Chapter 241 : Chapter 241

Chapter 241

Pantera's ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍fragment, through the Divine Object and the Chief Priest; Silvana's will, through Yggdrasil.

Besides ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍that, ever since reincarnating, Killian had met and faced numerous gods.

And ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍after reaching 8-Star, he had thought subduing a god's fragment would not be all that difficult.

He ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍had been mistaken.

'Persistent.'

How ‍​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍many years had passed since he entered Sharle's Mind Image World and faced Roto's fragment?

Killian realized he was gradually being pushed back by the god before him, who wore the form of a boy.

He was maintaining the power of 8-Star through the Violet Magic Tower, while Roto had increased his Existence Force with the Divine Power of the other gods that the White Duke had poured into the Magic God Stone.

Both were incomplete, but in terms of output, Roto was surpassing Killian.

'Just how many fragments did they grind into that Magic God Stone?'

Within the Mind Image World, mental fatigue took the place of physical fatigue.

If Killian had not possessed mental strength equal to that of a god, he would not have been able to wield an 8-Star sword properly by now.

He shook off the approaching Divine Power and detected another source of it.

Murus was fighting Grotesquery.

Unlike Roto, that fellow relied solely on Killian's Hollyheart and was locked in a grueling fight against a fragment of Grotesquery.

'This is bad.'

Even if the Violet Magic Tower was helping, it was Sharle's own capacity that determined whether she could accept the Seed.

For a Superhuman who did not understand Diana's magic, it was a task that would take hundreds of years; even someone with talent comparable to hers would need decades.

Normally, time in the Mind Image World would flow differently from the outside, giving them an advantage.

Now that advantage had turned into a disadvantage, and the situation could collapse at any moment.

"Sharle. Do not give up."

He spoke to himself again, repeating the words he had uttered countless times.

WOOOOOSH.

The Divine Power that had somehow surrounded him cut off his retreat, and a boy in a worn cloak walked forward.

He looked like a shepherd boy from a country village.

It was the human form Roto had taken.

"Don't you find it funny that someone who looks down on humans has taken human form?"

[What a ridiculous thing to say.]

When Roto spread out his hand, several keys floated above it.

[You humans are the kind of creatures whose faith grows stronger merely by seeing something take a form similar to your own.]

It was a statement that pierced through humanity's nature.

There was not the slightest error in his words.

After all, the keys Roto used also symbolized wisdom that could solve every problem.

He was a god with a very different air from Veritas, who symbolized truth and reality.

"That's why I hate you lot."

Born with great power, they were too busy using it to reign over others.

If they had used that enormous power for something more valuable, much in this world would have changed.

There would have been no need for him to become a God-Slayer, either.

[Do you regret opposing us now?]

"Who was it that came after me in a pack just to catch one person?"

Hypocritical bastards.

"If you wanted to show off your strength, you should have done it to Grotesquery, not me."

[Adamas. You still know nothing about the Boundary.]

As though he enjoyed the situation, Roto took hold of one of the keys drifting around him.

"I know Grotesquery came from beyond the Boundary. I also know you're afraid of it."

Styx had erected the Boundary to prevent Grotesquery from crossing over, and Murus had built a Barrier to reinforce the defenses further.

Silvana had been contaminated and controlled, while the other gods, too, openly showed that they did not want to get involved with Grotesquery.

A transcendent being capable of shattering divinity.

The only curse capable of contaminating a god.

And the one who had defeated such a being was not a transcendent, but the mortals they despised.

Humans.

Edan Eurasia.

My close friend had erased that creature, even giving up the dream before him.

It was a shame that even at the cost of his life, it had only been sealed away rather than completely erased.

"Unlike you, he didn't run away."

So he, too, had to do the same.

He would rescue that fellow who was still trapped inside a blade.

And for the sake of achieving the dream he had failed to fulfill, Diana's Seed had to be safely passed on to Sharle.

"I intend to visit the Abyss beyond the Boundary someday, too."

[......]

"Unlike you, I'm not bound by anything."

The will of a god.

The duty imposed upon them as the price of being born with transcendent stature.

Whether he was Adamas or Killian Eurasia.

He was bound by nothing.

That attitude seemed to grate on him.

[I am growing tired of playing with you.]

CLENCH.

Roto closed his hand around all three keys he had been toying with.

Each key contained power greater than 8-Star.

'I can't stop them with a half-hearted sword.'

He would go all out.

He gathered the three Carpe Illusions he had spread out into his sword.

RRRRUMBLE.

Space trembled.

Adamas Lineage, Pa—Break.

He swung.

Blue, violet, and green mana shot forth like Sword Aura.

They collided with the three streams of Divine Power created by the three keys.

Unlike Sal, which cut through everything, Pa was a sword that destroyed everything.

He intended to shatter Roto's keys and control the tremors in space.

They had been contesting strength for some time when—

[You are the arrogant one.]

Roto took another key from his robe.

"......!!"

[I am certain of it. Your sword cannot cut me down.]

Unable to move his sword, Killian spun his Mana Heart.

ROOOOOAR—

The Mana Heart let out a tremendous roar.

[Now then. Shall I see what you have been hiding?]

Roto leisurely passed Killian and reached the Barrier.

CRUNCH.

The key embedded in the Barrier turned.

"Murus!!"

Even at Killian's call, the golem was too busy fighting the Grotesquery consuming him.

In an instant, the Barrier collapsed, revealing Sharle.

"You are the human who came into contact with my fragment."

Like Silvana had with Serena, Roto looked at Sharle as though she were a delectable prey.

The moment he attempted to use a key on the curtain of mana once more—

CRASH—!

Killian's sword stopped the key.

[You have overexerted yourself, Adamas.]

That was not wrong.

The hand holding his sword was trembling from the price of shaking off the three keys by force.

"I can still manage."

[Do not put on a brave face.]

Roto snickered as he watched the hand holding the sword shake.

In a spiritual body, what mattered was managing one's stamina.

And just now, he had expended enough stamina to last several decades.

[With such half-hearted strength, who do you claim you can protect?]

With a grin, Roto pulled another key from his robe.

CLICK.

As the key turned, Divine Power poured forth like a flood.

'If he has this much power, why......?'

He stirred mana and blocked the cracks in space.

Cracks appeared without end.

Then—

SHHHHHH.

Violet mana touched Killian's body.

Familiar mana.

It did not belong to the Magic Tower that had appointed him the guardian of this place.

"I've been waiting a long time."

At some point, the curtain had vanished, and Sharle was standing at his side.

"You... the Seed?"

It was too soon for her to have accepted the Seed, so he asked.

With a smile, Sharle answered in place of words.

"For now, sending the intruder out takes priority."

[Even if atheists join forces, nothing will change.]

Unconcerned with Roto's sneer, she spread out her hand.

"A box that confines a god."

SHIIIING.

An old box formed above her hand.

"Unfortunately, the box that will confine you has no keyhole."

Roto thrust a key at Sharle.

"Where do you think you're going?"

While Killian held Roto back, Sharle completed the Formula.

Roto's body began to blur like mist.

He was losing his form and turning into Divine Power.

And then—

"Flow in, fragment of a holy being."

CLICK.

Roto, bereft of form, began to be drawn into the opened box.

[......!!]

Roto shouted something as he reached right before Sharle, but—

BANG.

He was flung back by the curtain Killian created.

[You......!!]

All of the Divine Power, unable to finish its words, was drawn into the box.

Only then did Killian properly look at Sharle.

A violet crystal was engraved on her forehead.

"Sharle."

"I haven't completely absorbed the Seed yet."

She touched the crystal pattern engraved on her forehead.

"It seems I'll have to focus on maintaining this pattern for the time being."

'Well, there is no rule saying there can only be one method.'

She seemed to have found a new way.

He was glad to see it.

"Congratulations on crossing the wall."

"It is embarrassing to hear that from you, Sir."

The realm she had reached alone was 7-Star.

In her current state, she was said not to fall behind even a mage who had mastered 8-Star.

An 8-Star Creation Mage.

As seen just before, that power was enough to seal a god's fragment.

With time, she would stabilize 7-Star and reach 8-Star faster than anyone else.

'And when the time comes, she will reach 9-Star.'

Diana's will had been properly passed on.

Now all that remained was Murus, who was fighting Grotesquery.

He, too, appeared to have run out of Divine Power and was engaged in a desperate battle.

Just as he had done with Roto—

CRUNCH.

Killian helped Murus and cut down Grotesquery.

"A box that confines curses."

And, just as with Roto, the fragment of Grotesquery was sealed.

[XX. I thought I was going to die!]

Apparently he had returned to Hot-tempered Murus, because he cursed without warning.

Grotesquery's curse had been stronger than expected, so it seemed Rational Murus had faced it while suitably changing his divinity.

[If you keep wasting your divinity like this, you will not die a natural death......]

"You did well."

With those words, Killian withdrew his Divine Power.

SHHHH.

Murus, collapsing into Divine Power, returned straight to the Hollyheart.

They had sealed the transcendent's power that had been consuming Sharle's body and regained her lost memories.

On top of that, they had obtained Diana's Seed, something they had never expected.

They had achieved more than they set out to do.

"Let's go back."

Sharle nodded, and the Violet Magic Tower responded.

***

The private training hall of the Annihilation Squad Leader, located in the Eurasia main estate.

"You returned sooner than expected."

Serena said this as she looked at Killian lying on the floor of the training hall.

They had spent nearly ten years in the Violet Magic Tower, but only about a week had passed outside.

"Yes. It was a week unlike any other."

"......?"

"A few things happened."

"The matter you went to handle?"

"It was resolved well."

Killian spoke with an uncharacteristic weariness.

"Squad Leader."

"Yes?"

"How about a spar to refresh yourself?"

"......"

"I also have a technique I would like to show you."

The Killian Eurasia she knew would gladly accept her proposal.

But—

"We will do it next time."

"......?"

"I need to go in early and rest today."

Killian got up and left the training hall.

"The Squad Leader refused a spar......"

Serena's voice trembled at a sight she had never seen before.

What in the world had happened in Cornelia that he would even refuse a spar he enjoyed?

Then—

"Hey, Serena."

Yulian, who had entered the training hall, raised his voice.

"What nagging did you give the Squad Leader this time?"

"Nagging......?"

"He went off with a disgusted look on his face, ignoring my greeting."

"......"

"This is all because you keep pestering him for spars whenever you're bored."

Was she the only disciple he personally taught?

"There are plenty of techniques I need to learn from the Squad Leader, too."

Yulian scolded Serena.

"Draw your sword, Yulian."

"Huh?"

"How long are you going to keep following at my heels?"

"How long are you going to disregard the Second Sword of the Annihilation Squad?! I'm not the Yulian I used to be!"

He drew Aether and scattered mana at the same time.

"Carpe Illusion."

A more solid red prison trapped Serena.

SHHHHHH.

Serena swung her Aether, which shone with green mana.

A short while later—

"Cough......"

Yulian spat blood and rolled across the floor of the training hall.

'What happened between him and Sharle Cornelia?'

PRESS.

"Aaargh......"

As she stepped on Yulian's head while he writhed in pain, she pondered the events of Killian's past week.