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The second night of the Holy Grail War ended with Lancer's exit from the stage.
After leaving the harbor, Alex and the others returned to their hotel.
In the group chat:
Yotsuya Miko: "Alex, did you use Beiming Divine Art to absorb Lancer's mana?"
Misaka Mikoto: "Totally! That guy's strength must've skyrocketed!"
Yotsuya Miko: "Ugh, I'm so jealous. When's it gonna be my turn?"
Hestia: "Don't worry, you'll get your turn after the Holy Grail War ends."
Erza: "@Luo Hao — Master Luo, does this kind of martial art have side effects? Won't Alex get hurt from absorbing so much energy?"
Luo Hao: "Relax, there's no danger."
Alex "Yeah, no need to worry. I know my own condition."
Erza: "That's good then."
Back in the hotel, Hestia couldn't wait any longer. She made Alex take off his shirt to update his Falna—the divine blessing.
Under the gazes of all the women, Alex obediently stripped down.
Hestia pricked her finger, letting a drop of divine blood fall onto his back.
The torch-shaped emblem flared to life!
Morgan watched the process for the first time, eyes wide with fascination. Like Merlin the first time he saw it, her gaze locked onto the sacred text glowing beneath the torch symbol.
Light bloomed in Hestia's hands as she wrote out the new attributes.
A few minutes later, the update was complete.
[Name]: Alex
[Level]: LV1
[Stats]:Strength: D555 → C606Endurance: D599 → C600Dexterity: D520 → C601Agility: D546 → C612Magic: A888 → SSS1479
[Development Abilities]: —
[Magic]: "", "", ""
[Skills]: —
The first four stats had all reached C rank.But the magic stat—SSS. That was just absurd.
Hestia gasped. "A-Che! You broke the limit!"
Alex grinned when he saw the numbers.
That Beiming Divine Art really was terrifying. From now on, he'd never have to worry about running out of mana again.
Roxy congratulated him. "With that kind of mana, Alex, you should be able to use advanced spells now."
He nodded. He was itching to try—but decided to wait until tomorrow. Doing that kind of thing in a hotel probably wasn't a great idea.
The next morning, Alex got up early as usual. After washing up, he went for a jog, then began training by the beach—horse stance practice to start the day.
Not far away, Luo Hao stood in a small grove. She brought her fingers together like blades, slicing through a tree with ease.
Her movements were elegant and precise—each motion carving the trunk until it became two wooden swords and two wooden spears.
When Alex finished his stance training, Luo Hao tossed him one of each.
He caught them instantly, understanding her intention.
Weapon training, then.
Luo Hao asked, "Last night you used Heavenly Mountain Plum Blossom Hand to imitate Saber's sword style and Lancer's spear technique. Do you like those weapons?"
Alex scratched his head. "Not really sure I have a favorite. If I had to pick… probably blades, swords, and spears. All of them, honestly."
When he was a kid watching The Legend of Sword and Fairy, he thought he loved swords.Then he got into anime and started liking katanas.And every time he watched historical dramas, those generals wielding long spears looked so damn cool.
So yeah—adulthood means no "one true love."
Luo Hao continued, "Have you ever thought about what kind of martial path you want to take?"
Alex thought of Lancelot. "Probably… all of them. I want to master every weapon."
Luo Hao's eyes gleamed. "The Perfect Martial Path, huh? That's not an easy road. Are you sure?"
"Yeah," Alex said firmly, eyes unwavering.
Luo Hao smiled. She'd walked that same path herself.
"Then let's begin with the sword. I'll teach you the Perfect Martial Path."
She raised a wooden sword with one hand and began demonstrating.
Alex followed closely, absorbing every move with full focus.
Luo Hao's skill was unbelievable.After sparring a few rounds, Alex could already feel his swordsmanship improving by leaps and bounds.
When she finished teaching the sword, she switched seamlessly to spear techniques, confident that Alex could keep up.
But just as Alex was fully immersed in his training, an uninvited guest appeared.
A streak of silver light tore through the air toward him.
Luo Hao barely glanced at it—then flicked her fingers. A pulse of curse energy shot out, deflecting the attack midair.
The silver light shattered, scattering droplets across the sand.
Alex paused, realizing the silvery fragments were liquid—a quicksilver substance pooling together on the ground.
"Moon Spirit Essence!" he muttered, recognizing it immediately.
Kenneth.
That guy must be here for revenge after losing his Servant last night.
Seriously? Over that?You'd think he'd just quit the war and cut his losses.
Fine then. If he insists on sticking around—he can die.
"Big sis, I'll leave it to you," Alex said to Luo Hao.
She nodded. With a simple gesture, she drew the liquid toward her palm and sealed it with a flick of curse energy, erasing Kenneth's magical imprint.
"This stuff's pretty good. You can have it," she said, tossing it to him.
"Thanks, sis." Alex caught it with a grin.
Hidden nearby, Kenneth's face twisted with fury.
"Damn it… damn it! You'll all pay for this!"
He'd planned to retreat after his failed sneak attack—Luo Hao's power was clearly beyond his reach. Just one casual move had blocked his Moon Spirit Essence.
But when he saw her take it—his treasured creation—his mind snapped.
He drew out the rest of his Moon Spirit Essence and shaped it into countless silver arrows, hurling them at Alex and Luo Hao.
Luo Hao lifted the wooden sword and smirked. "Watch closely, Alex. This one's gonna look really cool."
Alex blinked. Wait, why did that sound so familiar?…She's definitely seen Bleach, right?
Before he could process that thought, Luo Hao dashed forward.
Her wooden sword danced, deflecting every incoming arrow.
Then, with one final slash, golden light surged around her blade—like a Noble Phantasm being unleashed.
The sea split apart under her strike.
Kenneth didn't even have time to scream. He was gone—completely vaporized.
Utterly overwhelming.
And that was Luo Hao without using her divine authority—just pure martial prowess infused with curse energy.
When the light faded, the wooden sword in her hand remained perfectly intact.
Normally, any weapon would shatter after channeling that much power.
But hers was untouched.
Alex stared at the sword, awestruck.
Luo Hao chuckled. "Don't look so shocked. Once your control over power reaches perfection, things like this become easy."
"..."
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