A Single Flower (ichirin no hana)

Words Of The World, are you done analyzing what monsters was I fighting against just now? I need to know if they are low-level or they are the works of someone else's power at play. If it is the latter, I have to locate the Mage and get out of their area as soon as possible.

"Analysis complete. They are woodland creatures cursed by the Element of Corruption. This causes beings with lower intelligence than humans to go insane and rot. They lose their sanity, clawing out their eyes or blinding themselves. They then go on a rampage finding others to Corrupt."

"Despite eating insane amounts of flesh, their figure remains skinny as their insides begin to rot, inside out. Corrupt makes the creatures jump from a Passive Level to a Hostile Level being. The Mage that possesses this Element has been gone for the past few minutes and is out of range."

"It is highly unlikely that they will return. Do not attempt to go after them as high levels of Elemental Auras have been detected around their predicted area. The enemies you've encountered are several levels under you," explained the voice.

By any chance, has this skill been known to attack humans or Mages?

"Affirmative. The database shows evidence of 'Corrupt' being present in both humans and Mages. However, humans do not survive after being hit by the Corruption Element. And for Mages, their powers get absorbed and create another being called the 'Husks'."

"Humans do become Husks but only for a brief moment as their bodies are weak. They'll end up rotting away, just like the Corrupted woodland creatures."

What do the Mages do when they get affected by the Element of Corruption?

"Notice. The Mages affected by this Element becomes Corrupted, drastically increasing strength and Elemental Energy while reducing intelligence and Elemental Aura."

So that means the Husks can only last in short fights and rely on outbursts of power to take down the enemy. They would have to rely on the element of surprise to take down their opponents or the first hit. But what happens to the Mages that have the Element of Corruption?

"Notice. They have been known to..."

Before the voice could continue, I found myself defending against a new foe. One that was faster than Raiyen's attacks from before. And this time, I could see my opponent. And she was so pretty. It was such a pity that only one of her violet eyes could be seen.

I got the better hand at being down to the ground as I used my other palm to push the blade. When her balance was off, I swung the blade. This caused her to fly back but she landed on the side of a tree. She lowered her body, essentially squatting on the tree bark.

She then ran up the tree and leaped from the top and got into position to unleash something from above. With her body turning to make her head dive down first, she stretched out her right palm as if to grab something in the air. A long weapon appeared with a glowing Fuchsia outline.

From the first clash, I had thought the weapon she used was that of a blade, but I was wrong. I hadn't noticed but her weapon was a glorified tree branch. A... Staff in terms of Magecraft. Hang on, with the stance she was holding it in... It was a spear! And she's gonna throw right at me!

She then grabbed hold of it and twirled it around her body, performing some move from a dance that I have no energy to recall. But it looked like she was showing off her moves as a lancer. Her moves even reminded me of an old folktale of Celtic legend; Scáthach, Queen of Shadows.

"Flower Dance; Stage Three. Petunia Rage!" shouted the Mage of Flower, as a beam of Petunias appeared from the tip of her spear aimed at me.

I had half the thought of grabbing the spear's tip if the weapon was in close range. But to my horror, the giant flowers were above me and started to detonate without warning. And the wretched weapon wasn't even near me! I cursed at my luck.

I had no time to do any spells and was forced to use nothing but my sword to defend myself from the flurry of attacks. Hang on... My sword... Avarice... I wonder if I do this, will it absorb the moves of my opponent? Is she out of my league?

"Notice. The Mage you are fighting is on the same level as you so you can absorb her moves. Would you like to use Avarice to take in her attacks? Doing so grants you the Element Of Flower," suggested the voice.