Chapter 201: Spark Echo

In his room, Moon brought up his hands and closed his eyes. Echo started to radiate slowly around his hands.

This Echo was the one close to a normal state Echo he acquired from the Symbiote. He started calling it Spark Echo.

Usually, Echo is transparent, looking like a slight hue. For some, it has a color, like Edmond. Moon also learned that some Combat Arts might produce a color effect unique to the art itself.

As for Spark Echo, it was slightly different.

It didn’t look like a hue, or radiance... it was more of—

Glittery...

It looked glittery and sparkly, like seawater under the bright golden sky.

Moon asked Ed for records of anything about the ancient Hero; he wanted to learn more about him since he’d become the successor of the symbiote.

But more importantly, he wanted to know about the color of his Echo.

Moon was troubled by the glittery effects it had.

"Man, this is too fabulous for my taste," Moon exclaimed as soon as he opened his eyes, like every time he did when his eyes fell on the almost beautiful Echo.

Sadly, the Hero didn’t have any solid records to begin with. Even Ed himself learned about him through ancient sites they came across during their travels.

As for Symbiotic Spark, it was common knowledge.

Lucen was looking for a user to inherit it for long years, or so Ed said.

He still promised he’d check around for some records, though his tone didn’t make Moon feel optimistic about it.

"A hero who dies but no one has records of him- this is weird," Moon exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief, but also with a hint of sadness.

Deciding not to dwell on it... Moon extended his hands to the desk, where most of the items he had were littered over it.

He looked at Colten’s sword. "Aight, let’s try this again," he whispered before Spark Echo started to leave his body and gather around the sword.

Since that day Moon saw Samuel send the empty platter flying back to the counter using his Echo, Moon wanted to do this as well.

In his head, it was one of the coolest things he’d ever seen yet. Maybe because he was still a country bumpkin who knew nothing of the world or Echo yet, but it was still something he dreamt of doing.

Sadly—

"Ah shit, too heavy," he exclaimed. The sword seemed immovable for his current 4-value Spark Echo.

Moon started trying different items, lighter and lighter. For a long time, he only tried to lift anything in the room with his Echo.

The helmet... then the golden sword Emblem of the Assault Facility that he got from fighting Dave some time ago.

The knife, the rings he looted from Dara too, including the ring he was constantly forgetting to sit and get someone to teach him to use.

Taking a bite of his chicken popcorn between each failed attempt and new try.

After a long time, all items failed without exception.

There was only one item left.

The letter he never checked or read even once.

Moon sent his Echo around it, gritted his teeth. "COME ON!" he shouted, but his efforts ended with a small, minor result.

He could only slide it on the desk, but not make it fly in the air.

"Dammit!" Moon cursed, fishing for another chicken popcorn.

He pointed at the red symbiote tattoo on his left hand. "YOU BASTARD, DO SOMETHING!"

Symbiotic Spark didn’t respond; now Moon was left tired and frustrated.

Until... he suddenly paused.

He rubbed his chin, looking at the bucket.

He opened his mouth wide and tried to bring a popcorn flying into it, but after a long "AAAAAAAAAAAAAA—"

It still failed.

"Bruh..." He set aside the bucket in frustration and went for the cheesecake.

One bite, one sip of coffee. His wounded heart felt restored, soothed, and bandaged. For the wound was still there, but it was no longer in pieces.

His only successful attempt was the one where he took the bucket the other day from Mishu’s clutches...

Moon finished them; he threw the packaging into the old bucket—

"Ah, right!" He remembered something he’d left there a while ago... the long, sturdy plume threads from Colten’s helmet.

He stood and fished the threads out. Moon separated a single strand and tried to lift it off his hand.

Gritting his teeth, Moon dropped his hand, realising he could only suspend it in the air, but not move it around.

"Oh man, this isn’t entirely hopeless," he rejoiced before rolling the thread around each of his hands.

Moon pulled, yanked, and tried to rip it off, but it was strong.

He nodded, having another idea entirely.

Moon sat down and held two strands from the end; he closed his eyes and tried to tie a knot, holding the two pieces together.

Thus, Moon spent the next hour trying to tie a knot using Spark Echo, to no avail.

By then, the Echo had already run out.

Unlike his lump Echo, Spark Echo could run out and would need time to be restored.

"Welp, at least it lasted that long; during duels, it’s enough for two attacks that aren’t even sharp," Moon whispered before dropping into his bed, closing his eyes, and sleeping.

A short nap wouldn’t hurt, especially when he was spent beyond words.

Or so he thought, until he opened his eyes again.

Knock~

Knock~

Moon opened his tired eyes; the sky was bright somehow. "Ugh!" he groaned while forcing his body off the bed.

He walked to the door, opening it to be greeted by the infinite silhouette of someone.

Moon didn’t have the energy to bend his neck all the way up; he knew who it was anyway.

"Big brother Uon, sup?" he greeted.

"Morning, little Moon." Uon’s voice came from far above.

"Morning?" Moon asked.

"You’ve been sleeping since yesterday. Teacher Samuel came to check on you," Uon said. "You’re feeling okay?"

Taking one hit after another, Moon stood still and closed his eyes for a moment.

He rubbed his sleepy eyes. "You saying it’s tomorrow?" he asked.

Uon tilted his head, thinking for a moment. "I guess you can say that, considering how long you’ve been asleep." He nodded.

Moon shut his eyes tight, not speaking a word.

Still unable to believe it, he brought his hand up, checking Spark Echo.

A glittery hue appeared around his hand. "I... guess you’re right," Moon said in a heavy tone.

His Echo needed time to be restored; sleeping for a couple of hours wouldn’t bring it entirely back.

Sigh~

Moon sighed deeply. "Here goes my resting day," he lamented, turning around back into the room.

"What’s on the schedule first today?" Moon asked. "Do I still have time for breakfast? I didn’t eat lunch or dinner yesterday."

Uon chuckled softly. "What are you talking about?" he said. "You forgot what day it is?"

Moon’s face fell; he gave Uon a side look. "Did I sleep for a week?" he asked. "Are we leaving the facility now?"

Moon walked to Uon. "Come on, tell me; you threw it in my face already."

Uon laughed, "What are you talking about?" He waved his hand dismissively. "Today is the last round of the Skirmish Ring; you can’t be planning on skipping it, right?"