New Ally?

"Ugh, what's the deal? How did this happen? I was so close to winning Suzune's favor and gaining a spy on my side..." Pedro muttered, tossing and turning on his bed. His room was tucked away in a less glamorous part of the Blue Lotus Sect, but it was his own personal space for scheming.

"All right, deep breaths, Pedro. Think!" he urged himself, his mind racing. 

In a few weeks, the notorious Famine Knight General would attack. It was just like in the original novel, "Regressor Survival," where the four horsemen of the apocalypse were the main baddies. But before making their grand entrance, they would always send their generals, like some sort of evil warm-up act.

"But darn it all! I'm not strong enough to handle them right now!" Pedro's frustration was building. In the original story, after he'd uncovered Ryujin's dastardly plot, Kenshin had rewarded him with a top-notch training regime. His strength had soared.

But this time, things had taken a twist. Ryujin hadn't sabotaged the test, leaving Pedro stuck with the other misfits of the Blue Lotus Sect. 

His grand plans felt a bit more like wild dreams, but he wasn't giving up just yet.

"Time for a new plan," he grinned, determination shining in his eyes. 

"They haven't seen the last of Pedro!"

"It's like I'm stuck in a bad movie, and I'm the only one who didn't read the script," he mumbled. 

"If only I had a spy on my side. But nope, thanks to that false accusation against the son of sect leader Kenshin, everyone in the sect looks at me like I'm a villain in disguise."

The hateful glares felt like daggers, and no one dared even utter a word to him. Pedro's world had become a lonely place, but he wasn't the type to give up. He had his eyes on the prize, and he'd figure out a way to win, even if he had to do it all by himself.

"All right, time to strategize!" Pedro's mind was a whirlwind of ideas. "I've got to get my hands on Ryujin's weapon. That'll give me the power boost I need. Yeah, this plan's good!"

Ryujin's sword was known as "Yukikaze," a legendary blade that had fascinated warriors and scholars alike. With an intricate design, the sword's hilt was adorned with motifs representing winter and ice, and its steel blade gleamed with an icy blue sheen.

But what sets Yukikaze apart from other weapons was its unique ice-infused ability, "Frost Vigor." When wielded, the blade can channel the essence of frost into the user, boosting both their strength and vitality. This enchantment was more than mere magic; it was a fusion of ancient craftsmanship and the natural mana of winter.

The Frost Vigor ability worked in two primary ways:

Strength Enhancement: By infusing the user's muscles with cold mana, Yukikaze can increase physical power, allowing the wielder to deal devastating blows. The chill of the ice seems to sharpen not only the blade but also the strength and focus of the person wielding it.

Vitality Boost: Along with physical might, Yukikaze's icy enchantment bolsters the user's endurance. The cold presence within the blade helps in healing minor wounds and reduces fatigue, allowing the user to fight longer and with greater resilience.

Pedro's eyes were fixated on one goal: Yukikaze, the sword of ice and might. He knew he needed this legendary blade if he had any hope of defeating the Famine Knight General. Only by conquering that challenge would he regain his prestige and prove to everyone that he wasn't a failure.

"But how in the world am I going to get that sword?" he mumbled to himself, pacing his room like a caged tiger. The plan was just out of reach, like trying to grab a star from the sky.

The room fell into a heavy silence as Pedro's thoughts spun in circles.

"Ding-dong!"

The doorbell's sudden chime jolted him from his reverie. "I already told them, I'm not apologizing to Ryujin," he muttered, annoyance bubbling up. Several disciples had tried to force him into making amends with Ryujin, but Pedro was as stubborn as a mule.

"It's not that... let me in..." A voice from the other side of the door pleaded.

Pedro's curiosity piqued. Was this another trick, or a genuine plea for help? His hand hovered over the doorknob, the decision weighing heavily.

"Okay, come in..." Pedro's voice wavered with a mixture of intrigue and caution as he finally opened the door.

In stepped a girl, short in stature with jet-black hair and eyes to match. Her robes were humble and well-worn, but her gaze was determined.

"Hello, Pedro-san," she introduced herself, bowing slightly. "My name is Ester. I heard about what went down between you and Ryujin-sama. Honestly? I think you acted with the best of intentions."

"Huh..?!" 

"Yes... Ryujin is a cunning character. I'm sure he has more tricks up his sleeve than a magician at a county fair."

Pedro's heart leaped. Finally, someone who understood! "Yes, that's right..."

"As a maid in that house, I know many things that happen, and believe me, Ryujin is bad news," Ester said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I dare say he deserves a one-way ticket to oblivion."

"Yes..." Pedro's mind was racing, possibilities unfolding before him.

"So, how about we team up?" 

"Wait... how?!" Pedro stammered.

"Yes, I'll help you get rid of Ryujin." 

"Seriously?" 

"Yes..."

And with that, an unlikely alliance was formed. But who was this Ester, and why did she despise Ryujin so much? Was it genuine hatred, or something more complex?