…No, no.
No, no, no.
Is this what it means to master something? Isn’t it a bit too effective for an amateur like me?
‘Hey, how did you get this strong?’
Almoa, clinging to me, asked, and I cleared my throat.
‘This… is Almoa’s power.’
‘Huh?’
‘I copied your gifted skill, True Staff Technique. So, it’s not really my own power—’
‘You’re not allowed to say that after performing so perfectly.’
She looked at me with a sharp gaze.
‘Even if it’s copied, it’s still your skill, Isto. And that’s impressive.’
Hearing her say that so earnestly, I found myself pausing. I guess it’s possible to see it that way…
I returned the staff to Almoa, who muttered excitedly to herself.
‘It must be the same principle as with a Spirit Manipulator. In that case…’
She glanced at me, took a deep breath, and raised her staff.
‘Gifted Skill: True Staff Technique.’
The skill activated. The same glow that surrounded me now appeared on the silver-haired girl’s body. Almoa took slow, deep breaths.
Wait. Somehow… did her posture improve? No, she hasn’t moved. What’s different, then? Is it her aura?
‘Grr…!’
Beside me, Fiole gave a quiet groan, looking frustrated.
‘It feels the same as when I watched Isto earlier. So, this is what it’s like?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘It means a master has no openings.’
…? A master? She’s talking about Almoa? Does this mean Almoa’s presence has no openings now?
Ah, so that’s it. The reason she looks different is because True Staff Technique instantly boosted her skill to a master’s level. She radiates strength even from her stance.
I see, I see. Fiole is now perceptive enough to sense her opponent’s strength.
…Wait a minute. Does this mean I was also giving off the aura of a master?
Still holding her stance, Almoa looked at us. For once, she wore a proud smile.
Fiole stamped her foot in frustration.
‘I’ll catch up someday! And Isto will use my skill, too! Just you wait!’
《Discovery detected》
‘What?!’
‘Isto?’
Fiole turned to look at me as I let out a sudden shout.
《Following the battle with the practitioner of True Staff Technique, a new gifted skill, True Spear Technique, is now available for Fiole Alvy. Execute Awakening Appraisal on the target’s Fate Drop to unlock it.》
A ‘voice from the heavens’ sounded with completely unexpected timing and content. A new gifted skill…? Is it because ‘spear’ and ‘staff’ are similar types? Even so, I didn’t expect her to be able to keep growing like this. How far can this kid go?
‘Isto? Why did you freeze up?’
‘Fiole…’
Her eyes, still a little misty from almost crying, looked up at me.
…Since I noticed it, there’s no choice but to go ahead.
I slowly reached out to Fiole.
‘Um, Isto…?’
‘Stay still.’
‘Okay! I’ll stay perfectly still!’
Fiole replied with surprising energy. I raised my hand over her Fate Drop, blocking out distractions to avoid any mistakes.
Somewhere, I thought I heard someone say, ‘Ah!’, but I ignored it.
‘Gifted Skill: Awakening Appraisal.’
Fiole was surrounded by the skill’s light. Inside that familiar glow, Fiole stood in a praying stance, her eyes closed and a slight smile on her lips.
I heard a faint click, like something fitting into place. Glowing words floated before me.
True Spear Technique: Mastery in the spear arts.
《Awakening Appraisal complete. Skill has been unlocked.》
Whew. Looks like it went smoothly.
《True Spear Technique copied to ‘Sample.’ Flash Thrust and Barrier have also been copied to ‘Sample’ and can each be used twice more.》
‘Um… Isto? Are we done now?’
Fiole opened one eye, watching my likely stunned expression, and tilted her head.
I gave a vague smile and started counting in my head.
Now, the gifted skills I can use are…
Awakening Appraisal
Flash Thrust
Barrier
Heart of Life
Spirit Manipulator
True Staff Technique
And True Spear Technique.
Seven… really?
‘Isto! I have a request!’
Fiole’s voice brought me back. The blonde girl looked up at me with a bright smile.
‘You used Awakening Appraisal, right? Please show me your skills! I want to see Isto’s amazing abilities again.’
‘You’re really looking forward to it…’
‘Of course! If you don’t show me, I won’t know what kind of skill it is.’
She flashed a brilliant smile. Beside her, Almoa was also looking at me with an excited expression.
I closed my eyes for a moment.
‘…Fiole. Hand me your spear.’
‘Yes!’
She carefully brought over her Enestea spear.
I took the spear in my hands. Already accustomed to True Staff Technique, my body adapted to the spear’s weight with ease.
‘Activate: Sample.’
Quietly, I held the spear in a mid-level stance.
‘Gifted Skill: True Spear Technique.’
A faint light surrounded me. From that moment, the spear became an extension of my body.
My breathing grew sharper.
My body moved instinctively as I wielded the spear.
It felt strange. My feet, hands, and core all moved without me needing to think about it, bringing a kind of exhilaration, like dancing on stage.
So, this is what a master sees. This is the world a master feels.
I held the spear at a mid-level stance again and exhaled deeply.
I handed the Enestea spear back to Fiole.
‘This is your gifted skill, True Spear Technique, Fiole. …Fiole?’
‘Huh?! Y-yes! That was… a sight for sore eyes. Hehe.’
She looked enraptured.
Am I… a showpiece?
No, more importantly, is my image growing too much in their minds?
With her spear back in hand, Fiole, now full of confidence, turned to Almoa.
‘Now I won’t lose to you, Almoa!’
‘I’m not losing either!’
Well…
Fiole has awakened to a new power.
Almoa has gained a rival of sorts.
So… this is good, right?
…Hmm…
