EPISODE 185: GEARING UP
— GREAT EDRYAN, YEAR 7291. SEASON: FINAL ENDING.
Snow fell—silent as it blanketed the city of Edrya in white. It crunched underneath booted feet—the night sky dark as the moons began their rise. They were in full bloom tonight, one red, one bluish-white, and the final the gold of Gods.
Simra’s blade moved; it was silent, but the sword sliced through that—a metallic reverb in the air. The training grounds were empty—save for a single figure who moved through the pure white bliss. She fought against an invisible enemy—a shadow she conjured in the form of a general skill. It fought like a savage beast, its strikes wild and unkempt. Simra fought like a princess, her movements steady, precise, and with a bit of royal grace. Her transition from Simra of commoner origins to Simra Enlar was a… fruitful experience—her bounty was like the harvest of a successful grain farmer at fall’s end. It would provide her wealth she’d use through the winter’s end. And… beyond…? Simra wasn’t certain of the future.
…
That’s why she practiced the blade.
…
The blade was always true—it told no lies. A habit she learned from [Sword Saint] Aurora. Her master’s teachings hadn’t changed even after Simra’s new status emerged—it was what kept her blade steady… what made it sing through the snow’s bliss. Simra felt like it could speak, the blade that is—at least it could speak better than she could at a noble’s event. With Karla by her side, she’d manage to pull through most of the… posh events.
…
Karla wouldn’t always be there.
…
Her family’s life in the palace grounds was… estranged. The sudden shift from a low middle-class standard to the height of Edrya was a movement no one could get used to—not in a short few months. No matter if she looked left or right—up and down… a servant would be there, ready to serve. It was exhausting—how did Lawruthian handle it?
The creature snarled at her, two multi-curved blades in its hands like sharp, wicked claws. Simra didn’t know how she conjured this one from the depths of her imagination. Yet, every wild swing, every churned snowflake, every step of Simra’s was able to keep up and exceed the abilities of her opponent.
(Shadow Slave) was supposed to conjure a creature under her control—not what this wild thing appeared to be. It would be slightly stronger, and usually, it moved with rationality.
…
Simra felt like being irrational.
…
She was going dragon slaying… she had a right to be. Her life wasn’t under her control—was it ever? Yes —she was sure of it, but it was only as she grew older, only when her ambitions grew stronger, that such matters changed. Prince Lawruthian wanted to slay the fabled dragon—the one she grew up hearing stories about—the ones her mother told her to get her to behave.
“Mind your manners… or you’ll face an [End of Adventure]!”
That phrase would always come after she misbehaved—of course, only after a harrowing recount of the dark, deadly dragon.
“It’s for a [Golden Age]—besides… this is the path I chose—this is the future I wanted. I just… never expected to enter it like this,” Simra grunted, dodging the creature’s swipe at her ankles.
“I always expected… close… harrowing battles throughout numerous years and adventures,” Simra weaved, dancing to the tune of her blade. “Slowly, I’d join a knight order, with my talent being recognized throughout the years. Eventually, I’d make my way up—until I met the greatest warriors of Edryan and joined them at their round table…”
…
A tall tale—a fable .
…
Too bad this wasn’t one.
…
She somersaulted, her feet pushed off the shadow as it lunged at her. Simra barely allowed her feet to touch the soft snow before her body flashed, her blade outstretched as it pierced forward as a fencer’s strike.
SWOOOSH!
The strike met true, and the battle ended—the apparition dispersed like snowflakes in the wind. Simra slowly stood, her mind firm and Intent…, certain. Her future was her own to command—thus, that opened a new question in her mind. Now that she was here—accelerated to the heights of Edryan… Great Edryan—what did she want?
Perhaps that was the wrong question to ask. She wanted strength—she was achieving it. She wanted fame and recognition—she was Simra Enlar — Light of the End, a representation of Goddess Madris in a different format. Simra was a warrior who provided hope to those who would follow her and led them to victory with her Titled.
What was her next objective? Her next drive and goal?
She didn’t have to find it today, but over the coming months, she would ponder on it.
This was how Simra’s winter passed. She trained both in body and in mind, tempering herself. Her attendance at Imperius Academy shifted. Old friends and acquaintances’ gazes changed at her return. The only people who seemed indifferent were her master and Wil Silverhand, her homeroom teacher. Everyone else… well, she was no longer part of the commoner crowd, she hadn’t much been, especially when hanging with Lawruthian.
“Don’t let your thoughts wander,” Liana Drumian barked. “Focus your blade—focus your mind on one sole task… victory!”
Simra ducked underneath the swing of the former hero’s giant weapon. Her gaze refocused on the present—shield raised, covering everything below her eyes, while her sword pointed toward the enemy. Her training over the months improved her level, and the personal guidance of not one but multiple high-levelers brought her swordplay and attention to a new height. What happened with Zie Breaker would never happen again.
The rat bastard was now in the service of Prince Tendra Lorde, and through these last few months, Simra came to partially understand the political battlefield she forcefully entered. Things were so much simpler when she kept her last name and Titled to herself.
The day was new, the winter’s snow was melting—a New Beginning approached. Her birthday passed, and a new year came—with it her third and final year at Imperius Academy. Her best friends were busy preparing themselves for what was to come. Karla was now in charge of a massive newspaper operation that was spread in every major city—all twenty-eight of them. Simra’s ancestral city was destroyed, as were those of the Maar and Ahuum. The capitals of the Lorde and Dioni didn’t count—at least not yet.
Birds chirped in the air, and fresh greenery was beginning to break its way through. The city was heating up; its business hadn’t stopped, even through the night. Its population had doubled in a matter of months, yet besides the most popular areas having a slight surge during peak hours, nothing seemed to have been affected. The sky was a calm blue, the sun hidden behind some rain clouds that were slowly dissipating.
Simra focused on her opponent, Liana Drumian—the woman’s presence seemed grander than life itself, and she stood tall at 220 centimeters. She was built like a bull, with bulky muscles and rippling skin that barely kept back her explosive Power. Her short-cropped greenish-blonde hair was similar to her nephew’s, but the green held a deeper, intense vibrancy to it.
Liana wore little, a tight sports bra, aptly named by Law, was all that covered her chest—although it was more pec than breast. Tight shorts also covered her privates, while the rest was left open to the chilled morning air. New Beginning wasn’t here yet, yet the Prestige stood like the weather didn’t affect her. In her hands was a training sword—more shield than a sword. It was a runic weapon that allowed its user to lower their strength.
Simra carefully moved, her shield still raised and sword pointed at Liana. The woman stood there with all the confidence in the world. Simra was equipped in a newer, impressive armor that was gifted to her for the upcoming expedition—a path to Mt. Final Hope had been found. Her weapons and armor were real, while her opponent lowered her strength to one stage of knighthood above her.
Her lessons lately all focused on fighting stronger opponents. It was a lesson Simra would have to face all her life—unless she reached the peak of this realm. Simra’s next skills burst forth in a matter of moments—barely a second passed between each activation as she made her move.
“(Imperius Dash),” she activated first, her body gaining sudden acceleration.
Her body dash forth as she attempted to get past the optimal range of Liana’s unique weapon. Simra knew she wouldn’t move—they’d repeated this battle too many times to count and with each, Simra would learn something new. Through this, she leveled and grew in attributes and strength.
Simra’s attempt was unsuccessful, Liana’s large blade swept forward in an overbearing vertical arch, forcing Simra to change directions. She trusted her armor to provide her the necessary protection from major harm, but her goal in this battle was targeted toward skill—both in swordplay and system usage.
“Come girl—show me the prestige one with the Titled [Light of the End] should hold!”
Liana verbally taunted. Her body language was overbearing—the wind picked up around her, her family was beloved by the attribute and their bloodline focused on such control. It wasn’t the only element she was skilled in, but the one she focused against the younger woman today. Simra fought against the pressure and pushed toward the woman—her blade glowed with skill activation.
“(Sword Fury),” Simra activated.
Her attacks came fast, each flowed into the next regardless of their outcome. The first came as a horizontal slash, attempting to bisect Liana Drumian through her thick waist. Liana’s blade skillfully clashed against Simra’s, dispersing her damage as she properly deflected the blow. Simra didn’t lose momentum nor speed, her actions similar to a Royal Knight. They were aggressive, overbearing, and full of confidence.
A Royal Knight of Edryan was one who overcame all challenges and was acknowledged as the best knights in Edryan—not just through their status, but skill.
Simra’s momentum immediately switched to the opposite side as she spun and bashed with her shield. Her main goal was to force the Prestige a few steps back. Her actual chances of damaging her were minimal. This was someone publicly acknowledged to have gone beyond Mortal Limits. Simra couldn’t even begin to comprehend how high her Base Defense or Attack was.
Liana's eyebrows raised in excitement, proud of the immediate shift in Simra’s actions. She moved her large blade to block the incoming shield, preparing to push Simra back and reset her momentum. The older warrior enjoyed her battle against this young woman. Ever since her official arrival in the War Throne Palace, Lady Liana trained with her at every opportunity. Her thoughts drifted to the past and the days the Drumian family were under the Enlar.
…
How times have changed.
…
Simra pulled her shield away before it could connect, her body flashed as she activated a new movement skill and canceled her old one.
“(Imperius Combat Arts: Flash Step). (Imperius Judgement).”
Liana’s eyes widen just a bit. “Good girl,” she muttered. The light from a stronger attack skill lit up behind her. Even a knight of a level slightly stronger than Simra would have a difficult time evading this attack. “But it is not enough.”
Liana stomped, and the wind listened. A gale descended from the sky, Liana its center. It blasted everything around her away, both the wet dirt of the training grounds and Simra Enlar, whose blade nearly reached her.
Her body tumbled across the ground—a fifth of her health left her from the sudden assault. Simra’s sword stabbed into the ground halting her momentum—a hard glare on her opponent.
“Isn’t magic cheating? I had you!”
Liana chuckled, sheepishly scratching the back of her head. “What magi doesn’t use magic? I don’t remember us setting that agreement.”
Simra huffed, slowly standing and removing her helmet before holding it under her left arm. Her sword stood planted in the dirt, ready to be grabbed at a moment's notice.
Curly, dark brown hair with blonde highlights revealed itself to the world. A cute button nose wrinkled, while bright blue eyes stared at Liana accusingly.
“That counts in my favor!”
“Ok, ok,” Liana laughed, stabbing her blade into the ground as well. “That counts in your favor!”
Simra smiled, confident in her victory against someone slightly stronger. Of course, it wasn’t a true battle as Liana stayed in one spot and Simra’s new gear nearly tripled her Base Attack and went further with her Base Defense. The set was dyed to represent her status as the [Light of the End] and followed the theme. It was white with golden highlights, and one might mistake her to be a [Paladin of Madris] from its visage.
Simra hadn’t halted her assault because of Liana’s tricks, instead, she looked to the guest who appeared not far from their battlefield.
Prince Lawruthian Edryani stood there with a smile on his face—he wore a new shinny set of matte black armor with red highlights. A blade that glittered like stars in the night sky was strapped to his back. Next to him was a golem made of the same material as it followed the sword's glittering appearance. In its hands was a shield and large war-hammer that closely followed the prince’s armor style. At first appearance, it seemed like the prince and the golem next to him switched weapons.
“Mind if I join y’all,” he called, his tone and words rather informal.
Behind him was a host of servants and maids. The prince was rarely by his lonesome nowadays—it grew hard for Simra to spend any time with her friend. Her training times were one such period where she’d have time with him.
Liana grinned but gestured to Simra. “Only if our champ here allows it. Perhaps we can face her together!”
Simra rolled her eyes, but then turned to Lawruthian. “Good morning Law, perhaps my instructor will be more honorable with you present,” she smirked, excited about the event to come. Gently, she set her helmet down and removed a few potions from a spatial bag on her waist. There was an assortment of items hidden within, and its value was more than Simra ever held before. There were perks to her new status and Titled.
…
The responsibilities were greater.
…
“Ready,” Lawruthian asked, his voice partially muffled by his helmet. Its red jewels for eyes stared at her. His new armor was far more imposing than the previous—armored spikes jutted from his knees, elbows, and knuckles. They would allow piercing damage to be dealt and apply de-buffs such as {Bleed}. His golem’s war-hammer would be able to apply different internal trauma’s rather than external like a blade.
Simra checked her Life Points. “Ready,” she responded, as she pulled her helmet down. Its blue gems shinning in the morning light.
“I’ll do the tanking,” Lawruthian called, his golem stepping up as Liana removed her blade. A wide, face-splitting grin was on her face.
She swung her blade over the ground, wind extending its tip as she carved a large circle around her. “Remove me from this and the win is yours—I’ll be stepping it up between a High Gold and Platinum Knight.”
Simra hissed in consternation. A Platinum Knight was above level one hundred fifty—Simra was just shy of a hundred levels or so. “No big deal.”
“That’s the spirit,” Lawruthian called. “Let’s go with Imperius Formation Three.”
Immediately, both students moved—Simra’s body was honed to understand all the formations a small and large team may use at Imperius Academy. She was ranked above ten thousand students—each competed against over a million applicants to get into the most prestigious school in Edryan. Her skill and ability was beyond what you’d find in most of the country—it was the reason she dominated in the Challenger’s Ring.
“(Power Up), (Greater Fireballs), (Earthen Spike Barrage),” Lawruthian nearly insta-cast.
His golem, Adam 2.0, blasted forth with an extreme burst of speed, its master's magic flying past it as the opening strike. Liana allowed them to approach, her calm kept as she focused on all participants in the battle. Adam was to her front, Lawruthian directly behind, while Simra approached from her left. Her grinned widen—today… she was going to show them how a [Spell-Sword] fought.
Her lungs expanded. “ HHHAAAAA ,” she exclaimed, releasing a burst of wind that directly challenged the incoming magic.
BOOOM!
Adam swung his war-hammer, attempting to clobber Liana’s face. Simra’s blade approached like a fencers strike, its momentum unstoppable—able to pierce through all defenses. Lawruthian fought as a support—more [Mage] than [Spell-Sword] as a new set of spells appeared. He stuck to his core principles: fire, water, earth, and air—using a constant barrage of attacks that forced her to move. Her oversized blade countered Simra’s attack, while she punched and a blast of air forced the war-hammer back.
…
This was how a [Spell-Sword] fought.
…
Both magic and blade were their weapons, making them a fearful challenger to any opponent. Although their damage was decreased—their ability to kill vastly outstripped multiple classes. A purebred warrior class held more physical damage—while a pure mage class offered more outright elemental destruction. Spell-Swords attempted to combine the best of both worlds but few truly succeeded.
…
The three combatants were one of them.
…
Day became evening and evening night. Simra’s blade retired for the day… for the morrow it would begin its journey to fight against a dragon— the dragon.
…
[End of Adventure].
End of Part 10.
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