"Teleport?"
Temorsth stared at the place where Xalier had stood a moment ago.
Then, at the place where he stood now.
Xalier smiled.
"Good guess, but no."
He tapped the ground lightly with one foot.
"Teleportation is magic. You induce Mana, interfere with space, and move through that interference. What I used just now was not that."
Temorsth frowned.
"Then what was it?"
"A step."
"Step?"
"Yes. A step."
Temorsth stared at him.
"...That was not a step."
"It was."
"Dad."
"It was."
Temorsth looked between the two points again.
There had been no spell circle.
No flash.
No sound.
No visible distortion.
One moment, Xalier had been in front of him.
Next, he was behind him.
"Then... were you faster than light?"
Xalier's eyes brightened slightly.
"Good. I wanted you to ask that."
Temorsth immediately became suspicious.
"...Why?"
"Because it lets me explain something important."
Xalier raised one finger.
"To beings at the Mortal Rank, nothing with substance should move faster than light."
"Should?"
"Should."
"That word is doing a lot of work."
"It is."
Xalier seemed amused, but he continued.
"Light is fast because light travels. Matter is slower because matter travels. Energy travels. Sound travels. Even Mana, when used carelessly, travels."
He pointed to the ground.
"But what if nothing travels?"
Temorsth became quiet.
Xalier smiled.
"Do you know why people sometimes say shadows can move faster than light?"
"Because a shadow is not really a thing," Temorsth answered slowly. "It is the absence of light. So if something blocks light in a certain way, the shadow can appear to move faster than light, but no object or information is actually traveling faster."
"Exactly."
Xalier's smile widened.
"That is the important part."
Temorsth's eyes narrowed.
"Your step is like a shadow?"
"Not exactly."
Xalier turned slightly and took one normal step.
Grass bent beneath his shoe.
His body shifted.
His weight moved.
His coat swayed.
"This is a normal step. My body moves through space. It pushes against the ground. The ground pushes back. My muscles work. My balance adjusts. Air resists me. Time passes."
Then black energy gathered around him.
It did not look like darkness covering his body.
It looked like the space around him had forgotten how to be lit.
"My step removes what is unnecessary."
Temorsth watched closely.
"The distance?"
"The obstacle of distance."
"The obstacle...?"
Xalier nodded.
"My body does not become light. It does not outrun light. It does not teleport by bending space with Mana."
He raised his foot.
"It crosses by treating the path as something already cut."
For an instant, Temorsth felt something.
Not movement.
Not speed.
A lack.
A line where the world seemed to lose the right to exist between Xalier's starting point and his destination.
Xalier stepped.
He appeared several meters away.
Temorsth's eyes widened.
"...The absence of space."
"Close."
Xalier turned back.
"The absence of the path as an obstacle. That is why I used the shadow example. A shadow is not faster because it runs. It is faster because it is not a thing running."
Temorsth stared at the ground where Xalier had stepped.
"So your movement is not faster than light because you are faster than light..."
"Correct."
"It is faster because there is no proper movement to compare."
"Correct again."
Temorsth slowly nodded.
Then frowned.
"But Dad..."
"Hm?"
"Wouldn't it have been easier if you just said, 'Space does not matter for my movement'?"
Xalier looked at him.
Then looked away.
"...Maybe."
Temorsth stared.
Xalier coughed once.
"But if I had said that first, you would not have understood the foundation."
"True."
That was annoying.
But true.
Temorsth could understand the result now because he had followed the thought. If Xalier had simply said that distance did not matter, it would have sounded like nonsense.
Xalier placed one hand on his chest.
"This is my unique ability."
He smiled proudly.
"World Crossing."
Temorsth blinked.
"World Crossing..."
"Cool, isn't it?"
"It is cool."
Xalier's smile brightened.
Then Temorsth looked down.
Xalier noticed immediately.
"What is wrong, son?"
"Uh..."
Temorsth hesitated.
"What exactly is a unique ability?"
Xalier froze.
"..."
Temorsth quickly raised his hands.
"I know it is different from a normal skill, I just don't know how exactly—"
"No."
Xalier sighed and rubbed his forehead.
"Do not apologize. I forgot to explain the first thing I should have explained."
Temorsth lowered his hands.
Xalier took a moment to gather his thoughts.
"Unique abilities and skills are similar in one way. Both can be innate, and both can sometimes be learned. But there are three major differences."
Temorsth listened carefully.
"First," Xalier said, "a skill can be learned even by someone without much talent. It may be slow. It may never become impressive. But it can still be learned."
He raised one finger.
"A unique ability requires compatibility. A proper host. Potential. Nature. Existence. Something inside the person must be able to carry it."
"So skills are easier to grasp."
"Yes."
Xalier raised a second finger.
"Second, unique abilities are Growth type by nature."
Temorsth frowned slightly.
"Don't skills grow too?"
"They level up. That is different."
Xalier pointed at him.
"A normal skill becomes stronger at doing what it already does. A slash becomes sharper. A fireball becomes bigger. A movement becomes cleaner. But its shape remains mostly the same."
Temorsth thought of his Sword Mastery and Spear Mastery.
"So leveling is improvement."
"Yes."
"And Growth type is change."
"Exactly."
Xalier seemed pleased.
"A Growth-type ability has a base form, but it molds itself according to the user. How you use it, what situations you face, what you understand, what you desire, what you survive. All of that can shape its direction."
Temorsth's eyes sharpened.
"So two people with the same unique ability could develop it differently?"
"Very differently."
"That is interesting."
"It is also dangerous."
Xalier raised a third finger.
"Third, unique abilities can be inherited."
Temorsth became still.
"Inherited?"
"Yes. A skill can be taught. A unique ability can sometimes be passed down directly."
"Like giving it to someone?"
"Yes."
Xalier's expression darkened slightly.
"But if the ability is truly transferred, the original holder loses it."
Temorsth's eyes widened.
"Then it can be stolen."
"Yes."
The answer came immediately.
"Many powerful families, cults, kingdoms, and old monsters hunt Unique Abilities. Some search for those born with them. Some force inheritance. Some raise children only to steal from them later."
Temorsth was silent for a moment.
Then he nodded.
The world had always worked like that.
Different faces.
Different words.
Same cruelty.
"That is why people hide them."
"Exactly."
Xalier's expression softened.
"And that is why I am telling you this now. Do not casually speak about unique abilities outside. Not mine. Not your mother's. Not yours, if you ever awaken one."
Temorsth nodded seriously.
"I understand."
"Good."
Xalier's smile returned, but this time it was sharper.
"Now. Are you ready?"
Temorsth held the spear more firmly.
"I think so."
"Then listen."
Xalier stepped back.
"I am not asking you to learn World Crossing to the level I have reached. That would be unfair. I have had more than a thousand years."
"Then what do I need to learn?"
"The First Form."
Black energy began to gather around Xalier again.
"Shadow Step."
Temorsth repeated the words silently.
Shadow Step.
"The first form is only one step," Xalier said. "If you can successfully perform even that one step, then you will have learned the beginning of World Crossing. If you do, I will let you go outside."
"Just one step...?"
Temorsth stopped mid-sentence.
Xalier was smiling.
Not warmly.
Not gently.
His face had fallen partly into shadow, and the smile on it sent a chill down Temorsth's back.
"Yes."
Xalier's voice was soft.
"Just one little step."
Temorsth swallowed.
"Why do you look like that?"
"Like what?"
"Like this is going to be horrible."
Xalier's smile widened.
"Because it is difficult."
Black energy rose around his body.
It did not simply cover him.
It erased him.
His outline blurred until he looked less like a man and more like a cut in the world wearing a human shape.
"I will give you two hints."
Temorsth focused with everything he had.
"The first."
Xalier raised his leg.
"Shadows."
The darkness around him deepened.
"The second."
His foot began to fall.
"Slash it."
The moment his foot touched the ground, the air around it split.
Not space exactly.
Not Mana.
A thin black distortion cut through the distance in front of him.
Xalier's body followed that cut.
One step.
Several meters.
No sound.
No delay.
No wasted path.
Then the energy vanished.
Xalier turned back.
"That is Shadow Step."
Temorsth did not speak.
His eyes were wide.
His fingers tightened around the spear until the wood creaked faintly.
"Try to understand it on your own," Xalier said. "If you can grasp even the beginning, we will talk more afterward."
"Afterward?"
Xalier's expression changed.
The softness faded from his face.
"I have to go hunting."
Temorsth blinked.
"Hunting? Why now?"
Xalier did not immediately answer.
A thought passed between him and Elah.
'It has a strong force,' Elah warned. 'Be careful.'
'I know.'
'Don't underestimate it.'
'I won't.'
Out loud, Xalier only said, "Something entered the outer layers."
"Something?"
"Yes."
Temorsth took a step forward.
"Dad—"
Xalier vanished.
Not with Shadow Step.
Not with a visible technique.
He simply disappeared faster than Temorsth could properly react.
For a few seconds, Temorsth stood there, staring at the place his father had been.
"..."
The spear in his hand felt heavier.
"Baby."
Elah's voice pulled him back.
Temorsth turned.
She was standing now, her white dress shifting softly in the artificial breeze beneath the barrier.
"Yes?"
Elah smiled.
"If you want, you can train with Mom while your father is gone."
Temorsth hesitated.
It was not that he did not want to train with Elah.
He did.
But Xalier had just shown him something impossible, then vanished to hunt an intruder, leaving only two words behind.
Shadows.
Slash it.
His mind was still stuck there.
Elah seemed to understand.
Her smile became playful.
"Or are you afraid?"
Temorsth blinked.
Then his eyes narrowed.
"I am not afraid."
"Then show me how much stronger you became."
She reached out, and a beautiful bow appeared in her hand, magic gathering in the draw.
"Mommy will not go easy on you."
Temorsth sighed.
The word "Mommy" weakened the threat somewhat.
At least, it should have.
He raised his spear.
"Alright. I will show you."
Several voices watched.
Persona sighed from them.
Feral laughed.
Relation commented.
Reason analyzed.
Original remained silent.
Temorsth did his best not to underestimate his mother.
Unfortunately, parts of him still did.
That part would soon regret it.
...
"The arrays are getting stronger."
Antanasia cut through another illusion with a single slash.
Black fragments of false scenery fell apart around her.
"So I am moving in the right direction."
She smiled.
Then a voice spoke from behind her.
"No."
The voice was deep.
Calm.
Male.
"You are going in the wrong direction."
Antanasia's entire body stiffened.
'I didn't notice him?'
Cold ran across her skin.
Not fear.
Instinct.
The kind that warned a predator when something larger had entered the hunting ground.
'Fuck it.'
She turned and drew both katanas in the same motion.
Her eyes caught only a glimpse.
A man.
Black hair.
Red eyes.
A red longsword in his right hand.
Three bodies held loosely in his left hand fell to the ground.
Then he vanished.
'Left!'
Antanasia crossed her blades.
*Clang.*
The impact slammed into her guard.
She blocked the slash, but a thin red line still opened across her left arm.
Blood scattered into the air.
Her eyes widened.
'Fast.'
Before she could counter, pain stabbed through her stomach.
"Ugh!"
She looked down.
A dagger had entered her abdomen.
Xalier stood close enough that their faces were almost level.
Only then did both of them truly recognize each other.
Antanasia's lips curled despite the pain.
"Blood Red Flash..."
Xalier's eyes narrowed.
"Cursed Blade."
"Ah..."
Antanasia's smile became wider.
"So you do know me."
Xalier twisted the dagger.
Pain flared.
Antanasia's expression changed instantly.
"Get the fuck away from me!"
Black energy burst from her body.
She fully drew both katanas and pushed her strength through them.
Xalier released the dagger and let the force throw him back.
He flipped once in the air and landed lightly on the ground.
The three bodies in the dirt behind him made a dull sound and turned to ash from the released power.
Antanasia stood with blood dripping from her stomach and arm, her two katanas spread outward.
Her red lips curved.
"It is an honor to fight the Blood Red Flash."
Xalier straightened slightly.
"I never liked that title."
"Hm?"
"It sounds too flashy."
Antanasia stared at him.
Then laughed. "Too flashy? The last thing your enemies see is a flash of red. I think it is very apt."
"Don't use it."
She tilted her head.
Her smile turned cruel.
"Then what should I call you?"
Her eyes glowed.
"The Merciless Executioner?"
The air changed.
Xalier's expression darkened.
Blood-red fire-like energy crawled over his body and blade.
Antanasia's smile sharpened.
"Oh?"
Xalier disappeared.
This time, Antanasia had space to move.
His slash came from the right.
She received it with one katana and swung the other toward his neck.
Xalier's dagger met it.
*Clang.*
Then the red longsword came again.
*Clang.*
*Clang.*
*Clang.*
More than a hundred exchanges happened in only a few breaths.
Antanasia laughed through them.
"Ahahaha!"
Her strength was monstrous.
Every time their blades collided, Xalier was pushed back slightly. Her attacks were heavy, wild, and direct, but not sloppy. Each swing carried the weight of long experience and too many battlefields.
Xalier was faster.
Much faster.
His sword cut through openings that should not have existed. His dagger appeared wherever her guard thinned. Small wounds opened across her arms, shoulder, waist, and thigh.
But none were deep.
Antanasia's regeneration and defense were too tough.
Her body was too strong.
Her recovery was too fast.
She pushed him back with another violent slash.
The ground exploded beneath her foot.
Xalier slid several meters before stopping.
"Hm."
His breathing was calm.
Antanasia's was not.
"Huff... huff..."
She looked down at her wounds.
Then at him.
"You really are annoying."
"Thank you."
"Not a compliment."
"I know."
Her grin returned.
The wound in her stomach began to close around the dagger cut.
Xalier noticed.
His eyes narrowed.
"So the rumors about your body were not exaggerated."
"And the rumors about your speed were not either."
She rolled her shoulders.
"But speed is not everything."
"No."
Xalier raised his sword.
"But it is enough for many things."
He moved again.
Red light flashed.
Antanasia met him head-on.
Their blades clashed again and again, the sound ringing through the distorted forest like metal thunder.
She pushed with power.
He cut with speed.
She forced exchanges.
He created wounds.
Neither gained enough, which would not be healed in a blink.
After another violent collision, they separated.
Antanasia's chest rose and fell heavily.
Blood ran down her arms and stained the ground beneath her feet.
Yet her eyes were bright.
Too bright.
"Xalier."
Her voice changed.
It was no longer playful.
"What the hell are you doing?"
Xalier did not answer.
She pointed one katana toward the scattered ash of three bodies.
"Those were your kind."
"They were spies."
"They were vampires."
"They were enemies."
Antanasia's smile vanished.
"You are the King, why are you betraying your own race?"
Xalier's eyes became cold.
"I am not betraying it."
His grip tightened around the red longsword.
"I am trying to save it."
Antanasia's face twisted.
"By killing us?"
"If needed."
He stepped forward.
"Yes."
She spat blood to the side.
"King Lear, savior of vampires, murdering vampires in this accursed forest. How noble."
His expression did not change.
"There are things you do not understand."
"Oh, I understand enough."
Black energy surged around her blades.
"You're protecting something here."
Xalier stopped.
For the first time, his silence became answer enough.
Antanasia's eyes widened slightly.
Then her smile returned.
Slow.
Sharp.
"There it is."
She lowered her stance.
"So the rumors were true."
The red energy around Xalier deepened.
"No."
His voice was quiet.
"You should have ignored this place."
"Probably."
Antanasia laughed.
"But I am very bad at ignoring interesting things."
Xalier vanished.
This time, he did not appear at her side.
He appeared behind her.
His sword descended toward her neck.
Antanasia spun with impossible force.
Both katanas crossed above her shoulder.
*BOOM.*
The impact shattered the ground, the forest, and even the space around them.
For a moment, their faces were close.
Xalier's eyes burned red.
Antanasia's smile was full of blood.
"You know," she whispered, "now I really want to see what you are hiding."
Xalier's answer came without hesitation.
"They were necessary sacrifices."
The red fire around his blade flared.
"Just like you."
Then he disappeared from her sight.