Chapter 381: Setsuna
Elysia ate quite a lot.
As a fusion warrior, she never had to worry about her figure—no matter what, her body would always stay perfect, her skin only growing more radiant, her long pink hair naturally fluffy without any care. Words like cute and beautiful felt as though they were invented specifically for the fairy.
So of course, for this rare, lively meal, she intended to enjoy herself to the fullest.
After polishing off several bowls of rice—and while Senti was still devouring her food like a starving beast—Elysia set down her chopsticks and elegantly dabbed the corner of her lips.
"By the way, aren't those little cuties coming back to eat? They're all that busy?"
Right then, under Senti's bulging-eyed stare, Sigurd snatched the last piece of cured pork and popped it into his mouth before replying, completely unbothered:
"They all messaged me. Everyone's occupied with their own tasks… Honestly, at this rate, your Sigils really will end up being just bonus rewards."
A faint smirk tugged at Sigurd's lips.
They truly were working hard.
Kiana was sparring with Kevin to level up.
Bronya was learning the Pre-Civilization combat system under Eden.
Wendy was discussing improvements to Honkai energy manipulation with Fu Hua's memory construct.
Seele was asking Su's memory construct about all sorts of knowledge and skills.
Mei was shuttling between Kalpas and Sakura's spaces, squeezing out every sliver of possible progress.
The memory constructs of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers were the greatest library imaginable. And the girls were digging into that treasure trove in their own ways. Compared to the straightforward buffs granted by Sigils, the benefits of this kind of training were immeasurable.
Elysia pouted, stretching her slender, eye-pleasing waist as she drawled lazily:
"Well, you're secretly delighted, aren't you? If they can learn anything from any of us, the gains will be enormous. But… are you sure I don't need to go sneak a look at Mobius? Her experiments are not easy, you know."
"…No. Don't hinder Dr. Mobius' thought process. She works best when her genius flows freely."
Sigurd lowered his gaze, the curve of his lips disappearing.
Such a tsundere… saying one thing while thinking the opposite.
Elysia thought this but wisely kept it to herself—for her own safety.
Fu Hua handed Sigurd a cup of warm water, giving his shoulder a light reassuring pat.
Elysia watched the scene, opening her mouth as though to speak. But under Fu Hua's gentle smile and subtle shake of the head, she ultimately remained silent.
'To be so selfless even in love… truly worthy of you. Still, Hua… this gentleness of yours—if it isn't coming from real clarity and acceptance, you're going to get hurt.'
Elysia sighed inwardly, yet said nothing.
...
Deep within the Elysian Realm lay a world of towering icebergs and frigid winds.
Kevin stood atop the highest frozen peak, the air so cold that even breathing threatened to freeze the throat. His gaze shifted slightly as he sensed movement behind him.
BOOM!
A burst of extraordinary firelight erupted.
In this land of eternal frost, the sudden heat melted the peak beneath Kevin's feet, sending glacial water trickling down the slopes.
Kevin turned and met a pair of golden eyes burning like flames.
"You rested for two hours. A bit shorter than last time."
"Hehe! My body's been professionally conditioned, you know! And I've got special meds—going shorter won't hurt me at all!"
Kiana stood there clad in her fire-bathed white armor dress, one hand hefting a blazing greatsword over her shoulder, the other giving a big thumbs-up. Her bright, flawless smile revealed neat, pearl-white teeth.
Kevin paused for a moment, studying the blade.
"This weapon… looks a little like my Shamash."
"Pretty much! Sigurd forged it using the Plague Gem. It's basically this era's God Key. Unfortunately, turning it into a weapon required making choices—its ability to control molecular motion had to be sacrificed, leaving only the power of combustion. It can't manifest that 'cut through anything' ultimate destructive force."
"No. Combustion is actually the better choice. Controlling molecular motion requires immense concentration and mental effort. In terms of burst output, ease of use, and battlefield versatility, it's not as practical as pure combustion. If you go with combustion, all you need to do is maximize your output. And more often than not… high enough output solves everything."
Kiana tilted her head, thinking for a moment.
"Hmm… I guess that makes sense. Alright, let's keep going then! Ancestor, you really are a total monster—no God Key, just a fifty-thousand-year-old memory backup, and yet you can still beat me into the ground. Makes me wonder if the former six-core Sirin would be a nobody in the Previous Era!"
She scratched her head in her usual carefree way—only to feel a sharp prick in her mind.
[…What did you just say?]
[I didn't mean you specifically! I was just venting!]
[Hmph! Hand over the body. I'll show you what true power looks like.]
[Nonsense! Even if you could, if I let you fight, what would I get out of the training? Just watch—once I can beat this old man in front of me, I'm gonna be reborn!]
Kiana forcibly cut off the mental link, shoving Sirin back into the depths of her consciousness. She looked up at Kevin with a wide grin, her tiny tiger fangs peeking out.
Of course, when she said she would beat Kevin, that was assuming she didn't use the Edge of Taixuan. But using that would defeat the whole point of training.
A moment later, flames erupted skyward. Vast sheets of glacier melted into flowing water under scorching heat—ice and fire clashing in a violent, elemental storm.
...
At the same time, collapsed onto the ground across from Sakura, battered and exhausted.
"Mr. Kalpas is… terrifying. I think he might be scarier than any Herrscher I've fought."
Mei picked up a katana formed from countless shimmering fragments, its edges glowing with a cold blue light.
This was Plasma Shadowstream, designed by her father, Raiden Ryoma—a powerful weapon capable of converting Honkai energy into absolute-zero frost. Its conductivity made it perfect for her lightning powers, and it had accompanied her throughout her journey into becoming a Herrscher.
Now, it was broken.
To be precise, the weapon had already reached its limit during her very first battle with Kalpas.
After that, Mei had been holding the blade together with electromagnetic force, using the fragments to fight as a long chain-blade. Its raw destructive force had dropped, but its flexibility soared, opening the door to new tactics.
But now… it was truly at the end. The fragments were deteriorating too quickly; no amount of electromagnetic glue could restore a usable edge.
"Sigh…"
Mei let out a long, weary breath—part grief, part resignation.
Sakura, dressed in a simple pale-violet kimono, finished preparing hot tea and placed a cup before her.
"Thank you, Miss Sakura."
Mei accepted it, her gaze lifting to the softly twitching pink fox ears atop Sakura's head, a small smile forming in her eyes.
Kalpas and Sakura were polar opposites—one violent beyond reason, the other quiet to the extreme. Yet both were Flame-Chasers, each possessing their own strengths. Whether it was Kalpas' mad fighting style or Sakura's exchange of swordsmanship, Mei had learned immensely from them.
Then Sakura flipped her hand, placing a katana onto the table. Its guard was shaped like sakura petals, the blade thin as ice, glowing beautifully with a serene blue radiance—an exquisite piece that resembled fine art more than a weapon.
"This is…?"
Mei blinked, unsure, looking to Sakura for confirmation.
Sakura smiled gently, her voice soft and calm:
"Setsuna, my personal blade. Not long after I transmitted my final memories, Kevin brought it here for me. That's how I knew… that I had already died."
"The me you see now is just a ghost. I can no longer bring out the brilliance this blade once held. I kept it only so I could hand it to someone suitable at the right time."
"Miss Mei… we haven't known each other for long, so I'm not sure whether I can truly entrust it to you. So for now, consider this a trial."
Her smile was serene, her tone gentle—yet the words she spoke were of her own death.
Mei stayed silent for a few seconds before letting out a slow breath.
Then she picked up the wet towel Sakura had prepared, wiped her face and hands clean, and sat formally opposite her. Only then did she reach out with both hands—one on the hilt, one supporting the blade—to receive the Setsuna.
The moment she touched the blade, she could hear the sound of wind and falling snow. A chill seeped from her hands straight into her soul, sharpening her mind instantly.
"A cold and razor-sharp blade… reflecting a spirit that moves forward without hesitation. Miss Sakura, this is a magnificent sword—one rarely seen in any age."
Mei held the katana with both hands, lifting it reverently. The icy steel reflected the clear, devoted light in her eyes.
Sakura only smiled silently, though a sigh echoed softly in her heart.
It seems… I didn't choose the wrong person after all.
<+>
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