A presence went unnoticed, standing behind the doorway of Emmeline's room. It was undetectable, even to those with expertise level of detection regarding Ether in its purest form.
"Interesting."
A voice spoke out, unclear as to who it was.
"So this girl doesn't want the power herself—she wishes to hand it over I see."
A mischievous smile crossed their face as they hid in plain sight through the usage of Ein.
"It looks like this will be easier than I suspected."
Silent footsteps echoed through the hallway as the unfamiliar individual left with no further traces.
"Who are you?!"
But to their surprise, someone stopped them.
"Huh?" Muttering under their breath, they turned their head to see Emmeline outside of the room, glancing at them in suspicion.
("How the hell did she sense me? That's impossible… I used Ein to conceal my presence.")
"You were there for quite some time. I'm not some idiot you know?!"
"Oh…" They turned around, hiding their puzzled expression, "Greetings, Child of Prophecy, my name is Blade. Blade Dagon." He walked forward, keeping Ein concealing his presence.
"Blade Dagon? That's an odd name-! No offense of course!"
"How rude of you." Blade closed his eyes, chuckling at her comment. "It seems you have no clue as to who I am."
"Nope, not a single idea." I put my hands behind my head, tilting it to the side. "But the funny thing is, I heard your name in one of the comic books I read… wait a second… your name is one of the primary protagonists in Dagon's Labyrinth!" I widened my eyes realizing something as I gasped, "No way, you also look like the protagonist himself! Are you cosplaying?!" I asked, pointing at him in awe.
"…I'm afraid not. I am the real thing, you see. People only make works of fiction about me from my accomplishments."
"R-Real thing?! No way, let me see your face!"
Considering he was hiding in the shadows, I couldn't get a full picture of his face, and only the suit.
"Very well." Blade stepped forward, revealing his visage. He had short black hair, red eyes, and the face of a pretty man… you could honestly mistake it for a woman's at first glance.
He was also quite average in height for a male.
I was starstruck by his appearance. My cheeks turned red, and my knees buckled together, giving me knock knees. I was suddenly timid, and shy… I couldn't help it, he was so cute.
I always get like this, especially in front of Jeremy who was always so handsome.
"O-Oh… well… you do look like someone who could cosplay as him."
Blade looked at me, astounded by my sudden switch-up.
It was only making me feel more embarrassed…
"Hahaha… Ba ha ha ha!"
But all of a sudden, he was laughing at me.
I looked at him, puzzled by his laughter. Did I do something?
"Honestly. How is someone like you the so-called, savior of humanity?"
"W-What?" His words struck me right into the heart.
"Being shy and timid are qualities that will get you nowhere in life—it's foolish enough that Apotheosis has chosen someone like you out of all people to take the role of hero." Blade frowned at me, sending shivers up my body.
I took a step backward, bumping into the wall as he approached me, slowly.
"I was waiting for the perfect moment to strike you down and send Apotheosis into a new host, but hearing you talk… and seeing your worthless traits, only irritates me even further!"
"W-Who the heck are you to be saying things like that?"
"Ba ha ha! Didn't I already tell you? I am Blade Dagon. The true Blade Dagon. The only Blade Dagon! I'm known as the strongest Wizard for a reason—and to have a timid child being my savior is something I will not tolerate."
"What sort of narcissistic freak are you?" I stepped forward, holding my ground.
"Oh?"
"I'm not some timid and shy girl… at least not all the time! You have no right to call me that!! You don't even know me, or who I am!"
"You aren't prepared for the world, child."
"Says who?!" I shouted.
"Common sense says it! I met other people like you; the type who relies on others to help them, and spoil them. You aren't ready to deal with things on your own. You're foolish and naive!"
I stomped at him. "No, I'm not! I killed a Wraith with my own bare hands! And as far as I know, they're equal to your strongest Wizards!"
"Ba ha ha! Only a low-class Wraith! If you're the savior of humanity, prove it by killing those that even I cannot defeat!"
This guy was getting on my nerves. He was smug as ever, mocking me.
"You talk like you're Mr. Big shot around here, don't yah?!"
"I'm far from it. Putting a title on me is disrespectful—I am in another league that definition cannot define. I am ineffable."
"You're just a nobody." I proclaimed.
"Let's test that." Blade reached into his pocket, pulling out a coin. "If you wish to prove your strength, then stop this!"
What was he talking about…? It was just some lousy coin. What was he gonna do with something like that?
"Sehk."
"Ah!?" It suddenly hit me. He was using Sehk; practitioners wielding Sehk can enhance objects, and weapons with Ether, amplifying its attributes to exceptional levels.
A piece of paper could become sharper than a razor, or water could become as hard as steel.
"Kah!"
Not only that, but he amplified the strength in his fingers with Kah as well. Apotheosis told me that individuals concentrate ether into specific parts of their body, such as the eyes, ears, mouth, legs, arms, etc.
Doing this can grant them overwhelming durability in a specific area, or overwhelming strength.
He flickered the coin towards me with his fingers as it was shrouded in aura.
At first, there was no sound, but then there was a boom. He flicked it so hard, causing a delay in the sound barrier.
The coin shot in a straight line, having enough power to destroy anything that came into contact with it. With enough strength applied to his finger, the attack moved at light speeds, defying physics as a whole, and warping the area around it.
"Uwaaah!"
I instinctively lifted my right hand, blocking the coin.
It slammed into my palm, destroying its abnormal effects, and causing the sound of a crystal to be heard shattering, only for me that is.
That shattering sound was an indication that the abnormal effects of the Crystal had been shattered in the abstract domain.
It could no longer be used for abnormal purposes. If he tried to pick it back up and use Sehk again, it wouldn't work.
Once a Metaphysical Crystal has been destroyed in the Abstract Domain with Equilibrium, it can no longer be brought back. My ability has no cause-and-effect relationship.
It was capable of destroying metaphysical crystals that embody the abnormal traits of something. As long as I could destroy those crystals, nothing supernatural could be used to harm me.
That's my ability.
The Ultimate Nullifier.
"Excellent! So you managed to not only nullify the abnormal effects of the coin but also its momentum! That Equilibrium of yours destroys all harmful intent and actions that oppose you in battle. How useful!"
I scowled at him, gritting my teeth.
"Just how much did you hear of me and Ms. Mona's conversation?!"
He chuckled. "I heard enough to get an understanding of your ability."
He was right. Even if I destroyed the coin's abnormal crystal, the aftereffects would still stay. By that, I mean; the Sehk around the coin would disperse, but not the natural law of physics. It would no longer be supernatural, but it would still have its light-speed effects from the natural order of physics taking place.
However, Equilibrium acts on its own and passively destroys crystals that could oppose me, and possibly kill me… such as destroying the Metaphysical Crystal of physics for the coin.
"…Well, you saw enough! I already proved to you that I'm not some timid, shy teenager that you think I am! What more do you want from me?!"
Blade approached me with caution, causing me to back up, and prepare for the worst, but he stopped a few feet in front of me, bending down to pick up the coin.
"Hmm." He stood up straight, glancing at its exterior. "There is no change in its properties—it looks like your everyday coin… however." He focused Ether into his hand. "Sehk!" Blade tried utilizing Sehk around the coin, but it couldn't be obtained.
"Ah, I see. Abnormal forces can no longer interact with what you destroyed, is that it?"
I looked at him, trembling in my legs… though I tried to hide it with a bold tone.
"Yeah, that's it! The coin you're holding now will always be your average coin. K-Keep testing me and I'll do the same to you!"
Gosh, that didn't sound threatening at all.
"Ba ha ha! No need. My time is up already, I'm being hunted down as we speak."
"What do you mean?!"
"Emmeline!" I heard a voice call out to me from down the hallway. It was Guinevere, along with two other people.
"Ms. Guinevere?" I muttered, dumbfounded.
She caught up to me in no time, huffing a sigh of relief.
"Jesus, kid, what the hell are you doing outside of your room? That place had a barrier around it for a reason."
"Huh? A barrier for what?"
Guinevere closed her eyes, shrugging her shoulders.
"I can't say much, but just know it's the only safe place you got right now until we handle a few problems."
"A few problems huh? Well, I just dealt with one, dealing with this guy!" I pointed behind me with my thumb, but they looked at me, confused.
"Who are you pointing at?" Asked the Combat Supervisor.
"Him-!" I turned around to face Blade, but he was gone. "Huh? How did he disappear so fast!? He was just here a minute ago!"
"Emmeline… tell me what happened?"