Fantasy Libary 54

Title: Preparing for Bloodshed

Why was Ark so focused on Irene Urzaiz? The reason was simple. He knew there was a high probability that her participation in this Phoenix Festa was specifically aimed at him.

In the original story, this woman was sent to deal with Ayato because of Ser-Veresta. Now that Ser-Veresta was in Ark’s hands, and Irene was still competing in this year’s Phoenix Festa, it was highly likely that her target had shifted to him.

Ark wanted to confirm his suspicions, which was why he was so interested in Irene, even going so far as to watch her match in person. And now, her words had essentially confirmed his theory.

‘As expected, she entered the Phoenix Festa to deal with me.’

After confirming this, a cold glint flashed in Ark’s eyes. He wasn’t the kind-hearted protagonist of the original story.

So...

“Take me down?” Ark said calmly. “Just you?”

The red light in Irene’s eyes grew brighter, and her smile turned into a menacing grin. “With this Gravisheath in my hand!”

As soon as her words left her mouth, the purple Urm Manadyte embedded in Gravisheath emitted a terrifying light.

*BOOM!*

A loud explosion echoed through the air, as if an invisible mountain had suddenly descended from the sky and landed in the area.

A wave of purple light enveloped Ark, causing his entire body to feel incredibly heavy. He nearly collapsed under the pressure.

“Gravity…!” Ark’s expression shifted slightly. He felt as though the invisible mountain was pressing down on him directly, making it difficult to breathe.

This manipulation of gravity was Gravisheath’s unique ability.

Gravisheath had appeared multiple times in previous Star Festas and was famous for two reasons.

The first was its overwhelming power. It could freely alter the direction and magnitude of gravity in a specific area. By increasing the gravity around an opponent, even physically gifted Genestella would find it nearly impossible to move.

Ark was now experiencing this power firsthand.

“Die.”

Seeing Ark pinned in place by the crushing gravity, Irene raised Gravisheath high, her voice low and threatening as if echoing from the depths of an abyss. She aimed the scythe at him.

“Onee-chan!” Priscilla shouted in panic as she watched.

Kirin had already drawn her sword and was attacking Irene.

*BANG!*

At that moment, Ark suddenly raised his head. A massive wave of Prana erupted from him, burning like fire and scattering into countless star-like fragments that raged through the corridor.

An extraordinary energy flowed through Ark’s body and into Ser-Veresta. Black markings appeared along the blade, swirling around it and seeping into the deep red Urm Manadyte.

*BANG!*

Ser-Veresta vibrated violently. Terrifying heat condensed around the blade, transforming its pure white energy into a purple-black hue and then into a deep, pitch-black shade.

At that moment, Ser-Veresta’s power reached its peak, its output skyrocketing to its maximum.

“HAAAHHH!” Gripping the now entirely blackened sword, Ark roared and swung it with all his might.

*SHRRRIP!*

The purple light enveloping him was instantly severed, torn apart like paper.

“What?!” The red light in Irene’s eyes flickered as she widened them in shock.

Without hesitation, Ark seized the advantage. Feeling the crushing gravity disappear, he gripped the sword with both hands and attacked Irene with all his strength.

“Tch…!”

The red light in Irene’s eyes faded, as if she had awoken from a nightmare. Clicking her tongue in frustration, she raised Gravisheath to block the attack.

“——!”

Ser-Veresta sliced through the scythe’s blade without the clang of metal or the spark of a collision. Instead, the sword cut through the scythe as if it were slicing through flesh, cleanly severing it.

The purple Urm Manadyte of Gravisheath let out a sharp, agonized scream, trembling with a piercing hum.

*BOOM!*

The broken Gravisheath shattered into pure Mana, erupting into an explosion that sent both Ark and Irene flying.

“Senpai!” Kirin rushed forward without hesitation, catching Ark as he floated in her arms.

“AHHHH!” Priscilla, unprepared, was knocked over by Irene’s floating body, crying out in pain as she fell to the ground.

“Priscilla!” Irene’s face still bore traces of shock, but the red light in her eyes had completely vanished. Seeing Priscilla lying on the ground, she forgot everything else and hurriedly ran to her side.

“Senpai! Are you okay?” Kirin asked urgently, holding Ark tightly.

“I’m fine.” Ark shook his head, freeing himself from her embrace and looking ahead.

“Priscilla! Are you okay? Don’t scare me like that!” Irene hugged Priscilla anxiously, her earlier ferocity replaced by panic as she called out her sister’s name.

“Ugh…” Priscilla held her head, her expression dazed. She seemed to have fallen hard and couldn’t respond.

“You…!” Irene turned her gaze toward Ark, a mix of anger and disbelief in her eyes. “You actually severed the gravity field… and broke Gravisheath’s blade?!”

This was the first time Irene had faced such a situation.

Since obtaining Gravisheath, she had dominated with its power, never imagining that someone could completely destroy it in a single strike. Not only was her gravity neutralized, but the blade itself had been cut—a feat that seemed utterly impossible.

“This is an Orga Lux! Cutting it in one strike? How terrifying is that power?”

Irene’s voice trembled with disbelief and awe as she stared at the aftermath.

“What’s there to be surprised about?” Ark met her shocked gaze, his tone mocking or dismissive. “Isn’t Ser-Veresta’s power the reason you targeted me in the first place?”

These words silenced Irene. She remembered the instructions given to her when she was sent on this mission.

“That sword is too dangerous. Before that person can use it to interfere with me, go and destroy him.”

Memories of the words spoken by the perpetually scowling, pig-faced man surfaced in her mind. Her gaze instinctively shifted to Ser-Veresta in Ark’s hand.

“So, this is the power that man fears the most?”

It was said that this Demon Sword could burn through anything. Initially, Irene dismissed the claim as exaggeration. But now, having witnessed the sword cut through an Orga Lux and even burn through intangible gravity, she realized the rumors might not have been far-fetched.

Gravisheath itself was renowned for its power as an Orga Lux. It was no ordinary weapon, yet it had been defeated. If Ser-Veresta could cut through Gravisheath so easily, perhaps there was nothing in this world that could stop it.

“That bastard really sent me to face someone wielding a sword like this?” Irene couldn’t help but feel as though she had been set up for failure.

Still, she had no intention of admitting defeat.

“I’ll remember you, Wandering Star Swordsman.” Holding the still-dazed Priscilla tightly, Irene glared at Ark and said in a low voice, “Don’t think this is over.”

With that, she turned and left, taking Priscilla with her.

Ark made no move to stop them.

What else could he do? If he acted too far and drew attention, it could jeopardize his eligibility for the competition. Losing the chance to complete this experience in his life would ruin everything.

Of course...

“I’ll return those words to you.” Ark muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on Gravisheath still in Irene’s grasp.

If Irene truly came for him, then she had better prepare for a battle of blood and fire.