Nova's mouth opened slightly but quickly closed again.
'There was no way I an going beg for your help!'
On the other hand, she knew her stamina was severely limited at the moment.
It only took Nova a second to decide. She slowly got up and handed the black cat to Claudia.
"Hold him for me," she calmly spoke, "and give me your sword." She pointed toward Claudia's sheathed sword.
While practicing with her father, Nova noticed that she was able to naturally use all types of weapons equally without restrictions. She only practiced with a regular sword for her father's sake.
Claudia stared absentmindedly at Nova's sudden request. She suddenly smirked at Nova's newfound confidence. Intrigued, she quickly accepted her proposal.
"Lady Claudia, we don't have time for this," Chris appeared behind her back and whispered to her. She completely ignored him and gave her sword away.
Nova refilled a bit of Est because of Claudia's intervention.
'I'd say my chances rose from 0% to 10%,' she laughed internally.
She swung the rapier around a few times. The thin sword felt like it weighed more than 20 kg (~ 45 lbs). The metal to craft it was definitely special. Nova turned around to the duo.
'He also called her a Lady. Is she an aristocrat or something?' Nova disregarded this thought for a moment.
Chris's sudden attack enraged the monster. It immediately stormed back toward them. Nova quickly coated her body in yellow Est and jumped forward.
"No affinity?" Claudia whispered to herself in surprise. For the first time, Chris also looked interested in Nova. It was rare for people Nova's age to have not developed their Circuit. Claudia was sure she would have to step in at any moment.
The monster threw a straight jab at Nova, but she quickly maneuvered around it and landed on its giant arm. She dashed along its arm and lifted her sword to slash down. The monster swabbed at Nova with its other arm.
Even though she had a powerful weapon, she couldn't cut through the monster's tough exterior.
She landed on top of the monster's bald head. It instinctively raised both hands to protect the top of its head.
'I was right, this is the softest part.'
She jumped up, dodging the arms. As she fell back, she forced her Est into the sword and threw it down with full force, aiming toward the head. Alarmed, the monster quickly blocked the sword.
"Look here, you ugly bastard."
While in mid-air, Nova flipped around and pointed her index finger at its face. The numerous eyes locked on to her in fear.
"Lazer shot"
Without a delay, a powerful shot of pure yellow Est assaulted the monster's eyes.
Nova landed on her feet but quickly collapsed.
"Hey, I did enough considering my condition. You do the rest," she looked back at Claudia who slightly smiled. Nova frowned in return.
'Ugh, I want to punch her.'
The monster swung its arms wildly and roared in pain. Nova perfectly destroyed all of its eyes, so it could not see. Claudia walked calmly toward it. Her sword flew to her hand.
"Quick Slash" she murmured. Her sword trembled with an overflow of green Est.
PLOP
The head of the monster popped off cleanly and rolled on the floor. However, the rest of the body collapsed with a loud thud.
Claudia turned back around to Nova and squatted in front of her. Her face was so close that Nova immediately leaned back.
"What's your name?" she batted her eyes curiously.
"Nova"
She stared continued to stare. An uncomfortable silence hung over them.
Claudia got back up and dusted her clothes. She extended her hand toward Nova.
"I've decided you're coming with me," she smiled widely.
The Sun began to rise in the horizon. A beautiful golden hue spilled over the clouds and warm sun rays chased the cold night away.
"Huh?" Both Nova and Chris simultaneously looked at Claudia.
Her cape's hood fell off and the forest was no longer dark, so Nova could see her clearly. Sunlight spilled over her shoulders and blinded Nova. She was a beautiful girl.
'Not as pretty as me," Nova smirked internally. She sighed grabbed Claudia's hand and stood up.
***
(Before encountering the monster; while Nova was hunting for food.)
'I said I would think about my future plans later, but I can't help but feel anxious. What am I going to do?'
Inevitably, her mind wandered while hunting. Her original plan was to live relaxed as a part-time adventure. Suddenly, she clenched her fists. Her father's murderer, Alden, was still alive, and probably not alone.
'I won't rest until I kill them all,' she gritted her teeth until she drew blood.
Her new goal was to get strong, stronger than anyone, and crush those who stood in the way.
***
(Present time)
"Can you drop me off at the Adventure's Society?"
"It's a funny coincidence I am heading there as well," Claudia leaned over.
"Let's get along friend," she whispered in Nova's ear.
Nova slightly shivered. She immediately thought of the expression "don't bite off more than you can chew" from one of her textbooks.