" Whew... "
The scene before me could only be elaborated upon in a fantasy novel, and before my eyes, it had once again been the regal and majestic throne room of the Human Emperor.
My body finally had features once more, unlike moments before. However, these clothes felt kind of...tight. My body had gone through extensive training to adapt to the powers of this new world and because of that, I had grown both taller and wider. The clothing I wore had been from the time when I was first summoned to this world and since I was simply replacing myself, I had been forced to fit into them.
" It seems...we'll need new clothes for our Hero. "
There it was. That egotistical and grating voice I had come to hate hearing. The Human Emperor.
" I'm sure you're confused as to where you are young He— "
Before he could finish his sentence, I decided to try something. Earnestly, I had been ignoring him.
When I first crossed over into this world, it took me 6 months to adapt to the world's Mana-rich environment and constant sparring to develop the internal ability to wield Aura. However, it was apparent now that because of Theatera's meddling with time and using what should be my current body, it would stand to reason that I still retain the capability for Aura usage.
* BURST *
As the Emperor attempted to introduce me to my surroundings, my body exploded with a golden Aura. I purposefully manipulated my Aura to wrap around the room, showing my expertise with it in one fell swoop. Looking to the Emperor,
" Don't speak. Just listen. "
I demanded.
The Emperor gulped as his Royal Guards all drew their weapons. In that same instant of drawing their weapons, their Aura began to push forth, pressing against mine.
" I am Takumi. And I am the Hero you've summoned. I will save this continent from its impending doom. "
His face seemed to lighten up for a moment, the Guards still holding their weapons tightly.
" All I ask of you— "
Flexing my Aura and using the advanced application known as "Sharp-Aura", I began to produce a protruding, sharp, and extremely pointed Aura. It pressed against every Guard's throat, threatening to pierce them through. This had been a technique I developed for intimidation, though it wasn't very effective against anyone who knew how to use Aura proficiently to produce a "Thick-Aura" defense.
" Is that you don't get in my way. "
The Human Emperor, who had been given the unfortunate name of Asteros Asteria, swallowed all of his built-up salivae in one heavy gulp. He lowered his head as he begrudgingly raised his hand.
" Lower your weapons...All of you...He's proved his capabilities. We're no fools to refuse help from a Hero we've summoned. "
He had the sense to speak those words. However, I knew the kind of man he was. There was no way he truly would leave me alone.
However, as a sign of good faith, I retracted my Aura.
" Now please can you all get me some proper clothing? "
My usual smile came out as natural as it had always.
. . .
Before too long had passed after my sudden and forced subjugation of the Emperor had I been given my room quarters to reside in. Just like before it was a simple noble-like room. A bed, a bath, and other amenities to support a cushioned lifestyle. However, I didn't care about that.
" These are nicer clothes than I got the first time... "
I had been given a much more refined outfit compared to the nearly peasant-like outfit I was given during my first go of this.
I now had an off-white colored button-up shirt that was covered in an open blue overcoat that had a white lining around the color and sleeves with a beige inside. The material felt as though it was almost a mix between leather and cashmere. It felt exquisite to the touch. The slacks were simple and refined, lacking anything grand or special to them, and due to my direct request, I received combat boots made with premium material.
Looking into the mirror to admire the outfit given to me, I noticed something different about me. My Japanese black hair had gold strands that were mixed in with it. It was the same gold color my Aura had taken on.
" What's this? I heard once before that when a person awakens to Aura their body may adapt and change. But... "
I never once had golden hair in my previous life.
" Oh well. Not like it'll be that important to me. "
Moving on, I sat at the desk provided to me, grabbing both the notebook I requested and the pen provided with it. There were a few things I would have to write down to gather together the important information I could remember.
Raksha, my friend from my old world and the one who had ultimately resulted in my untimely demise had gained the power of the rifts 14 years after I had been summoned.
" And our final battle happened 3 years after that... "
But there were more important events that happened far before that. It wouldn't be for roughly 2 or so years after today that I would meet Juri and Drasil.
" I could meet up with them sooner, train them...However, I have no way of knowing just what could change if I interact with them any sooner than intended. As it stands, I should only influence my immediate circle with my future knowledge. "
After solidifying that I shouldn't come into contact with either of them before it was the right time, I began to jot down a few names.
" Elise...Gwen...And Captain Tusk. I need to meet them as soon as possible. "
As it stood, the only true goal I had set in stone was to stop Raksha from becoming the 'Primordial', a Demonic creature that gained the supreme altering power of the rifts.
So, since I had 14 years to work toward stopping him, it would be a good idea if I followed Theatera's advice.
" I need to build a strong companionship. I've got to do this right. "
Standing from the desk, I turned toward the door and exited quickly. I had been given a simple yet quite expensive longsword, however, I had no use for something like that.
The first order of business had been to meet with Elise.
. . .
* SPARK—CLASH—GRIND *
On the sparring grounds, two forces met head-on. One of the combatants participating in what could only be described as a ruthless match had been a large burly man. His muscles were defined and toned, clearly honed through real combat and extensive training. His gear was light and simple, primarily sporting leather armaments to reduce the risk of injury while presumably allowing him to keep his mobility despite his lumbering figure.
While on the other hand, his opponent wore nearly no armor at all, only wearing such to support her joints as she fought. It was a woman, short and stocky, bottom-heavy and stout. It wasn't like she was overweight, however, it was no understatement to say she was indeed heavy. Each step she took in her advance against the taller man had been with power and heft. Indeed, it wasn't fat that made her stout. No, instead it had been raw muscle and extremely defined muscle at that.
That had been Elise, the very same woman I had intended to meet with first.
" She's got the combat skills of a seasoned veteran while still only being in her twenties. It's still impressive even after witnessing it for a second time. "
Elise was regarded as something of a prodigy. However—
* CLASH—GRIND *
Their blades met once more, meeting in a bind. Elise had pressed forward in her stance, her foot slipping forward in between the man's, possibly aiming to put him off balance and take control. With a tighter and closer position, she was able to shift her blade's position, mounting it atop his own and pressing down, sending the blade downward to the ground while she raised her knee, shoving it against his thigh.
" Brutal... "
I couldn't help but comment as I watched the fight.
The taller man groaned as he nearly buckled under the pain of the knee strike, though Elise didn't stop her assault. She pulled her blade up from his, now shifting so her sword's flat had been placed against his throat, right over his artery. Stepping closer to him, Elise pressed harder, making it slightly harder to breathe due to the metal constricting his windpipe. Elise seemed to whisper something to him as she inched closer, causing him to completely drop his shortsword and drop his head in defeat.
While I couldn't hear what she said, I assumed it was something rude and unbecoming of a young woman.
She turned her head, lowering her sword, beginning to walk away from him.
* GRIT—RAISE *
He, probably enraged by his embarrassing loss, grabbed the shortsword once more and raised it over his head, bringing it down to strike Elise while her back had been turned.
Elise turned, raising her sword. While she may have had it under control, I thought this was a perfect chance to intervene and make my presence known.
* WOOSH *
Using application Aura on my legs, I managed to make it before either of their blades could meet their mark. Elise had been aiming for the guy's gut, probably going to run him right through. And he had been targeting her head dead-on. However, it was more likely she struck first with her lowered stance and precise thrust.
Thankfully, my hands were coated in enough Thick-Aura that neither of their attacks left a mark on me.
Elise's thrust had been met with my palm, stopping her from pressing forward any further and completely trapping her as I used the Aura coating my hand to grip the blade with the full intention of breaking it if she tried to do any further movement. And as for the taller man, I had simply used my finger, pressing along the edge of his shortsword and pushing it up and away, back toward himself.
" You both intended on killing each other just now, right? How's that at all acceptable for a friendly sparring match? "
He gritted his teeth as if he were baring his fangs at an animal in front of his prey.
" That little bitch started this and tried walking away! It's time someone put her in her place! "
" You should be lucky this bastard here stopped my sword—otherwise you'd be run through, you asshole! "
It was sort of annoying being between the two of them, however, compared to what I had recently gone through...This was sort of refreshing. It was like watching two little kids argue. Though, maybe that's because I had been physically and mentally thirty-three years old...
" Hahaha! Come on guys! Calm down. Neither of you should be this worked up over nothing! "
I let a smile come upon my face after letting out my laugh, a bit of a jovial feeling coming from interacting with the two. However, to prevent any further bickering and annoyance, I increased the strength of the Aura surrounding my hands and used my full fist to crush their blades, immediately breaking them.
* SHATTER—SHOCK *
Both of them dropped their faces, completely stifling their breaths beyond anything more than shocked gasps at my feat of strength.
" H-how... "
" It's simple really! With a little bit of Thick-Aura and some elbow grease, anyone can destroy a sword not coated in Aura! "
It truly was very simple. But I guess only those who have the talent to use advanced Aura applications would even be capable of such a thing.
" What kind of monster are you?! "
Elise spoke up first, quickly pressing up against me. The short blue-haired woman nearly pressed her chest against me as she tried to inquire who I had been. It was a little flustering, however, it would've bothered me a whole lot more had I not already dealt with her before.
Albeit, not in very good circumstances.
" Oh, I'm the Hero, Takumi! And to be completely honest...I came to recruit you to my party! Y'see, Elise, I think you'll become one of the strongest swordswomen in the entire Continent! "
I smiled wide at her, earnestly believing my words. Elise was beyond talented, capable of learning nearly anything she saw first-hand.
So it was a shame when I learned she had been executed.
CHAPTER 21 END