Chapter 7: 2 Days To Prepare
I swung my sword and grunted then lowered the blade. I panted and strands of hair fell over my face. I looked ahead then raised my blade again. I kept trying to get used to the sword. Bit by bit, I was getting more used to the sword. Deep in my memory I remembered the previous queen taught me how to use the sword. Because of that memory, I began to feel the art of swordplay again.
Victoria walked into the training area and saw me training then set her clipboard down and walked towards me. She was amazed at my dedication to training.
"You're here early." Victoria said.
"No..you're just late." I said and looked back.
"Are you ready to start the new session? Today we will be working on-"
"Fight me." I held my sword at Victoria. My eyes shined then I looked determined.
"What..? But you don't have enough-"
"If I get combat experience maybe more power will awaken inside of me! This training thing helps but I can't grow with only training. I need combat experience! As your queen, I command you to face me in battle!" I jumped back and got in a battle stance.
"As you wish, Your Highness." Victoria summoned her katanas then her aura appeared.
Knights were looking in the training area and saw Victoria and I about to start a battle. Victoria looked at me seriously and her eyes shined.
'I don't know if she's still in good condition so I'll take it easy on her for now!' Victoria said then dashed towards me.
I braced myself and my aura surged. Victoria slashed at me and bellowed. I slashed as well and our blades clashed. Our auras caused a huge repulsive force. I grunted and pushed Victoria away then dashed to her and swung my sword. She dodged the slash then kicked me away. I slid back and stuck my sword into the ground. I looked at my sword.
'What am I doing wrong..? Why won't you awaken..?!' I glared.
Victoria dashed to me then jumped up and went for a spinning strike. I took my sword from the ground and blocked the attack. I was blown away by the sheer power of Victoria's attack. I slid back and lowered my blade and panted.
"You're not responding to me...why..? I created you...so what am I doing wrong..?" I looked at my sword then grit my teeth. "We don't have time for this.."
I dashed towards Victoria then slashed twice and she dodged. I slashed in a circle and she parried my attack then tossed her sword in the air then grabbed my arm and flipped me over her shoulder, slamming me on my back. I groaned and coughed a bit. Victoria let go of my arm then caught her sword and pointed it at me.
"Match over." She said and looked at me.
I looked at her then closed my eyes. I took the time to catch my breath then sigh. I hated losing even in my past life. I just never wanted to show it. I sat up then stood up.
"I won't accept this loss." I said as I walked forward.
We are about to enter war...I can't accept this loss.
"King Zephyr will be attacking the day after tomorrow. I have no time to be weak!" I turned around then glared at Victoria.
If I can't get stronger then I'm better off just losing my Kingdom...but I refuse to lose!
"Battle me again! This time I'll blow you away!" I said and got into a stance then my eyes shined brightly.
Victoria saw that same spark in my eyes as she did three years ago. She smirked then got in a stance and nodded.
"I'll take you on again! As many times as you'd like!" Victoria said.
The knights were in awe. They all watched with excitement. I gripped the handle of my sword tightly.
"This time...don't hold back!" I commanded.
"Your wish is my command!" Victoria said and her pink and purple aura surged around her body. "I'll show you the power of the Shangri-La Clan!"
Victoria vanished in great speeds then appeared behind me and kicked me away then appeared in front of me and slashed multiple times. I opened my eyes then grunted, quickly parrying all her attacks. I landed on my feet then Victoria vanished again. She appeared above me and slashed down. I sensed her then dodged her attacks
'She isn't making a sound...I can't hear her when she vanishes or reappears..' I thought to myself then sensed her behind me but she kicked me away before I could react.
I grunted and rolled on my side then rebounded back to my feet. I got in a stance again then looked around. Victoria was nowhere to be seen. I heard rumbling then looked below me and was hit by an aura serpent.
"Serpent Uppercut!" Victoria bellowed then landed on her feet. I landed on my back and panted. I slowly stood up and my eyes shined. "Your Highness, we can always continue tomorrow! We still have a full day ahead of us!"
"No...I refuse to just the day end like this...I have to awaken. I have to get stronger!" I said as my hair covered my eyes. "I won't lose. Give me your power...Give me the strength...to be the strongest, Vesper!"
The Vesper Argentum began to respond and reflect on my soul. The blade started to glow, responding more to my desire.
"If you allow me to acquire your power, I promise you, I will...I will become the greatest Dark Queen to ever exist in this land. I will destroy those who stand against me! Destroy those who defy me!" I yelled as my sword began to change form in response to everything I said.
The marking on my face began to shine then my heart thumped. The burning sensation I felt as the marking on my cheek shined and grew into multiple different cursed marks. I grunted and panted.
"I refuse to allow my people to die..! I refuse to let these innocent people be killed! Therefore I will become the strongest!" I bellowed and my aura burst powerfully. I looked up and my eyes gave off a golden spark. "I am Queen Stella! I will make a name for myself and all the people of Lunia! We will become undefeatable!"
"Your Highness.." Victoria looked surprised and saw the Stella she once knew again. She smiled determined and got in a stsnce. "Show me that power, Your Highness! Let us continue this battle!"
I got in a stance then vanished and reappeared in front of Victoria and slashed. She blocked the attack and grunted. She was blown away and went crashing into the wall. She rebounded off the wall and vanished. I vanished as well. All the knights could see were the clashing of the blades. They looked surprised by this high speed combat. I appeared and my cursed marks shined. Victoria appeared and stumbled back then got in a stance. She vanished and I glared then felt rumbling.
"Fool." I said and stabbed my sword into the ground. "Twilight Pillar!"
I send a dark blast into the ground and the serpent appeared above ground and vanished. I looked at the item floating in the air. It was one of Victoria's katanas. I grunted and Victoria appeared behind me.
"Checkmate!" Victoria smirked.
"Twilight Breaker!" I bellowed and my aura released a repulsive force that sent Victoria crashing into the wall.
She grunted as she crashed into the wall then stumbled forward and fell to her knees. I turned to look at her then my cursed marks reverted back into one marking on my cheek. My aura vanished and I fell on one knee.
"Such power...Heh, you are still the same Stella I know..." Victoria said and looked at me.
"Pfft...Cut the shit...it was your doing that made me draw out that much power. If it weren't for you.." I looked up at her.
"You give me too much credit.." Victoria smiled.
I smiled back then laid on the ground. Victoria laid on the ground as well and we looked at the ceiling.
"Do you think we will win this war?" I asked.
"I don't know...but all I know is I will remain by your side forever, as your royal assistant and closest friend." Victoria smiled and closed her eyes.
"Good enough for me.." I smile back then closed my eyes. We both rested on the ground after our huge battle. Only one more day before Zephyr attacks...that day will decide the fate of Lunia..
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone