Chapter 32: 100 Years P7
~32.7~
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Kye smirked. "Shall I show you how much I have advanced?" She glanced around and received a collection of hesitant nods. Allison and Luma exchanged glances, each excited to see what Kye could do.
"Mana Drive and Aether Drive are ways to increase one's output by many times over, up to five hundred," Kye said as she began to channel not mana, nor aether, but Radiance. She quickly ramped up to her maximum output. "This is the result of my training. This is what I can do at base. However, with the memories of Elysia Alexandria comes knowledge of things beyond most of your understandings. Some of you carry memories of your time in the living world. Those of you that do may know of this."
"Go on," Luma said. "Show me if you can do what I think you can do."
Kye nodded. "This is what you would know as a cooldown ability from video games. I can use this and gain an incredible, risk-free boost for a short time, then I must wait a while before it can be done again." She eyed Luma. "We had a duel when we first found each other last year. Shall we have another, my most powerful knight?"
Luma nodded and unleashed her Radiance equal to what Kye was wielding.
"You can still go beyond this, yes?"
Luma nodded. "Much further beyond. I have trained like you have, but for far longer. This mortal shell can compete with my old immortal shell."
"I see." Kye smiled. "Well, then." She held her hand out to Joey, who nodded and transformed into Jouten. "<<Awaken>>." Immediately her output doubled, as Joey's own output was roughly equal to Kye's. "And also..." Kye jumped into the air and flew high into the sky. "<<Radiant Burst>>!"
In a flash, her power increased explosively. Her silver energy swarmed around her body, almost as if it were fire.
Luma grinned as she summoned Lucretia and awakened her weapon. "Now this is going to be fun."
Allison had a bright smile on her face and held a hand in the air. "This duel shall take place entirely in the sky and I will manage a barrier-"
"No," Alethea said. She unleashed her own Radiance, awakened Kaeshi, and unleashed Radiant Burst. "I shall manage the barrier." Under her full power, she allowed her cat and demon features to show, which garnered her attention from those who did not already knew from her time in the past.
"I see the Queen of the World, Maya Alexandria, daughter of Mavel the Almighty," Luma said. "You lot have had more than simply power growth. I look forward to hearing the details." Alethea nodded, and Luma joined Kye in the sky, followed by Allison.
"Luma will match your new incredible output. Very nice work, by the way," Allison said with a smile. "I look forward to dueling you myself, my niece." Kye nodded and Allison cast a spell to allow her voice to be heard by all. "I am Xana Alexandria the Goddess of War and Seris Athas the Swordmaster." She awakened her own weapon and unleashed her own power so as to stay outside the barrier unharmed during the duel. "I will preside over this duel."
This is their way of telling me I'm still not powerful enough to beat them. Heh, I see right through you both.
"I am Luma Alexandria the Sword Saint, and I challenge you to a spar, my king."
Kye nodded. "I am Elysia Alexandria, King of the World, and I accept your challenge, my knight."
On the ground, Eve appeared and said, "Everyone pay close attention. This will be a show of what two of the most powerful beings from the living world are capable of. This is the might of Alexandria the World Order."
"Indeed it is," came a voice familiar to a few. Everyone looked at the source and saw a girl nearly identical to Alethea, but with her cat features not hidden, though her demon wings were hidden. "Oh hi, you may call me Mavel. I am here to watch this duel. Don't mind me."
"Mavel..." Eve glared at her.
"Xera..." Mavel glared back.
Eve sighed. "It's good to see you."
"Yeah, you too. I will be popping in and out from now on to observe in person. And spend time with my daughter and her friends. Anyway, no time for talkie. They're starting!"
Allison held her hand in the air for a moment, then brought it down suddenly. "Begin!"
Kye and Luma vanished the instant Allison said "Begin!" The two clashed in a blur of blows so fast that some of the audience below had trouble following them.
Edward, Draelana, and Apollyon were the three having trouble following, though they were able to with a great degree of effort, and using mana to enhance their senses.
"Grandpa, are you following them okay?" Rei asked as she grabbed Zen's hand.
He was focused intently on the match above. "Yes. I'm a bit taken aback, but I'm following them." He looked down at Rei for a moment and asked, "You were with them. You experienced a hundred years like that. Have you grown like that?"
Rei nodded. "I have. Sora, too."
Hearing that, three of the elder immortals turned around and gave her their attention. Iris asked, "Can you keep up with what they're doing?"
Rei nodded. "I can."
"Yet you are mortal?" Adaal asked.
"Not exactly." She shook her head. "Mom blessed me. I have the Blessing of the Creator."
"Mom blessed all of us that she could bless," Sora added. She took Rei's free hand and gave her a nod. "Want to?"
"What are you-" Nephele tried to ask, but the two jumped into the sky.
Sora transformed into two katanas and Rei unleashed her power. "Tenrai and Tenshi, Twin Blades of the Divine Angel! <<Awaken>>! <<Radiant Burst>>!"
Layla's eyes widened. "Even my beloved granddaughter can wield power like this?" She turned to Zen. "It never really sank in just how extreme Kye is. We've known she's Elysia for years, and yet... it never sank in. Until now. She has surpassed most of us. I think at this point, only Allison and Luma can outdo her."
"No," Alethea said. "Shi-chan, San-chan, and I can win against them."
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Revision: 2024-10-11