In the open expanse of a rocky hill, surrounded by smooth, earthy soil, we stood together, the core of the ugly creature firmly held in his hand.
He was an extraordinary individual in countless ways… from his striking appearance and nurturing personality to his remarkable skills across various disciplines.
It was truly astonishing how one person could embody the roles of a mage, elementalist, energy arts practitioner, and, apparently, even a swordsman.
His proficiency at night was unquestionable… hehe… but what impressed me even more was his physical strength, which surpassed anything I could have imagined.
For most men, handling me would've been an epic challenge; I was well aware of my own physical strength.
'Thanks to his mastery over inner energy and that strange technique he used, I had managed to break through into the realm of an awakned.'
I feel different now. The world around me was different. The world 'within' me was also different.
After receiving his guidance and explanations yesterday, I now had a wealth of new knowledge about this new realm, about the new strengths that I would soon possess, about the things I had never knon about.
'He said I had a talent for sword even though I know nothing about it, but I don't know what I'm capable of since even what I know about magic is self taught.'
Somehow, I found it easy to comprehend most magical concepts from books that had been available in my previous realm, and learning them presented no significant challenge for me.
I was already compatible with them, which made practicing those spells even simpler.
'Not anyone can use any spell that they want since there are many things one needs to take into account to understand these things.'
From the elemental type of the spell to the resonance effect of the spells. The theory of magic was a little complex, but it was pretty easy in practice.
But… let's not think about all those things right now.
'He's going to forge a sword for me~.'
Although it felt like a selfish request on my part when I asked him to use the core of that filthy creature insted of something better, he agreed without hesitation.
His calm nature aside, the comment he made about being the overlord was something I preferred… to not think about.
It was a little too much for me right now, so, let's not think about it.
Monarchs existed above gods and held the highest authority after the supreme sovereign.
Mortals were of the lowest existential rank, after which came awakened ones like me, then those who had chosen a path for them.
Those who master their paths are called saints, those who gain a divine authority through unknown means earn the title of a god, but if they do not want to enter the godhood through that method, they become transendents with their own strength.
The two hold similar ranks, but, while godhood limits one and grants them a unique authority to possess a world of their own, the path of those who transcend the worldly laws becomes far more arduous.
'And when one crosses countless trials presented to them on that path, they achieve the highest-most position of a monarch.'
That's how difficult the path to a higher stage of existence is… so, to go even beyond the highest positions of the monarchs and compare oneself to what we can call the world itself…
'It surely was unthinkable.'
I turned my gaze toward him as he stood a short distance away with his eyes closed. The monster he had slain was impressive in its own right, but it wasn't necessary for him to use just a single core in the weapon he was crafting.
The core served as the energy center for magical weapons, and from the moment he asked about cores, I had already realized he intended to create a magic sword for me~.
'Having seen his unique and complex creation magic with my own eyes, I had no doubt he would face no difficulties in crafting an amazing weapon.'
I didn't really know much about the swords either, but if he was making it, it defienty should be amazing~.
'While craftsmen and forgers typically excelled at weapon creation, his creation magic made their skills seem almost obsolete.'
It was a rare talent that few could master to the degree he had achieved. This singular magical ability set him apart from the ordinary instructors at the outer palace of the academy I've known.
He had assured me that he could obtain anything I wished for.
However, I am still uncertain about how he would get powerful cores like a Phoenix feather or those belonging to stronger beings.
There seemed little need for such extravagant materials since I lacked experience with swords; I know it would be wiser to start with something simple for practice.
But then again…
"Oh, holy overlord…" I murmured in disbelief as an object suddenly flashed into existence before him.
It was unlike anything I had ever seen, a piece that appeared to be a dragon tooth or perhaps even bone, measuring at least one meter in length.
The manner in which it materialized suggested it had been transported here instantaneously.
I... couldn't believe my eyes right now.
Dragons were noble beings of nature that lived for thousands of years; they resided in all higher planes but rarely interacted with lesser beings.
Their blood was considered an elixir among even the gods, while their hearts were revered as eternal sources of energy.
Masters of magic and closest allies of nature itself, dragons commanded respect as divine beasts—ranked from [Hatchlings] to [Divine Dragons], who stood above even dragon kings.
Those creatures were extremely rare; by their very nature, they lived apart in their own little worlds.
While there was no necessity to kill them, those who did were labeled
Yet… these things he was using… that distinct power…
I questioned how he got such an object; no one would believe me if I ever told them about this.
-Ooooooooooooooong!
The curved bone hovered majestically in the air before him while he also directed the core from a mere [Purple] monster into the mix.
Following this, crystals of various shapes and colors emerged around us—each one resonating with distinct elemental energy: a red crystal radiating fire, a green crystal encased in swirling winds, and a yellow crystal crackling with thunderous energy.
These crystals aligned perfectly with my elemental affinities; among the nine elements that made our world, I could wield three of them.
These crystals before me, as I recoganised, were treasures known as [Elemental Blessings], typically found within [Spirit world] or deep within forbidden areas of our world.
While I couldn't fully grasp their value at that moment, their presence alone felt surreal…
But this spectacle did not end there.
-Zaaaaaa…
He extended his hand toward these floating treasures as red liquid, possessing some fragments of blue and gold, began to flow forth from it—there could be no mistaking what it was.
'Using blood as forging material?'
The thought worried me a little; but it was also somewhat romantic.
It might have been preferable if he could simply craft a standard sword; however, from our brief time together thus far, I knew he wouldn't follow the conventional methods.
-Ooooooooong!
I watched as he nodded thoughtfully before snapping his fingers.
-SNAP!
Instantly, all the components present began to swirl around us until…
-Ooooooooooooooong!
An enormous bubble formed in mid-air.
-Swiiiiiish…
As he stepped back toward me, my attention remained fixed on the mesmerizing process unfolding within that bubble.
-ZAAAAA…
Although he was using creation magic, I could still see every detail of the transformation taking place inside the bubble: The large dragon tooth—the hardest material—disintegrated into fine powder under his command.
A blue flame ignited like water as the dragon bone powder began to melt away under its heat.
-Swaaaa!
Simultaneously, the three crystals shrank magically while releasing waves of raw elemental energy that resonated within me—a faint echo from deep inside my being. The bubble encapsulated this entire process as if sealing it within another dimension.
The most mundane core among the objects… remained stationary throughout this process.
As time passed within that ethereal bubble, a magnificent one-meter-long sword took shape before our eyes.
"Wow…"
Its blade gleamed pure white, the color reminiscent of bone—but its sharpness rivaled that of any perfect sword imaginable.
This long sword had three embedded gems along its blade while his blood mingled with the core from the tentacle monster after its size had been reduced and it became affixed to the sword's guard.
The handle had a vibrant purple hue, matching my hair, and the sword itself was beyond anything I've seen in my entire life.
"So?"
The bubble remained intact as the sword descended toward us gently.
"How is it?" he asked casually as… he took my index finger between his lips.