The Moonlight Swordsman



Meanwhile, Aizel made his way back to his modest apartment on Earth.

Since he had nothing important to do, his mind wandered to the approaching tournament.

He was motivated to practice hard with Alora because he knew he would have to face powerful mages.

He had no idea how difficult things would be, but his determination was strong. He wanted to beat every single mage in the tournament and keep Daisy protected from any harm.

As he entered the hallway, he saw Alora absorbed in her usual activity, staring intently at the screen in front of her as she watched an exciting Korean drama.

The shifting light cast dramatic shadows on her face, emphasizing the myriad of feelings she was experiencing.

"Oye, where is Dr. Shelly?"

"She went back to work. She will visit on weekends again." Alora replied.

"Okay, then come and train me for the tournament. I want to beat everyone's ass there."

"NOOOO... why do you always come whenever some exciting plot is stirring in the series,"

"You can watch it later, let's go,"

*Tsh*

With a wave of her hand, Alora tapped into the depths of her mystical abilities, harnessing the power of dreams.

Aizel's mind shifted as her power whirled about them, taking him to a dream realm.

Aizel tapped into his wellspring of imagination, conjuring a vivid landscape for their training. In this dream realm, a loop of five years unfolded before them, providing ample time for honing their skills, expanding their knowledge, and pushing the boundaries of their magical prowess.

"What do you need to train?"

"Well, I am learning magic spells from Grimorium and from the internet to hone my imagination.

"I can use that for my close combat skills with different weapons, but what I need now is experience.

"A real battle experience for five straight years with you,"

"So, you want to fight me with every weapon and get some real combat experience?" Alora asked.

"Yes,"

"Okay, come." Alora summoned a simple sword and held it with one hand.

"Sekki," Aizel called forth.

Suddenly, Sekki took on the appearance of a sleek and deadly katana, glowing with an otherworldly radiance.

Aizel's fingers curled tighter around the hilt, and he leaped forward with lightning quickness and pinpoint accuracy.

The clash of their blades resounded like a symphony as they danced in a captivating display of technique and power.

His assaults were unrelenting, but Alora's defensive prowess was unrivaled. She demonstrated complete mastery of her swordsmanship with each deft parry and counter.

Aizel's katana was coming down with unrelenting fury, and Alora knew she had to deflect it. But in a shocking turn, the katana became enormous, becoming a greatsword that added significantly to the force of the blow. 

Caught off guard by the sudden change, Alora's defenses faltered, unable to withstand the overwhelming force.

The ground underneath them shook and cracked as the impact of Aizel's attack reverberated with earthshaking intensity.

Alora was pushed backward so hard that a small crater was created as her feet slid across the ground until she gave in to the strain and fell to the ground.

Just as Aizel was about to take advantage of Alora's vulnerable situation, something unexpected happened.

Alora dissipated into thin air like a wisp of smoke, leaving just a faint trace of her presence behind.

Suddenly, Aizel found his head flying in the sky, and from there, he gazed down at Alora, who was now standing behind his lifeless body with a mischievous smile on her face.

Aizel opened his eyes again and found himself again in his body.

"Who taught you how to fight?"

"You," Alora replied.

"Fuck, I need those skills again."

"Don't worry, your instincts are also coming back with your memory,"

"Again, let's go,"

"Come..."

Aizel and Alora fought in an endless cycle within the eternal domain of their ethereal meeting. Even though only seconds had elapsed in the outside world, their fight had lasted far longer.

Aizel's consciousness, unbound by the constraints of time, experienced the passage of five years.

Each battle forced Aizel to draw upon more of his extensive toolkit of skills and powers. Every blow, parry, and counter served as a teaching moment on his path to eventual mastery.

When the ethereal loop was complete, Aizel and Alora came back once again to the hall.

Aizel, exhausted from the fierce skirmishes that had taken place within the endless space, flopped down on the couch. His sweat-soaked body shook from exhaustion as if every last bit of strength had been drained from it.

His mental and physical health suffered as a result of their lengthy interaction. A mental vortex appeared to have been created, sucking all of his energy and concentration away.

He took little breaths as if each one was a last-ditch effort to refuel his exhausted lungs. His body, which had once been bursting with life and vigor, now felt heavy and sluggish as though his trials had sapped his very essence.

"I don't know what will happen to me when I am able to cast longer loops."

"Don't worry, your mind will also become stronger as you heal your core," Alora replied as she sat on the sofa beside him.

She started to caress his hair slowly.

"I hope it does. Because I will die like this if this happens every time... hmm by the way, what are you doing?

"Why are you caressing my hair?"

"Idiot, you don't even know what I am doing?" Alora shouted.

"Don't shout, and don't stop. I don't know what are you doing but it feels good hehe..."

"By the way, have you started to teach something to Dr. Shelly?"

"Yes, she is getting the gist of it, but without mana here, I can't do anything."

"Well, something is always better.

"Alora,"

"Yes,"

"I am reaching my limits with that world and its people."

"I told you before that Xelgar is a cruel world. You still haven't seen the horror that lies ahead."

"Is there a way to bring kids and Daisy into this world?"

Alora's eyes widened after hearing that.

"Y-yes, but it will involve risk. And did you forget that even this world will not be safe?"

"Yes, but she will be strong and will have the go-ahead more than everyone else,"

"Aizel, if you think that after mana arrives, every single person will become like a normal mage, then you are wrong.

"Even in this world, there will be monsters born, and some unique mages will appear. You can't expect this world to be safe for them."