["GRAND ERUPTION!"] With our voices synchronized and her hand on my blade - we directed mana into and invoked one of the highest ranking magic circuits that were engraved into me upon my creation. Thus, a grand pillar of magma erupted from right below Charles.

He should've been flung a mile up into the sky, just from the impact force alone.

Which was by no means a surprise.

Grand Eruption, was among the strongest compound magic spells, in terms of pure firepower. This truth remained, even five thousand years later, despite numerous discoveries.

Through combining the properties of dense rock, with heat strong enough to melt said rock, then shooting it a like a cannon by utilizing the crushing underground pressure that occurs naturally deep below - you get a super-destructive magic that even High Dragons would have to seriously defend against.

Normally, to bring about such a phenomenon, the skill would need to be cast by at least two or more mages of Silver rank in conjunction. And, once it was invoked, the mages would be left powerless and mana deprived.

Because the amount of mana this child sent to me, was nowhere near such an amount - the size, heat and destructability was several levels lower than what it should have been.

The only reason that this magic could be invoked despite that - is thanks to the magic formations that were intricately carved into me, by one of my creators.

"Did we-"

[Don't say it child. Wouldn't want you to pull up another 'flag' like earlier.]

"'Purag'?"

[I'll explain it to you, later. First, we have to grab some distance. Run to that boulder over there! We can use it as cover!]

"Hai!"

She then began climbing up a slope before hiding behind large boulder that reached until just below her chest.

[...]

I have no idea what's happening. I really, really don't.

But one thing's for sure. Charles has completely lost his mind.

He's lost so much of it, to the point that he actually began believing that a 'human' could ever break me - that a mortal could ever break my Pride.

Please~, even lunacy has its limits.

That he would even think, that I was anywhere close to crying - he has really gone off the deep end.

So I - no - we, are gonna get it back for him.

Well, either we do that, or this child dies trying. There's no other choice, really.

But, I'll never let such a thing happen. Not to this talented child - not to my cute imouto-bun.

"Hel-nee-chan, what do we do?" She asked me, as she pulled herself up.

[There's no way you can beat him at swordplay, so we'll use long range tactics. If his complication is still there, that means he can't use magic.]

"How are you sure, that he's still sick?"

[So, you understood that word, good.] I 'nodded' while feeling strangely proud. Then, I circulated the mana throughout my blade even faster. [I know, because I still have the only known cure, right here.]

"You do?"

[Yes. Now pour even more mana into me.]

"Hai!"

At this point, even steel would be cut like butter, just from the vibration that the circulating mana is causing. Add my innate ability, 'Heat' into that, and you get a sword that can tear through Mithril, like paper.

"But... cure? Do you mean...?"

It seems this Child managed to make out an idea of what that 'cure' might be, because she gave me a very thought-filled glance. She really is, a talented girl, huh?

I was once again overcome with a strange sense of pride. Is this what it feels to have smart child?

Huh? Should I take her to a fast-food place, or something? Is what I thought.

Then suddenly, out of nowhere, *rip* *rip* *shred* she tore off her jacket, exposing her flatter-than-a-chopping board, chest.

It was already mostly burnt off, and it must've felt really uncomfortable, so I can understand - But! Why did you do that!?

You're a girl, not some buff, square-jawed action hero!

Of course, I kept these thoughts to myself. It's not like it really matters if she is seen like this, now. She's still young and only sick freaks who deserve to get beaten horrendously to death, would think of anything unwholesome about her.

So, rather than burden her with another thing that might make her lose focus, I should just strengthen the mana circuation.

I could also try to cover this child's body with the same circulating mana. But, because this was basically the first time, I've ever done anything like 'supplement' my wielder's physical capabilties - it is mediocre, trash quality even. Which is why, I seriously doubt, it would last even a minute against the Master Swordsman named Charles. So, rather than spend resources on shoddy defenses, I'll focus on improving her speed and striking strength using [Blazing Wings] and [Ride Meteor] which're incidentally, the only 'enhancing' spells engraved into my handle.

"So, we just barrage him from afar?"

[Hit from far away and don't get hit. Can you do that?]

"Umu! I'll try!"

[Don't try! Do! Well, it's a good enough answer! Now, get ready!] Then, as if it was waiting for that exact moment, the pillar of magma began fizzling out. It didn't take long, before the eruption was no more.

Thanks to this fiasco, everything within a hundred - maybe two-hundred meters, was lava.

I did not think this through.

Hopefully it cools down soon.

No, that impossible. But the forest we burn away completely if this continues.

"I honestly think it looks pretty good - as is."

[BEHIND US!]

"Kyah!"

["OBSIDIAN DUST!"]

Hundreds of thousands of obsidian shards were shot this time. Most probably, it's because of the extremely high tension this child now has. Or maybe, it's because she had time to steel herself. Whichever it was, one thing was for sure, Charles will have to take some hits - and from super close range, no less.

But, it failed.

Like an insurmountable wall and with motion speed that exceeded sound, while still staying completely silent - Charles's scimitar deflected every single shard that came his way.

"Eh? How is that... possible? I-isn't that kind of cheating, senpai?"

"Hm? Is it really? You have to be able to do at least this much, if you want to graduate from being a student, though?"

"What kind of school is that!? Are there actually thousands of people like senpai!? You didn't tell me there were so many monsters in the outside world, Hel-nee-chan! I want to go back! I want to go back!"

[Quiet child! It's too late to go back now!]

"UwaaaaAAAAAHHHHHHHh!!!"

[Plus! Your senpai is an exception of the norm! Very few people actually study in that school and even fewer are those that graduate!]

"But senpai was beaten wasn't he! Terribly at that! Look at him! He's like a dirty leaf smothered in bacteria! Doesn't that mean there're a lot of exceptions!?"

"Oi!"

[You're right! Your senpai does look like a wreck! It would've been so much better, if he at least tried to make himself a bit more presentable!]

"Oi!"

[But, regardless of how sleazy he has become - we can't blame him, because the person who reduced him to tatters - was an exception among exceptions!]

"Oi! Are you trying to attack me emotionally!? Cause' if you are, it's working!"

Ha! That's exactly what we want to do. Not.

[Child! Jump into that glowing red pool, now!]

"Hai!" Circling around the boulder, she replied. (Jap for 'yes')

"What the hell are you telling her to-!?"

"Tei!" (Jap *expression* for jumping)

"Don't jump! You lunatic!"

What happened next, was something I would've never believed, had I not seen it happen.

This child, who was as innocent as a newborn - followed my sudden order with nary a question nor concern. She was gonna jump into a red hot sea of lava. Normally, she won't be getting off, with just a few scratches.

But, this child is immune to such things like intense heat, so it was not a problem worth mentioning. At best it would just feel like being in a hot spring.

This was thanks to being around me for some time - because the mana that I naturally exude gives anything in my surroundings immunity to heat. This is done bit by bit and unless I stay near something for a continuous couple hundred years, the effects will only remain temporary.

Yet, even then, this meant that just by being near to me, anyone can get partial immunity to heat.

But, having complete immunity - would mean that you would never feel anything but cold or whatever the 'absence of heat' is called and that's not exactly a pretty good thing for a person to recieve.

This also meant, that if there're rocks and other minerals close to me for such a long time, you'll get unique materials that are immune to heat!

Such a material is so coveted, that the Reiche Family was able to rise to earldom, by just being the only family with access to my temple! The existence of which is still classfied, by the way!

Ah, wait. I've digressed,

Anyway, the point is that this was very smart tactic.

Charles also had immunity. But the keyword, is 'had'. It's been little more than five months since he left me, that's around the same amount of time I was with him. Which meant, that his 'immunity' was already long gone.

Charles, without me as the catalyst, also had no way of attacking from long range. Unless you count throwing rocks and his Scimitar at this child, as 'attacks'.

And, because he is obviously after; either me or this child - or both - he'd have to get close. This made the lava lake the best place to be in.

But, what I didn't forsee - was how much Charles had 'evolved' during the time he was away.

I caught a glimpse of it just earlier, but I just thought it was a fluke.

I was wrong.

With speed, that even I, whose 'senses' were 'designed' to be top class even among the thousands of [Intelligent Items] the Creators made, was barely able to respond to - Charles kicked off the ground - leaving a deep imprint into it.

"You crazy-!" He then cussed with his remaining right hand outstretched. Most likely it was to catch this child before she dipped into the magma. It all happened so fast, that I hardly even noticed him sheathing the blade and letting it hang from his waist.

It was over, I thought. Charles' arm was already circling around her waist, she was caught.

But then, the unbelievable happened.

Charles' arm - caught her.

I guess it wasn't that unbelievable. I kind of hoped for something amazing to happen, guess I shouldn't.

Still.

[Boom!] I yelled, detonating the oxygen and thin traces of hydrogen, right at Charles' face. I wasn't too sure, whether or not this'd do anything - but all we needed was a few more seconds.

It worked!

"Argh!" His entire upper body was thrown backwards, bending his body into an upside-down 'L'. Through a stroke of luck, his arm also moved in a semi-circle shape and didn't snag onto this child.

[Go!] I yelled again. This child answered merely by jumping.

*plop* *splash*

[Run to the center!]

"Yes!"

*splash* *splash* *splash* *splash*

This child, ran to the center with, not screaming and not crying, but rather with a smile on her face. It was a very wide smile, one that made you wonder what was going through her mind at that moment.

It seems that my thoughts reached her, because she said, "I've always wanted to walk in lava!" She then cheerfully giggled.

"What the hell is that kid saying!?" You took the words right out of my mouth Charles. "You better not let her die Heleina!"

[Why!? So that you can eat her alive!? Fat chance!]

"Yeah! Fat chance, senpai!"

"Stay out of this, you crazy little girl!" He was screaming hysterrically at this point. "Arrrrgh! Fine! You want to play in molten lava!? Sure, let's play!" Now, came the truly unbelievable thing.

Charles jumped off the rock we were using as cover earlier - and into the lava he went.

What happened next, was something that should've been gotten on video.

Just inches before touching the lava, he swung his sword at it - splashing it away. Then he swung to the other direction - splashing the magma there, away. Then, another direction. And another.

This all happened in less than a second. By the time he reached the ground, the lava was no longer a concern.

Molten lava is heavy and too viscous for any conventional sword to splash away. Normally, that is. But his swings weren't slowing down at all. Rather he was speeding up.

Pretty soon, the lava affected by his swings made beautiful formations.

"Woooooooow..... so pretty."

[Yes, it is.] I affirmed. [You can also do that in the future, you know?]

"Really!?"

[Of course. But first, we have to beat your senpai. Then force him to teach you.]

"Okay!"

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Believe it or not, this was my second time, fighting against Heleina.

The first time, was against her previous wielder. That was a terrible, extremely harrowing ordeal. But I overcame it and thus, I graduated. What I didn't know at the time, was that I didn't actually need to beat him - but rather, I just needed to survive for a few hours.

I really wanted to kill my dad that day. But, I also wanted to thank him.

With Heleina, my position as the one of the greatest Swordsmasters - equal only to the Sword Maiden was solidified. Though, that was only in name - and only if Seria-san didn't use her innate ability.

Still, I was considered as someone standing at the epitome of the world. I didn't get the strength needed to attain that title, for free though.

And now, with my new abilities, I was the without a doubt, the fastest swordsman in the the world.

That is why, I'm so irritated.

Why? Why do people still try to stand in my way? Why do they always try to make things harder?

My sister - a poor, delusional fool she was - bless her soul - is among that list.

The Hero Alex - he's also included.

And now, this little girl with bluish-green hair.

Why? Why do you make things harder for yourself?

"It would've been so much easier, if you just gave up and let yourself be eaten!" I yelled and propelled myself towards her.

I then raised my sword for an overhead swing. This meant that the lava would be able to get closer now, but that didn't matter. I was going to end this very soon.

Then, I swung. Heavily.

*clang* *splash* *splash*

"Iya!" She tried to block my strike, but there was so much force in my swing, that she was pushed down into the magma.

The already half-naked girl, was now fully naked with all of her clothing having burned away.

"You really should've just given up."

"Never! Not until, senpai agrees to teach me how to use a sword!"

What the hell is this kid saying? This wasn't the time to be talking like an idiot.

It was almost as if, she doesn't actually understand how grave a situation she is in, right now.

In fact, she's even sporting a bright smile - like she was in an amusement park or something.

Wait...

Does she really have no idea, what's happening? At all?

No. Doesn't matter.

I swung in a sweeping motion.

And yet again, she managed regain her footing and blocked it. But this time, she was thrown several feet to the my left.

"Iyaah!" She yelped as she flew. Then *splash*, she landed.

While giving her a sideways glance, I swung several times to keep the lava away - producing yet another light-show, before walking towards them.

"You were able to block my strikes, twice. How?" I asked.

Blocking my strikes should be impossible. Really, really impossible.

Especially for a kid.

Hence, why I was so curious to the answer.

Then, while pushing herself back up and letting the magma trail off of her - she sneered at me.

She sneered at me!

"Heh... isn't that because senpai is so slow?"

Tch!

"Fine! I was thinking of sparing you, but not anymore!"

"Liar!"

[You never thought that! Volcanion!] (Large explosive flame)

Tch!

Using the interval between the invocation and the spell formation - I jumped high into the sky. This might've seemed like a stupid action because I would no longer have any way to dodge mid-air, but there was a good reason.

It was the difference in weaponry. Heleina is a greatsword - with quadruple the great. Whereas, my weapon is a scimitar - it's barely an twentieth of the mass.

This meant, that even with my speed - my attacks would never break through. Yet of course, even with jumping, the striking force would still be too weak. So - "Howl; Shipsinker." I spoke the name of this sword and activated the only enchantment it was imbued with.

Gigantification.

In a split second, using the mana charge it held inside - the blade of the scimitar; known as Shipsinker - despite never having once sunken a ship - expanded like a balloon. The sword's weight rose exponentially and quickly made the huge blade of Heleina look cute.

"Eh?"

[Endure! Endure it with everything you have, child! Blazing Wings! Magma Rampart Defans!]

With almost the same speed as Shipsinker's [Gigantification], Heleina's [Magma Rampart Defans] appeared. The density and thickness of it was worlds apart from anything I could've pulled out when I had her.

Not only that, but I can sense an even greater amount of mana condensing behind that shield. A performance-enhancing spell, perhaps? No, they must've already invoked one or two, before the fight. She's stacking them, now.

But, so what?

"Sink." I frozenly proclaimed - swinging the scimitar downwards.

*boooom* our clash sunded more like that of two planets rather than swords - it was the farthest from anything like the regality and style that I was taught while growing up - but, I achieved my desired effect.

*pomf* *bonf* *pomp* The little girl tumbled away, hitting the ground several times, before landing in the middle of a clearing. Heleina was also tumbling in a similar way, *clang* *clang*, she went - getting farther and farther away from the little girl.

The two were now seperated. It would have took me ages to knock them out, if I just continued striking at them normally,

Most of the surrounding lava was blasted away by that earlier clash, but it was still a considerable threat for me, who held zero fire resistence.

So, rather than the girl, I first went for Heleina. I wouldn't want her to shoot some unrestrained Volcano magic at me, with my weapon in this state.

Well, thanks for everything; Shipsinker. I gave the scimitar with a snapped blade, a word of gratitude, before throwing it away to a slightly deep lava pool - several meters away.

To think that Shipsinker would be the one to snap in half - I guess, Heleina really is something special.

Without anything to stop me, I once again held Helenia's ornate handle. This feeling never gets old.

"Heh." With a sneer, not unlike the one that girl gave me - I gazed at Heleina. Like before, around ten months ago, she tried to overtake me - forcing her mana into my body, into my mind and into my heart - even to my very soul. But it almost feels as if, she isn't even trying. So, like that time before, I pushed my own mana into her.

I may no longer be able to use the mana I have for anything sunstantial, but I can still manipulate it to a certain degree.

This time though, the pace at which my 'counter-overtaking', or 'predator' as I like to call it, was progressing at nowhere near as fast.

"So, you 'can' do it."

[Why... why are you doing this?] She asked. This time, her voice really did contain geniuine desperation. Unlike that earlier farce, she did.

But, should I answer?

Yes, I should. My instinct isn't telling me anything particular about it, so I guess I'm up to my own devices at this point.

"That's because..." Wait. Why did I come here? Wasn't there a reason?

I think there was reason.

But what!?

Was it just because, I could?

No, that couldn't be.

"It's because..." Ah! I remember now! "It's because, I still want to be with - break - you. Basically, I wa- nted -s just really lone- to ravish -ly without you."

[... ... charles...?]

"The reason we came all the way out here was for me to be cured - devour you. But, I don't actually blame - want to tear apart everything I see - you at all, you know? So you didn't have to go through all the trouble. But, it made me h- ungry -appy, nonetheless. So, wait, where was I going with this? Oh, right!"

[...]

"I love - want to eat - you - alive - Heleina! Really, really, I do!"

I smiled. I think that was about it. That was all my innermost really embarrassing feelings showcased.

[You... you do... hear yourself, right?]

"Of course- curse you -, I do- n't." I answered with full confidence. I mean, how would I not be able to hear myself, when I myself, am the one, speaking?

[You do notice it! I know! Fight it, Charles! You're not the one in control right now, take it back!]

"What are - curse - you talking about? Is that the new trend on rejecting someone? I have to say though, that it requires a lot context to be built up first."

[Break free! You're much stronger than whatever that 'thing' controlling you, is! You must break free! I can't help you, anymore! I've failed! You must help yourself, now!]

Now, I really don't get what you're talking about. If you're going to turn me down - you can just turn me down, like a normal person would. There's no need to be so 'in character'.

"By the way, where are we? I don't remember us coming here. Are we almost there, to that girl, you mentioned before?"

[CHARLES! SNAP OUT OF IT!]

"Snap out of what?"

curse you.

Eh? What?

curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... how dare you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... how dare you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... curse... you... how dare you... curse...you...

Ahh... so that's it.

I'm too far gone, already.

It's wierd that I didn't notice this before.

Or maybe I did, but subconciously ignored it.

I can't let myself loose onto the world.

I have to get rid of myself, here and now - while the damage is still containable.

Hopefully, the Heroes managed to take back 'Durandal'.

"Heleina."

[Charles!] Wow. Just because I called your name, you don't need to sound so delighted. It's not as if I've managed to break free or anything.

"Thanks for everything. It's not like, I had a terrible life - rather it was a pretty good one. But, these past few months, with you, were truly great. I guess that's kind of wierd. I mean, for a human to fall in love with a sword, but thank you for being there for me." I lined Heleina's blade to my temple, as I spoke. It's been quite some time, since I last held her, but it seems even with just one hand, I can still manuever her perfectly.

I'm glad.

Wouldn't want to miss, now.

[CHARLES! NO!]

"If you still want it, you can have my body, after this."

[NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!]

"Goodbye, Heleina."

[STOP! STOP! STOP IT! STOOOOOOOOOOOOP!!!!]

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