Chapter 254
Chapter 254
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ebonarch
Chapter: 254
Chapter Title: An Unknown Side (5)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
1.
It was less a sword strike and more a single graceful dance.
All superfluous movements had been stripped away.
A refined sword principle, one that only someone who had gripped and swung a blade thousands, tens of thousands, even hundreds of millions of times—until it bored them to death—while dancing on the edge of life and death could recreate.
Eloa's eyes narrowed into long slits as she spun, toes alone gripping the ground, her garments fluttering wildly.
Pure beauty was mesmerizing.
There wasn't even a split second to look away.
Siu stared, entranced, before belatedly raising his sword into a defensive stance.
-Kwaaaang!
Unlike her fluid movements, the strike carried a profound infusion of inner force.
The moment their blades met, an explosion like a hand grenade erupted, shoving Siu back.
His planted foot sank deep into the earth, and the shockwave sent surrounding pavement blocks popping up like popcorn.
Even that was because Siu had deflected the force; a direct hit would have sent him flying dozens of meters.
"Hup!"
Siu braced his buckling knee and shoved his sword forward, forcing some space.
Siu, who could abandon his sword at any moment to summon a shortsword, axe, shield, or whatever else he needed,
and Eloa, swinging a blade larger than herself.
At a glance, one might think Siu held the advantage in close quarters.
But reality was different.
The instant they closed in tight, Eloa turned her smaller frame to her benefit.
Exploiting the cramped space more efficiently—stomping feet, hooking legs to upset balance, using the sword's flat, elbows, even headbutts.
-Kang!
Siu pulled a shield inward to smack Eloa away.
She wedged her blade between the impact point to guard her side and rebounded.
Not a solid hit on its own.
Eloa had leaped cooperatively to deflect the heavy shield bash.
But that was exactly what Siu had been waiting for.
"Got you!"
-Kkiiigigik!
Siu twisted the four ribbons that had been floating in the air, waiting for their chance to strike.
Perfectly mimicking the technique Ea had shown before.
Each strand concentrated far more power than Siu's full-force sword swings.
Like drawing a bowstring to its limit and releasing, they tracked the still-airborne Eloa like homing missiles.
A flawless assault sealing off all four directions at once.
Faster than bullets.
At this point, Eloa's defeat seemed certain.
But.
"I make a contract."
A character on the flat of her Contract Sword glowed.
Thick waves of mana rippled outward as Eloa thrust her rear leg hard in midair.
In empty air without footing, no matter how much one moved, reactions were minimal—limiting motion.
Common sense anyone knew.
But Eloa transcended common sense, a superhuman.
-Tung!
The moment her foot extended, a circular shockwave burst forth.
Her back kick surpassed the speed of sound effortlessly, "stepping" on nonexistent air and shooting forward like an arrow.
Brutal strength mocking physics, shoving aside layers of air.
The launched ribbons belatedly curved to pursue Eloa, but...
It was a mistake.
"Kuhuk!"
Eloa's front kick shattered Siu's shield like a cookie and slammed into his solar plexus.
Siu flew back like a tumbling block, crashing through a parked car and into a cosmetics shop interior.
"Kuh..."
As he barely struggled to his feet, Eloa followed, sword tip at his throat.
A thorough, refreshing defeat, as always.
"Haa, I lost. Cough cough!"
"You alright?"
"You held back perfectly today, didn't you?"
"We've got shopping after. Can't mess up your face, right?"
Eloa extended a gentle hand with a soft smile.
Her armor dissolved into shadows, and Siu took her hand, rising.
Every sparring session left him feeling like a pro wrestler.
The villain role who gets handsomely pummeled today, no less.
"I thought I might win today... but you can even do that."
"Good attempt. I saw you hadn't forgotten the concept of initiative I mentioned last time. But the moment you thought your plan worked, your guard slipped. If you'd trusted your core defense over fixating on the ribbons, you could've lasted longer."
"Noted."
Eloa smiled warmly, pleased.
Siu's skills improved daily.
Thanks to the contract, he already executed near-perfect moves flawlessly, but until Eloa's refinements, one thing was missing.
Skill in combat flow.
Following instincts alone left him weak in pacing or premeditated sequencing, but mock battles like this patched those flaws.
Now mastering efficient power use and spiritual body reinforcement, he was several times stronger than before.
"Even now, you'd crush most witches. Assuming no Nature Magic, of course."
"Practically meaningless, then."
"Not quite. At this level, hunting basic homunculi would be a breeze."
Tiphereth secretly sighed in relief at Siu's wry smile.
She'd thought yesterday's and the day before's embarrassing episode would make things awkward, but once training began, it faded.
The inertia of routine?
If Siu knew the full story, it never would've gone like this.
That Eloa had witnessed his intercourse firsthand—no, that she'd learned his groin was a sloppy mess because of it...
No, stop thinking.
It wouldn't happen again, so keep it her secret.
That thought eased her mind.
"Anyway, good work."
"Whew, thanks for the lesson today too."
Siu and Eloa emerged into the wrecked Gwanghwamun Square.
Plaza and streets shattered like they'd been bombed.
Of course, their spars weren't mere human scuffles.
A car grazed by a motion crumpled like foil; solid asphalt dented from one step.
Missed ribbons gouged craters.
Convenient magic—the hidden barrier would restore it all upon dispelling.
Back at Wizpoint, they showered, changed, and headed to a nearby department store.
For shopping, naturally.
2.
"Hmm hmm hmm..."
Eloa hummed along to the store's classical BGM.
Her light, joyful steps made her hair bounce cheerily.
The happiest Siu had ever seen her.
"Master."
"Yes?"
"You seem in a great mood."
Not a tough observation, but Eloa tilted her head, grasping it half a beat late.
She blushed faintly, stopping her hum.
A bit embarrassed at seeming frivolously giddy.
"Don't tease."
"Wasn't teasing. Your good mood makes me happy too."
Riding the stylish car from Periwinkle, they'd entered together.
Now browsing women's clothing.
Truth be told, Eloa cared little for clothes or accessories.
As an apprentice, she wore what previous Tiphereth gave; as a witch, whatever was handy.
Reasons for that.
Among multicolored witches, Tiphereth's hues were unique.
Eloa preferred plain over flashy, shunned attention, so she balanced with safe outfits.
It became habit; no shopping sprees.
But how to refuse Siu buying for her?
Truthfully, the gift from Siu thrilled her more than the clothes.
"Hmm..."
"Mm..."
Problem arose.
Siu lacked fashion knowledge—what suited whom, trends, etc.
Eloa, needless to say.
They circled racks like conveyor sushi, aimlessly.
"What do you usually wear?"
"Mostly comfortable activewear or dresses."
"Then... this section?"
They picked a random brand heavy on dresses; a clerk approached after a while.
"Hello... oh my."
Young clerk startled once at Siu, twice at Eloa.
Siu was striking, but Eloa's look was extraordinarily unique.
After staring blankly, she snapped back, apologizing.
"Sorry! You're both so handsome and gorgeous, haha... What are you looking for?"
Awkwardness brief.
She beamed warmly, recommending outfits nonstop.
"Not models, right? Your dye job is perfect!"
"How about this? It's popular lately, suits you so well..."
"Nights are chilly now? Cardigan coord like this is super cute..."
"You could rock casual-sporty vibes. This line too..."
Like a kid dressing a favorite doll, endless suggestions.
Siu sidelined, laden with her picks like a rack, hovering.
"Try it on?"
"No need to..."
"Yes, try before buy!"
"Fitting rooms there. Alterations on spot, so focus on the look even if size off."
Eloa blinked—really?—but Siu replied.
Big spend? Better try and pick pretty ones.
First try: gray knit dress to mid-calf.
"Knit dress"—infamous in Korea as new-town auntie chic.
Rustling inside, then Eloa peeked out shyly.
"Wow..."
Clerk gaped first, awed before Siu.
The knit clung, revealing her figure fully.
Cardigan covered top loosely, but swaying hips promised to show through every step.
"Ooh..."
He knew he shouldn't, but couldn't look away.
Loose track pants and windbreaker hid it, but Eloa had distinct curves.
From secret-tryst princess to provocative actress in moments.
"I-it clings too much..."
Eloa fidgeted at the fabric's embrace and instant stares.
"No~ Looks perfect on you! So pretty, right?"
"Uh? Yeah."
"More reaction~ She'd be sad~"
"Beautiful. Suits you."
Siu somewhat desensitized from witches; clerk found Eloa wondrously stunning.
She fussed, seeking Siu's agreement twice.
Eloa eyed the mirror doubtfully—"Really me?"—but perked at Siu's "pretty," ears twitching.
"R-really...?"
"Yes, suits you great. Try another?"
"Alright."
Next: jeans, belt, black shirt, trench coat.
Urban mature Western style, yet fit Eloa perfectly.
"This feels stuffy..."
"Stuffy? Looks amazing! Total movie star. Right?"
"Yes, so cool."
"R-really...?"
Pattern repeated.
Eloa doubts in fitting room.
Clerk claps in awe, Siu agrees as Eloa emerges.
Siu's "pretty" or "cool" sways her.
Thus, they bought every recommendation.
Not one dud.
While alterations waited, Siu bought three pairs of shoes too.
The delightful visual feast of shopping ended.