''What do you think of when someone mentions 'nihility'?''

''...Nothingness?''

''That is objectively correct. However... do you know the path to nihility?''

''Destruction. Havoc. Demolition.''

''Correct. You are a good student, Miss.''

Those are quite obvious answers—is what I want to say, but seeing Kyomu smile like this, I have a feeling I shouldn't open my mouth further.

For around three weeks, Kyomu has been teaching me his swordsmanship. In addition to helping him with the lich case, I have also retrieved the body of his country's worshipped leader, so he is at least passionate about this endeavor.

Overall, the trip to South Zircon is a resounding success—other than the fact that there is not even a single monster in that area for Ash to level up. Still, Ash has been able to advance by... uh... absorbing the lights on the ceiling.

It is quite a bizarre sight, but as long as it works, I'm fine with it.

''Miss. Please focus.''

''Ah, okay.''

Even when Kyomu tries to be a bit stern, it doesn't work very well since his expressions are all so numb. Either way, I do need to get back on track.

''Miss, there were many who attempted to walk the path of nihility, yet very few succeeded. Why do you think they failed?''

''Lack of talent, effort, or aptitude.''

''...Correct.''

''What are we studying today, anyway?''

He has been giving me what seems like advanced swordsmanship for a while, but he doesn't touch upon the 'meat,' that being the aura of annihilation yet. I know I need to be patient, so I don't question that.

Rubbing his chin, Kyomu stares into the distance.

''Philosophy.''

''...?''

''We are going to discuss nihility today, Miss.''

''Elaborate.''

Then, the gloomy swordsman gestures for me to sit in front of him, so I oblige. After a brief pause, he begins to speak.

''You see, the Sword of Nihility... wasn't created by the God of Nihility.'' He says. ''Being an entity who could devour entire worlds, they didn't need to bother with weapons. Instead, this sword was what the founder of the path dedicated to adhering to this being's ideals came up with when he tried to mimic their power.''

''...So, in short, it doesn't need to be a sword?''

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

''Yes. In fact, it didn't need to be attached to anything. Because the concept of 'nothingness' is unified, yet the process to achieve that isn't, this path is deemed highly personal. Each person has their ways of reaching the end, yet the end... is just the end. Everything will inevitably converge; such is the beauty of nothingness.''

''...''

''So, Miss. I'm sure you have realized it already, but conceptualizing nothingness and the process to achieve that within your consciousness is the most important condition for wielding this power. Please think over it when you have time.''

''Alright.''

So, it seems I have misjudged the Sword of Nihility all along. It is not a particular style of swordsmanship but rather... an idea—a concept.

Let's organize the information first.

To obtain the power, I need to understand 'nothingness' and find a way to reach it. More specifically, a way to turn other things into nothing. Off the top of my head, only destruction comes to mind.

When I ask Kyomu about his way of doing this, he replies with a simple, 'cut.'

He will cut everything in his path until there is nothing left. In other words, things disappear as a result of his sword 'slicing' them.

''Hm...''

This is harder than I thought.

First, I think I need to comprehend 'nothingness' before anything else.

The timing is good since there is a brief vacation between the semesters, so I have plenty of time to mull over it. The following day, I buy myself a couple of bags of potato chips and sit at a corner of the park.

Here, I can gather my thoughts while looking at the beautiful lake, even if I don't care all that much about the scenery.

At least it is better than nothing.

...Or is it?

If I stare blankly at the sky, which technically isn't 'nothing,' will it help me reach the end?

crack—!

Or, if I blow up this potato chip instead of biting it as I just did, will it be closer to nothingness?

No, either way, it will be converted into different forms of energy. If so, how... can I turn this chip into nothingness?

''...''

''Whew... huh? Why are you here?''

As I ponder over those questions, a sweaty-looking Scarlett in her exercise clothes appears. Is she going for a morning jog?

''Mhm.''

Since I'm chewing, she will have to be content with this. If it's Scarlett, I know she won't mind it.

Expectedly, the red-haired maniac only sits beside me without saying anything. Fanning her face with her hand, she begins to whine.

''Ah~! It's starting to get hot. Hey, do I get some water?''

When I look at her as if saying, 'Do I look like I have water on me?' she smugly taps her temple.

''You can give me ice cubes, and I can melt them.''

''...Okay.''

With a surgeon's precision, I grab Scarlett's cheek, much to her surprise, with my left hand and pour small ice cubes into her mouth with my other one.

''Whew...! That revived me! Thanks a lot, pretty maid.''

Scarlett, being Scarlett, rambles on about the benefits of cold water as she sprints away.

Well, it was technically just mana that I fed her. Mana can be converted to different elements if the user has the correct skills. In a way, it is a perfect loop.

Our bodies absorb mana from the surrounding environment and then convert it to other types of energy... but where is mana coming from...?

Is it something buried in the crust of the planet? Something below it? What if it generates from nothing?

Thinking about this question, I soon find myself digging through books in the library. Since the exams are over, I see no more poor souls hanging out in here.

Either way, there is an explanation for the presence of mana in this world.

It is said that in ancient times, there used to be a colossal river of dense mana running through the entire world. Through time, the energy gradually branched out, spreading until it became what it is now.

The river then dried out, leaving behind small ponds that are being preserved as natural wonders in some places.

Mana ponds.

Fortunately for me, one of these remaining ponds just happens to be near the headwater of the ancient river. It is in... the Heisenberg Duchy?

----------------------------------------

''You wanna leave for Heisenberg?''

''Yeah.''

''In that body?''

''I need an identity to enter the site.''

''Hm... okay. I'll go with you. There is nothing to do here, anyway.''

''Mhm.''

With Chloe hugging my arms as she sings, 'It's a date!', we begin to prepare for the trip to Heisenberg to uncover the true definition of nothingness.

Unbeknownst to us, it will not only be us who are going to the place.