The surrounding reality twisted and folded, stretching infinitely into the distance.
The city was fragmented—buildings sliced apart, duplicated, and spinning like a kaleidoscope in this mirrored void of a universe.
Standing face to face on a vast, crystalline platform, Kagura Hitomi and the Ancient One remained still as the world around them warped and shimmered into a spectacular, dreamlike illusion.
With the Ancient One's guidance, Kagura finally unraveled her inner conflicts.
The mission to establish a superhero organization was complete.
As a result, her core level advanced, and the infinite skill system immediately updated with a flood of new abilities—things she had never seen before: a secondary core, a new energy gauge, and four ridiculously overpowered core skills.
She glanced at the 40QP points in her hand and, without hesitation, unlocked every single one.
No way was she hesitating.
Hesitation is defeat.
'What kind of idiot skips out on their ultimate abilities?!'
But now wasn't the time to analyze her new powers.
Because standing right in front of her was the all-powerful Ancient One—extending an invitation for a no-holds-barred sparring match.
'Oh no.' She was about to get utterly demolished.
'This devious old lady… she's bullying me Q-Q!'
The Ancient One waved a hand, conjuring an intricate golden fan from pure dimensional energy.
"Kagura Hitomi, your existence is a fusion of many different pieces," she said, her voice calm yet enigmatic.
"Oh? That's news to me," Kagura replied, unzipping her hoodie and activating her White Moon combat suit.
"Care to elaborate?"
'Whoosh'
Golden threads wove into an elaborate arcane matrix, connecting the surrounding world.
"Your body originates from one universe, your soul from another, and the energy within you… seems to belong to this one," the Ancient One explained.
As she spoke, she launched her attack.
Reality spun wildly—disassembled buildings, infused with golden dimensional energy, surged from all directions, closing in on Kagura.
This mirrored realm was under the Ancient One's complete control.
Here, imagination alone dictated the limits of her power.
'Who even understands what you're saying?!'
Kagura flipped gracefully through the air, evading a massive rotating structure.
Landing with one hand on the ground, she generated vibranium daggers from her wrists, activating a speed-enhancement skill before launching a counterattack.
"Can we maybe speak in plain terms, Master Ancient One?!"
'Buzz—!'
A shockwave burst outward as she closed the distance in an instant.
'Clang—!'
The vibranium dagger collided with the Ancient One's mystical fan.
"I can't tell you everything, Kagura," the sorcerer said. "My duty is to prevent this world from falling into darkness, and that means I must choose my words carefully."
"Then at least tell me what you can say."
Kagura dodged a sweeping strike, stepping back to activate a high-energy electromagnetic pulse.
Electricity crackled, extending her dagger into a brilliant energy blade nearly a meter long.
With a swing, she unleashed the charged energy in a concentrated blast.
[Directional High-Energy Electromagnetic Pulse: Activated]
'Rumble'
A blinding surge of lightning shot straight at the Ancient One.
Yet she remained unfazed.
With a flick of her wrist, she opened a portal in front of her, effortlessly absorbing the energy.
"I told you before," she said. "To me, you are an unsolvable mystery, Kagura. I cannot perceive the worlds you originate from, and so I cannot give you much guidance."
She gestured—and suddenly, the very same electromagnetic pulse erupted from a portal behind Kagura.
[Electromagnetic Manipulation: Activated]
[Skill Link: Engaged]
Kagura twisted mid-air, redirecting the returning energy into her blade.
The charged pulse condensed once more before she slashed it forward again.
'Fwoosh'
Lightning arced through the air, obliterating several floating structures controlled by the Ancient One's magic.
"Oh? So you control electromagnetic forces?" The Ancient One chuckled. "Impressive. Your combat style is disciplined, strategic, and emotionally controlled."
'Crash!'
Before she could react, the Ancient One raised both hands, forming twin golden sigils.
Two portals opened beside Kagura—linking directly to a violent thunderstorm tens of thousands of feet above.
Lightning poured through.
"I'm curious," the Ancient One mused. "Can you control natural lightning as well?"
"Of course."
Kagura leaped into the air, slashing her blade just as the bolts struck.
The moment the lightning touched her weapon, it seemed to obey—converging into her blade as if awaiting her command.
'Boom'
The entire battlefield crackled with energy.
Suspended in the air, Kagura seemed almost divine—like a goddess of thunder, wielding unimaginable power.
She slashed downward.
A colossal lightning serpent surged toward the Ancient One.
Calmly, she pressed her palms together, then parted them.
A mirrored barrier expanded outward, bending reality itself.
The lightning rebounded, dissolving into shimmering butterflies that fluttered gently through the air.
Beautiful.
"Whoa," Kagura whispered, mesmerized. "I love that move."
"Don't get distracted in a fight."
The Ancient One folded the ground beneath them, vanishing from sight before appearing in front of Kagura—delivering a light tap to her chest.
Whoosh—!
A mystical ripple spread outward.
Normally, this technique would separate a person's soul from their body.
But this time… nothing happened.
"Hm?"
The Ancient One paused, her expression shifting to one of genuine surprise, then deep contemplation.
"Something wrong?" Kagura asked, sensing the hesitation.
After a long silence, the Ancient One withdrew her stance, waving a hand to restore their surroundings to normal.
"I've been wondering why I cannot perceive your past or future," she admitted. "Even the Eye of Agamotto has no effect on you."
Her hand hovered near Kagura's chest, barely touching.
"I see now."
"What?!" Kagura huffed. "Can you not be cryptic for once?! Also—hands off!"
The Ancient One regarded her carefully.
"Kagura Hitomi, you have the potential to become the next Sorcerer Supreme," she said. "But… I cannot grant you that title."
"Why not?"
"The reason is simple."
A small smile formed on the Ancient One's lips.
"One must never place all their eggs in one basket. The risk is too great."
"…Huh?"
Kagura tilted her head, utterly baffled.
"Thank you for the sparring match." Turning away, the Ancient One dismissed any further explanation.
"Forcing you into a battle was my little indulgence. Now that your doubts are settled, you can continue on your path."
"But I still don't get it, don't just walk away!" Kagura protested. "What did you see?!"
"You'll find out in time, little one," the Ancient One said with a knowing smile.
"For someone who carries memories of another universe, I cannot reveal a single hint. Otherwise… you'd figure everything out immediately, wouldn't you?"
She considered adding another thought but held back.
"You are not ready to face him yet. The terror of knowing you are being hunted… is not something you should endure before your time."
[Sparring Match with the Ancient One: Complete]
[10QP Gained]
[Current QP: 10]