As Hina slowly roused from her slumber, the warm morning sunlight filtering through the window kissed her cheeks, coaxing her back to wakefulness. The gentle hum of the castle coming to life filled the air, a comforting backdrop to her drowsy state.
With a soft yawn escaping her lips, Hina blinked sleepily, her mind still foggy with remnants of dreams. The maid's cheerful greeting pulled her further into wakefulness, though she couldn't help but wince at the title of "goddess." She was far from accustomed to such formalities, especially in the early hours of the day.
"Mm, good morning," she mumbled in reply, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Good morning, Goddess Hina," the maid chirped, undeterred by Hina's lack of enthusiasm.
"Please, just Hina will do," she requested, her voice still thick with sleep.
The maid nodded, though Hina could see the faint disappointment in her eyes as she left to fetch breakfast.
As the maid departed to fetch her breakfast, Hina's stomach rumbled in anticipation, the promise of a delicious meal coaxing her fully awake. But despite her hunger, the allure of sleep still tugged at her, and she found herself drifting back into slumber for a few precious moments.
However, the mention of a tournament of power jolted her fully awake, her eyes widening with excitement. The thought of such an event, held only once every five years, sent a thrill of anticipation coursing through her veins, banishing any lingering drowsiness.
"A tournament of power?" Hina exclaimed, sitting up straight in bed. "I can't believe it exists!"
With renewed energy, Hina eagerly accepted the maid's assistance in selecting her attire for the day. Though she initially resisted the idea of wearing a skirt, the maid's gentle persuasion and compliment softened her resolve, and she relented, resigning herself to the feminine garment.
"This is beautiful," the maid said, holding up a blue and pink dress adorned with delicate flowers. "It will suit you perfectly, Goddess Hina."
Hina sighed, but the sparkle in her eyes betrayed her true feelings. "Alright, alright, I'll wear it," she conceded with a playful smile.
As Hina strolled through the castle corridors, her footsteps echoing against the polished stone floors, she couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity wash over her. The gentle murmur of voices and the occasional clink of armor added to the ambiance of the bustling castle.
Spotting Lefa amidst the vibrant blooms of the castle garden, Hina couldn't contain her excitement. "Lefa, is that you?" she called out, her voice filled with warmth and genuine affection.
Lefa turned, her eyes lighting up at the sight of her friend. "Hina!" she exclaimed, a wide smile gracing her features. "It's been a while ."
Hina's heart swelled with happiness as she approached her dear friend. "What are you doing here?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.
Lefa bowed her head respectfully. "Forgive me, Goddess Hina, I was simply tending to the garden," she replied, her tone reverent.
Hina shook her head, a playful glint in her eyes. "No need for formalities, Lefa. We're friends, remember?" she said, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.
Relief flooded Lefa's expression as she straightened up, a warm smile gracing her lips. "Of course, Hina. Thank you," she said, her voice soft.
As they walked through the castle halls, escorted by a retinue of maids and knights, Hina's attention was drawn to the training ground where Benimaru, the aspiring hero, was engaged in rigorous practice.
"What are you training for so early in the morning, Benimaru?" Hina asked, curiosity coloring her tone.
Benimaru paused his training, a sheen of sweat glistening on his brow. "I'm preparing for the Tournament of Power," he explained, his voice tinged with determination. "It only comes around once every five years, and I intend to make the most of it."
Lefa nodded in agreement, her eyes alight with anticipation. "I can't wait to see you in action, Benimaru," she said, her voice filled with admiration.
Hina grinned, sharing in their excitement. "I'm looking forward to it too. It'll be fascinating to see how much your skills have improved," she remarked, her gaze flickering with interest.
Benimaru's expression brightened at the mention of his companions. "Flicker and Kanade will be competing as well," he added, a note of pride in his voice.
Hina's interest was piqued. "Oh, that's interesting," she mused, her mind already racing with possibilities.
As they continued their leisurely stroll through the castle, Hina couldn't help but ponder her own participation in the tournament. Though she was a goddess, she knew she couldn't simply waltz onto the battlefield. But perhaps there was another way for her to contribute—a plan began to form in her mind as she walked alongside her friends, the excitement of the upcoming tournament palpable in the air.
The atmosphere in the tournament area was electric, buzzing with anticipation as King Arthur addressed the gathered crowd. The scent of freshly-cut grass mingled with the aroma of sizzling food from nearby stalls, adding to the excitement in the air. The sun beat down, casting a warm glow over the sprawling terrain that stretched for 60 kilometers, dotted with mountains and lush greenery.
"As you all know," King Arthur's voice boomed, carrying across the expanse, "today marks the beginning of the Tournament of Power, a spectacle held every five years to showcase the prowess of our greatest warriors."
The crowd erupted into cheers, their voices echoing off the surrounding mountains. "Long live the goddesses!" they exclaimed, their admiration evident.
Seated beside King Arthur, Carrion exuded an aura of regal authority, his presence commanding respect. To his right, Lefa sat with a sense of eager anticipation, her eyes gleaming with excitement. And beside her, Hina, the daughter of the goddess, listened intently, her heart racing with anticipation.
Turning to Hina, Lefa grinned, her excitement contagious. "Are you ready to witness the power of the tournament?" she asked eagerly, her voice filled with anticipation.
Hina nodded eagerly, her senses alive with the energy of the moment. "Absolutely! I can't wait to see the greatest warriors in action," she replied, her eyes shining with excitement.
King Arthur continued his address, explaining how the tournament would unfold and how they would be able to watch the battles unfold through magical floating screens. The crowd leaned in, hanging on his every word.
(Flash back before it happen)
In the dimly lit chamber of Hina's quarters, she stood before a mirror, her face obscured by a mask of fabric, her hair dyed black to conceal her identity. With a flicker of concentration, she activated her knowledge skill, creating a perfect body double of herself. The double stood beside her, a perfect replica down to the smallest detail.
"This should do the trick," Hina muttered to herself, her voice muffled by the mask.
Beside her, the body double remained silent, awaiting instructions. With a wave of her hand, Hina imbued the double with a portion of her consciousness, allowing her to control it as if it were her own body.
As they made their way to the tournament grounds, Hina's heart raced with excitement and anticipation. She had registered herself under the alias "Dazzling Dagger," a fitting name for the weapon she wielded—a pair of daggers fashioned from lightning-infused steel.
As they approached the tournament area, Hina's senses were heightened, taking in the sights and sounds of the bustling crowd. The air was alive with energy, and Hina could feel the pulse of excitement thrumming through the crowd.
But amidst the excitement, a voice echoed in her mind—the voice of the system, warning her of the dangers ahead.
"Are you sure about entering this tournament?" the system's voice echoed, a note of concern in its tone. "You've stretched your magical abilities too far, and you're not fully recovered yet."
Hina waved off the warning with a dismissive gesture. "Nah, it's okay," she replied nonchalantly, masking her own uncertainty. "I just need to use 20% of my full power anyway. No big deal."
The system's response was stern. "If you say so," it replied, its voice tinged with resignation. "But don't come crying to me if things go south. Remember, if you die, I die alongside you. I'm part of you, after all."
With a determined nod, Hina pushed aside her doubts and stepped onto the tournament grounds, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The stage was set for her grand entrance as Dazzling Dagger, and nothing would stand in her way.
*To be continue *