Plopping down onto my bed, I let out a slow, weary sigh.
I don't know what it is about coming ho to your own bed, but no matter how long or short I've been gone, the comfort always feels nostalgic.
Just sinking into this soft mattress and staring up at the ever-familiar ceiling seed to ease the constant tension weighing down on my shoulders.
It was a small, fleeting relief, but I welcod it nonetheless.
I exhaled softly, allowing my body to fully relax for the first ti in what felt like days.
"I wonder where Senior went…?"
I murmured absentmindedly, shifting my gaze around the room.
Alice wasn't here.
"The practical are still ongoing for at least a week from now…"
Considering she had told herself that she'd be staying in my room for a while, I had half-expected her to be here when I returned, since she didn't seem to have much to-do other than her thesis's.
But the room was empty.
It was already late afternoon.
Where could she have gone?
…Well, knowing Senior Alice, she was probably—
1 Being taken advantage of by the Student Council again. They always found ways to push their ridiculous workload onto her.
2 Hanging around with her best friend, Senior Lorraine. Those two were practically inseparable.
3 Fighting the White Queen's forces in the Dinsional Rift.
I frowned slightly at the last thought.
It was the most concerning possibility… and, unfortunately, the most likely.
Alice had been secretly fighting against the White Queen's army, making sure no one noticed.
Sooner or later, I'd have to step in and help her.
If I wanted to save Senior Alice from her bad end, then I couldn't just sit back and let her bear everything on her own.
But that also ant she'd start questioning .
She wasn't the type to just accept things blindly no maybe she might….?
Though Cheshire won't…
He'd demand to know how I knew so much about the White Queen… and I doubted I could co up with an explanation that wouldn't sound completely impossible.
It would be a hassle to explain everything.
Still, when the ti ca, I'd just have to be as honest as I could.
Even if I couldn't tell her everything…
I'd make sure she understood enough.
It wouldn't be long before a bishop from the White Queen's army would infiltrate the academy in a surprise attack.
And by then…
I would have to fight alongside Senior Alice.
There was no avoiding it.
I sighed, dragging a hand down my face before pushing myself up from the bed.
Sitting up straight, I let my gaze wander toward the full-body mirror positioned near my bedside.
A quiet mont passed as I stared at my own reflection.
"I really have changed…"
The scrawny, weak version of myself—the one who had once stared back at in the mirror a year ago—was nowhere to be seen.
Most of my features remained the sa, yet the subtle but significant changes that had shaped into who I was now were unmistakable.
The strength I had gained… the experiences I had endured… the power I now wielded…
These were things the foolish, cowardly, and ignorant version of myself from the past could never have imagined.
And yet—
Even with all this strength…
Even with all the effort I had put in just to reach this point…
I still wasn't satisfied.
Because this level of power…
It wasn't enough.
At best, it might be able to match a single claw from Liyana's true form.
And that was nowhere near enough to do what I needed to do.
If I wanted to save her from the fate that had already been written, if I wanted to stop the impending death she had placed upon while saving her at the sa ti…
I needed more.
Way more.
The strength that end-ga Lucas had in the ga?
No.
Even that wouldn't be enough.
I needed to surpass that.
Because anything less wouldn't be enough to change fate itself.
Gathering mana into my hands, I focused—the air around humming in response to the surge of energy.
With a thought, I reached into the pocket dinsion connected to my soul pouch, summoning the weapon that had accompanied through countless battles.
A familiar weight settled into my palm as a blade materialized before .
[Item: Tempest Sword]
I gripped the hilt, feeling the raw power pulsing within its steel.
"It's ti to return your true na."
But before that…
I summoned another item, causing a small, yet peculiar piece of tal to appear before , floating in midair.
[Item: The Sleeping Blade: Vale (Unique)]
[Note: An essence of will and ego detected inside… This item is applicable for soul synergization with user weapons!]
A rare chance.
One that couldn't be ignored.
The system prompt flickered before .
[Would you like to consu the item?]
[Yes/No]
There was no hesitation.
"Yes."
The mont I answered, the tal fragnt disintegrated into golden sparks, each ember drifting toward the Tempest Sword, wrapping around its blade like threads of light.
A low hum filled the air.
Then, the system's voice rang again.
[Success!]
[Item: Tempest Sword] Rank increased! Item rank potential [Unique] → [Legendary]! Potential rank [Mythical] now applicable!]
The blade trembled in my hands.
A surge of power coursed through it as its color shifted, golden light etching intricate patterns into the steel.
Then, another notification appeared.
[Item: Tempest Sword (Naless) has now awakened!]
[Tempest Sword wishes to form a contract with you.]
[Would you like to accept?]
[Yes/No]
I could feel it—its will, its presence.
It was alive.
It had recognized .
I exhaled, tightening my grip.
"Yes."
At that mont, the sword erupted in light.
A brilliant white glow spread from its hilt, before deepening into gold, surrounding in an overwhelming warmth.
Then, a final system ssage appeared.
[Contract successful!]
[Soul contract established!]
[Item: Tempest Sword will now answer only to your call and will.]
As the light faded, I looked down at the blade in my hands.
It felt different.
Stronger.
As if it had truly beco a part of .
[Note: Tempest Sword is eagerly waiting for you to give it a na!]
I couldn't help but smile as I felt the sword's anticipation.
It was a strange sensation—almost surreal.
Could Lucas also feel the Holy Sword's emotions like this?
It was as if the blade wasn't just an object but a living being—one that expressed its thoughts and feelings directly, despite having no face, no voice… only its radiance.
My fingers ran over the weapon's newly strengthened steel, feeling its warmth, its energy, its… expectation.
"Valeria… your na shall be Valeria from now on."
At that mont, a surge of golden light burst forth from the sword's core, bathing the room in its glow.
A notification followed.
[Note: Tempest Sword (Valeria) is expressing its happiness toward you!]
It was an odd ssage.
But I could feel it—Valeria's joy.
Then—
[Note: Tempest Sword (Valeria) Unique Ability Effect Activated!]
[Tempest Sword (Valeria)]
[Unique Skill: Master's Strength] [Activated!]
[Effect: Tempest Sword shall now gain the strength of its user!]
[Tempest Sword (Valeria)] [Level: 149]
The mont the system processed the changes; I could feel the difference.
Though the sword's weight remained the sa, there was now an undeniable heaviness behind it—like wielding a force far beyond what tal alone could provide.
It had truly beco a legendary-ranked weapon.
I tested its edge, running my fingers lightly across the sharpened steel.
Subtle, but powerful.
Its blade had grown even keener, its weight distribution was now perfect, and, above all—there was an unshakable feeling that no matter what happened—this sword would never break.
This was proof that Valeria was evolving alongside .
Of course, it didn't carry the broken, cheat-like abilities of the [Holy Sword] that Lucas wielded or the [Void Blade] in possession of the Gyeoul Clan Head.
But in terms of reliability—
Valeria's potential was limitless.
"I'll be counting on you from now on, partner..."
In response, Valeria glead slightly, a soft glow running along its blade.
I could feel it—its approval, its assurance.
It was a strange but welco sensation.
This sword—this girl—was about to make most of my upcoming ordeals a lot easier.
With that settled, I willed Valeria to rest.
A faint impression—almost like a nod of compliance—emanated from the weapon before it floated above the back of my hand.
Then—
A golden stigma pulsed, glowing briefly before sucking the sword inside.
This was one of Valeria's unique abilities—a special trait that allowed her to reside within and be summoned at will.
It was also why, in the ga, she was considered an invaluable weapon.
Her ability to fill an open weapon slot while remaining dormant ant that players could carry extra weapons without sacrificing inventory space—only calling her forth when needed.
And that wasn't all.
Valeria had another effect—one tied to Divinity.
If infused with Divine Energy, her blade would undergo an entirely different transformation.
But…
That was sothing I could test later—perhaps after I entered Ascension again.
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