Cardinal World,
Western Nation. Holy City Ruberios.
Inside a private training field.
"Mei, that is..."
Hinata's eyes widened, looking at the long odachi strapped to Mei's waist. More so, was it just her, or had the girl grown a little bit...?
Was she imagining it? No way.
The current Mei was looking different than she did yesterday.
"Oh, this, ... While all this may have seemed quick for me to accept, I also want to be of help to them. I'll do everything I can..."
Hearing this, Hinata fell silent. She had a feeling it had something to do with this Laurel; even Luminous couldn't help but complain about every passing second.
Now, it wasn't a stretch to say she too was now curious of this Laurel person.
"But are you sure you can keep up with a weapon like that?"
"Hehe, you don't need to worry."
Thanks to «Ei», who to some extent can synchronise, giving partial control over to the Herrscher to support.
Rather than giving full autonomy to the Herrscher, Mei would control her body and mind while Ei would control the use of her power and analyse their enemies.
"Alright then, I see you're prepared then. Let me see just how much you've grown."
Hinata said that, gripping her rapier this time, slowly sheathing it, and levelling it at Mei, who nodded in return.
Slowly, she gripped near the hand guard of the odachi with her left hand and her right on the handle of the odachi.
It was a nice weapon, really, Luminous. She really outdid herself with the creation of the weapon.
A Unique Grade weapon.
It had a white sheath with purple linings, and the sword itself was silver, yet glowing purple.
With Mei and Ei, the weapon will grow stronger with them and one day will become a legendary-class weapon.
No, with Laurel, there was no doubt it would evolve into a God Class or even a Genesis Class. But that was for the future.
Now-
"Here I come."
Hinata said at last, with a small exhale stepping forward, her body seemingly vanished. But Mei knew better.
Clang-!
The sound of metal resounded. Hinata's blade struck first but was blocked cleanly by Mei's odachi. Sparks flew as their weapons met.
"Hoh? You've gotten faster."
Hinata muttered, drawing back and aiming another precise thrust, this one toward Mei's left shoulder.
And it was at that moment, left unguarded, Mei had decided-'Ei.'
«Nngh. Argh-fine, this queen will assist you.»
The Herrscher consciousness inside her answered with a reluctant tone before agreeing to assist. As the Herrscher did, Mei's eyes flashed purple.
Time seemed to slow down. [Thought acceleration] had been activated, and with that, the [Authority of Thunder] kicked in, her body shifting with a blur of purple lightning.
She twisted past Hinata's strike and countered with a graceful arc of her blade.
Boom!
A violent crackle rang out as lightning surged from the blade, forcing Hinata to leap back.
"Brilliant, so... that is your skill?"
"Uhm, I think so..." Mei answered softly, stepping forward again. "But I control it now."
Hinata raised her blade again. "Then I'll see for myself how strong you really are."
In an instant, Hinata launched a flurry of attacks, her precision unmatched. Each strike came from a different angle, each one calculated in a manner to pressure Hinata.
At the very least, the battle was going as Ei had been calculating the battle to go.
Mei, who was also being assisted by [Thought Acceleration], moved smoothly.
To Hinata, it looked like Mei's body moved a split second ahead of each strike-dodging with minimal effort, countering with sharp jolts of purple energy.
[Purple Lightning - Thrust.]
She jabbed forward, a wave of compressed electricity surging along the ground. Hinata's eyes widened. She kicked off the earth, flipping over it as the ground erupted below her.
'She's sharper than before,' Hinata thought mid-air. 'And faster. And that attack... she already has her own battle art? She's impressive.'
By the time Hinata landed, Mei was already in front of her.
Clang!
Another clash of blades, this time Mei pushing forward with sheer force, testing her Physique stat against Hinata's refined technique.
"You're not just stronger-you've changed," Hinata said, sliding back as sparks flew between them. In that moment, Hinata had also thought about that enigmatic Laurel.
So, he probably had been the catalyst for her change.
"I've accepted what's inside me... even if it's loud and annoying sometimes." Mei exhaled calmly, forcing her blade down.
«Hmph!» the Herrscher scoffed internally. «Be thankful I even lend you my strength, peasant.»
To the Herrscher's words, Mei let out a small perceptible smile before it vanished, and as she did, the atmosphere around both shifted.
Hinata's senses, which are better than most, suddenly paused for a moment as she suddenly felt like prey. Like her movements were being dissected.
Mei's eyes scanned her calmly. Weak points lit up instinctively in her vision. She didn't need to attack wildly-she needed only one hit.
Hinata, trusting her instinct, broke the class, dashing to the side, sensing the danger, and re-engaged.
For this fight, Hinata didn't want to use her skill; nay, she wasn't using it. This was a spar meant to favour Mei and judge how ready Mei is before reporting back to Luminous.
But this time...
She was on the back foot. Every strike was met. Every movement was countered. Hinata wasn't just being blocked; she was being read as a dark-haired female.
One missed parry-and Mei's blade kissed the collar of her clothes, close to her neck. Hinata froze. A drop of blood ran down her shoulder.
"...I lost."
Seeing this, Hinata lowered her weapon with a sigh. And though she lost, it's safe to say she had accurately grasped how strong the young miss in front of her was.
And Mei, hearing Hinata's forfeit, slowly lowered her weapon, shaking her head. "Not quite," she said, smiling faintly.
"You still held back.... A lot."
"Oh?"
Hinata raised an eyebrow before she chuckled; she didn't expect that Mei would have known she was holding back a lot.
That means Mei was a grounded person, like she'd heard from Luminous.
It was a relief, really. After all, she had also come to like the girl Mei.
Stepping back, Hinata sheathed her sword. "I see now why Luminous is on edge. I'll admit it," Hinata said. "You're strong, Mei. And you can become stronger."
It was rare for Hinata to praise someone like this. But considering all things-they are from the same nationality and all.
And both had personalities neither hated. Hinata was quite blunt in her words and didn't mince anything, which Mei was grateful about.
The Holy Knight was just as Mei thought she'd be.
For Hinata, on the other hand, she'd always known Mei had that quiet strength, and yesterday, she hadn't displayed anything on the level she displayed again today.
"I'm not sure I'm ready for what's ahead... but I want to be."
«Hmph. You handled that decently. For a coward.»
Of course, Ei would always remain Ei, but as they wrapped up their fight, someone entered with a rhythmical clap of their hands.
"That was splendid, Mei. That level of battle you've shown is something the you from two years from now will be able to show, but displaying such a level in the span of a few days, I'm proud."
"Oi. Laurel, mind yourself."
"Hey, at the very least, can't you give me some slack?"
"Luminous-san is overprotective of Mei-san, so I believe that much protectiveness is...."
Coming out from the pillars surrounding the training was a male with black hair with white streaks, and if one didn't miss it, they'd seen blue-like circuit patterns running faintly on his skin.
Accompanying him was Luminous and another male, with silver-white hair, wearing a casual outfit composed of a white shirt and black trousers.
Seeing them, Mei let out a soft smile. Seeing him, Hinata, who was at the side, slowly looked between Mei and the male in the middle.
'So, that person is... Laurel.'
[Mathematician Analysis]
- [Analysis Blocked]
Reported by [Fourth Calamity EX]
Said male also caught her gaze, smiling at her before waving one hand up towards her with a smile. "Thank you for your help, Miss Hinata."
Then again, Hinata wasn't shocked by this turn of events. Laurel would come to be the second person that she wouldn't be able to analyse.
Just how strong was he... As strong as Luminous?
Putting those thoughts to the side, she shook her head lightly, returning to her cool mode. "There's no need to thank me; I also enjoyed tutoring Mei."
Hearing that, Laurel crossed his arms.
"Why are you speaking like this is the end? I'm sure Mei would like to continue training with you."
Laurel said that, turning to the dark purple-haired girl who had now sheathed her sword, smiling towards Hinata.
stunned the cool and collected Holy Knight for a moment before she let out a nod.
"I see... Well, you're welcome anytime then, Mei."
"I'll be in your care once more."
Hinata and Mei exchanged that gesture, and while they did, Luminous slipped behind them, slowly, wrapping her arms around Mei's waist.
"E-eeh? Luminous?"
"Ahh~ This scent, Mei, you~"
"Lady Luminous... What are you doing?"
"You fool, you already understand what type of girl Mei is. I'm not letting you go, not to that abomination."
Laurel and Lux, who already had their gazes turned away when Luminous had made her approach.
By now, no one needed to tell Lux; he knows she swings that way. However, her last words, he was sure, were 100% referring to Laurel.
It wasn't fair for the male, but the male seemed to have accepted his fate. Evident by his shrug.