Inside an enclosed training hall, surrounded by tall, sturdy hazelnut-colored concrete walls, Elara raised her heavy, gleaming sword high, repeating basic fencing forms.
Her shiny armor creaked. The movement of the sword generated a soft whistle, accompanied by a large wave of wind that spread across the floor and the surrounding area until it faded away.
The floor beneath her feet was made of clean, shiny brown wood, as if someone had just polished it with high-quality wax. The black ceiling with thick beams was very high, where dim lights rested like primitive chandeliers.
There were six large windows spread across the three main walls, letting daylight into the interior, so there was no need for those large lights to be on.
Elara threw another powerful sword strike into the air, generating another slight gust of wind.
A man appeared through the large door. Delighted to witness such a feat of strength and discipline, he applauded genuinely with a smile on his bearded face. He walked in casually as he did so.
"Amazing, sweetheart! You are very powerful!"
She lowered her sword and looked at the man with a cool smile.
"Dad? Weren't you working? What are you doing here?"
Carefully, with his worn hands, the man removed his top hat he was wearing, revealing his shiny bald head, which reflected the light from the large windows.
The man, who was in his fifties or older, wore a dark, deep purple suit that was clearly tailor-made. The buttons on the suit were shiny gold, as were his black leather shoes.
"Does a man need a reason to spend time with his family?"
Elara shook her head. Her slight movement was in keeping with her cool and refreshing personality.
"No. Of course not. You can show up whenever you feel like it."
"Your words bring me great joy. Give this old man a hug!"
She rested the tip of her sword on the ground.
"Not now, Dad. I'm sweaty. My armor will hurt you, and you'll break like a twig."
The man, arms still open, sighed sympathetically.
"All right. All right. Another time. I just wanted to see you early before my trip."
Elara frowned.
"Trip? Again? Then you did have reason to see me."
She was noticeably dismayed, even worried, one might say. However, she was understanding.
She approached him and sat down on the ground, leaning the large silver sword beside her.
The old man imitated her, sitting down. Then he laughed sadly.
"That's right, my little one. My partners in Swan are having trouble managing some accounts. You know, complicated things involving old and foolish businessmen. I'll have to fly to New Europe tonight."
"New Europe? Don't you think that's a little dangerous? With all the disasters happening there, it's better to do those things from a distance."
The man nodded.
"Exactly. You're very smart. However, it's something I must do in person. So I'll go get my things ready to leave, and I need you to tell your mother this personally."
"Okay, but... what about Lily?"
"Your little sister will understand. Even though she's so young, she's very smart and independent—just like her amazing big sister."
"Yes, of course. Lily is sixteen, Dad. She's not a little girl anymore."
The man laughed loudly. He stood up with difficulty and looked at his daughter with a cheerful smile.
"To me, Lily and you will always be my little girls. Daddy will always be here for you. Even if I'm far away, no matter where."
He put on his hat, nodding to his daughter.
"I'll say goodbye for now, Elara."
As quickly as he had appeared walking across the wooden floor, he headed for the exit after saying goodbye to his daughter. Although the encounter was brief, Elara felt it was more than enough.
In turn, a maid waiting at the door with a pair of towels on a metal cart bowed as she opened the door. The man made the same gesture, finally leaving the establishment.
'Goodbye, Dad...'
She watched him leave with a complicated expression on her face.
When the maid closed the door, Elara sighed. Tired, she lay down on the floor. Her armor emitted a slight metallic creak alongside the metal of her sword.
Nearby, where there was a large wooden bench, just as clean and polished as the floor, the elegant and heavy silver shield rested, waiting for its mistress.
She looked at that shield carefully, thinking deeply.
'Old, foolish businessmen, huh…'
More than just her father's words, the dialogue sounded more like a direct mockery of those who line their pockets at the expense of the poor people of New Europe. No wonder, as there is a lot of crisis and inequality on the other side of the world.
'Dealing with that kind of trash must be exhausting.'
Thinking about it was stressful. She shook her head a couple of times to get rid of those heavy thoughts. Then she smiled contentedly. She understood that her father was a genius and there was nothing to worry about.
'For now, it didn't matter anymore.'
Trusting others had always been her greatest strength, and it was something no one could take away from her. It was no coincidence that her Spectrum was Trust itself.
She reached out her hand before she forgot what she was doing. She looked up at the high ceiling and concentrated.
'Let's see if anything has changed today.'
The Personal Information skill manifested, displaying the ethereal window floating above her.
[
❖ Name: Elara Luzbel.
❖ Age: 26 chronological years.
❖ Rank: Seventh Level Empath.
❖ Spectrum: Trust.
❖ Spectrum Skills:
—Self-Healing: An intricate ability to heal wounds on the body that consumes large amounts of energy—only works on the user.
—Self-Preservation: A skill that increases the natural regeneration of the body's cells. Grants immunity to diseases that attack cells, except for old age.
—Provocation: A skill that increases the fluctuation of the Spectral Aura. It is capable of attracting beings of low intelligence.
❖ Energy Control:
—Low Calem Energy Control.
—High resistance to physical damage.
—High resistance to Status Effects.
—Low manipulation of Light Photons.
—Low increase in Physical Strength.
❖ Personal Skills:
—Lucifer Fencing (Prologue)
—Shield Maneuvers (Prologue)
—Enduring Pain (Prologue)
]
'It hasn't changed.'
Somewhat disappointed, she closed her eyes. She put her hands under her head to simulate a pillow and sighed even more tiredly. Her chest, squeezed inside the plates of her armor, rose and fell in response to her ragged breathing.
'I still don't understand why it says "Prologue." What does it mean?'
At first, the Personal Information skill only displayed things the user already knew. However, what about the things we know but don't understand? What about the things your body knows naturally?
Imagine your lungs inflating and deflating with the oxygen that gives you life. You do it without thinking, right? In that case, imagine all the processes your body goes through just to breathe.
That was the point: what about the things we know we have, but can't fully understand?
It's a very curious paradox, isn't it? We don't unlock our own potential just by 'knowing.' If we don't "understand," what are we then?
That's the question that has been on Elara's mind for several years now.
"Excuse me, Miss Elara. You have visitors," interrupted the maid.
She opened her eyes, confused. She found herself face to face with the pretty maid with black hair and silver eyes. The maid was holding a dry towel and smiling warmly at her. She offered the towel to Elara.
Miss Luzbel accepted without hesitation and, taking into account what the maid had said, looked at the door and saw the easily recognizable trio waiting for her.
"Everyone..."
They were her friends—and for some reason, they were here. When she saw them, the information window vanished.