Chapter 57 : Reward and Punishment (1)

A short bout between Embra and Algadore ended with Embra's victory but, the one who lost the bout, Algadore is full of smiles. It is not that she enjoys losing. It is just that she lost to someone with the same strength even though she is using everything she has in her new body. Everything to the limit but, even so, she still could not win against Embra.

After the fights, the audience gathers around the two fighters and Keinnayi goes near her friend to treat her injuries with the divinity. While treating, she asks her friend,

"How was the fight?" (Keinnayi)

"Fantastic. Truly an amazing fight. He took teleportation to a next level. *laugh* Truly an eye-opening experience. In the fight, he also saw through my attack pattern, tricks, baits, and aim for my weak spot. A frightening calculation ability. I thought for a moment that, maybe he is seeing the future. *laugh* It is been a while I have this much fun." (Algadore)

Keinnayi smiles hearing her friend's honest expression of Embra and tell her what she saw with her divinity.

"Well, he did use the future seeing ability but, he only used it twice. The first time is before you drop an ace kick at the start fo the fight and the second time is before your 'Exploding star'. It was only those two times." (Keinnayi)

"What?!!" (Algadore)

While Algadore is surprised by Embra's future seeing ability, Goddess Lashili speaks to Algadore while pointing at the 'Y' mark on Algadore's right hand.

"That mark... Maybe we should call it 'The mark of death', rather than 'Hiraishin jutsu formula'. *laugh*" (Lashili)

"I cannot disagree with that, Goddess Lashili." (Sethar)

"Nyahaha" (Algadore)

While the other goddesses are laughing and talking about the fight, Goddess Gaia approaches Embra who looks like he is thinking about something deeply.

"Embra, what makes thou thinking so deeply about?" (Goddess Gaia)

Embra looks up to see Goddess Gaia and smiles while fixing his sitting posture. He answers her while looking at his sword that is on his lap.

"I remembered something, during the fight. The word 'Enlightenment'." (Embra)

"Hm? Enlightenment? Perhaps, did God Brahma mentioned that word?" (Goddess Gaia)

"Yes. After the trial, God Brahma corrected my thinking about 'Enlightenment'. At first, I thought ..." (Embra)

Embra recalls his talk with the old man and tells all of it to Goddess Gaia. The others who heard Embra's talk, get interested and come near to listen. But, before they reach near Embra, Keinnayi gets a notification from the guide system who is already doing her job after Embra woke up here.

<

Status updated

Name: Embra

Power Level: 1600

Jutsu learned:

-Static Strings Jutsu (Advanced) -> (Skilled)

Technique learned

-Taijutsu/ CQC (Advanced) -> (Skilled)

-Swordsmanship (Skilled) -> (Expert)

>

'Nani! Three of his skills level up with this short bout? The level system I installed in the system also follows the system in heaven. Normally, it takes eight to ten years for one to level up his CQC or swordsmanship to 'skilled'. And, the gifted ones will reach the 'Skilled' level in less than five years. But, Embra reached the 'Expert' level Swordsmanship in just five years...? Oh, right. He is gifted in swordsmanship, isn't he?

I see. It seems Embra will reach his dream sooner than I expected. Maybe I should also have a bout with him so that he can grow. This opportunity didn't come often. I have to seize this.' (Keinnayi's thought)

While walking to Embra, Keinnayi is already thinking about how she could help Embra by looking at his progress. However, her thoughts are disturbed by the talk between Goddess Gaia and Embra.

"I see. So, how come the word 'Enlightenment' come to thy mind in the middle of a fight?" (Goddess Gaia)

"It occurred to me when I am using the Moonless Dance. I switched weapons to weapons without a definite pattern. And, it was when I was trying to see through Goddess Alagadore's attack pattern. I wonder, what would have happened if I only focused on one and only thing while discarding others." (Embra)

"*smile* So, the theory thou came up with comes from thy understanding of the word 'Enlightenment', huh? Interesting thought, Embra." (Goddess Gaia)

"True. Seems you are gifted in that aspect." (Goddess Lashili)

Goddess Lashili and Goddess Gaia have already understood what Embra meant by his words but, the others still could not understand it. So, Sethar who could not figure it out even though she has been listening from the start, ask Embra curiously,

"Embra. What do you mean by that? Please explain it to me." (Sethar)

Embra didn't hear Sethar quite clearly because he is thinking about something. So, Goddess Lashili answered for her in Embra's stead.

"It seems you have a vague idea of what Embra is talking about. You are not wrong. He is thinking about the sword theory, 'One with the sword'. Can't believe he could figure it out without being taught. Hm. Wait a minute. Maybe he figured it out because he was not taught? Humu. It is getting interesting." (Goddess Lashili)

Algadore and Keinnayi look at each other in confusion. They could not understand what Goddess Lashili means before Goddess Gaia explains it while smiling.

"Embra is applying the 'Enlightenment' meaning in his sword fight. Enlightenment means seeing things as they are. So, Embra is now thinking, no, evaluating the previous fights discarding the concepts of 'Fight', 'opponent', 'tactic', 'weapons', 'True or false', and 'win or loss'.

He is only looking at his sword skills and his opponent, Eve's sword skill as it is. He is trying to advance his swordsmanship in his own way. He does not have knowledge about the theory of 'sword'. He does not know of the theory of 'One with the sword'. That's why he is finding his own path and paving it.

"..." (Everyone)

Goddess Gaia's explanation makes everyone speechless. Goddess Lashili is thinking about how far will Embra reaches using this way and is fascinated by Embra's talent but, the same cannot be said for the three young ones. Algadore is getting a little shiver thinking that maybe Embra's talent in fighting will surpass her soon while also looking forward to it.

Keinnayi and Sethar already know of Embra's personality. So, they are not surprised about his unique thinking pattern and they are thinking about how they could help Embra.

While the goddesses are thinking of their own thoughts, Embra who comes out of his sea of thoughts accidentally sees the old god from the corner of his eye and remembers something.

"Ah!" (Embra)

"Hm? what is it, Embra? Did you figure out something?" (Keinnayi)

Keinnayi is thinking that maybe Embra exclaimed because he gained some insight about 'Swordsmanship' but, Embra just laugh it off and points towards the old man who now turns gloomy. At first, the old man was making his presence smaller than an ant so that he may not be noticed while enjoying Embra's fight. But, now that Embra saw the old man, the old man's happy mood instantly turns gloomy.

Now that Embra pointed to the old man, the other also remember to punish the old man and Goddess Gaia starts talking to the old god.

"Hm. That's right. We also have to punish this ambitious fool. Embra, before I take him to the heavenly court and punish him, is there anything else you want to say to him?" (Goddess Gaia)

Embra smiles widen at the mentioning of the things he needs from the god of this world. The old man shivers to see Embra's 'Joker smile' and thought of the worst. Keinnayi and Sethar who already know of Embra's personality smile wearily at the old man, their eyes laced with pity.

Embra coughs and turns towards the old god. He sits in seiza after putting his sword at the side. While willing his halo to appear behind his back, Embra talks slowly to the old god who mistook Embra as a god for a second.

"Old man, I would be lying if I said I am not angry at you and forgive for your actions. There are countless things I would have lost if I failed that trial. But, luckily I succeed. Moreover, I gained priceless things, learned new knowledge, and gained insights after passing the trial. They are the things I could not hope to attain normally. So, for that, I am grateful to you for inviting me to this trial. I heard you can only use this invitation once every 3000 years. So, thank you for using the precious invitation to me." (Embra)

Embra bows to the old man who was flustered and was almost running away from Embra's bow because deep down, he himself knows that, he does not deserve Embra's bow. But, as soon as Embra raises up his head, the old man freeze because plastered on Embra's young teenage face is a smile so wide that it looks like a devil.

"Thank you is thank you but, I have to get my compensation for putting me on the trial without my consent. And, you didn't even explain a thing to me, you rotten old man. I would have died. So, for those two reasons, I will ask two things from you, old man. The first thing is a weapon to slay demons and the second thing is a piece of land from this world." (Embra)

"Nani! Rotten?! Hohoho, you damn BRAT... I- I- I m-mean to say that I have no qualm with your words. Yep" (The old man)

Of course, the old man got angry because Embra called him 'rotten' but, his anger soon turns meek when Embra put his hand on his sword but, the real reason the old man turn meek is because of Sethar's 'slitting throat' action. Goddess Gaia creates purple clouds again and prompts everyone to sit except the old man. She starts the conversation,

"Alright. Now, that we are on the topic of 'Rewards', Embra, say what thou needs. We will give thou some gifts. So, thou can wish for one thing from each of us. How will we fulfill your wish as gifts will depend on us? Are thou satisfied with that?" (Goddess Gaia)

"I can't be more grateful, Goddess Gaia." (Embra)

And so, with everyone consenting to Goddess Gaia's words, Embra started to tell what he needs to each of the goddesses.