Chapter 65: It will be okay

My sword, a constant companion for the past ten years, had seen countless battles, countless…failures. Every sword before it had eventually succumbed to my overwhelming power.

But this one was different. It wasn’t particularly sharp; sharpness wasn’t important to me. It wasn’t exceptionally light, either; durability was my priority.

It wasn’t a legendary blade, not sharp or light, but it was my sword, forged from dark steel, resistant to extreme heat.

****

I fought to maintain consciousness, the violent wind buffeting me, making it impossible to open my eyes.

“Ugh…I’m going to be blown away…!”

I gripped the hilt of my sword, waiting for the wind to die down, the sound of falling rocks echoing behind me. I was grateful they weren’t falling on my head.

My hair whipped across my face, stinging my cheeks, until the wind finally subsided, and I could open my eyes.

“Ugh…so much wind for nothing.”

I immediately checked the results of my attack, my heart filled with a secret hope that I’d at least made a small dent.

“No way…”

A massive crater gaped before me, large enough to hold dozens of people. The exposed rock glowed red, radiating heat.

It hadn’t been this powerful before. I stared, dumbfounded, blinking in disbelief.

The gem, however, was still intact, emitting a faint light, though partially buried in the rubble.

“What is that thing made of? Or is it that black mist protecting it?”

The gem flickered, the cracks and fissures on its surface slowly mending themselves. I watched in awe, then approached confidently.

“It…regenerates? I’ll have to…persuade it to cooperate.”

My sword felt strangely light. I looked down, and my heart sank.

“No, my sword!”

A sword consisted of a blade and a hilt.
Could a hilt alone still be called a sword?
I didn’t think so.

What I held in my hand was…no longer a sword.

“That’s why I hate using this technique…How many swords have I destroyed now?”

I sighed, looking at the hilt, a pang of regret for my lost companion. I’d grown attached to it, confident in its ability to withstand my flames.

“It was a bit heavy, but the balance was perfect.”

I fidgeted with the hilt, my vision blurring.

“Wh…why am I…?”

I gritted my teeth, trying to hold back the tears, but it was useless. Realizing I was alone, a wave of self-pity washed over me.

“I’m such an idiot…crying over a stupid sword…”

I wiped my eyes, glad no one was around to witness my pathetic display.

Boom!—

“Eek?!”

A sudden explosion made me jump. I looked back, my eyes still wet, and saw… legs.

“Why are you crying? Get up, we have a job to do.”

“How dare you talk to my sister like that? Ellie, what’s wrong? Come here.”

Linne, carrying Sister on her back, her massive sword held casually in one hand, walked towards me, deflecting the falling rocks with ease.

I quickly wiped my eyes, embarrassed. I didn’t want them to see me like this, especially not them. I tried to deflect their concern.

“Hmph… You’re seeing things. And hurry up and do something about that gem! My sword is…broken.”

Linne chuckled.

“You were crying over that?”

“It wasn’t just ‘that’! It was my favorite…!”

I stopped mid-sentence, clamping my hand over my mouth. Linne’s smile widened. She knew what I was thinking. I turned away, my face burning.

“Yes, I was crying. Happy now?”

Linne, always teasing me… I sulked, my lower lip protruding stubbornly. Linne looked flustered.

“Sorry. I wasn’t trying to make fun of you.”

“It’s too late for apologies.”

“I…I just thought you looked cute…”

Linne stopped, her words hanging in the air. An awkward silence followed.

Sister suddenly jumped down from Linne’s back.

“What do you think you’re doing with my sister?”

“Wh…what?”

Linne and I quickly separated, startled. I clutched my chest, my heart pounding, as if she’d just confessed her…feelings.

She’d made similar comments before, jokingly, and they’d never bothered me. Why was I so flustered now? I glanced at Linne, who quickly averted her gaze, as did I. Sister sighed, seeing our reactions.

“Haa…this isn’t the time for this. Let’s take care of this and get down from here.”

Sister’s words reminded me of our current predicament.
And the turtle was almost at the academy.

Linne hefted her sword onto her shoulder.

“I think the gem is the source of the turtle’s…power. We should destroy it.”

She was perfectly capable of doing it herself, yet she looked at me. I walked over, confused.

“Why are you looking at me? You can do it yourself.”

“I need your help, Ellie.”

“But I don’t have a weapon.”

I held up the broken hilt, and Linne shook her head.

“Not that. This.”

“…What?”

Linne grinned, a mischievous glint in her eyes that made my heart skip a beat. Her face was…close. And beside her, the large, menacing blade of her sword.

“How am I supposed to lift that? I’m not a muscle-bound gorilla like you.”

“Seriously… Here, come closer!”

Linne suddenly pulled me into a hug from behind, her…chest pressing against the back of my head. I froze, stunned by the sudden contact.

“Here, hold it.”

“Um…wh…what?”

“Hurry up!”

I gripped the large, heavy…stick she was holding, my hands dwarfed by its size. Linne’s hand covered mine, and I instinctively tightened my grip, despite my surprise.

I understood and channeled my power into the…sword. Flames erupted, engulfing the blade, but it wasn’t enough.

“Ugh…more…I need more!”

As I struggled, Sister hugged Linne from behind, her arms reaching around to grip my shoulders.

“Don’t rush it. Just focus, and I’ll help you.”

Her soothing voice calmed my racing heart. I took a deep breath and focused, pushing more power into the sword, until a massive flame erupted, as large and bright as the setting sun.

We lowered our arms; there was no need to swing. The fiery blade sliced through the gem effortlessly, like a hot knife through butter.

****

“So…how do we get down?”

We’d been hugging and celebrating when the question brought us back to reality. The gem had been destroyed, and the turtle…had turned into a giant, immobile rock. Linne said it was a nature spirit corrupted by some unknown force, which seemed…unlikely.

And we were still stuck at the top.

The air grew cold as the sun set; I shivered and clung to Sister. Linne looked at me with…longing in her eyes.

“The teachers and students will be here soon to rescue us.”

Linne pointed downwards; I could see the academy, the broken wall and the eastern gate, and a large crowd approaching. They’d reached the academy already.

“That’s a relief…haam…”

I yawned, nestled in Sister’s arms, feeling sleepy. She let me rest my head on her lap. I picked up a small piece of the gem, a small, black shard, still faintly glowing.

‘Just one piece…it’s fine, right?’

I slipped it into my pocket.