A/N: This segment lines up with the Sherryl's Spar chapters and Ouroboros chapters. I do think I did a lot of stalling between these sets of four chapters each. I am currently condensing them so it feels more fluid while changing things / removing context that isn't necessary. Happy Trails and Happy Reading!
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[Ding! A Quest has been issued to you.]
[Ding! Quest: Duel Sherryl Sky has been added to Gamer Naoto's Quest Log!]
[Duel Sherryl Sky]
Sherryl Sky, a member of the Sky Family who were once in service of Remiferia's Principality, has issued a challenge to you. She is wanting to test her resolve and see where her foundations lay. Having Gnosis injected into her body has let her discover her talent for the martial arts, and has used these last couple of years to learn Taito from the A-Rank Bracer, Zin the Immovable. Sherryl has brought Yin's successor to her knees, and wonders how far she has gotten since then.
Reward:
2,000,000 EXP
Enigma II Slot 4 Unlocked
Custom Quartz: Everlasting Vow
Wow. Just that experience alone would level me up twice, becoming LV94. Only six more Levels would be needed to participate in the Vermillion Trials. That alone is worth it! And it looks like that it really is behaving similarly to new game plus, in a way. The Enigma II's Slots all started out as Locked, courtesy of whatever the Second Genesis is doing to it. It cannot be unlocked by normal means, but it does look like I get to unlock them by doing Quests. Go figure, huh?
I don't mind that. It's another thing to grind for. Everlasting Vow is quite the name for a custom Quartz too, but knowing that Sherryl is on the other end, it kind of fits, you know?
Regardless, Sherryl and I could now be seen squared off against one another on the elevated platform inside the Vander Dojo. Sherryl now had quite a fierce earthen glow around her. Her Battle Aura had already been activated. It looks like she was wanting to go all out from the very start. And boy, at the time, little did I know that was an understatement. For now, Sherryl didn't immediately act. Instead, she spoke out, requesting a favor.
"Say Naoto, I have a favor to request of you before we begin this duel.", Sherryl suddenly requested, drawing my interest.
"Of course. Just name it.", I replied without hesitation.
"Would it be possible for you to display those weird powers you showed back when we were on that island resort together with those Jaegers?", Sherryl requested. A serious look remained in her eyes, I could tell she was being genuine here. Hearing her request caught me off guard. I didn't reply right away, and took a moment to ponder.
"Are you sure?", I asked. "That power isn't something to be trifled with. I know you've come a long way these last couple years and that you've been exposed to it, but it is pretty dangerous."
Just take the near-death battle I had with the One of Swords. I must admit, by that point, I had practiced Magic and the elements I've come to learn over the years quite a lot, but it still took a heavy toll on me. I even used the particular element of Blood Magic not only against the One of Swords, but also against the Jaeger King too back on Nemeth Island. It can be quite devastating. Even knowing that, I didn't see Sherryl falter a single step. She nodded her head.
"I know.", Sherryl replied. "Granted, I do not fully understand what that particular power of yours can do, but I want to see if I can stand against it, without outside interference. Plus, you aren't the only one who has a trick or two up their sleeves. I have something I haven't even shown Teacher yet. It is somewhat unstable still, but I can use it comfortablely for around eight to ten minutes. Plenty to have a duel against you."
"Is that right? You sound confident, so I can only match your resolve. I'll grant your request, Sherryl.", I said, replying with a nod of my head. "Besides, Magic treads a fine line between the known and the unknown. There aren't many out there who can perceive its existence. Besides, Master here is here, so I can't exactly disappoint her."
"Umu. I have not seen your practical application of incantations these last couple of years, Naoto. Your reserves are solid and steady, and you did not slack during my absence. I'll use this time to see how far you've come.", Roselia said, agreeing with my words. She then looked at the Thunder God. "To go with that, this place might get a little flashy. To not disburb the peace, I shall erect a barrier on the outside, and another one to protect your disciples from danger. Would that suffice, Sir Vander?"
"I have lived a long time but it would seem there are still things out there that even I have not fully grasped yet. I do not know why, but your presence here is making me nostalgic.", giving me a sense of nostalgia.", Matteus replied. "A barrier, is it? What do you call yourself?"
"You may simply call me Rose, like everyone else does.", Roselia said, introducing herself to the Thunder God. "And as I'm sure you've seen by now, I've been the boy's teacher for these past few years. Albeit what I teach isn't exactly swordsmanship. We can just leave it at that."
"Very well, Rose. If this duel poses any risk to the students here then we would need to take appropriate measures. I will personally assure not a single thread of hair is touched on Erebonia's Treasure and His Imperial Highness.", Matteus said. "On the honor of the Vander School, I will protect you."
"Oh my, how noble. Thank you for your protection, Lord Vander. I feel safer already!", Princess Alfin happily said, clapping her hands together. She then looked at me. "Did you hear that, Naoto? The two of you can fight without any worry about causing damage to us!"
"Loud and clear.", I replied, and smiled, only to look back at Sherryl. "Any shred of doubt I had left just vanished. Like I said, you will get what you requested, Sherryl. Just don't regret what you signed up for."
"I know. I will not back down halfway. I want to show you how far I've come.", Sherryl happily replied. She proceeded to do a classic Taito stance, very similar to how Zin does it. She raised one arm up, forming it into a fist, and dropped her other on downward. As she did, her earthen aura glowed even fiercer.
"Then I shall play my part.", Roselia said. With a twist of her hand, the space around her suddenly distorted. In a flash, she brought out the iconic staff that dubbed her the Crimson Roselia. Just like that, Roselia now wielded her staff.
"...What did you just do?", Prince Cedric asked, becoming shocked to see Roselia's Crimson Staff materialize out of nowhere.
"I don't need to answer a pompous brat like you who refuses to open their eyes and see the world for what it is. You're nothing like Dreichels. Still wet behind the ears.", Roselia coldly said with a snort.
"Y-You!", Prince Cedric said, feeling visibly annoyed at this point as he waved his arm out of anger. "You are berating the Imperial Family. You better have a very good excuse that makes you think you can say such things without batting a single eye!"
"Now there's that snot-nosed attitude I am familiar with. In a way, you are very much like Dreichels. Still, you needn't know who I am. I am here for Naoto and Naoto alone. I couldn't care less about you lot. It doesn't matter if you're with the Vanders or the Imperial Family.", Roselia said, snorting again. Despite saying that, she still extended her staff out horizontally, readying an incantation.
"Hahaha...", Princess Alfin said, laughing dryly. I could see a spark of excitement in her eyes seeing more Magic play out before her. "Rose doesn't mean any harm by this, Brother. I have not known Rose for long, but she is quite crude to anyone. It isn't just us. So don't take offense to it, alright?"
"Tch.", Prince Cedric said, clicking his tongue. But he didn't deny his twin sister's words.
'...You're tossing out Emperor Dreichels name like you personally know him. Who in Aidios's name are you?', Kurt silently thought to himself, wondering who Roselia truly was. He couldn't get a read on her, but didn't outwardly speak. He knew he couldn't.
As for me, I could only laugh like Princess Alfin.
"Haha. You sure know how to play with your words, Rose. But thank you. With this added insurance, we can fight without worry.", I said, thanking Roselia.
"Umu.", Roselia said, and didn't say any more. All she did was do a bright crimson flash of her staff. Wooosh! Wooosh! Just like that, an invisible barrier quickly wrapped round the Vander Dojo, as well as a second barrier around our guests. I was grateful to her for doing that. Even if Sherryl and I got a little crazy, we won't cause any damage to them now.
I then looked back at Sherryl and smiled. In fact, it turned into a grin.
"You did say you want to see what I could do, just like what I did back on that island. But before that, I actually have a new little toy I'd like to try out. I happened to recently acquire it.", I suddenly said.
"You won't be fighting with your sword?", Sherryl responded, becoming interested.
"Not this time.", I said, and shook my head. I was used to people's responses by now when I activate Inventory, so I paid them no mind when they saw my hand suddenly reach into an empty void. You see, I still have quite an abundance of weapons and armor apart from what I currently had, I didn't put on Sherryl's Adoration either.
Right now, I have Glistening Moonlight, Phoenix Robe, Vermillion-Clad Boots, Tears of the Vermillion, and Adamantine Guard. Instead of putting on Sherryl's Adoration, I decided to try out something new. Many of those weapons and armor remain in Grancel Castle's Treasury. And one of them just so happens to be a weapon that I'm about to bring out.
When it came out, it revealed a rather intricate and fancy-designed pole. Much like how a certain power pole Goku had in DBZ, except its color was entirely different. It was crystal azure. If one had a close look at one end, a coiling snake could be seen. its body twisted and turned around the entire pole, only to have it chomping down on its own tail. This meaning alone was significant, and given the name of this pole, it made sense.
"...An azure pole?", Prince Cedric asked, becoming interested. I could see a hint of annoyance in his eyes, but it looks like the comment about Emperor Dreichels completely swept past him. I'll just leave that be for now. Even Sherryl was taken aback by seeing this azure pole now in my hands.
"Since when did you learn to attack with a pole, Naoto?", Sherryl asked, and raised her eyebrows. She saw me effortlessly swing around my pole, just like how Estelle does it. It then shifted in my hands where I gripped the top part with my left hand while bringing the rest down to my right side.
"While my primary attacking method is my rapier, and that I dabble using a bow every now and then, thanks to a certain someone, I have access to various weapons. A jack-of-all-trades, as one would call it.", I said, telling a half-truth. Most of it happens off screen, but thanks to Father's Hundred-Form Military Combat, that acts as part of my foundation. It's a popular fighting style amongst the Imperial Army.
"I think I recognize that stance.", Aurelia mused, also raising her eyebrows. "Since when have you mastered the Imperial Army's Hundred-Form Military Combat, Naoto?"
Another wave of surprise reached everyone. Even the Thunder God was interested.
"The Hundred-Form Military Combat has been drilled into me since I was young. Though sadly, I cannot say by whom. If you really want to know the details, you would need to make a personal inquiry to His Imperial Majesty.", I said. "And by that point you would need to pass multiple security clearances."
"Something that only Father knows...?", Prince Cedric murmured. I bet he was having a field day with this one. He's been receiving surprise after surprise after surprise, haha!
Still, I paid Prince Cedric no mind. Instead, my eyes wandered toward my Status Window. I didn't see Hundred-Form Military Combat's details last time, but I knew I had it. I did a quick review, and yep it does what I think it did.
[Hundred-Form Military Combat]
The popular fighting style that is used amongst soldiers of the Imperial Army. This form easily allows one to use a multitude of weapons. Further improvement increases the knowledge and capability of what you can learn and wield.
Effect 1: You can easily learn any weapon or fighting technique.
Effect 2: Upon certain mastery, you will receive Mastery I Skill of the given weapon.
And as if on cue...
[Ding! You have learned Basic Pole Mastery I.]
See what I mean?
I suddenly grew a little stronger by holding onto this azure pole of mine. Why don't we go ahead and look at its details too before this duel begins?
[World Eater]
Weapon Type: Pole
Growth Weapon
LV: 92
Stat Per Level:
HP: 100 STR: 15 DEF: 15
Stats:
HP: +9,200
STR: +1,380
DEF: +1,380
Effect 1: Inflicts +100% Time/Space/Mirage Efficacy on Monsters.
Effect 2: +100% Attack Damage on Demon-Type Monsters.
Effect 3: +100% Arts Damage to Angel-Type Monsters.
Effect 4: Grants S-Craft: Eater of Chaos.
[Eater of Chaos]
Craft Type: S-Craft
Damage Rank: SSS
Attack Range: Single Target
Effect 1: Has a certain chance to pierce the target. Upon piercing the target, inflicts +50% Attack Damage.
Effect 2: 100% to impede the target's Art or Craft. Upon impede, absorbs the effect, and adds the effect onto your next attack.
Now that's a weapon. It's pretty unique compared to Glistening Moonlight or Verbrannteis, which can inflict damage onto one's soul directly. I am still hesitant to use that bow, since it can inflict death upon a target without letting one resurrect through external means, like becoming an Immortal. I should acquire another bow so I can make Verbrannteis an ace up my sleeve, no pun intended.
"Oh, and while we're at it, Alfin, catch this.", I said, only to toss my Enigma II at her.
"This is...", Princess Alfin uttered, and caught it with ease. 'Your Combat Orbment?"
"Yes. I'd rather not have this duel be influenced by external factors. I know Combat Orbments are adjusted and tuned to ourselves, but I will not use it."
"Very well. This duel will determine how far the two of you have come.", Matteus said. Princess Alfin also nodded her head, and tightly gripped onto the Enigma II, like it was her own treasure. She smiled back at me. I could see it in her eyes, a personal thank you message that I chose Alfin to be the one to safeguard it over someone like Roselia and Aurelia.
It was then I received Gamer Notification after Gamer Notification, causing a change in my current Stat setup. It's just one thing after another, isn't it?