Novel Full Chapter 1842: Don’t Give Up
Chapter 1842: Don’t Give Up
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Aquarina watched them with a mixture of pride and relief. Perhaps this trial wasn’t solely about teaching others—it was also about discovering new ways to grow together. Silvia and Justicio ran, their Auras depleting rapidly. They had to finish this, even as they endured exhaustion and the strange sensation of relief.
“Run! Quickly!”
The two surged forward, rushing through the water as fast as they could.
Twenty meters.
Thirty meters.
Fifty meters.
Eighty meters.
A hundred meters.
A hundred and twenty…
A hundred and fifty…
A hundred and seventy!
At that moment, their strength began to falter. Their pace slowed, and they could only manage a walk.
“Damn it, the Aura’s draining too fast. They’re going to pass out…!” Aquarina gasped, suddenly realizing the fatal flaw in this technique. If someone’s reserves weren’t enormous, they would collapse before reaching the other side.
Yet Silvia and Justicio didn’t give up. Their eyes blazed with determination as their Spirits manifested around them, channeling Spirit Energy to accelerate the flow of their overflowing Mana.
“Uaaaah!”
“Gaaaah!”
They roared in unison, pushing themselves harder. Their bodies were on the verge of collapse, teetering at the edge. Aquarina bit her nails, her nerves fraying.
Could they make it?
Would they fall?
What would become of them?
Then—
“Shit!”
“Ah!”
Their Aura was nearly gone. They felt the water begin to touch the soles of their feet.
Panic surged through them. They were going to fall again.
All that effort—wasted.
And yet…
“Come on! I know you can do it! You’re incredible! Believe in yourselves, damn it!”
Aquarina’s voice rang out, resonating within their minds.
Silvia and Justicio’s eyes widened. Whatever remained of their Aura was slightly boosted by the lingering Spirit Energy surrounding them. It was barely enough, wrapping around half the soles of their feet.
Aquarina realized they were attempting the original method again. But wouldn’t they just fall like before?
Still…
“Believe in yourself!”
Her voice echoed once more. That was the missing piece all along.
It wasn’t talent.
It wasn’t strength.
It wasn’t magical power.
Nor Mana.
Not even their Aura—they had already mastered that.
What they lacked was belief.
Self-doubt.
Insecurities born from their origins and the village’s prejudices.
Silvia had always questioned her identity, wondering if she was truly herself or someone else entirely.
Justicio constantly feared he wasn’t enough, that he could never earn the village’s respect for his parents.
These fears weighed them down.
They were the reason they kept falling.
It was as if the water turned to darkness, wrapping around their legs and pulling them under.
The heavier the insecurities, the deeper they sank.
“You’ve come so far! You can go even further! Forget what makes you afraid! You’ve already surpassed it!”
Aquarina’s final cheer rang out. Tears welled in Silvia and Justicio’s eyes as they gritted their teeth, biting their lips until they bled.
And then—
SPLASH!
Aquarina’s heart dropped. She saw the water splash and feared the worst.
But they weren’t teleported back to her side.
No.
“No way…!”
They were on the other side, gasping for air.
At the last moment, they had extended their legs, and just as their soles were about to sink, they rushed toward the stairs. The force of their Aura exploding shook the water.
But they had done it.
“W-We did it?”
“We did it!”
Justicio and Silvia smiled, laughing joyfully as they embraced.
“Nice! I knew you could do it!” Aquarina cheered.
Then she noticed something… off.
“Hm?”
Silvia and Justicio sat on the stairs, soaked and breathless, still hugging and laughing.
“I knew you could do it, Silvia!”
“And I knew you could do it, Justicio!”
“Yeah…”
“A-Ah…”
They were very close now, their faces nearly touching.
Justicio’s eyes widened as he took in Silvia’s beauty. His heart pounded faster.
“Um…”
Silvia blushed, her cheeks growing red as she gazed into Justicio’s eyes. She didn’t push him away. She could have—she had the strength to overpower him if she wanted. They were equals in power.
But she didn’t.
She didn’t want to.
“Your eyes… are really beautiful,” Justicio said, summoning the courage to flirt, even just a little. “They’re silver, like the moon at night.”
Silvia’s eyes widened. She had never imagined Justicio would say something like that.
She wanted to laugh, but she didn’t.
“T-Thanks? I… did you think that over for a while before saying it? Heh…” She chuckled softly.
“Yeah…” Justicio sighed. “Sorry, was it weird?”
“No…” Silvia smiled sweetly, gently caressing his face. “It was nice… I like your eyes too.”
They fell into an awkward silence.
Aquarina didn’t say a word. She would hate herself if she interrupted this moment.
At this point, both of them understood what they felt for each other. But they were young and inexperienced, unsure of how to proceed.
Still, they were finally moving forward.
“Um… Once the trial ends… I want to hang out… at the Oasis?” Silvia asked. “Just… the two of us.”
“Really?” Justicio blinked. “I mean, sure! Sure!”
“Alright~ It’s a promise?” Silvia giggled.
“Yeah… of course,” Justicio nodded eagerly.
“Heh, you’re cute,” Silvia said, suddenly kissing his cheek. “Mooch!”
“Uwah?!” Justicio gasped, startled.
“Hahaha! Did that scare you? It was just a friendly kiss on the cheek!” Silvia laughed, patting his back.
“I-I… it was… the first time you’ve ever done that,” Justicio muttered, scratching his chin nervously.
“What? You want more?” Silvia teased.
“N-No! I mean, yeah but…!” Justicio’s face turned crimson, his eyes spinning wildly. Aquarina could practically see steam rising from his red, pointy ears.
Despite being a stoic young man, Justicio was undeniably adorable when flustered, acting as if he couldn’t believe Silvia had kissed him.
“Hahaha! Okay, calm down. It’s alright,” Silvia said, patting his broad arm.
“And here I am! Did you miss me, lovebirds~?” Aquarina suddenly appeared behind them, startling them.
“Uwah?!”
“Hey!”
They cried out in surprise, and Aquarina burst into laughter.
“That was amazing, hahaha! From crossing the water to the whole kiss and stuff! Wow! You two are really made for one another, aren’t you?” she laughed a little more. “Just kiss already~!”
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