The Crown Prince Who Raises Alt Characters

#Chapter 113: Magic Sword Forte (15) - The Fall In a hero's biography, there is always something symbolic that represents that hero. An indestructible, flawless legendary sword. A magical ring that protects its user. A special blessing that turns water into healing medicine. A mighty constitution that can overpower dozens of grown men with pure strength. In the same vein, what symbolized Hero Fernando Valestia was none other than his technique. The hero's ultimate technique that annihilated enemies with special aura blooming like flower petals scattered in the wind. Back when she was younger and knew nothing of the ways of the world...Fina loved the hero's 'Flower Petal Storm' very much. The story of a hero who helped people while beautifully scattering thousands and thousands of flower petals was enough to stir a young girl's innocent heart. The adults of the family found it endearing, as if she were admirable, when the girl would puff out her chest and smile, saying she would become like that someday. However, as always, the world is not quite so romantic. No matter how hard Fina swung her sword and repeated her efforts, she could not create a Flower Petal Storm like the ones in legends. She simply thought it was because her abilities were lacking, and so she trained even harder. She endured the desire to play, endured the desire to rest, and endured both the desire to eat and the desire to dress up. By doing so, she built up her skills faster than others. And that effort came to an end one day because of a single word from her father. -Daughter. The technique called Flower Petal Storm is nothing more than an illusion. So don't fret about not being able to implement it. If Fina's family had been the type to think 'it's a good thing she's making voluntary efforts whether it ruins her life or not,' the story would have been different. However, her family were proper people. That's why they told Fina the truth. Among the secret sword techniques passed down in the Valestia family, it's not that there is no technique considered to be the original of the 'legendary Flower Petal Storm.' However, that technique was extremely wasteful of mana while its power was pathetically weak, making it almost completely impractical. Among the hero's techniques, there were many that were far more practical and excellent, and the widely known Flower Petal Storm was nothing more than a fantasy born from the exaggeration and distortion of bards. Fina just listened blankly to her father's explanation. Seeing her father's eyes filled with worry that his daughter might be too shocked, the young girl stopped denying or throwing tantrums, saying that couldn't be true. Fina obediently nodded her head and continued her ordinary daily life afterward. That's right. It was literally an 'ordinary' daily life. Fina no longer desperately tried to recreate the legend. She no longer gripped her sword until the skin on her palms peeled off like before, nor did she save time by reducing her sleep. She made efforts only to the extent that others wouldn't click their tongues, slacked off when no one was watching, and harbored only enough goodwill to not be burdensome instead of noble dedication. Flower Petal Storm was an illusion. The technique she had considered the hero's symbol was nothing more than a fake created in people's imagination and storytelling. If so, was there any guarantee that other heroic legends would be different? It wasn't a story grand enough to speak of despair or betrayal. It was just a child who knew nothing of the world learning reality and becoming a little more mature. That should have been the case. 《Flower Petal Storm? Ho. That's a good technique. A wonderful mental image.》 One day, the Magic Sword that was synchronizing with Fina uttered such words. Fina responded with "Is that so?" and accepted the praise with an ambiguous smile. She didn't explain to Forte about her past involving Flower Petal Storm. In the first place, this technique became known to Forte simply because it was mentioned that such a technique existed during their synchronization process, and Fina hadn't added any commentary to it. But that smile seemed to be received by Forte as distrust. 《It seems you don't believe my words.》 "N-no. How could that be?" 《It seems you don't believe my words.》 "I said I believe you." 《It seems you don't believe my words.》 "......" The Magic Sword was persistent. Especially after Fina's criticism prevented him from using phrases like 'Fufu, do you need power?', he became even more so. Therefore, Fina also very slightly refuted his words. "W-well, you see. First of all, aura consumes an enormous amount of mana, right? Even more so when it leaves the body or when its form is complex." Aura, Sword Aura and Sword Force. What swordsmen commonly call Sword Force is, to put it simply, 'the realm of materializing mana.' Beyond enhancing the body with mana, beyond strengthening the sword with mana, it is the power to exert physical force using only mana itself. And this materialized mana has no limit to its output. While physical enhancement is bound by the limits of the body itself, and sword aura is bound by the limits of the sword, aura, which is itself a mass of power, has its performance rise endlessly the more mana is poured into it and the more it is compressed. This was also why a 5th rank swordsman wielding aura could easily cut through the swords and armor of swordsmen who hadn't reached that realm. Therefore, a swordsman who has truly mastered aura theoretically has no need to carry weapons or armor. Creating mana in the shape of a sword and wielding it would be a peerless legendary sword, and wearing it like clothing around the body would be the ultimate armor. However, in reality, even swordsmen who handle aura always seek famous swords and wear good armor. And when manifesting aura, they don't create a completely new sword in the air, but simply overlay it on an existing sword, or use it mixed with sword aura. Because that's more efficient. "I heard that just creating a sword that can be held and swung would leave most knights in a state of mana depletion. Moreover, creating countless flower petals to sweep the battlefield would be impossible, and even if our ancestor had enough mana to make that possible, using that same mana for other techniques would be much more efficient." The words of the adults who had convinced Fina long ago. Following those words, Fina explained to Forte. Therefore, Flower Petal Storm was either fake, exaggerated, or nothing more than a waste that only the chosen could use. To this, Forte replied. 《Then let me show you. Whether the hero's legend is an illusion or not, I'll let you experience it directly.》 And now, with time having passed to this moment. Fina unconsciously lost herself in the scene unfolding before her eyes. Flower petals scattered. Flower petals scattered again. Flower petals the color of her hair scattered. Every time those scattered flower petals touched the walls or floor, the entire surrounding area was cut away. Perhaps feeling threatened by that beautiful yet deadly scene, the demon's shadow distorted its form as if trying not to touch the flower petals. And as if predicting this, will was transmitted from the Magic Sword held in Fina's hand. Following the path guided by the Magic Sword, Fina moved her body. Moving her toes, straightening her waist, twisting her shoulders, swinging her arms, and creating with her wrists. With each of those subtle movements, the dark aura swayed. Like flower petals scattered by a gentle breeze, the aura's Flower Petal Storm traced new trajectories and flew toward the fleeing shadow. ──────! ! ! ! Each time a single flower petal touched it, the shadow let out a soundless scream. The shadow tried somehow to discern the trajectory of the flower petals and evade them, but the more it did so, the more violently the flower petals scattered and filled the room. A demon powerful enough to trample and toy with the majority of humans living on this continent was being unilaterally overwhelmed without being able to put up proper resistance. 《Contractor. As you said, 'aura' is a technique with poor fuel efficiency. Scattering flower petals with aura - if one tried to implement this as a 'technique,' it would surely create something filled with waste and inefficiency.》 《But in this world, there exists something that, precisely because it is inefficient, overwhelms efficiency itself. The human heart is just like that.》 《7th Rank is the realm of transcendence where one overwrites the world with their own will. And 6th Rank is the process of fumblingly expressing one's mental image to the world until reaching that transcendence.》 《'Flower Petal Storm' must surely have been what your ancestor held in his heart - his will and his life. Without understanding this and merely pursuing efficiency, one would never reach the true meaning of that technique.》 《Of course, this applies to me as well. What I'm doing now is not so much a proper mental image as it is merely mimicking using the will the hero left in his swordsmanship as a shell. The original was probably more profound.》 《But even if it's just mimicry, isn't it a magnificent sight?》 Fina unconsciously agreed. Separate from her body moving according to repeatedly ingrained techniques, her heart was trembling with such deep emotion that she almost forgot she was in the middle of battle. '...It really was possible after all.' This was a scene that none other than Fina herself had unfolded. There should be no room for doubt anymore, yet Fina felt no sense of reality in this current situation. No, to be honest, it had been like this ever since she met Forte. Both the fact that demons were plotting to use the blood flowing in her body and that a powerful Magic Sword like Forte was lending her strength were all stories that felt unreal. That's why she had continuously approached the situation playfully, humorously, and with a not-so-serious attitude. She hadn't particularly asked about Forte's identity, which she should naturally have questioned, and had simply accepted his goals without much thought. Because that was the comfortable and easy path. Because that's how she had lived ever since giving up her dream. But now. No, from now on. Swooooosh. As if cutting off Fina's continuing thoughts, the black Flower Petal Storm disappeared without a trace. What remained was a room filled with countless sword marks as if thousands upon thousands of soldiers had struck down with their swords, and the only thing without a single scratch - the Sage's statue. What could not remain was the demon once called 'Sidor.' Compared to his might and abilities, it was an absurdly hollow end. Of course, there was a price to pay. "Mmm." Fina's body staggered. No matter how much assistance Forte provided, the one who ultimately unleashed the Flower Petal Storm was Fina herself. Her body, which had been in perfect condition until just before climbing to the 100th floor, was now exhausted, and her mana was depleted to a precarious level. It was the aftereffect of thoroughly cornering and finishing him off to not give even the slightest chance to Sidor, who was skilled in escape and stealth. At this rate, even going back down to the 1st floor would be arduous, but there were sufficient countermeasures for that as well. That's why she had bound the demon Divana with a contract to make her an ally instead of defeating her, to use in times like this. "S-Sir Magic Sword. My limbs are trembling, is it okay to rest a little?" 《Yes. Kailron and Divana should be waiting on the lower floors, so if you call out loudly they'll come find you. You can eat some portable food and recover some strength before going down.》 "What should we do about the seal?" 《We'll have to deal with it later. Whether we formally entrust it to the faculty, destroy it, or seal it in a new location the demons don't know about.》 As always, Forte readily provided answers to Fina's questions. While feeling some inexplicable warmth and comfort from that reassurance, Fina thought. 'I think I've been too indifferent and insincere all this time.' 'Let's find out a little more about Forte.' 'And instead of just being dragged along by what Forte tells me to do, let me take the initiative and try to synchronize with him.' It might be difficult, there might be a lot to do, but that would be enjoyable too. Just as Fina was thinking this and about to express her gratitude to Forte. 【Great achievement confirmed.】 【Confirmed the subjugation of demon 'Divana.'】 【Confirmed the defeat of demon 'Sidor.'】 Fina, who had been listening to those sounds blankly, suddenly realized something and felt a chill. Why. How come. The System knows about the existence of demons? Sidor revealing his true form is one thing, but Divana has never manifested a body in reality, has she? 【Confirmed that 'Fina Valestia' has passed the Hidden Quest.】 【Formally recognizing 'Fina Valestia' as the 'Next Hero.'】 【Assigning official quest 'Hero's Path - First' to the hero candidate.】 【Quest: Hero's Path - First】 【Clear condition: Complete 50% or more of the subjugation work on 'temporary storage units'】【Current progress: 0%】 【Time limit: Unlimited】 【Reward: Unlock next quest】 【Special note 1: Temporary storage units prepared for the true hero are active throughout the academy. Subjugate them and recover the 'resources' they have accumulated.】 【Special note 2: For smooth resource recovery, all temporary storage units will enter sleep mode until the quest is completed.】 【Special note 3: Please be at ease. O Hero. Our adventure will surely succeed this time.】