Chapter 193: The Battle Continues, Ais's Will!
Watching the two fight more and more fiercely, Tsubaki's head filled with question marks.
Weren't the Loki Familia and Freya Familia on good terms now? Why did these two look like they were getting angry as they fought? Ais especially looked almost ready to risk her life.
In the distance, Ethan held the firm upper hand in his battle with Ais.
They were both Lv.5, but their foundations were completely different. Falna was only one part of Ethan's strength, but for Ais, Falna was the source of all her power.
And this was while Ethan was not using his other abilities. Otherwise, Ais would have lost long ago.
Bang!
Suddenly, Ethan caught one of Ais's openings and sent her flying with a single strike.
The force made Ais crash straight into the rock wall, and cracks spread across the huge surface. It was clear how powerful Ethan's blow had been.
"Cough, cough…"
Ais coughed dryly, then slowly raised her head. Her eyes were filled with unwillingness and a deep hunger for strength.
For many years, Ais had always been like this. Even when she was only a child, she had been sharp like an unsheathed blade.
Even now, though she had become much more restrained, the desire for strength deep in her bones had never changed.
Looking at Ais, Ethan was not unfamiliar with that gaze.
Once upon a time, he had also had eyes like that. A desire for strength. An obsession with becoming stronger.
The difference was that he had a cheat, while Ais did not.
If they had been placed under the same conditions, Ethan felt Ais would probably crush him until nothing was left.
"Tempest."
Once again, Ais used her magic, and green wind wrapped around her body.
"Again."
Clang!
Ethan also felt his blood stir. Ever since obtaining [Eternal Arms Mastery], the depths of his heart had longed for a chance to fight freely. He simply had never had the right opportunity.
Bang!
Clang!
Boom!
Their battle continued, and the force behind each exchange became even more exaggerated.
If Ethan had held back before, now he had completely let go. Wounds began appearing across Ais's body one after another.
Going easy on a pretty girl? That did not exist. This was a battle, and your enemy would not show mercy just because you were a woman.
Smack!
With another blow, Ethan knocked Ais to the ground. By now, Ais was already breathing lightly. In a high-intensity battle, the weaker side naturally had to pay a greater price.
"Ais, I know you're obsessed with becoming stronger. But why do you want strength? That is very important. Is becoming stronger your goal, or is it only the means to reach your goal?"
"Why I want strength?"
Ais's voice lowered slightly, and memories began surfacing in her mind.
Once, long ago, she had a happy family. A gentle mother and a warm father.
But in the end, everything was shattered. The one who caused it was a monster, the strongest monster.
To defeat it, Ais trained day and night to become stronger. Her goal was to one day grow strong enough to defeat that monster with her own hands and avenge her parents.
"Never forget why you want to become stronger. Then walk forward with conviction, and never waver."
"I will never waver."
As she spoke, Ais stood up. Her firm spirit was already fully displayed.
Indeed, Ais had done exactly that. Since childhood, she had never slacked off, never forgotten, and had always kept working hard. Because of that, Ethan's words did not have much effect on her.
As she stared at Ethan, his figure suddenly seemed to overlap with another figure in her memories.
However, that daze lasted only an instant. In the next second, everything returned to normal.
"Do you still want to continue?"
"Of course."
Without the slightest hesitation, Ais raised [Desperate] in her hand.
The wind blew, and wrapped in that breeze, Ais rushed toward Ethan. [Desperate] was also covered with the power of wind.
Clang!
Once again, their swords collided.
Crack.
However, this time, a fine crack appeared on the black sword in Ethan's hand.
As a second-class armament, the black sword was naturally strong, but it still depended on the situation. It had been clashing with Ais's sword again and again in a high-intensity battle.
And Ais's sword was a first-class armament with the "indestructible" property.
In those repeated collisions, the black sword was naturally being worn down.
Not to mention, this sword had already followed Ethan through many battles. It did not have the "indestructible" property. It was only an ordinary sword.
"Hm?"
Ethan quickly retreated, then looked at the black sword in his hand.
This was the weapon Freya had specially chosen for him back then. Was it finally reaching its end?
"You've worked hard. Rest well from here on."
Buzz.
The gate of Gate of Babylon opened, and Ethan sent the black sword inside. No matter what, it was a weapon that had stayed with him for a long time. He would not throw it away casually, and would instead preserve it properly.
Swish.
Immediately after, a Noble Phantasm glowing with golden light emerged.
Although it was only a D+ Rank Noble Phantasm, it should be enough for one battle. Even if it broke, Ethan could just take out another one.
"Sorry."
Ais also noticed the black sword's condition. She had experienced this kind of thing many times.
After all, her Skill caused heavy wear on weapons. Even [Desperate], which had the "indestructible" property, would still suffer a fair amount of wear, let alone other weapons.
Before obtaining [Desperate], Ais had also been a frequent customer when it came to changing weapons.
"It has nothing to do with you. Even without today's battle, this sword wouldn't have lasted much longer. Continue."
"Yes."
Step.
With a leap, Ais thrust toward Ethan.
Clang!
Ethan had expected it and raised his hand to block the strike. Although it was only a D+ Rank Noble Phantasm, it could still withstand Ais's [Desperate].
The battle continued. This time, Ais's attacks became even sharper, and their destructive power grew greater.
Ethan kept watching Ais closely. If his plan succeeded, he would finally be free.
…
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