Scene 31

May 7, 2024

It had been a couple days since the encounter with Laughing Coffin, and the weight of the situation still pressed heavily on the group. Lumina had been quiet, her grief evident in the way she moved and spoke so little. But something had changed in her eyes, a spark of determination that was hard to miss.

One evening, while they were resting at a quiet inn on a lower floor, she finally spoke up, her voice cutting through the comfortable silence. "Klein, Lycryst," Lumina began, standing before the two men. "I want you to teach me how to fight."

Both men exchanged a glance. Klein, seated with his katana resting beside him, raised an eyebrow. "You want us to train you?"

Lumina nodded, her golden eyes firm despite the vulnerability in her voice. "I don't want to just sit on the sidelines anymore. I can't keep relying on all of you to protect me. I need to learn how to defend myself… for my sister."

Klein let out a long sigh, his face softening with sympathy. "I get where you're coming from, but listen—this world doesn't play fair. Even if we teach you to fight, the leveling system makes things... difficult. Skill alone doesn't always cut it here. Someone even ten levels above you could completely outmatch you, no matter how good you are with a sword."

Lycryst nodded in agreement, a concerned look crossing his face. "He's right, Lumina. You need more than just technique. Your level makes a huge difference."

Lumina's lips pressed together in thought, but then she shook her head. "That's okay... I'm not as low-level as you think." She hesitated for a moment, then continued, her voice quiet but confident. "I'm currently at level 52."

Both Klein and Lycryst blinked in surprise, Klein looking genuinely impressed while Lycryst's jaw nearly dropped. "Wait, what? How—?"

Lumina pulled a small green stone from her inventory, holding it up for them to see. The stone gleamed faintly in the dim light, and Lycryst's eyes widened in recognition. "An experience stone...?"

Lumina nodded, her expression bittersweet. "My sister… she used to take me out to gain experience. She always made sure I was in her party, and this stone ensured that I gained experience points from the fights, even if I didn't actually fight." Her voice wavered slightly as she continued, "But I did, though. I fought sometimes. I didn't just sit back and do nothing. I learned how to handle some of my rapier's sword skills."

There was a brief silence as Lycryst and Klein took in her words. Klein crossed his arms, clearly impressed. "Well, how about that? Level 52, huh? Little miss, you've been hiding more than we thought."

Lycryst looked at her with newfound respect. "That's… pretty incredible, Lumina. I didn't think—"

"I'm serious about this," she interrupted, her voice firm and resolute. "I know I'm not as skilled as you two, but I can learn. I need to learn."

Klein sighed again, rubbing the back of his neck. "Alright, alright. You've got the level, you've got the drive… I guess we can start training you. But just know this won't be easy."

"I don't care," Lumina said firmly. "I'm willing to do whatever it takes."

Lycryst stood up, his expression softening as he looked at Lumina. "We'll start with the basics. You'll need more than just spirit to survive in Aincrad."

Lumina's eyes lit up with a mix of excitement and relief. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice filled with gratitude.

Scene 32

The training grounds were nestled within the peaceful safe zone of a lower floor, a serene clearing bordered by tall trees swaying in a gentle breeze. Sunlight filtered through the branches, casting playful patterns of light and shadow across the well-worn dirt of the sparring arena. Despite the calm surroundings, a sense of anticipation crackled in the air as Klein, Lycryst, and Lumina stood at the center of the clearing.

"Alright, Lumina," Klein said with a grin, twirling his katana with an easy confidence. "Before we dive into your training, how about a little demonstration? Watch closely, because you'll learn more from seeing us in action than from anything we can say."

Lumina stood off to the side, her ornate golden rapier held loosely at her side, eyes wide with excitement. "A duel? Between you two?"

Lycryst smiled, stretching his arms and cracking his knuckles. "It's just a mock duel, but yeah. Klein's been itching to show off, so I guess I'll have to humor him."

Klein chuckled. "Hey, if you're lucky, you might actually land a hit this time."

The two men stepped into the center of the training area, each drawing their katanas in smooth, practiced motions. The polished blades gleamed in the sunlight, reflecting the warriors' focus. Lumina watched intently, her heart racing with excitement.

Klein stood with a relaxed posture, his sword angled low, but his eyes were sharp and calculating. Lycryst, by contrast, crouched slightly, his katana poised in a ready stance. His energy was electric, his movements quick and twitchy, like a predator ready to pounce.

Without a word, Lycryst made the first move, his katana flashing as he closed the distance between them in a heartbeat. He launched a rapid flurry of strikes, each blow swift and precise. His speed was blinding—his blade a blur of motion.

But Klein was prepared. His katana moved effortlessly, parrying and blocking each of Lycryst's strikes with a calm precision. Every time Lycryst's blade came close, Klein's sword was there to meet it, deflecting the attacks with smooth, practiced ease. It was a dance of steel, a graceful exchange that had Lumina's eyes glued to the duel.

"Not bad," Klein muttered as he blocked another rapid strike. "But speed's not everything."

Lycryst narrowed his eyes, increasing the intensity of his attacks. His strikes came faster, sharper, each blow aiming for a weak spot in Klein's defense. But no matter how many blows he threw, Klein's defense was impenetrable.

Lumina could see the difference between them—Lycryst was faster, yes, but Klein's experience and steady control made him a fortress. Each of Lycryst's attacks found a wall of steel in the form of Klein's katana.

And then, in an instant, Klein saw his opening.

As Lycryst lunged forward with a powerful overhead strike, Klein sidestepped and angled his blade perfectly. He brought his katana down with a quick, decisive strike, knocking Lycryst's sword from his hand and stopping his own blade just inches from Lycryst's chest.

Lycryst blinked, looking down at the blade hovering over him before letting out a low chuckle. "Okay, fine. You got me."

Klein grinned, lowering his sword and offering Lycryst a hand to help him up. "Speed's great, but it's all about control. Find the right moment, and you win the fight."

Lumina, who had been watching with bated breath, clapped her hands together. "That was amazing! You both were so fast—how do you even keep up with each other like that?"

Klein turned to her with a smile. "Ready to give it a shot?"

Lumina nodded eagerly, stepping into the training area with her golden rapier, Radiant Dawnstrider, gleaming in the sunlight. She positioned herself in front of Klein, her eyes alight with excitement.

"Alright," Klein said, standing before her. "Let's start with the basics. First rule: don't waste energy throwing out a bunch of random strikes. It's all about patience. You need to wait for the right moment, when your opponent leaves an opening."

He raised his katana and demonstrated a simple defensive stance. "Now, try to strike. I'll parry, and you see if you can find a way through."

Lumina tightened her grip on the rapier and lunged forward, mimicking the strikes she had just seen. Her rapier danced in the air, swift and elegant, but as expected, Klein's katana deflected each blow with ease.

"Not bad," Klein said, his voice calm. "But you're getting impatient. Focus more on watching your opponent's movements. They'll give themselves away if you look closely enough."

Lumina nodded, her brow furrowing in concentration. She slowed her movements, analyzing Klein's sword stance, waiting for any hint of an opening. After a few feints, she spotted a small gap in his defense and thrust her rapier forward with a sharp, decisive strike.

Klein grinned as the tip of her blade came just short of his shoulder. "There you go! That's the kind of patience I'm talking about."

Lumina beamed, excited by her progress. "I did it!"

"You're getting the hang of it," Klein said, stepping back. "Now, let's take it up a notch."

But before they could continue, Lycryst stepped in, his katana resting over his shoulder. "Alright, Klein's covered the basics. But let's talk about a few tricks that'll help you out there in the real world."

Lumina looked at him curiously. "What kind of tricks?"

Lycryst gave her a sly grin. "Well, for starters, you're small, right? Use that to your advantage. Most opponents will be bigger than you, but that doesn't mean you can't win." He crouched slightly, adopting a low stance. "You don't have to fight head-on. You can sneak around, use the shadows, and catch your enemy off guard."

He demonstrated, darting to the side and circling Klein quickly. "Like this—you stay low, make yourself a small target, and strike from where they least expect it." He lunged from the side, his blade aimed at Klein's flank.

Klein blocked, but only just. "Nice try," he muttered.

Lycryst smirked, looking back at Lumina. "See? Keep moving, make them work to catch you. And with that rapier, you can make fast, precise strikes. You don't need to overpower them—just aim for weak points and take them by surprise."

Lumina nodded, absorbing his advice. She took a few steps back, practicing her movement as Lycryst had demonstrated—low, quick, and light on her feet.

Klein crossed his arms, watching her closely. "Good, keep it up. Just remember: no matter what, stay calm. You can't let your opponent dictate the pace of the fight."

Lumina grinned as she finished her footwork practice, her confidence growing. "I'm ready! Let's keep going!"

Klein exchanged a glance with Lycryst, the two of them smiling at her enthusiasm. "Alright," Klein said with a grin. "Let's see what you've got, then."

Scene 33

May 16, 2024

The late afternoon sun bathed the training field in a golden glow as Lumina, Lycryst, and Klein stood at the edge of the dense forest on the 55th floor. The area was filled with formidable mobs, their experience points high enough to make it worth the risk. Lumina had been pushing herself for days, determined to close the gap between her level and her companions. Now, the moment she had been working toward was just within reach.

"Alright, Lumina," Lycryst said, resting his hand on the hilt of his katana as he surveyed the area. "One more fight should do it."

Lumina nodded, Radiant Dawnstrider gleaming in the low light as she adjusted her stance. The mob they had chosen for her final push was a Crystalback Behemoth, a massive, stone-plated creature that lumbered through the woods with heavy, earth-shaking steps. Its back was covered in jagged crystal formations, which made it both dangerous and valuable—taking it down would be tough, but it would reward them with excellent drops and experience.

The Behemoth let out a low, rumbling growl as it lumbered closer, its four massive legs crushing everything in its path. Its crystal-covered back reflected the sunlight in blinding bursts, and with every step, the ground beneath it seemed to tremble. It swung its heavy, stone-plated head toward Lumina, its eyes glowing with an unnatural light.

Lumina's heart pounded in her chest, but she didn't waver. She had trained for this moment, fought through countless mobs to reach this point. Now, all that was left was this final push.

Klein stood at the ready, his katana in hand, but he held back, letting Lumina take the lead. "You've got this, Lumina. We're right here if you need backup."

Lycryst, standing beside Klein, gave her a nod of encouragement. "Remember what we practiced—speed and precision. Aim for the gaps between the crystal plates."

Lumina took a deep breath, gripping her rapier tightly. "I'm ready."

The Behemoth roared, its massive body charging forward with terrifying speed for a creature of its size. Lumina dashed to the side, her owl cloak fluttering behind her as she slipped into the shadows. Her movements were quick and agile, her body a blur as she avoided the Behemoth's initial attack.

She darted in, thrusting her golden rapier into one of the exposed joints between the crystal plates. The Behemoth roared in fury, swiping its massive claw in an attempt to catch her, but Lumina was already gone, dancing out of range with practiced grace.

The fight was intense, each of the Behemoth's heavy strikes shaking the ground beneath them. But Lumina was faster, nimbler, and more focused than ever. Her rapier glowed with every sword skill she unleashed, her movements becoming more fluid and precise as she anticipated the creature's attacks.

With a final thrust, Lumina pierced the Behemoth's side, the rapier finding its mark between two large crystals. The creature let out a deafening roar as it crumbled to the ground, its body shattering into pieces of stone and crystal as it fell.

As the dust settled, a familiar sound echoed in Lumina's ears—a soft chime, signaling her level up.

"Level 60…" she whispered, her breath catching in her throat. She had done it.

Lycryst and Klein approached her, both smiling. Klein gave her a nod of approval. "Not bad, Lumina. You handled that like a pro."

Lycryst, however, stepped forward, his expression softer, more thoughtful. "You've come a long way," he said quietly, reaching into his inventory. "And I think it's time you had this."

He pulled out a shimmering, rare item—a small, iridescent stone that glowed with an ethereal light. The Divine Stone of Accelerated Will. Lumina's eyes widened as she recognized it, the stone almost pulsing with power in Lycryst's hand.

"This… this is a divine stone," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "But why…?"

Lycryst smiled gently, holding the stone out to her. "Lunamyst and I obtained this together a long time ago. It's rare, almost priceless. We never knew exactly how to use it, or when the right moment would come. But I think it was always meant for you."

Lumina hesitated, her heart swelling with emotion. "But Lycryst… I can't take something like this. It's too valuable."

He shook his head, his voice calm but firm. "No, Lumina. This is yours now. You've earned it. And if you use your crafting skills, you can combine it with your rapier." His eyes softened as he spoke, the memories of Lunamyst still fresh in his heart. "The stone will enhance your blade. It'll increase the speed of your attacks and reduce the cooldown on your sword skills. With this, you'll be faster in combat, able to keep up with enemies that would otherwise overwhelm you."

Klein whistled low, clearly impressed as he crossed his arms. "A divine stone, huh? You're not messing around, Lycryst. With that thing, you'll be lightning fast, Lumina. And reducing skill cooldowns? That's practically like cheating—only, you know, legal." He grinned, giving her a thumbs-up. "You're gonna be a nightmare to fight."

Lumina stared at the stone for a moment, then slowly reached out, taking it from Lycryst's hand. The stone felt warm, its power almost humming against her skin. "Thank you, Lycryst," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion.

Lycryst smiled gently. "It's what Lunamyst would have wanted."

Klein, standing off to the side, gave a casual shrug. "Yeah, well, don't let it get to your head. Even with that stone, you'll still need some more training. But, hey, at least you're catching up. Fast."

Lumina nodded, her fingers tightening around the stone. "I won't get cocky, Klein. I'll keep training—and getting stronger. For all of us."

As the three of them stood there, the sun beginning to set behind the forest, Lumina felt something shift inside her. She was no longer the scared, uncertain girl who had once stayed in the shadows. She had fought, trained, and earned her place. And now, with this gift from Lycryst and Lunamyst in her possession, she was more ready than ever.

Scene 34

May 22, 2024

The clinking of dishes and the warm, savory aroma of grilled meat filled the cozy tavern as Fuurinkazan, Lycryst, and Lumina sat around a large wooden table. Laughter and light banter flowed between them, a welcome break from the relentless tension of Aincrad. Klein grinned as he took a bite of his meal, the easy camaraderie of his guild lifting everyone's spirits.

"Man, it's been way too long since we could just sit down and eat like this," Harry remarked, leaning back in his chair. "Feels like we're always on the move."

"Yeah, we could use more nights like this," Dale added, his fork poised mid-air. "It almost makes you forget we're in a death game."

Lycryst smiled faintly, glancing over at Lumina, who was quietly poking at her food. The weight of recent events still hung over them, but for a moment, things almost felt normal. Almost.

Just as the mood seemed to settle, Klein's menu chimed. His face shifted from relaxed to focused in an instant as he glanced at the incoming message. His usual carefree demeanor faded as he quickly opened the communication. The table fell silent as Klein's brow furrowed while he read, the tension rising among the group.

Klein set down his fork, exhaling deeply. "Well, so much for a quiet evening."

"What is it?" Dynamm asked, already sensing the shift in atmosphere.

Klein looked up, his eyes scanning the group before locking onto Lycryst and Lumina. "It's from Kirito. An info broker just got wind of the Laughing Coffin vanguard's base of operations."

The room went still.

Lycryst's heart skipped a beat. "Where is it?"

Klein leaned forward, his voice low but firm. "About two floors up. The guilds are already mobilizing, and Kirito's with them. They're hitting the base soon, before Laughing Coffin has a chance to relocate."

Lycryst was on his feet before Klein could finish. "I'm coming with you."

Klein shot him a stern look, rising to meet him eye to eye. "No, you're not."

"What?" Lycryst's voice wavered, frustration boiling just beneath the surface. "I need to be there. I owe it to Lunamyst—"

"Stop." Klein's voice was calm but carried the weight of command. "You've been given a second chance, Lycryst. Don't throw that away."

Lycryst clenched his fists, his frustration palpable. "I'm not going to—"

Klein cut him off, his tone softening as he glanced at Lumina, who was staring at them, wide-eyed. "Your priority should be looking after her. Don't put her in harm's way."

Lumina's eyes flashed with defiance as she shot to her feet. "That's not fair, Klein! Lunamyst was my sister! It's our duty to help eliminate Laughing Coffin."

Klein rubbed the back of his neck, sighing heavily. "Good grief…"

Dale chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "You're not gonna argue down the lady, Klein."

Dynamm nodded, a grin spreading across his face. "Yep. You never have and never will."

Klein shot them both an exasperated look. "What great support you guys are..." He let out another long sigh, clearly weighing his options before finally relenting. "Fine. You can come, but keep to the back. Let the big guilds handle the front line."

Lycryst's shoulders relaxed, though the determination in his eyes didn't waver. "I understand. Thank you."

Klein pointed a finger at him, his voice firm. "I mean it, Lycryst. Stay back and stay safe. We're not losing anyone else to those bastards."

Lumina nodded, her expression fierce. "We'll be careful."

The group stood, the air of camaraderie replaced by a heavy sense of resolve. The battle against Laughing Coffin was far from over, but this time, they were ready.

As they left the tavern, Klein muttered to himself, "How do I always get roped into these things?"