Sparring (1)
What's the most infuriating thing in the world? Giving something just to take it back.
Losing my language after that brutal life in the forest didn't bother me much. I could just brush it off as, Well, that's how hard I had it. The real issue was the God of Chaos. I figured he took my speech but gave me the skills to survive in the forest in return. Fair enough on that front.
But then, in the dead of night, he gave it back only to snatch it away again and toy with me. That pissed me off.
"Sivar. Want to try reading this?"
"El. lie."
"Whoa! You can finally talk!"
For something given and taken back, it wasn't too bad. I just couldn't say more than two syllables, but single ones I could voice out loud. That alone was a huge win—it meant I was slowly shedding my wild man ways.
"How about trying this sentence?"
"Fuck."
"Hmm. Sentences are still tough, huh."
But whenever I tried a long one, it always came out as fuck. With Porori right there, it was better to just ask him to translate than painstakingly sound out each letter.
"So, friend. Did you ask the sky for that?"
"Chaos."
"Not the sky, but Chaos? Who's that?"
Porori nailed it with just one syllable. It seemed like intent got through to him rather than words. Made things easier.
"Chaos? You mean the God of Chaos?"
Lord's face flickered with surprise at the word. No point hiding it, so I nodded affirmatively.
He wore a strange expression, like an unexpected name had dropped.
"Is there... a problem?"
Luna asked cautiously, noting Lord's look.
Problems? Plenty. With Chaos watching, faith-building was a lost cause. It only dropped at every chance, and gains were random as hell.
"Not a problem, exactly... It's just because it's Chaos. Do you know what domains the gods oversee?"
"Not really..."
Ellie replied uncertainly. Coming from some rural backwater, it made sense—she knew herbs, but not much else. Even Luna waited for Lord to explain.
"Gaia handles the earth, Gulrak the sky. Chaos sits in between. Scholars debate its domain, but most say it's humanity. Nothing's as ambiguously good-or-evil, as chaotic as humans."
"So, what happens if you follow Chaos?"
"Chaos isn't a god you follow by choice. Unlike the others, you have to be chosen exceptionally."
"Chosen..."
The idea of being picked by a god must've impressed them. Luna and Ellie stared at me in awe.
Sorry, but getting chosen by Chaos doesn't make you a hero or anything.
Heroes my ass—it's clown duty.
Lord caught their misconception while I grumbled inwardly. He gave a wry smile, glanced at me, then spoke softer.
"Not like what you're thinking—no heroes here. Chaos is fickle, loves pranks."
"Pranks?"
"Blessings that boost physical prowess when you need healing, or vice versa. Fits the name Chaos perfectly."
"R-right. But still a good god, yeah?"
Luna, flustered by the unexpected answer, pivoted.
Lord looked ambivalent but nodded reluctantly.
"Mischievous, but good, yes. He chases fun and novelty, but won't bless serial killers or the like."
That's why Chaos was 'good.' He made fools of people but never crossed the line into true evil. Justified violence? Hilarious. Selfish brutality? Stone-faced rejection. Hunting to survive in the forest? Forgivable. Cursing him out? No mercy.
Petty-ass god.
You have insulted a god! Faith has decreased!
·····Not like it'd say that!
Kidding. While I drummed internally, Lord's explanation continued.
"Harsh to say, but those blessed by Chaos... most are a bit unhinged. Yet they wield immense raw power."
"Powerful?"
"Chaos denies divine power but grants primal strength. That's why Sivar's physical abilities stand out."
He even tossed in skills as bonuses. Wild Instinct was likely Chaos too. Hell, maybe the whole system was his doing.
If so, who summoned me here? That's the key.
"Does prayer or offerings not raise divine power with Chaos?"
"Only through the believer's actions. He favors the unhinged ones, as I said."
"·····"
Luna and Ellie eyed me oddly at the repeated emphasis. Anyone would peg me as the loose screw.
"What."
Short enough to say easily. Too short even for fuck.
Honestly, I thought I was unhinged too. After that forest madness, who'd be sane?
"······Ratatosk. What did Sivar say?"
Ellie asked Ratatosk at my curt reply. Too short, even for her.
But that single what was all the answer they got. No elaboration.
"Just what you heard. What. One word."
"Ugh... Try to say it nicer."
"Listen, missy. You're mistaken. That guy's got a filthy temper. He's holding back 'cause it's you."
Ellie shot me a worried look. Game or real life, her optimism bordered on obliviousness—what was she thinking?
"Eh, he won't snap unless someone hits him first. Just act normal."
"Good. I thought since he can talk, he wouldn't bother learning to read."
There it was—the weird assumption I'd expected.
Talking or not, I'd learn to read steadily. Essential for Godin's magic.
"·····"
As Ellie sighed in relief, chest heaving, Luna's face stiffened. The upcoming sparring must've crossed her mind. I was matched against Kara.
With Ratatosk calling my temper foul, her worries were piling up.
No big deal.
Even if Kara poked it, she wouldn't kill me—just hurt like hell. Main character; killing her derails the story. Plus, beefing with her dad? Divine wrath incoming.
"Shall we postpone the church visit? Sparring's soon; we need free time."
"Wise choice. You're herbology—busier than most."
"Yeah. Gotta fill my potion quota."
Sparring meant blood for tons of students. Bruises minimum, slashes or breaks possible. No deaths, no lasting damage.
Gaia Temple staff on standby for heals, right?
I had regeneration; slap on a potion and done. Just pricey meals.
"Still, I'm a bit worried."
"About what?"
"Sivar versus Kara."
Lord eyed me as he spoke. Words said worry, eyes said otherwise. Something nagged at him.
"If Sivar... hurts Kara..."
"No. I'd step in if I saw that. It's her birth father visiting."
"Birth father..."
"Tatar's king."
Luna and Ellie blinked blankly. Rural girls; kings were too distant to grasp. Elvin would've tensed, but he was hospitalized.
Lord chuckled at their non-reaction.
"Old human. King highest of humans?"
Porori—Ratatosk?—asked Lord. Fluent speech, but common sense lacking.
"Yes."
"Higher than old human you?"
"In power, yes."
Martial might? Lord edged him out. Pre-poison Lord was a monster. Meaning Tatar's king was a step below—a combat specialist from the warrior pinnacle. Natural.
"Anyway, he'll watch Princess Kara's match. Might already know."
"What's that got to do with Sivar?"
"You too. Catch the wrong eye, and it's trouble."
Not political crushing—personal interest. Heavy kind.
"I'll warn you upfront, but you'll ignore it. Just don't sweat it if eyes turn your way."
"Understood. Focus on sparring first."
"Yes... best..."
Lord trailed off, eyeing me. I got his worry.
Politically incorrect, but he knew: Luna beating Kara? Tough. Me? Not.
He feared I'd win—and the fallout.
Fair enough.
Lord had clashed with Kara's dad before. Knew his style. Infamous for shocking first-time players.
If Kara taught technique's value, her old man taught more.
"·····Hope nothing breaks."
Its meaning? I'd learn soon.
Talking or not, days before sparring stayed routine. Mornings: dull-yet-fascinating theory. Afternoons: Kara's training.
Luna griped at first but backed off. Kara was objectively great, and it freed Luna's schedule.
"Oh, right—Kara, you said you'd ask the president about being Sivar's guardian?"
Post-training, as Kara cleared burst sandbags, Luna asked.
Kara paused, then oh yeah-faced.
"Right, forgot. After sparring."
Truly forgotten. Me too—stuck to her in free training, it slipped naturally.
"But aren't you half-guardian already? Admit it."
"Yeah."
"See?"
Kara grinned, patting my shoulder fondly. I'd followed orders without fuss; she liked me. No discrimination, aligned views.
"Can't talk full sentences yet?"
"Yeah."
"Better than mute. Try my name?"
"Ka. ra."
"Good! Good! First time short name's a plus."
Grinning, Kara shouldered the heavy burst bags effortlessly. Showed her strength.
She dumped them, tidied up. Time to go.
"Sparring after weekend."
"Yep."
"No regrets skipping grapples?"
"None."
Liar. Even I regretted missing ground game. Not her fault—time crunch. She taught defense for it.
"Kara."
"Shoot."
"Heard your birth father comes for sparring."
"·····"
Her smirk froze. Uncomfortable, obvious. Voice low, she asked quietly.
"······Why bring that up?"
"President said he's insanely strong..."
"Yeah. Strong. Very. But not important now, right?"
She smiled, hand on Luna's shoulder. Eyes smiling, but drop it pressure clear. Luna nodded awkwardly.
"Y-yeah..."
"Curious how strong? Beat me. You won't."
"·····Confident much."
Kara defused awkwardness—into menace. Wise? Debatable.
"She knows. I'm stronger."
Why drag me in? Kara provoked, naming me.
Luna glanced, scoffed disbelievingly.
"Ha. What makes you say that?"
"Duh. Wild-raised? Instincts sharper. Gut feeling."
Gut? I knew her power. Luna couldn't win now. Confidently.
"······Sivar."
"Yeah."
"Who’s stronger, me or Kara?"
Ego scratched, Luna asked me. Kara turned expectantly.
Why ask? No hesitation—I raised my hand, pointed boldly.
"Ka."
Straight at Kara. Luna's face hardened. Kara beamed triumphant, hand on my shoulder.
"See? He’s got eyes."
"·····Misunderstood the question."
"Nah~ Doubt it~"
She smirked, provoking relentlessly. Father's mention triggered it. Luna didn't know.
She eyed us, shook head.
"Arguing's pointless."
"Fully agree."
"Good. And Sivar."
Why me again? I stared; she lectured.
"Can't judge the world on gut alone. Good lesson now."
"·····"
Sneaky prideful streak. Wonder her face after a beatdown.
"Answer if you get it."
Fine. Deadpan, syllable by syllable.
"Don? Know?"
"·····"
Luna's face rotted live.
"Puhahaha!"
Kara slapped my shoulder hard, roaring with laughter.