’t that what you are feeling in the present moment.” Father suddenly appeared out of thin air. And his analogy sounded quite reasonable to me.

“Alicia this here is only your consciousness and this world is what we call a soul realm. Engrave this feeling and when we would exit this world you will be able to see other’s soul core.”

“I see.”

“For those who excel in spiritual arts and spirit magic can create such small dimensional worlds where you can transfer your and other’s consciousness with ease.”

“Isn’t it like a dream world Alicia where you can create anything you like. The person who makes this realm holds authority over it, but if your soul core and mental fortitude is stronger than the one who created it then you can alter it at your own will.” To me it sounded more of a challenge thrown at me by mother.

“Is it something like this…” I pointed to the snow falling in the sky.

“Wait! She is already doing it. Isn’t it just too fast.”

“I can understand Zyl but we need to move forward with the lesson. Didn’t I tell you everything will be fine.”

Yes, they are correct. I am the one who imagined a snowfall and it occurred with ease.

“B-but…But…” Father was still under shock. Seeing the true demon lord and the magic emperor losing confidence in himself sounded a bit pathetic.

But mother kept on tightly slapping on his back until he cheered up.

“It’s fine ….it’s all in the name of training after all. Shouldn’t you be glad that your daughter is learning so fast. Let’s move on to the next step.”

“So, we will be returning back to our original location.”

Saying that it did really happen when I felt the surrounding change and the snow I brought vanished abruptly. Now I could take it on from here by using analyse I needed to look through my memory and access all the information related to the soul realm.

I could feel my eyes glowing and the sensation of burning though it does not hurt anymore.

“Why don’t you try looking around us near the heart and tell us what you see, when you think about a soul of a person.” Mother pointed at her left chest.

I did the same as mother told me to. At first things appeared to be moving fast to me apparently then finally the view settled down. Next when I focused my eyes near the heart of mother I could feel my senses being drawn inside. A totally new black world with a huge shining sphere was in between. The golden yellow light radiating from the orb was like a small sun in a dark room.

When I looked at father’s it was a fiery red sphere in a similar dark room. So this is what they called a soul core and then I reported my findings to my teacher. Both of their soul cores was so huge and covered most of that dark room. Though I did not know where it stood since I didn’t have anyone else to compare it with.

“Moving to the next step is the manifestation of a soul weapon. Want to guess who’s what it is.”

“Yes…yes… for Lili’s it’s the Signare chains.”

“Exactly, Lili has a higher affinity for dark magic than all other attributes and it manifested as those black chains of her. Do you want to know what our soul weapon is.”

“Hum…hum… yes I really want to know.” I got eager. A childish excitement was visible on my face.

Since mother is a hero and father is a demon lord, it’s obvious that their soul weapon is going to be something super special. There’s no doubt in my mind. But what it could be and what would be their abilities.

I can take a guess based on their liking, preferences and personality. But to reach an exact conclusion….

“Don’t stress your mind I will give you a hint. Mine is a glamorous sword….” Mother stops for a moment and then taking a laugh at father she continued, “But unfortunately your father ended up just with a stick.”

Father’s face puffed up with anger. “For the last time it’s not a walking stick of an old man… it’s a magical scepter. So don’t forget it and stop with your rumours.”

My mother smirked.

Father soon realized what mistake he had committed.

“Don’t go on putting words in my mouth. Now I have gone and said it without any reason. My life is over.” Father was back in his depressed state with hollow eyes gazing at the plain ground.

“I would too love to have a magical stick made of wood and curved at the top in a loop just like a sage carries around with him.”

Fathers eyes beamed with eagerness,” You see I won the bet. Didn’t I tell you it would be something along those lines.”

“Tch... But I thought she would choose a powerful sword for herself or some other weapon.”

“No. no a sword sounds amazing but I already have my dual blades. And a decorated stick of a magical girl won’t look good on me. But an ancient staff sounds awesome.”

“M-magical girl staff… didn’t I just tell everyone it’s a magical scepter… why doesn’t anyone listen to me.” Stomping his feet hard on ground father was back to his depressed state where he would keep on gazing at the growing grass without getting bored.

“So, mom I wanted to ask how can I look at my own soul core. Or can you tell me how mine looks. Which colour it is.”

Mother and father for a second there became wary of this question. It was as if they did not want to answer. So I stopped pursuing it further, since I maybe later able to find it out if I use a soul weapon myself.

“Usually some people use chants to summon their soul weapon. But it’s fine if you can just use it without chanting too. Soul Weapon Manifestation. Lumen Sword.” Between the empty grips of mother’s hand a bright light with increasing intensity, a thin golden blade appeared which seemed to be translucent at the same time. According to mother this sword has the ability to tamper with the properties of light which would be equivalent to her having affinity to light attribute.

As for father he did not wanted to be left behind in the race and still eager to prove the mantle of his so called scepter, he hurried with his summoning.

“Soul Weapon Manifestation. Ignis Caesar.” A long red colour staff decorated with golden lining with a red crystal ball on the top appeared in his hand. But more importantly with his fire type attribute most dominant the scepter too had just say excellent firepower.

Now everything was clear to me. No matter what I had to know my favourite attribute and get an awesome weapon for myself.

“So, how do I summon my own?” I was exhilarated.

“Didn’t I tell you we are going to take it out by force.”

“That means…” I tilted my head in confusion. What now. Mother sounded a bit weird and thrilled about it.

“I am going to stab you with my soul weapon and force it out. Don’t worry I will use a phantom mode so it won’t hurt.” Mother passed a glance at father as if they had planned something from before, while I was still comprehending what was about to entail.

“Wait… stabbed…”

In a flash before I could complete what I was about to say, mother was standing right in front of me, wherein she had crossed this long distance in less than a fraction of second. I looked near my heart and a translucent golden sword was passed right through it. It really did not hurt.

But I still looked at my mother passing on a surprised look.

“…You should take a deep breath here.” She completed the sentence faster than her lips could move.

She moved both of her arms in a fashion of opening a lock and in turn the sword moved from its vertical state to a horizontal state inside my heart.

The next thing I remember was hearing Al’s mechanical voice when everything blackened out in front of me.

[SOUL WEAPON MANIFESTATION]

[DELERE SPHERE]

[YOU HAVE LEVELED UP]

[YOU HAVE REACHED LV 27]

***

ZYLON ASCALON ASHBORN

As we have planned she quickly learned through all the steps to see other’s soul core. However when the question arrived of how her soul core was perceived by us, we really couldn’t answer.

Because we had never seen something like that before. It looked more of an anomaly. Something that shouldn’t be like this or it is truly impossible.

Every living thing has a soul core with a fixed colour pertaining to their attribute. When a person dies the colour fades away but the silhouette of the sphere still remains like an empty glass ball. But for our daughter Alicia, when I looked at her soul core there was neither any sphere nor any colour.

The pitch black surrounding did exist but in middle something existed that I could not properly explain. It was like an empty area much darker than the surrounding without any fixed dimension. And even if I tried to maintain my gaze, it would feel like that darkness would consume all my senses.

Even at that - this incomprehensible thing kept on growing in size the longer I looked dissolving everything into it the moment it touched something. So we really couldn’t reach a conclusion without more information.

Now with the next step in order after Caroline passed her sword through her heart, all we needed was to wait. I was already prepared to take action if something not went well.

After stabbing Caroline had to pass through some of her divine light magic through her sword to stimulate the target’s soul realm. And as it did happen, there it was.

Alicia’s eyes started glowing in red, just like when she uses magic in respond to the stimuli magic.

In the next moment I watched Caroline jump far back twice the initial distance between us, realizing something was about to go wrong, I looked at her to know the direction.

“Zyl quickly use the stones. There’s no time left. We never should have done it.”

I was unable to understand such a vague response, everything looked fine. About anytime the soul weapon would itself manifest and we would know which attribute she has affinity for and the shape of her soul weapon.

There was a huge blast of magical energy and a sudden jump in the life force emanating from the surrounding. The density of magical energy kept on increasing and before I realized it was about to reach to a point that could lead to a magical disaster.

I glanced at Alicia and she just stood there silently.

“She lost consciousness while standing.”

“Zyl what are you doing. Don’t prolong it any further. Stop it before it completely manifests.” Caroline shouted at the top of her voice .She was that loud without using sound amplification magic which to an extent pained in my ears.

A white lining transparent sphere surrounded Alicia of which diameter was twice her height. But what caught my attention was the phenomenon taking place inside that thing. While Alicia stood there unconscious without knowing what was happening around her. The ground, the grass, and the air inside it everything appeared to be vanishing. Instead of being disintegrated due to magic, it was as if their existence was being erased and wiped out from this world.

It was bad, the diameter of the sphere was increasing, and its dimension was not fixed. As it grew a bit further, though the growth rate was relatively slow, the land appeared to be vanishing the moment it came in contact with the sphere. The air being sucked in because of the low pressure inside the sphere. Some of the trees got uprooted and when they got drawn in towards the epicenter and touched its perimeter - that’s when I realized the extent of danger.

The trees too vanished with their presence gone out of this reality. When things are transferred to another dimension, even then you can’t remove their traces of existence from this world which is tied to it. But this time I was unable to identify such traces.

“It’s eating the world raw.” That’s the conclusion I reached.

Something was needed to be done. It seems that Caroline’s magic power was sucked in it when she made contact.

Right the stones! I fumbled in my pocket to search for them. But I did not know what amount to be used. Last time we used five Teneo stones. But now that she has become stronger than before, I was in a bind. This uncertainty… if the amount exceeded then the sealing spell might endanger her life. Using these destructive stones which is actually a curse on a little girl was something we hated to do, but with no choice left and to bring her back.

I started casting a double layer pentagram star seal – that means using ten stones at once.

What an absurd amount, but even while it was at work and the things around us was being destroyed, the surge in power seemed to be strong enough to even withheld this seal. The magic diagram complete - the star shone in purple colour and as it came in contact with the sphere, peace once again returned to the land.

Alicia body lay still on the floor, it was a perfect picture of harmony, but around her all the chaos defied every logic.

Caroline quietly walked towards Alicia with broken footwork drawing heavy breath. At that time I was unable to see her face. She picks up Alicia from the ground in her arms and glanced at the completely annihilated ground. The missing ground carved into a hollow hemi-sphere, the still air and the uprooted trees that are no longer to be found.

“Zyl let’s go back. I think it’s time to meet.” She sounded stiff in her words.

“Wait… meet who…” I tried to follow and getting close to where she stood.

“Someone who knows everything and is responsible, but thinks that it’s none of her care in this world.”

That time the look on her face reminded me of the gazes she had on her face was one that I had last witnessed more than two hundred years ago during the Great War.

It was completely expressionless….