Cid slowly sat down and sipped his nice cold tea.

Everything went pretty great. Even though at some point there was a misunderstanding between him and Alexia, he managed to clear it… Though Alexia seemed a bit saddened over that, but that's besides the point. Claire's hangout was even better than he thought it would be: she seemed very happy now that they had a quality time together without interruptions, with the only problem being… Yeah, not being present when he confessed to Shades. Apparently she really wanted to know ins and outs of his life, huh…

Good, good, good. The most troublesome parts are over. Now, next onto the list…

Cid took out all the letters that Claire gave him back then. Alexia and Iris are done, academy is done, Claire is done even though she wasn't a part of the list… that leaves Rose, Beatrix, Annerose, and Sherry. He can organize meeting with Sherry together with Eta, he thinks, Rose can be arranged as official Mitsugoshi-Oriana meeting where he will simply go in… That leaves Beatrix and Annerose, huh?

"Nu," he tapped on his cup.

"At your service, Lord Shadow," the bespectacled woman bowed.

"Where are Annerose Nichtsehen and… 'Goddess of War' Beatrix…" his eye twitched at the nickname.

"They have been in the Mitsugoshi guest facility the whole time, my Lord," she fixed her glassed, "Apparently, they do not have a set home and are more travellers in nature."

"Hmm?" his brows rose, "Well, that's respectable. Not everyone has the bravery to leave the society behind and set off on a journey to find their true selves…" he leaned back with a profound expression.

Hams, quick, write it down! And get ready, there will be a lot more moments where he will be speaking in cool manner! They need all of that!

"Do you think Shadow Garden needs to scatter in order to learn more?" Nu tensed up.

"No," where the hell will he find better subordinates? Moreover, Shades… "You have already experienced the hardships of loneliness, and even though it was caused by Possession, this is still a valuable, albeit traumatic, experience. Of course, if anyone wishes to go on a journey, I do not mind it… But I advise to be prepared."

"Understood, my Lord."

"Good, now, where I have been… Ah, right, please call Annerose and Beatrix to the throne room… and Alpha, too."

"By your will, Lord Shadow."

A moment, and the espionage master disappears among the shadows. Man, that's so cool! Should he organize training so all Shadow Garden members know this trick?… Maybe later.

For now, he has a way more important stuff to do.

Namely…

How does he present himself at the meeting?!

"Lady Annerose, Lady Beatrix," the bespectacled woman appeared at their doors, "Lord Shadow is ready to accept you. Please follow us."

"Finally!" the cheerful blue-haired woman jumped up from her bed and started preparing her gear.

Don't get her wrong, the facilities Mtisugoshi provided were more than satisfactory, especially the training ones (they actually upgraded the stuff they provided since their meeting two years ago, huh?), but it was so boring! She only stayed because apparently Mundane Mann… who is actually someone called Shadow… right, he was the leader of this organization!

And so she waited until he finished with his business and came back, and for that she asked the staff to inform her when they can arrange a meeting! She has so much to discuss with him about the way of the sword!…

"Understood," on the contrary, Beatrix was absolutely calm.

As with Annerose, Beatrix was provided with everything needed for stay and granted the permission to visit training grounds. And to be honest, she was amazed at the way Shadow Garden trained their members. Even Velgalta, famous for their military power, was not quite comparable to how Shadow Garden did the usual training… And especially so when dark-skinned elf was around.

Of course, average member was still not comparable to Beatrix herself, but the higher the list went, the less her chance of victory became. Someone like Lambda herself was still doable to fight against, as she was more of an instructor, but Nu was already a hard task because of her secretive nature and stealth attacks… And above them there were still Seven Shades, the main power of organization, as far as she was aware… If they don't count Shadow himself, that is.

Shadow…

A boy who managed to obtain such power that even the old powerhouses of the world had to think thrice before trying to do anything… And with him, there was her niece.

Beatrix sighed and went out of the room. Confirming that both Annerose and Beatrix are ready, Nu led them.

They passed through the corridors filled with intricate paintings and symbols… Especially the four-star eye ones. Beatrix got tense: they felt just as real as a material eye… Yet they were mere paintings on the wall…

Beatrix shivered and turned her head. Nothing. Did she imagine the eye moving in her direction?…

She inhaled to calm herself down and turned to look at Annerose. Contrary to elven woman, human was cheerful and did not mind the realism of pictures around her. In fact, Beatrix could say that Annerose didn't even care about the paintings as much as about the meeting with Shadow.

Finally, they came to large doors.

"Lord Shadow is waiting," guards nodded to them.

"Enter, then," Nu turned around and stood near the door, "He has not summoned me, so everything that happens after you go in will be completely on your shoulders."

"He-he, that's even better!" Annerose livened up and walked into the room.

Beatrix followed after and saw the beautifully made room: marble walls, windows on the sides of the road which was covered with carpet and lead to the elevation where the gigantic throne stood. And on the throne, he sat.

Shadow.

"You are here."

That was not a question, but a fact.

"Took you long enough! If I didn't want to meet with you, I would have left long ago!" Annerose waved her hands around like a child that felt wronged.

The blonde elf near Shadow — her niece — tensed up and wanted to go in before Shadow himself raised his hand and commanded a standby.

"And you are just as lively as ever. It seems even defeat did not crush your spirit, now did it?"

"That only proved that I still had much to learn!" Annerose smiled brightly.

Shadow leaned in, crimson dots focused on the cheerful woman.

"Good. Remember, there is no peak. Each time you think you have finally reached the pinnacle of power, someone from way above spits on your head. There's always a mountain behind the mountain and sky above the sky."

"That… That sounds so wise…" Annerose went in thought.

Beatrix herself has long since acquired this wisdom, however it seems like the human was still way too young to properly understand it herself. That is something that will come with experience.

"Come to think of it, I have already said this, now didn't I?" he spoke from his throne.

"Indeed, Master Shadow, you have offered this wisdom to us about a month ago," her niece calmly confirmed.

"That's why it seems so familiar…"

Beatrix came up.

"Hmm? Do you wish to tell me something?"

"I want to have a fight with you. I was the only one denied the battle against you, and I wish to fix that," elven woman placed her hand on the hilt, "At full power. No holding back."

Blonde elf near him tensed up.

"Hey!" Annerose interjected, "It was me who was supposed to fight him! Don't get in the line!"

"Your turn has already passed," Beatrix didn't even bat an eye.

"Now what was that-?!"

"Boring."

Both women immediately turned to him.

"You two are supposed to be the peak of martial arts in society, yet you two act like spoiled children."

Annerose gritted her teeth.

"Attack me. Together. Let's see how you can show yourself."

Is he serious?

Annerose and Beatrix stared at each other in disbelief. Sure, he was strong, but even he should have problems against two of them at the same time, right?…

"Master Shadow?…" blonde elf cocked her head.

"Well?" he placed his chin on his hand, "How long do I have to wait?"

"This… is heavily insulting," Beatrix frowned.

"The fact that I did not even stand up?" he chuckled, "Well, I will have to humour you, then."

He rose from the throne and walked up to them.

"I hope you are ready."

He looked through the window.

"Follow me. We will use this training ground."

Beatrix revealed her sword.

"Stainless steel…" Shadow immediately recognized the material, "30% magical conductivity at its maximum."

The fact that he could tell the material at a glance told a lot about his proficiency if not in combat, then in weapon creation… And she knew that he was, in fact, proficient in combat.

"Let's see… Attack me together. First turn is yours. Then, I shall show you the level of swordsmanship you have never thought possible."

He still underestimates them. How… naive.

In the end, despite his prowess, he was still a young boy… And young people usually are very hot-headed and arrogant.

Beatrix looked towards Annerose who did the same. They did not need words to discuss their strategy.

They nodded towards each other and dashed towards Shadow. Annerose decided to use the overwhelming power against him, using her sword art as means for relentless and powerful attacks. She jumped up in the air and channeled her magic into the blade.

Meanwhile, Beatrix placed her bet on one precise strike. It doesn't mean that it lacked power, on the contrary: while Shadow would have to defend himself against Annerose attacks, Beatrix would finish the battle with one swift sword strike. The same one she once used to become a Champion of Bushin, yet now it was way more refined.

Shadow raised his hand.

The onlookers, other Shadow Garden members, were discussing the battle amongst themselves. For many it was the first time ever they saw their glorious leader with their own eyes, and they had many expectations for him. After all, everyone here saw the strength of Seven Shades and Numbers with their own eyes; Shadow himself should be the peak of peaks, right?

Alpha looked at the commotion calmly. She knew for sure her Master… and husband… knows no defeat… even if he may be a bit lightheaded at times…

She blushed slightly. People around her who noticed that immediately started gossiping about reasons why would her cheeks turned pink all of sudden. Could Shadow and Seven Shades?…

Beatrix focused her all on the target. Annerose already started her assault, and soon human's first sword strike will land onto Shadow. After that, Beatrix will deal the finishing blow, making an end out of this… 'fight'.

They were the strongest sword users of their perspective regions. It was foolish on Shadow's part to be so arrogant about his power.

She has come into the range. Annerose's strike almost landed. Beatrix quickly released her sword.

A shame. She wouldn't mind a true fight… but this farce ends here-

Clang.

Beatrix looked at Shadow. He looked back at her.

"…Huh?"

She looked at her sword. And Annerose's sword. Which were held together. By Shadow's index finger.

"…What?…" was all she could say.

One second, they launch a fierce attack on him. And the next moment, both their swords are stopped by nothing more but a finger of his.

"You've gotta be kidding me…" Annerose's voice was full of disbelief. She could only stare in shock at the swords as she landed on the ground, still holding onto the hilt.

Shadow looked around, then at the swords. Then he turned back at then.

"Oya?"

He bent his finger.

Beatrix' eyes widened. She tried to jump back.

However, she was still caught.

Countless cuts and wounds appeared on their bodies as they fell down, suddenly drained of their strength.

She watched as their blades broke down into countless small shards, unable to stand the strength behind the grip of his finger. She didn't even notice his attack. It was not speed. It was not power. It was like… he was nature incarnate, passing through her mind as something unimportant…

"…For someone who wanted me to fight at full strength, you did not pose much of a challenge," his indifferent voice cut worse than any of her previous enemies' blade, "Now, you will stay here and learn under Shadow Garden until I decide that you're worthy of being called swordswomen."

He turned around and started walking away. Beatrix' vision grew hazy.

"Heal them and tell Lambda she has new addition."

The last thing Beatrix saw was the worried gaze of blonde elf directed at her. Huh… Seems like her niece doesn't hate aunt as much…

He totally nailed it.

The supreme existence standing at the peak of Sword Way, he means. He created this stuff after that interaction with librarian; basically it's usage of his Nuclear Magic to disrupt the matter around him. Is it related to swords? Actually, yes, since he simply created the blades right on his opponents, and once women moved (and they couldn't not move because they still breathe), blades cut them. A lot.

However, it is actually possible to replicate with sword! Just very hard. But possible!

He-he, after that Annerose will get motivation to become stronger and surpass him, and then…!

Hams, why the plans are still not ready?… Because they didn't prepare them? Oh, yeah, that makes sense.