"We need to guard the pa.s.s here first."

I charged Fran with the duty of defending against the arrows and blocked the narrow pa.s.s using the Great Wall. It was impossible to resist the magic beasts' invasion while also withstanding the evil being army. I thought I should prevent them from pressing ahead any farther when …

'Great Arrow Inferno'

Suddenly, not far from where we were, an arrow released by Valkyrie pierced into the wall. At the same time, a sudden explosion blasted a huge hole in the wall.

"Chi!"

'Fu hahaha! 'Great Arrow Inferno.'

I tried to cast another Great Wall, but it was destroyed again by Valkyrie's arrow. Oops, we were in for trouble now.

Now, the Magic beasts began to march towards the breach, and in the meantime, the evil beings also launched long-distance attacks. It became largely ineffective to defend against the evil beings while attacking the Magic beasts. Must I give up fighting with the Magic beasts…? NO, absolutely not. Fran wouldn't want that.

Is there anything else I can do? How can I help?

I fully activated my Simultaneous Processing to search for the best option, but as long as Valkyrie was here, it was impossible to shut down the hole in the wall. My only option was to reduce the number of monsters as much as possible. Otherwise, I would have to fight both.

The only attacking skill I could use now was Ekato Keravnos, a wide-ranging skill, which could bring down 100 lightning strikes at the same time. If I scattered it in a wide range continuously, it was likely that a great number of beasts would fall. Each strike could smash one low ranking magic beast, and stun those surrounding it.

However, it was high tier magic after all. My magic would all be drained in an instant if I applied the skill continuously to eliminate the 3000-or more beasts. Then I would be at a disadvantage in the subsequent battles with the evil beings; in other words, I would be killed.

It would be best if I could absorb more magic stones to improve my magic stone points, … Was there a way to absorb the magic stone points while launching a wide-ranging attack …? Hum…

No, there is. Can I do it if I'm in this condition? I narrowed my focus and tried to activate the transformation. I wasn't sure I could do it, but I finally was able to control the blade. It worked!

First, however, I should use up my MP. It would be completely restored when I rank up after all. Now I can use Ekato Keravnos one after another.

"Haaaa! Just enjoy it!"

I cast nearly 500 lightning bolts towards the rear of the Magic beasts. Although it isn't precise, like this, I could destroy many of them. The beasts being hit directly by the bolts were smashed to pieces, and other beings within the attack range were charred by the strikes that nearly missed them.

Once more, I launched another attack against the evil beings. I meant to blind them more than doing any significant damage, but it would be better if I could diminish the number of a.s.sailants.

I attacked the beasts in the back on purpose, rather than those around me. I deliberately left the nearby beasts till last, so that they could be food for me later.

"Fran, Fran, endure the arrows for a while!"

'En!'

Well, now I will give this my full effort!

"Haaaa! Magic stones, come to me!"

I activated the transformation with all my strength. This time, however, the transformed part was not the blade, per usual, but the braids hung on the hilt, since Fran would be in danger if her weapon was gone. Normally I manipulate only the blade in the transformation, but both the braid and the cord are also part of me. They would be repaired when I was restored after all, so, the braid should be something I can manipulate too.

Magic Control, Energy Control, Simultaneous Processing. As a result of making full use of them, my transformation reached a level not comparable to before.

In response to my will, the braid transformed into ten steel threads. Like branches of a tree, they extended up to the sky, and sideways further and further. Obviously, the Magic beasts' stones in their path were all pierced through and eaten.

"Ku, I have reached my limit…?"

I am being held back more by my processing ability than magic capacity. I don't have a head, but I could feel that my brain was burning. No, maybe it's because I didn't have a brain that I felt that way; anyway, it was terrible.

"But… It's here!"

It's the second rank up today! As a result of absorbing a large number of Magic beasts' stones, enough magic stone points have been acc.u.mulated at once.

Author's Notes:

Since there were many status notations, the s.h.i.+shou's post-evolution status will be displayed in the postscript.

Name: s.h.i.+shou

Wielder: Fran (fixed)

Race: Intelligent Weapon

ATK: 882           

Magic Capacity: 6250/6250      

Endurance Points: 6050/6050

Magic Conductivity: S-

Skills

Appraisal: Lv Max, Appraisal Blocking, Transformation, High-speed Self Restoration, Self-evolution;

[Rank 15 - Magic Stone Value: 10569/12000 - Memory: 151 - Points: 75]

Self-modification [skill superiorization], Telekinesis, Telekinesis small increase, Telepathy, Attack small increase,

s.p.a.ce-time magic: Lv Max; Skill Sharing, Wielder's Status Medium Increase, Wielder's Recovery Small Increase, Heavenly Eye, Seal Negation, Magic Capacity Small Increase, Magic Beast Knowledge, Mage, Memory Medium Increase.

Unique Skill

The Principle of Falsehood: Lv 5;  

Dimension Magic: Lv 4.

Superior Skill

Sword Technique: SP;   

Skill Taker: SP;   

Multiple Body Creation: SP

Editor's Notes:

"…" is the line of the Sword (me).

'…' is the line of Fran.