A Path To Omniscience

In a silver streak, a single-edged, curved blade sliced through the air at blinding speed, only to be blocked by another weapon. Sparks erupted as two swords clashed, the force scattering nearby snowflakes with a violent gust.

"Is this all you have to show me? You've barely improved since the last time I saw you." Winter's words fell just as heavily as her blade. On the other side, Weiss's face tightened—not just from Winter's comment but from the stark difference in their strength.

Her sister wasn't even trying, yet Weiss could barely hold her off.

"I- I can do better!" Weiss shot back, twisting her rapier, which had a silver rhombohedral blade with sharp edges and a cylinder like that of a revolver. The maneuver redirected Winter's force downward, their swords sliding against each other.

But Winter was faster, shifting her stance and spinning in a full circle before launching another strike. It came too quickly to dodge, and Weiss had no choice but to raise her rapier to block, using the momentum from the attack to launch herself into the air.

Despite flying over ten meters into the air, she recovered instantly. Her body moved like a dancer mid-performance, arms and legs twisting gracefully as she regained her balance and landed softly. As her feet touched the ground, she held out two fingers, which began to glow with a blue-white light.

With a swift motion, a glyph materialized beneath her, shaped similarly to the Schnee Dust Company's twelve-pointed snowflake. The instant it appeared, Weiss seemed to vanish, leaving a shockwave in her wake.

From behind the windows looking out to the courtyard, Asher's brow lifted in surprise.

"Oh, she already has a semblance?"

"Yes, it's hereditary. Apparently, it's been in our family for generations," Whitley replied casually, not seeming the slightest bit interested in the fight. In contrast, Asher turned back to the sparring match, looking even more intrigued after hearing Whitley's explanation.

In the courtyard, Winter had no trouble tracking Weiss's rapid movements. As another glyph appeared behind Winter, Weiss's form flickered briefly in front of it before using its repulsive properties to launch herself forward, cutting through the air like a missile.

But despite Weiss's speed, Winter sidestepped the attack effortlessly, parrying the thrust downward.

"The back of the neck is every fighter's blind spot. Aiming for it makes your moves predictable," Winter lectured, her wrist twisting as she swung her blade toward Weiss's throat. Weiss bent backward just in time, backflipping out of range, the blade passing mere centimeters from her face.

She slid slightly as she landed several meters away, her breath heavy and frosting in the cold air.

"So, are you done?" Winter asked as she tilted her head slightly in Weiss's direction.

"No... not yet," Weiss replied as she twirled her rapier, and four glyphs materialized in the air around her, each about the size of a basketball. From them, sharp icicles began to form, aimed directly at Winter. Once fully formed, they shot out like arrows, with Weiss quickly dashing in right behind them.

"Hmm." Shifting her stance, Winter turned her body to the side and placed a hand behind her back. The moment each icicle came within her range, she struck them down with enough force for them to shatter into icy dust. 

But when she went to slice the fourth, Weiss, who was close on its tail, seized her chance.

As Winter's sword swung, Weiss read its path perfectly and deflected it to the side, completely redirecting the force. The parry left Winter exposed, and the revolver-like cylinder in the hilt of Weiss's rapier began to spin. The chambers, filled with different dust types, glowed white, and the intricate patterns along the hilt and blade lit up.

Using the first three projectiles as distractions so that I'd commit to the fourth and let you read the path of my strike... clever.

Winter didn't seem interested in countering her sister's attack; instead, she shifted her feet, preparing to dodge the next attack. But just as Weiss was about to attack, something caught her eye—a reflection in the windows behind Winter. Through the glass, she spotted not just her brother but someone else standing beside him.

Is that... Asher!? 

Weiss's hesitation lasted only a split second, barely noticeable to anyone else but not to Winter. Frowning, she abandoned the idea of dodging and twisted her sword, bringing the blunt side down toward Weiss.

Huh? Oh, no! 

Weiss realized her mistake, but it was too late. The strike hit her, sending her flying backward, her rapier clattering to the ground as it fell out of her hand. Groaning, she lay there for a moment before sitting up. She looked stunned, but that quickly shifted to shame as she saw Winter approaching, disappointment and confusion written on her face.

Standing over her, Winter asked, "Why did you hesitate? I know I taught you better than that."

Weiss didn't respond right away. Before she could, the doors to the courtyard were pushed open. Winter turned to see both Whitley and Asher stepping outside, narrowing her eyes briefly before glancing back at her sister.

"I... I got distracted," Weiss admitted quietly, rising to her feet.

"I see. But that's no excuse," Winter said firmly.

"Distractions happen all the time in battle. You can't afford to lose focus, no matter what. I'm proud of how far you've come, Weiss. You've developed your own fighting style—one that blends everything you've learned with what you're naturally good at. But your mentality needs improvement." Winter's tone softened, showing a trace of warmth behind her usual sternness.

Weiss nodded.

"I'll work on it, I promise."

"Good. Now go retrieve your weapon." After saying that, Winter turned her attention to Whitley and Asher as they neared, sheathing her sword.

"It's been quite a while, dear sister. So sad you didn't bother to visit me when you arrived," Whitley said, his voice laced with light sarcasm and a smile.

"Well, I half expected you to be in Father's office, given how closely you follow in his footsteps," Winter responded coolly. Asher observed quietly, catching the small details in Winter's mannerisms as she spoke.

So, while Whitley mirrors his father, Weiss seems to be trying to emulate her older sister. Interesting. But it looks like Winter doesn't care much for how Whitley resembles their father.

Noticing Asher's analytical gaze, Winter shifted her focus.

"And who might you be?" She asked.

Asher offered a polite smile and bowed slightly.

"Asher Frostvale, a pleasure."

Winter's eyes narrowed briefly as if searching her memory before a hint of surprise crossed her face.

"Frostvale? So, you're the heir to Frostvale Enterprises?"

"That's right," Asher confirmed with a nod.

"I see... And what brings you here, of all places?" Winter asked, though Whitley answered before Asher could respond.

"We met at Weiss's birthday, which you'd know if you hadn't left after a few minutes to avoid Father," Whitley remarked, a sly edge to his voice.

Winter didn't show a reaction as she replied to the comment.

"Not all of us are comfortable with having our lives mapped out for us. Taking things into your own hands means fewer freedoms." Whitley's smile remained unchanged at his older sister's words as he shrugged. 

"Right, of course. In any case, Asher is a friend, and he's just here for a visit. Though it seems one of us forgot about that," he added, directing the comment toward Weiss as she approached and holstered her rapier at her waist.

"I didn't forget," Weiss said in an annoyed voice, though she collected herself a moment later as she turned to Asher.

"I'm sorry I didn't come to greet you. But Winter is usually so busy, I-" Asher raised a hand, cutting her off.

"It's fine. Like I told Whitley, my visit was rather sudden. Though I can't say I regret it. I've never seen Huntresses in action before, let alone their semblances. You, in particular, surprised me, Weiss. I never expected someone to remain so graceful in a fight—it was almost like watching a dance." The compliment brought a slight smile to Weiss's face, something both Whitley and Winter noticed.

"Well, technically, I'm not a Huntress just yet. I'm still training. But I'm getting better, right, Winter?" Weiss asked, glancing at her sister.

"I admit, you are improving," Winter replied.

"Hmm, I see," Asher said thoughtfully.

"In that case, maybe you could entertain a request of mine?" All three siblings turned their attention to him; curiosity piqued.

"What kind of request?" Weiss asked.

"Nothing major. I've been practicing self-defense recently, but I haven't had the chance to spar with a partner. So, what do you say we have a duel?" Both Weiss and Whitley blinked in surprise, caught completely off guard. Winter's expression remained neutral, though a flicker of interest appeared in her eyes.

"Wait—hold on," Whitley interjected, disbelief evident in his voice.

"You want to duel my sister?"

"I don't think that's a good idea, Asher," Weiss added.

"No offense, but it wouldn't be a fair fight."

"In that case," Winter cut in, her tone calm, "don't use your aura during the duel."

The other two siblings turned to Winter, not seeming to believe what they heard.

"Wait, Winter, you want me to duel him?" Weiss asked.

"I don't see why not. Our sparring session was cut short, and it's just as important to practice your swordsmanship without relying on your aura. This will be a good opportunity to see how much you've improved." Winter's tone left no room for argument, though Weiss seemed at a loss for words.

Winter then looked at Asher.

"Would you agree to those terms if I were to act as a referee?" Asher nodded without hesitation at her suggestion as he replied. 

"That sounds fine to me."

At the same time, Whitley glanced between his sisters and Asher, trying to process the situation before sighing.

Well, this certainly isn't how I expected this visit to go.

Weiss found Asher's challenge just as unexpected as Whitley did, but within minutes, she found herself standing in front of him, with barely two meters separating them.

Asher had removed his coat, not wanting it to restrict his movement.

"Are you planning to fight me barehanded?" Weiss asked, noticing he wasn't carrying a weapon.

At that, Asher glanced down at his hands before looking over at Winter, who stood nearby, prepared to start the duel. She seemed to catch on quickly, casually pulling out her sword and tossing it to Asher. He caught it midair, examining the weapon in front of him before giving it a slight wave to test its weight.

Hmm, it's heavier than I expected. Then again, I've never trained with a weapon.

Asher wasn't much for regular exercise.

He did just enough to maintain his health as part of his weekly routine, but nothing excessive. He was perhaps a little stronger than the average kid his age who didn't exercise, but no more than that.

Still, he took a stance, bending his knees and leaning in slightly, the sword angled forward to protect his centerline. Noticing that, Winter raised a brow and observed Asher a bit more closely. 

I've never seen that stance before... But it's well-balanced, perfect for switching between defense and offense depending on his opponent's first move. Interesting.

"Are you sure about this?" Weiss asked Asher, her tone as hesitant as the expression on her face. Even her stance was off.

"Get your act together, Weiss!" Winter's voice cut through the air like a blade, causing Whitley, who was standing next to her, to jump slightly. 

"You've been challenged—why are you acting so skittish? Straighten your posture and ready yourself!" Weiss shot her sister a look but quickly turned back to Asher, closing her eyes to take a deep breath. When she opened them, her expression had hardened into one of determination.

"I'm ready when you are," she said firmly.

Asher nodded.

"Same here."

Winter, satisfied, raised her hand.

"Alright, then. Begin!" She called out, lowering her hand sharply to start the match.

Weiss became the aggressor the moment the match began. Even without her aura enhancing her physical abilities, she was faster than Asher had anticipated—a clear testament to how much time she had put into training. As soon as she was within range, she lunged forward with her rapier, aiming for a non-vital spot.

But to her surprise—and Whitley's—Asher responded. Using the strong part of the blade near the hilt, he parried, absorbing the force of her thrust and immediately countering with an overhead strike.

Weiss hadn't expected him to react so effectively.

Instinctively, she twisted her body to dodge, but that's when Asher's blade shifted swiftly into a slash aimed at her legs.

A feint?

Mid-twirl, Weiss jumped back, landing a meter or so away with a stunned look on her face.

"You underestimated your opponent. Don't make the same mistake twice," Winter commented from the sidelines. Weiss nodded, her expression turning even more serious as she kept her eyes locked on Asher. Asher, likewise, didn't take his eyes off her, adjusting his posture and changing the position of his sword.

"Why does he keep shifting like that?" Whitley asked curiously, arms crossed as he watched the duel.

"He's correcting his form so he can react faster next time," Winter observed, talking almost to herself.

"It's strange. It's obvious he understands the basics of swordsmanship enough to adapt in the midst of combat, but his movements and executions are those of an amateur."

"So what does that mean?" Whitley glanced at her. Winter narrowed her eyes before giving an answer.

"It means he's only recently learned how to fight. But his ability to comprehend far surpasses the amount of training he's put in." Hearing that, Whitley showed no outward reaction, simply thinking to himself. 

Well, that makes sense. If he's smart enough to create technology that even Atlas's top scientists haven't cracked, then I doubt anything would be hard for him to figure out.

As the duel resumed, this time Asher took the offensive. Though he wasn't as fast as Weiss, he compensated by targeting vital points, forcing her into a defensive stance as he swung at her, and Weiss blocked.

After that initial strike, footwork became key.

It caught Weiss off guard. Asher stayed in constant motion, controlling the distance between them while attacking from angles, ensuring none of his strikes were linear and often aimed at her flank. Weiss found herself having to constantly turn and adjust her footing just to keep up, forced to react rather than attack.

The clash of metal rang through the courtyard repeatedly. Each strike wasn't overly fast or powerful, but they came with a precision that demanded Weiss's focus. Whenever she blocked or parried, Asher would adapt his style, using the momentum of her defenses to fuel his next strike, creating a relentless rhythm.

Noticing this, Weiss's expression grew more tense as she thought to herself. 

If I just keep blocking and parrying, I'll fall into his pace, and he'll control the flow of the entire fight. But if I try to counterattack, I'll leave myself wide open. I need to create some space!

After deflecting another of Asher's strikes, Weiss quickly backstepped, putting some distance between them. Asher moved immediately to close the gap, not wanting to lose control of their range difference. But just as he shifted his leg to step forward, Weiss smirked.

I knew you'd try to close the distance right away.

Before his foot could land, Weiss suddenly lunged forward, releasing an upward vertical slash aimed at his chest. Asher reacted, attempting to block, but his blade was in a bad position, and his stance left him unable to generate the necessary downward force.

The result: his arm was knocked aside, and the sword flew from his grip, clattering to the ground as the tip of Weiss's rapier stopped at his neck. For a brief moment, Asher stared at his empty hand, then glanced back at Weiss with a smile.

"I wasn't expecting that. I surrender," Asher said. Weiss's serious expression softened, and she smiled back, lowering her rapier. Meanwhile, Winter replayed the duel in her mind.

It came down to a difference in experience and strength. He knows how to react, but not when to expect certain moves. He's too green to read his opponents properly. Still, even in that situation, he managed to block but just couldn't generate the force to follow through.

Winter had been training Weiss for some time, so it was strange to admit that Asher's style of swordsmanship had surpassed her sister's—and perhaps even her own.

If he keeps practicing, Weiss might not be able to beat him in just a couple of months. At least in terms of swordplay.

"Well, that was... an experience," Whitley said, walking over to Asher and Weiss.

"I wasn't expecting you to be skilled in combat on top of engineering. You really are full of surprises," he remarked to Asher, who smiled humbly.

"I just wanted to make sure I could defend myself if the need ever arose. But thanks for indulging me, Weiss—that was fun," Asher said, turning to her.

"Yeah... yeah, it was," Weiss agreed, nodding.

"I didn't think a fight without using my aura could be so..." She trailed off, struggling to find the right words. Winter stepped in, walking over with her hands clasped behind her back.

"And that's why it's important to hone all of your skills, not just your semblance," Winter said. At some point, she had retrieved her sword, which now hung at her waist once more.

"Right," Weiss nodded in agreement.

"Well, now that you're done with your brawls, how about we all head inside? Even with the manor's outdoor heating, it's still freezing out here, and I'd prefer not to catch anything," Whitley suggested.

"Yeah, it is a bit cold," Asher agreed. Unlike Winter and Weiss, he and Whitley didn't have aura to protect them from the harsh temperatures.

"Oh, in that case, I'll have Klein make us some tea. Are you going to join us, Winter?" Weiss asked, turning to her sister with an expectant look. Winter sighed.

"I don't know... I really should be heading back soon."

Weiss frowned, then pleaded, "Oh, come on, please, Winter?"

Winter's expression remained firm for a moment before she let out a reluctant sigh.

"Alright, I suppose I can stay for one cup of tea. But I'm leaving after that."

"Hmm, this is new," Whitley commented as the three Schnee siblings made their way to the manor door. Asher told them he needed to grab his coat, which he had left on the edge of the frozen fountain at the front end of the courtyard. This gave him a moment to gather his thoughts without interruption.

I suppose that match confirmed that the Nexus Space's ability extends to combat styles too—and quite effectively. But it also showed that just because I know how to do something doesn't mean I have the ability to pull it off. My body is too weak, and adapting to an opponent's moves is on me. The Nexus Space can't help with that.

Asher picked up his coat as he thought to himself, brushing off the snow that had collected on it.

Aside from that, I'm surprised at just how far-reaching the Nexus Space's ability to assimilate information really is.

The Nexus Space didn't just assimilate information from books or data but from the knowledge of people as well. A prime example was his own parents. The Nexus Space had compiled everything Asher knew about them, and each time he interacted with them, he could sense the percentage of his understanding grow.

Of course, it's nowhere near a hundred percent, or even fifty. Knowing everything about a person was a monumental task, even if it was his own parents. To reach the halfway mark, Asher theorized he would probably need to run extensive background checks, listen to their life stories, and deeply understand their personality and motives.

And even then, that might just be the bare minimum. People were complicated.

Aside from that, though, during the duels between Weiss and Winter and his own bout with Weiss, he had noticed the Nexus Space assimilating information about Weiss's fighting style as well as Winter's. Unlike people, fighting styles seemed easier to absorb—he had already reached about thirty percent just from those brief encounters.

But as interesting as that was, his real thoughts lied elsewhere—specifically, the Nexus Space's ability to surpass fully assimilated information.

If I fully comprehend Weiss's fighting style and surpass the hundred percent threshold, does that mean I could coach her to go beyond her own limits as well?

It was a question that had been lingering in his mind. If he taught someone knowledge that the Nexus Space had compiled beyond the usual limits, would it change the standard? Would the surpassed knowledge become the new hundred percent?

And more intriguingly, if I truly learn everything about a person, what happens when the Nexus Space surpasses that? If a hundred percent means I understand someone better than they understand themselves, then what would the next step be?

He didn't know, but he was tempted to see for himself.

Well, since I'm already trying to get close to the Schnee siblings, I suppose using them to figure it out won't be an issue.