The Saint's Uninvited Gaze
Kara had taught me. If a stranger tells you to follow, shout "No!" Back then, I'd scoffed—who could possibly drag me away? But not anymore. I was truly grateful for the advice. From my perspective, Power Saint Lize wasn't just some stranger; she was a powerhouse on par with Lord, wielding violet magic. Lord was endlessly benevolent and gentle, but Lize? Not quite. Beneath her generosity lurked a wild boisterousness, a reckless streak. She felt an especially strong bond with those chosen by Chaos—unavoidable, given how few there were. In that sense, she'd stamped her mark on me with a resounding thwack.
"No? Did you just say no?"
"Why would she offer something like that to him?"
"Was he a follower of Chaos?"
The classroom erupted in chaos again the moment I mustered the courage to shout my refusal. And why not? I'd rejected a saint's invitation. To outsiders, it must've seemed incomprehensible. But I knew better. The instant Lize dragged me off, I was in for trials and tribulations beyond imagining.
"Hmm. No... An unexpected answer."
Lize murmured in a tone of genuine surprise. Clearly, she hadn't seen it coming. But even if it hadn't been me, anyone would've refused. Her offer bulldozed right over context and propriety.
"Um... Saint Lize?"
"Yes?"
"Do you even know who Sivar is?"
It was Luna's question. One that could've flustered anyone, yet Lize's face remained composed.
"No. But I can tell his intellect and instincts are at odds."
"Well... that's true, but..."
She really seemed to know nothing about me. If she had, she'd have said something. Kara had been similar at first, but with a hint of wariness at the idea of her taking me away.
"Still, it's fascinating. Not just refusing, but fearing my current form."
"Pardon?"
As Luna pondered what to say next, Lize spoke first. She'd noticed my fear of her. Luna and most of the watching students looked baffled. Everyone except me. I knew exactly what a weirdo she was; I couldn't afford to let my guard down. Being eccentric came with reckless tendencies. She wouldn't cross lines, but she'd toe them exactly.
"Student, are you afraid of my appearance right now? Purely on looks, ignoring the atmosphere."
"...Not at all?"
Luna glanced briefly at Lize's ample bosom before meeting her eyes and answering. Lize possessed beauty perfectly suited to a saint. Her cat-like sharp eyes were less intense than Grace's. And it wasn't just beauty—there was a warmth that disarmed even wariness.
"And you, student?"
Lize turned to Kara next. Kara rested her chin in her hand, stared her down, and replied indifferently.
"...Doesn't look like much of a fighter."
She answered, but her guard stayed up. First impressions must've soured badly.
"Exactly. This form doesn't inspire fear. The opposite, maybe."
Lize placed a hand proudly on her chest, rivaling Ellie's in size, drawing even more stares. But don't be fooled. Those weren't natural like Ellie's—they were cultivated. Not through this world's medicine, but Chaos's unique power. Think of them as the fruit of Lize's tireless efforts.
"But this student is different. He fears me like he knows who I am. And that refusal earlier? Fear laced every word."
"What about her makes Sivar afraid?"
"Who knows? Maybe he sees through to people's true selves."
"True selves..."
Luna murmured softly, glancing my way. Truth be told, there was no mystic sight or hidden truth. I just knew how much of a weirdo Lize was—and how strong. No matter how I thrashed, one punch would quiet me. Those who mastered violet magic bent space at will. The moment they did, defenses meant nothing. A nightmare to face.
"So, what do you see in me? This is getting intriguing."
Lize leaned forward slowly, her face inching toward mine. Curiosity had morphed into intense fascination. Her blue eyes gleamed with interest and fervor. I froze like prey before a predator.
"Saint Lize. If I may, class is about to begin."
Malboro quietly intervened as her gaze burned hotter. Lize slowly straightened, pulling her face away. Reckless as she was, she wouldn't cross that line. A relief.
"My apologies. Meeting a brother chosen by Chaos excited me. Sorry for the intrusion."
"No. It's fine."
"See you next time, brother."
She called me "brother" with a sweet smile. Intimate to others, a death sentence to me. She'd marked me thoroughly.
"Students, the gods always cheer for you. Do your best!"
With those parting words of encouragement, Lize swept out like a storm. The tension drained from me the instant she left—muscles going slack, exhaustion flooding in. I'd really thought she'd haul me off. A slightly wrong answer back there, and... In Soul World, she kidnapped with the lamest excuses. No choices offered. What followed? Imagine the game turning into Fist of the North Star or Baki. Or even JoJo.
At least in Power Saint mode, it's a genre shift all its own.
Thankfully, she'd come in saint form, not muscle mode—milder that way.
Why now, though? Because I'm a Chaos follower?
As I'd said, her visiting now was astronomically unlikely. She rarely appeared during freshman year. Yet she'd pierced that slim chance—not for Luna, but me. Unpredictable ahead. Chaos follower, Power Saint Lize? Chaos incarnate.
"What the hell makes that guy draw even the saint's eye?"
"Yeah, chosen by Chaos and all."
"Lucky bastard."
Lucky? Try tangling with her and see how tired you get. Oblivious, the students buzzed with envy or jealousy.
"Sivar's weirdly popular, huh? Especially with the ladies."
Grace's tone teased—or maybe envied. I didn't need this kind of attention. Casual interest was fine; direct contact? Tricky even for me.
"Kid's got a cute look. That must be it."
"...Kara, your tastes are unique. Sivar's handsome, sure, but not cute."
"Eh? His antics are cute, though."
"That makes even less sense."
Their cozy chat drifted over from two seats away. Sandwiched Luna said nothing. I thunked my head on the desk and turned to her. Lize's words nagging? Our eyes met—hers gazing down with an enigmatic look.
"......"
Luna sometimes shot me these inscrutable stares. This was one. The mural thing too—must be a riddle to her.
...Whatever.
Think later. Deal with Lize first.
Just don't let the genre shift.
My tiny prayer.
Lize's unannounced visit sent the academy into an instant uproar. She wasn't just famous; she held world-shaking authority. Even emperors or kings treaded carefully around her. And her other title? Power Saint. Already intimidating as a saint, she wielded that power too. In a world teetering on the brink, Lord's presence steadied the academy. Lize? Suspected stronger. Everyone bowed and scraped.
"I don't like her much."
"What?"
"That Lize woman."
As classes ended and they headed to the dorms, Kara spoke up. Clearly, Lize rubbed her wrong. Luna looked puzzled, but Kara glanced back. Her usual blank face dripped worry. Luna hadn't noticed, but Kara saw it plain.
"Saint or not, barging in recklessly tires everyone out. She knows her position. Better than my dad, at least."
Subtly dissing Hector too. Luna could only muster a wry smile. Lize's antics had rippled everywhere. Even the priest class got rescheduled. Dispatch instructors from each order gave the same lectures, but her unplanned drop-in threw things off. And she was eyeing Sivar. A wildcard for Luna, who needed a private chat.
"Still, she's a saint. Must be for some reason. Kara sis, you get it—you're loved by Gulrak too."
"Puts me in a spot. Even I can't defy Gulrak. Just hope she leaves our Sivar alone."
"Hmm..."
Luna glanced back at Sivar's mention. He trailed obediently.
What did she see to scare him that much?
Sivar's emotions shifted glacially. A slight frown at most. Rare even then, unless pushing hard. Expressions? Scarce. But today? Clear fear facing Lize.
"Sees people's true selves..."
Lize's words echoed. Not impossible. He'd sniffed out Delphoi's sleaze, snapped his wrist. Warned Grace kindly too. Wild survival honed his instincts razor-sharp.
Those close to Sivar are mostly good-hearted.
Look at Kara. Rumors painted her violent, but she was kind. Blunt personality aside, stingy with money—charming. Without Sivar, this close? No way. He peered into souls.
Then why fear the saint? What's scary about her?
His reaction... familiar from home. Rural festivals meant butchering pigs or cows. Approach for slaughter? Livestock fled or lashed out in desperation. Sensing doom.
Sivar too?
Comparing a person to livestock was iffy, but the vibe matched. Animal thrashing to avoid the yoke. Fear-twisted face was a sight.
"Luna!"
A familiar voice pierced her thoughts. The group turned. Golden-eyed Ellie waved, approaching. Classes must've synced up.
"You and sis done too?"
"Yeah. Yours ended early."
"Midterms soon. Prof let us out for study."
"Oh. Midterms."
Right—coming up fast. Time crawled, then sprinted.
"Sivar... Sivar?"
"...Yeah?"
"Your face. You look wiped."
Ellie spotted it instantly, eyes widening despite his blank mask. Like with Kara, she read him clean.
"First time seeing Sivar like this... Something happen today?"
She poked his face, quizzing the group worriedly. Kara felt a twinge at her fussing but briefed her.
"Sivar almost got kidnapped."
"Wh-what?!"
"Sis..."
Too condensed. Ellie jolted; Luna sighed her name. Kara giggled at the reactions, flashing white teeth against her tan.
"Kidding. Heard the saint visited?"
"Yeah, rumors. She came."
"That saint tried taking Sivar. Same Chaos faith, she said."
"Chaos? The god who chose Sivar? President explained last time."
As Ellie and Kara chatted, Luna eyed ahead. They'd reached the residence. Lord should be in. She knocked lightly.
Knock knock.
Click.
Unlocked—someone home. Peering in: sofa visible...
"Ah. Perfect timing."
"...?"
Sofa there. Lord seated. But opposite him—a muscle mountain. No exaggeration. Shoulders ate half the couch, warping perspective. What was that? Luna blinked, then instinctively shut the door.
...Huh?
She'd seen monsters galore. Talking lightning squirrels existed. Giants too—Hector recently. Source of Kara's build? Obvious.
Bigger possible. But that face...
She recalled it. Angular, but unmistakable. Vivid silver hair contrasting hers, sapphire-blue eyes. Outfit matched morning's—stretched rubbery over muscle.
"What're you doing? Why open and close?"
Kara questioned, puzzled. Luna's move seemed odd.
"Uh... My eyes glitched. Saw wrong?"
"What'd you see?"
As Luna rubbed her eyes, Kara yanked the door wide.
"Hello?"
"Huh?"
She froze at the greeter. Morning's Chaos saint, Lize, smiled sweetly. Explained Luna's freakout. Her inside.
"Eek!"
"S-Sivar? What's wrong?"
Sivar spotted Lize, yelped, and bear-hugged Ellie from behind. She blushed at the sudden backhug but asked why. This reaction screamed trouble.
Lize smiled at Sivar, then stepped aside invitingly.
"Lord told me. Lots to discuss."
"...No funny business?"
"Never. Not with a rare brother."
Fair enough. Kara eyed her warily entering. Luna followed, peeking.
Must've been... a mistake?
That "muscle" vision? Definitely illusion.