Gazing Straight Without Losing Myself
Illiana Nadiel couldn't hide her bewilderment. Nothing was visible. All she could see was fog. This was definitely the arena. Which meant it had to be Seia Shahain's saint law.
Illiana bit her lip lightly.
Lanur's saint laws are tricky enough as it is... But what the hell is this one?
First, she needed to figure out what kind of saint law it was. She steadied her mind. In situations like this, she had to stay even more composed.
It's quiet. No sounds at all. Is the space separated? Or an illusion?
Nothing was certain. She always had to approach unknown saint laws with caution, especially Lanur's, which twisted all sorts of laws. Who knew what unknown awaited her.
First, check if it's an illusion.
Illiana focused her spirit, trying to summon one of her ancestors' souls with eyes that pierced illusions. But.
Seia wasn't a fool. She hadn't trapped Illiana in the fog just to pin her feet in place. The moment Illiana concentrated for her saint law, Seia sprang into action. Using the divine power infused in the surrounding fog, she began forming arrows in the air.
Thwip!
The moment the sound of air tearing reached her, Illiana clicked her tongue and quickly prepared a simple defensive saint law. Sure enough, arrows were surging from all directions.
She's not going to let me off easy, huh...!
Illiana desperately wanted to locate Seia and stop her, but she couldn't. It was only natural. Seia had hidden her body and even her presence with the fog's help. There was no way to pinpoint her location.
It was driving Illiana mad with frustration.
No good. I can't find her. Then I need to defend while blowing away all the fog in the area.
Dragging this out would put Eil in danger. Without saint law support, he'd be facing Dalia Retiu barehanded.
Illiana called upon her ancestors' souls to form a protective barrier around herself.
This should hold for a bit. I need to prepare the saint law quickly. Sir Eil, please hold on just a little longer.
The moment she tried to prepare her saint law with that hope, Seia's voice rang in Illiana's ear.
"Good choice. Buying time and smashing my barrier with a powerful saint law. But..."
Seia paused briefly before continuing.
"Did you think I'd just watch?"
Illiana deliberately ignored her. She couldn't afford distractions. She trusted her barrier. No matter what Seia did, it would hold.
But that confidence shattered before her eyes as gleaming arrows formed right in front of her.
"...Huh?"
A dazed voice reached Seia's ears. Seia smiled a bit smugly and said to Illiana,
"You think the barrier makes you safe. Hmm, such a careless thought. Did you know? This fog is woven from my divine power."
"No way...!"
"Yes. Exactly. This fog can change shape at my will. It's both shield and weapon."
"......"
Illiana glared at Seia with a hollow expression. She understood instantly. The barrier had been pointless from the start. Fog had already permeated around her when she erected it. In truth, the moment Illiana was enveloped, she'd lost to Seia.
"When the hell...?"
So when had she prepared this saint law?
"The match started, and Senior Dalia bought me time. Charging in so aggressively draws everyone's eyes instantly."
"Even so, in that short window... is that even possible?"
"I did it, didn't I?"
Illiana dispelled her barrier and stared at Seia like she was a monster. For the friendly matches, she'd studied Solenute saint laws since last year and knew how convoluted Lanur's were.
"You're ridiculous. You win."
"Good work."
Seia dispersed the fog and blankly watched Eil and Dalia's fight. It would end soon.
* * *
Before Seia and Illiana's battle concluded.
Eil was gritting his teeth, blocking Dalia's attacks. Each time her earth-infused axe-spear slammed down on his sword, a jolt shook his entire body, making him shudder.
How does such a small frame produce that power...!
He'd felt it last year too, but she was unreal. Eil couldn't think otherwise. It even reminded him of getting thrashed by his sister Sione Solenute during sword training.
Dalia retracted her axe-spear after knocking his sword aside and swiftly thrust at him.
Clang!
The clash rocked Eil's body violently. Fighting barehanded without saint law support, it was inevitable. The silver lining was Illiana infusing his weapon with divine power, letting it hold up this long.
Pushed back, Eil regained his stance. He could use divine power. With it, he might even match Dalia. His weapon skill lagged slightly, but his power surpassed even Sione's by far.
But he didn't want to. Beyond exposing his identity, he wanted to achieve something as his powerless self.
Knowing his limits, foreseeing defeat, he still swung at Dalia.
Dalia lowered her stance and swept her axe-spear upward from below.
Clang!
Another sharp metallic ring echoed in Eil's ears. Cracks began spiderwebbing his sword. Illiana's infusion was failing. Dalia's blows were that heavy, that powerful.
Soon, the divine power faded, exposing the fractured blade. Eil swung again, his instincts screaming.
This'll be my last strike.
The power was dissipating. The sword would shatter. But his thrust held no hesitation.
Dalia knew it was his final attack too. She poured all her divine power and strength into her mightiest counter, smashing toward his sword.
The earth-charged axe-spear met the nearly spent blade.
Kraaang!
A deafening roar shook the arena as Eil's sword shattered under the impact. In that instant, Dalia caught Eil's relieved smile.
As she'd said, he felt pretty good. Defeat wasn't welcome, but he'd given his all against a foe who respected him.
"I lose."
"Good work."
Eil and Dalia, acknowledging the clean defeat, spotted Illiana and Seia approaching.
"You two did great."
Dalia and Seia extended hands to the watching Eil and Illiana. They stared briefly before grasping them.
With Dalia and Seia advancing to the finals, the semifinals drew to a close.
* * *
After elimination, Eil excused himself from Illiana and wandered Ortara National School. Soon, he sat on a grassy patch, gazing at the sky.
The sun was setting. The sunset sky was more beautiful than expected. Night would follow soon.
Eil watched absently. Then, footsteps approached.
"There you are."
"...Sis."
It was Sione.
"Yeah. How's living without divine power?"
"It's good. Well, not completely without."
"If you mean Illiana's power, that's hers, not yours."
"True, but I'm the one wielding it."
"Still, you deliberately avoid using what's given to you. Most can't."
"I told you last time. Remember?"
"...Yeah."
"I didn't want to be swayed by power. I wanted to serve Solem, not worship its strength."
"It's arrogant, in a way."
Sione smiled softly.
"Yeah. Most accept and use their power. That's why I'm sorry to you."
"If you're sorry, take my place?"
"Haha, no can do."
Silence settled briefly.
"Five years. Long time. Did you find your answer?"
"Yeah. Today confirmed it."
To Sione's question, Eil—no, Heydel—nodded. He'd agonized long: how not to succumb to power, how to face people and gods without it.
Today, he'd found his answer.
"Can you share it?"
"Not complicated. Gazing straight at things without losing myself."
"Gazing straight without losing yourself?"
"Yeah."
Gods, people. Even divine power.
"All judgment starts with me. Not others' thoughts or scriptures—my own direct sight and feeling."
"...A fine conclusion."
"Right?"
"You'll need more experience then."
"Yeah."
"Meaning you won't return to Solenute."
"Correct."
"Making your busy sister work like this. What a lousy brother."
"Haha, forgive me. In return, I'll work hard when I get back. Even your share."
"Sigh. Fine. Got it."
Sione sighed, standing. No need for more talk now that she'd heard the answer.
"Heading out?"
"Yeah. Gotta cheer for Tara tomorrow."
"Haha. They'll win—Tara and Ludenberg."
"Probably. Anyway, Heydel. Take care."
"Already planning to."
Heydel watched his sister go, then looked skyward. The sun had set; night had arrived.