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Before we proceed to your regularly scheduled reading, I suppose that some background is due at this point. There has been mention of realms, universes, and many confusing characters. So to start this chapter off, I might start off with explaining the world in which this story takes place.
Universal realms
The Universes:
1. Keystone - records - K (ranked highest)
2. Inventory - I (rank 2)
3. Research - R (rank 3)
4. Warrior - W(rank 7)
5. Assassin - A (rank 6)
6. Spy - S (rank 5)
7. Diplomacy - D (rank 8)
8. Comedy - Co (ranked lowest)
9. Capital - Ca (rank 4)
10. ??? - Forgotten
-all universes have “capital” realm (Keystone realm)
-keystone universe, Keystone realm (realm KK, or double K) is our world
Drin originally of realm FA, currently resides in realm KR (Keystone, Research) because Bookworm won’t go anywhere else.
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Since the last chapter, Yamada received her lesson on the personality of weapons (effectively covered earlier by Emiliot), and is now trying to get her blades to open up to her. She is now in the great training hall with each blade positioned next to her. The majority of this chapter will take place inside of her internal world, where the personalities of her blades reside.
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“You have not answered my riddle yet. Here it is again.
‘You hold one, not four;
One is cunning;
Two is showing off;
Three is powerful and proud;
And four is one.
You are blind. One piece of the puzzle is in your hands, but the rest are crying - neglected.’
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Only visit once you have this riddle solved, Yamada.”
“So, did you look around you? I solved your riddle, and entered the place where all four of you reside. Now, please introduce yourselves.”
“Well done, but that was only the first test. We had the time to prepare four more tests for you to complete before you can truly wield us…”
“Stop right there, you said one riddle, and I would know your name. What is this about me having to do extra work? Are you not a man of your word?”
“Alright. You win. You caught on to the hidden rule in this test, and as promised, we will tell you our names. But to truly be recognized as our wielder, you have to figure out which of us personifies which blade. And don’t take anything at face value.”
“Allow me to name myself first. I am Nichin.”
“I am Yonshu.”
“I am Brutus.”
“And I am Skeward.”
“Alright, I can already match at least two of you to your blades. Brutus, you are blade number three - the broadsword. Skeward you are blade two, the dagger for show. Nichin and Yonshu, I wish to ask you one question.”
“Ask away.”
“Which of you was forged first?”
“We all came from the same spirit blade, but I was the first to be separated.”
“In that case, Yonshu, you are the fourth blade, and last dagger, while Nichin, your twin is the first dagger, and the leader of you four.”
“Well done. I thought that we could throw you off with some misleading information, but it is true that we were part of a spirit blade.”
“Is there a way for me to combine you into your original form?”
“Yes, but you will need assistance from that Drowen friend of yours, as he knows the procedure of recombination.”
“I will see what I can do. Hopefully Drin can help us out”
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“Nope, sorry Yamada. This type of separation is a five piece procedure. There is no way for me to put them back together right now.”
“Then what can I do, Drin?”
“Train with them individually. Everyone here will try to help you find the last piece of your blade.”
“So we just have to find One Piece?”
“Aye we do, me hearty. Arg.”
(Please tell me [the author] that you got this obvious reference. If you didn’t, become a weeb, and walk the true path to power my young padawan … Somebody please end my cringy self.)
“What is up with the sarcastic pirate accent?”
“With all of the references and homages in the story, I am surprised you didn’t catch on! And as a punishment, that’s all that I will say.”
“No! Please! Tell me the fucking reference already! I’m begging you!”
“In your dreams!”
“Well I bet you haven’t heard of this one yet.”
“Oh-ho! Is that so? Then tell me this storyline.”
“Generic protagonist gets trapped in a virtual world for four years. Towards the end of that time, he finally develops a boner for tits-mcgee.”
“Yeah, I’ve may or may not have heard of it, but I expect all of the other events of the story after he leaves that virtual world will make the whole series absolutely shit.”