Chapter 88: Let me fight a Titan? Really?!
"Faster, Cipher!" Aglaea stood at the edge of the training ground, Golden Thread shooting out of her hand like raindrops.
Cipher's grey silhouette weaved through the area, nimbly dodging every attack from the Golden Thread. Her cat ears twitched slightly, keenly catching the sound of the Golden Thread cutting through the air. Side-stepping, rolling, sudden stops, changes in direction—
"Ha!" Cipher darted through the dense Golden Thread, executed a backflip, and landed steadily behind Aglaea. "How was that? Not a single one touched me!"
Aglaea retracted the Golden Thread and nodded approvingly: "Your speed and reactions are indeed outstanding."
"Of course!" Cipher said proudly. "Back in Dolos, I was chased all over the streets. If I wasn't fast, I would have been caught long ago!" She gestured: "Once, I stole a nobleman's money pouch and was surrounded by over a dozen guards, but I jumped onto the rooftops and eventually escaped through the sewers! From then on, I swore to become the fastest thief in all of Amphoreus!" "So, it was all out of necessity!" Cipher sighed, then laughed again. "But thinking about it now, if it weren't for those chases, I wouldn't have developed these skills."
"As expected of the great Cipher," you praised from the side. "In the past two years, you've made more progress than I have."
"Hehe, Little Cat, you always say nice things." Cipher scratched her head, a hint of pride on her face. "But seriously, you're amazing too! You just don't show it much."
You humbly shook your head: "No, I'm still far from your level."
"How could that be? I don't believe it!" Cipher said, walking towards you, then suddenly stopped as if she just thought of something. She didn't continue teasing as usual but paused, her cat eyes scrutinizing you very seriously, with a hint of inquiry. She had indeed always found you a bit strange. In nearly ten years of constant companionship, she had noticed your oddness more than once. Sometimes, when you two were in Stealth together, your aura would become extremely faint, and your footsteps so light that you were almost like another her, but the next day, that feeling would vanish, and you would return to normal. And that time in Dolos when you were at your most desperate, your speed had burst forth for an instant, so fast that it surprised her, but afterwards, you never mentioned it. She knew your ability was to replicate weapons, but your inconsistent performance couldn't be explained by that ability at all. You are a Chrysos Heir, so you must have other abilities. Moreover, for some reason, Cipher always recalled that rumor from Dolos back then... She always felt that this seemingly harmless Little Cat harbored a strength far beyond imagination within his body.
Thinking of this, Cipher leaned closer to you, lowering her voice: "Little Cat, tell me honestly... Are you secretly awakening some other ability behind my back?"
Hearing this, you fell silent.
Aglaea looked at you both and slowly spoke at this moment: "What Cipher said is also what I've always been curious about." "Orion... the Journey of Chasing the Flame is no child's play. We need to understand each other's full capabilities to be able to completely entrust our backs to each other when facing the Titan." "Of course, this is not coercion. If you are unwilling to speak, we will respect your choice."
You lowered your head, your heart in conflict. For the past year, you had been hesitating whether to reveal it. The replication ability... it was too unique, even terrifying. But if you continued to conceal it, flaws would inevitably appear when acting with Cipher and Aglaea later. Especially when hunting the Titan, you would inevitably have to use replicated Golden Thread, or Tribbie's Hundred Realms Gate... that was the strongest power you had seen so far. If you didn't say anything, suddenly using it would catch them off guard and affect your coordination. Moreover... you glanced at Cipher; she had never hidden anything from you.
You finally confessed: "My ability is... replication."
"Replication?" Cipher tilted her head. "Replicating weapons? I know that."
"No, not just that..." You paused. "Besides weapons, I can also replicate the abilities of other Chrysos Heirs."
"Wait, what did you say?" Cipher's eyes widened.
Although Aglaea had somewhat expected it, she was still surprised: "Replicating abilities... can you replicate anything?"
You nodded: "That's right."
"Could it be... even mine..." Aglaea's voice trembled slightly.
You didn't answer immediately. Instead, you took a step forward, and under the somewhat surprised gazes of Aglaea and Cipher, you extended your hand and gently held Aglaea's hand. Her wrist was slender and cool, and her skin felt delicate. Aglaea stiffened, instinctively wanting to pull back, but feeling that you had no ill intent, merely holding her hand, she did not resist, only instinctively glancing at Cipher beside her.
Seeing this, Cipher immediately let out a strange cry, sourly saying: "Woah—Little Cat! You're something, you've grown up! Learning to take advantage of pretty big sisters?" "Oh~ I get it! So you like the mature type like the Tailor Woman? I didn't see that coming!"
This made a faint blush instantly spread across Aglaea's face. She maintained her usual composure but couldn't help but glare fiercely at the outspoken Cipher.
You explained to them: "No, this isn't taking advantage. This is... a necessary condition for me to activate my ability." After speaking, you released her hand and then spread open your other palm. There, a familiar Golden Thread appeared—identical to Aglaea's Golden Thread. "However, I can only replicate for one day, and then I need to rest the next day before I can replicate again on the third day."
Aglaea was stunned. She looked at the Golden Thread, her eyes flashing with surprise, understanding, and disappointment... She suddenly remembered that for so long, you had often seemingly inadvertently, briefly touched her... and her heart had even rippled because of it, but she never expected... it was just for this?
Aglaea stared at the Golden Thread: "No wonder..."
Cipher stared blankly at you, then suddenly realized: "No, Little Cat! I knew it!" "I kept wondering, thinking your ability was similar to mine, something like Stealth..." "I never expected it to be such an amazing ability! Replicating others' abilities, isn't that invincible?"
You were a little uneasy: "Don't you think... this ability is terrifying?"
"Terrifying what?" Cipher stopped and looked at you seriously. "Little Cat is Little Cat, no matter what your ability is!" She suddenly laughed: "But now I'm relieved! Little Cat is so strong, you can protect me if I get into trouble in the future!"
"I will always protect you," you said.
"Gross!" Cipher pushed you, her face red, but her smile was even brighter.
Aglaea looked at your interaction, the worry in her eyes slightly easing: "Now that the ability is clear, the subsequent training can be more targeted."
19 years old. You were already proficient in using replicated abilities, and Cipher's reaction speed and Stealth ability had reached new heights. On this day, Aglaea called you both to the Weaving Workshop. Inside the Weaving Workshop, Aglaea looked at you both with a solemn expression.
"Cifera, I believe it's time," she slowly began. "You should take over the divine authority of Deception and reclaim Zagrez's spark."
The water cup in Cipher's hand nearly dropped to the ground: "Huh?!" "Wait, wait, wait!" She widened her eyes. "Are you saying you want me to fight a Titan?! Is this for real?!"