Rematch

"...."

"...."

A steady silence continued between the two of them as they stared at each other. Each with different expressions on their faces.

He was standing on top of a roof, holding a sword while a woman was staring holes into his face. Yuuto honestly didn't know what to do as it happened all too fast.

Feeling like he should do something after seeing Jingliu not moving, he waved his hand and the sword he held quickly faded into dust.

"First let's get rid of that sword you have. I'm feeling nervous just imagining you waving that thing around."

Jingliu continued to stare at him as if she was trying to understand what he meant before shattering her sword.

"You make it seem like I'll attack so abruptly?"

"Try convincing me otherwise after you tried to trap me earlier–?"

"....You ran first."

Yuuto held his tongue as she was correct on that part but he couldn't help it. It was like that time on Solarian, it was pure instinct like an animal being chased by a predator.

Seeing that she managed to stump him, Jingliu felt a sense of amusement noticing his expression stiffen, and jogged closer to him.

"Anyways, what are you even doing here holding a sword in the first place?"

Clearing his throat to change the topic, Yuuto waited for Jingliu to get closer before dusting off the remaining shards of ice stuck to his leg.

"There was a group of soldiers inflicted with mara nearby. All hidden within a facility so I decided to get rid of them." She said in a cold tone.

"I'm uncertain why a large number managed to go unnoticed but after slaying the last one, I caught a familiar scent and noticed that it was you."

"So that's why…"

Yuuto was a bit surprised to hear about the large group that she managed to find and began to make a small hypothesis.

'It might be the Alchemy Commissions doing…'

Seeing the first-hand effects the Sanctus Medicus were doing based on the symptoms Xiao Ju had, Yuuto wondered just how much they were hiding from the Cloud Knights.

Possibly way more than what he could imagine.

'This is going to be annoying.' Yuuto groaned just thinking about it.

"I'm also curious. What were you doing alone here unsupervised?"

Breaking away from his frustrations, Jingliu posed him with a question that surprised him and he quickly answered. 

"I was getting snacks for my friend."

He pointed to the vending machine near a corner and smiled innocently. Jingliu on the other hand felt like something was odd with his choice of words.

"I was getting snacks."

"I didn't say anything…"

"I just wanted to clarify."

Yuuto continued to smile but his lips shook a bit as he was reminded once more of his acting that went a bit out of control.

The two continued to have a lighthearted conversation as Yuuto led with most of the questions asking about her time after she left Solarian. Alongside the events that occurred after entering the 'branch' made by the Wingweavers.

"It's pretty impressive that you managed to take out an entire camp of Wingweavers."

"I've faced worse in the past. This sort of thing is nothing compared to that."

"Is that so?"

Yuuto glanced at Jingliu and noticed her red eyes staring at the moon. Her emotions were hidden but a strong sense of melancholy barely broke through.

"Is my gift still working fine?"

Hoping to break the ambiguous atmosphere, Yuuto decided to change the topic which caused Jingliu to tilt her head.

"You mean the earring…?" She reached for the earring on her right ear. Rubbing it between her fingers. "I still don't understand how you managed to make such a thing."

Coherent thoughts and stable emotions. She didn't know the last time she'd experienced this sort of freedom since her time in the High-Cloud Quintet.

Even that moment was like a fleeting memory to her after being consumed by mara.

But out of nowhere, this person had managed to ease her chaotic mind so easily. Something that she initially deemed impossible.

"I guess it has been a long time since I gave you that earring, huh…" 

Yuuto rubbed the bottom of his chin for a while before suddenly reaching his hand towards the earring.

Jingliu paused and her eyes stared at Yuuto intensely as the distance between them suddenly shortened.

An orange feathered pen appeared and Yuuto skillfully wrote in the air near her ear. The tip of the pen released a bright amber hue that brilliantly weaved together before fading into Jingliu's earring.

"This should be a good upgrade."

Yuuto let out a deep breath and laughed as he felt proud of his work while JIngliu felt confused at what just happened.

"How is it?"

"How is what—" Before she could answer a subtle flow of energy suddenly appeared and she opened her eyes wide.

Her thoughts circulated much faster and she felt a bit more energized than usual.

"It looks like you like it~!"

"You…"

Yuuto began to chuckle seeing the shocked expression that was different from her usual ice-cold appearance.

"My skills improved the last time you saw me so I felt like I should give you an upgrade. It's nothing too special. You just get a small boost in energy and your mind becomes clearer."

Yuuto placed the pen away after using [Memoforge] on her earring and felt like his proficiency with the pen had grown since the last time he used it.

Jingliu was still dazed at the feat Yuuto just pulled and she subconsciously rubbed the brand-new earring.

Her eyes were closed but the calmness she found as a blessing had grown to a much deeper level that she felt like she was dreaming.

"So your physique wasn't the only thing that grew."

"Huh? You noticed something like that?"

"Teaching Cloud Knights was something from my past so judging something as simple as that is nothing."

Jingliu opened her eyes and stared at Yuuto with more intensity that he suddenly felt a sense of unease.

"Take out your sword and follow me."

"What–!?"

Jingliu was already walking away from him and Yuuto quickly ran after her.

Taking a route away from Aurum Alley, the two entered an area where large bamboo trees hid the dark sky and Yuuto looked around.

"This place…."

"Fyxestroll Garden. Or at least a hidden part of the garden that I used to frequently go to."

Yuuto nodded and noted the area that looked quite beautiful to what he remembered. 

'This is the place with the ghosts right?'

He tried to remember the event that took place in this area and wondered if it was okay for them to be here.

They walked until the two reached a gazebo with a single stone table. The table was quite large with five stone seats and Jingliu grazed her finger on the surface before leaning on it.

"Do you still use moonlight with your swordsmanship?"

"Ah, yeah I still do. Why?"

"Let's spar. I want to see your progress."

Yuuto was surprised to hear her offer but he quickly agreed as this was something he honestly hoped would happen after abruptly meeting her.

Seeing his active agreement to her request, she gave a subtle smile and the two stood a few meters away from each other.

Two swords. One that was light blue and one that was pale white.

'His stance is much more natural.'

Being in similar stances from each other, Jingliu was able to accurately judge the small movements and adjustments Yuuto made and felt satisfied with what she saw.

A small wind carelessly flowed between the two and a leaf danced with it. They were still, not moving a single muscle.

Until the leaf that flowed between them touched the ground.

—-WOOOSH

—TING

A flash of white and blue lit the dark forest with its light and the sounds of swords clashing echoed.

"Balance and precision are sharp."

Jingliu calmly analyzed as she jumped back and used her arm to adjust her stance. A small flick of her wrist and a crescent shot from her sword followed behind.

Yuuto drew his sword and traced the air creating a few silver lines. These lines folded and grew together before creating a cross that clashed with the projectile Jingliu shot.

A small explosion of mist appeared when the two clashed and managed to cancel the attack.

She admired his way of handling moonlight and the subtle smile began to grow. Wanting to uncover just how far this man grew on his own during her absence.

Jingliu raised her blade and parried the thrust reaching for her chest before stepping back and counter-attacking.

Her sword flashed and raced towards a point where Yuuto exposed his body but he managed to retaliate. Splitting apart the sliver of moonlight flowing with her sword.

"You're not holding back your punches…"

"Would you like me to?"

"Don't you dare."

Yuuto said before covering his body in a dense white hue and disappearing from his spot. 

JIngliu followed along and decided to not disappoint. And she definitely didn't.

The area around them was instantly covered in a harrowing layer of ice that just barely missed Yuuto and he felt a drop of sweat fall from his face.

'If I was just a second late, I would have been consumed by that ice.'

He held onto the stem of the bamboo tree and looked down at Jingliu who was radiating a thick layer of moonlight completely different from his own.

If his moonlight was like a steady river. 

Hers was like the heavy pressure of an ocean. 

—-VOOOSH

A current of projectiles immediately surrounded Yuuto who was too busy admiring the light Jingliu gave and he spun forward while creating a layer of lines that would protect him.

"Don't lose focus in the middle of a fight. You'll regret it."

"Yeah, that was my bad."

Yuuto knew his mistake and he regained focus. While Jingliu pointed her sword towards him.

The two continued to clash where Yuuto had to pull his sword to resist the countless projectiles aimed at his weak points and felt the sweat start to appear.

In addition to swordplay, Jingliu also engaged in close combat which she was expectantly proficient in.

Luckily he had [Underworld's CQC] that he got from Luka so he was able to hold his place. 

"How can someone her size kick so damn hard…"

Yuuto lowered his arm which blocked a kick aimed at his face and felt the throbbing pain that resulted.

Taking a few steps back, Jingliu continued to stare at him and let out a deafening pressure on his shoulders. 

Any normal person and even experienced fighters would feel stifled by the abnormal pressure Jingliu gave and Yuuto was no exception.

But in his case, however, he didn't mind it. 

A wave of countless monsters. A guardian that was consumed by corruption. The full force of a Stellaron.

The challenges he managed to overcome inadvertently helped build his tolerance towards these situations and he firmly stood in place.

With the sword parallel to his arm, he felt like he needed to reply in kind to Jingliu's invitation.

'Cyrilla, let's show her.'

Yuuto whispered in his mind and the center of his sword let out a hazy light as he lifted his hand.

Within his vision, faint star-like points began to appear and moonlight taking the shape of threads flowed out of his blade.

The threads weaved outwards, dicing the bamboo trees and ground near him.

'This is…'

Jingliu felt interested in seeing the new form Yuuto was letting off and she decided to go ahead. Wanting to discover what he had in store.

As she got closer, Yuuto waved his sword and countless lines began to project out his sword before reaching a singular point.

[Illumine]

—BOOOOM

A heavy and rapid series of cuts ripped the air and all converged into a single point that Jingliu had the option of stopping to focus on dealing with this move.

But on the contrary, she accelerated faster and dealt with it in a way that represented one of the various titles she carried.

Transcendent Flash.

—WOOOSH

A blinding glare exploded as she came into contact and a heavy layer of dust hid the area.

"That was a splendid attack."

"You say that but you dealt with it pretty easily."

"Not exactly. You forced me to go serious at that time so I applaud you." 

Yuuto laughed as he plunged his sword forward but was unsuccessful as Jingliu held her spot and blocked his attack aiming for her chest.

"Would you like to stop?"

A question was suddenly thrown at him as Jingliu noticed the sweat pouring down his chin.

Yuuto didn't reply as he replayed the spar they just had and couldn't help but feel disappointed.

Pushing his sword back and creating distance between the two, Jingliu tilted her head and wondered what he was doing.

"No, not yet. I still have one more thing I want to try."

"Really?"

Yuuto softly nodded and took off the coat that stuck to his body.

Jingliu's curiosity grew even further as she wondered what he was suddenly doing taking off his coat.

He stabbed his sword into the ground and raised his arms to stretch before letting out a deep relaxed breath.

"I always wanted to land a solid blow on you but it seems like I can't do it while using only moonlight."

Yuuto said as he raised his sword forward and faint golden markings underneath his clothes gave out a profound glow.

"So let me show you a path that I forged on my own. Please advise me."

Jingliu listened to him carefully and noticed a sudden shift in temperature in their surroundings.

'It's getting warmer.'

The shimmering surface of ice beneath Yuuto began to melt away and a golden flicker of light graced his body.

A spark. A light. Finally a full flame.

A sword, 3 feet and 7 inches in length. A weapon he mainly used since arriving in this world. 

Began to change.

The sword grew in length and the center remained its original white hue. But outwards, it retained a golden edge, creating a weapon similar to a greatsword.

"You are a bundle of surprises."

Jingliu mumbled to herself before her sword morphed as well. Creating a greatsword that radiated a piercing coldness.

Two opposing elements suddenly appeared and Yuuto felt his body heat up as the Stellaron began pumping vigorously.

Dragging his body forward, Yuuto swung his sword. Unleashing a wave of flames toward Jingliu.

She raised his sword and channeled a heavy amount of moonlight to absorb the flames aimed at her. Making contact with the flame her face shifted as she noticed something was off and took a step back.

Leaving a mist of steam in her place.

"Those flames are special."

She noted the way it consumed her moonlight at a rate that was considered abnormal and her eyes sharpened feeling the temperature around her heat up.

Jingliu turned around and closed the distance feeling Yuuto's presence and sent out crescents that were larger and faster than the ones she sent earlier.

Each let out a dazzling glow as they whistled through the air.

Yuuto adjusted his stance and a spiraling wave of flames hovered above the edge of his sword before forming a golden arc to meet the assault.

"Holy hell. This thing is more destructive than what I anticipated…"

Yuuto whistled as he moved away from the explosion and saw the countless craters he made while swinging his sword.

Not only that but the scorched grass beneath his feet was hardly noticeable as there was hardly any grass left in the first place.

"Let me leave behind some credits after this…"

Yuuto felt a bit guilty but he decided to think about it later as he felt Jingliu closing the distance between them.

He increased the amount of flames he released to combat Jingliu who attempted to smother his fire despite learning its inherent properties.

Her confidence in herself fueled Yuuto as he didn't want to back down from her challenge and the Stellaron's heat transferred to the air around him.

He snapped his fingers and a thick dome of fire trapped the two, leaving Jingliu's vision clouded. 

Jingliu skillfully kept the flames at bay from burning her but her expression soon changed when she felt like the space around her fluctuated.

'It feels like I'm in a different spot than where I originally was.'

She stomped her foot and the temperature dropped to a frightening degree where mist began to appear. Her hands gripped her sword and she swung forward with all her might.

Leaving behind a giant crescent that ripped the dome that covered her.

Breaking apart the dome that trapped her, Jingliu saw that her surroundings didn't change.

"What was that then—-!?"

Still in a state of confusion, her senses suddenly began to warn her of an attack and she looked back.

In the air, Yuuto was accelerating downwards and he had something attached to his back.

A pair of pristine white wings.

"Who are you really…"

Jingliu mumbled as her red eyes shone brighter and the image of a moon materialized behind her back. 

In the air, Yuuto laughed dumbfoundedly as he noticed the moon that had once captivated him in the past and didn't expect her to use it.

He grabbed his sword as he prepared himself and the center gave out a hazy light.

Threads that were once made from moonlight were now replaced with intense golden flames and they began to converge into one singular point.

[Illumine] + [Golden Flames]

—-BOOOOOM

A groundbreaking explosion erupted and a wave of flames mixed with ice shattered outwards.

As the dust settled, inside a large crater made from molten rock and frozen ash, Yuuto was staring upwards while a sword was pressed near his ear.

"I lost."

He waved his hand exhausted and Jingliu who was on top nodded. Her pale colored hair tickled Yuuto's nose but he was too tired to move it aside.

"You actually managed to make me use my Core Esse…"

"I don't know what that means but I guess that's a good thing?"

"Only a few have managed to force me to activate it. So be proud you're one of them."

Jingliu said as she rubbed the small wound on Yuuto's cheek and pulled her hand back when she saw how it began to stitch back together.

Looking closely, beneath the skin was a black crystal-like substance that mended his injuries back to normal.

"Would you like a reward?"

"What's this out of nowhere?"

"I'm not sure myself but I feel like I should reward you right now."

"Wait, let me think for a moment!" 

Yuuto thought deeply about the things he could ask her before choosing on one thing.

"Teach me how to form that Core Esse thing."

Jingliu thought deeply after hearing his request before agreeing.

"If you're fine with meeting me here then I could teach you. But is that all?"

"Wait, I can ask for more?"

She nodded. "Learning how to form a Core Esse is not that difficult so it's not really a reward. The only difficulty is how you grow it."

"Then.. can I hold off on my reward until I find something worth it?"

"...If that's what you want then that's fine."

Yuuto felt happy to hear her agree and thought about the future where he could use the wish of a renowned swordswoman.

But before he could think further he felt like he should ask something.

"A question before anything else."

"Go ahead, I'm listening."

"Will we be alright creating all this damage?" Yuuto said while looking at the countless bamboo trees broken down and the craters they made during their spar.

"Don't worry." Jingliu took the sword near Yuuto's ear and destroyed it. "There's a special barrier made by a Vidyadhara High Elder that makes all damages return to normal."

Hearing this, Yuuto let out a relieved sigh. "Then the racket we made should also be fine right?"

"No."

"Huh?"

"We should go before the Aurumaton Spectral Envoy from the Ten-Lord's Commission arrives to investigate."

"Wait! You should have said that sooner!?"

Yuuto immediately stood up despite the soreness he felt and quickly faded into the surroundings with Jingliu after finding out that they might get caught.

Leaving behind the tiny gazebo and the countless craters behind, the forest returned to its dull silence.

Originally that is.

"Wauaauaua—- Mr. T-Tail…. What was th-that!!??"

Behind the gazebo, a small foxian girl trembled as her pupils shook at the numerous craters and broken down trees. 

Not only that but the steam left over from the scorched earth and shards of ice. It was hard to imagine that a simple spar would cause this much damage.

{Hoh— I didn't know that such a strong flame excited…}

"Th-That's not what I was asking!??" The girl yelled with tears in her eyes.

"I should report this right? B-But what happens if they find out…"

{You'll probably lose more body parts compared to that puny tail you had.}

"My tail is not puny!!"

The girl argued with the voice that appeared in her head.

"Wuwuwuuauau….I don't want to do it b-but if they pose a danger during this crisis…"

She tried to convince herself but remembering the bright and intense battle that she briefly saw.

Her resolve faded away.

"Mr. Tail…"

{Don't be such a crybaby!}

"Ow!"

The girl rubbed her head as she felt someone smack her head and she pitifully sat down.

{Don't report them in the meantime.}

"What? Why?"

{The woman doesn't look like she bears any ill will towards the Loufu.}

"R-Really?"

{Yes. Also, the boy with her is the same. I also sense an astral spirit deeply tied with him so he also doesn't seem that bad.}

"I hope so…"