''Hoh...''

After watching Yu Chen fight for a while, Kierra couldn't help but let out an exclamation. After only witnessing a mere visage of August's sword once, Yu Chen had found a way to take the concept and implement it into her own this soon.

Each of her strikes cracked a fragment of the space itself, dealing a bit more damage to the opponent. If one squinted their eyes enough, they could see sparkling trails of the space fabric.

It was not particularly a good effect for 'phantom' swords, but Kierra knew it could be fixed in no time.

As expected, Yu Chen had the talent.

Before long, a whole hour had passed since the two began to fight. While Yu Chen definitely showed signs of exhaustion and suffered numerous wounds, her opponent was not unscathed either.

Ruptures started to appear on the mysterious opponent's mighty armor as a result of continuous damage from Yu Chen. Along the way, they had gradually ramped up their strength, yet Yu Chen was actually able to follow them.

It seemed she was exceptionally determined this time.

''...''

Once again, watching Yu Chen closely, Kierra couldn't help but be reminded of a certain woman. The archwizard had a soft spot for hard-working people, perhaps because she also knew how hard it could be to dedicate oneself to something.

Her unparalleled strength wasn't because of talent alone.

In any case, the fight would end soon, Kierra judged so. Emerging victorious this time was, fortunately, Yu Chen. She pointed her purple-tinted sword at the kneeling opponent, panting.

''...Hah... Hah... I won.''

The swordsman didn't respond. A brief silence ensued before the world started to collapse.

Soon, a blank canvas was spread across the realm's space fabric, leaving only Kierra and Yu Chen as anomalies—no, there was something else present.

As Kierra walked to Yu Chen's side, they both stared at the simple, otherwise rundown house in front of them. Through the window's crack, they could faintly see a fire's shadow flickering and the silhouette of a man.

''...''

''...''

Naturally, the two knocked on the door. After receiving the signal to go in, Yu Chen gently pushed the door, revealing a clean interior, so clean that the only notable thing was a lone sword.

They could recognize this sword. Who wouldn't?

After all, it was the same sword the swordsman used to fight Yu Chen earlier. It rested against the bed, and on the bed was a lone old man, sitting leisurely as though he was fishing.

''Congratulations, little miss.''

His hoarse voice sounded, carrying lifetimes' worth of experience. His cloudy grey eyes stared straight at Yu Chen, and at that moment, he seemed to be smiling.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

''You are...'' Yu Chen cautiously asked.

''I am but a failed swordsman.'' The old man replied. ''One who had the will to surpass the sky yet couldn't even reach it.''

''...''

''Never mind the gloomy story. Today, I shall finally finish my job in this realm.'' The swordsman slowly stood up. ''Little miss, I want you to continue my legacy.''

"But our fundamentals are not the same." Yu Chen shook her head lightly. "Even if our swords look similar, their essence is not the same."

''I know. My sword can't reach the sky, but I believe that you, little miss, who has passed my test, will be able to use it to your advantage and do it in my place.''

''...Even if they would inevitably be changed?''

''Yes.'' The old man said determinedly. ''For every high mountain, there is an even higher mountain. If I can contribute my meager effort to birth that higher mountain, that would be an honor in itself.''

''I... see.''

Silently listening from the side, Kierra couldn't help but be surprised in her heart. At first, she thought the people of this world were all idiots with sky-breakingly high egos, but then she met folks like this old man.

Humble, honest, and hard-working.

Kierra curled up her lips slightly. In appreciation, from a human being to another human being, perhaps.

Right then, her eyes met the old man's.

''...More than anything, I can see you took inspiration from somewhere this time.'' The swordsman continued. ''Was it from this extraordinary lady?''

''Ah, yes, that's right.'' Yu Chen nodded.

''...At first, I was going to give you a final mission to overcome your past, but I changed my mind. Maybe it would be better for you to continue receiving enlightenment from this lady here.''

''You will teach me your skills once I finish learning from Kierra...?''

''Essentially, yes. Still, we need permission from her, don't we?''

When the two turned to Kierra, the archwizard naturally nodded right away. Nothing better than her disciples getting stronger.

''Why not,'' Kierra replied. ''Watch my memories. That would be good enough.''

''Then, allow me to cut a portion of your memories—''

''No need. I can do it on my own.''

snap—!

With a single snap from Kierra, the space around the three distorted. Rapidly, from left to right, the sky and earth were constructed in virtual blocks, quickly filling the blank canvas.

''This...''

Now, they found themselves standing in the middle of nowhere. The sky was grim, the ground was barren and filled with terrible scars, and the atmosphere seemed tense.

GRAHHHHH—!!!

Suddenly, a screeching wail exploded from the distance, and from the direction where it was coming in, an army—no, a sea of colossal beasts loomed over the horizon. They were all creatures of grotesque nature, invoking disgust whenever they went, and standing tall in front of them was a lone armored beast. It had a total of twelve disfigured, unaligned eyes on its face, crooked, sharp teeth, and bulging muscles resembling a mountain.

'''' !!! ''''

In an instant, chills ran down the old man and Yu Chen's spine. Even if this was but a mere visage, they could feel the beasts' terrible might in full.

crack—!

Right then, a bright yellow crack the size of a human appeared right before their eyes. The space was subsequently torn down, making the way for a woman to pass through.

Holding a slender sword tainted with green blood, August—the Sword Empress had her eyes firmly on the enemies. She smirked lightly, stretching her wrist in absolute leisure.

''...Look closely.''

Kierra reminded the two while gazing at her old lover's side profile, her voice a bit timid this time.

As it was, August held her blade to the side, and not even a blink later, intense flame, one that seemed fiercer than hell's, engulfed her whole figure. The ground cracked in pain, the space begged in tears, and time distorted wildly.

The moment August moved her arm, the blade miraculously teleported to the other side, leaving behind a vivid trail. Behind that glamorous afterimage, a deep, severe rift began to form.

A crooked line of yellow-white ran from left to right, perfectly aligning with the beasts' heads. Before they could react, an indescribably disturbing sound reverberated across the place, and when they realized it, what was left of the army were piles of headless bodies—except for their lord.

A low grumble could be heard.

Still standing, the mighty beast shot herself toward August, yet the sword empress remained calm.

''What is she doing?!''

''Dodge!''

She lowered her sword and kept smiling despite the two's plea.

Kierra, meanwhile, sighed helplessly. She knew what would happen next. It was her memories, after all.

'Time for this precious body's debut, I suppose.'