Not sparing any second, not waiting for the assailant to defend, not waiting for my enemy to avoid, I charge another attack at the tip of my spear and release another wave to its end.

*bwoooom*

But the assailant manages to dodge by the hair, climbing back up with haste. As I see the purple pillar of light passing through the fields behind.

The light in my eyes dims, shadows lurk on the skirts of my corners, the flowers turn to ashes before me while the grass burns cinders.

*thunk*

"Sova, you're finally awake!"

Saya, after jumping down from atop the train greeted me with a shout. I look back at her as I raise my new weapon saying:

"Yea, sorry about that. You can tell me later what happen after we deal with the enemy."

"You're pretty calm."

"With what's happening these last few days, I don't think something like this will shock me that much."

"Heh, good!"

I look up at the open ceiling and prepare my weapon saying:

"R-really? Thanks-"

"Not now Sova."

(Oh she's back to calling me by that name).

"Ah right, I just need for the enemy to come down here-"

"Sova, I don't think she will come down after your display."

"Huh? Then I just need to keep firing then?"

"No! You'll devastate this whole train and we'll have no way of going near our destination! Unless you plan to walk thousands of kilometres."

(How much is kilometres again? All I know is meter since it's very crucial with dodging Sis Rubeca's attack during training. Then after meters is dam-something metre and... Don't remember. Whatever it is, it must be far).

"Then what do we do?"

Saya places her hand on my back saying:

"First, I'm sending you to her so you can deal with her personally. So get ready to jump."

"Huh!?"

"Next, I need you to keep her alive, so don't kill her!"

"W-wait!"

Saya starts to grasp the part between my lamellar and pulls me up shouting:

"[Maodiga]"

I feel a strong gust of wind from my back and a great push from below.

"Waaaahhhh!!!"

My body propelled up the ceiling in no time and all I could kinda think of is,

(I really don't know if I can say I conquer my fears if I act like this! Now, don't look down, don't look down).

As I see the assailant, from the figure it's a girl. The assailant, not wasting any time and come charging right at me as I'm still airborne. I raise my weapon to block it but my body flung with the force of her attack. As I'm being pushed out, I quickly use my spear to stab the train and gain ground but the assailant doesn't stop and is now raising both her arms to finish me off with her sword...

(Even Sis Rubeca wouldn't make such a mistake... Maybe she did when she went berserk).

With her stomach clearly exposed, I abandon my weapon and lunge forth, tackling her down and pinning her. With the assailant under me, I spare no effort and send my right fist down at her face. But she quickly dodges my attack by moving her head a little to the side. As my hand pierce the train, I could hear more cracks in my body.

I take look at who's the attacker is as I try to pull my hand out. A young girl almost the same age as me or maybe younger. With long blue hair and a tattoo of a wing covering her left face. All I could see from her face is pure desperation and fear.

Even after being pinned down, she doesn't give up as she tries to cut me with her sword by flailing it around with her left hand. I easily grabbed her left hand with my free left hand to disarm her by force. As her sword falls off the train, she realizes the difference in our power and how futile it's to struggle.

(For once I'm actually overpowering my enemy... And here Sis Yuwei said I need more power. No, I shouldn't get conceited just yet!)

As I think those things, she has already frozen my entire right arm and the area around it, along with my left hand and her right. Making us stuck together.

(Dammit! I didn't realize that. Now that I think about it, I can't feel any coldness even though my right arm is frozen. Is it the armour? Or is this just part of the magic?)

not stopping, she places her left hand on my chest shouting:

"[Rend] and [Sunder]," light starts to coat my armour.

(Wait, this is really bad! But I seriously don't understand. Sometimes the magic works on me but sometimes don't... Argh! I'll think this later).

"[Ice spike]"

Small mist gathers above her head and solidifies to make an ice spike coming for my head.

(Hopefully, this won't leave a scar).

With her holding my arms I decided to counter-attack and dodge at the same time by hastily swinging my head down at her face. I headbutt her with my helmet on as I dodge the spike.

*thwack* *crack*

As I lift my head up and feeling the back of my head touching the ice spike. I look at her to check if she's unconscious yet. I could see her broken nose bleeding and disfigured, her eyes still barely open up showing only the white parts as she groans in pain.

(This seems pitiful and awfully familiar...)

She opens her eyes wide in the sheer moment of agony and spits out her blood and a small scroll. As it tumbles open she continues to shout:

"[Continual Ice Spike]."

And soon mist surrounds me, she summons forth spikes hitting all over my body, from the bottom of my feet till the back of my neck, pinning me down as the sound of something cracking echoes louder inside of me.

"Argh!!!" I scream in the shock and pain.

(Still, If it wasn't for my armour, the ice would have turned me into those unique kebab thingy. This is one sturdy armour. I mean after she cast rend and sunder which usually means to destroy, I'm surprised this armour still holds).

As I feel something itchy inside of me, my vision becomes blurry in a moment.

"It's over!" She shouted.

Runes and scriptures start to form from beneath us and soon the runes and scriptures creep up to her body and then somehow phasing past my armour to reach my body.

(Wait, didn't this magic failed last time? But if that magic she cast on me is working wouldn't this magic like work too? I shouldn't take any risks, I need to break free quick!)

As I try to wriggle out, I could see her closing her eyes with an exhausted face... But luckily like before, as it reaches some part of me, the scriptures and runes scatter to dust while nothing happens afterwards. As she waited for something to happen while shutting her eyes. She decided to finally open one of them to peek and see why nothing is happening, she enters a state of full-blown shock as both her eyes quickly opened wide like plates.

"Wha! H-how!? Could it be, y-you... You're an Owlian? That doesn't make sense those blasts are clearly magic! I can feel them! How are you able to fire those magic pillar attacks!? What are-"

"Araaaghhh!"

(If I can't get out then I better continue attacking).

With both my hand occupied, I forcefully bend backwards to gather enough force to give her an attack, I did what I did to that white lady. I raise my head till I feel my neck being press down by the ice spike and swing it down with no mercy.

*crack*

I forcefully bend my body and hurt myself but I manage to headbutt her face again with my full strength to make her fall unconscious. As I hear a lot of cracking noises from inside my body and my vision becomes blurry again.

(It seems I couldn't knock her out in one strike).

I could feel her resistance stopped and I decided to look at the damage I caused...

"That's gonna leave a huge mark. Problem is I'm kinda stuck with those spikes holding me down and with her freezing my hands."

I take a breath in and shout:

"Saya, can you hear me!?"

But there was no response.

"I guess she can't. Okay, what to do... My left arm is not halted by those spikes so I can move it freely. But the problem is with our hand frozen like- hmm..."

And soon I got an idea of what to do. I smash the ice in my left and right together with force.

*crush*

"It works! I wonder if I broke through again? This kinda disturbing how I advanced so fast. But that doesn't really matter, cause... I finally got my own soul weapon~! Yay! This is why I endure the endless nagging from Nanny Yunyun."

With my hands free from the ice. I hastily pull my right arm off the train and smash the other ice spike before grabbing my weapon while dragging her body back inside while trying not to look to the side.

*thunk* *crack* *crack*

As I walk closer to Saya, my feet steps on the broken glass shards and I see Saya pressing the buttons and pushing the lever.

"Saya, I captured her. But she's unconscious, so what's next?" I call to her with excitement.

"For once, good job. Just lay her on the corner of this room."

"O-oh, okay."

As I lay her on the corner of the room. Saya looks back at me saying:

"Hah, luckily we still have energy and the core isn't damage. So I guess we'll arrive at the border watch soon... Like half an hour or so."

(How much is half an hour anyway? All I know is seconds).

I just nod my head saying:

"Okay. So mind telling me about her? Or what happened when I was still cultivating?

Saya grabs her bag and brushes the chair off with wind magic before sitting.

"Sure, but I wanna say sorry for snapping back there. That was... Unbecoming of me. For being your senior and all."

"No, wait you don't need to! I'm the one at fault for not understanding anything at all. It seems my decadence this past few days has made me numb to my surroundings... Maybe, can I know more about you? I mean even back at the palace, I was always training and learning for this position, so I rarely see you."

Saya folds her arms and looks at me saying:

"Hmph, I'm being truly sincere for once and you ruined it. Well, okay then, I guess we could use some time to know each other. Maybe then, I could teach you some of the common unwritten rules of the Confederation too. It's pretty clear how you're not acting like a normal citizen or peasant of the Confederation."

(There's an instruction for being a peasant too? This is just tiresome).

"To be honest, I quite had enough listening to that stuff?"

Saya then looks at the buttons again and continue saying:

"Oh, Sova. We're going to a place that's filled with corporate big shots and ancient family lines. Where most people value their faces and position in society very considerably."

(Faces? So does that mean I shouldn't aim for their face or something?)

I shake my head asking:

"Well, leaving that aside, you'll forgive me?"

"Yea, yea, just try not to agitate me too much again okay? In fact, just for today. Just this one day."

"Huh? That's kinda too sudden. I mean why? And what am I'm supposed to do?"

"Just follow my orders and if you wanna do something then ask me for permission first until we're done with your mission."

"But-"

"It may be forceful, but that's the way in this intricate day so don't ask anything more!"

"Just for today?" I ask to confirm one more time.

Saya nods in replying:

"Yes, just for today."

"I see, then sure. I'll try my best to help out."

Saya nods with a smile of satisfaction.

(Maybe I should follow her word and know more about this face thingy so I don't get in trouble and anger her again).

"Say Saya what do you mean by the value of their faces? Like I shouldn't aim for their face or something? I mean I understand if they are a girl-"

"Pfff, hahaha! Oh, Sova! That's gold~"

Saya holds her stomach as she leans forward laughing.

"Um Saya, so I'm right huh? Maybe I should aim for their stomach then or maybe their limbs? Ah, I know! I should just aim for the back of their head!"

"Pfff, hHAHAHAHAHA! Oh, Sova. Stop, you're killing me with laughter."

Feeling a little irritated that she's not answering seriously, I reply saying:

"At least please stop laughing and tell me already."

Saya slams her fist on the armrest and took a deep breath as her cheeks puff up and-

"Pfff, Hahahaha! Sorry, I can't stop!"

"Mmmph!"

Saya holds her stomach as she slams her armrest repeatedly. Before finally looking at me asking:

"Do you know anything about relationships? And how people view each other? Or better yet, when you need to figure out who knows who? Or do you know of a person's face and those things."

"Um, who knows what? That's kinda bothersome. Can't you just be friends normally?"

"..."

Saya stares at me and then shakes her head saying:

"Okay, I guess I'll tell you more when there's time. You're lucky you're in the Phoenix Sector since the people there don't think too much of their face now. Or more like they don't have any. Probably since Yuwei slaughtered the hierarchy and establish her rule."

Saya says with a joking tone.

"That kinda sounds like an insult."

"Well depends on who's listening. But..."

Saya continues to look at the unconscious assailant and holds her chin saying:

"Looks like you have a knack for ruining people's faces."

(Which or what kind of face? Maybe the real face?)

"Well, I have no choice. I mean, my hands are frozen and I can't use my legs so what better way," I tap my head with my finger and continue saying, "Than to use my head."

As I feel something filling my helmet, Saya shakes her head again saying:

"Sova, please don't say that. Or you'll mock people who really use their heads- then again, I guess if it works it works."

I nod in agreement and sit down beside the assailant. I raise my weapon up saying:

"Right! Still, I finally got my own soul weapon! I'm so excited!"

I can't help but sound like a child who was given candy. Saya sighs replying:

"Good for you, but you better be careful. I may not be a practitioner but for some reason, you feel so empty. Like there's something like I can see you there but I don't feel you're there... Say ever thought of being an assassin?"

"Umm, no, but your scare won't work on me now. I'm too happy to get scared right now!"

I look at my new soul weapon with excitement and joy... But that didn't last long when the weapon disintegrated.

"Noo! I was not ready to depart yet!"

"Haaah..."

Saya sighs once again saying:

"It's a soul weapon Sova, it's bound to your soul. So its probably just recharging or something... Probably. Maybe you should ask someone who does, like Yuwei."

"R-really? Then yay! Say I want to say but my qi suddenly had a colour change of purple for some reason."

I decided to open my helm to breathe some fresh air and talk to her face to face but...

*ssh*

"S-Sova, you..."

As I hear the sound of pouring sand. I look below to see some grey substance and some of my blonde hair falling to the floor. And before long, my eyes start to waver and my body becomes so light and numb.

"W-what...?"

I say to myself but with how weak my voice is, it is more akin to a murmur. I begin to fell on my side and hearing more cracking sound from inside my armour, I could see Saya rushing over to me. Shouting something with horror in her eyes as she is hesitant to hold me...

I close my eyes wondering,

(Maybe I should rest for now).

*************************************

[Extra Bite]

Storm clouds gather above Heaven. Drops of rain descent over the unsuspecting crowds. At the peak of the tallest temple, a small window burst forth with the help of a huge gust of winds. Bell chimes loudly and there, sitting quietly is a lady shrouded by a veil of mystic mist with only a small scented candle by the nightstand.

Soon, the Gods deliver their wrath in the form of lightning. The purple light engulfs the entire room, turning it white for a moment. As the candlelight fades, all colour saps away to monochrome by the coming storm. Yet the lady simply opens her drowsy eyes.

"Yaawn... And so, another candidate appears... And just a few months ago, we lost one."

Taking in the humid and cold raining air into her lungs, she breathes it out soon after. Standing gracefully as she picks her long robe up to not hinder her movements. Small splashed of water drips from the open window yet she keeps moving forward to see the storm outside.

"But this one seems different... Unlike all the other 48 candidates this one doesn't seem to follow the path to his throne... Yet he's still chosen? Interesting."

With such a devastating storm above the clouds, the people of Xin would think that this is a bad omen. A great cataclysmic event would happen soon if even the Gods are now having a storm in heaven. But not to her or the believers of his faith.

"Now with the Aologi Empire out of the picture, the Libera Theocracy ripping apart trying to stabilize their internal strife. It's time for the new veins to take its place in the world...

Weird, this new competitor's life is fading. And it seems the spirits hated this new candidate and refuse to aid him at all. Could it be an Owlian? Well, looks like we got our first Owlian. And if he dies, I'm sure IT will not let him die. Oh! Spirit King, you just made this grand competition so much fun...! And more bloody."

Before the Liberation Golden Age, before the Age of Chaos, before the Rise of Zerians. Further past during the apocalypse and the arrival of the Liberation Era. It's the darkest time in history for all living things. But among all the living, one race would lead the others from the fall. One Zerian would rise, he would unite the tattered remains of all living beings and would rise to become the leader of all. His wisdom and strength, unrivalled. His mere presence inspired absolute loyalty to any who sees him, mortal or not. Ask all the oldest primordial and progenitors and his mere title would be showered with the highest praises and honours. All the names that once show him as a person are now lost in the midst of time and his now known only as the Hero of Freedom.

Though he is gone for more than a million years since then, and everyone knows that no one will be able to replace him, not even the Gods. But one man was able to rekindle some of the memories of his feats and accomplishments. Leading an army of billions to unite entire continents and even frontiers. In his prime, his strikes could create the biggest canyons and deepen the deepest trenches under the ocean, while his mystic might make the Heavens and Hell bow with their heads. But unlike the Hero of Freedom, his existence only brings absolute terror. He is the ruler of the biggest sovereign in the world before the liberation era and the strongest person to live in the mortal lands after the Hero of Freedom. The Sovereign of the Xin Dynasty, Rucina.

A new age is upon us, an age for the young blood, an age for the Heroes to ripen up.

An age of Total War.

And these "Heroes" from all over the Confederation and more shall claim his throne to unite his dynasty and usher in an almighty nation!

"The mighty, long awaken must slumber. Long in slumber must now awaken. Thus it has always been.

For once something good comes to me when I awaken. Now, let the victors shape these entangled destinies. Burn this world to ashes and everything to cinders! For a Glorious Free World!"

*************************************

Everything was dark, like entering a dark tunnel to the unknown with no source of light. Like going down the stairs of the basements without bringing a lamp or not turning on the lights. Like plunging your head to the sea and look deep down to the trenches below and your world darkens while you lose your breath.

"Umm... Who?"

I ask in confusion while I lay down looking around the empty weird warm fleshy room with only a steel door plastered on the middle of the ceiling. The source of light sways left and right on the wall, giving this room a never-ending loop of dim and bright.

"Why, it's me~ Mario."

A female voice replied with excitement and speaking the common tongue.

"Huh?"

*slam*

The door above slams opens and soon blood pours to my face and other places on the room. The blood moves, feeling it crawling away in my paralyzed body and squirming around like a living being, they clog to each other and forming some sort of being. My body tries to run but it doesn't want to move.

The creature comes closer and closer, circling around me like a snake before something that resembles a human head with arms appear crawling on my body.

"U-um... M-Mu-Me-Miss Mario, I-I'm sorry, but I-I-I-I think you m-mistaken me for someone else. So please, let me g-go."

I try to reply back as I feel the flesh-like thing groping all over my body. My voice just can't help but tremble with such nightmare in front of me. The slug-like thing opens it's six bloodshot eyes and something resembling a mouth Saying:

"Just kidding bra! My name's not Mario- wait, I don't think I have a name anyway so I guess you can call me that, why not? I mean it seems pretty important to the memories."

The monster moves its slimy red arm around my neck and looks at me in the face saying:

"Chill~ bra, we're like one and together~ so we gotta be honest with each other man~"

The monster talks very weirdly.

"R-really? Then... I'm sorry but you're very scary. So scary I can't move my body."

"Pfff, really!? Sorry bra! Never knew!"

The monster lets me go and gathers beside my head. It condensed together before finally forming a sludge that looks like a girl with six eyes but with my face...

"There, see! I'm gonna borrow your face since you're so cute! So now, I'm a cute slime girl! Wait, a very cute blood slime girl! I remember seeing my memories liking this! So much so my memories say it created the slime family for such exact reason!"

(I don't think I need to know any of that. And she always speaks with a lot of energy).

"So do I look cuter? I'm not so scary anymore right? Yes!? Am I!?"

"I guess?"

"Hehehe, so everything is fine as long we resemble human huh?"

I ignore her asking:

"Um, Miss Mario, why am I here? If I remember correctly, I was supposed to be on a train."

"Oh, you smart~! This is actually inside your head... Your brain to be exact."

"Huh?"

(She keeps saying baffling things. But with a world of magic, I don't think It's so strange... Hmmm, I feel like I'm overlooking something very crucial here, but I can't put my tongue on it).

"Hey, do you still want to live?"

"Huh? Of course, I do!"

I reply by reflex by her rhetorical question.

"Then, I suggest you stop growing stronger for now."

"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"

"Your body is almost dead... And I think if this continues, I think you'll die in a matter of minutes or faster."

"Wait, what!?"

"That's true! You're using powers not meant for mortals like yourself and now your body pays for it. So let's make a deal..."

She presses her fingers together saying:

"Umm, I still don't know your name?"

"O-oh it's Sova Anmao."

I answer back casually for some unknown reason and she somehow smiled and continue saying:

"Sova is it! Then let's make a deal. I'll reconfigure your body to its maximal limits so you can stay alive and still use the powers now in your body. OR..."

"Or?"

(Why do I get a really bad feeling about this?)

"You can die and let nature take its place."

"W-What are you saying!?"

"Hmm? I'm just saying what's natural. When a living thing dies, their body shall then become one with mother nature. And since you wanna live and the fact I'm such a nice and cute girl. Of course, I want to help out."

"Wait, this is too much to take in!"

"I see, that's okay but don't think too much. Cuz we ain't got no time buddy! Wait are we buddies?"

"Yea, sure. Just let me think for a while."

"Yippy ka yay! I got my first friend!"

As I ignore her cheers of joy I start to think for myself.

(Really? Am I going to die? Is it because of my soul weapon? What does it have to do with me becoming stronger? How is Saya doing right now? What about the mission? What will Sis Yuwei and Sis Fei feel? What will my family feel? What of my twisted past? What of me and my future and so many things I didn't get to accomplish?)

A question keeps coming up on my head as it swirls into a spiralling mess... But... There's one question that I should have asked first...

"Um, Miss Mario."

"Aw~ just call me Mario! No, wait! Call me Mary, cause that sounds much more girlish and suits a cute girl like me~! No need to be so polite! We're the best of buddies after all!"

(Mary huh? I guess that sounds better).

I nod saying:

"I see, then I wanna ask."

"Well, I told you not to be so polite! Just shoot the question."

Mary wiggles around and dances in joy and cheerfulness. I continue saying:

"Say, why should I trust you?"

Mary stops what she's doing and look at me with a dumb-look.

"Um, I'm kinda sorry buddy but can you repeat that again?"

I clench my teeth and hands as I realize how that question doesn't suit me, but I have to if I wish to grow.

"I said, why should I trust you?"

Mary's smile quickly turns upside down as her eyes pour tears of blood. She sits on top of me and brings her face so close that our nose can almost touch and I could see the reflection of my eyes from her... It's the same horizontal pupils from that bloody dawn.

As blood continues to pour from her eyes and drop to my face, Mary looks at me with pain as she clutches her chest saying:

"Why buddy? Why do you have to ask such things? It hurts, it hurts so bad... You're my first friend but you don't trust me?"

(I feel so bad now, but then again. I just met her not too long ago. No, I must show my conviction).

"I'm sorry, Mary but... We just met, and the things you told me is not something you people can just believe. Most importantly, what's your proof?"

"Proof...?"

Mary's eyes suddenly turn white and she carries me up from my armpit and continues saying:

"Have you seen yourself? Look at me in the eyes and tell me, is that not proof enough you're not human anymore."

As I stare in her eyes, I see someone I don't know. A boy with short balding hair, his round but kinda sharp eyes have horizontal pupils, and he bears the fangs of a beast while his entire pearl white skin is ruined beyond recognition from the black cracks that appear across his body...

"This is me?"

"Yes, more specifically, what your real body looks like right now. Don't you remember what's the last thing that happened?"

"I... I see..."

(So that was me dying huh? I already see my death so many times just this week that I kinda grow numb to it).

I look at her saying:

"Sorry for doubting you, Mary. So you're saying that if I accept your deal, I'll be healed and turn back to normal again?"

"Hmph, yes..."

She looks at me and turns away again.

"You know, I heard this is supposed to be a deal but I never know what I should do in return?"

Mary looks at me as her eyes turn back red again saying:

"Simple really, live."

"Huh?"

"My memories only told me to make sure you stay alive. And I'm going to make sure that happened... But after what you said, I'm starting to doubt if I should follow it, hmph!"

Marry lets me go and turns her back to me. As I lay helpless all I can say is:

"I'm sorry, but I must at least hold some kind of doubt if not, I'll be useless. And being useless right now is worse than death to me now."

Mary looks at me as she puffs her cheeks.

"Okay, I'll forgive you just this once since we're the best of buddies. So let me reconfirm that you still want to live right?"

I try to nod but failed so I continue saying:

"Yes, of course, I do! I have so many things I have yet to finish."

"Okie Dokie!"

Mary gives me a hug and whispers close to my ear saying:

"Don't worry. I'll make sure you stay alive. After all, if you die, so will this conscious and I too wish to not die."

"I see, then let's look after each other Mary."

"Yea..."

We stayed like this for a while and as I feel something moving inside of me, I wonder how long will this take as I stare at the opened steel door. And soon time seems to pass in my mind but nothing is changing and I started asking:

"Mary, how long will this take?"

"Hmm~ I don't know, but I'm trying my best."

"Then mind if I ask you some things while we wait?"

"Didn't I tell you that you don't need to be so polite?"

"I-I'm sorry. So, I wonder what you mean by stop getting stronger?"

"Hmm? You don't know?"

Mary gets up a little to look at me eye to eye. I nod (Oh! I can move now!) Replying:

"Well, I wouldn't be asking if I know."

"Hmph! It means what it means. Stop getting stronger. Don't cultivate or something like that. Physical exercise is okay though."

"Um, I'm asking the reason why I'm asking why can't I get stronger?"

She hugs me tighter whispering:

"Well, it seems to be that you have a very dangerous power inside of you. So dangerous that it gives me the chills as my memories remind me."

"You keep saying "memories" but I wonder if it really is yours?"

"That's the problem. It's not mine, it belongs to my creator. And the bigger problem is that it's not all of his memories, just some part of it."

"Oh... Sorry if I make you feel sad."

"You better be! In fact, I'm having the best times when I'm making my own memories with you... If only you didn't ask that question and ruin it! Hmph!"

"I-I already said I'm sorry."

"Then if you want my full forgiveness-"

"Wait didn't you said you forgive me? What's with the full forgiveness thing?"

I cut her off to ask my curiosity but she hugs my neck tighter replying:

"Shutup! It might be boring waiting for all this, so why don't we tell each other stories. Since you're my first ever friend, I really wish to know more about you."

Surprised by her sudden request, I try to look at her saying:

"Really? Me? I don't think my story is interesting to tell."

"Hmph, don't lower yourself like that. Everyone has a tale to tell."

"I see... Then mind telling me something from your memories?"

"Hmm?"

She backs away a little and looks at me, face to face as we lay down. She looks at me face to face and seeing her moving my face left and right is quite disturbing...

(No, that's fine).

"Like does your memories have some events or heroes from the past? Maybe I could learn something from them and get inspired so I can remember something nice."

"Hmmm, that sounds very suspicious but sure...

(It does?)

"Since I was injected into you, the memories he gave me is all about magic, qi, some dangerous history, some useful tricks about wildlife in case you're forced to forage and stuff. Let's just say its all to help you out in your growth. So there's a lot of references."

"That's amazing! But why magic? I can't use magic you know. Wait, unless you call that power, magic? I mean the one who attacks the train call it magic and Sis also told me to call that magic to lessen suspicion. Is that power I use magic? I mean sure it has magic circles or something. I mean I call them magic circles since it looks quite the same."

"Of course! Well, it's another variation of magic than the one used by the followers of Libera or the other Magicians of the Dark Gods. It's more to the line of... Mmm, unknown power but has a semblance to the power of the original divine, kinda like the power of God's Avatar or something."

"I have no idea what you just said."

"Yea it's normal for Owlians to not understand since you go toward the path of science. Ah, I know! If I have to give a comparison, magic is kinda like... I don't think there is a comparison I can take from my memories."

She starts to sit on top of me and fold her arms as she swings left and right.

(I have a feeling I won't understand this).

"Let's start with the most common magic. Libera's magic, since Libera's teaching, preaches about freedom- pfff, I just realize, her teaching is about freedom but at the cost of persecution of another."

(That may be true but not all her believers are like that. Just like Nicole, Yuwei's mom, (I just realize I never really knew her mother's name, I mean I know her father's). or presumably, my mother since she wears the Libera's robe).

"Yea, you don't need to tell me that. Just continue."

"Well, okay then, I thought as an Owlian, you would be curious as to why? Alright, her divine gifts give her followers the divine power to be free of your human limitations and grow with limitless potential. And anyone can grow what of however they want from there. Those are the absolute foundation for the Theocracy, freedom of choice with no one linear path. That's why children from the Theocracy went to get baptism when they reach the age of 5 to be liberated of their human limits. But humans being humans with free individual thought begins to-"

"Mary, please stop."

"Huh? But it was gonna get to the good part."

"Yes, but I just realize since my body can't handle this new power. I'm probably not going to use it anytime soon. So why not tell me about qi?"

"Tch, you party pooper. Fine- oh wait I guess I should tell you more about your growth speed and limitations."

"Growth?"

"Yea! I don't know if you realize this but your cultivation growth speed rivals even Rucina himself or even faster!"

"Really!? I am!?"

(Rucina!? The mighty legend himself!?)

"You may not know this but after checking your body (as wrong as that sound) your qi is now mixing together with your divine power inside of you. At first, it was mostly separated from your normal qi by a thin wall. So, as you grow older it was supposed to blend well together harmoniously with your body. But since you're cultivating and absorbing powers from around you while nurturing your soul, you started taking that divine power inside of you and speeding up the process even though you aren't supposed to. In fact, if you absorbed that power 2 years later you should've been fine from my calculations."

"Oh... So this all happen because I started cultivating? No, the moment I start wanting to learn about the truth. That's... Very infuriating."

(Just when I finally thought I have more power, it's actually the one killing me).

"But don't worry! After I'm done healing you, you can still use your qi. Though it will be quite unstable, so try let it be and don't cultivate."

"Wait really?"

"Yea! If I have to compare you to a tool, it would be like right now you are a water gun that can only spurt out tiny water sprays. But that water gun is connected to a giant tank of water that usually spurts out giant hydro pumps. So basically, every time you pull the trigger, you shoot out a mighty water burst as thin as chopsticks but with a devastating power to cut even 60mm thick magical ores.

That blast you send out on that train is the chopsticks jet blast. But every time you fire, the guns begin to break. And until you change your medium of fire, it will stay like so."

I nod in understanding that,

"I have no idea what you're saying. Like, what's a water gun? And a tank?"

"Ah~ you're hopeless. Fine, just don't cultivate for a while until I find the perfect thing to help you improve your body. In fact, I'm reconstructing your body now to its absolute limits while also pleasing the Gods. And while I'm at it, maybe I should heal all those scars too or maybe not."

(Wait a second...)

"Absolute limits? Does that mean I'll be bulkier!? More manly too!?"

Mary stops swinging around and looks at me in the eyes before looking away saying:

"I guess...?" Mary looks up while holding her chin.

"Does that mean I'll have more muscles!? Six-packs, wider shoulder, the whole package!?"

I raise my body unintentionally as I shout in excitement.

(This is finally it! Maybe this is what they call a blessing in disguise!)

"Hmm, muscles? Well, condensed muscles is an absolute yes. In fact, I'll give you the enhanced hyperstructure, designed by the original himself to counter Rucina's blows. Even though it failed to do as it's built for, it's still strong enough to fight true practitioners at least. But six-packs huh? Well... We'll just see."

(I feel like she said something ridiculous but-)

"Hmhmhm~ Yes! One of my dreams will come true!"

"Man you sure get up fast."

"Hah! Rather than think about that sad and confusing stuff, it's better to think about positive stuff!"

"Whatever you want buddy. Say, why don't you close your eyes and sleep. Your body can at least recover more properly now."

"Wait, nothing will happen right?"

"Well when you wake up, you'll be in your body again. And since you rest your mind, it will definitely help you recover faster."

"Okay... I guess, good night?"

"Yes, nighty night, don't let the bed bugs bite. We'll meet again soon buddy."

My conscience fades as soon as I close my eyes.

*************************************

"Mmmgh..."

I feel itchy straws poking my skin. I get up and realize I'm not wearing my armour but instead the house robes I wear inside my armour. I stretch my arm and yawn.

"Yaaawn~ I actually feel so refreshed-"

(Wait, who's voice is that?)

"Hello?"

An unknown yet familiar female voice enters my ears.

(I kinda know I have a light and quite a girlish voice but I'm pretty sure I still sound kinda like a guy... At least. But now I completely sound like a girl!)

I look around realizing I'm in some sort of damp, dark, and empty stable with only the small light coming down from the small window. I see light shining down on the mirror and I quickly went there to look at myself. Feeling the warmth of the sun over me, I could see my face clearly over the mirror...

A more gleaming pearl white skin, soft natural pink lips that gleam below the golden sun, long feather-like eyelashes with my eyes that dazzle beautifully even with the brownish colour, and with the claw scar still there beneath my left eye. Along with my hair now longer than my shoulders... Smoother, and glossier too.

(At least, I still have my headband, but...)

"I look and sound like a girl now! No one will think I'm a man- wait!"

I hold a certain part and realize it's actually still there...

"Whew~! Dammit, Mary, this is not part of the deal! I'm supposed to be manlier!"

I hold my body all over and realize the only thing that makes me still a man is only that I have no breast and having my thing down there. In fact, I feel like my hips got a little wider.

(What's going on? Where's Saya? Where am I? What's going on with my body!?)

"Urgh, brother..."

"Who!?"

Surprised by the sound of groans. I look around to find the source of the sound. I quickly place my hands on the ground and sharpen my hearing...

*thump* *thump* *thump*

"Father..."

"There- wait!"

The sound of footsteps and the voice are coming from different directions...

"I'll just go to the groans since it's closer."

I dash to one of the rooms in the corner. Inside, I could see the girl I defeated. With both her arms chained, she sleeps with a pained face as she groans while sleep talking.

"Oh, it's her."

I walk closer to her as I see her laying down. As my bare feet get close to her, she pinches a part of my robe whispering:

"Please, don't leave me... I'm just trying to be useful..."

(She looks so pitiful but that doesn't excuse why you must do all those stuff... But then again, I too have hurt people and some even died because of me).

I sit beside her and cross my leg. Since I can't cultivate any longer, I should try to test what I have right now. I close my eyes and try to remember the feeling I felt when I summon my soul weapon.

A flicker of power surge from my body and I direct it to my fingertips. Soon, the poleaxe forms and I can't help but smile. But before it can truly form, my weapon starts to distort.

"I-I can't control it!"

And soon, it disperses.

(Just like she said, so even though my body is fine, the energy inside of me is not. And since I can't cultivate, I must leave my qi unstable too... This is going to be hard and dangerous too. Since I can't control my qi, I can't fire off any qi blast and maintaining any qi enhancements will be a difficult fight).

"This is quite troublesome. I need to finish this fast and find Sis Yuwei for help. Oh right! Maybe I could meet Mary again and she could tell me how to fix this."

*thunk* *thump* *thump*

I look behind me from over my shoulders as the sounds of bouncing and clashing steel can be heard.

"There! That's the intruder!"

"Dammit, Stukov, if this is just another Weira, I swear I'm gonna stick a spear up your-"

"No! I'm serious this time! Trust me, it's a lady!"

"A lady you said? Mhm, I guess this does need a reviewing."

Sounds of shouts from behind me. A group of fully armoured soldiers wearing the same armour as the soldiers in the palace comes forth with their weapon in hand. One of them is even heavily armoured to look like a walking fortress, carrying a tower shield and a weird contraption on his hand. And the one in the rear carries a long rifle that has a shield strap to protect the shooter like the one in the palace.

(They're pretty well equipped).

I stand on my feet and turn around to greet them. They all tensed up and some of them even lower their weapons.

"Whoa!" "Who's she?" "I'm treating Stukov to some pork tonight" "What a feast for sore eyes." "Where'd she come from?" "Do we have someone that beautiful here?" "I hate to admit this but even General Irina can't compare to her." "H-how dare you! to spout such nonsense!? Our General is the best!"

Their voice clashes together as they argue over something.

"What's this commotion all about!? Give way!"

"G-General!? Y-yes right away!"

The soldiers jolted and make way. Two people walk past the soldiers. One is a woman in her mid-twenties, with jade white skin, clear blue eyes, long copper hair, wearing armour that is a mix of half plate and lamellar armour with the phoenix motive. She tightly grasps the twin curved sword on her right waist as if she's ready to strike at any time. The other one is...

"Saya! Finally, please, explain what happened? How long was I asleep?"

Saya, who's raising her hand with a magic circle already in her palm and a dagger on the other looks at me with a baffled and confused face replying:

"Sorry, but do we know each other?"