World of Swords and Magic

Since I entered this world, a lot had happened. It's only been three days, and I've almost died on two of those days. First was when I was being executed for existing, and second was when I was being executed for existing.

This time though, I was in a safe zone, and my training regime had begun.

"Your form is off, you must perfect your stance so as to leave no openings. For example..."

I immediately thrusted my hand through several directions towards Blanc, showing her just how open she was. She couldn't defend my hand at all, in fact it was almost helpless- but I would never give up on her that easily.

"N-Noir, you're going too intense..."

"This isn't the time to feel sympathetic towards yourself Blanc. We have an important mission, and more importantly... You want to become a swordsman."

Her eyes widened as I said that.

"If you're going to spend all this time feeling sorry about yourself, thinking about how you've missed out on so many years of training- then you're not training hard enough. You can become a swordsman. I know you have natural talent, and that is specifically why I want to train you hard."

"I... understand, Sensei."

"Oi. Don't call me that."

"O-okay- teach."

"That... Oh whatever."

We spent hours, and hours working on her stance and the power of her swings. Though it looked like she wasn't making progress, I was more astounded by how quick she was to adapt and swing properly.

"Hm... You want to take five?"

"... Yes. I'm so tired..."

"Sigh, it can't be helped."

Sitting down and enjoying the weird yet beautiful view, Blanc sat down next to me, sweating profusely and panting.

"Teach... I don't feel like I'm improving at all.."

"Ah. Did you honestly expect to become a Swordmaster in 3 hours?"

"N-no!"

"Listen, we all have a starting point. Now that I've gaged where you're beginning, I can seriously take a few notes as to how I can train you. Your first lesson will be learning my Sword Skill. Will you be ready for that?"

"Ah... I'm... ready to learn whenever."

"Mm. Take a break first. You need to be on your A game tomorrow, so I don't want to work you too hard."

"... You wanna work me hard and now you don't... oh make your mind up."

Blanc sighed, but I could definitely see the smile she had on her face. I'm sure she knew that it wasn't going to be easy.

"You know Blanc, since I was a child- I've always held a sword."

"You have..?"

"Yeah. I was taught swordplay as early as 6 years old. I wasn't that good with it, but my parent pushed me to do it no matter what. By the time I turned 7, they passed away- but the training regiment stuck with me so hard, it became habit to hold my sword."

"What happened to them..?"

"In my world, demons existed in every corner. My parents were victims to them too."

"Oh..."

"As I grew older, my uncle took me in and taught me magic. He didn't push me nearly as harsh as my parents did, instead he believed in me. I wanted to work hard- but... his belief felt more like an expectation to me."

"... Why's that..?"

"You know my story... the children's story book, right?"

"Aster... the Hero of Jvagdil... He was a boy who was deemed to be the chosen one... taking up the sword, he conquered demons and eventually fought the Demon King. He emerged victorious, and on that pedestal, he was praised for saving humanity and for defeating the Demons."

"Aster didn't live a life as luxurious as the books say. He couldn't make friends, only rivals. His parents weren't around and even those who taught him held extraordinary expectations off of him. Unlike the Aster in the story, Aster didn't want to take up the sword. He simply wanted to live his life like any other. He wanted to make friends, run around and play... instead, he played Hero, and trained everyday until his bones cracked and knuckles bled. He didn't have time to settle down his emotions when things got too much for him. Because he had to lead an army. What hurt Aster the most, was how he never succeeded any expectations. He was revered as a Hero. But who could revere him as a Hero in an empty world left in ruin by his very enemy..."

"Noir... I'm..."

"I'm not asking for sympathy. I just felt like a whole weight needed being lifted off my shoulders there... if anything, I was supposed to tell you that it took me 12 years to master the sword. So don't feel like you need to rush."

"Noir-... I don't expect anything from you- and I know I only just met you but... You're... a really awesome guy..."

Blanc seemed a little flushed as she said that. Perhaps she isn't used to giving compliments, but her casualness about it makes me feel pretty good about everything.

"Thanks Blanc. I was meant to console you- but here you are consoling me."

She smiled in return. After we shared the moment together, she pulled out her iron blade and pointed it towards the sky.

"Even if Aster doesn't believe he's a hero, I still believe he was a good person. I don't doubt for a second that he didn't think about those in need when he took up the sword, and I don't doubt that he became so powerful just for the sake of some prophecy... He did it all out of love, at least- that's what I'd like to believe."

Her words carried a lot of weight. In fact, my chest felt heavy after hearing that. Sometimes, I wellow in my doubt that I completely forgot how I felt in those moments when I was needed. Regardless, Blanc's spirit seems to be at its peak. I should teach her my basic Sword skill.

"I'm ready, teach!"

We gotta work on these nicknames...

...

(Maru's POV)

"You don't keep records of the Exis Cult in the Sage's Library?"

The librarian seemed to be convinced there was no such records. If only I could research more info this- I'd be able to gain a better shot at what they're after.

"Sigh, I understand... Have a lovely day."

I had left the library. It's been three hours since Noir and Blanc had began training- and it doesn't look easy neither. I could spot them from where I am- luckily they aren't so far away to escape my eyes. They seemed to be practicing Sword Skills now.

"Maru?"

A voice poked me from behind, and as I turned- I had seen three familiar faces.

"Ah- you three."

"Oh Maru, you don't sound too excited to see us... C'mon! Show some enthusiasm!!"

These three girls are people I attended Mage Lessons with. I joined the Clan a long time ago when my parents passed away, so they are somewhat like family to me. Nina, is the girl with short green hair. She's quite short just like me, but is talented in wind magic in particular. Rysea is the girl who developed the most of us four, though being the same age at 21, she had captured the eyes of many young males and is often spoken about as a 'Delicate Crimson Flower'. Her red hair is stunning for sure, and sometimes I get jealous of her development... The last is my best friend- or as she proclaims. She certainly is my closest friend, and somewhat sits in the middle of the two. Not too developed but also average height. Her name is Aquila, a blonde beauty who has studied in both Sword Arts and Mage Craft.

"Ofcourse I'm excited to see you three... it's just, I'm a bit stressed out at the moment... I'm trying to figure things out.."

(Aquila) "Oh? I saw you coming in with those two adventurers? Is that what's stressing you out?"

"No- it's not that. I mean, they're related, but it's more about a few bandits that have been working with some cult."

(Rysea) "Ah- that sounds dangerous... You're not planning to go alone again are you..?"

"N-nothing if the sort.. I'm with those two after all..."

(Nina)"Um, I don't mean to uh... I mean- Uhm... I don't know how to say this..."

(Rysea) "They don't look too strong- and that guy in black seems to be unusually suspicious... what sort of creepy stuff has he done to force you to work under him?!"

"No! No! You're misunderstanding!!"

Oh gosh, Rysea is so quick to conclusions.

"I already spoke with Jihlian and she had foreseen success in our path. It's just that..."

(Aquila) "Don't be afraid to tell us. We'll always be here for you Maru. Remember that dearly."

"Th-thanks Aquila... Sigh."

The other two nodded whilst Rysea was holding her thumbs up.

"You three already know my secret, and I trust that you've been keeping quiet about it?"

(Nina)"Y-yes. We all have..."

(Aquila)"Though I've almost strangled a certain loud mouth that has almost mentioned it in public once..."

(Rysea)"Hey! I said I was sorry..."

"Those two are apart of my commission. The person in question was certainly someone I recognized, but I couldn't place my finger on it until the girl I was tasked to protect told me something important."

My heart was racing. The pressure seemed so much, especially in a novice adventurer like me. I may be something great compared to those two- but unlike these other three, I'm quite under levelled compared to the rest of the clan.

"She said she wanted to learn Divine Blading... that was when I knew that the commissioner was that person..."

(Aquila) "You mean the one who saved you from death..?"

...

"Mom... Dad..."

I was so young when it happened. The two of them, blood dripping down their face as their eyes rolled back- all before they were pierced by the fingers of the demonic creature before me. I felt so much fear- but to my rescue was a white haired woman who wielded a holy blade that followed her.

She saved me back then, and when that woman commissioned me- she bore a very similar resemblance. She paid me straight up, and I didn't see her since... She didn't even give me a location to report.

Whatever it was, I knew something was important about this girl.

...

"Yes, the same woman. I feel as though I'm returning the favour by keeping her daughter protected- but now that this cult has arisen- I can't help but feel something bad is going to happen."

(Aquila) "You've always held the future telling gift... It would appear to you in your dreams right..?"

"That's right... I don't know when or where it will happen... only that it will. In that vision, that guy she's with..."

He dies.

...

(Noir's POV)

"That's it... a little more, and you'll be able to learn it properly!"

"Uhm... Maybe we should've studied on Skill Inheritance more..."

"It's okay, just give it one last shot!"

"Okay... Okay."

Blanc steadied her sword- as still as a lake on a windless day. She closed her eyes, and breathed in.

"Sword Skill, Cyclone!"

Her sword was meant to glow then- but it still hasn't. Perhaps it's because she needs. a certain level on her Sword Mastery...

"Noir- maybe I should've asked you- but the skill you're trying to teach me... what rank is it?"

"Oh- it's a Rank B skill."

"... I'm going home."

"EHHH, wait wait, what does that mean?"

"It means as a Class E swordsman, I can't learn that skill- don't you have any easier skills to learn?"

Well I feel like a total idiot. If that's the case, then Skill E skills...

"I don't have any.."

"What?! Wait, so how do you have Rank B skills when you haven't invested into even the E Rank skills?"

"I don't know what you mean by invest, but these are skills that I had since I got here."

"You mean... you got those naturally..?"

"Yeah, least that's what I'm assuming. It's a shame I can't use them consecutively though. I don't know about you, but every time I use a skill- it's like my body doesn't want to move afterwards until after it finishes."

"That's called End Lag- and also- ofcourse I haven't. I don't have a single skill nor can I learn a Universal Skill since I have no Skill Points."

"Skill Points? How'd you get those?"

"Levelling up?"

"Ah. Makes sense."

Perhaps I should study a bit more on this system. I hadn't realised it but it was already 4pm.

"Blanc! Noir! Are you all done?"

I looked over to the incoming voice. I saw Maru with three other girls.

"Blanc, Noir, I'd like you all to meet Nina, Rysea and Aquila. They were my best friends throughout Mage Tutoring."

"Ah- it's nice to meet you three."

(Blanc)"Y-yes, it's nice to meet you three!"

(Nina) "U-uhm... nice to meet you too."

(Aquila) "Please call me Aquila, I'm fine with friendly terms!"

(Rysea) "Hey, likewise! Call me Rysea, and this little cutie is Nina!"

(Nina) "H-hey...!"

What a colorful bunch. If they're Maru's friends, they must be around the same level... it's odd though, I can feel Maru's magic flow to be much stronger. I wonder how I can sense that anyway- is it a natural skill I know too?

(Maru) "Noir, Blanc, these three will be coming with us on this mission, they offered their hand and I hope you all get along."

Having three more mages alongside us makes me feel somewhat at ease, but it doesn't change how important this operation is. Bandits can be so much trouble, but there's something very unusual about these bandits. Whoever they're working for, they're clearly highly intelligent. It looks like Maru already knows who they are, so whoever these cultists are- they're probably a threat to this world...

This world is complicated. It seems like even the King himself is somewhat corrupt. When I chose to live this life, I thought it'd be stress free- with no demons ravaging... But I completely forgot that before my world united together- they were also in tension. All I knew throughout my life was fight... I want to learn more about this world, and more importantly... Find a place in this world myself- without destiny laying it out for me.

Several hours pass, and night time soon fell. The realm of the Mage Clan was stunning to be sure, especially during the night. The sky was full of stars and what looked like distorted lights. Somewhat reminiscent of an abstract piece of painting I saw in my own world- except it was moving, like as if the light was a river with the stars twinkling within them. It was a beautiful sight- and one that I shared alone with someone hiding.

"... You can come on out. You've been there for a while haven't you?"

I spoke. I turned to see our mage who seemed just as bewildered by the sight as I was.

"Something keeping you up Maru?"

She looked somewhat tense, but the stars seemed to soothe her. Whatever it was that was bothering her, it must be a large ball of stress if it was keeping her up this late.

"Uhm... Noir... when was the last time you've slept?"

"It was two nights ago. But it'd be ashame to miss this sight."

"You should get some rest though... You know- to be at your best tomorrow..."

"I'll be fine. You don't need to worry about me. If anything, the more sleepless nights I have, the more I feel alert. It helps me focus."

"I- I get that but... I don't want you to burn out your body..."

She seems really concerned. It's... odd behaviour considering how long we've actually known each other.

"Your skills are apparent. Even I was shocked when you were handling yourself just fine against that reaper. If you had known only magic attacks would work- then you certainly would've bested it yourself... but Blanc told me more about how you've almost the first time..."

"I... didn't really care at that moment. I was thinking to myself about how it felt like I was cheating death in a way."

"What makes you say that?"

"... I think you can tell anyways. I'm not from this world. About how I came to this world..."

"I know. The woman who commissioned me was well aware of that, though I couldn't fathom what she had meant by other worldly friend... I thought you were gonna be some sort of demon. But learning you were Aster from Jvagdil... could it be that you're from the past..?"

"No. That's definitely not the case. The Goddess who sent me here..."

She wasn't Aiolia, the Goddess of Time. Rather, it was a Goddess unbeknownst to me.

"She was divine beauty, and sympathized for the passing of my own world."

....

"Ha.... ha..."

I breathed heavily, sweat trickling down my cheeks as I was looking down upon the red figure before me, that was dripping in a deadly crimson. My awakened blade, radiated a deathly aura that had yearned to take the life of the individual before me.

"I... lost..."

The figure spoke. I felt anger surge through me, to which I pushed the blade even deeper. I was overfilled with emotions, I began to shed tears without being able to properly display how I felt. My body was on the brink of collapse. My arm was gone, my torso was damaged and my clothes were stained by the blood of my own friends.

"Don't... don't you dare talk about winning or losing... Is this a fucking game?!"

I roared. My temper was at its peak, my blood was boiling and if I could- I would stab this demon several times more. I clenched my fist, before reeling back like I had never done before. Furiously, I relentlessly pulverized it's face.

"You're... sad."

It spoke.

"What do you know of feelings... You torturous demon... You only know evil."

"I.. too... am sad..."

Before I threw my next punch- I stopped at that comment. I could tell when someone was speaking the truth or not... so hearing those words had caught me off guard. As if I had forgotten all I had felt to this point.

"I... never... wanted this to happen..."

"You..."

"I... was devoted to my Goddess. A loyal servant to those above... But when I passed on... I had received nothing but punishment..."

"..."

"It was out of desperation, that I sought power... the power to free myself from the shackles of the ones above..."

"Then why... why did you kill everyone... why did you force me to kill my own family- turn my friends into demons and forcing me to kill them with my blade... I was supposed to be a hero... yet here, I stand... with no one to protect."

"I had never broken free from the Gods... I defeated the Demon King and took his place... but the moment I bore that crown, the one that you now possess... It was like my body was taken over by some malevolent force."

"Then..?"

"I had wanted nothing but for the demons to live with humans... We are you after all- save for the fact that we have passed away in our previous life... It was my desire to bring everyone together that motivated me... but when the crown took over- it's like those desires had become... corrupt..."

"Then you are... right now, you're just..."

"It doesn't matter what I am now... I destroyed this world... And now that I've been freed, you have truly saved this world from the hands of the greedy gods..."

"What..."

"I'm sorry, Hero... You're wrong... you may not want to hear it from me... but humans and demons alike... you have saved us all... I'm sorry that we cannot return... the... favour..."

"Don't- don't ... wait..."

It began to hit me. I had freed his soul, yet my anger took over... I had killed the only other person who had lived... Demons and Humans... are they truly the same..? Demons have been believed to be sinners who were to be punished... but why had no Angels descended in our time of need...

...

"My mind was wavering..I didn't know what to believe. The Gods I fought alongside with were all massacred by the demons. They stood no chance without their Godifacts..."

"..."

"I'm sorry if this is all too much to take in..."

"... Carry on. I want to know about how you came to this world..."

"How I came to this world... I..."

...

My vision grew blurry after what I had just done. Looking down at myself, I held onto the shaft of the blade that dug deep into my chest. I couldn't breathe, and the pain surged. But eventually- it all ceased. I couldn't handle anymore time to myself. I was frightened by the idea of being the only one alive in the world.

It was a pain that outweighed the physical pain of drawing my sword through myself. I soon close my eyes, feeling my life pass on- until...

"I'm sorry about what happened to your world, Hero."

"...? Where... am I..?"

"It's okay. I know you're probably confused... You have fought to protect your people and even your gods... They may have perished, but your actions truly freed them."

"Freed them...? What does that even mean..?"

"The shackles casted down by the Gods is nothing to scoff at. This very room is one of the only places in our multiverse that is not watched by the all seeing eyes of God."

"Then... what are you..?"

"I'm a Goddess. The Seven who died to fight for your humanity- they are all of my fellow Gods... except my existence is privy to humans."

"Then everyone who died... why didn't you come o help..?"

"It's not my duty. As on of the 8 Gods of Xreija, it became my duty to watch the worlds and to select an individual who could save one..."

"You chose me..? Why..? Your godly friends are all dead now- all because you wanted to bring me here?"

"That's... not quite the case... Gods aren't truly there. They use bodies they create themselves as Vessels that carry bits of their overall consciousness. That allows them to simultaneously exist across all plains of reality, all whilst protecting their worlds in the process... The Gods you fought with aren't the Gods themselves, but one of many fragments of those Gods."

"Then... I'm sorry, this is all too confusing for me. The Gods we worshipped- you're saying they aren't the Gods themselves but rather only a piece of them?"

"To put it simply, yes. They do this because your world isn't the only one that was in danger. However, your case was unique..."

"In what sense?"

"Your world was ravaged by a demon king in possession of all Seven Godifacts. Had he used those in the way intended- he would've been able to grab the final Godifact that is in my possession."

"There's an eighth one..?"

"Yes. Though, as safety measures, that Godifact was stored in one world that no one would think to look."

"I see... That's a smart way to prevent any disasters from happening... what would've happened if he had all eight?"

"He would have the ability to traverse to the heavens- where he would meet his ultimate demise. But your task... No. I shouldn't tell you it. You have two choices my dear Aster."

...

"To live in a world void of the Demon King, or to be reborn into a new life. At that moment, I knew that regardless of what I chose- my world would cease to exist... but I chose this life. I can carry on the memories of those that passed. The history of my world, all in my noggin."

Maru seemed somewhat bewildered, but I can tell she felt sorry for me. I don't want to ask for sympathy. If anything, the most I can do is turn my history into something more elaborate in fiction of this world. It may be a lot to do, but to remember those dear... it's something I cherish and would never want to die off.

It might be considering stealing someone's work... but I'm going to eventually rewrite Aster's story into something more accurate.

Aster was never a hero. He was just a man who came to rely on his friends. He wasn't the only hero of the story. The several centuries of humans that had lived in my world- everything that led to that moment... we were all heroes. We shouldn't pick favourites, but instead should shine the light on all of those who died fighting for what they truly believed in. Shine the light on those who were innocent and merely wanted to contribute to the economies we lived in. Shine the light on even those who suffered a tragic fate and fought valiantly to make a change.

A Hero needs a villain, but even I had came to terms that the Demon King himself wasn't a villain- but was rather a tragic hero in his own story. He was destined for failure.

"Regardless of what happened, you seem convinced about what you're going to do... Whatever it is, just don't go dying on us. You're carrying the weight of a literal world."

"Heh. No pressure."

"Hehe... though- Ast... Noir... I just needed to tell you something..."

"What is it?"

"It's..."

"ALERT ALL MAGES, ALL HANDS ON DECK. ALL HANDS ON DECK. A CRISIS HAS EMERGED AND MUST BE REPELLED."

As if perfect timing, a voice had reached the minds of us all. Of course, I didn't hesitate to move, and as a light had emerged from the side of the Bubble Realm- it looked like something massive was entering into the atmosphere.

"Oh no... Is that what I think it is..?!"

"I don't know what it is, but we best send it packing!"

I immediately charged in without a second thought. Though I could hear Maru calling out to me "Wait!", I couldn't hesitate. The mages will come together and form a plan- so all I need to do is slow it down to let them plan.