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Return of the Fallen Volume 5 Chapter 72

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Author: Blue_Rat

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ch72

Kazuki looked at the metal ruler in his hand. Although it was called a ruler, there were no marks or measurements etched into it, and it seemed to simply be a flat piece of metal in the shape of a ruler. Kazuki just stood there confused.

“Senior, this…I don’t get it. A ruler?”

Glacious huffed.

“Do I really need to tell you its not actually a ruler? It’s just called that. This tool is a treasure passed down in my clan. An elder used to joke around and called it a ruler because of its resemblance to one. He called it that so much that it eventually got called a ruler by everyone else and the real name was forgotten long ago. Stupid I know but when someone calls something with a specific name for over ten thousand years and is never corrected, you get situations like this. Even I don’t recall it’s actual name at this point.”

Kazuki understood the name part. It was weird but not something outside the realms of possibility. The only real question now though, just what exactly was the purpose of this tool.

Kazuki turned it over and eyed it up and down.

“Senior, what does it do?”

“Fill it with energy and see.”

Again Kazuki wasn’t sure about something. Just what element did this black piece of metal use exactly?

“Senior, which energy does it require?”

Glacious grinned.

“Every energy. Any energy. That’s what makes this ruler so special. To my knowledge, it can devour any energy and use it. As for its purpose, try it for yourself and see.”

Kazuki held the thin piece of metal and shrugged his shoulders.

(Guess we’ll see.)

Kazuki circulated his energy and pushed a small amount of his fire element forward and into the black ruler.

…Nothing.

Glacious rolled his eyes.

“Young Kazuki, this isn’t a tool for scrambling some eggs. Put some real power into it otherwise how else will it be fueled?”

Shin chuckled at the side.

“Hehe, yea Kazuki what’s the matter, can’t get your engines going?”

Kazuki ignored Shin and tried again. This time he used the same amount of energy he would need to create one of his blue flames and interjected it into the ruler. As soon as he did.

*Schszz*

The ruler sounded as though steam was being released. A thin layer of orange flames rolled about the surface of the ruler before after two or three seconds dissipating.

Everyone looked over curiously but Glacious seemed annoyed.

“Dammit Kazuki, I said power, give it some real juice otherwise we’ll be doing this all day.”

Kazuki was taken aback.

(Does this big lizard not know how much energy a blue flame cost me. Fine! He wants the juice! Watch this you overgrown reptile!)

Kazuki concentrated and delved deep within himself. He brought forth 90% of his energy And sent it all into the ruler all at once. As his energy came pouring in. The ruler actually trembled in his hand before releasing a low rumble.

*FooSHhhhhh*

A blue flame erupted over the surface of the ruler and spread out uncontrollably at a fast speed. Asuna and the others saw this and felt the heat stinging their skin and they all instantly retreated over a hundred feet away. Glacious was the only one who remained at his side. The flames could do nothing to him and even his clothes were protected due to his aura. Glacious looked at the out-of-control blue fire and roared out in excitement.

“Good! Now concentrate on the shape. Make a sword!”

Kazuki followed Glacious’s instruction and imagined the blue flame forming a blade and the fire really did start to shape into a long sword made of the fire element. Slowly but surely the fire that was spread out for dozens of feet, retreated back into the ruler until it was only spread out over about 5 feet. Concentrating as best he could, Kazuki felt tired, not physically but rather mentally for some reason. He still didn’t stop though. The heat was so great that trees and bushes in the nearby distance were lit and began to burn all around them. Kazuki imagined the flames pulling back and they did just that.

(Smaller, more condensed. Come to me.)

The flames shrunk further and further and a blade began to take shape until finally.

*FSHHHHHH*

A three-foot-long blade made entirely of blue flame took shape. At its base was the black ruler, which Kazuki used as a handle.

(This thing really used all of that energy and didn’t break, incredible!)

Kazuki was thrilled and couldn’t help but test the sword out. Aiming at the ground, Kazuki took a swing.

*FSHAAAAA*

With a casual swipe from Kazuki, the ground was torn up in an instant and was set ablaze. A small trench 3 feet wide 3 feet deep and 15 feet long extended out in front of him and any rocks that were in the way were cut in half and glowed slightly from the amount of heat.

Kazuki and everyone else were shocked and Shin couldn’t help but shout out.

“Holy Shit!”

Only a second or two after he swung the flaming sword, Kazuki couldn’t help but collapse on one knee. His breathing was heavy and his vision blurred a bit. He had given the ruler 90% of his energy but it seemed to have forcibly taken more of his energy when he swung it at the ground. Not even a second after that, the flames faded away rapidly until the sword was no more and only the black ruler remained.

Asuna and the others wanted to come over but the temperature in the surrounding area was still way too high. Glacious took not of this and snapped his fingers. All of the blazes set to the nearby trees and brush were snuffed out in a split second and ice spread out covering the area in an instant. Asuna was the first to make it to Kazuki’s side and she helped him up worriedly.

“Kazuki are you alright, are you hurt anywhere?”

Asuna couldn’t believe Kazuki didn’t accidentally injure himself. Just being in the area his flame was affecting her.

(If he were to use that on the battlefield, none of us would be able to get near him.)

Kazuki shook his head.

“I’m not injured, I just feel that my energy is nearly depleted and my head is pounding. Thank you, Asuna.”

Asuna blushed slightly and said nothing more but Shin was curious.

“Hmm, since when are you two so lovey-dovey. Could it be, Asuna, did you finally take him down in the middle of the night?”

Asuna’s face went bright red and she let Kazuki go in embarrassment. Kazuki was actually relying on Asuna and so when she let him go, he naturally fell to the ground.

Asuna was sur[prised by this and quickly helped Kazuki back up but Shin was already keeled over laughing now.

“Bwahahahaha, so guilty Asuna. You even dropped Kazuki flat on his face. This is good, way too good!”

Asuna on instinct threw her dagger at Shin but Shin just laughed it away and easily dodged to the side. This only embarrassed and angered Asuna even more. She reached into the sky but before she could lock him in place, Shin became alert and threw the cloak over himself, filling it with power. Shin completely disappeared and Asuna lost him.

Shin’s voice echoed out somewhere in the distance.

“Asuna, too bad you can’t find me now. This cloak really is amazing! Teacher, you’ve really given me something incredible, thank you! Guess I’ll head back first. See ya around Ass…una! Hahahaha.”

And like that, Shin was gone.

Asuna was infuriated but with Shin gone, she could noyl curse him under her breath.

“Kazuki, I’m sorry, it’s just Shin and his stupid words…They just get to me sometimes.”

Kazuki rubbed his nose as though he were in pain even though he clearly wasn’t he did this to tease Asuna.

“Ah-ah! My nose what will you do if it broke.”

This didn’t play very well as Asuna was still angry.

“Ok ok, I’m kidding. Just help me to that stump over there so I can rest a little.”

Asuna did so and Glacious walked over. Inspecting Kazuki from head to toe, he could see he was fine and nodded.

“The ruler is an incredible tool. If you could use it properly, you’d have been able to bring out 10 times more power, I’m sure of it.”

Everyone heard that and couldn’t believe it.

“Senior, surely that’s a lie right?”

Glacious scrunched his brows and spoke coldly.

“Do I lie Kazuki?”

Kazuki realized his mistake and bowed his head quickly.

“Sorry I didn’t mean that. It’s just that what you said just now, is that even possible to increase its power by 10 times.”

Glacious shook his head.

“No, not 10 times, the limits this thing has, even I am not sure of. When I said 10 times, I was referring to your current level. Right now, if you could master this black ruler, then you could bring out 10 times the power. However…”

Glacious took the black ruler from Kazuki and rose into the air before swinging it toward a mountain in the distance. A blade of wind several thousand feet formed at the tip of the ruler and shot forward as fast as lightning. Not even a second later, that very same blade of wind struck the mountain.

*KA-BOOOOOOOM!*

The entire mountain in the distance exploded and then shattered into millions of pieces. The resulting soundwave caused Kazuki and the other’s eardrums to bleed. They all gripped the sides of their head in pain. As soon as this happened Kazuki thought about Lamia. If it affected him like this then she, being a normal person… Fear crept into Kazuki as he thought about this, and he was about to rush out but Glacious already landed on the ground next to him and as though he were in Kazuki’s mind he said.

“Relax. If you’re worried about Lamia, there’s no need she’s safe. As long as you reside in my house, you are fully protected. She and the others who are inside didn’t hear a thing, nor did they feel the ground tremble. Did you think I would use such a dangerous move without confirming everyone’s location and making sure they are inside?”

“But senior you used it on us. What about our safety?”

Glacious gave Kazuki an odd look.

“Are you not fine? That just happened a second ago but your hearing has already recovered and you heard what I just said a second ago. Kazuki you may not realize it but you guys are monsters compared to regular folk. Though to me your all still little mice.”

Glacious tossed the ruler back to Kazuki before reaching out into the air. His red and yellow eyes began to glow with an emerald light and with a slight hand movement, the mountain that had just shattered into oblivion began putting itself back together again. Barely a minute went by and the mountain was once again whole.

As soon as it was finished, Glacious couldn’t help but cough up some blood on the spot, causing Kazuki and the others to worry but he simply waved them away.

“I’m fine. More importantly, that demonstration proves my point. This tool grows with the user. Not only that, the ability I just used, was only one. The ruler is quite unique and can do a few other nice things as well. With added power, you can change the ruler’s length and weight. It doesn’t have to merely be used to cut things. With your energy and will you can make it beyond sharp or turn it into the dullest thing in the world unable to cut even a flys wing. The things it can do, they are quite interesting, wouldn’t you say?”

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