Aria is doing her best to try to defeat Nix, but no matter her attacks, she only receives a smile from her opponent, as if this wasn't even a real fight for her. Nix lets out a small sigh and jumps backward, dodging.
"I'm sorry, but is that really your limit? Well, it's understandable—you never had the time to learn anything beyond the basics… you're only a first-year student, so I suppose it's not bad! Still, let me tell you something: if you want to defeat me, you'll have to do much better than that, and I mean it. Right now, this is just a game to me, haha."
Meanwhile, Grégor places John a little further away before rejoining Aria. The two exchange a brief look before continuing the fight, and despite Nix's words, Aria decides to keep fighting—or rather, to support Grégor using her dark star magic.
When Nix blocks Grégor's attack, she is also forced to shift into a defensive stance to block Aria's attacks. However, as she observes, she realizes the power behind them is not great, so she doesn't pay much attention to them. This frustrates Aria. In truth, it's normal—Aria herself doesn't even understand how her power works. She simply took inspiration from Lux and her technique, but she never trained anything beyond that, which is what is holding her back now.
"Despair or disappointment? Choose."
Once again, that voice coming from her blades… it's hard to ignore when it keeps demanding a choice nonstop. Grégor, meanwhile, continues chaining his attacks, but Nix is far too strong.
"Phantom Fist!"
Grégor strikes and sends a burst of air that passes through Nix without dealing any damage. This makes Nix laugh loudly.
"Was that supposed to do something? Haha."
Grégor simply replies "no," and the next second, Nix is hit directly in the face by a punch that sends her flying into a tree.
The flying fist ability has several uses: the classic flying fist, which allows him to move from point A to point B in a matter of seconds, and the phantom fist, which allows him to send a punch in the form of an air sphere that takes on a spectral shape when Grégor activates it, striking his opponent.
As a surprise attack, it is very effective, so he put all his strength into it. And since the phantom fist does not exist until Grégor uses it, it is very difficult to sense the attack coming. He is not among the country's top heroes, but he does his best not to die too easily.
Nix slowly gets back up and rubs her cheek. It hurts, and blood is running from her nose. She does not enjoy this feeling.
"Good… I see you have potential. It's a shame you only managed to reach this level… It's our emotions, our natural talent at birth, and our life experiences that shape our magic. And you likely come from a family with no real potential, no history, and a quiet, peaceful life. Many would envy that, and in your place, many would be weak and die too easily. But you chose to fight. That's truly respectable, and because of that, I will show you respect as well and offer you one of my special attacks."
Nix raises her hand and transforms into a beautiful elderly woman, resembling a witch who could charm even the most resistant heroes. A staff appears in her hand, and she begins speaking extremely fast. Aria cannot understand a word, but Grégor reacts instantly and rushes toward Aria to push her out of the way.
"Spell Superposition!"
That is the only thing he manages to say before, in the next instant, a blade of light cuts through his left arm, the same arm that saved Aria. Lightning mixed with flames strikes Grégor's torso, sending him crashing into a tree far away, unable to move.
Aria no longer understands anything and trembles at the sight of the severed arm on the ground. Nix seems amused.
"Incredible… how can you use so many spells when you're not even a mage… You were fighting hand-to-hand before, at the level of a great hero… and now you're casting high-level spells?! It makes no sense!"
Aria looks at Nix but still cannot understand how this is possible. From birth, everyone has a unique power. Yes, it can evolve, but you cannot have two abilities… unless through a weapon. So maybe it's the staff? She doesn't know, but Nix does not wait for her to figure it out.
"This is one of the reasons you're not ready, and neither is Grégor… the world is vast, and abilities are unpredictable… but enough fun. I'm going to devour you now… I can already tell your body will taste delicious~"
Aria slowly steps back, trembling.
"Choose… cowardice or fear."
That voice again… it only makes things worse. What does she feel? If she had to choose, it would be:
"I'm scared… obviously!"
Nix smiles upon hearing this and immediately charges forward, ready to devour Aria. But at that exact moment, the chains binding Aria's blades shatter in a white light.
In her hands appear two blunderbusses with a green design, green smoke pouring out of them.
"Fear is a weakness like a weapon… its name is Exoterro."
Aria hears the voice again, but she barely has time to react, just like Nix, who stops for a split second after seeing the light. Still terrified, Aria fires without hesitation, releasing an even thicker green smoke that forces Nix to step back.
Nix does not understand what is happening to Aria. Her weapon was supposed to be a pair of dual blades, yet now it has become a firearm. This means it is a unique weapon, indivisible and one that disappears upon the death of its wielder.
As she thinks, Nix begins seeing hallucinations of her family dying one after another.
"…I almost got tricked… ah, calm down, it must be her strange weapon causing hallucinations."
She wipes sweat from her face, but as she does, pieces of skin fall off… her own skin. She looks at her hand, which seems to be turning to dust—or rather, is turning to dust. Could it be an illusion? she wonders.
Fragile—that is what she hates most about the human body. Even though she realizes it is an illusion, she still steps back, covered in goosebumps. Shivering, sweating, struggling to breathe, she can do nothing. Her hand becomes skeletal, and then the rest of her body begins to melt…
What if it wasn't an illusion? What if it was a deadly corrosive poison? Did she make a mistake? She is going to die… that is all she can think, as hands seem to climb over her and drag her toward the depths of hell.
"You brought nothing to this table."
Like a sudden awakening, a memory from her youth triggers her instincts, and she bites her arm until it bleeds. Everything returns to normal. Her eyes are filled with hatred toward herself—and especially toward her opponent, who managed to bring back such horrific memories.
She looks around, then sees Aria completely exhausted on the ground. Her two weapons have returned to chained blades.
"I was hoping… it would at least be poison."
Nix looks at her bleeding arm, then takes a younger form, the same age as Aria. She crouches in front of her.
"I would have preferred poison too, but this is unpleasant… and you really are sad… your weapon depends entirely on emotional conditions, which is probably the most unpredictable thing in the world… weak magic, weak technique, inability to use your weapon properly, and an unstable mindset… you're still thinking about that girl, and you're still afraid… you bring nothing to the table. A complete failure… I really struggle to devour children who resemble me, but I enjoy watching them grow into exceptional ones~ So tell me… will you bring me a magnificent meal, or…"
Slowly, as if brushing her hair aside, she inserts two fingers into her left eye and stirs… no pain, just an overwhelming discomfort that keeps her awake. Then she removes her fingers.
"Will you become a disappointment and a disgusting, sad meal? I don't know, but I'm really looking forward to it… what kind of black star you will become."
Aria cannot see it, but the white of Nix's left eye has turned black.
"White hair and pure golden eyes, and yet your own people see you as an anomaly and a disgrace. But thanks to me, at least you will have a reason for them to ignore your past flaws."
She stands up and walks toward John, killing him without hesitation, which makes Aria flinch. She is unable to stop her, and her body no longer has the strength to fight.
When Nix heads toward Grégor, Aria tries to move but falls. She cries in pain, and her left eye begins leaking a black liquid instead. She is surprised but ignores it and crawls toward Nix.
"You really don't look good like this, covered in mud… children who are not ready should rest… I'll let you live because I like you, but them? They came to kill me, so I'm returning the favor hehe… well, since I like you, I'll spare him for now, but in exchange, promise me you'll become stronger, okay? Quickly too—I prefer children hehe."
Exhausted, she pulls out a small bell and shakes it. A door shaped like a wolf devouring children appears. Calmly, Nix walks through it and disappears.
Aria is now alone.
"…Damn it… Gina… Grégor… I'm sorry…"
With no strength left, she loses consciousness.
End of chapter.