That time I failed as an Author and got reincarnated in Tensura

Chapter 73: A Simple Shadow

3rd Pov

A flooding pace that overwhelmed space itself...Luna smirked as she parried the increasing slash sent to her.

As the minute passed, the little girl who had come to challenge her was growing stronger...through this wasn't the full truth.

Mirai and Luna have been fighting or rather the older lady had tutored the younger one for almost a decade now.
Time passed differently in one's mind...Mirai couldn't know what was happening in the outside world, and here in her own mind.
She couldn't pass Luna who was just too far out of reach...this is why she did the only thing she could, get stronger.

A decade...this was the time gap worth from the skill difference...Luna and Mirai, there was an overwhelming gap between them.

But finally, the goal Averion's heir has set for herself was on reach...

Dashing forward, Mirai's eyes turned predatory...she perceived the world around slower without even using skills like [Thought Acceleration].

She had honed her skills over and over against Luna...they sure grew closer, 10 years is enough to rebuild a life.

In a way, Mirai could understand more and more of Luna's existence...she pitied her as she slowly learned her story.

The story of a lonely light that becomes a shadow after chasing a star...

Mirai : (Luna-san...you helped me for all this time, i'm genuinely grateful for that...but that's also why i have to win now.)

A sparkle roared from her pupils...right now, she was in front of Luna, her speed increased at the last moment.
A small smirk formed onto the teacher's face, but compared to before it was a smirk filled with pride and a narrow sadness.

Luna : Well played.

A quiet whisper followed by a blood bath...she slowly closed her eyes, a part of her regrets washed away.

On this last move...after 10 years and countless sparring, Mirai had overpowered the 6th room's of the first trial.

Panting heavily as she stood in front of the incapacitated corpse of Luna...she held her sword tightly, the blade dripping with fresh blood.

This last attack was definitely the fastest slash she ever did...it landed and sliced right through her enemy's chest.

This was her victory, a well deserved victory built on long term training and patience...but a part of Mirai wasn't right.

Mirai : Thank you...

Her eyes were showing burdensome fatigue, her hair was dirty and slightly messed up, her clothes tattered in dirt.

She stared quietly at Luna, since she wasn't a golem but a being of her own...she just didn't disappear after fulfilling her rôle.

Mirai : Why are you so peaceful even after I killed you...

Her silver hair was tinted red as her own blood flooded the ground, a decade that is the source of countless memories.

What Luna became for her wasn't just a teacher and an enemy...they ate in this subspace, they shared discussion and shared laughter.

And at this very last instant, the last thing Luna gave her was a smile...that carried so much.

Flashback Start

It was night time in the mind space, at the moment no fight was going on...instead, Luna and Mirai sat in front of a campfire.

Some grilled fish were being cooked as both sat there in silence.