Chapter 174: Complete World

"Look at you getting all cocky..."

Wilhelm clicked his tongue as he glanced at Glorietta.

"The Royal Adviser would be brokenhearted when he hears you speak such rude words."

Glorietta clicked her tongue too before smiling, "Enough with the joking. In fact, even I felt surprised at that girl— Dahlia’s abilities."

"But, why are you suddenly interested in my beloved niece?"

"Nothing, it’s just that... my daughter had been working extra hard lately, and as her father, I’m just a little worried and curious..."

"Hmmm? About what?" Glorietta glanced at Wilhelm.

"...because I was surprised when I found out that she lost against someone in her Weapon Mastery Exam."

"Don’t tell me you investigated my niece?"

"You think I’m that shallow? I won’t be here if I did that. Besides..."

"Can you stop cutting off your words? You’re about to piss me off." Glorietta clenched her teeth.

Wilhelm coughed, "What I meant was that my daughter losing to your niece isn’t really bad. I first thought that she would be heartbroken, but I was surprised instead."

Clink— Clank— Shing— Woosh!!!!

Seeing the spirited eyes of his daughter and the competitive smile on her face, Wilhelm muttered, "It’s been a while since I saw her with that much life in her eyes."

"Since she awakened her gift, I can tell that she has lost motivation even when she trained day and night."

"And I know that the reason behind that was her lack of competition among her peers; something that I can really do nothing about."

"But when I say the happiness on her face when she told me that she was defeated by someone, I can’t help but be happy for her..."

Glorietta did not know how to react, "Alright, alright, you can stop crying now."

"Hic... I’m just so proud of my beautiful daughter."

"Okay, okay. Here’s some tissue, wipe that snot off your nose."

"Thank you—" Sneeze—!!!

"Hey, you’re too loud, they’ll notice us!"

After regaining his composure, King Artorius continued watching the match below.

"Still, to dual-wield two longswords, is your niece crazy?"

"Watch your mouth, hmph. Though I can’t deny that..." Glorietta smiled proudly once again.

By this time, Dahlia and Freya had already undergone hundreds of exchanges.

Wilhelm glanced at her, "It seemed like she took that from you, even if you two aren’t blood related."

"Shut up and watch the match."

"I do have to commend your niece for being able to perfectly incorporate the size of the longswords in her dual-wielding."

It was more common for people who pursued the path of aura to choose short swords or daggers to dual-wield instead.

The reason for this was that longswords would be difficult to maneuver if used in dual-wielding.

And so, those who do so would either immediately change their weapons, or those with true talent who could pull off that battle style.

’Even then, they would need tens of years of practice...’ He thought to himself.

Glorietta scratched her cheek with an embarrassed expression, "I know, right? Even I, a Grand Warrior, can’t find any more rooms for improvement."

However, Wilhelm did not reply immediately as he squinted his eyes.

Seeing his serious gaze, Glorietta chose to keep silent.

Below, Dahlia and Freya were exchanging attacks with each other.

The two long swords cooperated seamlessly under the former’s control, while every part of the spear was fully utilized in the latter’s hands.

At this moment, Dahlia dashed with the steel sword in her right hand, pointing towards Freya’s chest.

Seeing this, Freya held the spear with her right hand horizontally on her side as she utilized he back of her free left hand to push the flat side of the sword away.

This response made Dahlia’s pale-pink eyes constrict as an excited smile bloomed on her face.

Seeing the spear on Freya’s right hand that was thrust towards her eyes, she instantly let go of the sword in her right hand, which was brushed away by her opponent’s hand, before using her now free hand to grab the shaft of the spear.

With this, Dahlia was able to slow down the advancement of the spear, buying enough time for the sword that she was holding in her right hand in a reverse manner to shield her face from the sharp spear.

CLANK!!!

Woosh—!!!

The moment the sword and spear made contact, a subtle pressure of wind was exerted due to the impact.

Dahlia and Freya, both smiling, backed away from each other.

They both looked at their weapons and saw that there were already cracks spreading on them.

In the past few minutes, both of them had already exchanged attacks close to a thousand times.

The crowd was so immersed that the training hall was silent, with only the sound of the sword and spear clashing could be heard.

Without uttering a word, Dahlia took a battle stance with the cracked flat side of the steel sword parallel to her face while holding it with both hands.

[You will never lose with a sword in hand]

On the other hand, Freya placed her left hand in front of her while her right hand held the spear horizontally behind her.

[You will always win with a spear in hand]

The moment their eye made contact with each other, they both rushed as they placed all their strength in that final strike.

It was the decisive moment that would determine who would win...

...between the Goddess of Swords and the Spear of Victory.

WOOSH—---- CLANG!!!!!!!

CRACK—!!!

The crowd’s eyes remained unblinking as they witnessed the clash of the two greatest human talents.

***

A week later...

A crowd of students gathered at the Royal Bulletin.

Each and every one of them was actively looking for their names to know whether they passed this semester’s examinations or not.

Both excitement and nervousness permeated the atmosphere.

"It should’ve been a draw..."

"Who told you to collapse out of exhaustion, hm?"

"I’ll win next time, for sure."

"As if I’d let you."

Two girls smiled as they watched their friends scramble with other students while trying to find their rankings.

First Semester Theoretical Exam Rankings – Second Year

Rank 1: Freya Artorius —--- 98.43%

Rank 2: Dahlia Grava —--- 98.42%

...

...

...

First Semester Practical Exam Rankings – Second Year

Rank 1: Dahlia Grava —--- 100%

Rank 2: Freya Artorius —--- 99.00%

...

...

...

First Semester Overall Exam Rankings – Second Year

Rank 1: Dahlia Grava —--- 99.21%

Rank 2: Freya Artorius —--- 98.72%

...

...

...

***

In the middle of grassy lands...

A boy could be seen walking alone along the path made of yellow soil.

"Ugh! I’ve been walking for over a week already!!"

He shouted out loud as his eyes, the color of red blood, shone with impatience.

His snow-white hair that was tied into a ponytail moved with his every step as he brushed his bangs back from time to time due to the strong wind.

In the distance, a silhouette of the city walls could be vaguely seen.

"Finally!!!"

The boy was none other than Regis.

He had been travelling alone for a week without feeling any response from his consciousness.

Regis smiled in satisfaction as he saw Delimoro City in the distance, "I should be able to reach it before night falls."

However, he felt something in his heart just as he was about to take a step.

Wuuuung—

The ever-so-familiar feeling made Regis’s face freeze.

It was none other than the feeling of his Perfect Adaptation’s activation.

The moment he felt it, he hurried over to a nearby tree, sat down cross-legged beneath its shade, and made himself comfortable.

Then, as if on cue, a familiar voice sounded in his mind.

(Regis.)

Regis could not help but smile as he replied, (Vanessa! Are my friends there??)

(Yes. And you have some explaining to do.)

(Oh...)

Regis remembered what had happened before during their fight with Ruvalkar and the lich.

(I have something to say to you and the others too.)

(Oh?) Vanessa’s voice sounded confused.

Without wasting any more time, Regis closed his eyes and meditated.

His breathing slowed down and became rhythmic as he entered his consciousness.

The first thing he noticed was the four suns that hung in the sky.

Perfect Adaptation.

Tranquility.

Weakpoint Creation.

And there was something that he had just seen for the first time.

Instant Regeneration.

However, Regis’s shock increased as he saw the island beneath him.

He could see that the other children, as well as some familiar faces, seemed to be waiting for him.

Regis did not waste any more time and descended.

Tap— Tap—

The moment his feet touched the land, his shock further increased.

"Brother!"

Pandora hurriedly ran towards him and gave him a tight hug.

Seeing this, Vanessa glanced at Killian and Aurelia, "Was she always like that? So it was only with us that she looked like she had facial paralysis?"

Killian and Aurelia could not help but laugh.

Meanwhile, Greg and Lea both had happy expressions on their faces, along with the other children.

Though there was a tinge of jealousy in the latter’s face.

It was the first time in a while that they saw Regis, after all.