-Alkaios POV-
"Asclepius, how much longer is this going to take?" I asked, stretched out on the medical table. Today was another round of tests, where Asclepius would experiment with different cures. That meant I had to lower my Divine Protection while he worked. I wasn't a fan of the constant pain the plague inflicted on me. I could have sworn the plague was mocking me somehow. It knew it couldn't kill, so it was as agonizing as possible.
"Almost finished, Alkaios. This is the last treatment I've prepared for today. Now, hold still while I administer the injection," Asclepius said, forcing another dose down my throat. I could feel the concoction battling the plague within me. For a fleeting moment, I felt the medicine take hold, and my fever dipped before returning.
"It seems the concoction worked better this time," Asclepius muttered, writing his findings. "I could see your symptoms disappear for a while. But the plague has returned, as expected."
I rolled my eyes at Asclepius's muttering. I knew that once he got going, he wouldn't stop. It was clear he got tunnel vision when he worked. It was admirable, if annoying, when you tried to speak to him. Asclepius would not acknowledge me until he was finished. I sighed; there had to be an easier way to do this.
What did I know about the Nosos? I knew they came from Pandora's Box, and that they represented sickness itself. The problem was that the information came from standard myths. Since I was in the Nasuverse, not those myths, the Nosos were likely different. But just how different was the real question.
As far as I know, the Nosos could just be a variation of the Pale Rider. Not knowing that really frustrated me. I felt useless, just lying here while Asclepius worked tirelessly. We've tried so many cures, but nothing's worked. The most recent test was the closest, but a cure is still nowhere in sight.
Asclepius and I both knew that everyone in Athens could get sick, yet we had to stay and find a cure. It seemed impossible to remove the cure once it attached to a human host... Wait a second.
I sat up, ignoring Asclepius's advice to lie down. Switching my Divine Protections back on, I grabbed my bucket and threw up the familiar black sludge. When I finished, I stared at it, thinking. What if Asclepius and I were approaching this the wrong way? Instead of curing people of it, maybe we should just try to cure the sludge itself.
"Asclepius, can you do anything about this black mud? We should try to get rid of it, not just cure the people," I said, handing him the jar. Asclepius looked at it with confusion, then set it down with the other jars of black mud, staring at them all.
"I should be able to purify the black mud. By itself, it's not a threat. It becomes dangerous only when it touches humans. On its own, it's harmless," Asclepius mused, glancing through his notes. "Even if I could purify the mud, Alkaios, that wouldn't help. From my research, this mud changes its properties to kill humans. It seems to adapt, finding the most effective way to kill each individual. That's why this plague is so hard to cure. It's never the same for each infected person," he added.
I nodded, not seeing a problem. "Could you purify people if they separated from the mud?" I asked him. Asclepius considered my question, his hand rising to his chin in thought.
"I should be able to do this, with a spell specifically for this mud... Yes, that could work. I'd have to ask my father for help, which I really don't want to do, but I'll do it to heal everyone," Asclepius said, his face contorting at the very thought of requesting Apollo's aid.
I smiled, considering the situation. While I couldn't cure the people, I could separate them from the plague. That was one way I could help, besides getting sick myself. The answer lay in the original Sword Saint's skill: cutting concepts. Despite all my training, I'd never had time to practice it. In fact, I didn't even know how to begin. How *do* you cut a concept, really? Reid Astrea had cut friction itself.
I didn't even need to master the skill completely. All I needed was the ability to sever the connection to people. From the Asclepius test, we could see that the mud reverted to its original state once separated from humans. If I could trick the mud, it would revert to its original state.
Asclepius could then use his spell to purify the infected while it rested in the human body. The more I thought about it, the better the idea seemed. The problem was my inability to cut concepts; this entire plan hinged on whether I could learn the basics of this skill.
"Asclepius, I need you to purify this sludge, if you can. Even a little would help everyone in the long run," I asked. Asclepius considered it for a moment before nodding in agreement.
"Alkaios, purifying this mud could be very helpful. Even if it doesn't seem like the mud is the same for every host, your suggestion has merit, especially if I can figure out why and how this sludge becomes this plague." Asclepius' tone suggested possibility, considering all the potential uses. "I trust you know the way out, Alkaios," Asclepius added.
I let out a snort, making sure I was completely clean before leaving the room. As I stepped out of Asclepius's workshop, I immediately reached for my sword. I did not know where to even begin dissecting concepts, but starting with Reid seemed like a good idea. I knew nothing of Reid Astrea's life, but I knew that in the future he'd be using chopsticks to fight. That told me he was a master swordsman if he could wield chopsticks as weapons. But Reid had to start somewhere, and that somewhere had to be with Reid himself.
I finally made it back to my cabin and immediately grabbed Reid and left. I did not know how I'd grasp the concepts, but I have a lot of Divine blessings. With that thought, I found a quiet spot in the woods. I closed my eyes and activated all my martial Divine Protections. The difference was like night and day. I could feel my power returning in spades. I smiled; it felt invigorating to have the Divine Protection of the Sword Saint back.
I drew Reid from its sheath, reactivating the Divine Protection of Training. The great thing about this ability was its guidance on how to train. I could already sense an invisible roadmap forming in my mind. With that in mind, I understood my goal was distant, like standing at the foot of a mountain with a cloudy, endless peak.
I started with the opening stance of the Astrea Family Swordplay, facing the tree. My aim was straightforward: to eliminate the color from it. I closed my eyes and swung my sword. Rather than focusing on the tree itself, I aimed to sever its connection to the color green. My blade sliced through the air, but nothing happened.
I sighed, the weight of the task pressing down on me. I knew this would not be easy. What I understood from the fragments of knowledge I'd gathered was that Reid's terrifying ability to sever concepts stemmed from his manipulation of the very relationships between things. He could slice through the fundamental connections that bound the world together.
I needed to approach this, to treat the tangled knot of what I was trying to sever, as something a sword could cleave. I realized I had been thinking about it all wrong. Swords don't care about what they cut. They are indiscriminate, brutal instruments of separation. They simply *cut*.
That was the essence of the concept swords carried — the very core of their being. That was the concept that a 『Sword』 inherently possessed. The 『Sword』, in its purest form, was that which was brought forth solely for the act of slashing objects down, for the annihilation of their form and connection.
And the term "Sword Moves" was the label given to the intricate techniques, the disciplined art, of wielding that sword to achieve the act of slashing objects. Each movement a precise calculation, a dance of destruction.
Then, there was the ultimate technique, the "Flash." The Flash was a technique that slashed down all the objects in the world. It was the culmination, the apotheosis, and the long-cherished original desire of both the 『Sword』 and the "Sword Moves." It was the embodiment of the act of cutting, stretched across reality itself. Those who were unfortunate enough to be touched by the Flash would never forget the truth of being severed, of being brought low, for eternity. The cut would become a fundamental part of their being, a scar upon the soul of existence.
With that thought in mind, I swung Reid again, focused on the ancient oak tree like it was something a sword could cut. Reid, my trusted blade, sliced through the air with a whisper of displaced wind. Then, as the polished steel neared the gnarled bark, I felt a tiny resistance, a subtle pushback as if the world itself was denying my swing. It was a strange sensation, a fleeting moment of defiance before the blade connected.
The moment of impact sent a jolt of pure energy through my arms. I felt them vibrate with a metallic resonance, as if I had struck solid iron instead of wood. The shock of the impact was almost unbearable. Sharp, searing pain lanced through my forearms, and my grip faltered. With a grunt of pain, I dropped Reid, the familiar weight suddenly alien and unwieldy. The sword clattered against the forest floor, its metallic clang echoing through the otherwise silent woods. Even as I stumbled back, cradling my throbbing arms, I could still feel them shaking, a persistent tremor that served as a painful reminder of the force I had unleashed and the unseen resistance I had encountered. The encounter left me breathless and bewildered.
Just for a second, I could feel the world react and clearly deny my swing. It was as if an invisible force field, perfectly timed to repel the arc of my blade, had erected itself. The force was palpable, a physical resistance that vibrated through my arm, leaving it aching with the sudden stop. But despite it all, despite the rebuff, I found myself on the right path. Now that I knew it was possible, I had somewhere to go.
With a determined smile gracing my lips, I grabbed Reid, my trusty sword, ready to try again. The sun beat down on the training grounds as hour after hour passed. I continued to swing Reid through the air, the rhythmic whoosh of the blade a constant companion. My goal was singular, all-consuming: to cut away the color from the ancient oak tree that stood before me. I imagined slicing through the vibrant greens and browns, leaving behind a monochrome canvas, a testament to my perseverance.
I didn't stop until nightfall; the sky bleeding into hues of orange and purple as the last rays of sun dipped below the horizon. That's when Chiron found me. He stood at the edge of the training grounds, his face etched with a mixture of concern and a hint of amusement, observing my relentless efforts. I was still swinging my sword, my arms slick with sweat and bloodied, the physical manifestation of my struggle. It looked as if my arms had burst from the strain, as my veins were visible, bulging beneath my skin like tangled ropes. My face held a grim expression, a mask of concentration as I pushed myself to the breaking point. I tried to make the tree lose all color. But despite how much I swung, there was no visible change to it. The oak remained as vibrant and defiant as ever, its leaves rustling softly in the evening breeze, mocking my futile efforts.
"Alkaios, what happened to your arms?" Chiron asked, concern lacing his voice as he approached. I was in the middle of a strenuous sword practice, the rhythmic *whoosh* of steel a sharp contrast to the growing bloodstain on my arms. I shifted my position carefully, angling my swing away from Chiron, and kept practicing.
"I am trying to create a new sword technique for my future family. I hope to one day pass it down. Unfortunately, it seems the world disagrees with me," I replied, my voice strained but determined. I resolutely ignored the throbbing ache that was now pulsating in my arms. My hands were slick and sticky, coated in a thick layer of my blood. Each movement sent fresh waves of pain, but I pressed on, driven by the vision of a legacy I could leave behind.
"Alkaios, it's time for a break," Chiron said gently, his hand resting on my shoulder. His usually stoic face showed worry and understanding. "I can see that your arms are shaking with pain. There is pushing yourself, and then there is killing yourself." His words were a gentle reprimand, a reminder of the fine line between perseverance and self-destruction.
I wanted to refuse, to push through the pain and continue honing my technique. But then I looked down at my arms, a gruesome tapestry of crimson, and the truth of Chiron's words finally sank in. The relentless practice had pushed me beyond the limits of endurance. With a sigh of weary surrender, I lowered my sword. My body, exhausted and battered, finally gave in to the agony it had been suppressing.
Silently, I channeled Shiha and focused my will, and watched, with slight relief, as the wounds on my arms slowly disappeared. The throbbing eased, the sticky residue of blood vanished, and the pain receded, leaving behind only the lingering exhaustion of a hard-fought battle… against myself.
"I'm sorry, Chiron. I just had an idea to help Athens. All day I've been here trying to bring that idea to life. But I've had no success so far," I said with frustration, wiping the sweat from my brow. No matter what I did, I couldn't even change a single leaf on the ancient oak I was training beneath. Something shattered my focus, which was usually as sharp as a newly forged blade.
Chiron, ever the calm and wise mentor, observed my struggles from the shaded porch of the training grounds. His gaze, usually twinkling with good humor, was now softened with understanding. "I see, Alkaios. I look forward to what you plan to do. But now is the time to rest," Chiron said, his voice a soothing balm to my raw emotions.
I nodded my head in acceptance, the words a silent admission of defeat for the day. He was right, of course. Pushing myself further wouldn't yield results. There was always tomorrow. The very existence of the challenge, the world denying me, was still a godsend, a direction for my passions. I took one last lingering look at the oak tree, its leaves a vibrant, unchanging green against the clear blue sky. It stood as a monument to my current limitations. I made a silent promise to myself, a vow whispered on the warm breeze: "Tomorrow, that tree will change color." The thought, fuelled by the setting sun's determination, became a beacon to carry me through the night.
//Next Week//
I was here again at the same ancient oak I had practiced from before. Despite my vow to master the pinnacle of the Astrea family sword art, I could not change the tree's color in a single day, as I had been practicing for a grueling week. For the past week, a palpable sense of the world denying me my desires had settled upon me, a suffocating pressure. But now, the pressure was even heavier, crushing. I focused my will and determination on battling the invisible forces that resisted my magic, ignoring the chirping birds, rustling leaves, and gentle breeze. I even ignored the throbbing pain in my shoulder as I swung my sword again. To my amazement, I could feel something within me — a subtle energy — finally break free as Reid connected with the oak. Then one of the tree's leaves, vibrant emerald a moment before, shimmered and transformed, shifting to the putrid color of a decaying corpse. The transformation was complete — a ghastly, unsettling hue. But that was the only change. The leaf, though a deathly color, still clung to its branch, still vibrated with life. Before my excitement could erupt, before I could fully savor the victory, I watched, dumbfounded, as the color reversed. The ghastly hue receded, and the leaf snapped back to its original green. I frowned, lost in thought. Why? Why the fleeting change?
Driven by a desperate need to understand, I focused my will once more, repeating the action, hoping for a longer, more stable effect. I tried again and again, pouring all my concentration into the effort, only to find that the tree's leaf would change color for a mere two seconds — a tantalizing glimpse of success followed by agonizing frustration. Just to be sure, to eliminate any doubt, I tried one more time, and this time, as I use random, fallen branch on the ground, despite doing the same movements with Reid the Tree, the leaves did not change.
'It felt like I could only alter the world's effects for about two seconds before everything snapped back to normal. It was like that degradation where the world corrected itself from magecraft in the future. Unlike Reid Astrea, who could destroy the concept, I could only influence it. I could only use it with a blade at the moment. It must be because I only perceive a sword as a 『Sword』. Also, it seems I actually need to cut the object, unlike Reid Astrea, who didn't.' I thought, gazing at the tree, but I was still happy with this progress.
I needed to see Asclepius right away. Dashing past everyone, I ran all the way to Asclepius's workshop. I nearly trampled Castor in my haste. Slamming open Asclepius's workshop door open I ran down the halls. Not even bothering to cover my mouth, I just let my Divine Protection handle it. Asclepius was in the process how creating a new concoction when I busted into the room. Asclepius jumped at the sound of me slamming his door open.
"Alkaios, what in Hades?!" Asclepius yelled.
"Sorry, Asclepius, but I've had a breakthrough! Come look!" I exclaimed, grabbing a rat riddled with infection. Focusing, I concentrated as I had before, picturing the plague within the rat as something a 『Sword』 could cleave. Visualizing the disease and how it affected me, I swung Reid at the tiny creature. I must have looked insane. As Reid cut the rat, instead of splitting in two, it became healthy for a moment. After precisely two seconds, the rat was ill once more.
Asclepius stared, his eyes wide as he watched the rat. "How?" he stammered, clearly shocked by what he'd seen. I couldn't blame him; I was just as stunned by what happened. For a fleeting moment, all the rat's boils vanished. For those two seconds, the rat was completely healthy, free of any illness.
"Alkaios, what's going on?" Asclepius asked, looking perplexed at the rat. "I saw you heal it completely, but now it's sick again. Can you explain?"
"I severed the connection between the rat and the plague. The shift was fleeting, but I hoped you could observe the plague's form within the rat while it lasted," I said, and Asclepius's eyes widened at my words.
"I have so many questions for Alkaios, but I'll save those for later," Asclepius sighed, sounding exhausted. "Just do what you did to the rat while I scan it afterward." I could tell he was done with me. I gave him a nod and a smile, getting ready to dissect the rat again. Asclepius gave a curt nod, preparing to examine it.
I closed my eyes and imagined the rat being sliced by a 『Sword』, which Reid swung. Just like before, the rat was healthy once more. Asclepius immediately examined it as soon as it healed. I could see the incredulous look on his face as he made his discovery.
"What did you find, Asclepius?" I asked. Asclepius looked tired, with his eyes dead.
"Alkaios, seriously... what in the world were you up to while you were away?" Asclepius asked, sounding exhausted. "My scans show the plague reverted to mud inside the rat, but the mud itself didn't hurt the rat until... whatever you did."
I couldn't stop myself from laughing. Honestly, just seeing Asclepius's expression made it all worthwhile. If I could get reactions like this from everyone, it would be worth it.
"I trained really hard, my friend," I said, keeping a straight face. Asclepius shook his head, exasperated, and turned to his notes. Over the week of training, I could see the pile of tablets had grown. It started small, but now it was a mountain. I worried this would hurt Asclepius if he wasn't careful. I inspected him and saw how tired he was.
Asclepius looked like he hadn't slept in days. His clothes were a mess, and his hair was tangled, which was not how he usually looked. "Asclepius, when was the last time you slept?" I asked, concerned. He shook his head dismissively, waving away my worry.
"I'm doing well, Alkaios. I've been studying all the Black Mud we collected and made some discoveries. First, it's completely toxic to humans. Just being near it corrupts the surroundings. Second, it can only be purified with the blessings of my father and Lady Astraea. With both gods' blessings, I can cleanse the mud," Asclepius explained. I perked up at the mention of Astraea's name.
"It sounds like we're the perfect team for this, my friend. Your medicine should be able to cure everyone in Athens," I said with a smile. "But the effects won't last. We need to administer the medicine immediately," I added after a moment's thought.
Asclepius nodded thoughtfully, considering my words. "We'll need to cure the people of Athens, one by one. But even with a cure, that's not the root of the problem..." His voice trailed off. I grimaced because Asclepius was right. The plague wasn't the problem; the genuine issue was the Nosos in Athens.
Even if we stopped the plague, the real problem was the Nosos. We needed either to banish them or to kill them. I doubted we could kill the very idea of sickness, but banishment was possible.
"We still made progress, Asclepius, that is something," I said with optimism. Asclepius nodded his head at my words.
"Let's show Chiron what we've found, Alkaios. Maybe then we can head to the city," Asclepius said, gathering his things. Just as he was about to leave, we heard Chiron's hooves echoing through his workshop. We met him halfway, but my heart nearly stopped when I saw his face.
Sadness and concern marked Chiron's face. "Boys, the situation in Athens has worsened. According to my sources, the plague has spread among the people. The Gods have tasked everyone at camp to go to Athens on a quest," Chiron announced. I couldn't help but gasp at the thought of the Black Death ravaging the city.
Asclepius and I exchanged a glance as he trailed Chiron. I did not know what was coming, but I knew, for better or worse, that Asclepius' journey to become the God of Medicine was about to start.
Chapter 16: 『 Sword 』and Scalpel End
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Thank you for your patience and continued support! I wanted to express my gratitude.. I hope you like how explain about how the concept cutting works. I took inspiration from the Re:Zero light novel. Also writing 『 Sword 』over and over was an pain in the ass. My computer was like bro that's wrong and wanted to autocorrect it so much. Couldn't even add to my dictionary to make it easier. Funny enough I noticed last minute I kept writing Kleis instead of Alkaios by accident as I working on my other story.
Support Me on: https://www.patreon.com/cw/SchweinHinoKami if you want more.