Chapter 382: Progress
"Miss Sakura, what do you think… a sword is?"
In the world where cherry blossoms drifted like snow, Raiden Mei was quietly wiping down Setsuna when she suddenly posed this question to Sakura, who was enjoying the flowers in silence.
Sakura blinked, turned around, and gave a small, gentle smile.
"What brought that on all of a sudden?"
"Because… I feel a little lost. The Hokushin Ittō-ryū swordsmanship passed down in my family is, in truth, a Honkai-energy-based style similar to the martial arts of Shenzhou. Over the years, I've made many improvements to it myself. But in the end… it can't keep up with the power level of a Herrscher. Should I keep using a sword? Or just abandon everything I've learned and focus entirely on developing my authority? I still don't know."
"…So what you're saying is, you want to give up swordsmanship?"
Sakura's smile faded. She watched as Mei slowly set Setsuna onto the table, her brows knitting together.
It had been a long time since the day she first placed that blade into Mei's hands. Time in the Elysian Realm was vague and strange; ages passed without clear perception. But Sakura knew Mei had fought Kalpas no fewer than a hundred times, and had sparred with Sakura herself just as often.
When Sakura had taken her old blade back out, she had already resolved to choose a successor. And throughout all the time since, she had never once doubted Mei's talent or resolve. But now… someone who was thinking of abandoning the sword—perhaps such a person wasn't suited to wield a peerless blade.
Had she misjudged her?
Mei gently stroked the cold steel of Setsuna, her movements soft, her eyes filled with a watery tenderness. Then she sighed lightly:
"There was once a master—whose martial arts were nothing short of divine—who told me I needed to choose the primary path between swordsmanship and authority. I've thought about it for a long time, but I've never found an answer. Training with Mr. Kalpas and you have only proven how little progress I've made. Miss Sakura… did you never face a similar problem?"
Sakura listened. The serene, painterly beauty of her face gradually softened.
"So that's what's troubling you? It makes sense. When your style can't keep up with your growing power, when it no longer meets the demands of battle… I faced that too. We were the first successful fusion warriors—how could there have been sword arts created specifically for people at our level before us?"
"Then… how did you solve it?"
"If you've fought me this many times, you should already have seen my answer."
"…It's because I admire your flowing, effortless swordsmanship that I dared to ask. What is a sword? Sometimes it feels like it's holding me back. In fast-paced combat, it restricts my response options. If I abandoned fixed forms and techniques and focused on freely wielding my authority… maybe I could become stronger?"
Mei's voice trembled ever so slightly with urgency.
The more she fought, the more clearly she felt it—swing the sword, or summon lightning? That moment of hesitation slowed her counterattacks and weakened them. Against Honkai beasts or ordinary enemies, she had the time to choose. But against Kalpas or Sakura…
A single instant of doubt meant defeat.
If this continued, she would never truly break through her limits.
Sakura lifted her own blade, her fingertips gliding across the steel. Then she suddenly smiled and said:
"Then just give it up."
"…Huh?"
"I forged my own path in swordsmanship because my little sister said she liked the way I looked with a sword. And because a brilliant scientist crafted this blade specifically for me, it lets me unleash my full power. What is a sword? There's no need to overthink a philosophical question like that. It's a weapon—if you want something poetic, then it's simply the power I rely on to protect myself and my sister. As for you? Just follow your own heart. The ultimate goal is to gain the power to defeat Honkai. Whether you use a sword or not… doesn't matter. Take Kevin, for example. He doesn't know the first thing about swordsmanship—but who would dare stand before the slash of a man like him?"
The beautiful sword in Sakura's hand vanished into thin air. She looked at Mei with a soft, elegant smile.
Mei was speechless for a long time before she managed a polite—if somewhat embarrassed—smile.
"…You're right."
Mm, that really did make sense. Why bother agonizing over all that chuunibyou nonsense anyway? Kiana fights by brute strength and guts, Wendy amplifies her output through martial arts, Bronya uses intelligence and data to control the battlefield with precision… Everyone has their own style. If you can't figure it out, just try it. If trying doesn't work, ask someone. And if that doesn't work, just have the almighty Sigurd customize a combat style for you.
"A sword is just a weapon! Miss Sakura, can I try using Setsuna again?"
"Oh? So you're not giving up the sword?"
"I'm not. I'm already used to fighting with one—there's no reason to suddenly switch weapons."
"That's more like it. It's supposed to be hard! You're already a Herrscher. Naturally, every step you take from now on will be full of obstacles. Bite down and bear with it—everything can be polished through hardship."
Sakura placed Setsuna back into Mei's outstretched hands, offering advice like a senior guiding her successor.
Then, with renewed determination, Raiden Mei headed toward Kalpas's domain.
A while later, the girl returned with trembling legs. When she was still a few steps away from Sakura, she collapsed face-first onto the ground, stretched one limp index finger forward… and stopped moving.
"Ghh—"
Sakura sipped her tea and admired the cherry blossoms.
I told you to train harder, not to go fight Kalpas head-on like that! He's the kind who gets more excited the longer the fight drags on, you know!
So what if you're a Herrscher? It's not like he hasn't killed one before.
"Sigh…"
Sakura let out a long breath and spaced out, ignoring the fact that she probably should've gone to take care of Mei.
...
At the same time, Kiana was crouching atop a frozen mountain peak, her face and clothes covered in frost and bloodstains, shoving food and medicine into her mouth one after another—the supplies Sigurd had prepared for her in advance.
"It's fine, it's fine. Just got beaten up again, no big deal! I'll get it next time for sure!"
Kiana told herself this as she sniffled, fighting the urge to run back and whine to Sigurd for a hug.
...
"Mr. Su, I—I think I can feel it… the calmness, the clarity. The Taixu heart discipline… I've made progress!"
"You did very well. What a clever child."
"No, no, it's only because Mr. Su taught me so well. Seele will keep working hard!"
"Mm. I believe you."
Under blue skies and birdsong, the world tranquil and fragrant, both Su and Seele smiled softly, radiating peace.
...
Whoosh!
Rumble—!
In another world of towering mountains, a colorless thin thread carved across the landscape, slicing countless peaks cleanly in half. Mountains split at the midline slid down with thunderous crashes.
"I did it! My output stability and control improved a lot! Teacher Fu Hua, your advice worked! Thank you so much!"
Wendy leapt toward Fu Hua with a bright, joyful smile.
Fu Hua stiffened for a moment, then slowly returned the embrace, a gentle smile forming on her face.
...
In a classical, elegant opera hall, Bronya placed a small white sphere into Eden's hand.
Eden weighed it lightly, pressed a button on its surface, and a bustling stage projected outward—spatial holography so vivid it felt almost real.
"This is…?"
"Bronya's token of gratitude. A Honkai-energy-powered projection device. It contains almost all highly-rated live performances from the new century—musicals, plays, arts showcases, everything. I hope you like it."
"Haha, this is the most delightful gift I've ever received. So, you're leaving?"
"Yes, Bronya's gains are more than enough. Thank you, Sister Eden, for your guidance."
Bronya rose from her seat in the audience and gave a respectful bow to the elegant woman beside her.
Eden's eyes flickered with emotion. After a brief moment, she sighed softly.
"Stay a few more days. When the time comes, I'll give you a mark. Work hard, alright? My future little warrior."
"Yes! Bronya will give it her all! And with Sigurd here, we'll definitely win!"
"Sigurd, hm… Before you two leave, would you come listen to me sing?"
"Of course."
Bronya answered without hesitation, immediately accepting Eden's tentative request.
A beautiful, graceful smile blossomed across Eden's face.
"That's wonderful. I'll prepare something special—hopefully the art of fifty thousand years ago will appeal to you."
"It definitely will. Eden-sister's voice is lovely—your singing must be even more wonderful."
"Haha! What a sweet child! Then let me give you a small gift. Don't hold back—these are all gems I personally adore. Aren't they pretty?"
Bronya received a small pouch filled with glittering jewels and jade, and a quiet smile spread across her lips.
...
Everyone was working hard in their own way. And in the deepest depths of the Elysian Realm, An lay motionless on an experimental platform.
"Are you ready, my adorable little test subject?"
"Just start. Less talking."
"Oh? As expected from someone associated with that guy—your mouth is just as unpleasant. But don't worry, I keep personal feelings separate from my work. You can trust me on this: more than anyone, I want you to succeed."
"Bring it on."
Sin Mal stared calmly at Mobius without a hint of fear.
She would definitely succeed—this wasn't confidence, but conviction.
Mobius's lips curled into a seductive smile. From behind her, metal tentacles slowly rose into the air, each holding vials of medicine and all manner of strange, unknown instruments.
Then, a chilling laugh—sharp and unsettling—echoed through the laboratory, like a summoning chant from the depths of hell.
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