บท 24: Test
"That man is the number 1 Harbinger?" Allen asked shocked.
"Exactly" Alina nodded "Not only that, he is the leader of them and is considered the strongest of all. He is a mysterious man that is rarely seen, keeping most of time hidden, but every time that he makes a move it causes a great ripple."
"He sure is important" Allen made a thoughtful look while looking at the sword in his hands.
"It's more than important. It's to the point that for some people Pierro's words held more strength than even her Majesty." Alina explained "You should know that a good part of the actual Harbingers had been recruited by him. Being recognized by him means that your probability of becoming one had skyrocketed."
"So, what should I do?"
"For now, abandon the bow and knives, and completely focus on practicing with the sword. I will prepare a good one and a regime" Alina explained "The future plans should also be moved accordingly" she whispered.
...
Alina entered Pantalone's office, explaining everything that happened to Pantalone.
"I see" Pantalone said "This certainly changes everything. What would be a good next point?" Pantalone turned around, looking over some mountain of files, finally taking one of them "Alina, prepare the next test" He ordered giving her the file.
Alina looked through the file and quickly knew Pantalones' idea "Yes!" She said quickly leaving.
"Let's see the extent of your talent, Allen" Pantalone mumbled to no one.
...
"Allen, your new mission had been decided" Alina informed Allen who was swinging a wooden sword over the training room, spending most of his time in it.
He found the sword quite comfortable, his grip adapting to it quite well, but he really couldn't feel that he was so special to cause such a furor. Yes, it was certainly far better and easy than the bow, but as now, he seemed kind of similar to the knives and once his Vision's skills are taken into account, the knives seemed a better option.
On the other hand, he had almost no train so he would need more time and see how it develop.
"This quest..." Allen read over the mission and frowned at it. The mission was about a group extermination of some bandits hidden over some ruins. That could be considered common, the strange thing was the next part, having rules and requirements to proceed during the mission.
1- Your only weapon should be a sword, forbidding any other.
2- You are forbidden to use your Elemental Burst.
3- You are in charge of taking care of the leader.
"What are these requirements?" Allen said confused.
"I'll tell you the truth, Allen" Alina said "This quest is not like the others where you were given ample movement and we observed your decisions. This is a direct test, to see the reach of your sword talent that's why the limitations."
"So it's a test of my sword arts?" Allen said thoughtful "Shouldn't I practice more? I only have trained for a couple of days and without any teacher or orientation and don't think I'm ready to actual combat."
"That would be the common way to proceed" Alina nodded "But your cause is not common. You must put all your effort and show the best results. Be prepared you will leave tomorrow and..." Alina made a pause "Be especially careful about it."
"Don't worry. I'm always wary" Allen nodded.
"Allen" Alina said seriously "You might have realized but you were always protected during your missions, stopping you from taking any mortal and serious injury." Allen nodded, remembering that time with Keqing, the warhammer changing its course after something hit it.
"This time would be different. To make some talent bloom, near-death situations are sometimes needed so there won't be no assistant" Alina explained "You can really die in this quest, be wary."
Allen's face turned serious as he nodded.
"Lastly, take this" Alina gave him a long box "It's my present."
Allen took the box and opened it, revealing a sturdy steel short-sword that shinned in the light with a cold glimmer.
"It's nothing much, but would be better than the ones offered by the army" She explained "I would have preferred to find something better, but in Snezhnaya swords are rare and with such a short time" Alina excused a little ashamed "It's called Cool Steel and would boost your attack over enemies affected by Cryo and Hydro, so it will go fine with you."
Allen took the sword in his hands, making some swings with it "It feels great" The cool feeling, the touch, the balance, the weight... all of them was perfect, maybe even too much. Allen knew it, this sword had been specially made for him.
As Alina had said Snezhnaya was much known for swords, finding swords of this size for children being almost impossible, even more with an ability that went well with him. Even if it wasn't a legendary weapon it was more than enough at this time "Thanks, Alina"
"You're welcome" Alina smiled "You can train a little more, but don't spent too much time, you leave early tomorrow and you need to be at your best, so sleep early.
"Yes" Allen said rolling his eyes.
"Good luck" Alina said before leaving.
"Let's go!" Allen shouted as he started swinging his new sword, familiarizing himself with it.
...
"BRRRRRR!" Over an almost unmarked path, a green figure-like meteor surrounded by wind went through the forest at a great speed.
After crossing over some kilometers, the figure finally stopped near some ruins revealing a tall caramel-skinned man with emerald eyes that whoever knew him, would recognize him as Kevin one of Pantalone's aides. However, just as it stopped, roses started to bloom all over his body, creating a layer around him than once they fell to the ground and disappeared, revealing Alina with her crimson suit with her mask on.
Over the ruins, a light could be seen over the middle and better-conserved two floors building, Alina going towards it.
"BANG!" Alina kicked the door from the ruins, completely destroying it and revealing that she was there.
"What?!" "Who's there?!" "Who dares to come here alone?!" The bandit hidden inside woke up hurriedly, shocked by the intrusion of a single individual to their lair, taking their weapons and turning to her.
"A Fatuus?!" One finally recognized her, starting trembling in fright "We are all dead." Finding the identity of Alina, all of them were scared shitless, clearly knowing that once they were under the Fatui's rather it would mean their death.
That was the reason for their careful moves, never attacking anyone that had anything to do or could clearly affect the Fatui.
"Calm down boys" From the upper floor a man came from the stairs. He had a lean body, brown hair and a confident look. "He is only one person, we can take charge of him and run away."
Listening his words, the other bandits calmed down, stopping trembling and gripping their weapons. Seeing his confidence. the trust of the others and his commands, it was clear that the man was their leader.
"Charge!" He ordered, eight men instantly jumping towards Alina.
"Trash!" Alina swiftly moved, taking what seemed to be three metal rods from her suit "clank!" The rods united between each other, forming a 1,5 m long polearm.
"Boom!" Alina twirled around her polearm, spinning 360º as if she were dancing, expertly hitting all her enemies and throwing them, clashing to the walls with great strength.
In a mere instant, she was able to take care of 8 men, causing the shortly recovered morale of the bandits to fall again.
"Shit!" The leader cursed as he draw the sword over his hip. It was a black dulled obsidian sword that seemed well-taken care "Die!" He charged toward Alina, full knowing that if he didn't take action, they were all dead. He needed to take care of her for even some second, letting the others recover from their fear and attack her when she is busy with him.
"Die" The leader swung his sword widely from his back to a downward slash that seemed like an ax, creating a great movement and with so much strength that could tear a person open.
It was a style based on strength and trying to overpower the enemy who tries to block it. However, it was useless for Alina who clearly saw through it, stepping to one side, the sword barely scrapping her body.
"FUCK!" Having failed his first strike, the leader quickly twisted his body, making a lateral slash that only met air, Alina having completely disappeared without any trace.
"Where's the fuck had he gone?!" The leader shouted confused and scared while turning around, trying to find.
"It should be good enough" The leader stopped still, cold sweat falling from his neck as he felt something cold hitting the back of his neck. Alina had reappeared over his back, hitting his neck with her polearm.
"Swum!" There was a green glow and vines surged from the ground, tying the leader, completely restricting his movements.
"Fuck! Why are the Futui here? We didn't do anything to them, we simply attacked the weaklings. This is Snezhnaya were only strength commands, what had we done wrong?!" The leader shouted as he trembled in fear of his life.
"You are right" Alina agreed "We usually don't act for such pity things, but I have my reasons. And in the end, I am stronger, so I can do whatever I want with you."
"Please, don't kill me" The leader supplicated, tears falling from his eyes.
"Mhihi" Alina giggled "Killing you would be one of the best things for you. I could do much more that even death would become the sweetest thing for you." all the bandits' faces turned white "But I will give you an opportunity to keep your lowly lives." Alina took a sharp edge from her suit, showing the last part of her polearm "As that why I kept you alive."
"W-what would it be?" The leader said hopelessly "We will do anything!" All the others nodded.
"It's quite simple" Alina explained "Tomorrow, a new group of Fatui would come. They will be led by someone wearing a Cicin Mage blue uniform. You as their leader must face him in a 1vs1 while the others distract his group."
"And what should I do with him?" The leader asked.
"Kill him" Alina stated coldly "If you are able to kill him, I will let you and your men alive. And if you aren't able..." Alina made a stop "Of course, only death waits for you. Would you accept my offer? Not like you have many options."
"Okay, I will kill that guy" the leader quickly accepted.
"Great. It's always good to work with cooperative people. And don't worry his strength is nothing like mine" Alina released the leader, the vines completely disappeared. "Be prepared for tomorrow. Oh? And don't try to escape. I'm watching you." She whispered over the leader's ear before disappearing, leaving the group alone.
"B-boss, what should we do?" One bandit shyly asked.
"What can we do?!" The leader shouted angrily "We don't have any other option, be prepared for tomorrow. I will kill that guy!"
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