"It seems like it's finally over."
I muttered as I watched the battle between Nikita and Leo, honestly it was a good battle.
I couldn't hide my surprise when I saw Nikita's battle armour, as it really took me by surprise; I had no idea she was hiding such a thing.
But also, Leo was amazing. I had to admit his sword mastery, as well as his martial arts, were way superior to mine. Though my swordsmanship is mostly self-taught. I definitely have ways to go.
"Indeed. It was a splendid battle. Though it's a shame she couldn't win, this loss will definitely help motivate her. I look forward to her future growth."
Alya said earnestly while applauding. Her emerald eyes glittered faintly as she watched the two who faced each other a few distances away from us.
However, there is something I'm curious about. Alya then turned her head to me, and a gentle smile bloomed on her cherry lips.
"Let me guess, you want to ask about his sword skill, right?"
"Yes, just what was that technique just now?"
"Well, to put it simply, a sword technique, also known as sword skill are special technique that people who master the art of the blade can use. Different from magic or spirit arts, sword skills allow the users to harness the power hidden inside their sword using their own mana."
She explained fluently. I see... I thought it was the same thing as magic. I guess the only similarities are that they both depended on mana to activate, unlike spirit arts, which allows the user to use spirit arts through the spirit itself.
"Of course, there are special swords that have their own innate powers; those are called magic swords. They each have their own rank, common to special to ultimate to mythical and then there's the heroes' weapon legendaries."
She continued.
"I see... then."
(Then... the sword that I used in my dream, could it be one of those so-called magic swords?)
I hummed to myself; I remember the older version of me from my dream carried a silver sword that released a slash of light. I then gently tugged at the sword sheath at my waist. I still don't know how I ended up with that sword, but if I do eventually get my hands on that sword.
I wondered just how strong I would be.
"Well, they're on their way over here now, so let's continue this topic another time, okay."
"O-okay."
"Master, I'm deeply sorry for showing such an embarrassing display."
Nikita hung her head in disappointment, her ears drooping. Seeing that, I promptly motioned my hands to tell her not to worry.
Honestly, I don't consider it an embarrassing display; it was a great battle.
If I had gone up against Nikita in a head-to-head fight like this, I would struggle against her.
"Please don't worry about it. I honestly thought it was a great battle."
"R-really?"
Nikita tilted her head questionably. At that, Alya also chimed in with a pleasant smile.
"He is right, you know. You definitely put up a good fight; it's just that your opponent this time was just a little out of the ordinary. After all, he is from the dragon clan."
Alya said as her sharp emerald eyes locked onto Leo as though she was trying to see through his very soul.
Hmm... Dragon clan? I tilted my head in confusion when I heard her last words.
"Hahaha... as I thought you're a spirit, aren't you?"
"That's right, I'm the spirit of wind."
Alya replied with a humble smile.
"Umm. What is the dragon clan?"
I asked completely clueless. Why does it feel like I'm the only one left in the loop here? My brow furrows into a sullen frown from being the only one left out.
Even Nikita had a look of understanding on her face.
"The dragon clan are well known; they live far in the mountain range. There are essentially humans who worship the dragon's race. If I remember correctly, there is a ceremony where each clan member would drink the blood of a dragon, and if the ceremony is successful, they would receive some of the dragon's powers, as for those who failed, the dragon's blood would kill them from the inside."
Alya explained.
"Eh! Seriously? Wait, does that mean you also did that ceremony, too, Sir Leo?"
I asked. Dumbfounded while gazing at Leo in amazement. Hearing my question, he nodded his head faintly.
Though, was it my imagination that for a moment he showed a bitter expression?
"Yes, I did the ceremony a long time ago; it was around that time that I got my hands on the crimson sabre."
He explained.
"I see... so that's why my instinct was so ready for a fight, there has been a really complicated history between the silver fox and the dragon race."
Nikita finally understood the reason why she wanted to fight so much. What complicated history is she talking about, I wondered.
Anyway, I turned my attention back to Leo as I bowed my head faintly.
"Thank you for accepting Nikita's whimsical request."
"As I said, I don't mind it; in fact, I could easily tell that she was strong."
He said smilingly, however, his gentle crimson eyes became sharp as he peered at me intently. Err... did I do something?
I wondered as I received his gaze. He also stared at the two rings on each of my middle and ring fingers.
"Is there something wrong?"
I inquired curiously.
"No, it's just I can tell your aura is unusually strong for a human and also, judging by those rings on your fingers, I can tell you're suppressing it by a large degree."
He said while observing my reaction. Eh! he was able to notice that my magic power is higher than that of normal humans. A wry smile formed on my face as I watched the young man in front of me.
(I guess I really can't let my guard down. Huh, but still I can understand he would figure out I'm suppressing my mana by looking at the ring placed on each of my fingers, I didn't expect him to be able to sense it even if it was just a little.)
"There is no need to be on guard, you know. Though I'm interested to know just how strong you are, I'm not going to attack you."
He said, showing a friendly smile. I stared at him for some time before finally opening my mouth.
"I see... well, if you want us to have a mock battle, I really don't mind, maybe some other time, considering you must be quite exhausted, right?"
"Yes, you make a good point, we'll have a go once I fully recover my stamina. Anyway, I also want to face those heroes who were recently summoned."
He said while casually smiling. Wha! Did he just say heroes that were recently summoned? Does he mean those heroes from the legend three hundred years ago came back?!
"Wait! You just said you want to face those heroes that recently got summoned. Is that true? Are the heroes really back?"
I asked curiously.
Alya also seemed curious about the topic as she came closer to my side, clung onto my arm and leaned her head onto my right shoulder.
Her soft, radiant green hair brushes against my face as I inhale the soft fragrance oozing from her body.
"Yup, about two days ago, we sensed a powerful space magic being used inside the royal castle, and the king declared that the hero had descended once again. Though it wasn't a summoning magic done by the officials inside the castle, a summoning done by the elemental goddesses."
He explained.
".... I see so, those guys were also summoned from another world, huh."
"Hmm... what was that?"
"It's nothing, don't worry about it. If the elemental goddesses decided to summon them, does that mean something bad is going to happen?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if that's the case."
Alya muttered quietly from beside me.
***
In another location from the main entrance of the Albanian kingdom, a beautifully extravagant carriage slowly made its way through the main gate while heading towards the capital of the Albanian kingdom, Alban.
The wheels of the carriage noisily made their way towards the majestic-looking castle in the centre of the Albanian kingdom... Seeing the symbol of the carriage, it caught the attention of the commoners outside.
Of course, they would notice the carriage has the symbol of the royal family of the kingdom.
After moving from the capital for roughly thirty minutes, the carriage finally made its way to the huge gate of the castle entrance.
Upon noticing the carriage, the guards who were lounging around lazily promptly got to their feet and opened the two-sided black gate.
Soon, the carriage once again started moving, traversing through the beautiful garden of the royal castle, and finally, once the carriage had made it to the stop, the door flopped open.
A man who seemed to be in his early forties, wearing a butler uniform, came to the open door and held out his hand.
A beautiful girl who seems to be in her mid-teens reached out her hand and took his own.
He then helped her get to her feet as she made her way down from the carriage.
A gentle breeze caressed her white cheek as her light purple hair fluttered gracefully in the wind. She then adjusted her glasses and bowed to the butler before heading towards the castle within her field of view.
While she was on her way there, the scent of flowers entered her nose as she walked elegantly towards the castle door.
"Ah, your highness, welcome back."
A young lady with slightly long blonde hair who seems to be in her early twenties, wearing a maid uniform, promptly bowed her head towards Princess Sofia, who had just returned home from the Kingdom of Watanabe.
"Good day, Lady Ava. Is my father home?"
She inquired. The king of Albanian usually never stayed in one place too long; he was a king who liked to go out and explore.
Perhaps that's where Sofia also got her adventurous spirit from. Hearing her question, Ava nodded her head.
"Yes, your majesty is inside. After he heard news of the hero's return, he came back quickly."
"I see, can you lead me to him?"
"Understood."
Ava bowed her head before heading inside the castle. Sofia followed silently after her.
The two of them went up the castle stairs and made their way to the fourth floor of the royal castle.
They walked down a long, narrow corridor that had enough room to fit five people and stopped before a large wooden door.
Once they had got to the door, Ava turned her back to the door and knocked twice.
"You will find his majesty in here."
She said to Sofia. Sofia nodded her head, opened the door and stepped inside.
Once Sofia entered the room, a luxurious and spacious interior filled her violet eyes.
She slowly walked on the red carpet that led to the throne. Sitting on the throne was a handsome man with short caramel hair who seemed to be in his forties.
Though, despite his age, there were still traces of youthfulness to his face. When he saw Sofia, a wide smile spread across his face.
"Oh, my sweet Sofia, how have I missed you?"
The King said with an amicable smile. Hearing the voice of her father, whom she had missed so much, Sofia was unable to hold back her happiness and ran towards him.
"F-Father!"
They both shared a warm hug as they embraced each other. Sofia closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of her father through his clothes. The king ran his hands through his daughter's soft, glossy purple hair as she rested her head on his chest.
Once they had separated from their hug, Sofia seated herself before her father.
"Umm, Father, I want to ask you about the hero summoned here. Is that okay?"
"Of course, the hero truly is a great young lady. I'm sure you will both get along great."
"Hmm... so the hero is a girl, then?"
"Yes, she is about the same age as you, and also—"
Before the king could finish his conversation, a soft knock came from the door. The door then opened, and a young man with neatly trimmed blonde hair walked in. He was the first prince of the Albanian kingdom.
He donned a golden robe with an Insignia of the Royal family embedded on his breast pocket.