Eren's confidence in his highly attractive mass weapon prices left the Matriarchs intrigued yet wary.
The surprisingly affordable rates raised concerns among the leaders, leading them to doubt if these weapons would compromise on offensive or defensive capabilities.
Understanding their reservations, Eren proposed a demonstration to dispel their doubts. The tension between him and Callista filled the sacred space as they prepared for their duel. The four Matriarchs, along with Marla and Almera, observed the potential clash in silence from the sidelines, anticipating the outcome.
With a mischievous smile, Callista issued a warning to Eren. "This sacred ground holds the power of the Great Mother, granting me an advantage with Nature mana. While it may not be fair, I will wield that advantage against you.
Are you fine with this, Eren? Or do you want us to change the venue?"
Eren met her gaze, a curious glint in his eyes. He chuckled, casually shrugging his shoulders. "It's fine. Our duel serves to gauge the quality of the weapons I can provide to the Amazonians. Your advantage will only serve to highlight their potential."
Locking eyes with Callista, Eren's voice turned playful. "In fact, I encourage you to stack all your advantages together, Callista. A longer fight is more enjoyable. It wouldn't be fun if I defeated you in mere minutes."
As he spoke, Eren summoned a previously unused weapon—a nameless dagger adorned with lightning-element engravings on its hilt and blade. Honoring the Matriarchs' request for weapons meant for bulk production, Eren brandished this relatively ordinary weapon.
The dagger, specifically referred to as the Jambiya dagger, possessed a small blade length with a slight curve, its hilt black, and the blade sporting a copper hue. Vibrant lightning runes adorned its surface, emitting a mesmerizing purple and red glow—an unmistakable testament to Eren's multi-Aspect lightning mana.
Eren held the nameless weapons in his hands, their ordinary appearance belying the intricate runic engravings that hinted at their true potential. The Jambiya dagger boasted a curved blade designed for precise slashing strikes, enhanced by a central ridge for added strength.
Runic symbols adorned the blade, empowering it with exceptional sturdiness, as well as slashing and piercing capabilities. These engravings offered the wielder the ability to enhance the damage potential of their attacks, granting them an edge they had been missing.
But there was more.
In Eren's left hand appeared another weapon—the Khanjar dagger. Its silver blade and dark silver hilt shimmered, adorned with minute runic detailing attuned to Eren's fire-element mana. This dagger possessed the ability to augment Eren's fire-based attacks, synergizing perfectly with his Dagger Arts.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
Eren effortlessly wielded the nameless weapons, his Dagger Arts executed with precision. The daggers sliced through the air, their audible slashes accompanied by the crackling of purple and red lightning arcs, signifying Eren's potent Expert-ranked mana. The orange and azure flames enveloped him, creating a paradoxical fusion of scorching heat and icy chill—a spectacle that captivated all who witnessed it.
While Eren appeared calm and collected, his aura exuded a fierce intensity as he familiarized himself with the virgin daggers that were yet to taste the blood of their wielder's opponents. It was evident that his mastery of close combat went beyond mere composure.
As Eren's daggers danced around him at his command, Callista found herself once again taken aback by his prowess. For a moment, she forgot to do anything and looked at Eren with fascination reflecting in her eyes.
Through her connection with nature, she sensed that his Dagger Arts were merely scratching the surface of his true abilities. There was an underlying sense of darkness and lethal prowess concealed within his every move.
"This young man... I never knew he possessed such command over his spiritual force. He has infused his intentions into these seemingly ordinary weapons, almost transforming them into spirit weapons," remarked Valeria, her gaze fixed upon Eren. She couldn't deny that Eren was the first Expert-ranked outsider who wielded his Soul Sense with such proficiency. It served as a testament to the fact that even Eren's mass-produced weapons could harness the spiritual force of their wielders, if only for a fleeting moment.
"Hehe, he's quite the show-off," Evelina commented, her eyes fixed on Eren's masterful execution of Dagger Arts. The art itself was simple and straightforward, but it was Eren's skill and mastery that imbued it with profound depth.
Marla interjected, a tinge of nostalgia in her voice. "Well... I taught him the Dagger Arts when he was nothing more than a Novice. However, it has evolved into something entirely unique after he injected his Individuality into it."
Marla felt a mix of joy and concern for Eren's progress. Witnessing her former student surpassing her capabilities stirred a sense of self-doubt about her own growth as a ranker. For the first time, she regretted the days spent indulging in her vices, particularly her fondness for binge drinking.
"No more drinking on the weekdays," Marla resolved, clenching her fists as she gazed upon Eren with a mixture of envy and determination. A primal hunger to catch up with him ignited within her.
The four Matriarchs looked at Adepr-ranked Marla, their eyes filled with surprise as her words sank in. They had almost forgotten that Marla was Eren's professor back in LA. The realization struck them that the young gun about to engage in battle with Callista had risen to Expert rank through sheer effort and determination.
Blitz. Swoosh. Stop.
A sudden halt in Eren's Dagger Arts brought the flurry of his elemental manifestations to an abrupt end. His intense presence dissipated, leaving behind a facade of harmlessness. It was a complete transformation as if Eren had shed his formidable aura, reverting to the demeanor of an ordinary ranker.
The warm-up session lasted a mere half-minute, all the time Eren required to acclimate himself to the nameless blades. He flashed a smile at his opponent, his eyes meeting Callista's as he remarked, "Thank you for waiting, Valiant Priestess Callista. I suppose it's only fair that I return the favor. Keke."
Eren's chuckle snapped Callista back to reality, dispelling Eren's captivating battle presence that had momentarily enthralled her. His words served as a reminder that she, too, needed to prepare for the impending duel.
