Chapter Index

    The grass and soil spread across nature, all attributes of mana, even the human body and its very soul. All things in this world possess a single origin.

    That is Aether. From the smallest insect in the forest to the stars in the night sky, Aether makes up everything.

    However, with the naked eye, one cannot even see a trace of this Aether. Its essence is always hidden behind appearances. It’s a realm unreachable through mere training.

    Crossing the world’s fissures was, therefore, an incredibly difficult task. Nari herself only obtained a supernatural body thanks to the privileges of a reincarnated individual.

    The power to manipulate Aether is not granted to everyone.

    “This feeling… this emotion…!! This is what it feels like to be reborn—!!”

    “You, Eve… right now…”

    “Thank you so much, Nari. With this much power… this time, my lifelong dream will come true.”

    Eve was not just ‘anyone.’ Her soul was condensed to a degree that even surprised Nari.

    Convergence of all things. To be born with an innately different body, or to transcend dimensions with an ordinary one. Their starting points differed, but both had reached the pinnacle of magic and wielded the same power.

    Eve draws up Aether. A pure white light envelops her body, and the longsword in her hand transforms into a Muyeong Sword.

    Nari also raises her Muyeong Sword. Even if they use the same power, Nari’s proficiency is far greater. She takes a stance and advances.

    Kwadeuk-

    She thrusts the ground with all her might and swings her sword.

    Muyeong Sword, Second Style: Sky-rending Slash.

    Two sword energies fly, tearing through the sky. Eve, wielding her Muyeong Sword, stands where the crescent-shaped sword energies intersect.

    Ssiik-

    Eve, too, smiles faintly and takes a stance. A chilling air spreads from her.

    Simultaneously, holding her Muyeong Sword upright, she thrusts toward Nari’s sword energy.

    Muyeong Sword, First Style: Sky-piercing Fang.

    A fierce pillar of light shatters the sword energy. Furthermore, it pierces completely through and rushes toward Nari.

    Tsukwang—!!

    A short explosion erupts before Nari. The dust cloud from the impact settles, revealing Nari, clad in Muyeong Armor.

    She is gasping for breath.

    ‘It’s partly from the aftereffects of the strike… but she has stronger magical power than me.’

    Power transcending the difference in skill. That much was as Nari expected.

    However, Eve was not to be underestimated. She replicated Nari’s [Muyeong Sword], something Nari had never properly used.

    This couldn’t be called mere talent. The confidence in her sword swings. It wasn’t about believing in talent.

    She believed in her life. Eve had spent time watching Nari’s back at the academy. While everyone looked up to Nari, she alone sought to surpass her.

    The first thing Eve wielded was the ‘Aether-imbued Muyeong Sword.’ She had already imitated Nari’s sword countless times. No one knows how much time she dedicated to her training.

    It was just reproducing the movements that she had repeated for a long time. That was the weight of it for Eve.

    Haa-Haa-

    “Get up… we must see this through—!!”

    Eve lunges at the gasping Nari. Nari stares intently at her through her blurry vision.

    A crazed look. Eve is intoxicated by her newfound power. The omnipotence of awakened Aether has further plunged her already slightly unsteady mind into the abyss.

    That battle-crazed temperament was also present in Nari. Growing stronger and defeating enemies was Nari’s greatest joy.

    Therefore, even in Eve’s loss of composure, she found herself. And somehow, it wasn’t at all unpleasant. It even looked like the innocent face of a child.

    This attack might be difficult to withstand. Failing to defend would be more than a minor scratch.

    But that didn’t happen.

    Nari slightly lowered her head and curled her lips. Eve was about to swing her sword at her.

    “—!”

    Pabapbak-!

    However, dozens of daggers flying from somewhere disrupt Eve’s posture. It was too much to easily deflect, forcing her to withdraw her attack and retreat.

    When Nari raised her head again, a young girl’s back was in front of her. A back far smaller and more adorable than her own.

    But now, it was exceedingly proud and reassuring.

    “I apologize for being late, Your Highness.”

    “You arrived just in time.”

    After a slight bow and a brief greeting to Nari, Yuri faced forward again.

    Her expression was contorted into an unprecedentedly ferocious grimace.

    “What in the world is going on… Explain clearly so I can understand, Eve Esta.”

    * * *

    Soon, Aspi, the Second Knight Order, and even the royal guards arrived. Even though it was quite a distance from the royal palace, the rapid arrival of such troops was probably because I was the next king.

    The knights and soldiers lined up under Aspi’s orders. They were ready to charge at a moment’s notice. Fortunately, there were no civilians in the area.

    Aspi, having finished the formation, approached me from behind.

    “Are you injured?”

    “No, not now.”

    “I’m sorry… If only I had arrived a little sooner…”

    Aspi trailed off, slightly turning her head. Her gaze was unsteady, perhaps as if lost in thought.

    Her gaze fell upon Yuri, who was emitting a murderous aura. There was a reason not to recklessly intervene. A kind person’s anger is the most terrifying of all.

    “Ah… right, Yuri, you’re here too.”

    “I asked what in the world was going on—!!”

    “This isn’t your concern. Sheathe your sword and go quietly—”

    Before she could finish, Yuri vanished. Being slightly worn out, I almost missed it.

    Chiing-!

    Therefore, the outcome of the ambush was obvious. She escaped to Eve’s blind spot and swung her dagger, but a pure white sword, identical to mine, blocked it.

    Eve had already become a monster whose victory I couldn’t even guarantee.

    “I’ll kill you—!!”

    “No. You can’t. Sweet souls like you can never easily kill a person. I know that very well.”

    “Shut up—!!”

    Yuri was unusually emotional today. Was it because of the betrayal of her trust? The loss of a friend? Or perhaps both.

    All of Yuri’s precise attacks targeting vital points were blocked. After dozens of exchanges, she was flung back from Eve.

    Chwaak—

    I caught Yuri and held her in my arms. Her breathing was irregular, her limbs trembling. Tears streamed down her face, as if she was resentful.

    “It’s alright, Yuri. Stop.”

    “But… Eve is my sister’s…!!”

    “Don’t worry. Eve will never defeat me.”

    A lie, and a vague hope. The moment I uttered the word ‘never,’ crushing my previous beliefs, my defeat was certain.

    I put Yuri down and stepped forward.

    “You can win…? Really?”

    “Of course. It’s always been that way.”

    “No, it was all a game until now. Right? With sparring where you don’t even intend to kill your opponent, how can you determine who is stronger?”

    “You’re being awfully verbose today, Eve.”

    At that moment, the smile disappeared from Eve’s face. I, on the other hand, smiled as usual.

    Eve has always been weak at controlling the atmosphere.

    “Soldiers behind. I’m giving an order, not a single step from there until my head falls off. Understand?”

    “Your Highness…!!”

    “Aspi, stay still. This is no longer a simple fight between friends.”

    The soldiers slightly grip their swords and spears tighter. Their minds obeyed the command, but their bodies seemed to resist.

    That was just right. It showed how much they trusted and followed me.

    I rested for a moment, gathering Aether in my dantian. I draw the final Muyeong Sword from the intensely condensed Aether.

    [Muyeong Sword: Draw].

    A pure white light that even I seem to get drawn into. My shadowless doppelganger appears.

    “I’ve… never seriously fought before. You weren’t my enemy.”

    “You still see me as… my weak former self—”

    “No. That’s not what I mean. You were the woman I loved.”

    As if reacting to something, Eve flinched. And she draws her Muyeong Sword. The explosively erupting pure white light would be enough to blind ordinary people.

    “You are my enemy now. I will kill you here, so prepare yourself and draw your sword.”

    “…As I wished. Today, I’ll put a stop to my false life.”

    After a shallow breath, she kicked off the ground.

    Tat-

    I rush towards Eve, who exudes an intense momentum. To subdue her, I need to chip away at her strength, even slightly.

    One drop at a time, like scooping water from a lake with a small spoon. I unleash sword strikes towards the torrent of Eve’s Aether.

    Each sword strike isn’t extraordinary. They’re simple attacks without any techniques.

    But the fragments of my life contained in the sword were different. The sword I’ve diligently swung since childhood. The days I devoted to training. Those daily practices begin to gather in this moment.

    Dozens of strikes with sharp intuition.

    Hundreds of draws with relentless effort.

    Thousands of sheathes with frustration and despair.

    And ten thousand sword strikes with unyielding longing.

    The lines drawn by the sword connect. Every movement creates a sword dance, becoming another aspect of myself.

    Muyeong Sword, Zeroth Style: Self-portrait.

    Eve’s eyes widen at the unstoppable force of my advance. Her eyes, sensing the end, desperately thrust out her sword.

    I also intend to end this farce. Raising my Muyeong Sword to concentrate all of Eve’s attention, I scatter it in mid-air.

    “—!!”

    Did she see me swinging? Or did she see my swing? Either way was fine.

    The sword light that filled the surroundings disappeared in an instant, and our duel ended.

    “Kek- Koluk—”

    Just before sunset, under the faint sunset glow, like a dying ember, Eve’s Muyeong Sword flawlessly pierces my chest.

    Tuduk- Tududuk—

    Crimson blood stains my dress, overflowing like a waterfall. A scarlet tide begins to dye the world.

    “—!!!”

    “——!!!

    Someone shouts from behind. Yuri, Aspi, or someone else. But I couldn’t make out any words clearly.

    One reason was that my consciousness was fading, and the other was Eve’s appearance before my eyes in that hazy state.

    The jet-black eyes, which had been burnt to ashes, regained their blue color.

    “Why… why…!!”

    The play has ended. Eve, stripped naked of her facade, is only flustered.

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