Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 378: [Bonus - ] The Metallum Blade
*Do re-read The Metallum Blade Part 1(Chapter 155), to refresh.
Part 2: Expectations to My Rupture
"You have a gift son. How are the Ordinate or the Krialin going to ever accept you with marks like these?" Mr Parnell slapped his son’s report card on the table.
"Your sister’s already ending her internship at the Ordinate. You’re seventeen going on eighteen Okod, it’s time to put some effort into these things," his mother told.
_
"D’you hear? Melanie apparently got accepted into Reneka’s University for girls—up in Galuvit Town. Shame; she was really cute," Zach told offhandedly into the wind as it brushed past his hair.
The dirty-blonde had grown much taller—a bit of awkward facial hair over his face, alongside fading scars of acne. His toned arms of lean muscle shifted back and forth, throwing and catching a paper aeroplane over and over.
There was no paper of course, instead it was formed of sea-like bluish wind, which also propelled it in little gusts.
Beside him, having grown a little taller since the previous year or the year before that, was a young man with clear skin and sharp blue eyes—his medium black hair ruffled and jawline more pronounced.
Okod silently sat, staring across the rooftops—both of them sitting on a rooftop as well.
"Can’t say I have a plan either," Zach continued. "I mean, I got archery practice and contests going for me. Maybe I have something there."
In Okod’s hand was a large paperclip he fidgeted with—around his fingers it went and back into his palm he held. "Galvanize," he muttered under his breath.
The paperclip gleamed as a coating of metal formed from the lines of his palm and surrounded the paperclip in a silvery mercurial liquid—it gave a polished glow before it hardened.
Within the next second, he dismissed the spell—the liquid-like metal evaporated into the air, leaving the mere paperclip.
"Cool spell," Zach took notice.
"It’s the only one I got. I can coat stuff in metal, that’s it," he replied. He stared to the paperclip in his palm, "I feel like I’ve got no talent at all..."
Zach’s eyes darted in the opposite direction of his friend, "There’s probably more to it than that. You’re great as is."
"Then what’s so great about me?"
Zach tightened his lips. "... How many people do you know with an enchantment affinity in our lives-?"
"My sister has me beat in that department."
"Buuuttt, how many with metal as an element, huh? It’s a rare one—only one with that in Kria I’d bet," he nudged his elbow into Okod.
Okod sighed...
"Okay, maybe you’re not the best at every little thing, but you take a lot of pride in the things you do, nobody has you beat on that."
"How can I take pride in things I can barely keep up with? I’m starting to lose touch with everything..." his head hung low.
Zach went silent and restarted the process of throwing his wind-manifested paper aeroplane.
"I’m gonna go for a walk," Okod stretched his legs and stood up.
"In the Split? We barely know this place," Zach warned.
"Not like I have something else to do," Okod went to the side of the random building and shimmied down onto the streets. Said streets were not so extravagant, but not rough and dirty either.
The public walked hurried and paced from place to place in haste, sometimes bumping into the short young man, who would grunt and utter a curse under his breath while he walked.
So many people, with so many places to be in such little time—all for their own purposes and goals. Which is why he was in no rush to go anywhere and wandered the crowded district from row to row.
However, there was one place that seemed oddly devoid of the public... Okod came to a halt and faced a building. It had screen windows of white, framed in dark wood; surrounding trees gnarled up till it hit the underside of the roof.
The doors were slightly open, enough for Okod to hear shouts and barks coming from within. He tiptoed forward and peeked in through the slit in the doors.
"Hai!"
In silence and in unison to one man’s shout, dozens of men and women in robe-like uniforms swung their swords downwards.
"Hah!"
In unison once more, the mere sound of blades cutting the wind rang throughout the space, as they all curved their swords and swung right in one swift motion.
The series of yells continued, seeming act as orders for the students. Okod’s brows began to furrow, but he did not mind watching for a little bit more-
"Hello, welcome," an old sweet voice passed by and startled him.
Okod flinched around and saw a woman in simple floral-patterned clothing and wrinkly pale skin. She carried a box of vegetables and groceries it seemed and Okod looked further up.
To the two, short floppy ears that were rabbit-like. Much like her greying hair, the hairs across her ears also appeared silver in contrast to black hairs. Her eyes with crow’s feet wrinkled up as she beamed, "Are you looking for something dear?"
Okod’s attention could not be drawn away from the ears, till he forced his gaze down to her face. "Sorry, no, I was just passing by and heard some shouts."
"Do you want to watch them train?" she crouched a tad.
"Well..."
"No harm dear, come on in," the old rabbit-woman patted Okod on the back and ushered him into the abode. The man standing at the other end of the entrance glanced up, but focused back on his lesson; none of the students turned, even as a passing glance.
The old woman set the box down by a foldable table that some papers with attendance sat on. Okod stood and took no step further while the training continued without pause. "What is this place...?"
"My husband’s dojo as he calls it," the old woman leaned down to whisper with a smile covered by a shaky hand, "I just call it my house, hmhm~" she shuffled back.
"New recruits for the Krialin train here before they get stationed around Kria, ehw," she droned on for a second as her fingers twitched, "Numbers are dwindling though," she put a smile back on.
"Oh my manners boy, want anything to eat? Radish is on the menu, ooh, some curry noodles too. Ought to add some meat—so scrawny," she tapped the back of her finger against Okod’s shoulder. "Growing boy needs to eat more, come, come."
"I-I’m good, thanks... I’m not hungry," Okod shifted uncomfortably.
His face perhaps showed some signs of habitual disgust to the part-human, but he did not really have trouble concealing it—maybe it was not even concealment as his face relaxed further. She was just an old lady all things considered.
The rabbit-woman muttered in a mild annoyance as he refused to eat. "You want to train?" she pointed to the ongoing class.
His brows furrowed, "I’m not sure..."
"Then go try it out," she nudged him forward. "Lessons are free."
"Really?"
"Kria pays for it, go. Go join the line and just copy them."
"You can’t be serious."
The old woman flapped her hand in the air, "Happens all the time. Ehh, no metal though. Over there, pick up a wooden one and go join," she persuaded him further.
Feeling like he had to at this point, Okod meandered forward, picked up a wooden sword off the rack and joined the back of the formation.
The lesson continued as if he was not there... Okod raised the wooden blade and tried to copy the student in front of him. As the training continued, he concentrated more and more, now perfecting every swing he could to the instructions.
_
"Boy, come here," the teacher called out.
While the students chatted amongst each other, Okod turned and darted his gaze around.
"Yes, you," the teacher called again. Blackish goatee that had more white hairs than black, a black hakama, brown eyes and fuzzy greying hair—Master Tensuo, Okod heard some of the students call him.
Okod approached the old man. The master put his hand out, as if expecting something.
...
Okod put his hand out?
The teacher took his hand with a sigh and bent each finger one by one, much to Okod’s bewilderment. The teacher groaned under his breath, then twisted Okod’s wrist left and right, "Too stiff," he muttered.
"I expect my wrist to be stiff when someone twists it around for no reason."
He let go of Okod’s hand and turned. He pointed to Okod with a slight sneer, "Too stiff; how you swing the blade, how you act, how you move—everything about you is stiff as a board."
Okod raised his head and glared, "Well I didn’t ask to be here. I wandered in and now, I’ll wander out," he turned and began to stomp towards the exit.
"You don’t want to train? To join the Krialin?" the old man’s voice echoed without him turning.
Okod swivelled around, "I don’t know about that. I don’t know if I’m interested in that or not-"
"Then come train," the man’s back was still turned.
"I won’t be in the Split tomorrow."
"Not tomorrow, now," the old man began walking towards a tranquil-looking garden in the back.
"What?" Okod furrowed his brows.
Despite his confusion and mild protest, Okod soon found himself with a wooden sword in his hand and the old man by his side. He circled Okod and examined his stance—his posture. "Swing!" he commanded.
Okod swung from left to right.
The old man parted Okod’s legs apart with his foot. "You’re still too stiff. When you swing, you must bring tension from up to down—from arm to blade. You cannot train with the others."
Okod scoffed.
"You need to be trained a different way."
Then he looked to the old man...
"Quick strikes are not in tune with your quick wit. Your strength is not strength—lighter swipes and slashes should be your focus.
I suggest that when you swing, continue the strike till it curves and swing once more in the continuing direction. You must be fast, but also graceful; too stiff or too quick, you leave yourself open to counters."
Part 3: Catalysts to My Adventure
He caught his breath in a quick pant and raised his metal blade. "SHTING!" Okod curved the blade around and took several steps back, batting the old man’s sword away in the process.
In a robe-like uniform of his own, Okod surveyed the scene. In a peaceful garden, two swords came to clash. His sharp blue eyes focused—mercurial liquid of silverish hue swirled around his blade from his grip and coated the metal.
His sword gleamed with a polished glow whilst he stared down his opponent all the way across from him. Master Tensuo simply stood with his sword drawn, the tip facing the dirt.
"Extend!" his blade doubled, then tripled in length as the blade trembled and thrashed around like a whip made of flat metal. Okod only moved a few steps closer before he whipped his sword around the vicinity, cautious of the surrounding plants and décor.
Master Tensuo stood still in his position and simply raised his sword. "Ting-Clink-Clang-Ping-Tang-Cling-Shling!" He only moved his one arm to defend against every single slash from the whipping mercurial blade.
"Shink!" He hoped to ping away another of Okod’s slashes, but instead, Master Tensuo’s blade was broken by the hilt by another swipe from Okod.
His dead-eyed stare glanced to the bits of metal left at the end of the hilt he held, "Lousy..." he muttered.
The metallic liquid vaporized into the air as Okod sheathed his sword. He raised his chin and stood tall, "I wouldn’t call my performance lousy master; I’ve done quite exceptionally."
"Lousy that I will have to replace this sword," Master Tensuo repeated, looking to the broken sword he held. He peered up to Okod, "Try not to break future blades," he flung the hilt, aiming for Okod’s head.
Okod caught it and took a glance at it. His indifferent expression looked back to Master Tensuo, as mercurial liquid coated the broken part of the sword and extended into a full blade.
Master Tensuo raised a brow, "Amusing." He looked up to the sky, "Training is over for today. You may return home."
"Earlier than usual," Okod stated.
"I have other business to tend to," Master Tensuo bowed and made his way indoors.
_
Without much beyond his sword by his side, Okod exited the abode and stood in the busy street. Much of his pent up stress had once again dwindled after his training and allowed his shoulders to relax to a certain degree.
It had been a few months of training now; he had even turned eighteen. "CLASH! Rumble..." Within seconds, a heavy downpour began to soak the roof tiles and the people still out. Okod winced and put a hand above his head.
The rain drummed against the ground and the sights around became obscured by a bright sheen of white from the rapidly falling droplets.
He ran forward into the street, past the rushing individuals who dashed for shelter, covering their heads with baskets, boxes, whatever they could hold above their heads. A carriage with an awning above the coachman rolled by.
"Hey!" Okod called out and ran after. "Hey!" the horsaroaches wore blinders that protected them from the rain. "HEY!"
Finally the carriage driver looked over to the short man flailing his arms. He slowed down the carriage while Okod kept up with it in the rain.
"Heading to Magistrate?" Okod yelled past the white noise.
"East Kria! Going through there though!" the coachman replied.
"Drop me off there? Three silver."
"Get in!" the carriage driver continued the slow pace while Okod hurried for the door handle and hopped into the carriage before slamming the door shut. His hair was half-soaked—same for his clothes. He huffed and shivered a bit.
"Oh, hello," a passenger already inside greeted— a woman with short brown hair with two streaks of purple to one side and had brown eyes. She wore a form-fitting brown and dark lilac dress, with intricate patterns in its design from collar to skirt hem.
Okod took a seat opposite her and took deep breaths to warm himself up. "Hi. It started raining like hell of a sudden."
"It is monsoon season," she replied and raised her open newspaper to read.
"I guess," he took a better look at her. His eyes then narrowed, "We’ve, met before..."
"Hm?" she raised a brow.
"It was back when... in a magic shop," he tried his best to recall. "We were kids checking for an affinity? I was with my friend."
The woman stared ahead for a moment, "Oh... Oh yeah," her eyes lit up in remembrance. "Wow, you unlocked a memory there, that was so long ago. I’m surprised you’d remember."
"Just a stray memory," he replied. "It was an important day for me; finding out I have an affinity and all." He patted down his wet clothes to make himself look a little more presentable.
"How’s that going for you?" her velvety voice took interest.
"Not too bad. I have an enchantment affinity; metal to be exact."
"Right, rare element."
"You?"
"Take a guess~"
"No thanks."
The woman frowned. "Wouldn’t it be more fun for you to guess?"
"I’d just get it wrong," his brows wrinkled. "Fine; defensive?"
"Nope~"
"Offensive."
"Not even close."
"You’re having more fun in this than I am."
"That’s the point shorty. Not like I’ve got much in the way of impressive magic at the moment anyhow, though it’d be impressive to you still," she cooed.
"If you’re done playing with riddles."
"Shadow—transmutation. I’ve barely figured it out myself. What’s with the sword?" she noticed.
The sheath clunked on the seat before he held it in place.
"Training to be a swordsman? Don’t tell me you’re getting into the Krialin," she gave a half-cocked smirk.
... He stared out the window, but was unable to see much through the rain.
"Do you always look so sad?" she stared at his expression.
Okod turned and forced his lips up to give a toothy smile.
The woman snorted before she gave way for laughter.
He let his face fall back into place and moved his head back, surprised by her reaction.
Lexi folded up the paper and gradually came to the end of her laugh. "So? The sword?"
"...Mainly training," Okod pulled out from under his clothes an unwet, folded up document and handed it to her.
She took the creased up paper and read through what was the Krialin trainee application.
"My father gave that to me; I’m still not sure," he admitted.
"Hmh," she folded up the document. "Maybe Kria would be safer with you as a Krialin. I feel safer already with you right here," she teased. "But that’s not where your heart is at, is it?" she handed back the paper in between two fingers.
He plucked it from her and pocketed the form, "I’m not sure where my heart’s at."
...
"I’m Lexi by the way."
"Okod."
"Finishing up school soon Mr Okod?"
"Already finished, just waiting for graduation."
"Same here," she replied.
"Really?"
"I’m actually moving back into Kria."
"I thought you were from here?" Okod queried.
"Born and bred," she said with a smile. "My folks moved to Burnetrout a couple of years back. I was on a ship for a few days via the Nilvus Sea and just reached Dove Port this morning."
"What brought you back?"
"Not home or friends, that’s for sure. One’s sold and all the friends I know won’t be here for long."
"Didn’t answer my question."
"Oh lighten up a bit," she messed with. "It’s the City of New Beginnings, why would anyone come here if not to start something?"
"I’m not sure if Kria lives up to its name anymore."
"Just because you don’t know what you want?" she retorted.
Okod stared back, eyes glazed over.
"You can’t expect the world to compensate for your lack of a dream. Maybe if you had some clear ambitions in mind, the world’ll look much clearer too. I see Kria as my step forward into a new life—to remake myself."
...
"Why?" he asked.
"Easy living for one. I’m on my way to East Kria for the Adventurers Guild—to sign myself up."
"An adventurer?"
"Yeah. It’s a good step in making a name for myself, isn’t it?" she smiled. "My friends here and back in Burnetrout—all of them want to go to Cravolta or Luxinor to continue studying or even, Kria University. That’s just not for me, you know?"
"I, sort of understand."
"Fighting monsters, helping out people who put up commissions and earning a pretty good sum—that sounds better to me," she faced him proper. "Hey, you can swing a sword, right? Maybe you should look into being an adventurer."
_
"We get to decide what we want to do. The Krialin are sitting ducks for the war. I don’t want to work in some Ordinate. Nobody tells us this or that, we just do what we do. Protect people our own way," Okod preached to his friend.
Zach looked at him; Okod’s face was as deadpan as ever, but his voice carried an enthusiasm that was previously absent.
_
Okod repeated the sentiment to his master, seeking advice on his decision.
To that Master Tensuo replied, "There is no shame in working in the Krialin or the Ordinate. Do not let your pride overtake you; do not act like you are better than everyone else."
Though those words did not fall on deaf ears, a somewhat disgruntled Okod left Master Tensuo’s abode that day...
Part 4: Omens to My Grandeur
"Just sign here and here," the woman at the front desk guided. Zach signed the papers and handed it to the clerk. She beamed wide, "Welcome to the Adventurers Guild. We hope for your best in your adventuring journeys ahead."
"There she is," Okod stated.
Through the guild doors came Lexi, wearing more flexible attire; she turned with a smile as she noticed the dark-haired young man by the front desk.
Zach turned, then gawked for a bit at the woman. "Hey, Zach I am, meet you to nice," he put his hand out.
"Yeah..." Lexi gave an awkward grin and shook his hand, "We saw each other last as kids I think. Alongside him," she nodded her head over to Okod.
"Yup—yup, that’s us," the blonde threw his arm around Okod and dragged him forward.
Okod’s gaze went past Lexi and spotted crimson ears and red hair sat at a lone table. Steam rose from the cup of tea she had beside her, while she read the morning paper by herself.
Her skin had no flaw and her brilliant blue eyes were only focused in front of her—though they faintly seemed to be in a constant glare. Her crimson tail was tucked into her lap and cautiously away from draping down the seat she sat on.
A lot of people within the guild would give a passing glare or a muttered remark—none sat by or beside her table. "She’s probably not welcome. What’s she even doing here?" Lexi spoke with a small sneer, noticing where Okod’s gaze had gone.
"Eh, who knows," Zach shrugged. "If the dog-girl wants to be here, it’s not like we can do much about it."
"Wolf," Okod corrected. The two turned to him. He kept his deadpan gaze, "She’s not causing a problem to anyone. Just leave her be, we have better things to do don’t you think?"
"You’re right," Lexi walked backwards and gleefully skipped ahead towards the exit, "Time to go adventure!" she proclaimed out loud and pranced out the doors.
Okod’s lips shifted slightly and Zach blushed. The two turned to each other, then followed her out with the same dream.
Fighting beasts, escorting nobles, recovering artefacts, saving people and cats from trees—commission after commission, adventure throughout each and an ever-growing bond.
News of the Lexokodac soon spread throughout the Kria Daily and it was still just the beginning...
Okod eventually bade farewell to his master, Lexi taught him a little more about magic from her own learning, Okod consoling all of Zach’s failed potential relationships with a pat on the back, maybe two if it failed really bad.
Years went by... Snow befell Kria and velatos ran amok the streets... They heard a voice thunder through the skies... Okod and Zach turned to see her sprint away in a panic...
-6 Months after the closing of the Velatos Case.
He stared into her room—the door slightly ajar... It was simply wood and concrete at this point from how vacant it was. His solemn face frowned even deeper.
A sweet scent of lilac kicked up, revealing its still lingering presence in the boarded up room. This shell of a room played host to no furniture, for all of it had been moved out—merely the vanity built into the wall itself remained.
On said vanity of dark wood, sat a single little vase with a few lilac-like flowers that never wilted despite not being tended to—the last traces of her magic.
"Come on Okod, we can’t be late on the first day of w-" the approaching voice of Zach stopped and broke into an exasperated sigh, "I can’t keep catching you here every other week Okod."
Okod silently kept staring into the room, only giving a side-eye of acknowledgment to the blonde.
"Ohkay, that’s enough," he took Okod by the wrist and pulled him away from the room. "Slam!" "Enough sulking over that bitch’s room."
Okod made no protest as he was dragged along. "We knew her for seven years Zach, you can’t just throw that aside..."
"I can and I will," he firmly replied and faced Okod. "And I’ll make sure you do too."
Tears pooled in Okod’s eyes, but never ran down his cheeks.
"Hey, hey, what’s with the crying," Zach crouched down and lifted Okod’s chin up.
Under his breath Okod whispered, "I don’t want to forget about her..."
"Oh sweet Mare..." Zach took him into a hug and held him tight. He squeezed Okod and let his head rest against his chest, "I’m not asking you to forget about her, alright?" he hushed. "I’m just telling you to move on and get over it; it’s been too damn long."
Okod sighed and his body shuddered a little. He lifted his head up and pushed himself away from Zach while his face returned to its usual dull expression.
"You okay?"
Okod strode past him with his head held high, "Come on, we have work to do. And stop spraying so much sea dandelion perfume, the entire house reeks of it."
"Sure..." Zach watched him walk off. The blonde shook his head and turned in the direction of Lexi’s room, though it was not in sight. "It’s not like I stuck around for her," he muttered and gazed towards Okod, before following suit towards their new jobs...
Epilogue
"You’re lucky you have your new position," a tall woman with dark hair braided down to her waist spoke—many strands draping either side of her forehead and pinned by a golden leaf hairpin on each side of her head.
"Doesn’t the Metallum Blade carry enough weight?" Okod sat in the Adventurers Guild’s office. He took the document presented to him.
The woman huffed and her blue eyes glared, "I used both your positions to get an in. He’s not so easy to convince you know, especially with everything that happened half a year ago."
"Maybe I would’ve been better off asking him myself," Okod replied.
Reddish flames rose in the woman’s otherwise blue eyes, "Then do it yourself next time," her teeth gritted.
Okod paid no mind to her anger and sealed the document back in its envelope. "And Zach’s bow?"
She rolled her eyes, "It’s not done yet. It’ll take me the better part of a few more weeks to finish it."
"Don’t suppose I could commission a sword too?"
"What happened to the last one Okod...?" her brows lowered.
"Sea serpent ate it."
The woman held the bridge of her nose and massaged it, "You’re still such a brat, do you know how long it took me to finish that one? Oh whatever, just bring a new sword; you know the fee."
"Any sword? You always asked for specifics."
"I don’t care if you’re just gonna lose them. Just, don’t bring an armite one. That piece of- That thing gave me a migraine while enchanting it," she groaned.
"Knew it. I thought I recognized your magic when I fought Moren," Okod replied.
"I had no idea who that sword would be going to. A rich noble is all I could guess," she shook her head and turned around. "I have get back to the Ordinate, see you around."
"Thanks Kenilia."
"You can thank me in gold Okod," his sister left the office.
_
The platform rumbled and came to a halt on the third floor. Okod stepped out alongside the much taller Kor Azveal.
Kor approached one of the many walls of the floor and walked right up to it. He placed a hand on the side and bluish winds flared through the wall and revealed brick-like seams.
The blocks of wall shrunk and dissipated in a three by three grid, revealing some of the magic behind it. Okod stepped in past it.
Kor turned around, "Remember Metallum Blade; you have five minutes and you are here on an interrogation—if anyone asks."
"Understood," Okod continued to walk in without looking back—the grid shut behind him and morphed back into a wall.
For all the workings of magical technology, the cell within this room appeared extra mundane. But who knew how many enchantments and safety measures such a simple cell had in store...
Her purple hair had grown past her shoulder blades and her face was still without a flaw and looked like it was sculpted from marble. Her purple eyes darted to Okod, uncaringly.
"I’m surprised the affinity-lock hasn’t taken away all your augmentations," he got closer to the bars of the blank room.
On her side lied all the basic necessities, crude and cheap as they were. "I made sure my transfigurations were permanent," her voice rasped, barely above a whisper.
She sat in the corner of her cell, her elbow hanging off her knee and dressed in simple blue garments. Okod could see the affinity-lock affixed to her neck and that it went down her spine.
"You finally come see me after so long... What’s the occasion?"
"Just wanted to see how you were coming along."
Lexi chortled and scoffed.
"You didn’t have to be in here. You could’ve done something better for yourself and become someone—you were someone..."
"Did you just come in here to give me insight? Sorry—hindsight?" her eyes flashed with rage.
"..."
She glared, but her expression grew soft, "We could’ve been something much grander Okod... It’s a shame it all got soiled."
"At the cost of what?" Okod argued.
Her head lolled onto the side of the wall and she gazed towards the ceiling absentmindedly, "At the cost of what I was more than willing to pay..."
