After spending three days on the ship Mathew goes down to the ship’s storage room to test out the abilities of his core.
He sits on the floor and activates Frank’s ability and begins to see the flow of soul essence around the storage room and the ship.
He then begins to manipulate them into his core turning them into light essence.
“This really is incredible, I can learn any ability as long as I absorb a fragment of soul essence coming directly from their core, with this I’ll be able to destroy that fake pope, but raw power isn’t everything I’ll still need to know how to wield a weapon”
Mathew then thinks back to the fight against Arwen and sighs “so that won’t happen again, but who’ll teach me how to use a weapon and what weapon do I want to use?”.
Mathew grabs his chin and begins to think of a weapon that would suit him when the door to the storage room creaks open revealing an incredibly beautiful young woman with blue hair and green eyes of course it was Altier who walked into the storage room.
Altier looks around eventually sighting Mathew on the floor in deep thought.
She approaches him with light steps and taps him on the back calling his attention “hey Grey, Nice is looking for you”.
Being dragged out of deep thought Mathew turns and looks at Altier who had an indifferent look on her face “what for?” Mathew asks
Altier pulls her hair back and shrugs “I don’t know but he says it’s urgent”.
Mathew stands and stretches a little “Alright where is he?” Mathew asks.
“He’s at the top of the ship” replies Altier.
Mathew then begins to walk towards the door heading towards the top of the giant ship “wait for a moment” hearing that Mathew stops and turns his head back “yes what is it?”Altier then walks closer towards him “tell me what is your true reason for going to the Northern Quadrant?”.
Mathew suddenly had a serious expression on his face “what do you mean by that ?” He asks then continues “I’m just going to visit my friend that’s all”.
Altier still with an indifferent look walks towards the door “alright then if you won’t say anything I won’t pry any further just don’t put us in trouble got that ?” And with that Altier walks away leaving Mathew alone in the storage room.
Mathew then looks in her direction having a wary look “just who exactly is she, who ever she is I have to be wary of her”.
Eventually Mathew arrives at the top of the ship and spots Nice trying to catch a fish with Ellie and Frank.
Nice spots him and waves signaling Mathew to move forward.
Nice stares at the sea with a slight smile “hey Grey I’ve got some news”.
Mathew sits on the wooden floor and asks “what is it?”, Nice sighs “well it looks like this ship will be taking a little detour to restock on supplies on a nearby village which is relatively close to our destination”.
Mathew nods in understanding and attempts to stand up “is that all?” Mathew asks.
“Yeah that’s it” said Nice
“Alright” and with that Mathew attempts to walk away but stops.
He turns back to Nice looking a little conflicted “hey Nice could you teach me how to use a weapon?”.
Hearing that Nice looks at him with a dark expression “and why is that”.
Mathew changes his posture and replies “well I just think I’ll need to defend myself one day so I want to use a weapon if that’s okay with you “.
Suddenly Nice gives Frank his fishing rod and walks up to Mathew, he then summons a long black blade with a slant tip and hands it over to Mathew “here take this “.
Mathew takes the blade with a confused expression and asks “so does this mean you’ll train me?”, Nice smiles and says “of course I’m not”.
Hearing that Mathew suddenly makes a more confusing expression “huh?
Then why give me this blade?”.
Nice places his hand on Mathew’s shoulder and replies “I’m not the one who’ll teach you Altier will”.
Mathew suddenly shivered hearing that, “Altier will?” Mathew asks
With a slight grin Nice answered “of course she will, she may not look it but she’s mastered the use of any weapon you can think of so who’s better to teach you than Altier herself?”.
Mathew shifts a little “alright but will she agree to do it ?” Mathew asks.
“Of course she will” Nice then calls Altier with a communication device and a few moments later she appears at the top of the ship, “what do you want now Nice?”.
Nice stares at her with a grin “it’s nothing but would you mind teaching Grey a few things about wielding a sword?”.
Hearing that Altier stares at Mathew for a while before answering “alright I’ll teach him a few things”.
Nice puts his hands together “that’s great so I’ll leave you guys to your lesson and good luck to you Grey”.
With that Nice leaves and resumes his fishing with Frank and Ellie.
Being left alone once again Mathew tries to speak but gets cut off by Altier “listen as we train I’ll need you to be more focused than you’ve ever been in your life cause I won’t be repeating myself twice”.
Mathew nods his head “alright understood “.
Hearing his answer Altier nods her head in satisfaction “that’s good”.
Mathew then asks “so when do we start?”, Altier remains silent for a moment before replying to him ” we start right now”.
Mathew sighs quietly hearing her answer “alright let’s start then”.
With that they both sit on the wooden floor as Altier began to ask “firstly have you ever used a sword?” Mathew contemplates a little before answering “nope I haven’t”.
Hearing that Altier nods her head “I see, so what do you think is the main purpose of wielding a sword?”.
Mathew thinks for a bit “well I guess it’s to protect one’s self” Altier shakes her head incorrectly “that’s wrong”.
Hearing that Mathew made serious expression and allows her to continue.
Altier takes up the black blade and continues speaking “the main purpose of wielding a weapon whether a sword or spear is to kill”.
Mathew suddenly folds his hands and looks straight at her “why is that?” Mathew asks.
Altier simply asks her own question “tell me truthfully Mathew the reason you decided to learn how to wield a weapon was to kill someone right?”.
Mathew’s serous expression turned into a wary one as he was asked that question “and how would you know that?” Mathew asks.
Altier simply moved her fingers across the blade “how you ask, it simply because no one ever takes up a sword without a tint of murder in their minds, so tell me Grey who is it you want to kill?”.
Mathew stares at her with a wary expression and eventually answers “it’s someone who I despise with all my being”.
Hearing that Altier smirks and hands Mathew the black blade “alright that’s all I need to know, now swing that sword at least ten thousand times”.
Mathew suddenly stumbles a bit ” ten thousand times?”
“Yes or is it too much for you?” Replied Altier.
Mathew grips the black blade tightly “No” he takes the first swing “it’s a piece of cake”