[The Sacred Sword awakens forcefully in response to the hero ‘Parrot’s call.]
[Due to insufficient recovery time, its full power has not been awakened.]
[The user’s abilities are dismal. Only a part of the Sacred Sword’s power is accessible.]
[The ‘Divine Power’ stat is unlocked.]
[9th Sacred Sword Artana: F]
One of the nine sacred swords made in the Holy Kingdom.
It had exhausted its power in ancient battles and lost its master, but it has awakened again at the call of the hero ‘Parrot.’
The user’s abilities are so dismal that it cannot draw upon its inherent power.
— Sacred Sword Activation Available.
When the ‘Sacred Sword Activation’ skill is used, it has additional effects.
— Constant application of the ‘Divine Wave’ skill.
— One-time use of the ‘Flame of Healing’ skill.
Reuse cooldown: 168 hours
Duration of Sacred Sword Activation: 3 minutes
The information window kept updating relentlessly.
I desperately held onto my consciousness to check the information.
A 9th Sacred Sword?
Artana, the Sacred Sword that has maintained its position as a Sacred Sword for the longest time among all the Sacred Swords.
It has regained its power, right here in my hands.
Precisely.
‘Parrot, you little…! You’ve been recognized as a hero!’
The parrot that was with me during the battle against the demon’s shard.
It must have completed its hero’s journey.
The system window displaying ‘Hero Parrot’ made it certain.
‘Such a grand gift.’
The game “Hero of the Academy.”
In the early stages, there were many battles against humans, but as it progressed, battles against demons became the main theme.
And they give me a Sacred Sword? It’s as if they’re telling me to pluck off all their heads.
The active 10th Sacred Sword, and the past Sacred Swords that have lost their light.
Through special progressions, it’s possible to obtain them.
But that’s as far as it goes.
For those not recognized as ‘heroes,’ using them would make them no better than ordinary blades.
‘The one in my hand is somewhat better.’
It has a one-week cooldown and can only be used for a mere 3 minutes, but.
The important thing was the ability to wield a Sacred Sword, even temporarily.
Moreover, interpreting the phrase ‘The user’s abilities are so dismal that it cannot draw upon its inherent power’ in reverse means.
‘If the user’s abilities meet the conditions, it can draw upon its inherent power.’
Moreover, reviving the 9th Sacred Sword is a first for me.
Another achievement as a veteran player.
“Ah, Parrot! It’s the spirit of my friend Parrot!”
“…What?”
“Parrot must be protecting me! Parrot! You haven’t forgotten me! Yeah, I was always good to you!”
Luna started to cry profusely.
…Well, let’s leave it at that for now. After all, Luna did become friends with Parrot.
Though it was somewhat forced.
Injured Luna came into my view.
Holding the Sacred Sword, I shouted.
“Sacred Sword Activation.”
Wings of light spread behind me, and a round, white halo above my head.
I looked like an angel.
“Ze, Zero? What did you just do? Are you okay?”
Why worry about me when I’m unhurt? You should be more concerned about yourself.
‘Flame of Healing.’
The splendid flame enveloped Luna.
Her body slowly began to heal.
The cut on her forehead healed, the fractured knee returned to normal, and.
The broken left arm started to realign itself.
After confirming the Flame of Healing remained around Luna, I stood up.
There’s a 3-minute limit, so I needed to move quickly.
“Keke, I’ll be back shortly.”
“…I don’t know what happened, but be careful.”
Whoosh-.
The pentagram behind Bineus.
A fourth flame was already burning.
Damn, demons fight dirty.
I immediately used Silver Flash.
“Kuk!”
The short stun from Silver Flash, and Bineus, whose mana backfired.
I swung my sword at him.
The Sacred Sword shining with a splendid light.
The fourth secret technique of the Lucid Family Style.
Sky Splitter.
“Aaargh!!”
Bineus’s waist bent like a bow.
A small storm created by [Sky Splitter] swirled with a colorful flame.
That must be the [Divine Wave] skill.
A passive skill that naturally accompanies each swing of the sword.
The colorful flames clung to Bineus’s body, continuously burning him.
[Sky Splitter], the divine power of the Sacred Sword, and [Divine Wave].
Even a 4th grade demon would find it hard to withstand.
‘I feel like I could fly, but I don’t know how.’
Flapping the angel-like wings only made me float slightly, not fly.
Seems like I need a bit of practice.
‘Well, that’s not what’s important right now.’
Currently, Bineus has given up on attacking.
I started pouring attacks on him.
The first secret technique of the Lester Family Style.
One Flash.
The fourth secret technique of the Lucid Family Style.
Sky Splitter.
Boom! Bang Bang Bang!!
Boom Boom Boom!!
One Flash, Sky Splitter, One Flash, Sky Splitter in repetition.
There was no need to stack flame stacks for 100% additional damage.
This did much more damage.
“Aaaargh!!”
Bineus writhed in pain.
I never knew beating someone up one-sidedly could feel so good.
With every painful groan from Bineus, a strange sense of exhilaration enveloped me.
Hmm, I feel like I’m discovering something new.
“Cough…”
The flames in the pentagram flickered on and off.
It felt like I used my techniques at least ten times. Yet, he showed no sign of dying.
Such a sturdy guy.
‘I need to move to the second phase quickly…!’
With the power of the Sacred Sword available, I needed to bleed him more before entering the second phase.
‘I have to. Even if I have to use my stat points…!’
I was about to put 50 points into strength when.
Pssh-.
Huh?
The Sacred Sword returned to its original state.
Leaving just the worn handle.
At the same time, the wings and the halo above my head vanished.
“…”
“…”
Bineus got up and glared at me.
With eyes that seemed to say it was all over.
“Ha, haha… Did it hurt a lot? You looked so tired, I thought I’d give you a massage.”
“…I will kill you.”
Whoosh!
Another flame lit up in the pentagram.
At the same time, Bineus made it clear he was about to charge.
“Um… Luna? You’re fully healed, right? Could you block that for me?”
“Ugh, really, I can’t rest because of you. Move aside and let me see.”
“Keke, as expected of Luna. Just like before, please draw his attention. I’ll handle the attack.”
“…Hold on.”
Luna, who had been intently observing Bineus, turned her head towards me.
“Why is he so angry? He looks like he’s about to smash everything.”
“That’s what I’m wondering too. Why is he acting like that?”
“It’s obviously your fault. You should have given him a break between the beatings. Don’t you have any consideration?”
Consideration for a demon?
That’s quite the revelation.
Whoosh-.
A second flame ignited in the pentagram, and simultaneously.
Thud Thud Thud Thud Thud-!!
Bineus’s charge began, obviously directed towards us.
The mere sight was enough to make one’s flesh tremble.
“You said you’d finish it quickly! You said you’d handle it! After making all those cool moves, what’s this?”
“What can I do if he’s so tough! Just block him boldly like before, Luna! Even if you’re torn to pieces, I’ll heal you!”
“Shut up! Do you think I’d let a pervert like you touch my body!? Block it! You block it!”
Luna grabbed my collar and shook me vigorously.
Aaaah! Parrot, you premature…! What’s with 3 minutes, 3 minutes!
You should’ve given me at least an hour! I’m a man who can (allegedly) handle that much!
Thud Thud Thud Thud Thud-!!
“Luna, it’s, it’s coming!”
“Damn it! I’ll try to block it with Moon Shadow! Not sure if it’ll work, though!”
Come to think of it, I forgot about [Moon Shadow].
If I had known, I would have saved it in [Divine Imitation] earlier.
A fatal mistake.
“Luna, don’t be nervous! You can do it!”
“Of, of course! Here, here I go…!”
Hey! Your whole body is already shaking!
You’re a bundle of nerves! You might as well be called Nervous instead of Luna!
We’re all going to die~!!
But there was nothing to be done.
A bipedal crocodile with bat wings, standing 3 meters tall.
If such a being charged in fury, anyone’s knees would buckle.
“Here, here I go…!”
Just as Luna’s sword was about to leave its sheath.
“Shield!”
About 2 meters in front of us, an opaque hemisphere formed.
‘Magic? Then…!’
I turned around. Towards the entrance leading to Lérang’s laboratory.
Yuridia stood in front of the partially collapsed entrance, holding a staff.
Crash!
The shield shattered upon colliding with Bineus.
“Ugh! Shield! Shield! Shield!”
Crash! Crash!!
It slowed him down a bit, but that was all.
It was impossible to stop the charge of Bineus, a 4th grade demon, with a feeble shield.
Just then, someone passed by our side.
A girl with black hair tinged with blue light.
It was Rodelin.
The first secret technique of the Lucid Family Style.
Earth Flip.
Rodelin didn’t aim for Bineus.
Right in front of him.
She targeted the path Bineus was charging on.
Boom!!
The ground split open, sending rocks and dirt flying into the sky.
Bineus was among them.
“Aaargh!!”
Bineus flew through the air for a while.
His body landed on the sharp split rocks above.
Crunch!!
Bineus’s body was impaled, and black blood flowed.
Luna murmured upon seeing this.
“Did, did we get him?”
Thanks for casting the resurrection spell. I’m truly grateful, Luna.
“Zero! Are you okay? What on earth happened?”
“Aaah! Zero! Are you alright?”
“Everyone, be careful. The path is dangerous!”
“Why would a high-level demon be here…”
Rodelin, Raymon, Alex and Yuridia.
The entire 1st party appeared. It seems they successfully took down Lérang.
I’ve been through a lot, guys.
I want to tell you all about it. But now wasn’t the time.
“It’s not over yet! Everyone, get ready for battle!”
Yes. Now.
The 2nd phase of the demon Bineus begins.
“Huh?”
Rezé woke up from fainting.
After surveying her surroundings, she immediately hid herself in a box.
Even hidden safely inside the box, her body trembled.
The idiot hair on top of Rezé’s head spun around 360 degrees.
She could sense that this place was extremely dangerous.
And soon, she found out why.
‘Hi, hiik…! That’s…!’
A demon. A high-level demon, with the pentagram present.
There was nothing she could do.
Hiding in the box, she slowly moved towards the forest.
“Luna!”
“Aaah!!”
A fierce battle was unfolding.
Zero and Luna. Astonishingly, they were fighting a high-level demon.
‘So, so amazing…’
As Rezé watched, she eventually bowed her head.
Then, moving the box, she turned towards the academy.
She knew she was different from them.
Being timid, cowardly, and only weak, she knew she’d only be a hindrance.
-Because we’re friends. Trusting you is all there is to it because we’re friends.
Pause.
Why did Luna’s voice suddenly come to mind?
‘…Friend.’
Could she also become friends with Luna?
Could someone as weak as herself become a friend Luna could trust?
She wasn’t sure. So, for now, she decided.
To keep watching their battle a little longer.
Rezé tightly held a small bow in her hand.
–TL Notes–
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