Frankly, Dominic was amazed.
He was hyper-aware of the trial he was taking, so other than the soul segment, he saw through the rest pretty easily.
He still had to take the trials properly, but while doing so, he was infinitely surprised by the amount of control Damien had over his abilities.
This wasn't at the level of someone who'd newly ascended to Divinity, especially not one who came from the lower universe.
No, the ability to do something like this was past the realm of Demigods entirely. This wasn't just talent or genius, this was an absolute monstrosity in the form of a human.
But that wasn't as terrifying as it sounded.
Because this monstrosity was his brother. He was a man who strived for Void Palace's success and growth. The fact that he was a monster meant that these goals were absolutely attainable as long as he sat at the head of the palace.
It was comforting in a sense, but Dominic wasn't allowed to keep that feeling for long.
"Yo, long time no see."
A voice appeared out of nowhere, forcing Dominic on alert.
He whipped his head to find the very man he was just thinking about.
"First Brother."
His greeting was succinct and a bit cold. He wanted to be friendly, but something told him Damien wasn't here for friendly purposes.
No, not something. Damien himself made it clear with that first message!
'He is here to fight.'
Dominic didn't need long to understand what was happening. His personal test would be a spar, and if he didn't succeed…
'Considering the type of things this man put in the recruitment trial for the army, the things that would happen to me are likely unthinkable.'
Dominic raised his guard and drew his sword.
"Good. You reached faster than everyone else, at least."
Damien's demeanor wasn't like usual.
He wanted to appear as an enemy. He couldn't have Dominic thinking this was a friendly spar between brothers.
No, Dominic was being tested for his worth. If he didn't meet the expectations set for him, then he would be deemed unfit to represent Void Palace.
Damien was usually an easygoing person.
He never showed much emotion externally, keeping the same light and casual demeanor regardless of the situation.
However, his thoughts weren't the same as the way he expressed them.
He was a man who took the things he did absolutely seriously. He never wanted himself to be the reason plans fell through and moves couldn't be made, so he never let variables he could see out of his sight.
His siblings were currently a variable.
He wanted to get close to them and treat them as true family, but that wasn't a privilege allowed to them yet.
When Void Palace was settled, he could enjoy the new home he'd received, but not now.
He wasn't Damien Void, son and brother. He was Damien Void, Young Lord of Void Palace.
He was going to bring this home of his to its peak, so it could never be provoked again.
Dominic's expression became more serious as Damien silently stared at him. It was as if all of those feelings were being transmitted to him clear as day, and he was being forced to accept them.
'He has no openings.'
Dominic refocused his attention on the battle at hand.
There was only one thing in his mind.
'I have to win.'
He was facing an opponent who, while standing completely still, made it clear that he couldn't be touched.
This was someone above his caliber in every aspect, but he still had to find a way to win.
'The only thing I can do is try.'
He would put together the very best of his abilities. That way, even if he lost, it was a loss he deserved.
lightsΝοvεl ƈοm Taking a deep breath, Dominic raised his sword into position and hardened his will.
'Sword of Severance.'
The first of Void Palace's 16 Swords of Heaven.
It was a sword meant for only one purpose. To sever everything in its path.
Void Palace's techniques didn't just involve space. While it was known for its spatial laws, it was an influence with a variety of specialties.
Dante excelled in Space Laws, but he didn't have much talent in others. However, the Krone Clan was one known for its time manipulation abilities.
With Ellowyn's Creation, Hugo's Death, and Solstice's Fire and Ice, the 16 Swords of Heaven were created, a comprehensive technique that encompassed countless laws and could be used by anyone granted the authority to do so.
The first technique, Severance, did not have a specific law bound to it. Rather, it was flexible, able to cut "anything" the user was able to cut.
For Dominic, who was a descendant of Void and Krone, it was Space and Time.
The imaginary world wobbled. Its simulated reality was cut in half as its space and time were forced apart.
A torrent of sword energy like a charging beast rushed in Damien's direction at full speed, ripping apart anything in its path.
It was translucent. When Damien looked into it, he could see the laws intertwining to create the aforementioned effect.
'It's not bad. To keep space and time in harmony like this without tethering them is impressive, but…'
Damien pushed his hand forward. A pulse of an unknown law pushed through the air and confronted the sword energy.
CRASH!
Under its influence, the energy shattered into thousands of pieces, fluttering to the ground harmlessly.
'...it's not enough.'
Damien had the same blood as them, at least on one side.
He knew exactly what the blood of the Void Clan could do. This was definitely impressive when compared against other geniuses in the same age and talent group, but it wasn't what he was looking for.
Damien was aware he was an outlier. He never held another person to his standard.
However, people twice their age and with thousands of times the opportunity had to at least match up to his wives, right?
With what he just showed, any of the four could beat him in less than ten moves.
"Is this all you can do?" Damien asked, his tone bland and expressionless.
Dominic's eyes sharpened.
"Not even close."
The first sword was a probe. Damien's strength couldn't be measured, which he understood before the battle even began, but he at least wanted to see what he was up against before facing it.
Now, he was even more aware than ever before.
'It's a distance that can't be crossed. Whether it be the law he's using or his comprehension of it, they're all above what I have.'
Beating Damien was impossible. If Dominic couldn't recognize this after that move, he was just plain stupid.
However, he didn't have to beat Damien to win.
'I just need to exceed his expectations.'
And for that purpose…
'The 16 Swords of Heaven aren't enough.'
He had to throw away the things he thought were common sense and go all out from the start.
"Huu…"
His eyes changed again.
They'd been serious from the start, but they contained a different light now.
'Four Seasons Sword Technique…'
His sword was raised in a different posture now, and the aura radiating from it held a completely unique sense of danger.
Dominic closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and opened them once more.
His sword slashed forward, a simple vertical slash that even a baby could follow.
However, a monstrous amount of unknown power was hidden within.
The entire imaginary world changed as the sword technique was released.
A flurry of wind enveloped all things.
'...Spring.'
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