On Astral Tides: From Humble Freelancer To Astral Emperor Five Hundred And Ninety-Nine

Five Hundred And Ninety-Nine

Ulfuric, now ard with battleaxe, mace, massive greatsword, spear, bow and more, practically bristling with weapons, grinned at knowingly, baring his teeth. Damn, he looks more like a hedgehogkin rather than a badgerkin right now…

“Do go easy on .” He laughed, the sound like grinding rocks. “I rember when you were a re stripling, standing beside our little princess. You mortals change quickly, it seems. But then…” He glanced over to where Shaeula had joined the watching crowd, training seeming to have halted so everyone could watch the fierce mock-battles Motoko, Natsumi and I were enduring. “…the princess has too. Yes, I was unwilling to exert my full strength on she who I carried on my shoulders when she was but a child, yet… she did defeat .”

“Exactly.” I agreed. “Sure, my stats outclass yours, but I’m not enough of a fool to think I co close to you in combat experience and talents. You won’t trick into going easy on you and falling flat on my face. I’d hate to be embarrassed in front of this crowd.” I chuckled ruefully. “I’ll certainly tone down my speed a bit to make it fairer, but I’m not enough of a braggart to claim I’ll match your stats or anything along those lines.”

“That is most certainly wise. Though this is but a spar. Do you know what you hope to achieve?”

“Not just …” I glanced over at Motoko and Natsumi. Both of them were exhausted and injured, looking as if they’d been through a war rather than training, but Selensha was there, her staff glowing as she created a brilliant ring of shimring water energies, an orange wave of bubbles bathing all the fallen combatants, and so the girls and their Fae opponents were sitting up, watching us with curious eyes.

I waved my free hand at them, and Motoko smiled tiredly, blood still running down her chin, though the flow was stopping as Selensha’s healing worked on her. “Akio…” She exchanged a glance with Natsumi, who nodded. “…we shall be watching you closely.”

“I would hope so. I know the two of you have your own ideas, but… I’m borrowing from you both as well, so… take a close look as I fight.”

“In that case…” Motoko peered at Tsurugi, still in her spear form. “…while it is seen as a woman’s weapon, it might perhaps be more sword-like. A naginata…”

“Oh, there is that, isn’t there?” I shrugged, embarrassed. My thoughts were conveyed to Tsurugi, who let out a cry of understanding. As her form shifted, the spearhead becoming longer and curved, the edge sharp, she still reassured . “If father says I am a sword, I am a sword. But this does feel more… natural, maybe?”

“Careful though, Akio!” Natsumi warned. “Tsumura Arts are better with spears. The way you use a naginata is rather different. It’s for mowing, rather than piercing.”

“Not for !” Tsurugi insisted, and the curved blade shifted again, forming a more spear-like orientation, a hybrid.

“There you have it then.” I chuckled. Twirling Tsurugi a few tis I got used to the changed balance, though the benefit of having a living weapon was that she could adjust on the fly, so I was trusting to my stats to keep from making blunders regardless. “Anyway, the pair of you really impressed . Body Enhancent is hard to master, Motoko… and that last strike, Natsumi… I don’t like the way it put you in harm’s way, but I approve of its bold power.”

“Sorry.” Natsumi apologised. “It’s still a work in progress! Converting speed and power to grace isn’t as easy as I thought. But… it’s the Tsumura Arts I envisage. Unstoppable speed and power!”

“As for … I must thank you for explaining the concepts behind Body Enhancent, even if you did warn us it was reckless.” Motoko shrugged, before wincing, her whole body still a ss. “I must also thank Miss Bakker, as well as your sister…”

That surprised , but my sis only smiled knowingly from where she was watching, tapping under her eye.

“…for they enabled to…” She paused, a rueful smile on her face, sowhat spoiled by the silver and red splashed across her chin and teeth. It was amusing, thinking of how her fellow noble daughters would see her now, but then I considered they’d probably be quite supportive, after Hanafubuki’s devastating invasion. In fact, there’s a fair few here, and they aren’t expressing any disgust.

“…I can hardly say perfect it, no, far from it.” She chuckled weakly. “And water elent is utterly essential, I regret not having the opportunity to learn that yet. But I shall.” she insisted boldly. “Fortunately, in short bursts, Ether Healing makes it tolerable. It only took so brief assistance from keen eyes and excellent knowledge of anatomy for to make this clumsy facsimile.”

“It’s basically right in my wheelhouse.” My sis admitted, coming over. “Damn though, you two really have taken a beating. Worth it, I hope?”

At their nods, she continued. “Anyway, yeah… my dream…” She paused for a second, eyes a little distant, before she shuddered like a cat waking from sleep, her focus returning. “…yeah, everyone knows I want to be the one who pioneers a new type of Sports Science, combining cutting edge biology and spiritual knowledge. So Motoko-chan did a favour. It’s amazing what your… mad side piece…”

Is it or does my sister look extrely disapproving right now? Not that I don’t get it. If she takes Christina seriously and thinks I’m interested in her, she would be disgusted, as it’d an I’m thinking with my libido and not with my heart or brain. I suppose I can clear it up tomorrow morning, when I’ve worked out what’s bothering her…

Ignoring Christina’s giggles, my sis finished her explanation. “…knows about the way the body works. It’s genius level stuff.”

“Of course. I do have published research in a number of fields, and biology is one of my specialties.” Christina puffed out her ample chest with pride, smiling at us, before nodding to Motoko. “I am happy to help. Humanely, of course, with willing test subjects. Though… I do find it amusing. You’re like …”

“I would think I must deny that.” Motoko replied politely. “I believe we are very different.”

“You wound !” Christina struck a pose, clutching her chest, and beside her, Aine let out a little giggle, amused by her extre reactions. “Though it’s true, looks and personality-wise we’re nothing alike. You’ve got that classic Japanese beauty style and temperant, but I beat you in the chest departnt… oh, all right. I know you’re eager to battle.” She snorted, pretending to be embarrassed. “I ant… you’ll go as far as you need to, even if it hurts, even if it’s dangerous. Honestly, even little Miss Christina here…” She thumped her chest again. “…was impressed by your resolve. You’re smart too. It didn’t take you long to grasp the ratio for the muscle fibres. It’s a sha the bones don’t hold up well. Earth elent might help with that, as a lot of the minerals involved like calcium are probably earth aspected. Anyway… being able to see the flow of aether and elents with this Eye…” She too repeated my sister’s earlier gesture. “…I think we can certainly optimise it. You’ll help , won’t you Aiko? We can share credit on the research paper!”

“Wow, so annoying…” my sis sighed. “But yeah, I suppose your assistance was appreciated. I hate the way you don’t care about Motoko-chan’s suffering though.”

“It would be rude to press her on it.” Christina disagreed. “Her resolve and will should be respected. If she was forced… that’s a different matter.”

“I think that is quite enough.” Motoko was embarrassed, pale cheeks slightly pink tinged, though it was hard to tell with the bloody teardrops she had leaked earlier. “My point is… my Tsumura Arts… I wish to emphasise the whole, the greater pattern, not rely one facet such as Natsumi. Of course, I do not say her way is inferior. A jack-of-all-trades, as mother-in-law Emily, might say, is always useful, but in many circumstances, a specialist shall outstrip the generalist. So, I need ways to push everything forwards.”

“Though I can do that too.” Natsumi giggled. “Thanks for paving the way for , Motoko!”

“You are most welco. Though my aching body does feel a little jealous.” she joked, surprising us all. I guess the joy of victory is enough for her.

“I’m certain that Nkunim’s Favour will be perfectly suited to the style you chose.” I assured her, and she widened her eyes, her smile blooming, and for a mont I was caught by the beauty of it.

“I succeeded then? I believed I had, but… sotis hope can be painful.”

“Yeah. It’s… hard to put into words, but… the vibration of your spirit has changed.” Perhaps even the Truesoul. It’s minute, but… I guess it’s like changing the frequency of a wave to create constructive interference… she’s not perfectly suited to it, but then again, if she was, wouldn’t she have been Chosen in the first place? But she’s good enough that she can certainly benefit…

“Just wait until after this, and once you are healed, we’ll make the transfer.” I promised, and as Natsumi hobbled over, diving onto Motoko to hug her, joy on her face, I turned away, shaking my head ruefully, enjoying their closeness. “Anyway, sorry to keep you waiting when your blood is up, Ulfuric.” I raised Tsurugi. “But I wanted to confirm the Styles they chose.”

“My blood is up, you say?” He spoke the words slowly, as if tasting them. “Yes, I suppose it is. Though we badgerkin burn slowly and explosively. You have not yet seen my true battle rage. So, before we begin… what traits is your Style to emphasise?”

“Flexibility.” I grinned. “It sounds superficially similar to Motoko’s, which is only proper. She is my teacher in Tsumura Arts, though Natsumi has helped a lot too. But it’s different. I doubt I’ll ever have the deep understanding and love for the Arts those two enjoy… but my advantage is my breadth of Skills and high Statistics, so… leveraging them is key. Now, enough talk…”

“Yes, the ti for talk with words is over. Let your body learn through combat!” Ulfuric roared, rushing forward, wicked double-headed battleaxe swinging towards .

“Tsurugi…” I cried, and her answer ca back swiftly.

“I know! I shall cut through all obstacles, father… but… not so fast you can’t learn. You can do it, father, you can do anything!”

I kept my vision expanded, prepared for any tricks from the wily warrior in front of , and I could see Magatama and Yata looking on warmly from the sidelines of our makeshift arena. “Yes, show your sisters you are doing what you want to do!” I agreed, and sparks flew as bronze battleaxe t whatever tal Tsurugi’s swordlike blade was made of. I wasn’t pushed back, despite Ulfuric’s great strength, which was a testant to how I’d grown these past few months.

I still couldn’t be complacent though, as Ulfuric was a cunning and experienced warrior, who surely had been fighting and commanding troops for many years before I was even born. Indeed, he released one hand, seizing his mace, and began to dual wield two colossal bronze weapons. As the spiked ball whistled towards , the axe keeping Tsurugi in check, I once more used the steps of Snake Dance to slide away from his pressure gracefully. Seeing that, Ulfuric grinned toothily, his eyes starting to shimr with a faint crimson light. He stomped down, and the ground exploded, rippling waves of earth and stone largely only an annoyance, but I then realised what his aim was.

I see, he’s worked out that the Tsumura Arts footwork, while quick, elegant and not entirely predictable, needs firm footing to execute the slides and turns. I matched his grin with mine, and Tsurugi shone with light, becoming a sword once more, deflecting mace and axe effortlessly.

“Oh…?” Ulfuric was impressed I held my balance.

“I’m a slow learner… but I do learn!” I countered. Sweeping Tsurugi in precise, accurate motions, attacking both weak spots and also predicting how Ulfuric would move, I pressed my advantage. “I watched Motoko’s Ten Thousand League Steps, as well as Natsumi’s high speed manoeuvring.”

Earth, wind and water elent, the combination allowed to keep my footwork crisp, even on the swampy maelstrom Ulfuric’s earth elent created beneath . The calculations to use the three elents at once without causing a disastrous clash were torturous, but… that’s my strength. Victory by numbers! If in doubt, brute force it! I don’t have any combat talents like Motoko and Natsumi, but… when I set my mind to sothing nowadays, I achieve it through sheer effort!

“Hah!” I thrust down Tsurugi, trapping the battleaxe, and my elbow struck out, as Tsumura Arts, despite being a combat style using weapons, was also focussed on the proper honing of the body, and various martial techniques for unard combat. More to the point… Even with a bow, at close range… no Tsumura Arts veteran should ever be helpless!

My elbow rang with discomfort, as it crashed into the heavy plate Ulfuric wore. He released his mace, which fell to the churning ground below, and shook his wrist, his expression showing he was impressed. His own footwork was solid, as immovable as a mighty oak, despite the ss below, and his fist swung at , though it was a feint, but… I have great Eyes. And… Motoko, my sis and Christina gave an idea…

Focusing at a finer level of detail than usual, though the effort fatigued , I could see the minute traces of aether and elental energy that signalled the motions of Ulfuric’s body. Using that to predict his likely actions, I saw the structure of his hands shifting, aether flashing to his fingers.

“Grab this!” Tsurugi shrunk further, now a short sword, and I slamd her into Ulfuric’s hand. His gauntlet cracked, and he was slightly off-balance for a mont. I didn’t miss the opportunity, aiming as his knees like Motoko did in her battle. Ulfuric pivoted, though keeping his balance effectively, so my kick to his knee didn’t break it, but he winced, rocking.

“Keep mobile, switch styles. Short, to mid…” I slid backwards, Tsurugi lengthening again, and even as Ulfuric pulled his own massive sword, I was delivering a swift flurry of strikes, using her as if she was a spear. Sparks and the ringing of tal on tal filled the air, and Ulfuric was rocked, his heavy armour dented and pitted by strikes that would surely have penetrated, was Tsurugi not keeping her edge dull.

“Back to short… like a snake, sinuous, graceful…” I closed in again, once more going for his slightly injured leg, dodging his sweeping strikes. He roared, held head swinging at mine.

“Yeah, no thanks.” I tilted my own head, and Tsurugi caught the blow, slitting his helm. As it fell free, two halves striking the ground, Ulfuric was laughing, even as blood stread down his forehead and muzzle.

“Quite the spectacle…” he roared, my Eyes indicating he was preparing a potent move, earth elent gathering. Leaping backwards, I narrowly avoided, even with my great speed, a massive eruption of boiling mud. As it poured down, he skirted it, bow in hand, realising I was surely doing the sa.

“And also deadly. Long range too.” I finished my description of my ideal Tsumura Arts. I created arrows of water and wind, simulating the archery of the Arts and unleashed them at a rapid pace. I was moving with Snake Dance all the ti, and I realised another part of the genius Motoko’s ancestors had invested into this style. Most archery is stationary. Sure, you get mounted archers, but when on foot, it’s largely static. Yet… Stronger, more flexible arms, perfectly balanced, instinctive movent that kept one’s upper body in line…

“Tsumura Arts isn’t about being passive. Motoko and Natsumi have that right. It’s all about having the advantage at every distance! And… it’s balanced around elental energies too.”

“I am not prince Shaeraggo, but I am confident…” Ulfuric’s great bow was the size of my body, and his arrows were like thick spears. But while he wasn’t able to move well while loosing his shafts, I was mobile, and as arrows fell where I was monts prior, hits from my arrows were starting to accumulate on Ulfuric, his armour scarred and torn.

It’s like aim dodging. So long as I’m faster than Ulfuric, he doesn’t have chance to send an arrow at . Motoko’s ancestors were ahead of their ti, although…

Ulfuric was wily, and instead he stopped his attacks for a mont, switching to where I was going. Fortunately, Snake Dance, hebiodori, was up to the task of allowing freedom of movent in multiple directions, so evading was trivial. My mind was racing, contemplating possibilities and options, almost like I was playing chess or shogi, mapping out possible moves.

“It’s ti. Tsurugi…?”

“I’m ready, father!” she cried out, and shrunk, her handle splitting apart, almost into the shape of an arrow’s fletching, though it was made from shimring tal. I called wind elent, creating a functional bow, as it didn’t seem fair otherwise, and as Ulfuric continued to try and snipe , even protecting vicious spears of rock created from earth elent to cut down, which I evaded by twisting and tilting by body, even while my arms and shoulders were level, giving good leverage on the bow… I loosed my arrow.

Tsurugi swept through the air faster than lightning, and with a resounding thud, struck Ulfuric dead centre. His breastplate shattered, shards of bronze raining down, and Tsurugi transford back into her Tsukumogami form, her finger pressed against his heart. “I cut you, you’re dead!” she cried, and Ulfuric paused for a mont, his eyes shining.

“Yes, it seems you did.” he agreed, his tone rather soft. Seeing coming closer, he shrugged, massive, muscular shoulders still covered by bronze pauldrons. “It was quite the skirmish. I was at a disadvantage, I agree.”

Tsurugi ran over to and grasped my hand cheerfully. I patted her head, making her giggle softly, before I bowed to Ulfuric. “It was a good battle. I think I’m almost there with my insights.”

“Almost?” Ulfuric chuckled, a rich, booming sound. “Then it seems my work is not yet done. Besides, I do dislike being one-sidedly oppressed.” He unlaced the straps on his remaining armour, the heavy tal falling to the mud below, splattering muck across his burly legs. He wrenched his mace free, swinging it carelessly, and my eyes narrowed as earth elent surged within him, forming his rocky shell again.

“We badgerkin are made from the roots of our mountains. Solid and stately as stone, and as unyielding.” he intoned. “But…” My eyes widened, as sothing completely unexpected happened, sothing I had no way of anticipating. Now a second elent had joined the earth, a rich yellow gushing through his body, and his rocky armour began to glow, red, orange, yellow… the stone liquefied but still clung to him, a boiling armour of magma…

“…we of Salamandrastrae… we burn with the fire of the volcano!” He roared, his mace catching fire, tal lting and warping, the spiked head now a ball of molten bronze, droplets scattering like searing white shooting stars. “Our blood runs hot. It is said that we badgerkin used to be Fae of both earth and fla, yet our hearts cooled, only stone remaining. Mine… mine burns again.”

“Impressive…” I murmured, and I wasn’t alone in that. Grulgor, who had co to the training, was watching with a knowing, admiring gaze.

“It is fascinating, how everyone changes.” Ulfuric mused, the heat around him oppressive. Tsurugi rely stared at him impassively though, unbothered. “Yes…” the badgerkin continued. “…I too wished to change. I believe… Salamandrastrae can be reclaid, the sha of my ancestors washed away in fire and blood, the graves of my family once more respected... yet I wished to be a part of it, to vent my boundless rage…” His eyes were crimson now, and not with earth elent, but with barely leashed fury. “…so I too studied, learned, and beca more than myself. I am Ulfuric Ral Salamandrastrae, last of the ruling family of the great mountain…”

“He gave his full na…” I heard Ixitt whisper, as he too was watching from the sidelines. “…I am pleased, old friend. It has been too long since you acknowledged your true nature. Perhaps soon you shall have your vengeance…”

“…and I judge you worthy of facing . We badgerkin… once battle starts, we do not stop, until our blood cools!” His gaze was as hot as his molten armour. “I shall give this battle my all. Seize your inspiration from and…” His smile was wild, angry yet delighted. “…try not to die! I would not have the princess slay in… turn!” As he roared his last word he charged, and while his speed hadn’t changed much, his montum, his power…

Fucking hell, I think he’s gone beyond giving a few pointers here, he’s gone berserk. Huh… I thought back to childhood stories my mom used to tell Aiko, Eri and , with various animals as the characters. Badgers there were always great warriors, but… also prone to terrible enraged furies… “Tsurugi…”

“Yes, father! This ti… I shall cut to my heart’s content!” She transford back to the katana version of the A-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi, feeling comfortable and warm in my hand.

“Not quite. Don’t cut Ulfuric.” I warned, and her answer was a giggle.

“I know, father! But…”

“Yeah!” I used the Snake Dance to avoid the massive molten mace swinging my way, though the rock and mud that our battles had churned up beneath us was starting to bubble and boil, the mud molten, rock volcanic. This is a nuisance, but… wind insulates…

Wrapping my lower body, and using it like Natsumi did, to change directions rapidly, I found I was grinning, not scared at all. And it’s not because this is a re sparring match. Ulfuric’s got the intent to crush , I can see that. I guess he trusts to handle him… No, it was the exhilaration of being on the cusp of a breakthrough, and not just for …

Tsurugi flashed, and the mace was sliced in two, molten lava cascading backwards, a beautiful sight, like a million fireflies. Ulfuric just grunted, earth and fla elent knitting the crushing ball of flas back together. Monts later, the sky bood, purple sparks dancing, and wind elent erupted, striking Ulfuric from behind, staggering him.

“I cut the clouds, the skies, the storms…” Tsurugi chanted, also delighted. “Father, this… is what I was made for!”

“Maybe so…”

Ulfuric was speeding up, his strength rising, and the tide of brilliant fla elent surging through him was making it harder for my Eyes to track his potential movents. But harder isn’t impossible…

I pivoted, deflecting his blazing leg with Tsurugi, gobbets of magma scattering from the edge of her blade. Hand-to-hand combat against a fiery colossus wasn’t easy, but… Tsumura Arts is also about taking range when needed…

Tsurugi switched back to her naginata-style spear form, and the heat around died down. She pierced into Ulfuric’s armour dozens of tis as I thrust and stabbed like a piston. “…but you can be more than that too.” I assured Tsurugi. “Pierce!”

Water elent arrows blasted into his armour, while Tsurugi cut the mace again, blazing tal spraying. This ti as Ulfuric tried to reconstitute it, Tsurugi started to blur, her blade vibrating rapidly, splitting into multiple branches, and the mace was completely scattered, leaving Ulfuric holding a re handle. With a roar, he cast it aside, speeding up further, moving towards in an attempt to grapple, but Tsurugi expanded her branched blades into long, spear-like protrusions, piercing through his flaming armour and legs in multiple places, pinning him to the ground.

“Hot, so hot!” Tsurugi whined. “It’s very annoying, father! Hey, don’t touch !” Ulfuric reached down to grab her, which infuriated her, and she oscillated savagely, her branches turning into fine wires, and his flaming shell and fingers were severed, the whine of stone and bone being cut loud in my ears. Monts later, Ulfuric’s legs ca apart too, and I winced, the sparring having taken a decidedly brutal turn.

I guess Ether Healing can fix him… so no problem, right?

“I. Shall. Not. Fall!” Ulfuric bellowed, and another explosion of boiling mud and lted rock flared below us, forming crude legs, linking to his blazing armour. As his eyes flashed red, he reached down, creating a sword of searing lava, sulphurous gases leaking from it, and I couldn’t help but grumble as I withdrew Tsurugi. It’s a big sword, so ordinarily, closing in would be the right move, limiting his swings, but… up close he’s a walking inferno… fortunately, my Tsumura Arts can handle this. My style now…

Your Skills, Sword Technique, Spear Technique, Combat Technique, Spatial Perception, Void Motion, Split Thoughts, Mystic Eyes Of The World Tree, Space Manipulation, Light And Yang Manipulation, Darkness And Yin Manipulation, Wind Manipulation, Fla Manipulation, Wood Manipulation, Water Manipulation and Earth Manipulation have all contributed to create a new Combat Style.

Your Skills, Tsumura Arts and Elental Weapon Technique have rged and beco Tsumura Style: Elusive Savage Hydra Rank 3.

Your Skill, Sword Technique Rank 5 has beco Tsumura Style: Flexible Serpent Sword Rank 6 and has assud a Style, passing the first bottleneck.

Your Skill, Spear Technique Rank 5 has beco Tsumura Style: Striking Serpent Spear Rank 6 and has assud a Style, passing the first bottleneck.

Your Skill, Combat Technique Rank 5 has beco Tsumura Style: Imperceptible Serpent Dance Rank 6 and has assud a Style, passing the first bottleneck.

You have gained a Skill, Tsumura Style: Darting Snake Bombardnt Rank 2…

Your Skill, Void Motion Rank 2 has beco Tsumura Style: Void Serpent Steps Rank 3.

Your Skill, Spatial Perception Rank 5 has beco Tsumura Style: Hydra Senses Rank 6 and has crossed an unusual bottleneck, taking a new direction, entirely unexpected…

The flurry of ssages across my Eyes barely distracted . What did was the change to Spatial Perception. Suddenly, it was as if all my senses were sharpened dramatically, ti even seed to slow down a little. Even more interesting was that my perception seed to extend to my skin as well. Every vibration seed to convey information to , as did the temperature and light around . Huh…so snakes do have photoreceptive and thermoreceptive skins… but in my case…

Relying on my vast wealth of abilities, both elental and physical, yet within the frawork of Tsumura Arts, a system honed over fifteen hundred years by warriors far more talented than , I had found my own way. It was a way that complinted Motoko and Natsumi’s Styles, and we’d be able to train together and push each other, further heightening, refining and improving ourselves, a prospect I knew they would find delightful… honestly, so do I. I adore spending ti with them. I still can’t believe I was such a fool, nearly letting them slip through my grasp through misplaced sympathy and guilt… That aside, it’s said that it takes truly fierce battles for one to realise the flaws and perks of one’s Style, and how best to shape it… here, I’ve been running these battles through my Split Thoughts at as fast a speed as I can muster ntally, so… it’s like I’ve been fighting Ulfuric for hours, days, not re minutes… no wonder I’ve polished enough of the rough edges off to co up with a coherent one… Elusive Savage Hydra though, huh?

I couldn’t help but leak a chuckle, sounding elated. Tsurugi vibrated in my hand, questioning , and I smirked brightly, vicious joy surging through . “Don’t worry… it’s ti to finish this match!” I then vanished, using so of my dwindling spatial elent with Void Motion… no, it’s Void Serpent Steps now, isn’t it?

Reappearing behind Ulfuric, both of his arms were severed, one by a slash from Tsurugi, the other from the operation of Void Serpent Steps. Tsumura Arts was based on traditional, polished and advanced martial arts, but that was just half the story. The missing parts, the pieces that Motoko and Natsumi, and their recent ancestors, could never understand, due to the lack of aether and elental elents, was that each technique was supposed to incorporate the spiritual as well as the physical, in both attack and defence.

“Hence why now…” I grinned, an explosion of water and wind shredding off all of the magma around Ulfuric exposing his helpless body, his fur now charred black from the smouldering armour he was stripped of. Tsurugi changed her form again, blade thickening, the edge dulling, and with one precise slash, I struck Ulfuric in the head, stunning him, before catching him, Ether Healing surging, healing up his cauterised stumps. “…even what was Void Motion is not just movent, but a weapon. Just like hebiodori.”

“Ti to wake up, big guy…” I used my suddenly free hand to give him a gentle slap as Tsurugi transford back to her humanoid form. She was fanning herself with one hand, her face flushed from the heat, the hem of her dress smouldering slightly from the pools of molten rock around us. She noticed that and let out a yelp, only to relax as I put out the flas with a little water elent.

“I think we should move, father…” Tsurugi pointed out nonchalantly, trying to pretend she wasn’t bothered, and I agreed.

“Yeah. Damn, we’ve totalled this place.” I strode over to where Selensha was, just as Ulfuric regained his calm, the ruddy glow in his eyes vanishing, revealing his usual green pupils.

“Woken up, have you? Nice fight, though you pulled out a few tricks I’ve not seen before. Your stats were constantly climbing… at least your physical ones.”

He had the grace to look embarrassed, and totally unbothered by the fact he was effectively limbless. Perhaps he’s too used to us fixing such things…

“Indeed. We badgerkin, when our fury spikes, we gain incredible, escalating might, though our cunning and reason suffers. After all, we could not have held Salamandrastrae against our many foes for endless centuries without the might that can match our enemies. As for the flas… it was hard to control, and it does not sh well with my Bloodwrath. I shall learn to ta it. As for you…” He appraised as I laid him down next to a panicked Selensha, though with her orange bubbles of water healing attracted to his stumps and burns, as well as my Ether Healing, he was already starting to sprout new flesh and bone, the severed, charred nubs regrowing.

“…I see enlightennt on your face.”

Bloodwrath, huh? I see it. My Eyes scanned him, and indeed, he had such a Skill. It was basically Body Enhancent, in a way, though the downside was that yes, it clouded his ntal state and sent him into a furious rage in exchange for massive boosts to Might and Fortitude.

“Of course you do.” Motoko smiled knowingly, grabbing my arm possessively. Natsumi was beside her, seizing my other arm.

“Don’t take the best part!” she cried. “Anyway, you were aweso, Akio!” Natsumi gushed.

“Indeed he was!” Motoko agreed, equally exited. Their brown eyes were sparkling with admiration and also resolve. “Just watching, I could see where my own thoughts were shallow, but…”

“Yes, you’re still a bit… how can I say this nicely… lacking in martial spirit, maybe?”

“That is a good way of putting it.” Motoko agreed with Natsumi. “But your bravery is unquestioned, so… we can work on it.”

“It looks like you are quite dismissed, rather ignored…” Anna snorted, mocking Ulfuric gently. “How the mighty have fallen.”

“To the victor, the plaudits.” Ulfuric grunted. “But I am not displeased. Neither should you be, princess. After all, even in defeat, we learn much. And to be able to hold such fierce battles…”

“I need to strengthen myself!” Selensha apologised, as she took over the work of healing Ulfuric, as Motoko and Natsumi were eagerly offering their advice to , and seeking mine in return. “If I could have used Moonlight Mist Realm… but I know it wouldn’t be strong enough…” She looked out at the still bubbling and smoking molten wreckage of the arena. “Your flas would have disrupted it.”

“The fires burn hot within , as they do beneath the earth.” Ulfuric said by way of consolation. “Regardless, I had little fear of death.” He glanced at then, before looking over at Shaeula. “If the worst was to happen, all that awaits is a peaceful slumber, until the fires of my spirit burn once more…”

I rolled my eyes bitterly at that. “I’m not going to kill anyone in a sparring match. Nobody here would be that careless, though your Bloodwrath is scary. If you’d have used that with Motoko and Natsumi still engaged in battle…” At my stony stare, Ulfuric let out a gruff chuckle.

“I am not so foolish. But I have an understanding of your strengths. I was confident you would be able to pursue a path to victory without excessive violence.” He glanced at his regrowing limbs, expression calm despite the obvious pain it should be causing. “Though it seems you… have little rcy.”

Tsurugi laughed at that, and I shook my head. “Sure. You try taking down a lava-clad two-and-a-half tre tall berserker with the strength of a giant without drastic asures.” Now Anna was snickering too, and even the taciturn foxkin Talaisha cracked a smile. With that, I turned my attention back to Motoko and Natsumi. Seeing my warm expression, Motoko asked the question that was on her mind.

“So, I… feel perhaps I am more understanding of the mindset of what it ans to be victorious? You intimated I had succeeded earlier, yes?”

Beside , Natsumi nodded reassuringly, her own expression rather reminding of a proud father looking at his daughter who had just achieved a perfect score in an exam. Not willing to keep Motoko waiting any longer, I nodded. “Yes, you’re right. Now then… let’s get you your reward, and then we can look into just what our Tsumura Arts have evolved into…”

As Tsurugi pouted, I included her too, and with one last surge of Ether Healing for Ulfuric, accelerating the growth of his regenerating limbs to a point that Selensha was more than capable of finishing his recovery, I led the three girls off to sowhere more private, as the rest of the visitors to the land of the Fae went back to their own training…