Chapter 169 – Awakening

“…Seriously… That’s just not right.”

“[Ahaha… Alright, alright. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.]”

“You think just saying sorry makes it okay…?”

“[I was just trying to help you two have some fun, but… uh… I didn’t realize it’d be that effective… I’m really sorry.]”

“…Whatever.”

I pushed away Kartia, who was trying to snuggle up to me, and opened the door to the outpost.

“I don’t want to spar tonight…”

“[Really?]”

“Yeah… I’m tired. I haven’t slept since yesterday…”

Truthfully, a little sleep deprivation wouldn’t normally faze me. Especially after the trial, my body was far more resilient.

The real reason I felt so drained was… embarrassment.

Rubia had witnessed my… reaction.

And it wasn’t even my fault! It was Kartia’s stupid prank!

Sure, Rubia found it endearing and showered me with affection, but… the embarrassment lingered.

Seriously… It was just… perverted.

How could holding hands… How could it be that intense…? To the point of near paralysis…?

It didn’t make sense.

It was unfair. So, so unfair.

I wasn’t a pervert. I didn’t want this. I wasn’t even having any lewd thoughts.

It was just… after the trial, my senses had become superhumanly sharp. And for some reason, they were hyper-sensitive to Rubia.

So, even the slightest, most innocent touch from her would send my body into overdrive.

I’d explained this to Rubia countless times, but she’d just brushed it off and… well… continued to… ravage me.

“Uuuugh… I just want to sleep…” I groaned, heading towards the outpost.

“[Hmm… That’s too bad. You seemed ready, so I was going to teach you something special. But if you’re tired…”] Kartia’s voice was laced with mock disappointment.

“…Something special?”

“[Yeah, you know… I have this ultimate secret technique. Super powerful, but incredibly difficult. I can only use it when I’m in peak condition. And thanks to our little warm-up this morning, I’m feeling pretty good today. So, I thought I’d share it with you—]”

She paused, dramatically turning her head away.

“[—But, whatever. You’re tired. Get some rest.]”

“An ultimate… secret technique…?”

“[An ultimate secret technique.]”

“An… ultimate… secret technique…!”

“[That transcends all others.]”

“Transcends…!”

“[A technique that no one else can perform. In this entire world, only you and I.]”

My breath hitched.

“[An UL-TI-MATE technique.]”

“Oh… my…”

Completely captivated, I’d turned to face Kartia without even realizing it. She, however, remained facing away.

“[Too bad, though. Guess we’ll have to wait until I’m feeling up to it again. Who knows when that’ll be.]”

Her form began to flicker, slowly dissolving back into the bracelet.

So cool… Too cool…

I want one too…

I don’t even have a unique ability… I want an ultimate technique!

No, an UL-TI-MATE technique!

“W-Wait…!”

Kartia, still facing away, turned her head slightly, blinking.

“[What?]”

“L-Let’s spar…”

“[Huh? What’s this now? You said you were tired. Don’t push yourself. Get some rest.]”

“I-I’m fine…”

“[No, you’re not. Your voice is weak, and you look terrible. You’re on the verge of collapse. Just rest.]”

“I’m really okay!”

“[…Really?]”

Her fading form solidified slightly.

“Yes!”

“[Hmm…]” Kartia finally turned to face me, crossing her arms and tapping her chin thoughtfully.

“[Hmmmmmm…]”

After a long pause, she uncrossed her arms, clasping them behind her back, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

“[Alright, then. Just a little bit.]”

“Yes…!”

“[But we’re stopping the moment you start flagging. Got it?]”

Nod, nod.

“[Good. Let’s head to the same spot as yesterday.]”

“Okay…!”

Step, step.

The embarrassment that had been consuming me moments ago vanished, replaced by the thrill of learning an ultimate technique.

“Hehe…”

An UL-TI-MATE technique. An UL-TI-MATE technique.

A technique only Kartia and I can use.

UL-TI-MATE technique.

I savored the grand, impressive phrase, my steps light and eager.

***

After a thorough warm-up, I stood before Kartia, my heart pounding with anticipation.

“[Before we begin, there are a few precautions.]”

Click. Kartia raised her index finger, her voice solemn.

“[First. Until you’ve fully mastered this technique, you can only use it once a week.]”

“Once a week…!”

Click. Her middle finger joined the first.

“[Second. Only use it when you can maintain absolute focus.]”

“Absolute focus…!”

“[And third, and most importantly: no matter what happens, no matter the circumstances, never use this technique at full power.]” Her voice was heavy with warning.

“Uh…”

“[Remember this. Breaking any of these rules will result in your immediate death.]”

“Y-Yes, ma’am…”

Kartia’s sharp gaze softened as she reached out and ruffled my hair.

“[These aren’t orders, Noah. They’re a plea. Please… promise me you’ll be careful.]”

She stepped back, summoning Frey.

“[Alright. Now that we’ve covered that… I need to assess your current capabilities.]”

“Capabilities…?”

“[Your soul has been refined. The way you perceive the world should be different now, correct?]”

I nodded.

It was undeniably different.

I couldn’t quite articulate it, but it was as if… I was closer to the world’s essence. More attuned to its flow.

This heightened perception had transformed both my movements and my control over my inner power.

My movements, for example…

Clang!

“[Oh.]”

I’d instinctively parried Kartia’s sudden attack without a second thought.

And my power…

It was like trying to collect an ocean’s worth of water with a teacup before. Now, I had a direct pipeline.

Even a light swing—

BOOM! Kwaaang!

—could unleash a sword aura capable of distorting space.

“[Impressive. You’re definitely different.]”

“…R-Right?”

I’d put a considerable amount of force into that attack, yet Kartia had deflected it effortlessly.

…My pride…

“[Yes, a very positive change. Now, close your eyes.]”

“They already are.”

“[…Right. Then focus on that new sensation you’ve acquired.]”

“Hmm…”

I concentrated, focusing on the unfamiliar sensation as instructed.

And suddenly,

Inside my mind,

A presence emerged.

I could see it, yet it remained unseen.

I could sense it, yet it remained intangible.

But if I reached out—

“[Stop.]”

Smack!

A sharp sting across my cheek jolted me back to reality.

“Huh…? D-Did you just slap me…?”

“[Had to snap you out of it.]”

“That really hurt…” It stung, intensely. How could a slap pack so much force?

“[Regardless. That power you just felt… you need to draw upon it.]” Kartia patted my cheek dismissively, continuing her explanation.

“[I don’t know what ‘it’ is. But one thing’s for sure: never, under any circumstances, try to take it.]”

“…Huh?”

“[Don’t be tempted by it, like you were just now.]”

“Uh…”

Temptation…?

I tried to recall the sensation that had been abruptly cut short by Kartia’s slap.

Temptation… Yes, there had definitely been an alluring quality to it.

“What happens if I… give in?”

“[You die.]”

“…I die?”

“[Yes. Without a trace. Forgotten by all. So, never give in.]” Her voice was firm, brooking no argument. She raised two fingers.

“[What was the second rule?]”

“Um… Only use it when I can maintain complete focus…!”

“[Exactly. When you can fully concentrate. When you can resist its allure and channel its power. Only then. And the third?]”

“Never use 100% of my strength!”

“[Precisely.]”

Finally satisfied, Kartia nodded, a small smile playing on her lips as she retrieved Frey from the ground.

“[As long as you follow the rules, the method is simple.]”

She assumed a natural stance.

Greatsword held in both hands.
Elbows slightly bent.
Back straight.
One foot forward, the other back.

The classic middle stance of a swordsman.

“[Focus your mind. Sense its presence.]”

A wind stirred. Not the usual dry desert wind, but something colder, sharper, more… ominous.

“[Reject its temptation. Take a fragment of its power. Not borrow. Take. Like this.]”

And in that instant,

The world held its breath.

“[Now, imbue it with your will.]”

Magic screamed.
Space itself fractured.
The earth trembled.
The sky bowed.

“[This infused power, when unleashed, is Heaven-Reversing Blade.]”

Kartia raised her arms. Middle stance to high stance.

Sound vanished.
Magic vanished.
Earth vanished.
Sky vanished.

And in that void,

In that empty world,

Kartia’s soul, one with Frey,

“[But instead of unleashing it, if you overlay it onto the world itself…]”

She reached for the sky.

“[―――]”