''Hah...''

''More speed. Focus on making it flow well first.''

In the secluded cave below Qinling, Kierra was diligently teaching Yu Chen magic. This time around, Kierra didn't have much to do except training martial arts, so she decided to visit her first disciple in this world.

As Yu Chen began to direct the mana flow according to Kierra's instructions, the archwizard noticed the immense difference in magic mastery between the martial master of Qinling and her a while before this.

When Yu Chen wanted to do something, she would pour everything she had into making it a reality.

'What amazing dedication...'

Kierra thought, almost to the point of obsession.

This quality of Yu Chen reminded her of August. As a sword prodigy, August didn't allow herself to be lazy. She trained day and night, hoping to achieve her dreams for certainty. This image of the woman also motivated Kierra, who was clearly lazier than some, to hone her magic.

''...''

''—ierra.''

''Hm?''

''Kierra?'' Yu Chen tilted her head, seeing Kierra distracted. ''I'm done with it.''

''Hm... alright. I was thinking of something else.''

''You did? What was it?''

Slightly surprised by Yu Chen's rare persistence, Kierra thought for a bit before answering.

''I thought you were similar to someone. That person also practiced the sword.'' She said.

Yu Chen was rightfully curious about this. Kierra had never revealed anything about herself except her prowess, so she thought this was an excellent opportunity to get to know the archwizard better.

''What was that person like?'' Naturally, she asked. ''I am simply curious.''

Facing Yu Chen's apparent attempt to familiarize herself with her, Kierra surprisingly didn't feel uncomfortable like other times.

''Let's see. I have known her for a long time,'' Kierra began. ''She is arrogant, rowdy, and prideful, yet sometimes soft and... a bit lovable.''

''...''

Yu Chen instinctively narrowed her eyes, seeing a melancholic on Kierra's face. When talking about this person, the archwizard's face automatically mellowed a bit. Clearly, her relationship with this person wasn't ordinary!

(ಠ~ಠ)

Yet, she couldn't bring herself to ask directly. She didn't want to risk poking at Kierra's sensitive spot, so she could only listen quietly as her crush blurted out her feelings.

''Back in my place, she was hailed the best swordswoman of all time, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with myself.'' Kierra continued. ''I thought you were as hardworking as that person.''

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

''I see...''

Yu Chen didn't feel honored at all!

Her brain was screaming at her—this person was undoubtedly a rival of hers! Not only were there enemies near Yu Chen, such as Mie Xieren and her own master, but there was also a mysterious person whom Kierra couldn't forget?

Bah!

What a pitiful life. Too much competition.

But wait, Kierra clearly stated that she was tired of romance for the moment. Wouldn't that mean that Kierra fell out with that person?

''...What were you two's relationship, may I ask?'' Yu Chen cautiously inquired.

Hearing this, Kierra flinched a little. Did she show that much on her face? In any case, there was no need to stall at this point.

''We used to be something,'' Kierra replied. ''But now we are not.''

''What was the problem...?''

''Hmph. She was too obsessed. With me.''

Kierra sneered emotionally. Really, August was too much of a woman. To the point that even Kierra couldn't handle it. If she were to borrow a term from distant worlds, August would be categorized as an 'obsessive yandere,' the final boss kind.

''I see...''

Yu Chen couldn't help but laugh awkwardly. She was relieved that this person and Kierra were done, yet this was the first time she had seen the archwizard express this much emotion.

But again, Yu Chen was also obsessed with Kierra, so what was the difference...?

Maybe in the way she acted. Yu Chen vowed not to misbehave toward her dearest!

o(• ̀ω •́)o

''In any case, I can show you some of her moves.'' Kierra adjusted her tone, diverting the topic.

''Did you know how to use a sword??''

''I do not. This is simply an imitation.''

''Ah, so that was what it was...''

Yu Chen was a bit disappointed, yet she was definitely curious. Let's see what this person who was able to get with Kierra was all about!

''Lend me the sword.''

Taking Yu Chen's slender blade, Kierra juggled it around a bit to get the feel of the thing. Then, she meticulously got into August's half-stance. For one, this was what the sword empress invented herself, and although it might seem casual and harmless, few had survived after seeing this form from its original creator.

She held out the blade, shoulder low, sword's tip pointing upward fifty-five degrees.

In an instant, a faint golden aura radiated from Kierra's body. The archwizard's every movement, even the smallest ones, seemed to resonate with the universe itself, blending into the surroundings as though they were nature itself.

Kierra took a quick breath before raising her sword above her head.

''!!''

Before Yu Chen could perceive it, the sword had already touched the floor, leaving behind a vivid golden trail and a blinding scar on the space tissue itself.

CRACK—! CRACK—! CRACK—!

Loud cracks filled the cave. Slowly but surely, inevitably, fragments of the space began to fall out, disintegrating into millions of sparkling particles. If this reality-bending sight was impressive, then Yu Chen didn't have a word for what she saw afterward.

The abyss.

Yu Chen instinctively realized that she was staring at the abyss beyond the crack. Like peeking through a window's gap, one could see terrifying claws, maws, and mights of cosmic giants looming, floating along the pitch-black space, wanting to devour everything in their ways.

No, it already was sucking everything in.

If it wasn't for Kierra's protective barrier, the whole cave and maybe more would have been sucked in by this point.

''That woman was simply this powerful.'' Kierra sighed, handing the sword back to Yu Chen. ''Tearing down the fabric of reality with a slash, and she can do it more easily than eating.''

In reality, August's slashes were even more powerful than this, but Kierra chose not to shock Yu Chen too much.

'She probably got here by doing this...'

Suddenly, remembering August's vow to find her, even if she was at the end of the universe, Kierra let out a sigh. In the end, she would have to clash with her ex.

...Wait, why didn't she come to Kierra yet?

The archwizard got a bad feeling. It was like finding out there was a pair of cockroaches mating on her toothbrush!

Okay, maybe not that disgusting.

''Hm?''

Right then, Kierra suddenly noticed something strange about Yu Chen's appearance. The martial master of Qinling seemed as though she just had an epiphany. Widened eyes, sparkling pupils.

In reality, she was actually enlightened by this scene!

As much as Yu Chen wouldn't want to admit it, this person's swordsmanship was beyond this world. Literally and figuratively. By seeing this, she had awakened the path to the higher realm of power!

''I'm advancing...!''

''??''

Meanwhile, Kierra was confused.

What the hell was going on...?