Hi3rd: Achievement Hunter

Sou-!

Sou-!

Sou-!

When Aleph went to the training room, he saw the lengthy silver blade dancing midair. Her strikes were naturally connected, utilizing her wrist to connect each strike smoothly.

The impact of the subsequent strikes became stronger. The momentum made her swing the blade faster.

Sou-!

Hum-!

The sound of cutting air resounded in the room.

"You've learned it."

"Sir."

Mei deftly sheathed the blade before giving him a bow.

'Well… She's still doing it.'

Aleph thought of the times he stopped her from giving the seniority to him, but to no avail. She always bowed whenever she greeted him. It was a completely different vibe from his Mei.

He walked over the training room and picked up one of the blades on the shelf.

"After this training, we'll deal with the things we put off."

His words elicited a surprised look from her.

"We'll head over to the five families."

*****

Aleph wasn't a mountain to be conquered.

That was what Mei learned during her time with him. Each time their blades clashed, she felt how big the chasm separating them was. Her progress, no matter how fast it was, didn't mean anything in the face of his strength.

Facing him, nobody should have the thoughts of winning. The best they could do, bar none, was to think of the best escape plan.

Contrary to her chaotic thoughts, her face remained the same. She was following Aleph five footsteps behind.

They were walking through a silver corridor made entirely of metals. 

Soon, they reached their destination: a large dome-shaped area.

Its floor was made of dense black metals. Its hardness was one of the best throughout Izumo.

What faced them was a group of people led by a white-haired man. A black-blue sheath was present on his waist. It has to be noted that the group of people wore formal clothing, spanning from coats to kimonos.

"What a pity. I take it that this was everyone's decision?"

Aleph's clear voice rang inside the wide dome. It caused everyone to jolt in surprise.

"His presence…"

"No, that's not it. Why do I feel nothing in front of him?"

"The person who obliterated a sovereign in one strike…"

"Don't forget that he's also involved in the disappearance of that city."

Their voices were low—low enough to resound as thin frequencies. It could easily be inferred that the people with formal clothing were no pushovers. They possessed the ability to control divine power, at the very least.

"The other chairmen could not come. My apologies, sir."

The person who spoke was Kevin's expy. From the clear yet slightly murky blue eyes, Aleph could tell numerous striking similarities.

"It does not matter." He replied. "It's just that… you might not be able to accomplish your goals."

""...""

The opposite group fell silent. Only Mei, who was standing behind him, knew the meaning behind his words.

It was simple: The holders of the other five Sentinels wanted to test Aleph's strength.

What they could not imagine was that…

'Will he end it in an instant?'

She had a vague feeling that he wouldn't.

Kevin's look-a-like, Hakuhatsu Ki, broke the awkward silence.

"Shall we begin?"

"Sure."

The people behind him began to disperse. They all went to the sidelines, intending to watch this 'spar' seriously.

After all, they were the most surprised when they received a message from the Raiden lineage—one that asked them for a 'spar'. The one who they would be fighting was none other than the unknown person who killed a sovereign in less than a minute.

They were skeptical at first, but they decided to accept it. They were presented two options, however. That was to either fight Aleph in a duel or fight him with all five of them.

The latter part was absurd, yes, but they thought it was the confidence held by someone with an unprecedented feat.

In the end, they pushed the Hakuhatsu Lineage to be the first one to fight against him. As for the matter of all five Sentinel Holders ganging up against Aleph, they did not even consider it.

If they won, it would be unfair.

If they lost, it would damage their prestige.

There's no knowing as to what the Raiden Lineage might do. If it becomes a full-blown knowledge to the general public, it would be a huge trouble appearing out of nowhere.

"Before you ask anything, I will be fighting barehanded."

"...I understand."

Aleph began stepping back. His gaze met with Mei's who was heading towards the sidelines.

'I can't stay for long. Establishing Mei's authority is the best I can do... for now.' He thought. 'If something bad happened while I was gone…'

These worries existed. It was just that the benefits he got while analyzing the Black Sun, up to his encounter on the Horizon of Existence, was enough to offset it.

Flutter.

His kimono fluttered as he walked. The tapping sounds of his geta made everyone pay attention to him.

"I will only use Star Rage during this fight's duration. In turn…"

His soft mumbles did not reach anyone. Only he knew of the Binding Vow he made.

A minute later, the fight officially began. Kevin's expy took the first move.

Shiing-!

An arc made of translucent blue ice headed straight to Aleph.

Bam-!

Under the surprised gazes of everyone, it was easily broken… with a single punch. Waves of shockwave originated from his punch alone.

Contrary to their expectations, Aleph's movements were slightly visible to their eyes. They half-expected to see afterimages, but their eyes managed to see his blurry figure.

Even Hakuhatsu Ki was surprised.

However, it did not last for long.

From the distance, he already saw Aleph's impending punch. It could be a jab or a hook. He was fully prepared to dodge it.

Yet…

'Huh..?!'

The sense of crisis on the back of his mind never disappeared. His eyes could follow Aleph's movements. It was completely indescribable. It moved slowly and inexplicably. Some of Aleph's movements were useless in his opinion. When the enemy knew it was a fluke and readied for it, the feints he threw would be useless.

That wasn't the case with Aleph.

'Ah—!'

Before Hakuhatsu Ki knew it, Aleph was already in front of him, readying to throw a punch. His existence briefly disappeared, prompting him to even forget what he was doing now.

The latter had predicted his position at least fifty moves in advance and intercepted him!

BAM-!

The rest saw Ki's body being thrown to the ceiling of the dome. His figure became deeply embedded in its metallic ceiling.

Clang-!

When his Sentinel dropped to the ground, the training venue became deathly silent.