As the first light of dawn began to stretch across the distant horizon, casting delicate hues of pink and orange across the sky, Subaru and Julius stood quietly in a vast, open clearing, far removed from the hustle of their camp. The still air felt brittle, the ground beneath their feet hardened by the lingering chill of the night. Frost clung to every blade of grass like a memory of winter's breath, and the muted rustle of leaves in the faint breeze was the only sound that dared to break the silence. Subaru narrowed his eyes, taking in the surroundings—there were few shadows in this place, and the light was only beginning to assert itself. The emptiness and hush of the landscape did little to settle the turbulent storm twisting in his chest.
Breaking the silence with a note of unease, Subaru finally voiced a thought that had been nagging him for some time. "Flugel... I can't use Yin Step here, can I?"
The familiar voice in his head returned with its usual sharp tone, halfway between exasperation and boredom. "Why do you insist on asking me every little thing? I'm not Google, you know. You can't just treat me like some kind of search engine every time you have a passing thought."
With a half-grin, Subaru gave a casual shrug. "C'mon. For someone who claims to know everything, you sure like to whine, Computer-kun."
Flugel's voice instantly turned razor-sharp, bristling with irritation. "Call me that again and you'll regret it."
Subaru raised both hands in surrender, voice turning more serious and sincere. "Alright, alright, I hear you. Sorry. Jokes aside, if I can't rely on Yin Step, I'll need something else up my sleeve. Got any tactical suggestions?"
There was a brief pause before Flugel's tone shifted into something that resembled grudging mentorship—still laced with sarcasm, but patient. "Cursed vessels like you aren't exactly known for their resilience against spirits or light-element systems. But with the [Cursed Heart] now fused into your core, your mana control is leagues ahead of what it used to be. Try channeling Yin magic into your Etherfang daggers—or Fire magic, if you're feeling particularly reckless. Either way, those blades won't betray you now. And if you're lucky, you might even unlock something... unexpected."
Subaru lowered his gaze to the pair of daggers in his hands. The metal shimmered faintly in the early sunlight, but what truly captivated him was the bond he felt through the hilts—a pulse, a presence, something that felt like breathing steel. These weren't just weapons anymore. They were alive with him.
His gaze drifted to Julius, who stood at a distance, performing fluid sword drills that flowed like poetry. Every stance and pivot carried the elegance of deep discipline, honed through years of repetition. There was no hesitation in Julius's movement—only grace and certainty.
"Well," Subaru whispered to himself, a subtle determination in his voice, "no better time than now."
He closed his eyes and recalled the technique Beatrice had once shown him, a method for internal mana shaping. He brought the twin daggers together, letting their hilts touch, and in that instant, a powerful surge of mana coursed outward from his core—the Cursed Heart—funneling into the weapons like a river finding its path. He guided the flow with intent, carving temporary channels inside the Etherfangs with precision. These daggers had become more than tools. They were extensions of his will.
He inhaled deeply, steadying his breath, and focused on injecting Yin magic into the blades. The flow started slow and cautious but grew steadily in intensity. The energy spread from the base of the daggers, winding through their length like dark ink in water.
[Mana Blade - Active]
The color of the blades began to shift—first to a pale, cold blue, then deepened into a haunting violet, and finally settled into a dense, pitch-black sheen. They thrummed not just with arcane energy, but with purpose, with a deadly sentience that reverberated through the air. The surrounding temperature seemed to drop as an eerie mist radiated from his form. Even the light seemed reluctant to touch him now.
Something primal stirred beneath his skin—dark and quiet, violent yet disciplined. The aura around him pulsed like a second heartbeat, synchronized with his breath, obedient to his will.
Subaru opened his eyes, and in that moment, they gleamed with a razor-sharp clarity that belied his usual carefree demeanor. He exhaled slowly, a whisper escaping his lips as he absorbed the moment.
"Not even Echidna's compendium mentioned anyone pulling this off... Looks like I'm breaking new ground."
[Ding!!]
New Ability Unlocked!
Name: Shadow Blades
Type: Active Magical Combat Skill
Effects:
-A refined and evolved form of the [Mana Blade] technique.
-Inflicts "Decay Curse" and "Weakness" upon impact, causing continuous, degenerative damage.
-Can pierce through magical and physical defenses under specific conditions.
-Fully synchronized with all Yin-based spells and techniques.
-Reactive to the user's mana control, allowing adaptive transformation mid-battle.
This was no longer a simple survival mechanism. With Shadow Blades, Subaru could dominate the rhythm of a fight, dictate range, pressure, and outcome. It was a weapon born of cursed mana, but wielded with purpose.
As the sky gradually brightened, its golden light crawling slowly across the clearing, Subaru's shadow no longer merely followed him—it loomed, stretched, and moved with intent. A prelude to the power he now held.
His first trial with this newfound strength awaited him in the form of a duel with Julius. The thought didn't scare him. Not anymore.
The battlefield wouldn't shape him. He would shape the battlefield.
Subaru studied the black daggers in his hands with quiet intensity, eyes tracing every curve and glimmer etched into the enchanted steel. His breath was slow, almost meditative, as the faint magical glow that clung to the blades flickered like a heartbeat. The weapons pulsed subtly, dark mana swirling within them in an almost organic rhythm, as though the daggers themselves were alive. These were no longer ordinary weapons—they had become vessels of his soul, an extension of the fire burning deep within him. They held his pain, his defiance, and his relentless will to survive.
"Alright..." he murmured under his breath, the words barely louder than the rustling breeze that drifted through the trees. He took a step back and exhaled slowly, the corners of his lips curling upward with quiet satisfaction. "This... is seriously cool."
Across from him, Julius Juukulius stood tall and composed, his violet hair catching the light of the rising sun as it fell gently over his shoulders. His eyes, however, were fixed not on Subaru's face, but on the daggers. He rested his sword lightly against the ground, one hand loosely gripping the hilt. His stance was fluid, effortless, yet ready to spring into motion at a moment's notice. He carried himself with the poise of a seasoned knight—relaxed, but deadly.
A long silence stretched between them, filled only by the distant chirping of early birds and the crackling of energy in the air. Tension coiled like a spring.
"Subaru?" Julius spoke, his tone a blend of curiosity and faint concern. "May I ask what exactly you're doing?"
Subaru responded with a calm spin of his daggers. With each rotation, faint sparks leapt from their edges, and the eerie hum of Yin magic shimmered through the air like a whispered warning. The shadows beneath their feet thickened, the surrounding light dimming as if reality itself hesitated.
"I've enhanced the daggers," Subaru said with pride. "Yin magic, infused directly into the steel. It's volatile, and kind of dangerous. You might want to brace yourself."
Julius tilted his head, and around him, wisps of spiritual energy began to materialize—vivid strands of violet and blue dancing in graceful rings around his body. His expression remained composed, but the intensity in his gaze deepened.
"Reckless," he said softly. "But... fitting. I would expect no less from you."
With elegant precision, Julius lifted his sword and brought it to shoulder height. The moment crystallized—the air grew denser, the sky above an ocean of pale gold. Even the birds seemed to stop mid-flight.
"Then let me ask," he said calmly, "When do we begin?"
Subaru shifted his stance. His legs bent slightly, grounding him into the earth. The soil crunched beneath his feet, and a low vibration pulsed outward. "I don't plan on waiting," he replied, his voice edged with determination. "Give me everything you've got."
A spark ignited in Julius's eyes—recognition, challenge, perhaps even joy. He raised his sword fully, lips curling into a confident smile. "Then allow me the honor of matching your resolve, Natsuki Subaru."
Time paused.
For a heartbeat, the world held its breath. Neither man moved. They stood poised at the edge of battle, like thunderclouds about to burst.
Subaru inhaled deeply. The Cursed Heart within his chest pulsed once, releasing a flood of mana through his veins. Darkness surged through his limbs, sharpening his reflexes, amplifying his senses. Every fiber of his body screamed with focus.
"Now!"
He shot forward like a cannonball, the ground beneath him erupting in a shower of dust and shattered rock. The explosive force of his movement cracked the silence, echoing across the field.
The daggers in his hands shimmered with Yin energy, trails of cold light following his path. This was the first time he would unleash their full power in live combat. There was no hesitation—only precision, speed, and lethal intent.
Julius responded instantly. His blade flashed, intercepting the first strike with impeccable timing.
Clang!
Steel rang against steel, sparks bursting into the air. The impact sent ripples through the ground. But it was only the beginning.
[Advanced Dagger Technique – Active]
Subaru twisted his body, channeling momentum into a second attack. The dagger in his off-hand sliced upward, aiming low for Julius's knee. His eyes gleamed with focus—this was more than raw aggression. It was deliberate, tactical, predictive. He wasn't reacting to Julius; he was reading him, anticipating.
Slash—
But Julius was no ordinary opponent. With a swift turn, he pivoted out of reach. His body moved like flowing water, one step ahead of Subaru's strike. Lifting into a short aerial twist, he landed lightly a few paces back, maintaining balance with effortless grace.
"That was well-executed, Subaru," Julius called, his voice tinged with both surprise and genuine admiration.
Subaru's brow furrowed. The Yin-infused daggers trembled in his grasp, their mana momentarily dimming. "You blocked and evaded both attacks so easily… You're faster than I expected."
Then a realization struck him.
His eyes flicked to the ground. Julius's shadow, elongated by the early light, flickered unnaturally. A knowing smirk curved Subaru's lips. There it was—an opening.
"Let's see what the shadows have to say about that."
Mana gathered again. His next move would not be frontal—it would rise from the dark.
[Fade - Active]
[Yin Step - Active]
In an instant, a thin mist cloaked the area, curling like ghostly tendrils around their feet. The air thickened, pressing down with a palpable tension as if the atmosphere itself held its breath. The hum of mana intensified, distorting space with rhythmic pulses. Julius's vision blurred, a grey veil creeping over his eyes, dulling the vibrant world into shadows.
"What—?" he muttered, instinctively stepping back.
Something was approaching. No, someone. The hairs on the back of his neck bristled as an invisible presence slithered closer, exuding menace like a predator savoring the moment before the pounce. Breathing grew difficult, as if the very air was being siphoned away.
From the corner of the mist, Subaru emerged.
Swift. Silent. Deadly.
His form moved like fluid shadow, each step laced with precise intent. He radiated danger, a silent will forged in death and defiance.
Clang!
Steel struck steel. Subaru's dagger met Julius's sword in a searing collision that echoed across the mist-veiled arena. The sheer force launched them apart—dust billowed up from the ruptured stone floor, masking both combatants in a sudden whirlwind.
Julius skidded backward, boots carving furrows through the cracked tiles. He steadied himself, one knee slightly bent, blade raised. Gone was the playfulness in his gaze. Now, there was only focus.
The whispers of his spirits surged around him like an unseen chorus. One by one, ethereal rings of light spiraled around his sword, glowing brighter with every passing second.
"Did you really believe I'd rely solely on my swordplay?" he called out, a smirk tugging at his lips. His tone danced between challenge and amusement.
Subaru's eyes narrowed. Within him, mana pulsed like a war drum.
"This... this is what a real duel feels like," he breathed, steam curling from his lips in the cold, mana-charged air.
The wind stirred, carrying their determination like a herald. Light flickered. Shadows lengthened. The battlefield braced itself.
Subaru took a slow breath, drawing his focus inward. He imagined heat—a growing, flickering warmth centered in his right hand. He knew this was uncharted territory. Magic wasn't just cast; it was willed into being, shaped by intent and bound by imagination.
It was his first time attempting fire-based magic.
Failure meant pain. Explosion. Burned flesh. Loss of control.
But success? Success meant evolution.
"It's getting hotter... that has to mean it's working," he whispered, more to himself than anyone else.
Yin energy slowly drained from the dagger in his grasp. In its place, a red-orange glow seeped into the metal, drawn from the surge of mana flowing through his veins. Sparks leapt across the blade's surface like tiny fire spirits. It began to glow—not figuratively, but with a tangible, searing heat. His palm tingled, then burned.
It was working. "Now," he said under his breath.
In the blink of an eye, Subaru released the dam holding back the mana in his legs. His muscles screamed. His blood sang. The release was instantaneous—his body rocketed forward like a missile, propelled by sheer magical force. Stone shattered underfoot, the tiles cracking and exploding as he launched.
Behind him, a streak of flame marked his path.
Across the space, Julius watched without flinching. He exhaled deeply, then opened his eyes—now aglow with focused intensity. His connection with his six spirits resonated, syncing heart to blade. Their energy danced along the sword's edge, forming luminous tendrils of white.
Clarista.
A technique Subaru had witnessed only once—now revived in full glory.
The blade shone with the purity of divine light. Julius's stance shifted in the blink of an eye, anticipating the clash.
Subaru barreled toward him, flame and shadow entwined. One wielded the burning unknown, the other, the mastery of light.
Their weapons moved. Dagger and sword, fire and radiance. Time froze for a heartbeat.
Then—
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion tore through the arena.
Not of metal meeting metal, but of elements colliding, realities grinding together. The ground trembled violently. Mana around them spiraled into chaos, warping the space between breaths. A shockwave blasted outward, fracturing the earth.
Subaru was flung through the air, twisting mid-flight. He landed in a crouched slide, his boots kicking up shards of stone. His breathing was ragged, his hands scorched—but he was alive. Standing.
Julius stumbled a half step, caught himself, and steadied. Though unharmed, his expression had shifted. The ease in his stance had faded.
Surprise.
Subaru's strength had exceeded expectations. But neither of them believed this was over. Not even close. This was only the prelude. And the real symphony of battle was just beginning.
As Subaru felt the surging power of shadow coursing through his veins, Julius's Clarista radiated a divine brilliance that sliced the air like a sanctified blade. The space between them no longer held tactical value—it had become purely symbolic. This was no longer a simple clash of weapons, but a collision of ideologies, of unshakable convictions. Subaru took one step, then another, each footfall accompanied by the silent slither of his growing shadow, which twisted and writhed like a sentient being tethered to his will. Opposite him, Julius tightened his grip on Clarista with both hands, executing a fluid, practiced motion as he surged forward.
CLANG!
The impact of their second clash was far more violent than the first. Subaru's shadow-cloaked dagger collided with Julius's luminous blade, the sound of metal crashing against metal exploding like a thunderclap across the arena. The screech reverberated through the air, a cry of tortured steel. In Julius's violet eyes, a flicker of disbelief surfaced. This time, Subaru held firm. He wasn't blown away. His body trembled, but he remained rooted in place. It was as though the shadows had wrapped around him, forming a second skin—a phantom armor born of defiance.
Julius, sensing the shift, didn't hesitate.
"Al Clarista!"
A surge of light detonated from his sword as it spiraled in a divine arc, its force like a celestial whirlpool trying to hurl Subaru back. But Subaru's dagger—shrouded in shadows so dense they seemed to consume the light around them—cut through the radiance as though forged to do just that. The blade met the force of Clarista's glow with equal defiance.
The two warriors moved in tandem, locked in a choreography of violence that resembled a deadly waltz. One forward, the other evasive. One rising, the other ducking. Julius's strikes descended like thunderbolts from the heavens—pure, swift, divine. In contrast, Subaru's responses crawled up from the abyss—unclean, unpredictable, relentless.
Then Subaru dropped low, placing one knee against the arena floor, grounding himself as he poured every ounce of his strength into his next move. Julius lunged again, poised to pierce. But Subaru's dagger ignited with obsidian flames that shimmered with sinister energy. The air distorted around them, trembling beneath the pressure of conflicting powers. Clarista struck the flames, and for a heartbeat, its sanctified light dimmed.
The immaculate brilliance of Al Clarista collided with the blood-red inferno dancing along Subaru's blade.
CLANG!
Newton's third law echoed through the battlefield: every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
The collision birthed a shockwave that ripped outward, sending both fighters recoiling. Julius staggered, caught off-guard by the raw force of the blast. Subaru had predicted this outcome. What had once been a classroom lesson had now become an advantage on the battlefield.
"SHAMAK!" Subaru roared, thrusting his hand out.
A choking black mist burst from his form, rapidly engulfing the arena. Visibility vanished as the spell took effect. It wasn't just a visual obstruction—Shamak was a medium for Subaru to bend the Yin energies around him.
[Yin Step – Active]
He stepped into the void.
Reality folded. Space twisted. Subaru vanished from where he stood, melting into shadow and rematerializing a heartbeat later.
Behind Julius. Still dazed, Julius struggled for equilibrium. His breathing was shallow, his stance unstable.
SLASH!
Subaru's dagger, now laced with Yin magic, swept cleanly across Julius's cheek. The cut was shallow but precise, placed deliberately. Yet the real damage wasn't physical. The Yin-infused strike sank into Julius's body like a venom, slipping into his bloodstream, infecting his nerves. His vision dimmed, blurred—and then, went completely black. What remained was a boundless void.
DING!!
[Effect of Shadow Blades: Decay and Weakening successfully applied to target.]
Instinct overriding panic, Julius shut his eyes tight and reached inward. He called on the elemental spirits that hovered in the realm beyond. Water... Yang... One by one, they surged into him. Their essence mended the damage Subaru had dealt—at least in part. The wound on his face closed slightly, its pain numbed. But the darkness wouldn't lift. It gripped him, stubborn and clinging.
Still, Julius stood tall.
With a roar of defiance, he raised Clarista to the heavens. The ground beneath him vibrated as he channeled a harmonic resonance through his spirit.
"AL CLAUZERIA!"
Subaru blinked. A chill ran down his spine. Sweat slid cold along his skin.
"You've got to be kidding me..."
Clarista's blade began to shimmer. Not with light alone—but with essence. Six distinct spiritual energies spiraled toward it, converging in perfect, divine synchrony. Each one exuded its own elemental signature: the raw solidity of earth, the rushing freedom of wind, the searing blaze of fire, the tranquil weight of water, the energizing pulse of yang, and the creeping stillness of yin. All were merging.
The space around Julius warped. The ground trembled as if unwilling to support such overwhelming harmony. Subaru watched as his rival's weapon transformed—not in shape, but in presence. It had become something else. Something absolute.
A chill unlike any other ran down Subaru's spine, as if the very marrow in his bones had frozen over, encased in ice formed from sheer despair.
"Flugel! Do something!" he shouted into the void, voice cracking from panic.
A voice responded from beyond a curtain of shifting shadow, lighthearted and infuriatingly amused.
"No. Watching this unfold is far more entertaining," said Flugel with a lilting laugh, as though this brutal clash was nothing more than an amusing theatre performance.
"DAMN YOU!" Subaru screamed in his mind, his fists trembling with fury and desperation. Sweat dripped down his temples, evaporating in the heat of the magical tension.
There was no escape in sight. Not with strength alone. But survival didn't belong to the strong—it belonged to the insane. To the desperate. To those willing to try the unthinkable. Subaru summoned every last shred of mana coursing through his veins. He didn't just pour it into his dagger—he unleashed it into himself. Yin magic flooded his muscles, his nerves, his very bones. His flesh rippled with shadow, dancing like black fire across his skin, flickering with energy that seemed to suck the very light around him into the void.
An internal transformation began. Subaru's very essence began to synchronize with the abyss. His heartbeat slowed to a haunting rhythm, echoing like a distant war drum. His breath came in silent, measured waves, and his irises turned as black as the void between stars.
Julius's incantation reached its crescendo. Six spirits—earth, wind, fire, water, yang, and yin—converged into a radiant sphere of raw magical energy. The orb spun furiously, emitting a piercing whistle that cut through the air. It streaked toward Subaru with murderous intent. This wasn't a technique made to subdue. It was designed to erase.
"Come on... WORK!" Subaru cried, voice laced with defiance.
Subaru's Yin-infused body had expanded its magical threshold, growing just enough to withstand the infernal assault. As the orb made contact, a titanic explosion erupted. Blinding light surged outward, consuming the battlefield. Within that overwhelming brilliance, shadows lashed out like vengeful serpents, coiling and striking. Light and darkness waged war across the ground, a primordial chaos.
Then—stillness. Silence.
Dust billowed outward in thick waves. Chunks of scorched earth and shattered stone settled. The radiant glare began to dim, revealing a battlefield choked in ash and smoke. Julius, heart hammering, sheathed his sword with trembling hands and dashed toward the center of the blast.
Subaru stood there.
His garments had been incinerated, stripped away by the blast. Yet his body remained untouched—no burns, no wounds. Smooth, unmarred skin. His chest rose and fell in steady rhythm. His expression bore no agony. He stood tall, not broken, but reborn.
Julius's knees hit the ground with a hollow thud. His voice cracked, thick with remorse.
"Subaru! I'm sorry! I had no right to push things that far. I—I went beyond what was acceptable. I..."
Subaru drew in a shaky breath, shoulders heaving. His voice emerged low, but unyielding.
"And yet... I'm still standing," he murmured, his lungs aching but his tone oddly calm. As if the shock of surviving something so absolute hadn't yet worn off. He blinked, tested his fingers, bent his knees—his body responded. He was alive. Whole. That truth amazed him more than the spell that tried to erase him.
"So... maybe these so-called limits we believe in—they're not as fixed as we think," he whispered, more to himself than to anyone else. His eyes scanned the smog-choked horizon, settling on a single swirling dust cloud. "Sometimes you break through. Not because you're strong. But because you have to. Because living becomes the only option."
With effort, Subaru pulled himself upright, spine straightening like steel re-forged in fire. His legs trembled, every muscle screaming in protest, but his spirit surged like a flood unbound. Julius stepped forward, wordless, and wrapped an arm over Subaru's shoulders to steady him.
Subaru leaned into the support, his voice carrying a cracked chuckle. "So what do we call this? A draw? Or did I win because I didn't die?"
Julius, despite the exhaustion in his features, managed a rare, sincere smile. "Whatever stunt you pulled at the end... well, the fact that you're still walking makes this a draw in my eyes."
"Tch... next time, I'm taking you down properly," Subaru grumbled, mock indignation rising with each breath. "Also, I'm pretty sure you cheated. That was, like, a seven-on-one match! What kind of duel is that?"
Julius gave a tired but genuine laugh. "Come now, Subaru. You could have called upon Beatrice-sama, too. And for the record, I didn't use my spirits to attack directly. Just to amplify my mana, nothing more. Just to give my blade that extra shine."
Subaru rolled his eyes, smirking despite himself, still leaning on his friend. "Yeah, yeah... next time, I'm bringing Beako. And a distraction or two. Or ten."
They stood there, shoulder to shoulder, two warriors who had tested each other beyond their limits. No longer just opponents—but allies forged through fire and shadow, bonded by battle and by the impossible will to stand.
And somewhere behind the veil of drifting smoke, Flugel chuckled once more, quietly amused by the future this chaos might yet bring.
Subaru merely let out a low grunt in response. As he kept walking, his fingers twitched subtly, and the air before his eyes shimmered with an ethereal glow. A familiar, translucent screen materialized—his system window, filled with data that defined his very existence in this world.
Name: Natsuki Subaru
Age: 17
▸ Titles:
• One From Another World (active)
A designation given to those summoned across dimensions. Carries the weight of a destiny shaped by foreign logic.
• The Cursed One (active)
Marked by misfortune and fate itself, this title draws in calamity, but grants resilience that defies common mortality.
▸ Current Soul Coins: 20
Authorities:
Return by Death (Passive)
Upon death, Subaru's consciousness is forcefully returned to a fixed temporal checkpoint in the past. Memories are retained, allowing him to alter future outcomes through accumulated knowledge.
Restrictions:
-Any damage or loss that occurred before the checkpoint remains irreversible.
-The checkpoint is established by unknown rules and cannot be manually chosen or changed.
-This Authority is cloaked by an unspoken curse; any attempt to reveal its nature is met with the violent manifestation of the "Witch's Hand," which crushes his heart before the truth escapes.
Resonance by Death (Passive)
Each death triggers a lingering resonance with the essence of the entity that caused it, allowing Subaru to mimic a specific trait or power unique to them.
Restrictions:
-Repeated deaths to the same being intensify the mimicked trait, increasing both its power and instability.
-Each mimicked ability has a saturation point; exceeding it may cause spiritual, mental, or physical breakdown.
-Not all powers are compatible with Subaru's human frame or psyche, and improper synchronization can lead to uncontrollable behavior or rejection.
▸ Skills:
Name: Advanced Dagger Technique (Passive)
A natural and instinct-driven mastery over dual-wielded daggers. Reflex speed is heightened, precision in close-range combat is enhanced, and adaptability in chaotic battle environments is significantly increased.
-Contains evolving sub-styles based on experience and stress.
Name: Mana Blade (Active)
-Channels pure mana through the weapon to augment sharpness and cutting efficiency.
-Increases penetration against armor and magical defenses.
-Strengthens the physical structure of the dagger while improving mana flow through its core.
Name: Phantom Drift (Passive)
-Allows Subaru to instinctively detect micro-hesitations and fleeting weaknesses in an enemy's movement.
-Grants temporary foresight-like reactions during moments of danger.
Name: Yin Step (Active) — Sync Rate: 50%
-A stealth mobility technique utilizing yin mana to slide through and merge with shadows.
-Enables nearly silent traversal across surfaces, even mid-combat.
-Efficiency depends on user's control over yin energy and emotional state.
-Prolonged use can create cold burn marks on the user's legs due to mana stress.
Name: Shadow Blades (Active)
An evolved form of [Mana Blade] aligned with yin affinity.
-Strikes apply the "Wither Curse," accelerating decay in affected tissues, and "Weakness," draining stamina over time.
-Critical hits bypass magical shielding altogether.
-Fully synergizes with all dark-aligned abilities.
-Can morph into whips, spikes, or thrown shards depending on Subaru's intent and mana control.
Name: Overburst (Active)
-Charges a massive pulse of mana at a single point on the weapon and releases it explosively.
-Can destabilize terrain, blow back enemies, or break magical constructs.
-Risk of weapon degradation increases with each use if not properly reinforced.
Name: Fade (Active)
-Temporarily shrouds Subaru in an incomplete invisibility field.
-Reduces his visual presence and dulls sound signatures.
-Useful for flanking, surprise strikes, or evasive retreats.
-Activation costs no mana, but maintaining it while moving increases physical fatigue.
Name: Cursed Heart (Passive)
-A unique evolution of the mana heart, permanently fused with remnants of the Witch of Envy's curse.
-Enables continuous mana circulation and reserve storage within the body.
-Increases compatibility with curse-based spells and techniques.
-Significantly boosts mana efficiency, allowing more output for less input.
-Glows faintly with a violet hue under emotional duress.
▸ Usable Elements: Primary Affinity: Yin
Aligned with darkness, entropy, and concealment. Powers most of Subaru's stealth and decay-based abilities.
Secondary Affinity: Fire (Inherited from Puck, the Beast of the End)
This elemental bond grants access to high-temperature techniques and destructive bursts. When combined with yin, creates effects like smoldering shadow or burning silence.
▸ Current Weapon: Etherfang (Twin Daggers)
Two lightweight, enchanted blades crafted for high-mobility combat. Built from a mana-conductive alloy, they respond sharply to Subaru's energy flow and enhance his ability to channel skills.
Each dagger is engraved with runes that glow brighter with mana intensity.
Special property: Can phase through weak magical barriers when synchronized with Yin Step.
With a short exhale, Subaru dismissed the screen. Its light faded, but the weight of its contents clung to him. Every title, every skill, every consequence—they were not just data. They were survival.
"Oi, Flugel... What exactly happened when Julius's attack was about to hit me?" Subaru's voice trembled, not just from exhaustion but from the echo of terror that still lingered in his throat. He was visibly shaken, eyes wide with confusion, curiosity, and an unspoken need to understand. His breaths were shallow, chest rising and falling with the weight of survival and uncertainty.
Flugel, leaning slightly on the gnarled staff that rarely left his side, let out a sigh that felt centuries old. His shoulders sagged with weariness, the kind borne not just from fatigue, but from witnessing things better left unspoken. "For a brief window of time—perhaps no more than a few seconds—your entire form shifted," he began, voice low and grave. "You ceased to exist as flesh and blood. Your body, your presence, became nothing more than a construct of raw mana and shadow. Intangible. Ethereal. Something closer to a memory than a man."
Subaru's brows knitted in disbelief, his mind racing to make sense of the impossible. "That sounds like... like when I use E.M.M. with Beatrice. That barrier we create... But this was different. I didn't cast anything. I didn't even think."
Flugel nodded solemnly. "Exactly. This time, it was reflexive. Instinctual. You didn't will it to happen—it happened to you. A subconscious reaction triggered by the sheer imminence of death. Julius's blade was milliseconds away from impaling you. And in that fleeting instant, you... dissolved. His sword passed through your frame like it was cutting through mist. It didn't harm you because there was no physical form to harm."
Subaru glanced down at himself then, slowly taking in the condition of his body. His shirt had been incinerated, reduced to a few charred scraps clinging to his frame. His chest and arms were smeared with soot and fine ash, faint lines where heat had licked his skin but left no wounds. He shivered as a breeze passed over his bare skin. At least his pants had survived. Small mercies.
"So then... when exactly did I return to normal? How did I get my body back?" he asked, voice steadier now, but laced with a nervous tension that made his fingers twitch.
Flugel's eyes narrowed, and his tone took on a sharper edge. "Regrettably, I was the one who brought you back. I forced your essence to reintegrate with your physical form before you dissipated entirely. You were unraveling, Subaru. And if I hadn't intervened, you'd be gone. Truly gone."
Subaru swallowed hard. "You mean... I would've died?"
Flugel shook his head slowly. "No. Not died. Erased. Your Authority—Return by Death—it only functions while your soul remains anchored to a physical vessel. Without a body, there is no point of return. You would've become a phantom, a bodiless spirit lost in the fold between worlds. No way back. No reset. Just endless drift. A conscious shadow screaming into the void. And believe me, Subaru—that is a fate crueler than death itself."
A heavy silence fell between them.
Subaru felt the weight of those words settle over him like a cold blanket. His breathing hitched. He had faced death so many times, had rebuilt from ruin more than once. But the idea of a state where even death couldn't find him—where there was only floating, alone, forgotten—shook him to his core.
"I... understand," he murmured, nodding slowly. His voice was quiet, almost reverent. "I won't let it happen again. I won't risk that."
Flugel stepped closer, his expression softening just slightly. His eyes, ancient and perceptive, locked with Subaru's. "Good. You must never rely on that transformation. Not without control. Your body, as it is now—even after all the modifications, even with the curse burning in your core—it is not ready. That kind of shift requires stability, synchronization, and immense magical grounding. You do not yet possess those things. Do not attempt to use spells such as E.M.M. or E.M.T. without Beatrice.
Subaru let out a long breath, a mix of relief and resignation. He nodded again, slowly. "Then I'll train. Learn to control it. So one day, if I need to... I won't have to rely on luck."
Flugel offered a faint, tired smile—less encouragement, more a recognition of how far Subaru still had to go. "One day," he echoed.
The tension in the air loosened, if only slightly. Subaru looked down at his soiled body once more, and the realization sank in deeper: magic wasn't a gift. It was a responsibility. A burden with sharp edges.
And just now, he had come terrifyingly close to being cut in half by it.