Nameless Training

  When everything was over, Blade realized how ruined the landscape around him had become. Luckily, it wasn't too far away from the one created by his previous beatdown from Raiden, so he could use it as a plausible excuse.

  ?So after checking and making sure nobody was around, he simply left the scene and went back to his room.

  ?By the time he reached his room, the sun was rising, and so he simply washed himself, fixed his remaining wounds, and walked down, deciding to walk around and explore the village a bit to clear his mind.

  ?While walking, he thought about everything that had happened so far. From first being summoned here, to gaining Absolute Authorities, and then meeting Indra and Iris. Then Raiden. As the name rang in his mind, it made him stop and think. What was he after? When he had told Severance that he would save everybody, though he hadn't lied, it had also been a spur-of-the-moment thing. For the first time since getting here, he had been forced to think about what was next.

  ?His mind repeatedly went to Raiden. The experience had been a nightmare made true. Now though, after his interaction with the voice from the Abyss, and meeting with Severance, he had mostly calmed down and accepted everything. Yet what was he to do now? He was absolutely humiliated against Raiden, and now that he thought about it, even if he could win, what was next after that?

  ?He had been so preoccupied with everything that happened that he had completely forgotten about his homeworld. Was there a way to go back? Did he even want to go back?

  ?There were no more threats to the people there as he had taken care of all of them, so there was no more need for him there, but was there even a place for him in this place?

  ?Strength seemed to be important here, yet compared to those around him he was pathetically weak, and he really didn't have any other skills. Really, if he stayed weak, he would never achieve anything.

  ?So he ran. He didn't know why, didn't know where. All he knew was that he was running. Ignoring the questioning stares. Passing by crowds. Before he knew it, he found himself running up a hill. When he reached the top, he screamed. For the first time, he was lamenting. Not because he was sad, or angry. He just didn't know anymore.

  ?Only when he was out of breath, laying on the ground, did he hear it.

  ?“Screaming won't bring you anywhere.”

  ?There she stood. Severance. Blade sat up to look at her properly before saying.

  ?“Seva—”

  ?Though he didn't get to finish as she was suddenly behind him, arms around his neck as she pricked his chest.

  ?“‘Seva’ now? You get my name and suddenly start using nicknames? Aren't you moving too fast?”

  ?“I…”

  ?Though even he didn't know why he did. It just was his first thought when he saw her.

  ?Severance, noticing his confusion, fully embraced him, as she said.

  ?“Don't worry about it. Why were you screaming, master?”

  ?“I guess I'm just lamenting over my own weakness. It's to the point that I don't know what to do anymore. I know I said I would protect everyone, but I have no idea of how to do that.”

  ?“Is it troubling you to such a degree?”

  ?“I guess it is…”

  ?Blade finished, looking defeated. He didn't know where to go, or how to move forward anymore.

  ?“Let me train you then,”

  ?Severance said, wishing to both comfort him, but also not liking seeing him in such a state.

  ?“Why would you wish to train me?”

  ?“Because weren't you the one who said without dreams a name is meaningless? My dream is also to protect, but I can't do that with you in such a state. The first one I will protect is you, master, therefore allow me to train you. Don't you want to get your friends back?”

  ?At her words, a tiny fire sparked in Blade’s eyes. This was it. If he continued staying in this state, he would not only be betraying himself, but also the trust of those around him, those who had put their trust and lives on him. And so as he stood up, he looked at her again.

  ?“Please train me, Severance.”

  ?“That's better.”

  ?She said getting up too.

  ?“Now, let us get started?”

  ?“Now?”

  ?“Yes, we need all the time we can get. We will be training for two months.”

  ?“Months? What about Raiden and that overseer, who knows what they will do in that much time?”

  ?“And who knows what you will do if you try to throw yourself against them again. I don't know about you, but I would prefer not to be broken again.”

  ?Blade struggled, but couldn't come up with any counterargument. She was right. He would need at least that much time if he were to be able to do anything against Raiden.

  ?“Good, now anything you wanted to start with?”

  ?He could choose? Well, what did he want to learn? From his experience so far, he could say that his physical capabilities were the biggest problem so far, yet there was no way he could gain the physical stats needed in such a short time. Yet that's when it hit him.

  ?“Teach me more about mora.”

  ?“Mora? Why?”

  ?“When you were beating me, you said I shouldn't use mora. That I was using it wrong. If so, how? And if I did, wouldn't Iris and Indra notice?”

  ?“I see. Well, I can teach you, yes, but a word of advice. You shouldn't compare yourself to those two. They're natural born geniuses. Their logic can't be converted nor used by everyone.”

  ?“What do you mean?”

  ?Severance sighed before asking.

  ?“What is the difference between talent and potential?”

  ?“Aren't they sort of the same?”

  ?“On some levels yes, but fundamentally no. Think of it like a graph that symbolizes intelligence or strength. Potential is the highest that graph can reach, while talent is how fast that graph rises. When you call someone a genius, you simply say they have a lot of talent. So, do you want to know why you, a human, can reach relative levels of strength to an origin?”

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  ?“Yes, please.”

  ?“It's because humans were created with infinite potential.”

  ?“Huh? What do you mean?”

  ?“Humans, together with people from this realm, are the only beings without a limit for their potential. The reason most humans don't get insanely powerful though is plenty. One of which is the limit on the human body. It can only take so much before it breaks down. The second being they don't have the environment for it. No reality that houses humans has strong enough entities to warrant humans becoming even a fraction as strong as the weakest origin. The third reason is they don't have the resources. Here, mora is the standard for everything, and everyone can use it. Yet for humans to even live, it has to be split and diluted to the point it is practically a different thing entirely.”

  ?“I see, so all those together go to make humans unable to even come close to the heights you have. But what about me then?”

  ?“Your case is special. For some reason, your body is made specifically to be able to survive here, yet you're fully human. I would suggest you don't think too much about it for now.”

  ?Blade nodded. He would need time to digest it all, and he simply did not have that time currently.

  ?“Fine then. So back to the mora, why did you say I was using it wrong? Wasn't my training with Indra learning how to use it?”

  ?“Yes, you learned how to use it, not how to create it. How have you been creating mora so far?”

  ?“Well, I just combine my aura and mana, and then use it to cover my attacks.”

  ?“Exactly. You're doing it wrong, and wasting enormous amounts of mora. Even for an origin, your supply is stupidly large, and no, it isn't because of your body. Or at least it doesn't seem like it.”

  ?“Then how am I supposed to create mora?”

  ?“The same way you create mana. in your core. We never use mana or aura, we always use mora.”

  ?“So I need to change how I use it?”

  ?Blade was surprised. Had he seriously been wasting so much mora?

  ?“So I have to learn to make mora from the start instead of fusing mana and aura like I have been doing? Sure, but what after that?”

  ?“Then you will learn how to properly use it in a way that suits you.”

  ?“A way that suits me?”

  ?“Yes. So far have you been simply using it to strengthen and cover your attacks. I will teach you to find your own way of doing it, just like how Indra and Iris use their mora in their natural attacks.”

  ?“Okay, I understand.”

  ?The information he had gotten was a lot, but he got excited at the prospect of getting stronger. Yet there was one question that remained in his mind.

  ?“You said 'we' earlier, and you have been using inclusive words a lot. How do you know so much, Severance?”

  ?Severance could only look at him, staring deeply at him before looking away as she said.

  ?“It's complicated…”

  ?“Fine then, I'll wait until you believe I'm ready to hear it.”

  ?“Why do you trust me so easily?”

  ?“You said you would be my sword, did you not? My blade is the only thing I know I can always put my trust in, and you're my blade. So naturally, I trust you.”

  ?“I see,”

  ?Severance replied, though with a small smile.

  ?“Well then. We will begin with having you properly learn how to create mora from the start, afterwards we will be training on your usage of it.”

  ?Blade nods in response.

  ?“Then sit down. Focus on your mana core and mind.”

  ?Blade does as instructed, and sits down, legs crossed. He then begins focusing on his core and mind. When he begins to feel the mana gathering around him, he tries to embed aura in it, only for it to backfire and make him cough out blood.

  ?Severance quickly kneels down to tend to him.

  ?“Don't worry, it's okay taking your time.”

  ?“I don't have the time though,”

  ?Blade retorted, trying again. He felt the mana gathering, and tried to fuse aura with it, only to again be met with backlash. It was like trying to forcefully combine a gas and metal. No matter what you did, they would never properly meld. And each time he did try, it was like uprooting his own spine, only to force it back in.

  ?He tried, again and again, until the point where he couldn't physically do anything more. Even then, he had to be forcefully stopped by Severance before he gave up for the day.

  ?Yet he continued. Each day trying again. Trying every way that made sense to him. from forcing the mana and aura to meld, to slowly trying to infuse them in each other. He tried and strived, keeping it up for three weeks, with little progress. With three weeks wasted, he finally took a break, deciding to take a stroll back to the village to clear his mind.

  ?The village hadn't changed much from the three weeks he had been away. He noticed they had mostly cleaned up the mess from his fight with Raiden, and were already beginning to fix the chaos from his meeting with Severance. And with nothing better to do, and feeling a bit guilty, he offered to help.

  ?As he helped, he noted how everyone used mora. Now that he knew, he could clearly see how differently they were using it from how he had.

  ?Even the children that were playing were unconsciously using mora for various activities. He wanted more, yet had no idea, and barely noticed how the time flew by when they were done.

  ?Accepting the thanks, he headed to a nearby stall to buy some food. Severance had said she didn't need any, but he still bought for her as she seemed to enjoy the taste at least.

  ?That is when he noticed a child roaming alone in the streets. She seemed no older than nine, yet wore tattered, ragged clothes. As he noted her clothing, he noticed the fact she was stealing. So as she ran away, he went after her, keeping himself hidden on top of the houses.

  ?After chasing her for a while, he came across a camp. It seemed to be filled with old, sick, and weak people. Why weren't there any healers or such here was the thought that crossed his mind. He took note of how the girl he followed distributed the food she had stolen to the people there.

  ?Blade had many questions, but he decided to step out of hiding. Jumping down, he announced his presence, which was quickly met by a knife, as the girl went to attack him.

  ?Blade simply moved back, avoiding attacking, as he focused on dodging, not wanting to hurt this girl without proper reason. He knew he could draw Severance and end this, but he decided against it, rather creating a divine sword in his hand, aiming to break the girl’s knife, only for the blade to shatter on impact.

  ?In his surprise, he narrowly avoided getting cut, only to step back and disperse the remains of the sword.

  ?“A blade that can kill an immortal god, shatter on impact from a frail knife?”

  ?He muttered to himself, before he lunged in, covering his hand in mora to catch her knife safely, before knocking her out with a jab to her neck, catching her to slowly let her down.

  ?Beside her body he let down a pouch of money, before excusing himself. It was clear his presence would do more bad than good.

  ?As he went back, he thought back to how his blade had shattered. He needed to find a way to use mora, a way that worked for him.

  ?As he looked up at the night sky, he absentmindedly began counting the stars.

  ?“One, two, three…”

  ?As he counted, he saw it. Two, unremarkable stars colliding. The spectacle was fantastic, causing beautiful ripples of colors to shoot across the sky, and it ended with a new stronger star being born.

  ?That's when it hit him. What if the method he had been using wasn't wrong? Seeing the stars combine, made him run. He ran back to the hill he was using to train as he said.

  ?“Severance, I think I got it.”

  ?“How so?”

  ?Severance asked, appearing on top of a large rock.

  ?“What if the method I have been trying wasn't wrong?”

  ?“How do you explain the bleeding it has been causing you then?”

  ?Severance asked. Though she had seen his failures, he had started her curiosity with his new determination.

  ?“You see, I saw two stars fuse, and it got me curious. What if my method has always been correct, but the ripples from the fusion have nowhere to go, and therefore go to destroy my body?”

  ?“And so you believe by eliminating these ripples, you can successfully fuse your mana and aura?”

  ?“Yes. Stars don't have this problem as they have no outer layer to receive them, and so their ripples spread across the sky.”

  ?“I see, but how do you suggest removing them?”

  ?“You know how you acted as a conduit for me to first learn mora? What if you acted as a conduit for me again to send the ripples to the ground?”

  ?“That way you can focus on fusing them fully, without your body breaking down. Fine then, let's do it.”

  ?She said before removing the upper parts of her kimono.

  ?“Eh, why are you doing that?”

  ?“For this to work, you need to send mora with me. So simply touch my body while you create mora.”

  ?Severance said calmly, as she sat down. Blade could only nod back, before placing his hands on her back as he tried again.

  ?After a while, he finally began noticing a difference as his core gradually began creating mora. Though by that time it was already morning, and when he opened his eyes, he saw the cracks that had formed in the ground, and Severance was exhausted.

  ?“Are you okay?”

  ?He said, quickly getting up to hold her, as he let her rest on his shoulder.

  ?“It's okay. You're progressing finally, so it's worth it. We will keep at it.”

  ?He could only nod. She had put a lot into helping him, so he wouldn't let her down now.

  ?So they continued, and for the next week, they continued their shared meditation, and the results yielded. And by the end of the week, Blade’s core was now creating mora, instead of mana and aura separately.

  ?“You can rest now, Severance.”

  ?“No need. Now that you first can create it, is the best time to start the next training.”

  ?“What do you mean?”

  ?“Well, now it's about using it efficiently.”

  ?“How will we train this time?”

  ?Severance stood up, stretching a bit before putting back on her kimono properly.

  ?“Well, fighting of course.”

  ?“Wait, wh—”

  ?Though Blade couldn't finish, as he barely blocked an attack from Severance, who had turned her arm into a blade. Yet he did not ask why as he trusted this was for the best.

  ?“Since when could you transform your body like that?”

  ?“Since always.”

  ?Severance replied before lunging at him again.

  ?“Indra might have been a genius, but he was right when he said battles are the best way to train. So let's see which part of me is stronger. My manifested version in front of you, or the blade you wield?”