Eclipse's Bane

"In the next week, there is going to be a War Merits Conferment Ceremony. I invite all of you to it," he says to all of us.

"War Merits Conferment Ceremony?" Asta says.

"What is that?" he asked.

"The War Merits Conferment Ceremony is an annual event where Magic Knights who have produced multiple excellent results are promoted in the Clover Kingdom's Royal Capital," Klaus explains as he adjusts his glasses.

"Oh! Thank you so much, Wizard King," Asta says, growing excited.

"Hahaha. No problem, you all deserve it," he says, laughing.

"Then, you all are now dismissed," he says as he disappears.

"Amazing! So fast," Asta says in surprise.

That was really amazing.

"Well then, we should all leave and meet each other at the War Merits Conferment Ceremony," I suggest to everyone.

"You're right, Zon," Asta agrees.

"Let's depart," I say to everyone.

"Bye," everyone says to each other and proceeds to leave.

I also leave with Yuno.

"What are you going to do now?" I ask him.

"Nothing, just gonna rest and practice," he says to me.

"Hmm, then take care," I say to him.

"Where are you going?" he asks me.

"I'm going training," I say to him.

"Training?" he says, confused.

"Why so suddenly?" he asks me.

"To test something," I say to him as I leave.

I start heading towards the outskirts of the capital.

After some time of walking, I find a place that looks like a forgotten corner left to nature, with tall grasses, overgrown weeds, and crumbling stone walls. The ground is uneven and covered in debris, making it an unlikely spot for any gathering or activity. It gives off a sense of mystery and isolation, with silence only broken by the sound of the wind.

"This is the perfect spot," I say to myself, wanting to do this in an abandoned place.

"It's time to see what you can do," I say as I unsheathe the sword from its scabbard.

Examining the sword up close, I notice its sleek and menacing design. The black metal of the blade seems to absorb light, giving it an otherworldly appearance. The handle is wrapped in black leather, providing a secure grip and making it easy for me to carry. The intricate engravings along the length of the blade add an elegant touch to the weapon.

I take the sword and imbue it with cursed energy.

"What!?" I exclaim out loud as I notice the cursed energy smoothly moving and enhancing the sword.

"This is definitely a cursed weapon. But what was it doing in a dungeon?" I say to myself.

"This sword is amazing," I remark to myself, seeing an aura of purple color around the sword.

"Now, to test its strength," I say as I prepare to slash the sword towards a large boulder on the side of the wall.

I raise my sword and prepare to slash.

Swish!

A purple vertical slash cuts through the air towards the boulder, creating a huge sound and causing a blast.

I quickly take a step back.

After a few seconds, the smoke settles, and what I see is surprising.

The boulder is smashed to pieces.

"This is just way beyond my expectations," I say, realizing I didn't even use 5% of my cursed energy.

I just wanted to test its capability.

"Did this sword amplify my cursed energy?" I say to myself.

"This sword is such a treasure for me," I say to myself, feeling excited.

"Since you are my treasure, I should give you a name," I say.

After a long time of thinking...

"Eclipse's Bane. That will be your name."

For the rest of the day, I train with my sword.

"Whew, I am tired," I say in an exhausted voice.

"It's time for dinner, I should start moving," I say as I notice it's getting dark.

I then start walking towards the headquarters.

After some time of walking, I reach the headquarters.

Upon entering, I head towards the dining room.

As I enter the dining room, I see Yuno eating alone.

I sit beside Yuno and start eating the contents on the table.

"Why don't you sit with someone? It's good to be social," I say to him.

"Says the one who hasn't even made a friend," Yuno says to me.

"Oi! I was saying it for your own good. What's with you roasting me?" I reply.

"I don't like it," he says.

"I don't like to socialize with people," he continues.

"Well, it's up to you," I say to him.

"Honestly, I am also an introvert," I admit.

"Not a big one, but I am an introvert," I tell him.

"Enough about that, did you make any progress on the new spell?" I ask him.

Even though I know he wouldn't have made any progress yet, I decide to ask him since it might have changed due to my presence.

"About that, I was able to use it," he says to me.

"Hmm, too bad you weren't able... Wait! What! You were able to use it?" I exclaim, surprised.

"Yeah," he confirms as he says, "Sylph, come out."

Suddenly, a tiny, young female with a pair of insect-like wings and pointed ears appears. She has green hair, green eyes, and fair skin. She wears a short, pale-green sleeveless dress and no footwear.

"What, Yuno? Do you need something?" she says to him as she wipes her eyes.

"Nothing, I just wanted to show you to him," Yuno says to her.

"Yuno, I am not a toy for you to show!" she says in a loud tone.

Yuno ignores her.

"So, who are you?" she asks me.

"Zon," I say to her.

"Hmm, you... can't use magic?" she asks, observing me.

"How... do you know?" I say in surprise, as people often mistake my cursed energy for magic.

"I'm a spirit made up of mana, of course. I can tell with a glance if a being is loved by mana," she explains.

"But it looks like the mana is running away from you, and a different type of energy is being released from you and your sword," she adds.

Why is cursed energy being released from my body? Am I radiating it unconsciously?

"This energy is radiating mana. Zon, what are you?" she asks.

"That's a secret," I say to her.

"You... are not able to use magic?" Yuno asks, surprised.

"Yes, but don't tell anyone," I tell him.

"Then, what's that you used against that guy from the Diamond Kingdom?"

"As I said previously, that is a secret," I reply to him.

Yuno stares at me.

"Ahem. I am now going back to sleep. Goodbye, my Yuno," Sylph says as she disappears.

"Enough about me. Tell me how you were able to use her?" I ask him.

"After you went to train, I went to my dorm and started meditating. I was attracting the mana of the surroundings towards me for a long time. Suddenly, my grimoire opened, and Sylph appeared," he explains.

"I was shocked, but after she explained that she was the one in the spell I got from the dungeon, it became clear," he continues.

"Did you use her power?" I ask him.

"I tried to, but she said that I was able to manifest her only because of the mana I accumulated while meditating. I am as of now not strong enough to use her powers," he admits.

"Good for you, I guess," I say to him.

Even though he is not able to use Sylph's power, it's absurd that he manifested her this early. Is it because of me that this change occurred? Even though he is stronger than the canon Yuno, he should not have manifested her this early.

I then forget all about that, eat with Yuno, and head to my room.

After reaching my room, I lie on my bed, thinking.

"How did Yuno manage to manifest Sylph so quickly?"

"Why did this change occur?"

"What is with my sword?"

"Why is the sword behaving like a cursed weapon?"

"I have many questions, but it will require a lot of time to get their answers," I say to myself as I drift off to sleep.

To be continued...