The next day…
The coastal village of Cinque Terre woke up to a new day. The sun rose from the horizon, eclipsing the sky with light. Within one of Cinque Terre's villages – Monterosso, Dante along with Missio, Victor and Bellum had huddled together on the King-sized bed and fell asleep. As light seeped through the windows, the supreme commander and commander woke up respectively. Dante and Bellum groaned, straightening.
"Good morning…" Dante yawned.
Bellum didn't reply – he merely groaned. Dante pushed off the bed and headed towards the bath. Victor and Missio also woke up – yawning. Missio straightened and stepped off the bed first. Victor rolled around the soft mattress, twisting his body. Eventually, he also jolted up. Dante exited the washroom and Bellum went in right after him.
After a few minutes, everyone had washed themselves. They put on their clothes and hopped off the RV. All of them wore short trunks with T-shirts of different colors and flip flops. Dante put on his glasses and locked the RV. The vehicle locked itself, the instant it received the signal. He heaved a sigh and headed out of the camp. The others followed him.
Eventually, they found themselves on the coast of the beach. The water washed atop the empty shore – no tourists in sight. The birds chirped upon the cliffs, flying above them. A cold breeze past the group, making their skin tingle. Bellum took in the fresh breeze, reaching his arms out.
"Let's go!" He exclaimed. "Where are the waves?"
"The surfing spot isn't here, dumbass." Dante sneered.
"Then, where is it?" Bellum turned around as Missio stepped onto the beach as well.
"A few kilometers away." Victor stated, entering the conversation. "We'll go there some time after."
"You still have to train Missio, don't forget." Dante's feet touched the rough sand.
Bellum paused, placing his hands on his hips. He smacked his lips.
"Well… uh… You see I haven't brough my sword…"
"You son of a…" Dante lowered his head, exhaled heavily.
However, a realization struck him at that moment. He raised his arm activating his attribute.
"Wait."
Before Bellum could respond, Dante sped away. The next moment, he appeared with a katana in his hand. Bellum stared at it for a moment.
"Did you… just run to Rush city to get my katana?"
"Nah, we already had one in the RV." Dante threw the sword.
"Since when?" Bellum caught it.
"It's a secret." Dante smirked. "Can't tell ya."
Bellum grinned widely. He glanced at Missio who was staring at the horizon.
"Hey, Missio." Bellum called out. "Wanna start training?"
Missio locked eyes with him. "Sure."
They stood opposite of each other on the edge of the beach. Dante and Victor approached them. The King placed his hand on Bellum's shoulder as the commander's mouth opened.
"So? How many forms did ya teach him?"
"Only the first three." Dante replied.
"Good. Then, you built his basics. It'll be easier to train him now."
Dante chuckled. "He's got some talent with the longsword, Y'know. He mastered those forms within the month we spent in Vatican City."
Bellum's eyes widened. He locked eyes with the supreme commander, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Are ya for real?"
"For real – real." Dante backed off.
"Oh…" Bellum met Missio's gaze. "This is gonna be fun."
Missio smirked – chuckling a little.
"I don't think I can go all out against him. Right, bro?" He glanced at Dante.
"Of course." Dante responded.
"Oh, come on." Bellum unsheathed his blade. "I am a Saint nonetheless. You've been stronger than me for almost your entire life. It'll make no difference now."
Missio opened his palm. "But the thing is Bellum…"
In an instant, a longsword appeared in Missio's hands. Bellum's pupils dilated as Victor sat down.
"I've transcended that level of strength long ago." Missio looked at his blade. "Huh… why wasn't there any light this time?"
Dante sat down beside his friend.
"Before, your ability was at a lower level. It took some time to create which caused that light to indicate that something was being created. Now, your creation ability is maxed out. So, it instantly manifests your imagination into reality." Dante answered.
"Ahh…" Missio nodded – understanding.
"How the hell did you make a sword out of thin air?!" Bellum's jaw dropped.
"It's a secret." Missio replied, swinging his blade.
"Okay, what kind of secret is this?"
"Family secret."
Bellum growled and turned towards Victor.
"You know something about this, right? You were literally his therapist."
Victor laughed awkwardly, shaking his head.
"I don't know. They didn't tell me anything about this."
Bellum heaved a sigh, giving up on finding out about the Augustus's secret. He turned towards Missio, raising his blade.
"Missio…" Bellum exhaled heavily, clearing his mind. "Do you know what Sempiterne Swordsmanship is?"
Missio raised his sword as well. "Yes… a sword art created by Romulus Augustus for war."
"Yes." Bellum approached him. "It is. A style created to live in the chaos of war. To cut down as many enemies as possible without giving them a chance to breathe but…"
The commander of the Apex Forces halted before him. The two blades crossed each other without touching, casting a shadow on the sand.
"It's also an art meant to incorporate techniques from other sword styles into its own."
Missio furrowed his brows, the birds chirping on the cliffs.
"What do you mean?"
"Tell me, did Dante teach you any specific attack or a guard from Sempiterne Swordsmanship?"
Missio raised his head a little. His mind flashed back to the time they had spent in Bologna. No memory surfaced of his brother teaching him a specific technique. He returned to the present and met Bellum's gaze.
"No…"
Bellum struck Missio's swords lightly. The metal vibrated a little, ringing throughout the beach.
"Exactly. It takes what one knows and teaches them to use it in the way of infinity."