(Riven POV – Outside Hestia Familia Church)
"Hey!" Loki shouts, jabbing a finger accusingly towards me. "What the hell was that about?!"
'Huh. Didn't think I'd ever see her open her eyes.' Her red gaze is sharp and accusing, which is almost unsettling.
I smile politely. "What do you mean, Lady Loki?"
"Don't play dumb!" She snaps, teeth bared in a grin devoid on genuine amusement. "Why would Hephaestus of all people hand-deliver a sword to you?" Her gaze slides to Hestia, who's still holding my arm between her boobs. "That big-boobed shrimp couldn't even afford a rusty dagger!"
I open my mouth to defend my goddess… then stop.
'…She's not wrong.'
Riveria folds her arms, voice calm but pointed. "The sheath is made from Minotaur hide. That would be excessive for a normal weapon, let alone one Lady Hephaestus herself would deliver and compliment."
"Exactly!" Loki crows, smacking her palm with satisfaction. "So unless the brat here stumbled into treasure, there's only one explanation. Did you—" Her lips curl in mock pity. "—use your boobs to seduce some poor fool into giving it to you?"
Hestia's eyes flare like firecrackers. "Boobs? Even mosquito bites would be bigger than yours! At least I have options. Your brain must be as big as your boobs!" She presses herself against me proudly, shoving my arm deeper into her chest. "Riven made that swo—"
I clamp a hand over her mouth before she can finish, but it's too late.
The air tightens. Ais tilts her head slightly in confusion, golden eyes still locked on me. Riveria's gaze sharpens. Lefiya glares daggers, knuckles whitening around her staff. And Loki… Loki looks like someone just slapped her across the face with reality itself.
'I'm not sure if it's because Hestia dissed her, or because she confessed that I made the sword.' I think, wondering which it is.
"Whoooa! You made that?" Tiona suddenly blurts, eyes sparkling like a child who's just discovered candy. She steps forward slightly, a wide grin adorning her face. "I love huge swords too! Mine's Urga, it's a double blade, but I didn't bring it with me today though!" She leans forward eagerly. "I'd love to show it to you if I get the chance?"
The tension shatters like glass. The Loki Familia all look at her in collective exasperation, while I just blink in mild surprise.
After a moment, I shrug. "I don't really care for swords. I prefer unarmed combat. But yes… I'd love to see it."
Her grin widens even more, her fingers twitching like she can barely contain herself. "No way! Unarmed's my main style too! Want to spar?"
Before I can answer, Lefiya bursts out, voice high with indignation. "If you don't even like swords, how can you possibly teach Ais to use one?!" There's a smug glint in her eyes, like she's got me cornered.
Riveria's cool voice follows, layered over Lefiya's outrage. "Indeed. You claimed you could teach Ais swordsmanship, yet you contradict yourself by admitting you prefer unarmed combat."
The others watch quietly.
I meet Riveria's eyes with a steady gaze. "Just because I prefer it doesn't mean I'm not skilled with a sword."
Riveria tilts her chin, lips curving in the faintest smile. "Then surely you wouldn't mind proving it."
'So that's their plan… They don't have to say they still doubt me. They can just let their test prove or disprove me.'
I think it's overkill, given that Loki knows I'm not lying.
"Why not a quick spar with Ais?" Loki cuts in tauntingly, her sly grin returning. "Let's see if you can back up those claims."
"I don't mind." I say simply. "Though… doesn't seem fair, does it? I'm just a Level One. If she simply uses brute forces, it won't prove anything."
Riveria answers before Loki can. "Naturally, Ais will restrict her strength to your level. I thought that was obvious?"
'It is, but when shit does hit the fan for one reason or another, it being said allows me to seek compensation.'
"Then I'd also ask that we use the same type of weapon." I add. "I wouldn't want my blade snapped in half."
"Hmph." Loki crosses her arms with mock offense. "Like it matters. No sword's gonna save you. We'll even provide the swords."
"Fine." I nod. "When and where?"
"Now." Ais says flatly. It's only a single word, but I can feel her eagerness and impatience shining through.
The simplicity of it freezes the air. Lefiya grits her teeth audibly, while Loki glares at me.
I smile at Ais. "Where?"
She tilts her head. "Here?"
"No." Riveria interjects firmly, raising a hand. "That would cause an unnecessary commotion. If you're agreeable, Riven, we'll hold it at the Twilight Manor."
"Oooh! Then I want to spar after Ais!" Tiona chirps, practically bouncing. She waves her hand like a child in class.
I chuckle softly, gesturing to the sheathed sword in my arms. "Sure. Just let me drop this off first."
"Yes!" Tiona pumps her fists.
"Take your time." Riveria says, already settling the matter with authority.
I retreat into the church, Hestia still glued to my side. Once the door closes, I absorb the sword into Stomach. Even if it was made cheaply, the materials are expensive. It'd be sad if it was stolen.
'Although, what should I name it?' I wonder, and decide to push the decision till later.
Hestia peers up at me, her earlier fire dulled into worry. "…Are you sure you should do this?"
I pat her head lightly. "Don't worry. I'd win."
Her face flushes, and she puffs up with forced confidence. "O-of course you will! I knew that, so why would I worry?!"
I smile at her denial, and together we head back out.
(Riven POV – Twilight Manor, Courtyard)
'Up close, it's even more impressive than I expected.'
The Twilight Manor looks almost like a fortress. Tall towers overlap and support one another like a complex puzzle, all climbing upward from the relatively narrow plot of land the Manor is built on. The highest spire pierces the sky from the center, and in its shadow lies the courtyard where I now stand. The place is bare of decoration—no flowers, no banners—just wide, open space meant for training. It's practical and minimalistic.
I turn the iron longsword in my hand, testing its weight. The balance is decent enough, but the edge is quite dull, probably to reduce the likelihood of injuries.
'Wouldn't wooden swords have worked just fine? There'd be a lower chance of slicing someone in half by mistake.' I note. 'But I'm not worried. I've got someone to rely on.'
[Notice: Auto-battle protocols will engage in response to life-threatening attacks.]
'Right. If something went catastrophically wrong, GS would take over. But if Ais really wanted me dead for whatever reason… even GS couldn't save me.'
My eyes flick to Ais. She stands across from me, maybe twenty meters away, posture calm, golden hair catching the sunlight. Her expression is as unreadable as ever, but her focus is absolute.
'Although… she seems kind of excited?' I think, noticing a slight glimmer in her eyes.
Around the courtyard, her Familia gathers in a ring. I spot Finn sporting a shrewd smile, Bete glaring at me as though my presence alone offends him, Tione more focused on fangirling over Finn, Riveria quietly observant, Lefiya cheerfing for Ais. Tiona waves at me the moment I meet her gaze with a bright grin, probably eager to have her turn with me.
And there, my goddess, bouncing on her toes, cupping her hands around her mouth. "Go get 'em, Riven!" Hestia cheers, as if volume could tilt the odds in my favor.
I sigh softly, then meet Ais's gaze again. "So… how far do you want to take this? Just testing our skills, until one of us loses, or first blood?"
"Lose." She says instantly, her voice as calm as always.
I chuckle under my breath. "Of course."
'That's fine. I can always surrender if it drags on too long. But… should I use breathing styles?'
Sun Breathing in particular. It's technically a sword technique. Still… using it would make me look far stronger than a Level One should. I'd be like a high Level Two, maybe even a fresh Level Three at best?
'But then again… most of my power is in techniques anyway. Those can't be copied, and I'd never know. And the Loki Familia doesn't strike me as the type to ambush me just for that.'
I exhale slowly, cementing my decision. 'I'll use it. I'll be using it everywhere, and it would've come out sooner or later. At most, people will just assume it's a skill.'
GS created a unique unarmed fighting style for me based on all the techniques she pulled from memory. Now, she's done something similar regarding sword techniques.
'I feel more confident.' I think as the knowledge flows into my mind. Stances, footwork, and numerous sword techniques are mastered in an instant thanks to Thought Acceleration. Even the controlled rhythm of Sun Breathing is adjusted to my physique and increased power, due to Falna.
I roll my shoulders, loosening tension, and raise my blade towards Ais, keeping Thought Acceleration active. The crowd's murmurs quiet as tension rises. The weight of their gazes presses in, but I remain steady.
'GS, since we'll be teaching her soon, can you analyse her sword style and reconstruct the version Albert likely had, filling in any missing gaps or errors.'
[Notice: Sword techniques of Ais Wallenstein will be analyzed in real time. The reconstruction of Albert Waldstein's complete sword technique will be attempted.]
My gaze locks onto hers, as she raises her sword in kind.
I smile. "Let's begin."
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A/N: Hello Everyone. How are you all? If you've enjoyed the chapter and book thus far, please consider leaving me some comments, reviews, or power stones. It really helps the book out.
So, this is the chapter. I decided to end it here because I wouldn't want to cut it halfway through when the fighting starts. I'll also be using a fixed update schedule starting tomorrow, that I'll hopefully be able to maintain🤣😭 (I'll try my best!).
As for the chapter itself, I decided to not have Riven hold back the breathing style. Don't worry, he wouldn't just start sharing it with anyone who asks (like common idiot protagonists do), at the very least, they'd have to be dating, but anyway... My reasoning is that it's more genuine for Ais. It'd be unrealistic for her to take it seriously if it's at level 1.
Riven will actually be approaching high Level 3 in threat level, using all the techniques, in pure power. And he won't be using crazy techniques, or going 100% and beyond against Ais, since that's not the goal, and he doesn't want to expose all his abilities. It's purely a sword duel.
You can also read 10 chapters ahead and support me at [email protected]/AMV_WEAKLY
I guess there isn't much else to say. So yeah... I hope you all enjoyed, and have a good day/night😁