For the Future

After everything that had happened, Ryota finally forgave himself for his past. He woke up an hour later to find himself resting on Athena's lap.

"Hello, Ryota," Athena said.

Ryota rubbed his eyes and looked around. "What happened?"

"You fell asleep, so I let you rest in my lap," Athena explained.

Ryota glanced down and noticed Kanna lying on his stomach. "Um, Athena-sama, do you know why Kanna is here?"

Athena shrugged. "Who knows?"

Ryota chuckled. "Fair enough. Thanks for letting me rest."

"You're welcome," Athena replied, patting his head."

Ryota slowly sat up and removed Kanna's head from his stomach. As he looked up, he saw a familiar figure approaching him. "Hm?" he muttered, squinting at the figure. "You're...?"

The figure smiled at Ryota. "You did well," he said.

"Ark, it's been a while," Athena said.

"Hello, Goddess Athena," Ark greeted her.

Ryota bowed respectfully. "I heard a lot from your daughter, Kanna. She says that you were once a great mage?"

"That's in the past," Ark replied. "But thanks to you, I was defeated and set free."

"You were trying to obtain the lost magic to revive your wife," Athena interjected, crossing her arms.

"I failed and became the necromancer," Ark sighed, regretting what he had done to himself.

"But still, thank you, boy," Ark said, patting Ryota's shoulder. "Thank you for also finding my daughter."

"N-No, I should be the one thanking you. You used your magic to make me face my dark past," Ryota replied.

"That was nothing. It was Goddess Athena who did that," Ark said.

"Still," Ryota insisted.

"Anyway, as a reward for overcoming yourself, take this," Ark said, holding up his pointy finger to Ryota's forehead and giving him his last magic.

A system popped up in front of Ryota, displaying the message "You have learned every lost magic." However, as Ark removed his finger from Ryota's forehead, Ryota suddenly got a headache and held his head, trying to resist the pain.

"Arrgh!" Ryota suddenly got a headache and held his head, trying to resist the pain.

"That was too much, Ark," Athena said, looking concerned.

"It's for him," Ark replied.

A system popped up in front of Ryota, displaying the message "Congrats, You have been awakened and earned the title, The Lost Artist."

"Lost Artist?" Athena tilted her head slightly in confusion.

Ryota's headache finally subsided as he looked up at them.

"Are you okay, Ryota?" Athena asked.

"I'm fine now," Ryota replied.

He swiped the air and checked his stats.

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Name: Ryota Kaneko

Age: 19 years old

Occupation: Awakened Mangaka, Adventurer

(New) Title: Lost Artist

Stats:

Magic: 130 (Awakened)

Vitality: 130(Awakened)

Strength: 130 (Awakened)

Stamina: 130 (Awakened)

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"My stats, everything is awakened. There's also a new stat type called 'Title.' Do all people who have been awakened receive a title?" Ryota asked.

"Yes. After all, even if your level is not maxed out, you can get awakened in advance," Athena explained.

"I see... but I still want to get stronger."

"Ryota, you're already strong... you just don't realize it because you are looking down on yourself," Kanna, who had just woken up, rubbed her eyes and faced Ryota.

"Kanna..."

"That's right," Athena nodded in agreement with Kanna's words.

"Oh, and don't forget to bring me more manga just because you're strong, okay?" Kanna teased.

"Hahaha, I won't forget."

"Miss Athena, tell me... is Ryota really from our world?" Kanna asked.

Athena turned to Kanna and shook her head. "He's from Japan, on the other world."

"From the other world, Why did you choose him then?" Kanna asked.

"Well, to tell you the truth, I want Ryota to forgive himself that's the first goal, the second is... about the war between countries."

"War?!" Ryota says

"That's right, Ryota. A war between cities and towns."

"I... Let me guess... You want me to stop this war?"

"Pfft~ You? Stop this war? Do you think you are the main character of an isekai anime?"

"I feel like I am though," Ryota says in his mind

"Anyway back to the discussion, There's a war happening in this world and I want Ryota to look for the main problem and report it to me... Because I had a feeling the ones behind the strings are also gods."

"...Other gods?"

"That's right, I'm not the only one who is the god here... Other gods are much stronger than me"

"Well, to tell you the truth, I want Ryota to forgive himself. That's the first goal. The second is about the war between countries," Athena said.

"War?!" Ryota exclaimed.

"That's right, Ryota. A war between cities and towns."

"I... Let me guess... You want me to stop this war?"

"Pfft~ You? Stop this war? Do you think you are the main character of an isekai anime?" Athena teased.

"I feel like I am, though," Ryota thought to himself.

"Anyway, back to the discussion. There's a war happening in this world, and I want Ryota to look for the main problem and report it to me... Because I have a feeling the ones behind the strings are also gods."

"...Other gods?" Ryota asked.

"That's right. I'm not the only god here... Others are much stronger than me," Athena replied.

"And what if the 'Other god' found out about this?" Ryota asked.

"Well, you'll be in this too. I'll even welcome you to the God of Wars," Athena grinned.

"I don't think I'd fit in, though," Ryota said, feeling overwhelmed.

"Oh, and Ryota, you said you want to be stronger, right?" Athena asked.

Ryota nodded in response.

"Then..." Athena aimed her palm toward the ground and said, "<Summon: Blademaster Knight>." She then pointed at Ryota and commanded, "Attack."

The summoned Blademaster Knight immediately charged at Ryota with its sword.

"Woah!" Ryota stepped back as soon as the Blademaster Knight charged in. Kanna also stepped back and whispered, "Support Magic: Wind Swift." The winds then rushed towards Ryota.

"Oh? I feel faster all of a sudden," Ryota said, swiping the air to make the inventory slot appear. He grabbed the paper and pen from it and started running while drawing a blade. The Blademaster Knight chased after Ryota.

After Ryota finished drawing, he used his art magic and said, <"Art Magic: Summon Sword."> "It's my turn now."

A sword materializes in Ryota's hand, and he swiftly turns around to face the Blademaster Knight, ready to engage in combat. The two clash swords in a flurry of strikes and parries, with Ryota's speed and agility allowing him to dodge the Blademaster's powerful blows.

The Blademaster Knight whispers to himself <"Sword Style: Shadow Lash "> a technique where the dark knight lashes out with their sword, creating a whip-like effect made of shadows.

Ryota blocks the whip-like shadows and then makes a sword stance. <"Sword Style: Lunar Edge">

As Ryota makes his sword stance, he channels his energy and infuses his blade with lunar essence. He then charges forward, unleashing a powerful crescent moon-shaped blade wave toward the Dark Knight. The Lunar Edge technique slices through the shadows of the Shadow Lash, dispersing them into nothingness. The Dark Knight is caught off guard by Ryota's unexpected attack and is temporarily stunned, allowing Ryota to follow up with another strike. <"Sword Style: Tempestuous Tornado.">

As Ryota prepares to execute the Tempestuous Tornado technique, he suddenly notices that the Dark Knight has vanished from his sight. Just then, he feels a sharp pain in his back as the Dark Knight.

"Since when?!"

Ryota grits his teeth, He channels his inner strength and rises to his feet, gripping his sword tightly. The Dark Knight charges at Ryota, his sword raised high. Ryota takes a deep breath and counters with a quick series of sword strikes, attempting to knock the Dark Knight off balance. But the Dark Knight anticipates his moves and blocks each strike with ease.

As the two clash swords, the air around them begins to swirl with elemental energy. Ryota channels the power of the wind and unleashes a devastating gust of wind, pushing the Dark Knight back. The Dark Knight stumbles, but quickly recovers and charges at Ryota once more.

Ryota then whispers under his breath. " Electric spirits of thunder and storm, lend me your might and form! Let your power flow through my blade, as I invoke the lightning's arc and raid, With every strike, let thunder's voice resound, And with each slash, let lightning's fury astound, Let this blade of mine, be your lightning spear! That pierces through the darkness and all that I fear, For the thunder, for the storm, for all that is right! I wield this sword, with all my might"

<"Ultimate Sword Style: Thunderstorm Blade Dance!">

As Ryota finishes his incantation, the lightning energy crackles around his blade, and he swiftly dashes toward his opponent with lightning speed. The Blademaster Knight parries Ryota's first few strikes with ease but soon finds himself struggling to keep up with Ryota's lightning-fast strikes.

Ryota expertly weaves through his Blademaster Knight's defenses, using lightning-quick movements to land powerful blows that send shockwaves through the air. With each strike, the Thunderstorm Blade Dance seems to intensify, the lightning energy growing stronger and more intense.

Suddenly, Ryota spins around, unleashing a massive lightning bolt that crashes into Blademaster Knight with devastating force. The impact sends his foe flying backward, and as he lands on the ground, he drops his sword with a clatter.

The summoned Blademaster Knight then slowly vanishes in thin air. Athena and Kanna who are in awe claps at Ryota's victory.

"Good, Seems like you know your way with the swords... But it'd be also nice if you use your own magic."

"The Art Magic?"

Athena nods. "Oh well, now that is done... Let me have a rest..."

Kanna then walks towards Ryota and stands beside him. He flicks his finger, making the portal open.

"See you again, Athena-sama." He bows before entering the portal back to the inn followed by Kanna.

Athena watches them leave as the portal closes on its own. "That sword style just now... It's not every day to see that skill again."

Athena then heads back to her throne and sits down as she reads the manga that Ryota made.