The next day, as usual, Kael trained his physical abilities with Nibsken and Grak'Mar in the Venforeva Forest. His Tan'Mara was becoming more precise with each session, and his movements were growing smoother and more fluid.
Thud!
Thoomph!
"19 and... 20!"
Kael dropped the final Trevian onto the pile and wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Twenty Trevians today, Ogre!"
"Good..." Grak'Mar rumbled. "You become better, human."
The ogre smiled, revealing his thick tusks.
"Alright, human," Nibsken said as he gathered his things. "I think that's enough for today. Better head home for your Bilah training."
Gulp! Gulp!
"Haaah!"
Kael lowered the bottle of Tenalung energy drink and let out a satisfied breath.
"Yeah, yeah. I'm ready for Bilah training. Hehehe."
He wiped his mouth and grinned. There was something he wanted to try.
"What are you planning, human?" Nibsken asked. "Looks like you've got something wild in mind."
"Not really. Just watch me try something new."
Both Nibsken and Grak'Mar shrugged.
After tidying up their training grounds as if nothing had happened, the trio began the walk back to Kael's backyard.
As they made their way through the forest, Kael casually brought up a question.
"Hey, do you guys know about the Ansalar Festival?"
Nibsken nodded.
"Yeah. What about it, human?"
"Nothing. I'm just wondering how that festival really affects life in Kaliddora."
"It only happens once a year," Nibsken replied. "And it affects everyone's life."
Grak'Mar grunted in agreement.
"It's a Big festival. Important festival."
Kael glanced ahead as they walked.
"Usually our race is the least excited about this because we don't really rely on the moon to hunt, or make our daily lives easier..." Nibsken explained while putting both of his hands behind his head.
"But we still learn about the colours and their blessings," he added.
"Even though it seems it doesn't really affect our race... for other races, they are really important. That's why, at least, I hope this time, all the moons turn red," said Grak'Mar while looking at the other races as they left the Venforeva Forest.
"Red? Why red, Ogre?" Kael asked curiously.
"Red means war winning," Grak'Mar responded.
"War winning?" Kael looked confused.
"Yeah... You may not notice this, but for the past few years the Realm Protectors have been struggling to battle against the Mishanter. That's why I hope this year they turn red. Then at least the Realm Protectors can fight easier this year..."
"Hmm? Well, that's quite the opposite of what I heard from CC Yiel..." Kael nodded as he thought back to last night's conversation. "But maybe he has some reason why he wants them to turn gold."
"Oh yeah, what about this year, Ogre? I already forgot the colour for this year."
"This year is green, human," Nibsken responded.
"And... what does that mean?"
"That means the crops, farms, and animals that we eat become more productive this year. It's actually a good one, honestly."
"Oh... I see..." Kael nodded. "That's why the old elf can cook a lot of meat when I'm at home."
The trio continued their walk toward Kael's house.
When they arrived, as usual, Liraen and Nylum were already there.
Kael put away the rest of his training equipment and got ready for his Bilah training for the day.
"Alright, Ren. I'm ready!" Kael announced with his mechanical sword at his side.
"Good. Today, as usual, we can spar again," said Liraen calmly.
"Since I've already taught you the basics, and you're getting better at defeating Nylum, I want us to spar again so I can see what you're still lacking."
"Alright, Ren."
Kael picked up his mechanical sword, but this time he brought all four blades, along with one short blade.
"Hmm?" Liraen looked confused, having never seen Kael use all of them before. "Why are you using all those blades, Kael?"
"Yeah, Ren. I wanna try something."
Liraen nodded.
The two took their stances.
But then Kael placed the two long blades and one short blade on the ground.
"Hmm?" Liraen's eyes narrowed slightly.
What is this human planning to do? he thought.
Then, without any hesitation, the spar began as Liraen dashed forward, the same as Kael.
KTANG!
Their swords collided.
Kael's swordsmanship had gotten better, both offensively and defensively, but Liraen was still far more advanced than him. However, that wasn't what Kael wanted to show today.
SWOOSH!
Kael took a step back, then pressed the button on his sword's handle, causing the three remaining blades to float.
The blades rose into the air.
Yeah... just as I thought...
Immediately, Kael rushed forward, with all three blades following behind him.
His attack pattern changed as he controlled the floating blades through the handle.
Liraen was slightly surprised as the three floating blades headed toward him.
Kael's plan was simple: distract Liraen to create chaos that was said to be the counter for Etherian like Liraen.
The floating blades weren't meant to strike directly. They were there to blind and pressure him from multiple directions while Kael rushed in with the short blade.
It was a chaotic fighting style, one Kael had imagined specifically to disrupt an Etherian Elf like Liraen.
SWOOOSH!
SWOOOSH!
The floating blades rushed toward Liraen at a respectable speed, aiming for his neck.
KTANNG!
KTANNG!
In an instant, the two floating blades were knocked to the ground.
"Cih!"
Kael quickly took a step back.
"What's with all that, Kael?" Liraen asked while still holding his sword.
"How were you able to parry that?!" Kael asked in surprise.
"What do you mean?" Liraen replied. "That was really easy for me."
He tilted his head slightly.
"You don't actually think I can't parry those slow floating blades, do you?"
"Well... that was my plan..." Kael glanced at the two blades stuck in the ground.
"And that didn't work. Come on. Give me more," Liraen taunted, pointing his sword toward him.
Kael felt slightly irritated.
He steadied himself, took a proper stance, and continued the spar with Liraen, abandoning his chaotic plan for the moment.
And as expected...
THUD!
"Ughh!"
Kael fell to the ground.
"You lost again, Kael..." Liraen said as he offered his hand to help him up.
"Yeah, yeah..." Kael muttered, still irritated. Not just because his plan didn't work, but because he had lost again.
"Hmm? You alright?" Liraen asked curiously.
"Yeah... you just seem unbeatable, Ren. How can I defeat someone like you?"
"You don't need to defeat me to become better than me, Kael," he answered. "Your sword skills have already improved, but you lack something."
"Something? Like experience? Strength? Speed?" Kael seems clueless asking all those questions.
"All of that matters. But those can improve as you train every day." Liraen answered calmly.
"Okay... then what is it?" Kael asked curiously.
"Your bond with your Bilah."
"My bond with my Bilah?" Kael looked at Tesseract, his black sword. "What do you mean? The bond with this sword? I already named it. What else does it need? Sleep with me?"
Liraen stared at him for a moment, then burst into light laughter.
"Hahaha... you're quite funny, Kael. But yeah... that kind of thing actually helps too."
"You said I need to sleep with my sword so I can make fast parries like you?" Kael asked.
"Not directly sleeping with it, Kael. I mean the way you and your Bilah sync together," Liraen explained.
"Hmm? I still don't get it, Ren. Can you show me something so I can understand?"
"Yeah, sure," Liraen agreed.
Liraen stepped away from Kael, exposing his back and turning so he was facing away from him from Kael's perspective.
"Hit me, Kael. I will show you how my Bilah and I sync," Liraen said while holding his white obsidian sword.
"Hahaha, you sure? This might be my best opportunity to hit him!" Kael looked excited.
"Yeah, Kael. Just hit me when you see an opening." Liraen said, watching Kael over his shoulder.
"Alright, Ren. Don't blame me if you get hurt," Kael said confidently.
His other friends watched with confused expressions.
"What are they doing, Ogre?" one of them asked.
"I'm not sure what this human and Ren are about to do..." Grak'Mar replied.
And without any hesitation, Kael dashed forward and attacked Liraen.
SWOOSH!
Kael dashed forward, sword raised, aiming for Liraen's neck.
KTANNG!
"Ugh!"
In an instant, Kael's sword was knocked away and stabbed into the ground.
Liraen turned back to face Kael.
Kael, still stunned by what had just happened, couldn't fully process the scene so does all his other friends.
"Wha-what just happened, Ogre?" Nibsken asked, witnessing something he had never seen before.
"….That is what happens when you and your Bilah sync together," Liraen explained.
"Ren's Bilah is named Ralis... By naming your Bilah and syncing yourself with it, it allows the user to and their weapon to create a deeper bond with each other."
"So that means elves can do that kind of parry without even looking at human?" Nibsken asked.
"Yeah... Syncing yourself with your Bilah doesn't just mean you and your weapon become one. It also means you give your weapon what you have."
"In this case... Liraen is giving his right hand to Ralis." Grak'Mar explain crossing his arm.
Nibsken nodded slowly.
Meanwhile, Kael stood back up, facing Liraen.
"Ren..." he said seriously. "Teach me that technique... I need to master that. No, I must have that sync technique."
Liraen just smiled.
"I can't, Kael."
"Huh? Why?" Kael looked confused. He had never received a "no" from Liraen when it came to learning.
Liraen then glanced at Kael's mechanical sword.
"Because… it depends on that sword of yours."
Kael looked down at his own blade, then nodded.
"Alright… but I want to ask you one thing."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"How do you sync yourself with your Bilah?"
"There's no specific way," Liraen explained, his hand resting on Ralis. "Some sync through countless training sessions. Some only sync when they're in real danger or at the brink of death. Some even forge or create their own Bilah so the bond is already there."
"But for me… since my father gave it to me, I feel there's already value that connects us together."
Kael looked at Tesseract. No one had ever given it to him. He didn't forge it, nor had he shared any critical moment with it.
"Hmm… I don't know how I can sync with this, Ren. Maybe I need to train more with it!" Kael flicked his finger. "Or maybe I can talk with it… or even try dying together!"
"Hahaha, that's maybe too extreme, Kael."
"Yeah, you're right..." Kael nodded. "So what are we waiting for? Let's duel again!"
Liraen smiled.
"I think Nylum will continue training with you, Kael."
"Huh? Why, Ren?"
"I..."
Liraen looked at his trembling hand.
Suddenly, Grak'Mar tapped Kael on the shoulder.
"It's alright, human. Let Nylum train you."
"Alright..." Kael nodded uncertainly as he turned to look at Liraen.
Grak'Mar knew...
The effect of syncing yourself with your weapon.
The side effect of lending a part of yourself to your Bilah.
After using it, that body part could become unusable for a period of time. Depending on the user, it could last for days or even weeks.
Then Kael continued training his Bilah skills with Nylum while Grak'Mar watched over him.
Liraen sat resting on a wooden chair.
They continued training until evening arrived. Liraen, Nylum, Grak'Mar, and Nibsken eventually took their leave, and Kael went back inside his house to prepare for his Tawan Training.
As night fell, the fifteen moons rose into the sky, each shining with its own colour, as usual.
Kael took a short rest before the night's Tawan Training began.
Kael sat on his wooden chair. The X Book lay open on the ground, its first pages spread out as a reference for his blueprint.
Despite still feeling tired from the day's training, he continued working on the vehicle machine.
Reyvik and Brasskert watched nearby.
They helped Kael from time to time by handing him tools whenever he needed them.
Meanwhile, Volgran, with his giant body, simply sat and observed.
"Fuh... that's all for tonight again, guys."
Kael wiped the sweat from his forehead and walked over to his wooden worktable, where he placed the X Book beside the Y and Z Books.
They still couldn't be opened...
Kael stared at the books.
The same routine as always during his Tawan training.
"Hmm... Humanzz... I think ya need to make a move on those things. We only have less than two months left before ya second attempt," Brasskert said while stroking his short white gnome beard.
"Yeah, yeah, Brasskert... If I knew how to open them, I would've done it already..."
Reyvik's ears twitched as he remembered something.
"Kael, why don't we ask Boss Durmuk again?" he suggested.
"Hmm... Good idea, Reyv, but Boss already said he doesn't know anything about these books..."
Reyvik nodded.
"Hmm... Maybe I should ask CC Yiel about them. I didn't have time to ask him back then since he was always talking about the Ansalar Festival…,,,"
"Arghh!"
Kael suddenly stood up in frustration.
"I'll just force them open!"
He grabbed all three books. But instead of trying to pull apart the sealed pages, Kael took his Blade and carefully slipped it between the stuck pages.
Slowly, he began separating them by force.
Then he noticed something.
It was actually working.
"Wait... The pages are starting to loosen, Kael!" Reyvik said excitedly.
"Yeah... Just a little more..."
SKRRCKK!
SCKKRKK!
From every side, Kael carefully worked the blade between the pages.
Finally, after nearly half an hour of effort...
The pages opened.
Not all of them, but a single page from the Y Book.
But Kael didn't stop there.
He repeated the same method on all three books.
As he suspected, what started as a rushed idea had become the solution he had been searching for.
Even so, it still took him more than an hour before all three books' second pages were finally opened.
"Fuhh! Finally!"
"The pages are open."
Kael sat down and looked at the books spread across the table.
"Alright…Let's see what we can do..."
The plan he had created to bring chaos against Aeronis and Liraen had turned into a much greater lesson.
The control of Bilah.
The development of Tawan.
With only two months left before the second attempt...
This time, it would be different.