Free Web NovelChapter 55: Fighting Styles.
As Luca walked down the narrow hallway with his large, crystalline glass, which reflected the sun’s rays and revealed the Training grounds beyond, his thoughts began to replay the duel from before.
Firstly, he was beginning to understand his title– Seven Sins more.
’It’s not limited to mere physical attributes.
I’m literally seven times better than everyone in all ventures.’
Unsurprisingly, that meant even his highest affinity– Absolute was seven times stronger than those who had the same kind of affinity.
Though, his mastery limited the scope of how much he could control.
’Let’s push that aside for now and focus on the important part...’
Tisane was the first strong opponent he had fought so far... and that duel had ingrained something new in him.
’Is it because she’s at the 3rd Stage?’
He shook his head slowly.
She wasn’t the only one, and Luca was certain he could defeat the others.
The few who proved to be different would be people like Tisane... then Thalia, who gave off a similar, yet stronger, vibe.
’She’s most likely at the 4th Stage... maybe early fourth stage, but that doesn’t change the fact that I won’t win in a fight against her.’
At least he didn’t have any plans of taking the first rank.
That would be for later, after he had grown strong enough.
’I believe at my peak, I can easily defeat Tisane... but that is good in its way since naturally, ten 2nd Stages barely equate to a 3rd.’
He held his chin thoughtfully.
’If it weren’t for that fighting style...’
He hastened his pace to the first floor when he stopped at a slightly ajar door.
It was the Sick Bay Room, and from the opening, he could see the Noble boy seated with bandages wrapped around his legs hanging in the air by a stretcher.
He seemed to be in the middle of a conversation with the three others who had helped carry him here.
’Avoiding duel training I see.’
He ignored and kept up his pace until he got to the library, which was the first room on the first floor.
As he walked in, he was met by a holographic image of a cartoon character. Face, eyes and everything.
It circled Luca before spinning and flicking its round fingers.
"I am the Autonomous Artificial Librarian! Tell me what book you seek and I will send you in that direction."
You see, libraries still existed, but not in the normal sense.
Books were relics. Cherished relics and the Institution wouldn’t dare let these kids have their hands on it.
So, what they had were digital screens lined up on rows of iron shelves.
The shelves had circuits where the screens hovered from tablets with a specific material or content wished to be studied.
Every Wing had their own libraries, and what they contained ranged from techniques, fighting styles, herbal remedies, abyssal studies, ego control slides and many more.
Everything could be studied– sadly, imparting knowledge directly into your brain was found to be a cheat code of life. And it brought more disabilities than benefits to its users including dependency which shortened critical thinking and such.
So every technology related to that is either banned or destroyed.
Luca glanced at the AI thoughtfully before looking around.
"I’m just scheming for Fighting Styles."
The AI jumped and suddenly hovered in the air.
It was half of Luca’s height with neon blue skin and a television for a face which revealed its face as two dots and a long curve.
"Check Wing 13 to 15, I’m sure you’ll find excellent material!"
Luca nodded once and turned to walk down the aisles between the metallic shelves when the AI appeared next to him.
"And don’t forget..." His voice suddenly dropped to a dark, heavy timber with critical static.
"No noise in the Library."
Its screen flared red for a moment before brightening back to its neon shade and disappearing.
Luca stood still for a moment. Flabbergasted.
’Those things have their own personalities, I tell you!’
It had always been a cause of concern and his major reason for avoiding the use of Artificial Intelligence.
’They’re gonna take over the world someday.’
He shrugged it off and continued in his search.
A while passed and he finally found the Wing.
It had been labelled with numbers which hung from the ceiling.
He approached it carefully when he stopped by a table and chair. He turned to the table and blinked slowly.
Then he tilted his head as his brows knitted.
Was he seeing things clearly?
A girl lay sprawled, shamelessly on the table.
Her legs crossed and a tablet in hand as she giggled at whatever content she consumed.
She was in the same Uniform with a short, pleated skirt and black stockings that reached her inner thighs.
Luca got closer and inspected.
She had dark hair and blue eyes.
’For a moment...’
A heavy sensation grew without him even realising it.
He was about to walk away when the girl caught his figure.
"Oh, a Cadet!"
Luca jumped.
He turned around profusely then back at the girl before saying in a hushed whisper.
"Are you crazy?! Why did you scream just now?!"
The girl giggled as she scratched the back of her head while sitting up.
"Sorry, sorry, just got a bit excited."
She grinned from ear to ear.
Luca exhaled, when his gaze traced down the girl– towards what he supposed shouldn’t be meant to be seen.
He looked back up at her and pointed.
"Um, I believe you need to sit properly."
The girl tilted her head in confusion before looking down.
Her eyes widened as she adjusted her form and a light blush tinted her face.
"So– Sorry."
Luca nodded and scanned the shelves next to the tables.
It was the designated Wing and each had their own assigned tables and chairs.
As he schemed through their names one by one, the girl watched silently.
Luca noticed, but chose to ignore it.
He had better things to do.
’Okay, let’s take a look at this...
Knight Fury Fighting Style, what? What’s with that name? Great Panda Heavy Fighting Style... nah, that must be a mistake.’
He blew a whistle.
’Rush Wind Sword Fighting Styles. The Titanium Armour Fighting Style. Rubber Wing Fighting Style. Curved Blade Fighting Style.
Sonic Capsule Fighti– The fuck?!’
His expression contorted into absolute disgust.
And from his side, the girl giggled.
He looked at her.
"Do you find this funny?"
The girl only laughed some more.
"You’re Lucamir Elaric, right?"
Luca frowned.
"Oh, don’t worry, I’m not really looking for trouble or anything.
I have a 7% Ego Synchrony, so you’re good."
Luca’s gaze softened.
"Oh."
"Yeah..." She pursed her lips and looked to the side before sucking in a sharp breath.
"You know, there’s a reason why nobody rushed here despite them hearing the word Fighting Styles"
Luca looked around in confusion.
’She’s right. How did I not notice that?’
"The Federation doesn’t really give us good stuff for free. I believe the best Fighting Styles are the ones they give as rewards... especially the first three Ranks."
That got Luca’s attention. freёwebnoѵel.com
"Are you saying there’s no single good style in this entire place?"
The girl lifted the tab.
"I’m reading one of the said fighting styles and let me tell you, it has been a good comedic relief for me."
She giggled once more.
"It’s almost absurd that people used to use these back at the start of the Year of the Umbra."
Luca didn’t like the sound of that.
He trudged to a seat and took it.
’I was planning on finding a Fighting Style at the other Wings for my other Archetypes... but this complicates things... Are there other ways of obtaining them?’
The girl watched him quietly before a small smile formed on her face.
"Hey, I’m Amirah Va Ardenthal."
Luca turned to her. ’Va Ardenthal?’
"You just thought ’Ardenthal’ just now didn’t you?" She giggled. "I’m a half-breed."
"Oh."
Powerful families like the Ardenthals were known for their bloodlines.
It was because of this bloodline that their kids were guaranteed to be as strong as their parents no matter whom they married.
But oftentimes, there were those whose bloodline clashed.
It was rare... and difficult. But it happened.
’She’s basically an Ardenthal with a commoner status.’
He nearly pitted the girl, but he didn’t know her enough to actually show anything.
"I know a way you can obtain Fighting Styles." She smirked. "The ones that rival even Tisane Valestryn."
"Bold talk for a half-breed."
"Ouch." She giggled.
’Tough skin.’ Luca smiled. "I’m sorry for that, but what do you stand to gain... and also, why are you here? I don’t think I saw you at the duel."
"Well... that comes down to what I wish to gain."
She dropped her tab and folded her arms.
"I heard this from a friend in the Main Ardenthal House, but there’s a Beam that was discovered a few months ago."
’Huh, aren’t there Eldorion Beams appearing everywhere, though?’
She smirked when she saw his expression.
"A Special Tier Beam."
Luca’s eyes nearly bulged out of his scalp.
"Repeat that."
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