Kapitel 23: Regrets and Decisions

It was already night time, The moon shined brightly above the sky surrounded by glittering stars. Delightful breeze enveloped the Open field which the monster people camped for the night.

Chattering sounds were heard all over the place, While some still felt sad after losing their beloved ones on the recent battle. Kibaki practiced his swordsmanship somewhere near the trees, While Douglas and Balmond participated in an arm wrestling match.

"Brother, You won't be able to beat me!" Douglas said whilst gripping Balmond's hand tightly.

"Douglas, Don't underestimate the power of a big brother!" Balmond yelled, Instantly pushing Douglas' hand unto the ground.

"Balmond won!"

"It's already his tenth consecutive win! Balmond is the strongest!"

The monster people gathered cheered loudly for Balmond's tenth win. While Douglas smirked, And respected the outcome.

"It's your win brother." He said.

Balmond chuckled, "Ofcourse! Anyway where's Kibaki? I don't see him anywhere." He responded whilst surveying the area.

"Oh if you're looking for him, He's at the corner of the field near the woods practicing his swordsmanship."

"Okay thanks, I should go and meet him." Balmond said and tapped Douglas' shoulder.

After Balmond left, Douglas continued on participating in the Arm wrestling battle against other Monster people. And so their night continued.

....

.....

Meanwhile near the woods, Kibaki continuously swung his greatsword nonstop. His sweat dripped profusely and scattered everytime he swung his greatsword. He plunged alot of strength with each and every swing he made that it also released an aftereffect.

"I must continue to grow stronger." He mumbled.

Kibaki could not move on after the death of Elder Chiban. Kibaki witnessed Chiban dying infront of him, While he could not do a single thing that could stop Demise.

His attacks passed through Demise's body like nothing, While he could even bind his movements with a flick of his wrist, And summon undead that could fight in his stead.

Realizing the helplessness he felt, Made Kibaki determined to grow stronger.

I'm still at the peak of the Advanced Mana core stage. I need to reach Master stage in order to use Mana coating proficiently. But Cultivating my Mana core became hard. It's as if a wall is blocking my growth." Kibaki pondered, Worried about his current state.

"Your swinging has become rusty, Stop thinking and focus on swinging your greatsword." Balmond said, Appearing out of nowhere.

Kibaki paused and turned around, "What are you doing here Balmond?" He asked.

Balmond sat on the ground and placed his Axe beside him, "I'm just passing by." He stated and smiled.

Kibaki then wiped off the sweat from his forehead, And thrusted his sword unto the ground. Then sat infront of Balmond.

"So, Is there anything you've been worrying about?" Balmond asked, Showing hints of curiosity.

Kibaki sighed, Then started telling him his worries about how he felt helpless infront of the Draconian Commander. His attacks were futile, Unable to even scratch his armor. He even felt terrible after not being able to do anything infront of Elder Chiban who fought valiantly against Demise which they considered unbeatable.

And after Elder Chiban's death, Demise didn't even glance behind, It was as if he deemed Kibaki unworthy of his time.

"Most of them are Master stage, And are capable of using Mana coating." Balmond abruptly said staring at Kibaki who felt dejected.

"But our Mana Gathering technique aren't similar to theirs which are considered to be superior. That's why most of the Higher ranking knights became capable of using Mana coating in such a short period of time. Unlike our Mana technique, Which can't be compared to theirs." Kibaki replied, With his gaze lowered to the ground.

"Don't feel so down Kibaki. We can still ask the Elders--- "Ask what!? You know we use the same method! And they eventually reached the Master stage after cultivating their Mana cores for several years! What if another fight breaks out? How can we fight against those Deviant Unique skill users that can manifest their abilities!?" Kibaki spoke in anguish, Interpreting the gaps of their abilities.

Balmond knew and kept quiet, While Kibaki stood up and was frustrated that they can't even fight against Deviant Unique skill users equally in their current state.

"I better continue on practicing." Kibaki uttered, Gently pulling out his greatsword from the ground.

Amidst the clamoring sounds of monster people near the tents, Sounds of sword colliding reverberated deep within the woods that piqued their attention.

"Huh? Who's fighting at this hour?" Balmond mumbled, Slowly standing from the ground he sat on.

Kibaki observed the woods, While the trees continued to rustle and clanging sounds were promptly heard.

"Let's go and check it out." Kibaki said and slowly went inside the woods, While Balmond followed him from behind holding his axe tightly.

The sounds began escalating, As they both got deeper in the woods.

After several minutes, They finally arrived in an open area inside the woods.

Two individuals were fighting, Whilst jumping around the place dodging each other's attacks.

"Hey isn't that the human child and the silver haired wolf girl?" Balmond mumbled.

Kibaki quietly watched Erza and Axel fight intensely with different types of weapon arts being used.

He silently stared at them in awe, Realizing that they were extremely good in terms of weapon proficiency.

Switching to different weapons depending on the situation they were currently at made him think highly of them.

I never really saw them in battle when the war broke out, But seeing them now made me realize that they are truly outstanding people." Kibaki mumbled through his head, Whilst observing the ferocious battle between Axel and Erza who mostly fought equally.

"Is this all you've got? I know you can do more Young one." As Erza tried taunting Axel and wanted to let him do better.

Axel slightly tapped the ground and burrowed several strings whilst continuously ran towards Erza's direction.

He then side stepped from left to right and formed katanas on both of his hands, Rushing towards Erza.

Erza evaded the strings that came out from the ground and threw a Spear whilst Axel did not dodge it after seeing that her spear weren't coated in mana.

The spear that approached Axel eventually passed through his body.

"I knew you would do that." Erza stated, Pointing her left hand at Axel with opened palm and clenched it. Before realizing, The spear that passed through Axel bursted into several threads that approached and surrounded him from behind.

Before Axel could react, The threads instantly shined and was coated in mana, Instantly wrapping his entire body.

As Axel tried to break through the threads tying around his body, Another spear landed infront of him and pierced through the ground.

Axel immediately flinched, "I yield." He said in a dejected tone.

"Shesheshe." Erza giggled and walked towards Axel, Completely removing the threads that tied him down.

Axel got up and wiped off the dirt that got stuck on his hoodie, "What was that Erza? That was new." He said.

"Sheshe, Are you curious? That was my new technique. Shesheshe." Erza replied.

"So you can now coat the weapon you've thrown with mana? Even without physically holding it? I thought that you can only use Mana coating by transferring the mana within your body on objects you hold?" Axel bluntly asked, Curious to how Erza could coat the thrown weapon and even reform it back into threads.

"Shesheshe, It's just a new technique I discovered after the recent battle. I somehow managed to coat the spear I had already thrown and could even somehow reform it back into threads. It was a new discovery." She stated, Wearing an expression that wanted to be complimented.

I see... So does that mean Mana enhancements still have upgraded versions?" Axel pondered.

[Yes they still have. Kyahaha!]

Why didn't you tell me!?"

[Well you never asked. Kyahahaha!]

I guess it makes sense..." Axel replied through telepathy.

Meanwhile Kibaki's eyes were glittering with hope. Staring intently at Erza and Axel who were naturally chattering.

"I've made up my mind." Kibaki bluntly said in a serious demeanor.

"Hey Kibaki, Don't tell me..." Balmond responded anxiously, Guessing what Kibaki was about to do.

Without even thinking, Kibaki immediately ran and took a knee infront of Axel and Erza whilst blurting loudly, "Please teach me! And let me be under your Guidance!" With his head lowered, Showing respect infront of the two who wore a completely surprised expression.

"Huh?" Erza mumbled out of shock after hearing Kibaki's words.

Don't tell me.... Another one!?" Axel mumbled through his head, And stared at Kibaki.

Chapter End.