Chereads / The heroic tale of a girl who never wavered / Chapter 29 - The facts that dwell in the darkness of uncharted depths

Chapter 29 - The facts that dwell in the darkness of uncharted depths

After Sarcony, Mo'er and Leader, Arthur that is, returned from the never-ending dream, they were examined for any residual effects of the skill on their bodies and minds. Once their health was confirmed to be okay, they were sent to their dormitories to rest for a day. They deserved it after all.

Sarcony and Mo'er obtained a myriad of skills from task completion. Due to bad luck or you could call it lack of participation in task completion due to unforeseen circumstances, Arthur obtained fewer rewards in comparison to Sarcony or Mo'er. They were as follows:

Sarcony: Task completion as Aria

Contribution: 85% [Tame the ancient leviathan: 20%, Destroy the strongest among Behemoth army: 8%, Awaken to Providence level and destroy the resentment in Staff of Seraphim: 20%, Find the real reason behind attacks on Randolph's kingdom: 10%, Evolve the leviathan into mythical beast and integrate with it: 25%, Defeat Satanael and snatch Realm king's authority: 2%]

Performance level: Mythical

Rewards for Task completion:

1. Hands of Aten (Obtained as a result of Contrive operated on Restraints of Destiny and the Hands of Aten by the individual Sarcony)

2. Perfect Soma [Flexibility, Martial arts, Swordwomanship, Spearwomanship, Staff techniques, Impact manipulation, Charm, Unparalleled confidence, Scholarly aura [two variants], Dignity of a princess and Body Fortification combined under one]

3. Dantain nature: Providence: Solar

4. Transmogrification [side skill: Contrive] [Lord Surya's blessing]

5. Divine Archery [obtained from evolving Archery to the next level] [Blessing of Lord Surya]

6. Titles along with affiliated bonuses: Owner of the *Trial of the shadows*, Spirit of the Lord Surya

7. Summoning and Let there be Light Archives [Obtained from stealing Maria's summoning skill using Contrive and observing Celestina's <>] [Incomplete due to lack of information]

8. Blessing of the High Sprite [Obtained from Celestina's love]

9. The Path of an Assassin (Obtained as a result of Contrive operated on Presence nullification, Swift, Elevated Wisdom and Vision obstruction by the individual Sarcony)

10. Folklore of the Fairy intermediate realm (Accessible through Unveiling gift)

11. Blessing of %@#!*^ (Beyond Levels)

12. Legacy of Skadi

Mo'er: Task completion as Three-legged Solar Raven (Evolved from Ancient Leviathan)

Contribution: 9% [Destroy the strongest among Behemoth army: 7%, Defeat Satanael and snatch Realm king's authority: 2%]

Performance level: Mythical (Less scope of performance due to the role received, evaluated accordingly)

Rewards for Task completion:

1. Solar Raven transformation [Obtained as a result of Contrive operated on Three-legged Solar Raven and Transformation obtained as one of the mythical beast's abilities by individual Sarcony]

2. Titles along with affiliated bonuses: Love that transcends all boundaries [Astral body level indestructible connection to the individual Sarcony], the Raven of the Sun, Enigma, Queen of fire

3. Blessing of the High Sprite [Obtained from Celestina's goodwill]

4. Law of Elements: Fire [Obtained as a result of Contrive operated on Fairy intermediate realm's authority and The dance of fire by the individual Sarcony]

5. Reduction in Water vulnerability [Obtained as a result of Contrive operated on Aqua Potentate (obtained from leviathan) and The Undying Blaze's water invulnerability by individual Sarcony]

6. Magicia (Mana or mental energy or Boudha to be precise) manipulation: Advanced level [Side skill: Mana detection (Similar to echolocation of bats, Sonar of Dolphins or Electroreception of Sharks)]

7. Folklore of the Fairy intermediate realm (Accessible through Unveiling gift)

8. Blessing of %@#!*^ (Beyond Levels)

9. Legacy of Surtr

Leader (Also known as Arthur): Task completion as the Eye of Ra (Evolved from the Staff of Seraphim)

Contribution: 6% [Destroy the resentment in Staff of Seraphim: 5%, Defeat Satanael and snatch Realm king's authority: 1%]

Performance level: Exceptional (Less scope of performance due to the role received, evaluated accordingly)

Rewards for Task completion:

1. Energy Optimisation and Amplification (Passive) [Obtained from time spent as the Eye of Ra]

2. Titles along with affiliated bonuses: Artefacts' first love, The poor and lonely soul, Blessing of Ra, Godsend to the needy, The one to land the last blow, the Souvenir of the Savior

3. Heart of Obsidian [Passive] [Side skills: Unbroken concentration, Tenacity]

4. Folklore of the Fairy intermediate realm (Accessible through Unveiling gift)

5. Blessing of %@#!*^ (Beyond Levels)

6. Legacy of Mandulis

While Arthur was crouching in corner drawing circles in the dust, due to embarrassment and Mo'er was filled with jubilation due to Love that transcends all boundaries [Astral body level indestructible connection to the individual Sarcony], Sarcony was deep in thought and remained expressionless despite her status undergoing otherworldly changes. Her undisguised status read as follows:

Name: Sarcony

Age: 12

Gender: Female

Species/Race: High Elf, Spirit of the Sun

Dantain nature: Unreadable, Providence: Solar, Water [mist, snow, ice]

Species-specific characteristics: (Extended youth, Extreme longevity) (Immortality, Astral body)

Archives: Summoning, Unreadable, Let there be Light

Titles: Mighty monkey king's lovely niece, Realm queen's daughter, The Onee-sama, Owner of the *Trial of the shadows*, Spirit of Lord Surya, Knowledge angel G@&^!*}'$ protégé

Profession: The guardian of the elves at the Human Academy 1, Special class student at the Human Academy 1, probationary @n#^| of knowledge

Quirks:

1. Unreadable

2. Race switch [High Elf, Spirit of the Sun]

3. Hands of Aten

4. Personality switch [4 personalities]

5. The Path of an Assassin

6. Transmogrification [Side skill: Contrive]

7. Semblance of Varuna

Physical skills: Divine Archery, Perfect Soma

Academy score: 5000

Spiritual space utilisation time: 00:04 lunar units

Criminal record: none

Title bonuses: Aura of Do*%@#$c!, Authority over the Elven upper realm, Challenger, Sekhmet, Wisdom's patron, Blessing of G@&^!*}

Legacies: Skadi

Tamed beasts: Three-legged Solar Raven

Accessories: The 'Dwarven earrings' [Extraordinary grade Concealment item]

Miscellaneous: Blessing of the High Sprite, Folklore of the Fairy intermediate realm, Beyond levels

HOW CAN A MERE SKILL TAKE PEOPLE INTO ANOTHER WORLD AND INSERT THEM INTO RANDOM CHARACTERS OF THE FOLKLORE, PROVIDE TASKS AS PER THE FOLKLORE AND FORCE THEM TO COMPLETE IT BY REPEATING THE CYCLE AT EACH FAILURE, GRANT SKILLS, TITLES AND DANTAIN NATURE AS PER THE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE AND RELATIVE CONTRIBUTION AND ALLOW THE CHALLENGERS TO RETAIN THE SKILLS GAINED IN THE DREAM WORLD? SOMETHING IS JUST OUTSIDE/BEYOND OUR PERCEPTION (SARCONY) I SECOND IT. NOT ONLY DID WE AWAKEN ANOTHER OF YOUR PERSONALITIES WITH THE MEMORIES OF ARIA FROM THE FOLKLORE, BUT ALSO RETAINED ALL THE SKILLS LEARNT OR OBTAINED. WE ALSO MET QUETZALCOATL AND LORD SURYA THERE BUT OUR MEETING WITH THEM AND THE ORIGIN OF THE SKILLS OBTAINED FROM HIS BLESSING ARE NOT RECORDED AND MENTIONED IN THE FOLKLORE AT ALL. (CHEEKY) MY OBSESSION WITH USING WATER OVER ICE OR MIST WORKED. WATER MANIPULATION EVOLVED INTO SEMBLANCE OF VARUNA. IT IS AMAZING DESPITE BEING A SEMBLANCE/IMITATION AS IT STILL TAKES AFTER A HIGHER PANTHEON DEITY. (COLD) GOOD FOR US (ARIA)

The next day, the class assembled in the training grounds. " Class, good job in persisting in the first training session. Today, we have a guest from the third years. " Sophie's words sparked discussion and murmur. A strongman in his forties walked in with a burly young lad in tow. He grunted, silencing the students. His imposing figure and powerful aura brought natural deference in the hearts of students and a smug grin filled with pride to the young lad's face.

" Students, I am Njord, an instructor to the Special class like Sophie. I teach advanced combat to the third years. He is my direct disciple, Ruther. I brought him hereafter learning the fact that some students forced Sophie to use a quarternary skill. I am honestly impressed. I would love to see Ruther and those students exchange pointers. " He spoke with a baritone voice.

I CAN SENSE THE IMPOSING STRENGTH AND MOMENTUM OF AN OCEAN IN HIM. HE IS STRONG. (COLD) I GUESS HE IS A LOWER PANTHEON DEITY FROM HIS NAME AND ATTITUDE. (CHEEKY) THIS IS SO COOL. I WANT TO FIGHT HIM. (ARIA) WAIT YOU GUYS, HE IS A PANTHEON DEITY FOR GOD'S SAKE. DO YOU THINK WE CAN FIGHT HIM WITHOUT KNOWING ANYTHING? (SARCONY)

Njord observed the students in front of him. Most of them were trembling under his tremendous aura. He was surprised to see a few students resisting the pressure. It was then he laid eyes on Mo'er. She was unaffected by his aura, standing tall and confident. The prospect of a student being unaffected by his aura astounded him. He couldn't wait to see his disciple fight her in earnest.

" Sarcony, Mo'er, Arthur, come forward. " " Wait, you mean you used a quarternary skill to subdue 3 students!? Sophie, lost your edge? " " Wait until they pummel your beloved disciple's face, let's see who'll talk then. " " You bet. Ruther, do it. " Ruther released his suppressed pressure surprising everyone. He felt just as ferocious as Njord but those with keen eyes could see him lacking in comparison to his master. Not all legacies of lower pantheon deities are the same in power after all.

THIS IS TOUGH. NEVER IMAGINED HIS STUDENT TO BE A LOWER PANTHEON DEITY AS WELL. I HOPE MY STUDENTS DON'T GET PERMANENTLY INCAPICATED. (SOPHIE) Sophie was worried about her students on one hand. On the other side though, HELL YEAH!! I AM EXTREMELY HAPPY. (ARIA) ARIA, YOU.....YOU HAVE GROWN WILD!! (COLD) THAT'S THE SPIRIT. LET'S KICK HIM TO THE SKY (CHEEKY) WHAT CAN I EVER DO TO THESE MUSCLE-HEADS, OH! ~~GIGGLES~~ (SARCONY AND COLD)

" Want to come all at once or one-by-one, your choice. " Ruther spoke with disdain. <> (Mo'er) <> (Sarcony) " I volunteer to have a one-on-one duel with him. " Arthur stepped forward, just like Sarcony anticipated. (Ruther) Ruther was a pseudo lower pantheon deity. But, so was Arthur. He obtained the legacy of a lower pantheon deity in the quest rewards. (Arthur)

WHAT!? A FRESHER IS A PSEUDO PANTHEON DEITY!? IMPOSSIBLE, HOW IN THE WORLD DID HE ACHIEVE THE LEGACY!? IT WAS DUE TO SHEER LUCK THAT MY DISCIPLE AND I WENT ON A JOURNEY AND ACCIDENTALLY FOUND TWO COMPATIBLE LEGACIES AND CLAIMED IT. THIS IS A GODSEND. IF I CAN MAKE HIM MY DISCIPLE, IT WILL BE WONDERFUL, BUT FIRST, LET'S SEE HOW WELL HE FARES AGAINST MY DISCIPLE. HE SHOULD BE WORTH THE EFFORT FOR ME TO TAKE HIM.

Ruther shone in dark blue light as moisture condensed around him forming a mobile/formless shield. Arthur shone in dark yellow light as the light started to bend ever so slightly, but visible to the naked eye, around him. Glaring at the newcomer and his teacher who insulted his teacher, he compressed light to an unimaginably small ray, like a laser, that had an extreme temperature.

Ruther was creating dragons of water to attack Arthur when the rays of death impaled him after vaporising his shield. ~~Guh~~ They couldn't completely penetrate the constant shield of water he maintains around his body but did pack a mean punch, sending him tumbling.

" Good, fresher, I learned my lesson. I underestimated you guys because of my arrogance. Time to get serious. " Tremendous pressure surged from his body as the last drops of water in the air was pulled towards him making the air dry and hot. Sarcony secretly released a cold mist cooling herself and Mo'er only. She was indifferent to the rest of the class. Her passion was only for her baby sister.

<> I CAN FREEZE THE VERY AIR AROUND ME IN AN AREA SEVERAL TIMES THE SIZE OF THIS GROUNDS. THIS IS A SMALL MATTER. (COLD) IT IS A FIRST TO HEAR BOASTING FROM COLD. (CHEEKY) CAN'T HAVE OUR BABY SISTER THINKING LOW OF US. (ARIA) Aria answered Cheeky's question in the place of Cold, much to her surprise and delight. they were best buddies after all.

A passionate/hot-blooded exchange happened between Mandulin and Aegir. With slight effort, Aegir stomped all over Mandulin. It was a hopeless match from the start. Their attributes were incompatible after all. Water was tangible enough to pack serious damage while light had to be brought to a certain temperature by compressing it with tremendous strength to do any tangible damage. It was extremely taxing on the mind and body and wasn't very efficient.

" Anyone else, " he declared. Honestly, he was astounded but kept it to himself acting stoic on the outside. Even with the handicap of elemental incompatibility, he was able to do significant damage and vaporise half of his hidden, personal shield. That was an amazing feat in itself.

<> <> With a cheeky smile on her face, Mo'er walked forward. " Oh, young lady, would you like to spar against my disciple!? " His initial target was still in his mind. He felt it was worthy to groom Arthur but if he can get Mo'er as well, it would be his lucky day.

" Yes, sir. " " Very well, but it would be better to choose a weapon. " Ruther interjected. " No thanks. " Mo'er got into the duelling ring and stood in the laxest stance ever. Provoked, Ruther created dozens of water dragons the size of ordinary Earth anacondas and sent them to attack her in a kamikaze attack. Mo'er calmly dodged all of them without a single attack even grazing her clothes.

" Is this all you've got. So much for the superiority of a third year. I'm not impressed and here was I thinking I underestimated you. You aren't fit to even touch my sister's toes if this the extent of your talent. ~sigh~ I did not challenge you for a child's tag game. " Mo'er ran her poisonous tongue at full strength. Ruther's breathing turned heavy as his face contorted in anger.

" You were already ugly normally. But your face when distorted in anger takes the word ugly to a whole new level alright!? " Mo'er added fuel to the fire. " You!?!? " He directly used his tertiary skill in anger. Shocked to the core, Njord instantly moved to rescue the poor girl only to be stunned to near death. Mo'er casually broke the water prison formed around her in the shape of a sphere complete with blades of water of all shapes and sizes with a simple sweep of her hand as if swatting a fly. There wasn't a sliver of concern on her face as if saying 'this is it?'

Ruther's jaw hit the floor. WHAT!? His mind just blanked out. Mo'er casually walked to him. " Learn humility and the ability to maintain a calm mind, boy. The moment you fluster will be the last moment you live in a battlefield. " She gave him one good punch in the solar plexus knocking him over. He fainted with a shocked expression on his face. All it took was ONE GOOD PUNCH.

" Excellent lass. Sophie, it is decided, she will be my disciple from now on. Send her to me tomorrow...." " No thanks, sir. I am good. " Mo'er replied even before Sophie could speak anything. " Little girl, you seem to be wise, you should know what is good for you. Why make an enemy of a person at the higher position you cannot fathom yet? " " No thanks sir, not interested. " " Mo'er, lass, this is a serious matter a child like you shouldn't interfere with. Be a good child and come with me. "

" No thanks sir, I am happy with staying here. " Njord was incensed now. He didn't want to hurt a genius but was also unable to win her over. He was furiously thinking when an idea struck him. " Wait, lass, didn't you say that my disciple wouldn't even reach the toes of your sister in terms of combat? Call her over, I would like to speak to her. Where is she? Is she a veteran warrior? "

" Onee sama, he wants to speak to you. " Mo'er turned around and spoke to Sarcony angering him even further. " What is the meaning of this? Are you.." " Respected sir, I am Sarcony, the elder sister of Mo'er. " Sarcony spoke with a respectful tone while deactivating her Path of an Assassin.

WHAT'S WITH THIS GIRL? I COULDN'T EVEN DETECT HER PRESENCE TILL SHE SPOKE. THIS IS DANGEROUS. Njord carefully observed Sarcony and sighed in relief after failing to detect any pseudo pantheon deity aura in her. Not all are as lucky as him. " Little girl, convince you..." " Sorry sir, she ain't changing classes any time soon. Please forgive our inability to fulfil your request. "

" You dare!? " Mo'er acting complacent was reasonable due to her strength but this nobody(lol) acting all high and mighty angered him. " Didn't your sister say you are a veteran? Then, how about winning your sister's freedom to choose her teacher by battling me? " " Yes sir. Your call. "

Sarcony stood in a stance that couldn't be any further from a battle stance. With his anger reaching the skies, Njord created raging waves of water resembling a miniature tsunami that crashed onto Sarcony, only to miss her entirely, as if an invisible force field exists around her. Compressing water onto his fists, he rained them on her like a torrential downpour only to miss her by a hair's breadth every time. The more he fought, the less he understood about this girl in front of him.

She calmly evaded everything with minimal movements that only became shorter and shorter without as much as an expression on her face. I was honestly a scary sight to behold.

" Freeze, " with a cute voice, Sarcony froze all the raging waves along with the person in inch-deep ice like a poorly made ice statue. She walked down the stage, indifferent. Njord might be the god of the sea, seafaring, wind, fishing, wealth, and crop fertility but Varuna was the ruler of all waters, even his semblance was more than enough to finish Njord off. Also, Skadi's legacy reacted to the presence of Njord due to the ill-fated marriage between Njord and Skadi told as a tale in the Nordic folklore.

" Interesting, a fresher winning against the old geezer Njord. This is a piece of good news for the leader. " A person in the shadows laughed at the incident and left to inform his leader, not knowing Sarcony detecting him and smiled in a sinister manner at his cute little tricks. There was a glint in her eyes.