On his way to Felix's house, Krino and Adam discussed their strategy.
("So what else can you do?") [Adam]
"Well, I have some passive abilities." [Krino]
("Tell me.") [Adam]
"All of them are unavailable to you though." [Krino]
("What? Why?") [Adam]
"Because we haven't bonded enough yet." [Krino]
("Oh… Tell me your abilities anyways.") [Adam]
"Hm, I'll only tell you some." [Krino]
("That's stingy.") [Adam]
"I don't want to ruin the surprise." [Krino]
("Whatever.") [Adam]
"Anyways, my first passive is something that I have to tell you." [Krino]
("Is it an obligation of soul weapons?") [Adam]
"No, it's because you're too dumb to figure it out." [Krino]
("Lay off.") [Adam]
"This passive is really REALLY strong. It activates only when your opponent is stronger than you." [Krino]
("Then will it work against Sebastian?") [Adam]
"I guess, but it probably won't be much of a difference in his eyes. Or rather, his non-existent eyes?" [Krino]
("Bummer. So what does it do?") [Adam]
"It increases your power by three times the amount." [Krino]
("...My god you're strong.") [Adam]
"My second passive is a thin barrier around your body. It should be able to handle up to level 4 attacks for now." [Krino]
("What dictates your abilities? You're way too strong.") [Adam]
"Keep the compliments coming. But to answer your question, they're coming from the individual parts of my body. Like the guard, handle, and the blade. The barrier one comes from the guard, but the first passive comes from the chant." [Krino]
("The chant?") [Adam]
"In my creation, you wanted to become strong enough to battle people with higher levels than you. So I was given the ability to make you stronger." [Krino]
("Is there more where that came from?") [Adam]
"There is, but I'm not allowed to tell you yet." [Krino]
("...Is it because I didn't bond enough with you yet?") [Adam]
"Hey, you're learning." [Krino]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
A few minutes later, Adam arrives at Felix's house and is already prepared for training.
"Did you find a good stance yet?" [Sebastian]
"I think I'm close to one." [Adam]
"Then let's see it." [Sebastian]
The two called out their swords and readied themselves.
"Before you attack him, use your passive abilities." [Krino]
("Aren't they already on?") [Adam]
"No, you idiot. Pour mana into me and I'll handle the skills." [Krino]
Adam closed his eyes, concentrating mana into Krino causing it to glow.
"Did you get a new skill?" [Sebastian]
"Sort of." [Adam]
He charged at Sebastian with Krino raised high once again.
("Did he not learn how bad that move is?") [Sebastian]
Adam began to swing, but at the slightest movement of Sebastian sidestepping, Adam switched his posture and made the blade swing sideways.
("His attacks are faster?") [Sebastian]
In his state of off-balance, he barely managed to block the strike.
("And he hits harder too!") [Sebastian]
"Nice feint, almost got me with that one." [Sebastian]
"Learned from the best." [Adam]
The two went at it once again. At some point, Krino interrupted Adam's focus.
"You're doing the same attacks again. Try something different." [Krino]
("What do you expect me to do? All I have is swinging you around.") [Adam]
"Use your feet or something." [Krino]
Following Krino's advice, Adam feints a swing and went for a leg sweep. Unfortunately, Sebastian just hopped over it no problem.
"Getting creative now are we?" [Sebastian]
("Great, that didn't work. Now what?") [Adam]
"Let me try boosting you some more." [Krino]
Lightning crackled around the blade and shot its way up Adam's arms.
"Woah!" [Adam]
"This should have boosted your speed and power some more." [Krino]
"That's a new one." [Sebastian]
The flurry of attacks and feints just got faster.
("At this rate, I might actually land a hit!") [Adam]
"No, I don't think so. He's still able to keep up!" [Krino]
Sebastian was slowly getting used to Adam's newfound power. His eyelids constantly shifted, as if he was reading Adam's every move.
"Oh! You just unlocked my inherent ability!" [Krino]
("Really?! What is it?") [Adam]
"It's a balancer. The stronger your opponent is, the weaker they become when activated." [Krino]
("That's so unfair! But I'm still going to use it!") [Adam]
"I'm going to send the information into your head, get ready to use it!" [Krino]
("I'm ready!") [Adam]
A rush of words flood into Adam's mind.
"Scales of Libra!" [Adam]
An image of a weighing scale appears before him. It tilts for a moment and released a sound similar to a large bell or gong.
"Is it working?" [Krino]
("I don't think so. He's not slowing down at all!") [Adam]
"I have no idea what that ability was, but it seems like it didn't work." [Sebastian]
"I think his will power was too strong! He wasn't affected by it!" [Krino]
("Damn it! What can I do now?") [Adam]
"Try using your ability or something." [Krino]
("There's no way that's going to work. Unless…") [Adam]
He started compressing air around his blade and rotated it.
"What are you trying to do?" [Krino]
("Just watch.") [Adam]
He slashed at Sebastian. Instead of the two swords clashing, the rotating air threw Sebastian's sword off course.
"Huh?" [Sebastian]
"You're open!" [Adam]
He jumped at the opportunity and thrust his blade at Sebastian's torso.
"About that…" [Sebastian]
Before the blade even touched his clothes, Sebastian vanished.
"What?!" [Adam]
"I'm over here." [Sebastian]
Adam realized that Sebastian just vanished and appeared behind him.
"What was that! I was going to hit you!" [Adam]
"You see… I would have let you hit me, but you're not ready to see my eyes yet. So I dodged." [Sebastian]
"...I'm going home for today." [Adam]
He packs his things and silently leaves.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The next day at school, Adam was daydreaming more than usual. But Mr. Frank caught his attention with an announcement.
"Good morning everyone." [Mr. Frank]
"Good morning…" [Sleepy Students]
The class was as unmotivated as usual.
"Today I have an announcement. We will be going on a field trip!" [Mr. Frank]
"Huh?" [Adam]
"Today?" [Felix]
"Yes, today." [Mr. Frank]
"Don't we need our parents to sign it?" [Felix]
"Our school doesn't do that here." [Mr. Frank]
"..." [Felix]
("I'm not sure if this school is living by its policy of keeping students free, or if they're just irresponsible…") [Adam]
"So, where are we going?" [Felix]
"To the military." [Mr. Frank]
"Huh?!" [Students]
"To be honest, you all are going to be watching the soldier's mock battle training. The bus is already waiting outside so I can't answer any more questions. Lets go!" [Mr. Frank]
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The students boarded the bus and sat there for about 30 minutes before arriving at their destination. Outside the front gate, stood two guards.
"Hi, we're here for the field trip." [Mr. Frank]
One of the guards held up a tablet and scrolled through it for a few seconds before letting the students inside. Upon entering, a man with blue hair and glasses greeted the class.
"Hello there, I will be your guide for today." [Guide]
"Thank you for having us." [Mr. Frank]
A collective "Thank you" followed after Mr. Frank said it.
"Right this way." [Guide]
The class walked down a long hallway with glass windows on the right revealing an open area that seemed like an arena. The guide stopped abruptly and gestured over to the glass.
"On the right is where the mock battle will be conducted. We record the duels or skirmishes that happen and analyze the data we collect." [Guide]
One of the students raised their hand.
"What do you analyze specifically?" [Student]
"To be precise, we analyze the condition the fighters are in. Their body heat, breathing, emotions, and then their mana fluctuation." [Guide]
("Sounds like a lot of work.") [Adam]
"In a few minutes, two teams will come onto the arena so please be patient." [Guide]
The students took out their phones to either look through their social media or prepared to record through the windows. After about 3 minutes, 3 people came out on one side of the arena. From the other side only one came out.
"Hey, Adam." [Felix]
Felix was practically slapping Adam on the back repeatedly trying to get his attention.
"Yeah, what?" [Adam]
Felix pointed at the person who came onto the arena by themselves.
"Oh my god. Is that… Roy?!" [Adam]
Roy was in the arena facing three men who were fully armed to the teeth. Roy seemed like he was arguing with the opposing team.
"I think I can get us to hear what he's saying." [Felix]
He created a small space connected to Roy and the 3 soldiers. After some adjustments, they could hear their voices.
"You don't deserve that title." [Soldier A]
"I earned my title fair and square. In fact, I literally risked my life for it." [Roy]
"Since the first day you got here, I always thought you were a snake." [Soldier B]
Roy seemed offended.
"If I was a snake, I would have taken measures to not fight against you guys. Also, you guys are the snakes, I can't believe you're actually going to gang up on me." [Roy]
"It shouldn't be a problem for you. Isn't that right, Mr. Immortal?" [Soldier C]
Getting annoyed, Roy raised his hands and took a fighting stance.
"Alright, that's it. You're about to catch these hands. I promise you, I'm going to slide you." [Roy]