Have you ever pondered the surreal experience of standing beneath a falling star? The mere thought evokes a sense of wonderment, doesn't it?
Picture the night sky, adorned with its twinkling celestial bodies, and then imagine one of those stars, usually so distant and untouchable, suddenly hurtling towards you.
In the tranquility of a starlit night, the soft blue glow of a falling star might seem enchanting, almost magical, when observed from a safe distance.
But what if it descended directly before you, its brilliance threatening to engulf you in its fiery descent?
Would you still find it beautiful then?
For most rational minds, the answer would likely be a resounding no. The sheer terror of such a sight would overshadow any sense of awe or wonder.
Yet, perhaps there are a few brave souls who might, albeit reluctantly, admit to finding beauty even in the face of such imminent danger.
After all, it's a phenomenon so rare, so extraordinary, that experiencing it firsthand could be considered a once-in-a-lifetime event.
In a purely objective and literal sense, encountering a falling star up close is a spectacle that few will ever witness.
Unless, of course, you possess the immortality of the divine that reside in the heavens above.
For mortal beings like humans, the celestial realm remains an enigma, its power and majesty beyond our comprehension.
One cannot help but feel a sense of trepidation in the presence of such cosmic forces. For with a single celestial decision, the world as we know it could be reduced to nothing but ash and dust.
It's a reminder of our own fragility, of the vast and unfathomable mysteries that lie beyond the confines of our earthly existence.
As Taylor's eyes locked onto the glimmering blue light emanating from the Duke's sword, a cold shiver ran down his spine.
Fear seized his body in a vice-like grip, rendering him immobile as if rooted to the spot. In an instant, the familiar world around him seemed to warp and distort, morphing into a surreal landscape of uncertainty.
Suddenly, he found himself soaring through the night sky, weightless and disoriented. Stars twinkled above him, their distant light casting an ethereal glow over the darkness below.
Yet, instead of feeling a sense of awe, Taylor felt an overwhelming sense of dread as the void seemed to pull at his very being, threatening to engulf him whole.
Ahead of him, the moon loomed large, its colossal form hurtling towards him with alarming speed.
It descended upon him like a speeding arrow, each passing moment bringing it closer and closer until it filled his entire field of vision.
Every fiber of Taylor's being screamed at him to flee, to escape this surreal nightmare unfolding before him.
And yet, despite his instincts urging him to run, he found himself rooted in place, unable to tear his gaze away from the impending collision.
A question lingering… why?
'Why is it so beautiful?' The thought echoed in his mind, a bewildering contradiction amidst the chaos.
Despite the imminent danger, there was an undeniable allure to the spectacle unfolding before him.
The graceful arc of the Duke's sword, the mesmerizing trail of light it left in its wake – it was a symphony of motion and illumination, captivating in its intensity.
And then, like a single raindrop shattering the surface of a still pond, the tip of the sword made contact with Taylor's nose.
In that fleeting moment, the world erupted in a blinding flash of light, sending shockwaves rippling through his body.
And just as suddenly as it had begun, the dazzling display came to an abrupt end.
With a jolt, Taylor found himself back on solid ground, the world around him returning to its familiar state.
"Haah…! Huaah…!" Taylor gasped for air, his chest heaving with exertion. Each breath felt like a struggle, as if he were trying to draw oxygen from a vacuum. His heart raced uncontrollably, its thunderous beats reverberating through his entire body like a stampede of panicked horses.
"Tsk, Tsk… I guess not even a genius can survive the moon huh? HAHAHAHA!"
The Duke's mocking laughter echoed through the air, his words dripping with derision as he gazed down at Taylor with a mixture of amusement and disdain.
Tears that came from pure laughter glistened in his eyes, adding to the mockery of the moment.
Anger surged within Taylor as he struggled to regain his composure.
Clutching his chest, he glared up at the Duke, his voice trembling with indignation. "W-what… did you do… you fucking gorilla…?"
Despite the breathtaking beauty of the spectacle he had just witnessed, Taylor felt no joy in the aftermath of the Duke's ruthless demonstration.
He had been caught off guard, torn from his peaceful reverie and thrust into a world of chaos and confusion.
Just moments ago, he had been preparing to rest, to seek solace in the quiet embrace of the night.
Now, he found himself dragged into a battle of wills against an opponent whose power surpassed anything he had ever encountered before.
The Duke's display of strength had been nothing short of astonishing.
Taylor had never seen anything like it in his life, let alone imagined that the Duke possessed such formidable abilities. It was a stark reminder of the vast gulf that separated them
"Calm down, brat, you won't die from that," the Duke remarked with a smirk, his voice laced with amusement.
He approached Taylor slowly, his movements deliberate as he extended a hand towards him.
In a blur of motion, his hand seemed to disappear momentarily before returning to its original position, resting lightly on his shoulder, the ropes binding Taylor fell away, severed into tiny pieces.
Taylor's eyes widened in astonishment at the speed of the Duke's attack. During their training together, he had never witnessed the Duke display such incredible speed.
"So, this Gorilla was really holding back this entire time, huh?" Taylor thought to himself, a mix of surprise and realization dawning on him.
As Taylor quickly pieced together the situation, a smile tugged at the corners of the Duke's lips.
He couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction seeing the flustered and slightly disappointed expression on Taylor's face.
After all, the lessons he was about to impart were crucial for the young swordsman's development, and seeing him humbled by the first lesson was a promising start.
Kneeling down to Taylor's eye level, the Duke met his gaze with a reassuring smile.
"Hold your breath,"
"Huh?"
'Oghfff….!!!!'
Taylor barely had time to process the command before a sharp blow to his gut knocked the wind out of him.
The force of the punch sent him staggering backward, gasping for air as his lungs emptied in a rush.
With each labored breath, Taylor regarded the Duke with a mixture of exhaustion and disdain. The Duke, however, seemed unfazed by Taylor's resentment, his smirk widening as he approached with deliberate steps, extending a hand to help Taylor to his feet.
"Did it help?" The Duke's question cut through the lingering tension, his tone laced with casual indifference.
"Yeah," Taylor muttered reluctantly, swallowing his pride. Despite his urge to unleash a torrent of curses at the Duke for resorting to violence, he couldn't deny the effectiveness of the punch.
The pain and confusion that had clouded his senses seemed to dissipate, replaced by a newfound clarity.
The Duke's voice broke the silence, drawing Taylor's attention.
"So, what did you think? About my world..."
The middle-aged man stretched his back with a satisfied groan, his expression nostalgic yet tinged with a hint of mischief.
"Man! It's been so long since I opened my world like that... Its structure may be a bit clumsy now, but it used to be much more beautiful, you know?" he remarked, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Your world?" Taylor's confusion was palpable, his brow furrowing in puzzlement.
"Exactly, my world..." The Duke's words hung in the air, laden with a sense of gravity as he positioned his sword before him.
Gripping it with both hands, he summoned forth his aura, a crackling surge of blue mana enveloping the blade and transforming it into a radiant, moonlit glow.
Taylor couldn't tear his gaze away, feeling the familiar sensation of being drawn into the Duke's world once more, only this time, it seemed to emanate from the Duke himself.
"The essence of a warrior, and the truth that only you own. That is what a world is, and what many people would call your 'aura,'" the Duke explained, a smile gracing his features.
His words resonated with Taylor, stirring a sense of curiosity within him that he couldn't ignore.
"Tell me, young brat, aren't you curious to know what your world looks like?"
Taylor's throat felt dry as he stared at the Duke, a myriad of thoughts swirling in his mind.
Throughout his life, he had viewed the Duke as nothing more than an ugly, muscle-headed brute, unworthy of the Duchess's love.
But now, as he stood before him, bathed in the ethereal glow of his aura, Taylor couldn't help but feel a sense of awe and admiration.
'Fuck…' Taylor could only curse at himself.