Infinity in the Void – Freedom in the Abyss

"Alright, everyone.", I clapped my hands, gathering the exhausted students.

"Next week we won't have class since I'm preparing for the field trip. Subsequently, the third session this week will be canceled."

They all jump up in joy, cheering for having one day of rest. I've heard from other professors, that they hated my class more than anything. But through my brutal training, they went to other classes like a breeze.

Only through trials of pain and despair can one truly grow. Letting their subconscious know that they can only fight for themselves.

"Dismiss. I hope to see you all next session, or I'll drag you onto my ship and let the ghosts have fun with you.", I chuckled while they were all quiet.

They take me too seriously, well, I was being serious. Their torment is my fun~

 

=0=0=

 

After that, I went back to my ship to get some much-needed serenity. However, I ran into the only thing I am scared of, Elderstahl.

"Greetings, Silver Princess of Humanity.", she greeted me.

"Hello, Elderstahl. What brings you here?", I backed off a little bit.

The maiden in black armor stares at me with her sun-like eyes, observing like a predator examining her prey. That is the just the instinct of a weapon...

"I have nothing to do, so why not wanderlust?", she tilt her head.

Change of plan.

"I want to practice wielding you.", for the sake of humanity, for my own sake.

"Very well.", she nodded.

We headed outside the ship, we did not speak a single word to each other. I find her quietness unnatural, as she is a blade - a sword made to cleave even the stars themselves, the burning desire to fight is as natural as breathing to her as it is to human.

She was forged in destruction for destruction.

"How much percentage do you think I can handle?", I asked.

"Four percent.", she replied aptly, going through the gate after me.

That...

"Ten percent.", I stated.

She stopped, staring at me as if I just said the most absurd thing ever.

"You cannot handle five percent, Silver Princess. Your body would burn away before you can do anything.", she shook her head.

"You are underestimating me.", I grabbed her hand, and her searing heat burned it.

"You are overestimating yourself.", she shook my hand off.

I just laughed, "To dream of the impossible is the very essence of humanity. To rise above impossibilities is the very nature of mankind."

I am scared of Elderstahl, I cannot deny that fact. But that does not mean I cannot overcome the Blade of the End.

We stare at each other, I summon my lance to my left hand, hearing its hissing wind even though I hadn't woken it up yet.

"I'll try four percent first, then let's go up from there.", I held my hand out once again.

"Fine, this is your folly to bear.", she took my hand and transformed.

The black and crimson obsidian blade with Nine Runes etched onto it formed in my hand. It was a longsword, fast, agile, good for dual-wielding.

And... I feel my hand burning, seared by the heat of the blade— threatening to melt my entire arm. Still, I endured, running both a good amount of Euphoria and Hope through my veins to counteract the flame of eight worlds.

I let out a breath, calming myself down. Fu... this is going to be painful.

I stab my lance forward, then I swung the sword... this feel really awkward. Quirinus's reach is longer than Elderstahl's, which causes an imbalance in my fighting style.

Huh, I should change it.

I stab my lance into the ground, "Elderstahl, greatsword."

The sword responded to my command, turning into a greatsword with a very wide blade. I held it with two hands, then I quickly let go because of the scorching pain...

Hah... this isn't doing it. I look at my hands, scorch marks across my two hands, third-degree burn too...

I clenched my hands, then summon up Reverie Sludge, seeing the bubbling sludge... I got an idea.

Venumite, the material from Venus that humanity recreated in the far future... what my original coat was made out of.

I remember the construction of the material, stored in the infinite library of human knowledge, "Reconstruct."

And I created a pair of bandages, the silvery grey color I had come to love - because I love myself.

"Fu...", I closed my eyes, letting Hope's Dew heal my hands for a moment, "Let's try again."

I picked the sword up from the ground, the heat is still there but it's better.

Gilgamesh is wrong, it is not the primal nature of humanity that is the strength of mankind... that was just his thinking, as the man who began the Age of Humanity. He is restricted to his way of his thinking.

And I am no different.

To use the world is the right of the strongest species, and to create tools for convenience is the way of humanity. If it helps me take a step forward, then I will gladly use it.

I swung Elderstahl, taking the classic plow guard... even with my strength, this sword is heavy.

"The Torch of Instinct shall Light the way, for my Ambition to Shine."

I swung the sword again, electricity sparked and snow fell.

"Embrace the Abyss, Dive into Infinity."

Taking a hanging guard stance, my eyes turned silver. And a scarf made of Justice Mist sparkling with lightning formed around my neck.

"Surpassing Nature is my Way of Life, as I am the Ruler of the World."

Then I began to swing the blade and switch stances constantly. My hair lost its shine, becoming a dull gray color.

"To Ignite the Ambition in my Heart."

I enter a trance, getting used to the weight of the sword.

"To Continue the Eternal Flame of History."

Then I stab the sword forward.

"That is my Mission."

 

=0=0=

 

As the snow fell, Charlotte kept on swinging the sword, getting used to it as an infinite amount of calculation happened around her.

Every swing she experienced a thousand swings at the same time. Each strike is more refined than the last. Her body processed what she did wrong, then adjusted, and adapted.

It is one thing to wield a sword, and it is a whole other level to fight using the strongest weapon on Earth.

"Rapier.", Charlotte commanded.

Elderstahl changed at her order, becoming a slender blade that she could wield with one hand, Charlotte put her left hand behind her back. A feint slash to transition into a stab, putting up her guard.

Her form was perfect, yet she still needed more practice. Because being perfect was not enough for the Silver Princess.

Like a dance, Charlotte began to command Elderstahl to change form constantly, switch between all kinds of swords. To find the one fit for herself.

She remembered Mitsuki, whose talent with the spear was so great it shattered her own mind. Leading her to be the perfect host for the Fragment of the Universe. Charlotte is not like that, her awareness of her own existence forbids herself from ever breaking.

So she embraced herself, like she always had. Swordsmanship is like a dance, her partner being the Blade of the End.

To become one with the weapon, yet not letting the blade take over her. That is the very essence of her Domination, for there is nobody better than her.

The more Charlotte swung the sword, the more she was tuned to Elderstahl.

Amidst this false snow, visions and sounds enter her mind. The scream of civilizations, crumbling as they were consumed in a sea of fire and molten iron. Then the scream of worlds, letting out their last cry before obliteration.

She stopped her dance, letting her calculation process and her entire being adapt... Charlotte cracked a smile.

"One more percent.", she demanded, looking at the black cloths wrapped around her hands.

"You cannot handle five percent. Do not be stubborn, Princess.", the sword chastised her.

"I must at least reach eight percent...", a laugh escapes her, "Eight is my lucky number, after all."

"...Fine."

Instantly, she felt the heat increase significantly, even with the bandages it was still searing hot. She felt her entire being cook alive just by being near the sword.

Yet she still persisted. Her body constantly adapting as she bears with the heat. Her silver eyes shine brighter than ever, breaking every limit

And once again, her dance continues as the heat burns her entire existence. Charlotte wants to let go of the sword, her body is warning her.

But defying all odds, all warning...

Charlotte took in a deep breath.

"In the Name of Humanity.", her silver eyes glow brighter.

She stabbed the sword into the ground, as the blade was in its longsword form. She had found the form fit for her, simple yet effective.

As the last snowflake fell, Charlotte dropped down to her knees, breathing heavily and her entire body wet from sweat.

"Why do you always chant?"

Charlotte looks up with a smile, her azure eyes staring straight into the burning yellow suns of Elderstahl.

"Because language is the most powerful weapon any creature can use.", she closed her eyes, standing up, "A word can spell the end of an empire, a cry can bring salvation, a laugh can confirm peace, an idea spoken can change the course of history."

She dusted herself, "Why do I chant when I don't need to? Because words are the confirmation of my resolve."

Elderstahl looks into her eyes, that azure gaze, serene and quiet like a lake at dawn - yet beneath it is an unrelenting storm of madness and fury.

"After all, I need to convince myself first before I can convince anyone else. For my Dream of a Utopic Dystopia."