Once. A flash of silver glistened and clashed with another silver flash. Sparks dyed with orange scattered as the collision occurred for times again.

"Hahaha! What's wrong?! What's wrong, wench? Can't keep up with me!?"

The noble kid who lorded over magic beasts and Celestial Monster said. His tone was loud and he seemed to enjoy swinging his rapier like a toy against another human.

In other words, me. I gritted my down my teeth, avoiding and deflecting the deadly stabs of the rapier as I continued to suppress the searing heat coming from my aching body.

*CLANG!* The rusty sword sang hoarsely upon collision with the rapier. I stared at the enemy who was smiling like a madman and i asked.

"Why are you doing this?"

"To teach you some lessons of course!"

"...and you don't mind that it will cause many other than me suffering?"

His smile never waned. I then heard a low growl and I quickly jumped back. In the place I was at earlier, another magic beast stood as a pawn of the nasty villain.

"Why should I care about them?" Spatula said. "If they're weak then it's a given for them to die like this!!"

*STAB!!* Suddenly he brought down his rapier and pierced the magic beast's head. The beast whined as blood gushed from the wound which was being turned and twisted by the rapier. However, I couldn't understand nor could I hide my shock for seeing such action.

"What are you doing?!" I yelled from the top of my lungs as my blood boiled upon seeing the brutality the bastard had done.

"This...! Is what happens to the weak!! With my power gifted by no one else than me!!"

The dying magic beast cried but Spatula did not let up on torturing it. He twisted the rapier and racked the pierced skull of the monster in delight and I roared him to stop.

"Who do you think you are? This all wouldn't happen had you surrendered to me."

"...what...."

The boy extracted the bloodied rapier from the magic beast. As the monster fell down it was kicked by him and the body flew over near me.

The hollow dull eyes were not moving. The body stopped twitching and died. Just like that... the magic beast died.

"Aren't you so full of yourself now? How does it feel to have the great Black Hero in your grasp, huh?"

The boy walked as if he had already measured the distance. Circling me and ignoring the storms of smoke created by the Asura a distance away from us, Spatula spoke again.

"Do you think you are strong? Do you think someone like you is powerful? A low rank noble such as you doesn't even have the right to call yourself as one!"

"...and? Is that why you're trying to get rid of me?"

"Getting rid of you? Me? Heheh... so you don't even realize your own 'value' huh....?"

...what does he mean? I questioned further but the boy did not respond with words. He simply laughed, and laughed with such tone I could only describe as noisy as well as disgusting.

"Well, it won't be fun if you don't at least know what you've angered." Spatula raised his empty hand and rummaged the inside of his coat and pulled a small object out.

That's... a crystal? No... it didn't look like one with how dark and lackluster the appearance was. I could say for sure it's not even one for I had an ominous impression of that stone--

"Come." The boy exclaimed.

Following his words, magic beasts swarming in this Floor gathered around him and me. The numbers easily exceeding a dozen and I could feel the mana in the air vibrating.

Then the black stone shone with dark light. It traversed over the space and wrapped the magic beasts which then roared uncontrollably. Both high and low, the voices of the beasts could be considered as forced and hysteric as I found some of them writhing and falling to the grounds.

"What...!?" I yelled.

The magic beasts shrouded by dark light began to tremble. They writhed and whimpered as their bodies swelled with crunching sounds. Their flesh undulating and their jaws enlarging like no other. Their muscles rippled and the mana enveloping them dyed with jet black color.

Not soon enough and the magic beasts became mere monsters spewing corrupted miasma. Gems which were known as mana crystals emerged on their bodies and I gasped upon realizing the dreadful transformation.

"You... you corrupted them!? How could you...!"

"Heheh! It's not over yet, you know?"

Backing up his words with a shine, the Black Stone in Spatula's grasp illuminated the surrounding and stained everything with dark light. That was when I heard a rippling noise and moments later, a lump of shadow emerged.

Dull red eyes. Dark as night fur. Opening it's jaws with uneven rows of fangs and breathing out foul stench was a creature which did not even have any proper form as an animal or a human.

Blood drained off my face. My legs trembled and my skin shuddered as similar creatures groped their ways out from the shadows.

"Convenient, isn't it? With just this stone and all monsters and magic beasts are mine to breed, control and kill… Don’t you think I am amazing?"

"...If you meant the stone then yes. But you yourself?" I paused. "Not so much."

I said thusly. Then I wielded the sword again as I prepared a stance. I could care less about what was behind him. Though it's impossible to judge his character fully, I knew that my blood was boiling.

Why? Because I saw someone who ordered animals around and abusing them as if he's the king of the world. Fei did say something that there's a third party but we know nothing about them. The stone might be the clue to the culprit that planned this messed up sabotage.

Or maybe I can knock this guy out for the sake of gaining information though I want to break ALL if not most of his bones.

"You sure don't know when to quit. I ask you one last time. Do you want to submit to me?"

"I refuse. If you want to daydream then do it after you are behind the iron bars."

The boy sighed. He raised the rapier forward and the horde of monsters pounced at me. I inhaled calmly and muttered.

"Draconic Sword-Style: Seventh Step—White Dragon's Flight."

Converting all of my mana into aura which wrapped the blade of the sword, I swung the sword giving off brilliant pure white light.

Then a dome of light followed by large explosion engulfed me along with the horde of monsters. Vicious wind shattered the crystals, the ceiling shook and the ground trembled as a crater was left out after the white explosion.

"...ha... Haa......" I panted and wheezing after falling to my knees.

That... might be too much of an overkill. I knew I couldn't last long in a fight relying on endurance but expending all of my mana and stamina wasn't the brightest idea ever. Still... Everything was knocked away including the monsters nearby.

The Seventh Step relied on a full power slash which launched a blat of energy stored in the blade all at once. It's like overloading a a cart with explosives before igniting it with fire. Discharging all of the mana I reserved as a wave of energy might be a stupid thing for the collision between monsters having corrupted mana caused them to clash and mutually annihilate each other.

I wasn't left unharmed too as the moment I raised my body, blood dripped down from my left leg and I couldn't feel my hands. Searing heat suddenly emerged from my right shoulder and I frowned upon witnessing the blue bruise which throbbed very hard.

"...it... hurts......" I complained.

But—that was when I noticed a movement from behind me. I hastily turned around and a flash of silver slashed at my back.

"Gah......!?"

Blood painted the scorched ground red. I trembled as I turned around only to see Spatula licking his lips while unleashing a stab aimed to my back. I quickly jumped forward and evaded the rapier then I swung my sword at him.

*CLANG!!* The two weapons made a profound sound. However, the throbbing pain at my right shoulder hindered me from sending more strength in my swing and I was gradually pushed back.

"Do you think I will be tricked again? This time, show me your agony wench!!"

"Kh...!!"

I roared. I deflected the rapier and slashed again at Spatula but he dodged with ease. Mocking me with "Your speed has fallen too much!" while launching a stab after stab.

Clenching my teeth and hardening my grips over the rusty sword, I blocked the deadly thrusts for more than once. However, my body reacted slower than what I wanted.

The attacks seemed so fast for me to catch. The enemy's movement seemed to blur and I couldn't exert my strength to block a simple slash which forced me to retreat a step back.

Again and again, I could only defend myself from the barrages of sharp thrusts. I felt my body burning as wounds craved themselves on my body and my legs couldn't handle my weight.

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When a wide slash aimed at my face was executed, I defended by raising the blade of the sword up. Heavy...! So... heavy...!

I locked my gaze with the boy who was smiling maniacally but it was also my mistake to not notice the surrounding due to injuries. A shadow flitted below me and something hard slammed into my stomach.

My sense of balance distorted. My consciousness faded for a blink of an eye as the force put to twist and crush the internal organs caused something to rise within my throat. I vomited crimson fluid as the powerful force blew me away and slammed my back to the wall.

Pieces of stones crumbled along with crystals. My vision was blurred as the sound of footsteps approached me. Something told me to stand up but when I did so... I was knocked away with the same force which struck my side.

I landed on the ground and coughed blood several times. Wheezing heavily, I saw the person who leisurely stood in a fair distance with a twisted expression on his face.

"It hurts right? Tell me if it hurts and scream for me, wench."

...ugh... this... this guy is insane... what the hell is he saying? I stabbed the sword into the ground and used it to support my body.

"...it doesn't... hurt. Not at all..."

The boy never put off his madness away. While it wasn't an appropriate way to describe it but he must... he must be using magic if not some other tricks to strengthen himself. No ordinary human could crush the internal organ with just a kick... Don’t tell me that’s also the influence of the black stone?

With a flippant attitude he uttered "praise your tenacity but how long can you endure eh?"

I saw silver light glistened. The boy raised his rapier and prepared a stance aimed for a thrust. His aura exuding violent waves and I couldn't see anything but malice in his eyes.

"Let's see if you can still put up a brave front once I pierce your flesh."

...this is bad... I guess it really is bad. At this rate, not even being victorious. I would die a dog's death here. My vision wavered but I still was holding the hilt of the sword tightly.

-Give up already. You can't do anything.-

A voice somewhere inside of me echoed. Again, this cold and ruthless voice always showed up when no hope was present. I stared forward but what I saw was darkness. This darkness that wanted to force me to let go of the sword I was wielding. This pressure that seemed to insult me and all of my efforts.

Why? Why couldn't I say anything in denial?

-It's because you are weak...-

......ah... maybe. That was the reason... Huh? I gazed down. Unable to hide a smile which was undoubtedly similar to Fei’s.

...I see... maybe this is why. He always thought of this kind of thing when he pushed away everything from his sides...

......no wonder why he called himself a monster. I laughed at myself for being such a fool. To think I realized it this late meant I still have a long, long way to go.

Yeah. I still have a long way to go.

"...and that's why... I refuse to give up."

I bit my lips, snapping out from the darkness clutching my heart momentarily. I pulled out the sword from the ground and wielded it with my left arm as I saw my enemy rushing straight to me at the same time.

I held my breath. I stopped hearing things and I focused in a point. Then a lesson I learned from Ikki-sensei echoed in my mind.

"If you can't win with your own strength then make your enemy's strength as yours to defeat them."

The rapier was thrust forward. Aimed to end my life. Pointing straight to my heart as I brought up my sword to defend against such attack.

Spatula smiled. He pressed forward and bending the rapier's blade and he flicked my sword using the flexibility of his weapon.

"Now die!!" The boy exclaimed. His eyes could see nothing but the idealized victory where a second stab pierced my chest.

However—the sword which was flung away was still held tightly. I spun in place following the centrifugal force with my right arm as a focus. It allowed me to gain a boost of speed and power. This sudden change of movement caused Spatula's second thrust failing him and the moment he widened his eyes...

I slashed his extended arm. However, I also noticed how tough the flesh was and I frowned for a moment before executing the next course of action.

"Reinforce."

I had already expended my mana. I wasn't even coated with aura which was in some way, an excess of vitality for defense purpose. Though saying that, it's not like my reserve was completely empty as I held the blood of my mother who's a powerful mage.

I was gifted with a body that can use magic. With appropriate mana supply enough for me to become the same if not a little weaker than my mother, I held the quality to become a mage.

But my illness restricted me from using more than I could. For years I was unable to use up all of my mana reserve and after the recent relapse, I couldn't even hope to cast basic magic more than thrice. Melinda and Takeru often scolded me if I went out of my way to waste more than necessary because it’s terribly dangerous for my body. Once in training, I was also forced to accept the fact I couldn't become a mage no matter what as long as I am still what I am.

...but... For now. It doesn't matter. It doesn't matter what kind of consequence will happen this time...!!

As I could feel my heart throbbing faster, I imagined a thread was lit with flame and the blazing flame traveled over the thin thread.

The mana ran through the magical conduit nerves quickly without minding the amount put to burden the nerves. I abandoned the thought of restraining myself from moving all of my mana. All the way to the hand which possessed the last bit of my aura. At once the two energies fused and I could feel my body became as light as a feather.

With this—!!

"HAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!"

In the next instance—a severed arm flew and blood sprayed all over the place. Painting my vision red as a voiceless scream escaped Spatula's mouth.

"Gah...! Aaaah! My arm!! My arm!" He cried out.

"An arm isn't even enough to atone for the lives killed here you bastard!!" I shouted as I directed my sword at him.

The boy's face paled. He hastily pulled out the black stone but I was faster!!

*SLASH!!* The sound of flesh being sliced followed after the sickening sensation coursed through my arm.

I grit down my teeth as I glared at the floating black stone in the air. After being released by the severed hand, it simply floated before being pulled down by gravity and I intended to slice it apart.

If the black stone could summon monsters and alter magic beasts, then... even the Asura would disappear if I destroyed it right!!?

"This... ends...! Heeeeerree!!"

A silver flash flew and reached the black stone. Once the blade collided with the surface of the black stone—

"Oh, I'm afraid I can't allow it end like this."

Huh!? I heard a foreign voice which was not too low or high enough to indicate any familiarity with it. Not even familiarity, I couldn't guess the gender of the one who spoke as if they just happened to pick up a coin on the road. Once the blade of the sword touched the black stone--purple light was emitted and it deflected my attack like a barrier would.

My steps faltered as I was thrown to the ground. I was about to get up and strike the stone again but—

*THUMP!* Seeing the light, my heart thumped and unimaginable pain assaulted my mind. I clutched my chest with both hands as I couldn't breathe normally and the pain was too horrible for me to endure.

"This... Is...! The recoil...!? W-why so early...?! Agh... Aaaaaaaah!!"

It hurts...! It hurts!! I screamed in anguish as I resisted the pain which seemed to rip apart my conscience violently. Although I once experienced the recoil before, but the magnitude of the pain is entirely different now!! Amidst the terrible storms of pain shredding my mind violently, my eyes caught a glimpse of what's ahead.

The black stone suddenly flew and went straight to the place where an Asura was. Like a lightning, it crossed through the space and avoiding the obstacles almost as if someone was controlling it.

My spine shuddered by a freezing chill which seemed as if a grim reaper was behind me. Even though I had no basis about it but I knew that stone flying over there meant danger. More than anything, it was the same fear like when I encountered the Demon General.

"Nngh...! Aah...!! No...! No no no...!! NO!!"

As if seeing the same scene repeating itself I cried out.

"GET AWAY FROM THERE, FEEEEEI!!!"