EP.211 Reunion (6)
Swish!
The stone floor is marked chaotically by sword strokes. The number of spells LaNiel is casting to shift the sword’s trajectory is increasing exponentially.
A mass of platinum light intertwines with blue mana.
However, the platinum starlight always outpaces. The scattered blue mana begins to dwindle. Thus, Kyle gradually approaches LaNiel.
‘I… know.’
As the Sacred Sword approaches, LaNiel squints. She already knew she would be at a disadvantage.
Kyle is strong.
LaNiel knows better than anyone the strength Kyle possesses. Knowing his strength and understanding his potential, she couldn’t give up for the last five years.
He has the strongest starlight.
He grows with each battle.
He is the Hero whom the Sword Master, Kuntel, declared to have “potential.”
‘But that’s not the end.’
LaNiel looks at Kyle’s sword. The trajectory it describes is precise. Precise, making it beautiful. It is not a sword swung merely with strength.
The Sacred Site of the Sword, Galatrick.
Kyle learned swords from Kuntel, the only survivor and proud Sword Master of that place. Of course, Kyle’s swordsmanship hasn’t reached the extremes of superhumans through accumulated time…
‘He had experience that could substitute.’
Experience facing countless strong opponents.
Experience dealing with disasters.
That experience belonged to Kyle.
Through that experience, Kyle’s swordsmanship is on the verge of completion. He has stepped into a realm close to superhuman. LaNiel clearly remembers the day Kyle showcased techniques similar to a superhuman.
“Draw your sword, Ganikalt.”
“I am the Hero, Kyle.”
“I am a disciple of the proud Knight, Kuntel.”
Reunion with Ganikalt.
The minute Kyle endured there.
At that time, the trajectory of Kyle’s sword resembled Kuntel’s. LaNiel saw potential in Kyle that day and in that place, and because she could envision the realm he would reach if he kept advancing, she held onto hope.
And all of that was betrayed.
Expectations were trampled, and the trust she sent with hope was tainted by betrayal.
“You don’t fit with our party.”
That whisper echoed in LaNiel’s ears.
LaNiel clenched her teeth, gritting angrily.
‘You bastard.’
Knowing the level Kyle could reach.
Now, as the trajectory of Kyle’s sword draws beautifully before her, as he corners her…
She is even angrier.
LaNiel feels rage from Kyle, who pierces through the waves of spells. Her eyes blaze with intensity.
‘Having reached that level.’
So close to completion.
‘Could do it, could have gone further.’
She could have kept moving forward.
Could have fulfilled her responsibilities.
‘If only you hadn’t given up.’
I could have helped with that.
In the end, he chose to give up.
Turned his back on responsibilities. He chose to run away, ignoring those who had sacrificed for him.
Crack!
Her teeth ground together, and the bloodshot eyes trembled with fury.
She wanted to punch that detestable face immediately, but if she continued the battle like this, that would be impossible.
She is pushed back.
Constantly being pushed back.
LaNiel is endlessly retreating while Kyle continues to press her.
No matter how skilled a battle mage is in melee combat… unless the gap in skill is overwhelming, it’s tough to predict victory against a knight.
‘Mages are at a disadvantage against knights.’
Even if she tries to compensate for that weakness, a battle mage isn’t entirely free from those limits.
Let alone facing the Hero wielding a Sacred Sword that can even cut through intangible spells…
LaNiel found herself utterly powerless.
‘You damned bastard.’
But LaNiel had no intention of giving up easily. Rising anger devours LaNiel’s rationality. Ultimately, she makes a choice that she wouldn’t if she were in her right mind.
Rustle.
Ashen dust rises above LaNiel’s body.
Once devised to stand beside Kyle, she now uses the technique to confront him.
Thump.
Her heart beats violently, and LaNiel’s movements begin to accelerate. The gap between her and Kyle gradually starts to close.
“…!”
Kyle’s eyes widen for a moment.
The tip of the sword shakes briefly, and confusion fills his face. It’s not just that LaNiel’s movements have gotten faster that has startled him.
The swirling ash dust.
Strengthening her body through burning mana.
That is a technique unique to LaNiel. It is something Kyle is painfully familiar with. Kyle’s eyes rattle. Even seeing his reaction, LaNiel continues to burn her mana.
‘If I use it, he’ll know.’
This is a technique that only she can utilize.
‘He’ll figure out I’m LaNiel.’
Knowing that, LaNiel doesn’t stop her movements. To land a blow on him, she must have this level of resolve.
She is aware it’s a foolish choice.
She knows it’s an emotional choice.
Yet, it is inevitable. To LaNiel, Kyle’s existence is like a thorn in her side.
Thud!
For the first time, LaNiel strikes back.
Kyle’s eyes are still shaken.
Crash!
The ground splits.
Shockwaves slam against the stone floor. Shards scatter in all directions, and time after time, devastating blows are exchanged.
Boom!
The surroundings are already devastated.
Even in that brief moment, blasts of attacks occur again and again. The clash of swords and shockwaves creates a loud metallic sound.
Two elves watching their fight from a distance express their surprises for different reasons.
‘…Wasn’t she using all her strength when she fought me?’
Remia is astonished that LaNiel hadn’t been at her full strength when facing her.
‘A mage engaging in close combat with a hero…’
Cardi wonders if that’s really the case, perplexed. Meanwhile, their battle continues.
Slash!
Kyle’s swung sword cleaves through a pillar. Even a thick stone column is meaningless before the Sacred Sword. The pillar is taken down, and Kyle’s sword targets LaNiel.
At that moment, the ash dust explodes.
The exploding ash dust repels Kyle’s Sacred Sword. Before erasing the effects of the spell, the shock from the explosion forces the sword away.
Wham!
Gripping the hilt of his pushed-back sword tightly, Kyle cuts through the residual force of the explosion. As the shockwave and dirt are cleared, standing there is a woman draped in a robe.
‘Who on earth…?’
Kyle squints his eyes.
‘Who exactly are you?’
His eyes are still filled with bewilderment.
The more he swings his sword, the more he closes the distance, and yet Kyle feels unease. It feels like he’s facing a strangely familiar opponent.
Occasionally visible blue eyes.
Ashen hair spilling from beneath the robe.
Not only her distinctive appearance but even the techniques she uses are similar. Kyle’s gaze shifts to the swirling ash dust. It is a trace of a technique that only she could use.
Raniel, the Ashen Mage.
The ally he had pushed away with his own hands.
The one Kyle felt inferior to for his entire life.
‘What on earth…?’
Recalling that face, Kyle looks at the opponent before him. Unlike his memories, he finds himself facing a woman. The curves revealed over the robe are undeniably feminine.
From the unfamiliar woman, Kyle sees the visage of his old companion.
His instincts say this woman before him is his old comrade. However, the Star whispers to Kyle’s intuition, persistently denying it.
A missed connection.
This woman before you is merely the one you missed. A different person from your familiar comrade. That confusion continues to swirl in Kyle’s mind.
‘My head is spinning.’
Taking a step forward, Kyle closes the distance. Just an arm’s length apart, he gazes into the woman’s blue eyes.
‘You are.’
Kyle’s black eyes meet her gaze.
‘You, who are you really?’
The woman’s blue eyes reflect their colors.
Tap!
She steps back. Kyle takes another step forward, driven by the desire to see beneath her robe.
Boom!
When Kyle steps down, the ground shakes. Crack! A sound echoes as cracks form in the stone floor. LaNiel, standing on the ground, momentarily loses her balance.
Then, Kyle steps forward once more.
The distance has completely closed. At a distance where their breaths almost touch, Kyle swings his sword. LaNiel can’t read the trajectory of the blade swung at such close quarters. Hidden by Kyle’s body, she cannot see where the sword’s tip is directed.
Slice!
Without knowing the trajectory of the sword, she cannot gauge the distance. In a split second, LaNiel makes her choice. She clenches her fist.
Ashes to Ashes.
The ash dust swirling around explodes. LaNiel’s body is pushed back, caught in the explosion. Yet, even while engulfed by the blast, Kyle swings his sword to the end. And LaNiel does the same.
Snap!
LaNiel snaps her fingers.
In an instant, the completed spell radiates light.
Smite.
Double-Spell.
A beam of light strikes Kyle’s chin. Kyle’s head jolts back. However, he grits his teeth and doesn’t let go of his sword. Even with his head thrown back, the sword’s tip remains unwavering.
Tick!
Ultimately, the sword tip reaches LaNiel. However, it does not touch her body. Had it been aimed at her body, she could have avoided it, but that was not Kyle’s goal from the start.
The tip of the robe.
The upper part that concealed her face.
Kyle’s sword slices through that. The robe is easily cut, and the severed edge flutters in the air. Kyle lowers his head, glancing at the woman’s face.
Rustle!
Amidst the swirling ash dust, hair colored like the ash dances in the wind. Kyle’s eyes widen. He finally faces the face revealed after the robe is cut.
Ashen hair and blue eyes.
However, the girl before him possesses a completely different face from the one he had imagined. White skin, delicate eyelashes… and soft pink lips come into Kyle’s view.
She looks nothing like his old companion.
Though her eyes are intensely focused, the gaze is inherently softer, lacking the deadly precision he reminisced about possessed by his former comrade.
And that face…
“…It’s you.”
It is the face he encountered once in Apuria.
Kyle clearly remembers her name.
“Rania van Trias.”
A girl bearing such a name.
“…Why are you here?”
With the sword lowered, Kyle poses the question.
In response, the girl slowly raises her arms. She touches her own face. Realizing her robe has been torn away, she furrows her brows.
“…Tsk.”
She clicks her tongue briefly.
But that is only for a moment. The girl gathers herself once more and clenches her fist. The robe may be torn, and Kyle may have lowered his Sacred Sword, but still she appears intent on continuing the fight.
“I asked why you are here.”
“Why should you care? Just shut up and draw your sword.”
As she snaps back, the girl steps forward.
At that moment, a piece of cloth floating in the air falls before her. The girl’s eyes turn towards the scrap of cloth.
A fluttering piece of cloth.
Coincidentally, it is the same white color as the robe she was wearing… and the material is the same as well. The girl’s gaze narrows.
“…”
She halts her steps.
Wordlessly, she reaches out, grabbing the scrap of cloth that was drifting in the air. Then she brushes her neck.
The part where the torn robe’s hood would rest.
Yet, something about her neck feels strangely bare. After tugging at the hood portion, all that comes off is a half-piece of cloth. Where has the other half gone?
“…Ah.”
The answer lies in the girl’s hand.
The scrap of cloth clutched within her fingers is a portion of the severed robe. She realizes this late, her eyes shaking as if caught in an earthquake.
She opens and closes her mouth repeatedly.
As her lips tremble, she ultimately lowers her head deeply, like a thread has been cut.
“I’ll ask again. Rania van Trias. As a professor of Apuria, why are you here…”
Kyle mindlessly repeats the same question.
To that question, the girl does not answer. Observing the girl, who lowers her head with trembling shoulders, Kyle senses something amiss.
‘Did she not hear me?’
Kyle takes a step closer to her and poses the question once more.
“Did you not hear me? Answer the qu—…”
“Hey.”
A cold voice slices through Kyle’s words.
“You bastard…”
The girl raises her head.
“You, you, you damn…”
Her voice trembles with rage.
With eyes filled with bloodlust, she glares at Kyle. Startled by those utterly vicious eyes, Kyle flinches, his shoulders trembling.
‘…What’s going on?’
She appears even angrier than before.
Facing the girl, who seems ready to pounce at any moment, Kyle involuntarily steps back.
