6 Dual Resonance

The harmful liquid flew at a bullet speed. Fortunately, it hit the ground instead of the humans.

Argent shivered as she saw the solid cavern floor being melted in an instant by the purple liquid. Once it dissipated, it left a hole big enough to bury a human child's torso. She didn't know how she even thought about that, so she quickly shook the thought away.

Looking at the ceilings, Argent noticed the Chlicerite was about to do the same attack again by the way it moved. She was frozen for a moment. Somehow, she suddenly couldn't focus on the fight.

When the Chlicerite began to barrage its purple liquid again, Noir stared at the hybrid anthropoid creature intensely. He stretched one hand with his open palm facing the ground.

Argent came into her senses when the sound of spark and electricity entered her ears. Turning to face where the sounds were coming from, her eyes widened as she watched Noir materialize lightning particles from an empty air.

"How can you-"

Before she could finish her words, Noir clutched the lightning sphere tightly and threw it at the hanging Chlicerite. It flew so fast that it almost looked like it was teleporting from A point to B point. And as it flew toward the creature, it produced a wave of roaring sound that echoed throughout the cave.

The Chlicerite, who couldn't predict Noir's attack, had to meet its demise in the blink of an eye when the lightning sphere suddenly spread out and struck it multiple times, reducing it to dust.

Despite the overwhelming victory against the Chlicerite, Noir displayed a disappointed expression instead of a smile or other positive mood.

Noir squeezed his palm, feeling the discomfort that suddenly surged from his right hand, which he used to call the lightning.

'My lightning... it's weaker. It feels like I'm getting nerfed.'

Thud.

"Hm?"

Noir raised his eyebrow at Argent, who had just fallen and prod to sit on her knees. Her eyes were as round as a puppy's.

"What... are you doing? And why are you looking at me like that?"

Suddenly, tears began streaming down her eyes that surprised even herself. Not much later, she went along with her emotion, sniffing and sobbing out of happiness and gratitude.

"Thank you..." she said. "Thank you for saving me... and carrying me."

She stopped sobbing for a while and looked at Noir with eyes filled with determination.

"In the future, if you ever need my help... I'll be the first to come to aid you, Noir."

Suddenly, seeing Argent being like that reminded him of Florence.

He remembered the time when he rescued her from a certain death during a quest, and she was getting so emotional that she promised the exact thing as Argent. Although, she never had the chance to fulfill her promise.

Noir, who was swimming in the past memory, ruffled Argent's hair unconsciously.

"Eh?"

Argent was not expecting that, and neither did Noir. It was only when their eyes met that Noir immediately pulled his hand.

Hiding his embarrassment, he faked a cough.

"Don't say that," Noir walked away. "I'm just returning the deeds you have done for me back in the training camp."

Argent pressed her hands on her head, recalling the gentle hand that ruffled her hair. After a while, she smiled and rose to her feet with much struggle.

"H-hey. Please wait!"

Noir didn't wait. He kept walking toward the altar as the corpse of the Chlicerite finally fell from the ceiling, hitting the ground near the altar. Looking at it with disgust, Noir zapped it for the last time before turning around once he arrived in front of the altar.

He looked at Argent, who was having difficulty walking because of her injury. Despite that, she was persistent and kept walking with a full smile on her face.

'She really resembles Florence if not for her silver hair.'

Apart from her silver hair, Argent's facial features were attracting Noir's attention, particularly her eyes. It was as silver as her hair. If one looked closely, one could see the beautiful pattern in her iris.

Her face and overall appearance were pretty, for sure. Many men would fall for her because of that, too. But for Noir, he only admired the beauty of her eyes.

'Oh, right.'

As they were about to step onto the altar, Noir asked for her cooperation to hide the fact that he received a Revelation. When she asked for the reason, Noir scratched his cheek.

"I don't think I can handle the pressure," Noir looked down, faking a shiver. "You know how people treated me, right? Just because my sister is a Grandmaster, they..."

He stopped and went silent just at the right moment.

Argent looked at him understandingly as though she had gone through that feeling before.

"I understand," She said, smiling. "Then, it should be okay if I report to the instructors that your lightning ability is the Resonance you received in the test?"

Noir shook his head. "Don't. I'll tell him personally."

As soon as they stood on the altar, the circle line with the number 1 carving on the altar foundation shone a radiant light, engulfing both Noir and Argent.

Noir found himself standing- no, floating in the white world once again. The feeling when he couldn't feel his body still became an unnerving sensation.

After a moment, he heard the voice.

[We are very happy to welcome you into our ranks, Resonant Noir. As a reward for completing the first test, we have bestowed upon you a Resonance that will aid you in stopping the evil that has consumed many worlds. We hope that Earth will not meet the same fate as them.]

At the same time, a display screen popped up before him.

//[The Sovereign has given you the Resonance "Truth Seeker."]

[Truth Seeker]

Rank: 1 Star

You are always curious about everything, but you never have the chance to know about it. Your desire to seek truth and valuable information is immeasurable. Right now, you may not be able to find the answer but be at ease. Because you will never forget what you have learned.

Resonance Art:

[Memorization]

Your process of thought has improved. You can memorize everything you have learned and remember the information with precision.//

'Wait? I'm getting another Resonance?!'

As soon as Noir thought that, his consciousness began to fade, and he eventually returned to the real world with a puzzled look.

However, he quickly came to his senses after the thunderous sound of footsteps and camera shots getting closer. Unfortunately, he was too late to realize it.

'Shit.'