Chapter 89 – Festival (4)

The scenery shifted.

The landscape my senses had been mapping suddenly vanished, replaced by something entirely new.

A vast plain. Empty of all life, objects—absolutely nothing registered to my senses.

“No need for alarm.”

Sirin watched us with that same smile.

“I’ve merely relocated us temporarily for our duel. This isn’t meant to harm you. I swear it on my name.”

I don’t know what swearing on her name means, but… It doesn’t feel like a lie.

If she were lying, she’d be truly horrible.

After we bought her all those snacks, she’d just turn around and betray us?

That wouldn’t be human…

“Um… Where exactly are we…?”

“In terms you’d understand, think of it as a Room of Spirit and Time.”

Room of Spirit and Time…?

Wait, isn’t that from Earth? Was it in games too…?

So time flows differently here?

If we could spend all day here but only use up a little real time… that’d be perfect for hanging out with Rubia…

“Your thoughts are correct.”

“H-How do you know what I’m thinking…?”

“Here, time flows differently from the outside. A full day spent here equals only thirty minutes out there.”

“W-Wow…”

So I could spend time with Rubia? Actually, it’d be nice to bring Yuria, Hephaestus, and Charlotte too… we could all have fun together…

“Enough explanation. How long do you plan to embrace her? Are we dueling or not?”

“Ah! I-I was just startled!”

I released Rubia, realizing I’d instinctively grabbed her protectively.

“Rubia… are you alright…?”

“…Yes… but where… what is this place?”

Rubia still looked shaken, unable to process our sudden displacement. Maybe the difference between sensing and seeing is too jarring for her…

I patted her back reassuringly before turning to face Sirin.

“Ready?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Let’s establish the conditions.”

“…Conditions?”

“Indeed. First, I won’t use any magic or mana. Furthermore—”

Sirin smirked as she traced a circle around herself.

About four Noahs wide.

“I won’t step outside this circle. If you push me out or I leave it myself, you win.”

I nodded, drawing my greatsword.

“Also, if your greatsword even grazes my sleeve, that counts as your victory.”

“…Really?”

How arrogant. No magic, confined to a circle, and she thinks she can fight me?

“I never lie. Now that I’ve set my defeat conditions, we need yours.”

Her words confused me, making me tilt my head.

“Heh… Or do you plan to attack me endlessly?”

Attack endlessly? Why would I?

“If you keep coming at me all day, we’ll never finish.”

“Ah…! Right… My defeat… um…”

“Three falls. If your body touches the ground three times, you lose. How’s that?”

Three falls…

So I just don’t fall down?

“Are you really sure about these rules?”

“Absolutely.”

“N-No taking it back later…”

“I never go back on my word.”

I nodded and looked back at Rubia.

“Ru-Rubia… did you hear the conditions…?”

“Yes, I heard… Why?”

“That’s… good.”

I was so focused on winning, I’ve already forgotten half of them…

Just push her out of the circle. Two steps and I win…!!

“Attack whenever you’re ready. I don’t mind.”

Sirin drew her greatsword one-handed, smirking as she beckoned me forward.

“You’re… really annoying.”

“Hahaha! Indeed I am! It’s been a while since I’ve heard that.”

I sharpened my senses. Her body remained unreadable. No mana, no muscles, no blood vessels—nothing.

Doesn’t matter. Just need to push her out.

I cleared my mind, focusing solely on my target.

“Win, and I’ll grant you one wish.”

Rubia gasped. I ignored everything but the strike I was preparing.

“But if you lose—”

I leveled my greatsword horizontally, tensing my legs.

“You and Rubia must kiss. Properly. You can do it in private if you’re shy.”

“Eek! Noah! Forget the wish—don’t hurt yourself over this!”

Ignoring Rubia’s voice, I charged.

Power flowed from my twisting waist to my shoulders and arms.

Like releasing an overstretched rubber band— My greatsword shot forward.

Even someone of Kalt’s caliber would have been forced to dodge such a strike.

But Sirin didn’t.

“Watch carefully.”

She twisted her greatsword upward with casual grace. The motion traced flowing water—my signature technique.

But the result was entirely different.

CLANG!

A clear ring echoed as my sword deflected. Horrible pain shot through my hands and up my arms. My fingers felt crushed, arm bones cracking. My clenched teeth shattered, fragments flying in my mouth. The shock traveled up my spine, whitening my vision.

I couldn’t even scream. Couldn’t breathe. Didn’t even get pushed back.

Just collapsed lifelessly.

“One.”

“Noah!”

Rubia rushed over, flooding my body with divine power. So much that it leaked out, unable to absorb it all.

“At least you kept hold of your greatsword. Well done.”

Her words—praise or mockery—stirred something in me.

I ground my newly-grown teeth and stood.

It was the same Flowing Water technique. But completely different results.

My own power came back at me… no, even stronger. Was her strength added to it?

“You look desperate to understand. Hahaha!”

Still so infuriating. Completely insufferable. I want to flick her forehead repeatedly. Want to pinch those smug cheeks.

“Noah, are you alright?”

“Yes… I’m fine. Rubia, stay back… It’s dangerous.”

I gently pushed Rubia away and widened the gap from Sirin.

Without changing tactics, I’ll get the same result. Should I try feinting?

Possible… but tricky with a greatsword. Plus… seems my weight decreased with my height.

Can’t control the greatsword like before. Not impossible, just… unfamiliar.

I swung the greatsword, testing my stiff muscles.

Good thing I maxed out strength.

One point less and the sword would be swinging me.

“Noah… you don’t have to push yourself. If you’re getting hurt like this—”

“No. Must win… She insulted the greatsword…”

“But… losing is okay…”

How dare she… how dare she mock the greatsword?

I can take insults. But not against the greatsword.

This is my identity! The weapon that holds all my ideals. The one I chose after giving up everything.

I won’t let it be disrespected!!

“I’ll definitely win, Rubia…”

“Huh? No, you don’t have to… I mean, winning would be nice, but… um… yeah, do your best.”

Rubia stumbled over her words, still adjusting to our displaced reality.

I patted her waist reassuringly before facing Sirin again.

Now that I’m somewhat used to this smaller body… Time for a combination attack.

I visualized the sequence. Played out counters to that flowing strike over and over.

But. After tens, hundreds, thousands of attempts in my mind—impossible.

So instead. I’ll just charge in.

I’ll understand once I feel it.

“Hah…”

I steadied my breath and rushed forward.

***

Warm energy stirred my consciousness.

The surroundings took shape in my senses, a moment behind my awakening.

The greatsword in my grip. Rubia supporting my head, worry etched on her face.

The plain—scratched, torn, and utterly destroyed.

And. Sirin, still smirking inside her circle.

“Are you back with us?”

“…Yes.”

“One hundred and forty-two attempts. Impressive.”

I tried that many times?

I forced my aching body to stand.

“I let you attack as you wished. Have you figured anything out?”

Sirin stepped forward—exactly as far as I’d tried to push her.

Couldn’t break through completely, but… got a little closer.

“A… little…”

“Good. If you hadn’t learned at all, I’d have abandoned the idea of teaching altogether.”

“Never… agreed to be your student…”

“Of course not. I’m not asking for an immediate answer. Enjoy your festival, reach your destination, then decide.”

Why learn from someone who disrespects the greatsword?

“With one attempt left, I should apologize.”

“…For what?”

“Truth is, I find the greatsword quite romantic. I criticized it only to provoke your fighting spirit.”

“Wh-What now…?”

“I won’t retract my points about its flaws, but even with those shortcomings, it’s an excellent weapon.”

Her usual smirk gone, Sirin gazed at the greatsword with a distant expression.

“It taught me so much. That night was… wild and intense. Unforgettable. Left permanent scars on my body… that night. When that heavy thing inside me—”

“N-Noah! Come here!”

Rubia suddenly rushed over, clamping her hands over my ears. Divine power completely blocked all sound.

“Uh… What…?”

Sirin kept talking, her body twisting as she panted heavily, still staring at the greatsword.

Rubia glared at her, face scrunched in disgust.

Finally, Rubia released my ears as Sirin composed herself.

“So yes, I apologize for insulting the greatsword.”

Whatever she said, she seems lighter now, smiling genuinely.

I was curious. But curious could wait.

I don’t want to lose this tingling sensation. Don’t want to delay anymore.

Want to swing again—make this feeling crystal clear.

“Fine… let’s finish the duel…”

“Excellent!”

Following instinct. Moving with my senses. Letting my muscles guide me.

I walked forward slowly. No need for distance to build power.

Standing just within striking range. Greatsword hanging behind me.

Body light. Legs ready to spring. Muscles loose but prepared.

“Hmm…?”

Following the vision in my mind—

I held my breath and stepped. My left foot twisted, scattering dirt. Waist pivoting in response.

Core and shoulders balanced—not too tense. But fingers white-knuckled on the hilt.

My body. My greatsword swung.

Overwhelming exhaustion crashed over me, and everything went black.

Then. A voice—familiar yet unheard—echoed in my mind:

This is how you wield the greatsword.