Year 7 ATA, 10th month, 1320 hours
-Edges of Scandinavia City-
??: Sylvana sweetie, can you pass me my apron from the tabletop?
Sylvana: Alright mommy!
The young girl rushes to the kitchen with a white apron which had a little bunny embroidery in her hand. She hands it over to a tall blonde woman with bright violet eyes who was clad in a red kimono with spider lily designs.
Sylvana: Here you go mommy!
The older woman smiles and takes the apron from her while giving her daughter a pat on the head.
Sylvana: Hey mommy, why do you always wear these strange looking clothes?
Sylvana's Mom: Why don't you take a guess then?
The young girl pouts and crosses her arms.
Sylvana: You know I'm not good at guessing games.
The older woman chuckled then smiled.
Sylvana's Mom: Your father would always say the same thing back then. It's clothing from his culture, wearing it makes me feel close to him even though he's not around. (Not around anymore..)
Sylvana: Hmm? So it was daddy's clothes.
She looked at it in curiosity. The older woman burst out laughing gently.
Sylvana's Mom: Haha, something like that, yes. (I suppose she's still too young to understand much)
Sylvana: You have strange tastes mommy. Speaking of daddy, when will he be back?
Sylvana's Mom: When he's become the best swordsman in the world, he will be back.
Sylvana: Best sock man-?
The older woman kept chuckling, while turning around to put on her apron.
Sylvana's Mom: Not socks-man, sword-sman. It means someone who fights in the way of the sword.
Sylvana: What do they fight for?
The older woman stopped to think for a bit. She's never really given much thought to it but she answers in a way that her husband would.
Sylvana's Mom: To protect their family
Sylvana: So he's protecting us right now? That's so cool!
The older woman smiled as she began chopping some carrots.
Sylvana: I've decided! I want to be just like daddy!
The young girl exclaimed with her fists clenched, her violet eyes similar to her mother's burned with determination.
Sylvana's Mom: That's a lovely dream sweetie, but first you'll need to eat up to be strong one day.
Her mom picks her up and gives her a hug, pressing her cheeks onto her adorable daughter's own. She places her down and begins boiling a pot of water.
Sylvana's Mom: Go on and play in the living room, I'll call you when lunch is ready.
The little girl gave a smile showing her teeth and went out of the kitchen. The moment she was gone from sight, the older woman began shaking.
Sylvana's Mom: (This is not good, she may not have noticed it but my body is growing worse by the day. I better make some preparations just in case..)
Year 9 ATA, 4th month, 0730 hours
-Valhalla Cemetery-
It was a dark cloudy morning, multiple people could be seen near a grave. THey paid their last respects and began to leave.
"In honour of Hildr Skoll"
Amidst the crowd that began to disperse, a young girl remained. She did not say a word. She merely stared at the grave of what was her mother. A man in a black suit walks up to her, giving her a pat on the shoulder.
Man: She will be missed, I always knew she was frail but I didn't expect her to go so soon. Come on kiddo, it may rain if you stay here any longer.
The man, who was in fact her uncle, knelt down to her level. The little girl turned around and hugged him tightly, burying her face in his clothes and began to cry loudly.
Uncle: It's okay kid, I'm here for you.
He places his hand around her head and hugs her.
Year 19 ATA, 1st month, 2042 hours
-Providence Bar, Nebula City-
A man can be seen in a suit behind the counter, wiping a wine glass. The bar was quieter than usual that day, until the door to the bar burst open.
Sylvana: Yahoo, what's up Uncle Ragnar!
A familiar silver-white haired girl came in with excitement.
Ragnar: Ohh Sylvana, how was class today?
Sylvana: Boring, as usual.. But nevermind that, I want a glass of beer!
Ragnar: Sure coming right up, in 2 years-
Sylvana: Tch, stingy..
The man laughs as he places the wine glass in a drawer. He pours a glass of red liquid instead.
Sylvana: Is that- wine???
Ragnar: Haha you wish, it's just juice.
The disappointed girl took it and chugged it down in an instant.
Sylvana: Well this isn't so bad, I'll have seconds please!
The man touched his mustache and gave her a proud look.
Ragnar: Right? Of course it's delicious, it's my own original juice blend. Anyways Sylvana, you'll be graduating next year so I thought maybe you should hear about your father.
The girl looked unfazed but instead grew curious.
Sylvana: Sure, I barely knew anything about him but mom did say he was going to be the best swordsman. I made it my goal to attain that title before he did.
Ragnar: About that, your father-
Sylvana: He's dead isn't he?
Ragnar: You knew..
Sylvana: Well he never showed up once, even when mom died so I figured that was the case. Was that all you wanted to say?
Ragnar: That was part of it but since you already know, I'll get to the other part. I don't know much about what happened to him during the war since I wasnt near that area at the time so I only knew of news that spread but there was a talented young man who became the talk of the war. He was someone that even your father acknowledged. He's known as the Vanquisher.
Sylvana: The Vanquisher? Sounds odd for a name..
Ragnar: No that was his title, as for his real name I'm unsure myself. Never met the guy. His title was all anyone ever used after all. He was dubbed that because he apparently took on a whole battlefield of Arcana Class people by himself. He was also the key player in ending the Arcana War. After the war, Kizuna, the group that your father was in, disbanded due to heavy losses & even betrayal by some members. Remnants of that group created an organisation you very well know today, Hakumai. He joined Hakumai after the war but word is he left a couple years ago. Point is he may as well be the best swordsman of today since not many people even come close. If you want to be like your father, then you'll surely cross paths with him someday.
Sylvana: The Vanquisher huh.. Well since my father acknowledged him then he must be very good, not that I would know since i've never met either of them teehee..
Her tongue blurts out while she makes a silly face.
Ragnar: Your mom has met him I believe, they were close friends at some point before the final days of the war. Your father has brought him over for tea many times, at least that's what your mom told me.
Sylvana: Strange, she's never once mentioned him. He must be a respectable guy if both of them were nice to him. I guess I'll have to get stronger and challenge him hehe..
He pours another glass of juice in her glass.
Ragnar: Haha well getting stronger is nice and all but don't forget to do your homework, your teacher Ms Petra is one feisty lady.. She won't stop bugging me about your behaviour in class..
Sylvana: Eek sounds just like her.. Alright I'll do the first page at least..
Ragnar: First page?! Do all of it!!
She runs off into the back of the bar laughing, heading upstairs to where her room is. Her uncle smiles with his eyes closed.
Ragnar: What will I ever do about that girl.. (Sis, big bro , if only you could see what a fine lady she grew up to be..)
Year 20 ATA, 8th month, 0945 hours
-Yorome Stadium-
Mediator: Begin!!
The first one to make a move was Sylvana. She ran towards Brook who seemed to be taking a defensive stance as she charged up her mana into her dual blades.
Sylvana: What's wrong? Afraid to move?
Her coated blades began to turn into ice, she focused all her energy into her feet and leapt into the air.
Sylvana: Icicle Slash!
A slice of mana that was enveloped in ice magic cuts through the air towards Brook. His arms moved both his battle axe in an attempt to block that slash. He coats his dual axe with mana of his own.
Brook: Heat Surge!
The mana that was surrounding his dual axe turned into heat, the high temperature made the air surrounding the axe wobble. The slash of ice magic came into contact with his axe but it didn't do anything to him.
Brook: Is that all you go-
Before he could finish his sentence, Sylvana who leapt into the air earlier made a landing right in front of him and her dual blades greeted his dual axe. She swung her blades multiple times, evading each of his returning blows and tried to land some in herself. She jumped back while charging up her blades again.
Sylvana: Icicle Slash!
The ranged slash was blocked once more by the dual heated axe.
Brook: What a nimble fighter you are, but that won't work on me. So you use Ice Magic huh? Then all the more reason why you won't be able to defeat me. My Magic is Heat Magic, I can heat up my weapons to the highest limit it can go. Unfortunately for you this weapon is a magical weapon which has high heat resistance.
Sylvana: Well I was just getting warmed up.
She charges up the mana within her body and sticks her dual blades into the ground.
Sylvana: Icicle Release, Vetr!
The mana from the blades poured into the ground, turning the whole floor of the stadium into ice.
Sylvana: Icicle Release, Double!
3 iced-like figures emerged from the iced-covered floor, all bearing resemblance to Sylvana herself. The 3 figures readied their blades and charged at Brook whose feet were covered in ice.
Brook: Silly tricks won't work on me! Hrahhhh-
He swings his dual axe on the floor near his feet, melting the ice surrounding it. He regained his balance and parried the 3 ice figures that were attacking him. Although there were 3 of them, they weren't very strong as compared to Sylvana herself. He manages to destroy all 3 with a swing of his axe.
Brook: Now that wasn't very entertaining, I figured you had more in you girly. You're just like that unimpressive Vanquisher. All talk but no show. Time to wrap this up.
He scans around to find no trace of her whatsoever.
Brook: (Where did she go- Were the doubles a diversion? But she shouldn't be able to disappear with just Ice Magic- what's going on-)
Sylvana: Up here!
There she was, diving down from the air. A few seconds prior, she charged up all her mana to make a huge leap while her doubles were distracting him, giving her enough time to attack from the air. The man shifts his arm to block the attack head on.
Brook: I won't let you do that!
Sylvana: Heh just as I expected, take this! Icicle Full Release, Silver Slash!!
Her blades of ice turned into condensed mana of ice and glowed a radiant silver colour which shined brightly, blinding Brook for a bit. She landed a hit but a mist of fog covered the small area both of them are in due to the impact of their magic elements colliding. The visual screens around the stadium showed the fog clearing and all the spectators jumped at the edge of their seats, excited to know the outcome. A figure in a dark cloak was watching from outside the stadium through the screens.
??: It can't be, that attack is-
The fog dissipated, revealing 2 broken battle axes with dual blades right at Brook's neck.
The crowd went wild, roars heard from across the stadium. Sylvana was panting and soon withdrew her sword back into her crest.
Mediator: The match is over, winner - Sylvana Skoll.
Sylvana: That will teach you to mess with me hehe
Brook: Grgh
The man knelt on the ground and hit it, sinking in his defeat.
Crowd: Woah did you see that? Yeah she beat a Guardian Class! This will be big news!
She heads towards the exit only to see Argo waving at her.
A woman with a military officer hat walks away from the arena, her black cloak which hangs from her shoulders is blown by the wind as if it were a cape.
??: That was an interesting match. Kenji, inform Filio to meet up with her. I'd like her to join our 3rd Division if she would like to. That girl has talent with the sword.
She talks to a long black haired man who seems to be tying his hair into a ponytail. He adjusts his eyepatch afterwards & answers her.
Kenji: That's rare coming from you Ren, but I agree she does have talent. I'll let Filio know but are you sure? You could have met her in person.
Ren: If I meet her, it'll be at our own base at Springleaf Island. I'd rather it be comfortable for her than out here.
Kenji: As you wish Ren.
Ren: Well then, let's get down to business.
The figure wearing a dark cloak notices the presence of Ren & Kenji approaching their direction.
??: Tch, Hakumai's 3rd Division. Kenji aside, Raiden Ren will be trouble. I better leave Yorome City since I've already got what I came here for. Even more, I managed to see that technique. "Silver Slash" huh? Very interesting. It seems she may have some sort of a connection to the legendary Sword of the Silver Snow after all hehe..
The figure vanished into an alleyway, averting any chances of being caught.
Argo: You did great out there Sylvana!
Sylvana: Hehe, what do you expect?
She places her hands on her hips and gives him her usual look of smugness.
Argo: Thank goodness that's over with but wow, you're now the talk of the town. Good for you!
Sylvana: I wonder if winning duels make it easier to join the adventurer's guild..
Argo: Let's go check it out, the guild is nearby, about 5 mins from here.
He turns to see that she's already ran out the exit.
Sylvana: Well then what're you waiting for, let's go! Last one there pays for breakfast!
Argo: Hey wait-
He made a facepalm and ran after her.