Chapter 56. One Step Forward, one Step Back
"This is... Ah! Is it that?"
As I gently ran my hand over the obsidian 'strand', its identity was easy to guess.
The mana I possessed. In other words, the 'aura'.
⇒ Acquired new trait, 「Sombra」
While reading the phrase, the 'strand' that held the water bottle disappeared like dust.
"Ugh...!"
I caught the falling bottle just in time and slowly got up. The 'demonic energy' stirring in my lower abdomen could no longer be felt.
'Did I completely absorb it?'
I wasn't sure. Judging by the fact that I couldn't feel anything, it seemed that way. So, was this 'Aura Materialization' trait the result of absorbing the Soul Stone?
"Sombra... I've heard of it."
The Vivre Canyon is located in the west of the Adratan Empire. It is the name of the demon that haunted that place, a tri-horned demon.
"So this was the demon's Soul Stone."
Its ability, true to the etymology of 'sombra', was to materialize the atmospheric mana using its demonic energy and manipulate it as if it were limbs.
'Materialize....'
Realizing the name contained within the Soul Stone, I took a deep breath and channeled mana to my fingertips.
Aura materialization.
Something contrary to the common sense of this world.
No, it was a concept that couldn't exist even in the real world.
Though it was hard to understand what it meant, the 'strand' I had just seen fortified my imagination.
Sss──.
"... It's easier than expected."
Breaking free of preconceptions, I could once again form the pitch-black strand of 'Sombra'.
▶ Trait, 「Sombra」
Grade: Unique
▷ You can materialize mana and aura.
▷ The strength and length of 'Sombra' are proportional to its proficiency.
▷ This trait has not been fully mastered yet. Absorbing a new Soul Stone may cause a strong backlash.
After observing the trait, I imagined extending 'Sombra' to reach a book placed far away.
It wasn't that difficult.
'Retrieving objects is quite simple.'
Although I couldn't yet manipulate it as a limb, with each use, I began to intuitively understand how to handle and utilize this 'Sombra'.
'Then.'
What if I enveloped my sword with it?
Initially born from mere curiosity, it provided a degree of certainty.
'The Moonstone Sword has good compatibility with my mana, but its durability is lacking since it's a gemstone.'
Hence, I was subconsciously limiting its power when wielding the Moonstone Sword.
But if I could enhance its durability through 'Sombra'?
It should be feasible.
'It's worth a try.'
With that thought, I drew the sword at my waist and focused all my energy, letting 'Sombra' extend from my fingertips.
The Moonstone Sword, which held a subtle glow, was quickly dyed black as shadow devoured the moon.
'Not bad.'
As I channeled aura into the now pitch-black sword, I employed the 〈Moonlit Sword〉 technique.
Wung, wung──!
Silent, yet certain.
The Moonlit Sword began to resonate with Sombra.
"... Amazing."
Without realizing it, admiration escaped my lips at the sight.
'Sombra' was originally the ability of a demon.
And the 'Moonlit Sword' was created to kill such demons.
Combining two abilities that couldn't mix like water and oil had caused a reaction.
'The process of two incompatible traits repelling each other.'
In countering 'Sombra's backlash, the 'Moonlit Sword' could elevate its output even further.
"Can it not only improve durability but also boost output? How practical... um?"
Crack──!
The sound of something breaking.
As the resonating sound from the 'Moonstone Sword' began to fade, anxiety crept in.
"This..."
Retrieving the enveloped Sombra revealed the condition of the Moonstone Sword.
"... It's cracked."
***
Arriving at one of the best blacksmiths in the capital, 'Twilight Flame', Rinne headed inside, feeling the scorching heat against her skin.
"Rinne!"
As she entered, a woman with long hair tied back approached her with a friendly expression.
"Is your arm okay? I heard it was hurt."
"It healed quickly. Thank you, Lupina."
"Really? As expected! There's nothing like young blood."
Lupina smiled bashfully.
Though not much older, Lupina pretended to be an adult, making Rinne chuckle.
"Ah, this isn't the time for that! You came just in time, Rinne! Your sword turned out to be the best I've ever made!"
The reason Rinne visited today was because her previous sword was damaged in a recent battle.
Lupina, her face filled with delight, grabbed Rinne's wrist and led her hurriedly.
"Look at this. I made it specially light, just as you requested, Rinne."
On a table cluttered with blueprints and metal pieces, Lupina picked up a sheath and handed it to Rinne.
"It certainly is light."
"Right? Since it was Rinne's request, I put in some extra effort."
After thanking the proud Lupina, Rinne drew the sword from its sheath.
The polished blade gleamed like a mirror, reflecting her face slightly from the care put into it.
'... A wrinkled face.'
Seeing her own reflection in the blade, Rinne managed a bitter smile.
A lighter sword.
She ordered this sword as a response to Yulian's advice.
― Your mana vein holds more mana than others.
To prevent mana dispersion.
By reducing the sword's weight, she could concentrate more on the mana vein, hence the special order.
'Even though he's not someone I like, his skills in swordsmanship and with aura are top-notch.'
She thought Yulian's advice must be spot-on. With that thought, Rinne turned her gaze back to Lupina.
"How is it? The sheath isn't finished yet, but does it suit you?"
"It fits perfectly in my hand. As expected of the future owner of 'Twilight Flame'!"
"Haha, flattery won't get you a discount?"
Just as Rinne was about to say that wasn't her intention—
"Lupina! Master Luger is calling you!"
"Oh, is that so? Rinne, could you wait here a moment?"
At the urgent tone, Lupina asked Rinne to stay and quickly hurried out of the room.
Watching her leave, Rinne turned her focus back to the sword.
- 'If you approach it with conventional wisdom, problems will arise. You'll need to use other major veins, not just main veins like 'Opening Gate', to accumulate mana.'
Yulian's words echoed in her mind persistently.
Though she had a glimmer of understanding, she couldn't quite grasp it.
And so, Rinne paced impatiently.
'... Using two main veins at once? Is that even possible?'
Not according to widely accepted common knowledge.
Nor according to the professors at Bayer Academy.
Even her teacher, the Sword Saint, had never mentioned such aura manipulation.
Yulian's suggested method wasn't conventional.
'Could he have been making fun of me?'
Possibly.
Quite likely... Why? Because it's 'Yulian'.
Despite this, she closed her eyes, determined to focus all her attention on employing Yulian's unconventional method.
'... He's the only one who noticed my weakness and gave advice.'
But I'm short on knowledge and experience.
If at least Yulian provided more hints...
"What am I even thinking?"
Relying on that man?
Though we share the same goal, Yulian is a man difficult to associate with.
'No, I mustn't have such weak thoughts. Seeking help should be a one-time thing...'
Shaking off her worries, Rinne opened her eyes. In her gaze was a familiar silhouette.
Gray hair, mingling black and white.
A restrained smile as if emotions had been filtered out.
The man who had advised her about 'aura'.
Yulian.
'... Why is he here?'
Soon after, Yulian disappeared from her sight. Rinne started walking, intending to follow him.
'Set aside your pride.'
Acknowledging her own shortcomings and seeking guidance wasn't something to be ashamed of. On the contrary, it was a mature act.
Rinne sheathed her sword and began tailing Yulian.
After rounding a corner, a door leading outside the 'Twilight Flame' building became visible. As she passed it.
"... Huh?"
Yulian's figure vanished like a mirage.
Confused, Rinne glanced around.
Yulian would've headed this way, surely.
"Where did... he go?"
As darkness began to settle and lights gradually turned on, the faint sound of crickets could be heard. In this setting, Rinne frowned.
'... Someone who normally pops in out of nowhere to acknowledge me.'
It was baffling how he disappeared like a mirage now when I sought him out.
***
An instinct finely honed even in ordinary times.
Of course, this body, sensitive to presences, could easily detect if someone was tailing me.
From the moment I entered 'Twilight Flame', I had sensed Rinne trailing behind.
'I ended up hiding inadvertently.'
To be honest, I was a bit reluctant to face Rinne. The reason, of course, was the academy incident from before.
- 'Actually... I vaguely remember the conversation you had with Alphas.'
Not much time had passed since the incident, but nothing had been definitively resolved.
I wasn't completely certain if she knew about my association with the 'Dawn Society'.
'Besides, isn't this the first time Rinne has approached me like this?'
After confirming Rinne's presence was no longer detectable, I descended from the roof. Given Rinne's personality, it wasn't likely she approached just for casual acquaintance.
'Yet the reason eludes me.'
The only plausible cause would be to probe me based on what she overheard back then.
In that case, it would be better for her to approach me directly.
'In any case, I'd rather not run into her for a while.'
After organizing my thoughts, I headed back toward where Luger Orland's workshop was located.
***
Despite acclaimed as a 'master', the workshop wasn't particularly large.
Standing outside, the 'Twilight Flame' employee's eyes had been filled with fear the moment he spotted me.
"Wel-welcome, Sir Yulian..."
Polite yet awkward in his greeting.
Appointments were mandatory to meet the empire's finest craftsman; I had already informed him of my purpose through my attendant.
Of course, even without an appointment, a visit from 'Yulian' acts as a pass.
"Is Sir Luger inside?"
Upon my smile, the trembling employee swallowed hard and nodded.
"Yes, yes...! But, um...."
Hmm?
I tilted my head slightly, looking at him. A habit arising from sheer curiosity, and the employee's expression, previously fearful, deepened into apprehension.
He must've believed I was displeased.
"The, the previous client hasn't left yet... I-I'll go inside and pass on your message...."
"No, that won't be necessary."
Previous client, huh...
Under normal circumstances, waiting wouldn't have been a problem, but presently, I found no inclination to do so.
Knowing Rinne was here at 'Twilight Flame', I simply wanted to finish errands swiftly.
"I shall speak with him myself."
Maintaining as gentle a smile as possible, I started toward the entrance, noting the employee's stiffened countenance.
Clink!
"... Hah! My son recently joined the knight order!"
Upon entering the workshop, a shrill voice of a woman filled the space.
Decked out with rings and brooches, she stared at Luger with an arrogant pout, her arms crossed.
"A mere sword request and you're being too stiff, don't you think?"
"I don't have the time to make a sword for some rookie who just became a knight!"
"O-rookie...? Watch your words! Asking the royal palace could have a commoner like you beheaded in moments!"
Her face flushed from Luger's words, lips pursed in anger.
In the midst of her indignation, she noticed my arrival and discreetly shifted her gaze towards me.
"A royal request, you say... What was it again?"