Warfare Augmented Intelligent Frame Unit

Chapter 49 - Not Nothing

Chapter 49 - Not Nothing

Myrrh and I didn't even bother celebrating. Instead, we shared a wordless glance, the silence between us carrying more weight than words could ever express. Myrrh's towering giant-robot form shimmered, panels folding and collapsing into themselves until she returned to her humanoid shape. With a curt, silent nod, we turned our backs on the arena and strode off campus grounds, our footsteps echoing faintly against the quiet air.

Pulling out her phone, Myrrh opened an app and called for a ride-share. A sleek, autonomous car hummed up to the curb moments later, its silver frame reflecting the dying light of the day. We slid into the backseat, and the vehicle merged seamlessly onto the highway weaving through the sprawling cyberpunk metropolis of Xyraxis. The neon signs adorning the towering buildings began to flicker to life, their electric hues muted by the sun's stubborn orange glow lingering on the horizon.

As we ascended to the expressway, the sprawling lower levels of north-central Xyraxis came into view. Endless layers of buildings stretched beneath us, a labyrinth of steel and light crisscrossed by winding streets and monorail tracks. The hum of the car was the only sound between us as I glanced at Myrrh. She sat still, her gaze fixed out the window, her eyes trained on the horizon where the highway met the glowing skyline. Her frown had deepened, a shadow of worry lingering on her face. No doubt she was still thinking about Neil.

I forced a smile, letting it tug awkwardly at my lips. It wasn't much, but I hoped it might break the tension. Myrrh turned, catching the expression. Her eyes softened slightly, though the furrow in her brow remained.

"I never knew you had a technique like that," I said, hoping to lift her spirits. "How many slashes did you land on our opponent?"

"Seven." Myrrh's response came with a proud smile, her chin lifting as her blue eyes lit up. In that moment, she looked like a child awaiting praise for a perfect score on a test. "Have you seen anything like it before?"

"No." I shook my head, still impressed. "To me, it looked like just one slash... though I did hear the sound of scraping metal, maybe twice."

"Hehe~" Myrrh's eyes narrowed as a mischievous smirk tugged at her lips. "My mother taught me that technique after discovering we share the same Ultimate ability. She told me the secret lies in using the boost of the Blade Wing and controlling the blades as though they were an extension of my arms. It's all about focus and synchronization." Her voice softened slightly as she continued. "I spent hours watching her old recordings, imagining myself performing the same moves. I've practiced it countless times in my mind... but today was the first time I've ever tried it for real."

"That's incredible." I couldn't hide my amazement, my breath catching slightly. "Pulling it off perfectly on your first attempt? That's beyond impressive."

Myrrh's cheeks flushed a delicate pink, and she glanced away, her fingers fidgeting with a lock of her greenish-blonde hair. "R-really?" she mumbled, her voice shy and uncertain—a rarity for someone as bold as her. She twirled the strand of hair absentmindedly, her usual confidence replaced by a vulnerability I wasn't used to seeing. "You don't usually praise me like this."

"You deserve it," I replied with a warm smile. "You made it happen just by practicing in your mind. That's no small feat—it's an achievement worth celebrating."

"I see..." Myrrh's voice trailed off, and she suddenly swept her hair forward, using it as a makeshift curtain to shield her face. The blush on her cheeks deepened, and I could swear I saw the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corners of her lips.

It was rare—so rare—to see Myrrh flustered like this. And in that moment, I realized I'd hit a critical nerve, one that turned the tables on her usual teasing confidence.