She had a feeling that this was how every expert pilot and swordmaster worked. They all developed silly notions that somehow came true because they turned into superpowers.
The problem she had was that this was a completely opposite approach from that of a mech designer. One based their superpowers on science while the other based their superpowers on fantasy!
If Ketis was just an ignorant Swordmaiden, then she would have been able to accept the scriptures. Yet because of her abundant knowledge and sound logic, she struggled to accept even the most basic assumption.
"Everything that's written in these books breaks the law of conservation of energy! This is impossible! Not even my sharpness superpower can do that!"
She looked around. After Fred Walinski challenged her to learn the Annihilator Sword Style, she chose to study the books in private. The office used to be filled with dust, but opening the window and sweeping the barren floor quickly took care of that. It did not do much to spruce up the faded and decaying wall decorations.
Right now, she had already spent two hours on this endeavor. Due to her augmented cognitive functions, it didn't actually take long to read through all of the books. She instead spent the majority of the time trying to reconcile all of the inconsistencies she noticed.
She failed.
She knew that she was at an impasse. Unlike her lovable boyfriend, Ketis felt it was impossible for her to deliberate make herself stupid enough to believe in the fantasies espoused by Venerable Trey. Reality simply didn't work this way!
After feeling that there was no use in going over the books, she closed them all and set them aside. There was no point in rereading them. She already knew the theories they espoused by heart. The problem was accepting them. Her mind simply could not do that.
"Should I take a mind-altering drug or something?"
She seriously considered this option because she saw no other way to dumb herself down and alter her judgement. Yet she was afraid she might have to inject herself with the strong stuff in order to sufficiently suppress her intelligence!
This was not a viable solution!
Her eyes shifted over to Shiva, the Destroyer. The relic of the Annihilator Sword School strangely felt like it belonged to her after Sharpie paid a visit to it. Now that she had studied the Annihilator Sword Style, she understood why the saber was forged this way.
"It's a good blade to channel the power of destruction."
While Ketis completely failed to comprehend the mechanics behind the Annihilator Sword Style, she had no problem figuring out its other aspects. Its sword techniques, its overall approach and the recommended tactics that Venerable Trey had formulated all made sense.
The sword style demanded an explosive and intensive approach. Anyone who adopted this style had to finish their opponents as quickly and decisively as possible, because each attempt at performing annihilation imposed a huge burden on the wielder!
Though the costs were great, the results were even greater. At its best, a sword empowered by the Annihilator Sword Style had the potential to cut through any physical barrier!
No matter if it was a protective suit, mech armor plating or even ship hulls, anything composed of matter could not pose any hindrance because the materials in front of the blade simply disappeared from existence!
Of course, the Annihilator Sword Style was not omnipotent in its ability to cut everything. It fared less well against non-physical barriers such as energy shields.
Dodging or preventing the attack from landing were also effective ways to counter this sword style. If the sword never reached its target, then its power became invalid.
That did not take too much away from the potential of the Annihilator Sword Style. Ketis grew somewhat attracted to it despite the fact she already possessed a sword style and focus of her own.
"I don't want to give up like this."
Perhaps all of this thinking and theorizing was pointless.
"Maybe I should just try it out."
Shiva called to her.
Ketis could not resist the temptation and picked the weapon up. She did not feel that much different from the first time she held the saber.
She adopted a serious expression and tried to go through the tenets of the Annihilator Sword Style.
"Swords exist to kill. We exist to destroy."
She swung the saber, but nothing happened. The slash was utterly normal and devoid of any extraordinary characteristics.
Her cheeks reddened a bit. She felt like a fool at the moment!
"How the hell can I fix this?"
She suddenly recalled what happened before. An interesting idea came to mind.
"Sharpie, can you help me out? I just want to channel the new sword style I learned."
Swish swish swish!
Ketis didn't expect much at first, but her living sword intent became quite enthusiastic all of a sudden.
A moment later, she felt as if some kind of switch had flipped. Sharpie no longer felt as sharp as before.
Instead… it exuded a different vibe!
Her mentality changed in a subtle and unknown way that crept her out. Extra thoughts entered her mind that were never there before.
Even though she felt incredibly disturbed at the uncontrolled changes in her mind, her intuition signalled that nothing was wrong.
She spontaneously followed an impulse and approached a wall. She lifted Shiva over her head and began to concentrate a bit. After several seconds of accumulation, she swung it down in a strong and unwavering chop!
Shiva cut completely through the wall as if it wasn't there. When the blade passed through the solid stone material off the wall, not a single sound reached her ears. Instead, the strange black glow that surrounded the blade had silently annihilated any material in its path!
It took a moment for Ketis to snap out of her concentrated mood.
Her eyes widened as she beheld Shiva and the impossible cut she left behind.
"Sharpie… what did you do?"
Swish swish!