Kang!
Kang!
Ace sidestepped before flicking his wrist, using the minimal amount of power needed to deflect the blade that was approaching his body. Following the blade being pushed back, Ace used a regular steel sword to swing vertically, slicing his foe, Alice's sword despite both of them being made out of the same material.
"How!? You didn't even use mana!" Alice complained, her eyes wide due to Ace having sliced her blade despite not using any type of energy. He wanted to tell her that a Celestial had helped him, but he couldn't bring himself to, thinking she would wonder if her brother was crazy. That's why he responded with a smug wink before dropping his sword on the ground.
Having perfected some of his imperfections, his body felt lighter. His perception had improved and his senses were heightened. His form and technique also improved. However, the Celestial had informed Ace that that was the most he could do, and that assisting him any more would damage his body.
"You've been training for a couple weeks, while I've been doing it for a year and a half." Ace explained, a bright smile appearing on his face. Ruffling Alice hair, which seemed to annoy her quite a bit, he headed towards the camping area where they had slept all these days.
It had officially been a week since their "vacation" had began, and it turned out to be quite fruitful. Amanda and Adam had both reached E- Rank, while Alice had achieved the E Rank. It was a great improvement and Ace was proud of them. Leo had also familiarized himself with some of the techniques a partnership with Dante offered.
Having not been able to use his strongest technique on Ace, he had been training hard to be able to strengthen it when needed. Leo wanted a technique he could use in dire situations that if used, would cause tremendous backlash to his body, but would also destroy his foe in a single move.
Since that would be the case, he could defeat more powerful foes than himself using the raging storm of mana and properties he had. Properties were scarce, even amongst deities. That's why people valued the incarnations of Primal Animals so much despite them only being a little boost.
'Well, they didn't have a partnership with their animal.' Ace commented inwardly, before opening the door to the tent and kicking the lanky-armed individual in his stomach. Leo's eyes became bloodshot even though the kick was as light as a pillow hitting someone on the stomach. It was because of the shock of waking up via force.
A scream exited his mouth as he tightly gripped his stomach. He soon regained composure, coughing twice awkwardly before sitting down properly and asking, "What are you doing here?"
"It's almost afternoon." Ace said emotionlessly. "Get up."
It was their last day on Mount Othrys, which meant they were leaving before dusk. Having trained enough, Ace had other plans to occupy him for the rest of the month in which the academy would be rebuilt. It had already been two weeks since the war had began, but it had escalated too quickly. If it kept going, Ace was afraid they may have a all-out war in just a year or two, which was rapid compared to his previous life.
"Dipshit," Leo muttered under his breath, but it was clearly heard by Ace, who smacked him on the head. Leo let out a shrill cry and closed his eyes, but when he opened them, he realized that Ace had already disappeared from his previous location. Sighing in defeat, Leo stood up began getting ready for their departure.
*
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*
Ace walked across the enormous forest that rested atop the great Mount Othrys, a spot considered unconventional for tourism. Technically, tourists didn't exist anymore since all the continents were now connected and the factions had bad relations, but it would have been if Pangea hadn't been created again.
"You can come out now, Maxwell." Ace said, directing a faint smile towards a tree in the distance. From the bark of the tree emerged a figure that let out a devilish grin, sending shivers down Ace's spine. Despite being smug while addressing Maxwell, he could not contend with him. If they fought, Maxwell could end his life within less than a second. It wasn't a matter of rank anymore, but experience and techniques. It was a matter of utilization of the power you possessed, not the amount.
Ace had asked Larry about the subject Natalie had mentioned but had gotten a vague answer in return.
You will find out when you truly need it, Larry had said.
"My my, Mr. Ambrosia. It's a little strange having someone detect me so quickly and easily. It's like you can see me." Maxwell said, chuckling at the mention of his stealth being seen through. "I'm sure you know why I have come here."
"To try to get information from me about the creator of the replica of Gungnir?" Ace asked rhetorically, motioning Maxwell to leave before turning around. He then lifted his right foot up and was about to place it in front of him.
However, his foot was immediately stopped by a certain string. Ace glanced at the black string that restrained his foot, his expression turning cold. Despite his facade, he felt fear. He felt fear that he would die again and there would be no one to save him.
"Vanessa Anderson." Ace muttered under his breath, but his words were heard clearly by the perpetrator who seemed to have restricted Ace's entire body. She didn't yet appear, and he couldn't sense her either. However, it was extremely clear to who could use the black strings, as it was known throughout the faction.
Maxwell chuckled at Ace's prediction, raising an eyebrow at what seemed to be correct. Ace was perplexed by the former's decision to not signal Vanessa to reveal her presence.
"Are you not going to reveal yourself?" Ace asked, looking around, trying to sense her presence behind the trees. However, all he sensed was the presence of Maxwell and some beasts that roamed around the forest. It was perplexing, and displayed the true difference between their power.
"Oh, she's a little shy." Maxwell explained, smiling gently. At his response, an invisible hand immediately struck him on his head, causing him to massage his temples in order to alleviate the pain. "Damned woman."
"You're not getting any information." Ace said, trying to take a step once more.
However, this time, the black string appeared in front of his neck instead of his feet, threatening to slit his throat if he did not follow instructions.
'I can't escape this situation.' Ace concluded his calculations, sighing in defeat as he had totally lost control of the situation. If he did anything "wrong" by their standards, his throat would be slit immediately. Since Vanessa had come along with Maxwell, it meant Harold was informed of this plan.
If Harold was informed, it meant he approved of it. Maxwell wouldn't be able to endure another punishment from his brother and superior. If Harold had been informed of it, he definitely would have informed Noah…
'All of the leaders of the Conscientious faction now know about my knowledge of the creator of the replica of Gungnir…' Ace remarked as his heart sank. He was now in enormous trouble, since all of the leaders knew of his and the blacksmith's existence, and would constantly attempt to interrogate him by threatening his life.
It was very obvious, but Ace's mind immediately went into disarray. Chaotic thoughts circled around, causing him to become extremely pessimistic about the current situation, which unlike the quiet atmosphere, was very dire.
Watching Ace's eyes spin around, a smug grin blossomed on Maxwell's face. He had expected Ace to figure out the situation before they explained it to him, but this was a little quick, considering they hadn't even threatened him verbally yet.
"This seems a little shabby for my deathbed, doesn't it? Who's gonna pay for my grave, you?" Ace tried talking casually even in such a situation to make it seem like he wasn't fearful of the consequences of defying Maxwell and Vanessa. However, Maxwell instantly recognized what he was trying to do.
Maxwell picked up a rock and threw it at Ace's stomach, and before the latter could even react, a shallow cut appeared on his right torso. He gasped, gripping the place that had started bleeding, trying to suppress the wound. It was difficult, but he was somehow able to stop the bleeding, at least.
"Cut the crap and give us the information. The only reason we aren't killing you is because of the name of our faction and our values." Maxwell said, his smile turning into a sinister one. "Now, you choose."
'Values…' Ace knew Maxwell was only bluffing when he mentioned the values of the Conscientious Faction, because the leaders of the faction and some others knew of its real purpose. The only reason that the faction was created was because of Jorge's rivalry with Andrew.
He knew his life would be in danger if he resisted any more, so he finally decided to reveal the information. He was not a man of justice, and only wanted his profit. He believed there was no justice or evil in this world, and that they were only created by humans to make hope for those who had lost it. However, it made people who considered themselves superior, delusional.
'Justice… there's no such thing.' He said in his mind before his eyes turned cold. He locked eyes with Maxwell, which forced the latter to raise an eyebrow at the former's bravery… or stupidity?
"All right, I'll tell you everything. Meet me at this mountain in a week." Ace said, his expression not changing one bit during his proposal. He wanted to delay it as long as he could, and he naturally could not tell them about it right now since he had to leave before dusk. He also had plans for the next week.
"No can do, kid." Maxwell said, approaching Ace before raising the latter's chin up. Maxwell slapped Ace's cheek, causing a hand mark to appear on his face. However, Maxwell did not notice even a single change in his expression, not like he was hoping. He wanted to torture him, but Ace seemed to be tougher than he had expected.
"I'm sure you wanna know about the organization who stands against the factions." Ace said, causing Maxwell to raise an eyebrow. It was true. The factions had searched for the organization several times, and had found some traces of it. However, they hadn't found enough information to locate and neutralize it.
"I'm sure Noah already knows where that scaredy-cat is hiding."
"The scaredy-cat that created an organization that definitely seems to be a threat to a faction with an ancestry of 500 years? Also, I can guarantee you that Noah hasn't found shit." Ace retorted, raising his voice with every word he uttered. He would even reveal information about the OTF if it would help him survive. He could not suffer the same fate as his previous life. No, he wouldn't. He would do anything and everything in his power to prevent that event from occurring, even if it costs him his life in the end.
Maxwell stroked his chin, clearly amused by the situation and considering Ace's request and promise. What the boy said was in fact true, and he couldn't deny that fact. He also knew that Noah had no leads of the situation, and did not expect him to receive any anytime soon.
"You're saying that if I wait a week, you'll offer us information about the creator of the replica of Gungnir as well as the organization… or should I say, the one you're involved with?" Maxwell's expression was far from what a regular human could perform, and his muscles looked like they would pop any second. It was truly horrifying, but Ace stood there, staring into Maxwell's abyss-like eyes and said…
"I am not sure how you know that, but yes. I will offer information about those two subjects." Ace assured, causing Maxwell to fall into deep thought. Before he could respond, however, a figure materialized before Ace, startling both of them.
It was a lady with hot-pink hair that fell down to her waist. Maxwell stared at her as if mesmerized by the beauty of the woman that stood there, seductively staring at Ace as if he were hers. Her cherry-red lips perfectly matched her pearly white skin, and her maroon robe tightly hugged her body, displaying her curves.
It was Vanessa Anderson, the creator of the popular sword technique/skill [Sword Master], and the current head of the Anderson family. As she stared into Ace's eyes, which were firm, shivers went down her spine. She couldn't explain it, but she felt something move in his eyes, as if it were alive and possessed a separate consciousness.
'A Primal Animal? No, it's not an organism, that's for sure.' She remarked, her eyes narrowing with curiosity.
"You finally decided to reveal yourself… couldn't resist my charms?" Maxwell asked, his smug grin causing both Ace and Vanessa to cringe.
"I await your answer, Maxwell. However, please give me your answer before dusk, or else I will not be able to fulfil my end of the bargain." Ace said, mocking himself for having called it "his end of the bargain" despite it being a disadvantageous deal for him with no benefit.
"Wait!" A voice entered Ace's ears as he turned around, only to see Vanessa leaning in towards him. As she approached his face, Ace visibly turned red due to embarrassment. Despite his mental age that was far superior to his physical age, he was still a little immature in departments regarding family and… love.
However, this wasn't love. It was only Vanessa trying to seduce Ace, and he could easily deal with that.
"What are you doing?" Ace asked, his eyes turning cold. He then gripped his scabbard tightly, locking eyes with Vanessa, who seemed to be surprised.
'Why aren't my charms working?' Vanessa questioned herself inwardly, visibly confused by the sudden occurrence of Ace not falling into her trap. She then leaned in even closer, locking eyes with him while activating her skill, [Charisma - S]. However, the result she received was the same.
"I'm guessing you're using a charm skill, possibly a high-ranked one? Yeah, Melissa already tried using one on me. Didn't work." Ace said, a smile appearing on his face. He then leaned in towards Vanessa, flicking her nose before whispering… "You shouldn't ignore that lover of yours."
Ace pointed towards Maxwell, causing Vanessa to turn beet-red due to embarrassment. It wasn't due to anything relating Maxwell, but the fact that Ace was so calm even in her presence confused her. However, she also liked it very much.
She found Ace's appearance alluring as well, but she wasn't too fond of judging people based on looks. However, something about his eyes and personality caused her to feel embarrassed by his whisper.
Vanessa then looked back, only to see Maxwell's face, which seemed extremely dumb to her. His eyes were unfocused and it seemed he had fallen prey to the charm skill used by Vanessa. It was truly shameful for one of the hidden leaders of the faction to be so easy to manipulate.
'I can't say I didn't see this coming, though.' Vanessa admitted, rolling her eyes in frustration before turning towards Ace once again. This time, her appearance seemed full of wisdom, and instead of a seductive vixen, she seemed like a saint.
"Can I leave?" A little perplexed by the sudden change of personality and aura, Ace asked this question to be able to escape as quickly as possible. He felt it would be beneficial to not meddle in the affairs of the faction yet. He would only do so when he had sufficient power.
"Yes, yes you can." Instead of Vanessa, Maxwell, who had broke out of the spell, said. He had regained composure and could finally make reasonable decisions. However, for some reason, Vanessa did not seem to approve of Maxwell's decision, as she looked at him with a face full of irritation.
She then turned towards Ace and regained her seductive expression. "Only if you promise to go on a date with me when turn 18."
Speechless, Ace could only stare at her absent-mindedly. Despite Vanessa's beauty being one that could shake the world, he felt no attraction from the woman whatsoever, even if her mental age was similar to his own. He wondered if it was because his current body had just concluded hormonal changes, or puberty.
Maxwell, throwing a tantrum as if he were a child, could only stomp his feet, causing cracks to appear on the ground below. The ground surrounding them shook lightly, but Vanessa's strings quickly fixed the situation. She then stared daggers at Maxwell, who could only turn away and laugh awkwardly.
'They're like children.' Ace remarked, smiling awkwardly. It was true. The leaders were considered sovereigns of the faction, but were only ever serious during meetings or during battles. When they weren't working, they behaved like regular children. Well, everyone except George.
"Can we talk about that later?" Ace asked, hoping to receive a curt nod and for them to motion him to leave. However, what he did receive was an expression of disappointment from Vanessa, and an expression of glee from Maxwell.
However, eventually, Maxwell convinced Vanessa to let him leave, ending the discussion that had lasted too long.
While heading towards the tents, Ace sighed in relief since a battle did not occur during their talk. However, he still cringed at that Vanessa had said, finding it strange.
'Is she a pedophile?'