112 Elizabeth’s Awakening

"Pippy won't let you hurt Elizabeth. If you think you can get through me, then you're sadly mistaken! I am the strongest!"

"Strongest? Bwa ha ha! You foolish fairy. Just because your race was born as the strongest creation from Lady Everland herself, you believe you hold authority over me?!" (???)

"Hmph." Pippy smirked, "That's not exactly why I'm powerful, but sure, go ahead and make that assumption." (Pippy)

"Then show me, you winged-barbarian." (???)

"Pippy, don't! We can talk this over with him!" (Elizabeth)

Pippy gripped Excalibur tightly inside his hand as he slowly stepped forward, "There's no ounce of mercy in his eyes, Elizabeth. Pippy can tell that he's here to shed blood. He's already made up his mind."

"But… my father… he-" (Elizabeth)

Before Liz could finish her sentence, the fairy dashed forward, holding Excalibur above his head.

"…Seaaaaa!!" (Pippy)

Fate was set in stone from Excalibur.

Pippy claimed victory with the sword of triumph. All he needed was one slash to end it, however, it didn't go as planned.

SHHINNNG!

Excalibur collided with the man's hand, forcing it to a standstill.

"W-What?! How did you… stop Excalibur?!" (Pippy)

"Ah. So you decided to help my foolish daughter without grasping the concept of my power?" (???)

Excalibur was parried to the side before Pippy was punched into the gut, propelling the fairy backward.

Elizabeth jumped back in shock, holding her hand towards her beloved, "P-Pippy-! Huh?!" Before she knew it, her father appeared in front of her, driving his fist forward, however, the Non-Mana Born reacted in enough time, counteracting his attack.

"Style of Matter." Liz reflected her father's punch to the side, completely decapitating his entire hand. Through this martial arts, she could cut through atoms to obliterate anything she desired.

The father widened his eyes at the display, leaping back before healing his arm.

"[Goff]" A magic circle appeared on his decapitated arm, slowly giving himself a new hand. (???)

However, Belphegor stood up, widening their eyes in bewilderment.

"That's impossible… he used, Dawn Magic!" (Belphegor)

Liz looked back at the shadowy demon, blinking a few times in confusion.

"D-Dawn what?!" (Elizabeth)

"Dawn magic existed during the Mystic Age. It was the first magic created from Yggdrasil itself before magic theory was discovered and utilized. This magic doesn't require spell ranks. Its potency is known to be below or even equal to Catastrophe Magic, but using it takes immense practice and mastering the arts of mana control, and magic crafts." The demon approached Elizabeth, standing by her side. "This magic is still used around Yggdrasil, however, it's rare since it was lost after the Age of Legends from a witch. At least that's what rumors say; a witch removed Dawn Magic from Yggdrasil itself, as it was destructive, and people used it for the wrong causes."

"…I'm assuming that's bad?" Said the airheaded Elizabeth.

"Of course it is, you foolish child! When performing Dawn Magic, it has its own language, making it unique when compared to other magic categories, but the problem lies in its creator, Yggdrasil." (Belphegor)

"You know your stuff, don't you? Who may you be?" (???)

"My name is Belphegor, a demon from the mystic age."

"Belphegor? Demon?! Hahahahaha! This day couldn't get any more better!! I'm lucky, aren't I? Seeing a member of the extinct race right before my very eyes! Your people were fools!"

"Do not misjudge my people! Keep their names out of your mouth!!" (Belphegor)

"If you want me to stop misjudging your insolent race, then defeat me, demon. Use Dawn Magic. You know of it, do you not? After all… you were in the mystic age." (???)

Dawn Magic was dangerous. Using Magic Theory as an example; magic theory covers the nature of how spells work and the authorities that govern certain categories of magic. Each Magic Category was specifically created by a God or powerful Mage. Fire magic was created by Vulcan, Spatial magic was created by Aether, Earth magic was created by Gaia, Lightning magic was created by Thor, Duality magic was created by Grimhild, and Golden magic was created by Fhiron.

Each category of magic has a ruler, or authority that governs over them.

Such as Dawn Magic having the authority of Yggdrasil governing over it.

That's why it was one of the strongest magic in all of existence.

Having control over it could cause unnecessary destruction if one used it for the bad.

"I refuse to use such magic. The only magic I would use is the magic created by the Demon King and his Magic Theory." (Belphegor)

"Ah yes. The Demon King. His magic theory created Void magic, did it not?" (???)

"Yes… but how did you know such a thing?" (Belphegor)

"Bwa ha ha ha!! It doesn't matter. But the reason for my power is simple, little demon. I am one of the five heroes of Yggdrasil. My name is Boris Rozenheart, chosen hero of Yggdrasil." (Boris)

"One of… the five heroes?" Belphegor glanced at Elizabeth who appeared to be in shock.

"Father… you never told me this, why? Why have you never told me you were a hero?" (Elizabeth)

"Why would I tell a useless child like you such a thing? Your mother, brother, and sister know it very well. But I disown you." He smiled wickedly, "You were never my child to begin with. Just a waste of space."

"…Father…" Elizabeth gazed down in agony, balling her fists, "I always wanted you to love me. Why do you hate me so much? Is it really because I was born with no mana? Is that any reason to disown your own child?"

"Our family has owned half of Midgard for centuries. We've crafted our image and made ourselves known as the strongest, and most wealthy family in the world until you were born." (Boris)

Elizabeth widened her eyes as tears swelled up inside of them.

"The day you were born, with no mana, we were going to use you as some slave that'll work for us. Taking care of the garden, cleaning the house. Doing a maid's work, however, your sister vowed that we should give you a chance, even though you never met her." Boris crossed his arms behind his back, approaching his disowned child, "She said let's wait until you grow up, so we could see your full potential. But, it was all for naught, you ended up as a failure, even with your halfwitted martial arts."

"That's enough, Boris Rozenheart! I'll face you, with Dawn Magic! That's what you wanted, right?! Enough with torturing your daughter!" Belphegor manifested flames into her hands, angry at the sight in front of her, but Elizabeth muttered; "No."

"Oh?" (Boris)

"No… I won't have any more of this. I'm tired of all of this." (Elizabeth)

"L-Liz…" Pippy finally returned to his feet after the punch, feeling himself weakened.

"All my life, I've been an outcast by my family. I never had a birthday party, I never got any presents, I never fit in with my brother or cousins. I've never been invited to any get-togethers. It always wounded me… but I tried masking those wounds with a smile." (Elizabeth)

A ghastly aura lingered around Elizabeth, leaking from her body like mist.

"What's this? Anti-magic?" (Boris)

"But… no more. I won't have any more disrespect that I endured ever since I was a little girl. I'm grown up now. I'm eighteen years old, and yet… you continue to belittle me." (Elizabeth)

"Watch your mouth, witless child!" Boris raised his hand, jabbing his fist towards Elizabeth's face.

But his attack didn't reach her.

"Fist of the 9 Heavens!" (Elizabeth)

"Impossible!" (Boris)

Boris widened his eyes, realizing the remarkable potential hidden deep within Elizabeth.

He was bewildered at the sight.

Just now, the Non-mana born broke her shell, and stepped into a new world of power!

"First Stance: Nullity!" (Elizabeth)

Elizabeth palmed her father's abdomen with enough force to cleave him through the gut.

All that Elizabeth touches in this stance will be turned into nothingness in a literal sense.

This magnificent style of martial arts was created by Elizabeth Rozenheart herself.

Martial arts were categorized as techniques within the world.

Techniques are different when compared to magic, as they are performed through the user's own capabilities rather than the use of spells and magic.

And just like magic theory, techniques were separated into their own category.

Izumi's cosmic fists of the sage, King Feero's Swordplay of the Vansbo family, and Elizabeth's Fists of the 9 Heavens.

She awakened her newfound power through her sheer emotions, finding the strength needed to fight back against those who belittled her all her life.

Pippy and Belphegor could only watch in awe.

"I'm unable… to heal, why?!" (Boris)

The first stance of this powerful technique was able to destroy even a hero's regeneration, making it nonexistent.

All that Nullity touches will cease to exist. Matter, abstract, law, concept.

It would be turned to void, and erased from existence.

This was the hidden potential of Elizabeth Rozenheart that even Izumi was afraid of.

But now it has awoken.

Boris Rozenheart unleashed a monster.

"My own daughter, bringing me to my knees?! I won't… falter to the likes of you!! I disowned you from day one, Elizabeth!!" (Boris)

Boris stood up from the ground, covering the large hole in his gut as he panted.

"Gods from the Branches of Order… give me strength!! (Boris)