Crack! Crack!
The sound of cracking echoed around Artoria. Currently, Artoria sat atop a massive boulder, magic power surging continuously from her body. The pure blue magic power grated against the air, sending wisps of static electricity dancing around her. The boulder she sat upon was being crushed and sent flying in fragments by the immense pressure of the magic power radiating from her.
Watching from the side, the Ancient One nodded with a smile. It seemed the child was quite hardworking. magic control was something one had to figure out for themselves rather than just being taught through words. Such a vast amount of magic power could only be released crudely and recklessly; while the effect looked impressive, she would have no strength left to fight after the release. In any case, it was a failure in the application of ability. If it were the Ancient One, she would likely use one-tenth of her body's magic to eliminate a strong enemy, three-tenths to wipe out small fry, and keep the remaining six-tenths for survival.
Had Artoria not had many companions during that battle, and had the opponent not been a relatively weak fellow, Artoria might have been captured alive after unleashing her ultimate move. If that had happened, some rather unfortunate things might have occurred. Artoria was lucky to have so many comrades to divide the battlefield, and her own strength was above average, so nothing like that happened. For now, the Ancient One did not intend to let Artoria touch her own magic so early; she would have her practice the fundamentals first!
Whew!
Feeling she had done enough, the magic power on Artoria's body began to contract, flowing back into her. When all the magic lingering outside was retracted, Artoria let out a relaxed sigh and opened her eyes. The special training had been very fruitful. Previously, she could only use magic quickly through her hands and feet, but now, mobilizing the magic power in her body was as free as commanding her own hands. Now, she could even imitate the Hyuga Clan's technique, the Byakugan... cough cough! It was 'Rotation,' with magic power completely surrounding her body.
Combined with a rendition of 'Love's magic Circles,' the technique known as the strongest in Konoha, passed down through the main house of the Hyuga Clan for generations, was performed. However, one might spin until they vomit, so mental preparation was necessary. Suddenly, she felt a pang of sympathy for Naruto, who, after getting married, had to endure the 'cold shoulders' (Byakugan) of the Hyuga family.
"The training for magic power control is almost complete. Next time, we can move on to fine magic manipulation. Keep it up, Artoria."
The Ancient One walked forward and brushed the dust off Artoria's clothes. She looked at Artoria kindly, like an elder looking at a newly grown-up brat, as she smilingly described the next lesson.
"I understand."
She didn't complain at all. She wasn't some delicate, fragile girl, but a growing ruler. What did this bit of hardship matter? She knew that if she didn't work hard now, she would turn to ash in the future. The word 'escape' did not exist in her dictionary.
"This feeling... isn't it just sustained, controllable Mana Burst? Interesting."
After the Ancient One left, Artoria recalled the sensation from earlier and looked back at the boulder that had been battered beyond recognition. Wasn't this Artoria's basic skill? The Ancient One actually knew how to use this method to help her completely control it. Truly interesting. She had to admit, the Ancient One was indeed a fine teacher.
"Brian."
"Oh! My dear sister, is there anything else? If not, I'm leaving."
Brian Braddock, a sunny young man from Britain, looked at his sister with a beaming smile, his tone full of flattery. Normally, a handsome guy like him treating a girl this way would turn even a tomboy into a cute girl. Unfortunately, no matter how handsome a younger brother is, he's just a servant in front of his sister—especially one with violent tendencies. He swore by his eyes, which had been blackened like a cute panda's from China, and his hair, which was as messy as a bird's nest, that if his sister ever managed to get married, he would eat shit.
He couldn't see at all if this sister, who was like a Tyrannosaurus Rex at home, was actually a woman. Was she a monster in a woman's skin? How could she have such immense strength to beat him until he questioned his very existence?
"I'm saying you shouldn't go to that research institute lately. Come with me to the United States. I think we can find better jobs there. Especially Miss Artoria Stark—isn't she your idol? Working at her company wouldn't be bad."
Elizabeth held a remote control while the TV happened to be broadcasting the exploits of the Avengers. She sat with her legs crossed unceremoniously, sipping the drink her brother had handed her as she spoke, looking every bit like a female hoodlum. She had recently passed the screening for a company under Artoria's banner.
She might have an interview next month. She heard the benefits and salary were good. If the conditions were truly decent after she joined, she would have her brother join the company too. They could finally get away from that damned nuclear power plant; that thing was just too dangerous. It was better to make a living in a big city.
Who said she didn't care for her brother? It was just that her way of showing concern was different. Only she was allowed to bully her brother; no one else could. In her eyes, among the backgrounds and performances of the Avengers, Artoria's was the most reliable. After all, working in the e-sports and gaming industry wasn't back-breaking labor. With her brother's education, he could make it into the upper management, and she could work peacefully at the company and look after him.
"What about Jimmy? Isn't he going?"
Though a bit conflicted, he caught his sister's drift—she meant to leave Jimmy behind and just have the two of them go. Heavens! He couldn't believe it. If there wasn't someone to share the burden of his sister's 'premature menopausal' temper, wouldn't he die a miserable Death? Oh, Mom and Dad in heaven! Your son might be joining you soon. Cause of Death: provoking sister and being beaten to Death.
"Seeing him just annoys me."
At the mention of that name, Elizabeth's expression soured as if she'd eaten shit. She glanced outside at a familiar back—wasn't that the Jimmy Brian mentioned? The guy was walking hand-in-hand with a strange woman, a stench of romance wafting over that almost made Brian faint.
"Pack your things well over the next three days. We're leaving soon. Forget about that guy."
"Alright!"
Though he was a bit reluctant to leave so suddenly, under the pressure of his sister's might, he decided to follow her lead. Ever since their parents died mysteriously, his sister had been the one carrying the whole family. Now that she wanted to move, he would move. It just seemed like life ahead wasn't going to be easy.
"I'll go resign this afternoon and bring my things back from the research institute."
"Do you need me to drive you?"
"No need, I'll just ride my motorcycle. I don't have much stuff, I'll have it sorted out quickly."
Declining his sister's kindness, Brian spoke with a smile. If not for those dark circles under his eyes, he might have been more convincing.
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