Three months is enough time for Orario to witness many changes.
But at the Starlight Court, certain transformations were happening so fast they were jaw-dropping, leaving even the battle-hardened members of the Familia in a daze.
At the end of the third month, early morning, in the Divine Chamber.
Goddess Astraea's fingers brushed lightly over the scorching Falna on Su Lun's back. The sacred characters flowed like living things, reorganizing and condensing until they finally settled into values that required even a deity to focus intently to believe.
She transcribed the translated text onto parchment, her movements slightly slower than usual. When the final digit left her pen, the Goddess remained silent for a full ten seconds.
Attribute Value Rank
Strength 1099 SS
Endurance 1077 SS
Dexterity 1058 SS
Agility 1001 SS
Magic 1200 SSS
"Three months…" the Goddess whispered to herself. Her fingertip hovered over the line that read "SSS 1200," as if trying to confirm it wasn't a hallucination. "Every attribute has broken past the S-rank threshold. His Magic has even exceeded the theoretical limit."
She looked out the window. On the training ground, Su Lun had just finished his morning drill and was discussing the mechanics of a specific sword strike with Lyu. His rate of growth was no longer a secret within the Familia, yet it never failed to shock.
Breakfast time, Dining Hall.
Simple oatmeal, toast, and fruit were spread across the long table. But today, no one was in a hurry to pick up their utensils. Everyone's gaze drifted toward Su Lun—or more accurately, toward the copy of his updated status in the Goddess's hand.
"S-rank… All SS…" Neze muttered, her spoon hanging mid-air. "When I reached Lv.2, my highest stat had barely touched the C-rank threshold…"
"And the Magic is SSS," Noin added, her voice carrying a distinct note of disbelief. "The Guild textbooks say S-rank is the theoretical limit for mortals. SSS… how do you even calculate that?"
Alise practically bounded out of her seat, her green eyes shining like lanterns. "That's amazing, Su Lun! I knew you could do it!" She slapped Su Lun on the back so hard he nearly face-planted into his bowl of porridge.
Kaguya set down her teacup. Her voice was cool, but her ruby-like eyes scrutinized Su Lun. "There are many good teachers, but you are the only one I have ever seen go from Rank I to all SS in three months." She paused, then suddenly announced: "After breakfast, come to the training ground. Lyra, you come too."
The mentioned Lyra looked up, a cunning smile spreading across her small face. "Alright, Kaguya. I'm quite curious to see just how far Mr. Su Lun has come."
Training Ground, Mid-morning.
The sunlight filtered through the leaves of the courtyard, casting dappled shadows on the sand. Su Lun stood in the center of the field, facing Kaguya and Lyra.
Kaguya's right hand rested on the hilt of the long sword at her waist—her Higanbana. Her left hand gripped the end of her short Futaba blade. Her half-lidded eyes snapped open, her sharp gaze sweeping over Su Lun like the edge of a blade.
"The rules are simple," she said, her voice devoid of emotion. "Lyra and I will attack. You will defend. Survive for five minutes, or… prove your strength to our satisfaction."
"Begin," Lyu's voice rang out.
Kaguya moved. Her silhouette shot forward like a bolt of lightning. The Higanbana was drawn only three inches, yet a condensed purple-black blade-light tore through the air. At seventy percent speed, it was enough to test the limits of almost any Lv.1.
However, the expected parry or dodge didn't happen. The figure opposite her lunged diagonally with a speed that matched her own! His shortsword cleared the scabbard—not to meet her head-on, but to deftly deflect and lead her strike away.
Clang! The blade was redirected.
Immediately after, he had already breached her center line. He thrust two fingers out like a sword, aiming for her wrist, his fingertips dancing with a dangerous glimmer of magical mana!
Kaguya felt a chill. She flicked her wrist, bringing her scabbard up to block. As she used the momentum to retreat, a flash of surprise crossed her eyes. This reaction, this decisiveness in close-quarters combat, and that instantaneous burst of speed…
Su Lun, as if anticipating her move, didn't even look back as he swung his sword behind him in a reverse arc! Ting, ting, ting! He precisely intercepted three strikes from Lyra, who had lunged from his blind spot like a venomous snake.
He pointed his right hand at the ground. "Grease!"
As the slick oil spread, Lyra let out a soft cry and leaped into the air, her twin blades raining down like a silver storm. Su Lun's left shortsword traced a Thunderous Blade crackling with electricity, while he chanted under his breath: "Faerie Fire!"
Colored light-dust splashed around Kaguya. Irritated, Kaguya drew the Higanbana fully, the slender blade reflecting an eerie purple light. The purple blade-glow turned into a continuous wave, sweeping toward him with a tangible sense of pressure.
The pressure came like a tide, yet Su Lun's eyes grew even calmer. His footwork was as fluid as the wind, sometimes meeting the blade head-on with his lightning-wreathed sword, other times deploying a Shield spell—a translucent forcefield that precisely blocked the wide-range slashes. His physical stats, now comparable to a veteran Lv.2, were on full display.
What shocked Kaguya even more was his integration of magic:
Shield: Cast instantaneously as if by instinct, appearing exactly where the blade-light was most intense.
Mage Hand: Used not just for defense, but to suddenly shove the ground or rocks to disrupt her rhythm.
Ray of Frost: Fired insidiously at the pivot point where she was about to land.
Magic Missile: Appearing out of nowhere, forcing her and Lyra to break their perfect coordination.
In the fourth minute, Kaguya and Lyra exchanged a look. Their long assault had failed to break him; it was time to use heavier measures.
Kaguya sheathed her sword and retreated. Lyra understood, shifting her offensive into a tight, clinging entanglement. Kaguya gripped the Higanbana with both hands, holding it level with her brow. A purple-black aura coiled around the blade like a living thing.
"Watch yourself. Calamitous Equinox Flower!"
Five condensed purple-black blade-lights erupted in a devastating fan shape! A piercing shriek tore the air, sealing off all angles of escape.
However, Su Lun's choice once again exceeded her expectations. He took a standard draw-stance with both hands, gripping the hilt of the shortsword at his waist.
Ching—!
Amidst the clear ring of the sword leaving its sheath, a burst of pure, blazing holy energy erupted! Su Lun stepped in and twisted his body, pouring all his strength and will into this upward, counter-current slash!
"Supreme—Holy—Smite!!!"
The brilliant blade of light, looking as if it were forged from solid gold, carried a resolute will to shatter all evil. It slammed head-on into the core point where the five blade-lights converged!
BOOM—!!!
A deafening explosion swallowed everything. The golden and purple-black lights collided and annihilated each other, the violent shockwave kicking up a cloud of sand and dust.
The dust settled. Su Lun was unscathed, though the shield in front of him was covered in cracks. Kaguya stood with her sword held low. She looked at Su Lun, and the long-standing scrutiny in her eyes transformed into a burning sense of recognition.
She sheathed her Higanbana, walked over to Su Lun, and reached out a hand. Su Lun used it to pull himself up.
"Not bad. I misjudged you," Kaguya's voice remained concise. She paused, her gaze locking onto his. "Once you officially Level Up and your foundation is stable… we will fight again. In earnest."
This was no longer a test, but an invitation. An invitation from the "Yamato Gentian," Gojouno Kaguya, to a true warrior.
On the sidelines, Goddess Astraea stood under the corridor, a gentle smile bathing her eyes.
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Danmachi: My Magic Style is Different from Yours (43 Chapters – Ongoing)
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