The arena sprawled out, its sandy floor shifting beneath my feet with each step. The air buzzed with tension, the collective breath of the audience held in suspense. With every stride, my heart raced, my mind raced, and my mana surged like a torrent through my veins. Each step resonated with my determination and the promise of a fierce confrontation.
At the distant end of the arena stood Oharu, her eyes locked onto mine. Her gaze held a calculating intensity, matching my own. Her aura exuded arrogance and confidence, a testament to her battle-hardened upbringing. As I closed the distance between us, my thoughts swirled with strategies, tactics, and an unquenchable thirst to prove myself.
Our eyes met, and the atmosphere seemed to crackle with energy. The audience leaned forward, their breath held as the clash between two powerful beings loomed.
I gripped Amai, my blade, feeling its ethereal light as I carefully slid it into its scabbard. My focus sharpened, and I assumed a poised stance.
"Tachi-ai, how does he know that stance?" Mother's voice murmured softly, laden with intrigue. She observed closely as I deftly drew the katana, executing precise slashes aimed at Oharu's midsection.
"Iaijutsu? How does Yami possess knowledge of such an art?" Shizue, well-versed in martial disciplines and sword techniques, found herself captivated by the intricate display.
"How in the world do I possess the skills for this?!" I exclaimed internally, my frustration mounting. Suddenly, Amai's voice echoed in my mind, explaining, "It's a facet of my true ability. I can archive previous battles, previous wielders, and their techniques. Then, I can seamlessly transmit this knowledge to your consciousness, making it seem like second nature."
"Isn't that essentially cheating?!" My incredulous thoughts materialized as spoken words, my exasperation undeniable.
The realization hit me: This situation was inherently skewed and unjust! I had expected dedicated training to master these skills myself. Dammit, Amai, this is not how I imagined things!
Oharu thrust her hand forward, conjuring a blade in her grasp—a manifestation of her mana. It was a swift, fluid motion, a testament to her combat experience. The blade gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen, reflecting Oharu's determination.
Reacting on instinct, I raised my hand, forming a sphere of brilliant light. My trusted Light Magic, my true source of power, coalesced into a radiant sword in my grip. It wasn't just a physical weapon; it was an extension of my mana, a projection of my will.
With a deep breath, I met Oharu's charging attack head-on. Our blades clashed in a shower of sparks, the impact echoing through the arena. The collision sent shockwaves across the sand, creating ripples that mirrored the intensity of our clash.
As we pushed against each other, it became clear that Oharu's strength was formidable.
'I can't believe he blocked my attack...' Oharu's gaze bore into me, a mix of frustration and disbelief etched across her features. Losing wasn't an option for her—her sister's potential mockery and her clan's looming disappointment weighed heavily on her mind.
Her attack was fueled by years of training and natural talent, and she was determined to prove herself to her clan.
But I refused to yield. My determination surged, a fiery resolve to show that I was more than just a man.
Oharu's eyes blazed with intensity, her desire to win growing with each passing moment. She fought not only against me but also against her own doubts and her clan's expectations. Each swing of her blade carried the weight of her aspirations.
Our battle held the audience's attention, their eyes fixed on the duel unfolding before them. The stands buzzed with hushed whispers and gasps of awe as they witnessed the clash between a duelist and a battle maiden—a convergence of different worlds and powers.
As the battle raged on, a realization dawned on me. Oharu's attacks were relentless, her determination unwavering, but beneath her confident facade, a hint of desperation lingered. She fought to prove herself and escape her sister's shadow.
Drawing from Amai's memories, I seized the opportunity to exploit this vulnerability. I executed feints, each movement designed to provoke Oharu's response. Predictably, she reacted, driven by her desire to outshine her sister, and her attacks grew more aggressive.
With precision, I parried Oharu's attack and closed the distance. My blade danced with the radiance of light magic as I channeled Amai's stored techniques. The memory of an opponent's technique surged within me, and I executed a move that caught Oharu off guard—a lightning-fast strike that left a trail of light in its wake.
Oharu's eyes widened in surprise as my blade connected, sending a shockwave through her mana and disrupting her control over the floating swords. It was a small opening, but it was enough. I followed with quick strikes, pressuring her and forcing her to defend.
As Oharu struggled to regain her composure, I channeled my mana into my hands, forming a concentrated sphere of light magic. With a powerful thrust, I launched the sphere at Oharu, who conjured a barrier of her mana just in time. The impact created a burst of light that briefly blinded the audience.
Seizing the advantage, I summoned a torrent of light magic, enveloping myself in a radiant aura. With a burst of speed, I closed the distance between us. My blade cut through the air, carrying my determination and Amai's stored techniques.
Oharu's eyes widened, but it was too late. My blade shattered her barrier, and the force of the blow sent Oharu stumbling back, her control over the floating swords faltering as they dissipated into mana.
I watched as she rose from the wreckage. Her attire was torn, blood trickling from her forehead, yet her expression burned with unwavering determination. In that moment, I saw her rise against all odds, standing tall even in the face of death itself.
Oharu took a deep breath, her mana surging with intensity, a manifestation of her indomitable spirit. Her scream reverberated, powerful enough to shake me to my core.
"[Sword Magic: 1000 Sword Dance!]" Countless blades materialized above her, a breathtaking display that left me in awe and more than a little fearful. The sight of those swords suspended in the air sent shivers down my spine—she was determined to end my life.
Amai's voice echoed in my mind, mixing amusement and reassurance.
"Master, fear not. Let me help you unlock your magic. Without my guidance, your magic remains dormant, untapped potential."
Her laughter resonated before turning sly.
"Let's astonish the arena—repeat after me!"
With little choice, I complied. After all, the impending threat of Oharu's assault was motivation enough.
"Now, say this!"
Her command registered, and I grinned triumphantly.
"[Mana Release: Brilliant Break!]"
An eruption of energy followed my proclamation, and the arena bore witness to an unexpected display. My mother's authoritative expression transformed into sheer disbelief as Oracle's unveiled capabilities rocked the scene. The once-secret repository of Amai's past techniques had been unlocked in a dazzling exhibition of radiant magic.
From the stands, a chorus of gasps resonated among the assembled girls as they grasped the gravity of the moment. The Queen herself, a paragon of power and authority, had an ultimate skill that held an unassailable status. However, now, an unlikely contender—me, an initiate in the art of magic—had summoned that very skill reserved for the Queen of Battle Maidens. A collective astonishment filled the air as they grappled with the revelation that SS-class mastery had emerged from an unexpected source.
I assumed a poised stance, extending my blade toward Oharu, the surge of determination coursing through my veins. Her formation of swords sprung into motion, hurtling menacingly toward me. Through the mastery of Brilliant Break, I harnessed the newfound energy to minutely adjust my body's position, evading the incoming assault with effortless grace. To my astonishment, I navigated the onslaught without expending an ounce of stamina.
As the world seemed to slow, the air grew heavy with anticipation, freezing each swift movement and calculated choice. It was as though time itself had submitted to my will, allowing me to dance through the oncoming barrage with surreal precision. My blade cleaved through the oncoming swords, leaving trails of luminous mana in its wake. The clash between my weapon and each individual blade gave birth to intricate patterns of magical energy—a tapestry of brilliance woven amidst the battle.
"How is this possible? I've trained for years...and yet—" Oharu's eyes closed as she yelled in rage, rushing toward me with a sword in hand.
BOOM!
Our swords collided.
Midst the clash, a memory of my father's smile flashed before me. It served as a reminder of the legacy I carried and the responsibility to honor his memory. With that thought, my grip on the radiant sword tightened, and I channeled my mana into it with renewed fervor.
The brilliance surrounding my blade intensified, expanding until it became blinding. Oharu's eyes widened, her expression shifting from confidence to surprise. With a powerful swing, I unleashed a burst of Light Magic that engulfed both her and her sword.
The spectators watched in awe as the intense radiance spread, illuminating the entire arena. The light subsided, revealing a figure standing resolute amidst the fading brilliance—it was me, clutching the radiant sword with both hands. Oharu, on the other hand, knelt on her knees, her blade shattered and her aura diminished.
"You're stronger than I thought..." She muttered, a mixture of frustration and regret permeating her words.
Struggling to maintain her posture, Oharu could barely manage to kneel, her remaining strength a mere whisper of vitality. An exhausted sigh escaped my lips as I felt the weight of my own body, an unfamiliar sensation attributed to my mother's Unique Ability, Brilliant Break. Its power was truly remarkable, enabling me to transcend my usual limitations with the mere utterance of [Mana Release].
"Good job, Master! I knew you could do it!" Amai's elation was evident in her voice, although her enthusiasm wavered briefly as she muttered something to herself, her nerves palpable.
"Thank goodness you're safe..."
My body instinctively reacted to an overwhelming sense of danger, shudders coursing through me as a premonition of impending calamity gripped my senses.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Screams erupted from all corners as the arena suddenly became besieged, a swarm of Taiken surging forth to claim the battlefield.
Fiush!
My heart skipped a beat.
...!
A beam of crackling mana lanced toward Oharu, her wearied form struggling to evade the incoming threat, her strength a dwindling ember.
Fium!
Swiftly, I materialized beside Oharu, a burst of determination overpowering the searing pain that radiated from my hands as they absorbed the scorching energy of the mana beam. Desperation fueled my final gamble as I invoked the incantation:
"[Mana Release: Brilliant Break!]"
"Master, don't do it! You'll die!" Amai's voice reverberated with concern, her attempts to dissuade me futile against my determination.
"Ghht... RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The primal roar of my war cry reverberated through the air as I strained against the beam, my palms searing with agony. My aura flared, and the world around me seemed to warp.
Yet as the torrent of energy threatened to engulf me, my strength ebbed, my consciousness blurred, and darkness encroached.
Tap.
An unexpected touch, gentle yet firm, arrested my descent toward oblivion. Oharu's intervention spared me a brutal impact, her resolute grip halting our collision with a nearby wall.
BOOM!
The ground trembled beneath the concussive force of the colossal Taiken's attack, propelling both Oharu and me backward. Our bodies hurtled dangerously close to the wall's edge, but a sudden portal materialized through my mother's intervention, whisking us away just in the nick of time.
"You fool!" Exasperation dripped from her voice as she seized me, pressing a bottle filled with a blue liquid into my hand, urgency evident as she urged me to drink before things escalated further.
"I hope I haven't arrived too late... The Scent must not be unleashed yet... Your Malice isn't fully harnessed..." Breathless and grim-faced, my mother's words conveyed the weight of the situation. A dark pulse resonated within my body, an ominous rhythm akin to a venomous toxin. Even Oharu, caught in the ripples of my pulse, struggled to catch her breath, her eyes locked onto mine, understanding the direness of the circumstances.
"Does he possess it? Is he the one fated to bring about the Emperor of Taiken's downfall?"
My mother hesitated, an unspoken secret lingering in the air. She shared the truth with Oharu, recognizing the significance of her clan's clearance level.
"Keep this between us, Oharu-san... My son bears the Scent of Malice. Yet he isn't ready to wield its power. His mana depletion accidentally shattered the restraints holding it back. If I hadn't intervened, the entire arena would have been consumed."
BOOM!
The relentless assault of the Taiken persisted, but my mother gently guided me toward Oharu. With a bashful flinch, she caught me, her eyes a mix of concern and confusion. As consciousness ebbed, I felt cradled in her arms, chaos, and uncertainty swirling around us.
"I've alerted security... please take care of my son." A shift in my mother's demeanor brought forth seriousness, her features tinged with foreboding darkness. Her words carried an unspoken promise, "I'll return..."
In an instant, she vanished, reappearing right in front of the colossal Taiken that had nearly claimed our lives.
"Yami, you've shown great skill, but your execution of my Unique skill still falls short." A mixture of pride and expectation tinged her tone, a sly grin curling her lips. Continuing her monologue, she proclaimed, "Allow me to demonstrate the true [Brilliant Break]."
The world seemed to bow to her power as it trembled. The very ground quaked under the pressure of her mana, and a surge of energy engulfed the arena. The once-illuminated surroundings turned dark, akin to an eclipse consuming all light. The sun appeared to vanish, leaving the world cloaked in an eerie obscurity.
With a resounding cry, "[Mana Release: Brilliant Break!]", the arena quivered as her aura surged. The ground beneath us shook as reality itself seemed to unravel.
"[Light Magic: Bright Lance!]" In an instant, a lance of pure light materialized in her hand, its brilliance blinding and magnificent. With incredible swiftness, my mother's silhouette dissolved, only to reappear behind the Taiken. The creature met its end as a sudden surge of light engulfed it, a single, devastating blow eradicating its existence.
This was the last sight I beheld before slipping into unconsciousness, my vision enshrouded in darkness as my body yielded to the tumultuous forces that had unfolded.