Sworded Affair

Chapter 82: Mind Over Matter

As a fifteen year old girl who grew up in an era of universal education, Emma was no stranger to examination. The competition to enter England's best schools was tough, and she'd run the gamut, from one-on-one sessions with a tutor to sitting standardised exams in a massive exhibition hall, one desk among many hundreds of other students. Despite all this experience though, Emma couldn't remember a single time before when she'd been quite so nervous. The three Founders remained silent, doing nothing more than watching and waiting for her response, yet even in repose, they emitted a crushing pressure that threatened to drive Emma to her knees.

Pushing back as best she could, especially given this scenario was completely outside anything Princess Astaroth had described for her own trial, Emma decided to fall back on what had worked for her thus far in life: blunt honesty.

"This is very much not what I expected, even knowing the final trial should logically be the most difficult," Emma admitted, looking towards Paradox as she spoke; not a deliberate selection so much as acknowledgement that the time manipulator sat on the centre-most throne.

"Quite frankly, you're all incredibly overqualified for the role, and it's unlikely I'm going to be able to show you anything novel. As such, lacking anything to offer you, I can only really choose from my own perspective, as to what would benefit me most. Anathema, or rather, Edith Knight. You are the founder of our family, and both creator and administrator of the System. You are the only reason I'm alive today, from multiple perspectives. The System all but guarantees that whatever happens, our paths are intertwined and our interests aligned; accordingly, there is nothing this trial can reveal that we cannot work out between ourselves. For that reason, there is no point trying to force enlightenment at this point in time."

Anathema nodded, a wide grin on her face even as her throne vanished from Emma's vision.

"Lady Paradox," Emma continued without delay, albeit more formally now than she'd been with her own ancestor.

"First of all, please accept my sincere thanks for saving my life, on that day which never came. Now that Marcus has unlocked my memories of what transpired, let me assure you that I've never repeated that experience with drugs, and also that I'm available to visit, whenever you find the time for me. That being said, anything I'd be looking to discuss at that point would primarily be historical or theoretical, meaning it would work just as well sat around a coffee table than here on the battlefield. As such, I look forward to our meeting, but it won't be today."

"You're welcome," Paradox nodded; her smile rather more restrained than Anathema as she too faded from view.

"Overmind," Emma concluded, unsure how to address her and thus defaulting to given name. "Of the Founders, you are the one I know of the least, and therefore the one I wish to get to know the most."

"Well said," Overmind snorted. "No need to bore us with formalities; whether the subject matter concerns spellcraft or someone's personality, the best way to learn is through a bit of practical exercise."

Overmind's throne vanished as well, but not before the final founder flicked her wrist, tossing a small bauble Emma's way.

"A ruby?"

Emma tilted her head, tracking the slow movement of the precious stone as it arced towards her head. Just as it got close enough for Emma to start thinking about dodging, the ruby liquefied, turning into a pool of blood that grew rapidly in volume and sprouted a vaguely humanoid form.

"Chayim."

First the limbs, then the torso, growing part and parcel into a recognisably human shape. Finally emerged the head, complete with shoulder length hair and piercing red eyes to complete the facade. The only difference from the girl on the throne was in the clothing; instead of a robe and fancy hat, this version of Overmind was dressed casually in a crop top and shorts, as though she were heading to the gym on her lunch break. As before, she carried no obvious weapon, though Emma didn't put much stock in that, given the nature of her own summoned sword.

[Fragment of Will (Overmind) - Level 11 Grand Arbiter]

"The strength of this body has been set in accordance with your parameters," The clone declared, validating what Emma could see through the System.

"Specifically, this is myself as I was at Level 11, back when I was beta testing the System for Anathema. Like yourself, I started from Level 1, with only the innate capabilities of a teenage girl, and went from there. Your final trial, accordingly, is simple, though by no means easy; impress me."

[Ninth floor trial has commenced.

Anima set to maximum.

All cooldowns refreshed.

One free use of Summon Unholy Sword granted!]

The fact that the floor itself was giving Emma such boons only underscored the challenge ahead. Accordingly, notions such as taking it easy flew out the window. The Angel of Extinction appeared instantly, equidistant between the two combatants; no grandstanding or incantations, just her strongest ability to begin the battle. Emma didn't have a warm body to hide inside this time, but that was fine; at most, her Anima would be reduced to 1 thanks to One With Everything. At least, Emma hoped so, given she hadn't tested that out yet, but a chance for an instant victory made it worth the risk in her mind.

"Status conditions cannot be applied," Overmind whispered, seconds before the Angel disappeared.

[Status condition: Instant Death failed!]

There was no battle of wills, nor clashing torrents of energy as Emma had seen in the battle between Princess Astaroth and the invading Clerics. Just a simple declaration, to nullify an attack that erased armies in an instant.

"Grand Arbiter isn't just your job title for this trial, it's your Class." Emma frowned, eyeing her Ability that once more showed a 12 day cooldown. "One that can issue binding restrictions on the fly, which apply to everybody. Order magic, maybe? If Chaos magic exists, it wouldn't be much of a stretch to assume it exists as well."

"Good," Overmind grinned. "I can see why Anathema has taken a liking to you; most people in your position would be baffled, sputtering at the sudden reversal or complaining about fairness. You're a lot more decisive than the average."

"I just hope it'll be enough," Emma muttered, calling Epitaph into her hand; taking advantage of the one time freebie.

"That's the spirit," Overmind chuckled, surprising Emma by voluntarily closing the distance.

"Swords are blunt," She declared right before the first stab, slapping Epitaph's edge away with an open palm before backhanding Emma across the arena.

[-50 Anima.]