Chapter 26: Colors of the Spring
"KEEEEAAAAAKKKK!!!"
"KREEEEEEEEKKKK!!!"
The beautiful smile on Greenlings' faces vanished like it was just an illusion. Their mouths stretch to the sides as if they were jokers from a horror movie. Their dazzling eyes, so beautiful it rivaled Fairies, turned dark green. With loud cries that sound like a mixture of a pterosaur and an angry raccoon, they flung into the air showing their sharp shark-like teeth. Their nails grew, green and long like claws of a demon. They were all directed at only one place.
Kyriaki.
She was their target.
But Kyriaki didn't budge.
Her sword cut effortlessly through the creatures like she was cutting water, leaving faint whispers in its glory.
Swoosh! Thud!
Swoosh!! Thud!!
Swoosh!!! Thud!!!
She slashed her sword horizontally, diagonally and vertically.
Technique after technique, like a machine.
Offence techniques, defence techniques, perfect posture, decent footwork.
Again and again.
She thrusted, striked, slashed and blocked.
It may look like she was a human, but she was a dragon to her core. Her skin was naturally different from an ordinary human. No Greenling of G rank could break through B+ defense of her skin, or rather her dragon scales that turned to skin.
And their illusions were wasted on a dragon with illusion magic immunity.
And so, she repeated her movements like a clear-eyed madwoman. She controlled her center of gravity, holding her sword in a more relaxing manner as she kept advancing.
As she moved faster with her fluid movements, her confidence grew, just like her basics. The breeze of early spring felt more colder as time went by.
Her body felt hot from the green blood of Greenlings that lingered like sticky fluid. Or was it because her heart was beating so fast it was making her blood boil?
Kyriaki laughed, fixing her eyes on another group of Greenlings as she leaped above countless dead bodies. More time passed as she felt her body attune itself to the simple techniques as if it was her second nature.
—You are crazy!— For the first time since she took the sword into her possession, Ebrah spoke to her in a trembling voice.
"Am I?" Kyriaki laughed, cutting down three Greenlings in one fast strike. Green blood splattered everywhere, including on her face. She wiped it off with the back of her hand, still smiling.
—Now I get why I was defeated. I had gone against a mad mutated dragon. A one that is more wicked and crazy than a demon!!—
"You know you have an appointment with Atlas once every week right? Want it extended to another ten years?"
—...—
Her head once again welcomed a pleasant silence. It seemed Ebrah had given up on talking to her, afraid of her threat.
The promise to sell him off was made the day Kyriaki had a private conversation with Atlas using water as a medium. It was a secret technique only Atlas and his best friend knew, to communicate with each other.
Anyhow, that day Kyriaki ended up selling Ebrah once every week for the next five years in exchange for Atlas' lessons without any drama.
It had only been one day Ebrah was with Atlas, but he came back so traumatized he even weeped in silence, disturbing Kyriaki's inner peace.
Slash!
Bodies fell like cutted bamboo.
Babies, females, adults and older monsters, they all faced Kyriaki's merciless sword in an equal footing.
She refrained her techniques with each move, repeating them meticulously.
At one point, she realized something that made her breathless.
The sword was no longer just a weapon she wielded, it was like a flowing piano, and she was the pianist.
It was delicate, one mistake and the beautiful rhythm would break into ugly pieces. If she played each key well, the result would be magnificent, a beautiful piece that would be remembered by those who witnessed it.
As she moved repeatedly, the imagination of her playing a grand piano with all her heart filled her mind.
Slash! Swoosh!!
More dead bodies fell.
But Kyriaki didn't see any of it.
She played, again and again.
She didn't see how her blade had started to vibrate, reacting to her desire for a piano. She didn't see her earrings glowing in a bright blue hue, resonating with her heart.
No, she didn't see any of it.
How could she?
When her heart was stolen by the soft, heartbreaking melody in her head. Like a tragic Victorian fantasy that was whispered softly to her near the cozy and warm fireplace on a beautiful winter night.
Her masterpiece, the most beautiful, most lovely piano melody that was born from her heart.
Then, something that took Kyriaki by surprise happened.
[You've been leveled up!]
[You rank has been upgraded to G > G+]
[Your Holy power stat has upgrade to G > G+]
[Foundation for a new sword art detected]
'Hmmm?'
[Host, would you like to create your own sword art?]
'…Is that even possible at this point in time?'
[Yes, with my assistant, you wouldn't have to wait until you become a 7th tire warrior.]
'Then is it possible to turn it into a Whip-sword art?'
[Affirmative]
'Let's do it then.'
[Understood]
[Ding!]
[Whip-sword Art creation on the process]
[Would you like to name your weapon art?]
'I'll skip it for now.' Kyriaki gracefully thrusted her sword with perfect posture.
[Would you like to name your technique?]
'That too, let's skip it until I do some research. I don't want to be those protagonists with bad naming skills, although this isn't a novel but my reality. And I don't have any faith in my ability to produce names.'
[Loading]
[Whip-sword art: First Form: First technique (05% completed)]
[You've been leveled up!]
[You rank has been upgraded to G+> F-]
[Your Holy power stat has upgrade to G+ > F-]
[Your job(s) had been registered as
[You can now strengthen one part of your body using Basic Aura reside inside your core]
With that notification, Kyriaki froze. As if she was suddenly struck by an ice spell.
The back of her neck tingled very slightly.
There was nothing unusual, nothing out of the ordinary. Her
To any other person except for a former prisoner of time, that is.
Without a word, she turned around as if there was danger she couldn't turn her back away. Without delay, she kicked the ground with a force she hadn't displayed before and leaped up like gravity didn't exist.
Swoosh! Clang!!!
"Hoho… why are you attacking me, Kyriaki?"
"..."
Clang, clang!
Kyriaki leaped backwards and performed a diagonal slash, followed by an upward vertical swing. Her yellow diamond eyes narrowed as all her attacks were blocked like it was nothing. Kyriaki glared at the person before her.
"You said you were here to welcome the challenger. But if that was the case, Athena could have just set up an AI robot or a pre-recorded video of her. Why would someone go to such lengths to duplicate herself into an ego and place it here?"
Kyriaki's tone was calm, almost flat. She wasn't accusing. She wasn't complaining. She was simply assessing, analyzing and synthesizing.
Athena's eyebrow twitched, her mouth opened as if to counter her argument, but Kyriaki calmly continued her voice, not giving any space for interruptions.
"Oh, right. Let's just act like you are a mere puppet since you said so. But then again, why would a mere puppet be clad in top quality armor from top to bottom, as if they were going to battle? as if they were trying to hint at something? As if they were saying they would respect any warrior regardless of their age, by wearing proper armor?"
A blissful laughter, mixed with the fragrance of wild flowers and the spring breeze reached Kyriaki in a poetic manner.
It was amused, yet conceded laughter.
"So you knew from the start."
"I am a golden dragon."
"That's true. You are the future monarch. If even this wasn't seen through, you aren't fit for that role." Athena nodded, continuing to deflect Kyriaki's restless assaults. "But Kyriaki, common sense tells me one might at least ask 'why are you here' before attacking."
"Do golden dragons have common sense?"
"Valid argument," Athena nodded again with a serious expression. "To the next question then, why didn't you spare even a baby-greenling?"
"Because I felt like it."
"Alright." To Kyriaki's arrogant and cold answer, Athena shrugged her shoulders as she accepted it without any difficulty. Neither of them expected something heroic, an excuse wrapped in an idea of something looking so grand from each other.
"Next one, did you enjoy it?"
"Yes."
"Did you feel like your blood boiling?"
"Yes."
"How about time? Was it slow or fast?"
"Fast."
"Like swoosh! And everything is over?"
"Yes."
"Did you feel like your abilities are getting better?"
Finally, after a train of senseless questions, something thoughtful came out of Athena's mouth.
Clang! Slash!! Clang!!!
Kyriaki executed a few more slashes of offense and smiled.
"Of course," she admitted. "I definitely felt it. How my movements became smooth and fluid-like. It became more delicate and elegant, like it was part of me."
"Good." Athena smiled brightly, her beautiful eyes curving like crescent moons. "Now, to the last question!" She exclaimed cheerfully.
But then a cold, terrifying voice leaked out of those lips that were curved up in a cheerful manner a moment ago.
"Do you believe you only used basic Swordsmanship?" Her demeanor changed 180° as she strongly pushed Kyriaki back with force.
It was like a warning; If you lie, your life will end.
That was the message. Kyriaki felt chills running down her spine for no reason as she spinned in mid air, landing on the ground like the blaxk wixow.
She then lifted her face, locking eyes with Athena as if she won't back down no matter what, and uttered clearly;
"Yes."
Kyriaki, who was covered in green blood from head to toe, and Athena who was clad in clean golden armor that glittered under the spring sunrays.
The two of them stared at one another for who-knows-how-much seconds.
"Very well." Said Athena. A smile prettier than a flower bloomed on her face as she grinned. Her mood switching was so fast Kyriaki thought she could beat the speed of light at that rate. "Then since we are engaged in this never ending duel, are you planning to kill me too?"
Kyriaki quietly launched a predictable horizontal strike and immediately changed her strategy mid-way, turning it into a diagonal slash from the side. But even that was blocked so easily.
She then sighed loudly. The next minute, the sound of blades ceased to exist.
"You only said to kill the Greenlings. You never said I should kill everyone in dimensional space." Kyriaki wiped Greenling's blood on her forehead with a regretful look.
Athena, who was observing her while tilting her head beamed like she was the incarnation of sun.
"That's right! I never said that!" She snapped her fingers as if she only remembered it now.
Kyriaki watched her as if watching her father.
'Does this kind of dramatic and cheerful demeanor run in our family? Why do these Monarchs act the same? I hope I won't end up like this.'
She inhaled the sweet fragrance of wild flowers, mixed with the faint metallic scent. Her golden eyes gleamed with hidden secrecy as she extended her tiny hand towards Athena.
"...what now?" Athena tilted her head like an innocent puppy.
"My reward." Kyriaki demanded. "Where's my reward?"
"Ah!" Athena let out a soft exclamation. "Right, your reward." She then extended her hand as if she was in a daze.
The space vibrated over the palm of her hand, and slowly, like a text being printed, something manifested before their eyes.
"Here," Athena tossed it over like it was some useless rag, Kyriaki on the other hand, catched it as if she was receiving something more precious than a gem.
A bright pink hard cover and a red frame stole her vision. To her, it looked like it was some kind of a diary a teenage girl would hide under her pillow.
A book, yes. But not a regular book.
These kind of books that contained Sword arts were called "Weapon Grimoires"
[Ding!]
[Colors Of The Spring
Category: Weapon
Type: Sword Art
Rank: SS+
Rank Limitations: Above F-
Attribute Limitations: Wood, Light, Wind, Earth, Mind
Description: A sword art made by Queen Athena Pleione Eleftherios, the 22nd Monarch of Dragons. Due to its low rank, instead of publishing it, she hid it in a different dimension she created herself in hope of discovering a user that would find it useful. This sword art contains 7 sword techniques.
Sword Techniques:
First Color; Seed Sprout
Second Color; Nymph's Green Forest
Third Color; Rays of the Golden Sun
Fourth Color; Fragrance of Wildflowers
Fifth Color; Fluttering Flower Petals
Sixth Color; Gaze of the Spring Fairy
Seventh Color; Spring Festival ]
Kyriaki observed the weapon grimoire for a long time with sparkling eyes that resembled a lake at sunset. After a while, she took a deep breath and absorbed the grimoire's magical energy into her.
[Ding!]
[Sub-authority:
[You've obtained
Swoosh! Clang!!
Metal hitting metal echoed through the blood soaked village, into all the corners of the flower fields.
"Hoho…not bad." Athena's cheerful voice followed as Kyriaki smirked.
Her hands trembled alongside the sword. Just one blow, and she was already bending one of her trembling legs. There was no need to explain what happened.
"Your reaction speed is incredible. Even though I restrained my powers as much as possible, to think a hatchling blocked my strike instead of dodging…what a glorious sight." She laughed in delight, it looked like she found something admirable and amusing.
"And you aren't questioning why I attacked you. May I assume you already predicted this?"
"You aren't here to be killed, it's impossible to kill someone like you with my miserable rank in the first place. Athena wouldn't have put such unreasonable and unrealistic demands in exchange for the weapon grimoire."
"Then why?"
"Let me tell you my deduction. Your mission is to launch a surprise attack while the challenger is in the middle of their test."
"Ooh? The purpose?"
"To take advantage of the sudden variability to see if they'd break the rules. For example, if they use a sword art or magic in panic, they'd fail immediately."
"Oh~ you are right. But you detected my presence before I attacked and it turned out to be your one side assault."
"Therefore you declared I passed the test and gave me the reward to ease my suspicions. But it wasn't because you actually thought I passed, since as a part of this dimension you have the ability to take back what you gave, you thought you could test me further by catching me off guard once again."
'But even if I failed, you wouldn't be able to take back what was given. I have my authority to block thieves.'
Kyriaki flashed a polite and gentle smile as her inner monologue spoke in a satisfied tone.
"So, will you stop now? I won't use any sword arts or magic even if you beg me to." She gestured to her trembling sword with her eyes, prompting Athena's smile to grow wider.
"Well done." Athena raised both of her hands in mock surrender as she took a few steps back, laughing heartily.
"Such excellent analytical skills and deduction speed. Athena must be looking forward to your achievements in the future." She snapped her fingers as she ruffled Kyriaki's hair with her free hand. "I hope this was worth it."
"Of course." Kyriaki replied without hesitation, another laughter erupted from Athena's side as the space around her began to become blurry.
"And I also hope you'll find this useful." Athena pointed to now empty and ordinary looking book.
The sound of sand falling from a high place consumed her soft giggles. Kyriaki looked around with a calm expression to see the dimension getting scattered to tiny pieces.
Athena noticed her attention to details.
"It's because I am no longer needed. I have fulfilled my duty, now it's time for me to return and become a part of my original creator." Athena explained with a peaceful expression, copying Kyriaki and looking around.
Kyriaki watched the beautiful flower field that seemed endless scattering away in pieces, revealing a violet-black hue space that felt like it could suck her up if she dared to touch it.
As the dark space consumed almost everything except for Athena, Kyriaki looked up, making eye contacts with calm and graceful movements.
"This sword art…" she spoke slowly, carefully.
Athena was no different. She looked at the tiny hatchling in front of her and listened carefully to what she was about to say, as if she was waiting for a divine revelation.
"It'll be undeniably useful."
The space completely vanished, along with Athena who had a bright smile on her face. In just a blink, Kyriaki found herself standing before the shield. Her hand was still touching it as if it hadn't even been a second since she had done it.
Kyriaki also smiled brightly.
"I'll make sure that was the case." A low mumble escaped her lips as she did so.
∆ ∆ ∆
"From now on, ending quotes will be random. Frankly, I'm running out of ideas. Oh and, please gimme some power stones if you like the story~"
—From your lazy author; Omniverse_Observer—