Eyes of Causality

Pushing toward Vincent in a synchronized manner to match the beating of my heart, I dipped to the left without losing a bit of momentum. The moment I foresaw a kick with the intent to knock me on my ass. The blur of a boot zoomed past my temple, missing me by a few centimeters.

I took the opportunity to strike not towards his neck or the clearly defenseless heart but rather the foot, specifically the Achilles tendon.

Not breaking eye contact with Vincent, who seemed taken back, my sword instantly stopped the moment it was about to reach its mark, tilting to my right as Vincent's wrist flickered with a noble bearing tearing through the still air towards my neck, but my blade was already in place to parry.

Knowing the force necessary to guard fully was in my favor, as I knew exactly what to do. I did a small jump before Vincent's blade could hit, using the force his sword carried to push me into the air. And yet even while foreseeing everything, I was still surprised as a splintering sensation filled my hand as the sheer power that could rival a bear attack traveled from his blade to my sword and up my arms. Nevertheless, my teeth clenched as I Ignored my sprained wrist, as I disrupted most of the force by taking to the air.

Shock overcame Vincent as he lowered his sword, peering down at the ground, specifically his leg, and then back to me," How can a human like yourself move like so? You move as though you see the future."

The future. I also thought the same once upon a time, but the future changes, causality not so much. I don't know how to explain it, but all I need is a beginning, a middle, or an end in a specific period. I need a placeholder; I can physically see. And I can focus down my visions into something I can understand instead of witnessing events years ahead of me or events leading up to such things.

Landing on my feet like a graceful cat, I could not help but flash this old man a teasing grin, " You ready old man? I'm going to use my dagger."

"Youngsters these days," he said, joyfully laughing in a wheezing light," your still far from battling me, dagger or not."

"Father said I should you every weapon possible, but I have the biggest affinity to daggers. These little things are the killer of gods."

'Gods, you say!' He thundered, narrowing his aged eyes, and his stance became more centered, "And what do you know of gods?"

My blood had begun to boil, and my mind began to sway to that of a frozen wasteland. The images piercing my heart began to quicken as I foresaw every possible outcome. In but a moment, blood trickled down my nose, staining my tunic.

I answered, "I know how to make them bleed,"

*BOOOOOOOM~

I lunged toward Vincent with all I had. The wooden katana cleaved with the will of the executioner as my dagger suddenly hummed to life; it flared with the ethereal grace of the winds, slashing toward every artery and major weak points I saw not with my eyes but rather my mind.

It was where the images of causality resided.

DING!

[New Skill Acquired: Dagger Proficiency Lv 7]

[+7 Dexterity]

Ether swelled through my veins, empowering me as more and more dings began to pick up as the shackles that bound me in the mortal realm began to dim.

[Ding]

[Dagger Lv 8→9]

[Ding]

[Dagger Lv 9→10]

[Ding]

[Dagger Art Mastered]

[+ 15 Dexterity]

[Ding]

Ignoring all that came crashing into my mind, the Ether racing through my veins, fueling the fire in my chest burned.

By the Gods! It was exhilarating!

Dancing along beside Vincent, my dagger howled, cutting through his clothing with such precision and speed, I found myself battling with a half-naked old man bearing the largest smile.

"Marvelous! Marvelous, you learn while you fight! Adaptability is everything on the battlefield," He thundered, giving pause to my dagger and sword. I leaped back, tilting my head as a blade nicked the tip of my neck.

Fear danced along my spine, sending warnings through my heart. I gulped, calming myself down.

"I've no idea who you are, little one, but you are a talent that needs recognition. Sheath your blade. You've won."

"No!" I shouted, dropping the katana onto the ground and letting the saber roll to my feet. Streams of ruby wine trickled down my eyes as a burning sensation began to burn in my stomach.

"Show it to me!" I hastily said, lifting my eyes towards Vincent, who stood bare-chested, his body free of injuries. Muscles protruded against his skin as if they could barely hold him. I could see and feel the Ether he had within his core.

My left hand reached from my neck with a trickle of blood streaming down, and I smiled, " Do it again."

"Izalith?" He stammered to say.

[Ding]

[Novice Battle Intent Lv1]

Grade: C

[Mastersy plus 10%]

Description: Live for the infinite flare of war and allow the blade's will to guide your path. Those weaker shall bow, but those who stand shall meet thy sword.

Untamed laughter left my lips as an aura of flames azure under the glow of light, similar to the one's father and uncle used, rippled off my body.

"So this is your nature," Vincent idly said, ' Then show me, but do so with the blade on your waist; show me your true self."

His words touched me, and I knew I had to show respect. If there was anything to respect, it was a fellow warrior.

Touching Laevatein upon my waist, the azure cloak around me tightened as the blade magically morphed into a dagger of the deepest night. Its length was a little longer than that of an ordinary dagger, but it was definitely shorter than any sword. And yet, as it rested in my hand, I felt an overwhelming affinity.

Noticing Vincent's blade suddenly vibrating at a high frequency, I instantly sidestepped as a vicious gash struck against the surface of the wall sending tremors throughout the building.

"How is it you can foresee my moves,' He expressed as the Ether around him suddenly began to gather, "I've battled Time Lords before, and even they cannot foresee my blade as well as you. But you—"

"Too slow," I uttered, dashing towards him as my body twisted through the various strokes his sword was moving at; I dodged and dodged, seeing hundreds of moves ahead till I arrived.

Ding

[ Skill Copied: Aerial Slash Lv 1]

[Grade: C]

[Cost: 100 Ether Points]

[Description: Slash the Ether of Arcadia, and it shall splinter to thy will.]

Information poured through my head as my dagger suddenly began to hum at the same frequency as Vincent. I never had to worry about learning anything like Crowe because I instantly knew everything he needed time to master. I would copy and use whatever new technique against him until he gave up.

"I win," I was about to say when the dagger's hum suddenly calmed, and my eyes slid to meet the eerie hood of a figure standing at the door.

"It's you."