The Water Magician

As several battles come to a close, the fight between Sword Flash's Neda and Abel continues with intense sword fights.

"You're quite something, Abel. As expected of a man wielding 'Ex'!"

"Neda, what's that supposed to mean? Whether I have this sword or not, I am still me."

Neda admires him, but Abel seems reluctant to accept the praise.

"Don't say that. To begin with, 'Ex' could only be used by Richard. No, I've heard rumors that some have died just by holding it."

"Huh?"

"It was said that in an instant, they withered away as if their life force had been drained."

"…So it's because those who weren’t acknowledged by the sword held it?"

"That would seem to be the case."

"Doesn't that sound more like a phenomenon associated with a Holy Sword than a magic sword?"

"Hm? Is there something wrong with that?"

Neda tilts his head at Abel's honest impression.

"No, this sword... it glows red, so it's a magic sword, right?"

"Is it that all swords that glow red are considered magic swords in Abel's mind?"

"Yeah, I thought so, but is that not the case?"

Now it's Abel who tilts his head.

In both the Central Nations and other regions, it is said that 'magic swords glow red.'

And that is indeed a fact.

"Yes, 'magic swords glow red,' and that is true."

"Right?"

"But Abel, think carefully about what you just said."

"Hm?"

"Magic swords glow red. That is indeed true, but just because it glows red does not automatically make it a magic sword, does it?"

"Eh…"

Abel is left speechless by Neda's laughing observation.

"…Is there something that glows red but isn't a magic sword? In other words, could it be a Holy Sword?"

"That might be the case."

Abel speaks each word with hesitation, and Neda nods.

"Generally speaking, Holy Swords do not shine."

"Right, normally. But you know, don't you?"

"Yeah. When recognized by its wielder, it shines."

"That's right. Have you heard what color it glows?"

"I think... white."

Abel recalls the Holy Swords possessed by Hugh, Nils, and Eto.

They were supposed to shine white.

"That 'Ex' has started to mix in white light recently, hasn't it?"

"Yeah, that's true. But…"

Neda says this while still laughing, while Abel looks confused.

Of course, even while exchanging such conversation, they continue their fierce sword fights.

To an outside observer, it would seem like an intense battle that no third party could interrupt, but it seems that neither of them is going all out just yet.

"My sword isn’t a magic sword, but a Holy Sword?"

"Perhaps it’s not a sword that can be easily categorized as either."

"So it's neither a magic sword nor a Holy Sword."

"Yeah."

"Then what is it?"

"'Ex,' the sword."

"…"

Neda states this with a look that implies there’s no other way to say it, leaving Abel speechless.

At that moment, Abel recalls the earlier conversation.

Was there not some unsettling information mixed in with what Neda said?

"You mentioned something about them withering away as if their life force had been drained, right?"

"Yeah, I did. I can't say for sure since I didn’t see it myself, though."

"…Since I started wielding it, nobody has withered away."

"Wasn’t everyone around you someone Abel acknowledged? If they were such people, wouldn’t 'Ex' have thought, 'I’ll allow them to hold it'?"

"What a condescending sword."

Abel shakes his head slightly.

"We, who live by the sword, entrust our lives to the sword. Naturally, it should be revered."

"Now that you mention it, that does seem to make sense."

"What? Do humans who live by the sword disrespect the sword?"

"Of course not! Swordsmen protect their own lives and the lives of those dear to them with their swords. That means they recognize that swords hold the same value as life…"

"Hmph. Then it's only right for the sword to be dignified."

"…That may be true."

Abel mutters, looking at the beloved sword he possesses.

There’s no particularly stronger glow than before.

"If it were to shine brightly in the current situation, it would be easier to understand."

"Abel, that’s a bit greedy. You’re expecting too much from the sword. It's already bearing our lives, asking for more than that is excessive."