The warm water enveloped Kaede as she sank deeper into the wooden tub, the steam curling lazily into the air around her. She ran a hand through her damp hair, letting the heat ease the tension in her muscles. The grime of the day melted away, but her mind remained far from calm. Exempt from the locking curse. That meant she had access to her full potential—her unique skills, magic, everything.
Her fingers dipped below the surface, curling into fists beneath the water. The sound of droplets splashing onto the edge of the tub broke the silence as she stared at the wooden planks lining the wall in front of her.
Why me?
The question echoed in her mind. It wasn't fair. Kirara, Shogo, and the others were shackled by this cruel system, yet she was free. The thought made her stomach churn. She had to find out why. She had to understand what this ultimate skill of hers was truly capable of—and whether it could help the others.
"Artificia," Kaede murmured, her voice barely audible. "Can I use [New World Order] to break the locking curse on others?"
The pause felt agonizingly long.
Kaede exhaled slowly, her mind racing. She had the potential to help. But it wasn't enough—not yet. She needed to grow stronger.
"What if I'm too late?," she whispered, determination hardening her gaze. "I have to help them, No matter what."
Draining off the water, she stepped out and grabbed a towel, drying off quickly. The cold air of the suite hit her as she stepped back into the main room, but she barely noticed. Kirara was dozing on the chair, her scarf wrapped loosely around her shoulders.
Kaede smiled faintly, grabbing a blanket from the couch and draping it over Kirara. The girl stirred slightly, murmuring something incoherent before settling back into sleep.
Kaede sat down across from her, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. "Hey Artificia, is there nothing I can do about the curse?"
Kaede sat upright instantly, Kirara stirring from the shuffle. Kaede paused, watching until she was certain, Kirara was still asleep. "What do you mean Devour? I thought you said only Ananke would work. Why didn't you tell me about the devour skill?" She whispered
Kaede leaned forward, elbows resting on her knees as she let out a heavy sigh. Of course, Artificia would answer her requests literally, she almost forgot that it was basically an Artificial intelligence, a machine. Newly born too. The realization sent a fresh wave of frustration through her, but she swallowed it down. This wasn't the time to let irritation cloud her focus.
"Okay, fine. Let's talk about Devour," she whispered, her voice barely audible over Kirara's quiet breathing. "What exactly are the conditions for it to work on the curse?"
Kaede frowned, her mind racing. Weakened significantly? That made things infinitely more complicated. She clenched her fists, staring down at the floor as a flicker of guilt crept into her chest. If she wanted to use this skill on her friends, she'd have to render them vulnerable first, hurt them. Could she even bring herself to do that?
She glanced at Kirara, her expression softening. The scarf slipped slightly, revealing more of her face. Under the faint light from the crystal lantern, she almost looked cu-.
Kaede shook her head. No, she'd figure out another way. There had to be a method that didn't involve forcing her friends to the brink of collapse.
"Artificia," she said quietly, "What are the full capabilities of [Devour]?"
Type: Unique Skill Description: Grants the ability to absorb enemies, attacks, or magical energy. Anything absorbed is analyzed, assimilated, and stored within it, allowing to replicate their properties. Sub-skills: Predatory Stomach: A subspace within the body where devoured entities are broken down. Assimilation: Gains the abilities of devoured entities. Magicule Refinery: Converts absorbed materials into raw magicules for further use> Kaede stayed silent for a few moments, her thoughts stirring. "can I use [Devour] without harming her?" Kaede let out a low hum of thought, her gaze shifting back to Kirara. The pieces were there, scattered like shards of glass. She just had to put them together without cutting herself—or anyone else—in the process. A faint rustle broke her thoughts, and she realized Kirara was stirring again. This time, her eyes fluttered open, and she blinked groggily at Kaede. "Kaede? What are you doing up?" Kirara's voice was soft, laced with sleep, but her concern was evident. Kaede forced a small smile. "Just...thinking. Couldn't sleep." Kirara sat up, pulling the blanket tighter around herself. "Huh. Well I'm tired. Like, this," she pointed at her face. "Won't beautify itself." Her eyes lingered on Kaede for a moment longer before she stood up from the chair, Making her way to her room. Kaede sat in silence, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. "Artificia," she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. "If I fail, what happens to them?" The answer hit her like a blade to the gut. She clenched her fists again, her nails digging into her palms. There was no room for error. No room for doubt. "I won't fail," she whispered, more to herself than to Artificia. "I can't fail." She stood, her resolve hardening like steel. If [Devour] needed training, she'd train. If [Ananke] required mastery, she'd master it. Whatever it took to break the curse, she'd do it. No matter how long it took, no matter the cost. --- A week passed in the blink of an eye, filled with grueling training sessions and the occasional moments of respite shared with Kirara and Shogo. Kaede had pushed herself harder than ever, her mind constantly drifting. Now, standing outside a familiar shop, Kaede adjusted the strap of her bag and stepped through the heavy wooden door. The air inside was thick with the scent of heated metal and soot, and the rhythmic clang of a hammer on steel rang out from the back. "Back already, lass?" Gus's gravelly voice cut through the sound, and he appeared from behind the counter, wiping his hands on a soot-stained rag. His eyes lit up with recognition as he spotted her. "You're right on time. Was starting to think you'd forgotten about me." Kaede shook her head, offering a small smile. "Not a chance. I've been looking forward to this all week." Gus chuckled, gesturing for her to follow. "Good. Being the strange order that it was, I just had to put my heart into this piece—you'll see why in a second. C'mere." Kaede followed him to the back of the shop, where a large wooden workbench stood. Resting on it was her shield and armor, polished to a mirror sheen. The shield was stunning. The onyx steel reflected the forge's firelight with an otherworldly gleam, its rectangular shape slightly curved just as she'd requested. The red edges were reinforced with a darker, almost obsidian-like alloy, and the adjustable handle was perfectly crafted, sitting alongside a forearm strap that looked sturdy yet comfortable. But what caught her breath was the subtle detail etched into the shield's surface: a blooming rose design, its petals appearing to shift depending on the angle of the light. "The rose…" Kaede murmured, running her fingers along the intricate etching. "Aye," Gus said with a proud grin. "Thought you'd like that. The rose was a good idea, this is a little detail I added to really make it yours." Kaede nodded, unable to hide the smile that tugged at her lips. "It's perfect." "Wait until you try the armor," Gus said, moving to the side. He lifted the pieces one by one, laying them out on the bench. The armor was just as impressive. Gus puffed his chest as he explained. "Lightweight plates interconnected with an advanced hinge system allowed for full range of motion without sacrificing durability." The chest piece was adorned with the same rose motif, subtle but unmistakable. "The joints are reinforced, and instead of leather, I used an experimental blend of magic-infused fibers—stronger and more flexible than anything you've seen before." Kaede understood... none of that "It's modular, just like you asked," Gus continued, gesturing to the straps and buckles that made the pieces easy to remove or adjust. "Took me a bit longer than I expected, but I reckon it's worth it. This'll hold up against whatever you're planning to fight." Kaede reached out, lifting the chest piece in her hands. It was lighter than she expected, yet felt strong. "It's incredible, Gus. Thank you." The blacksmith waved a hand dismissively. "Bah, don't thank me yet. Try it on. I'm not letting you leave until I'm sure it fits like a second skin." Kaede nodded, setting her bag aside and removing her outer layer. Gus called for his apprentice, who hurried over to assist with the fitting. The process was meticulous, every strap adjusted and every joint inspected to ensure it moved seamlessly with her body. When the final piece was secured, Kaede stepped in front of a polished bronze mirror. She stared into it, and Maple stared back. "Well?" Gus asked, leaning against the workbench with a satisfied grin. Kaede turned to him, her eyes bright with joy. "It's perfect." "Damn right it is," Gus said, nodding in approval. "Now, go put it to good use, lass. And don't forget—if you need repairs, bring it back here. I don't trust anyone else to work on my creations." Kaede smiled. "You've got a deal." --- Razen walked down a long hallway, pausing at a large double door. With a simple knock, the doors were opened from the inside. Stepping in, there was a large oval table at the center of the expansive room, bathed in the soft glow of sunlight filtering through tall windows. Four figures stood at different positions around the table, each a high-ranking individual in Falmuth. In one corner, his silver armor gleaming brilliantly in the sunlight, stood the royal knight templar, Folgen. His ashy blonde hair was slicked back, giving him an air of practiced regality. His sharp eyes were locked on the map spread out before him, his gauntleted fingers tracing paths and borders with meticulous care. Across from him, Sardyne leaned casually against the edge of the table, her white surcoat emblazoned with the eight-pointed blue star of the Luminous Templars standing out starkly against her polished plate armor. Her auburn hair was tied in a loose braid that fell over one shoulder, and her sharp green eyes were fixed on Razen as he entered. "Well," Sardyne said, her tone calm but edged with curiosity, "Is there anything you need, Lord Razen?" Folgen gave her a sidelong glance but said nothing, returning his attention to the map. "Indeed," Razen replied, stepping forward. His gaze swept over the room, taking in the heavy wooden table, the maps and reports scattered across it, and the tension lingering in the air. "It's no news that the recent wave of bandit attacks has escalated. While it might just be a matter of simple opportunists striking trade routes, two of the otherworlders will be joining your ranks for the raid." At this, the third figure at the table, a stocky man with graying hair and a thick scar running down his cheek, grunted in dismay. He wore the uniform of a general, his armor bearing the insignia of Falmuth's military. General Ordric was known for his bluntness, and today was no exception. "Those reckless children?" Ordric growled, crossing his arms. "You'll be letting them off their leash then? Which ones?" Razen smiled. "The newly summoned Shield bearer, and Kirara." The air stilled as three out of the five people in the room visibly froze. Sardyne looked around in confusion. Apart from the Luminous Templar, everyone was aware of Kirara Mizutani, the girl capable of controlling anyone with just her words. Razen, enjoying the state of unrest, looked down to the map. "What's the state of the bandits?" The fourth figure, a younger man in the uniform of an intelligence officer, nodded. His name was Lieutenant Rhalin, and though he lacked the commanding presence of the others, his sharp mind and keen observations made him invaluable. "We've identified at least three major groups operating in the region," he said, pointing to marked locations on the map. "They're working independently for now, but if they unite—or if whoever's backing them forces them to work together—we could be facing a much larger threat." Folgen interjected, his voice cutting through the tension. "Sardyne, your presence is required because you'll be overseeing the safety of the northern routes during the upcoming raids. The bandits may not directly threaten the faith, but their actions destabilize the region. Your cooperation is not just appreciated—it's necessary." Sardyne shrugged, her armor shifting with the motion. "Fair enough. But let's not pretend this is altruism. The faith's routes are just as vulnerable as your own, even if they're not a direct target yet." "Point taken," Folgen said. He gestured to the map. "Ordric, Rhalin, you'll handle the logistics for the raids. Sardyne, you'll ensure the templars maintain their presence on the northern routes as a deterrent. As for the otherworlders... I hope you know what you're doing." Razen smiled. "They'll do their part."