Chapter 165
Chapter 165
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 165
Chapter Title: Growth and Growth
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Sometimes, you can really feel time flying by.
There are countless ways to sense the passage of time—a change in appearance, the shifting seasons, or even just a different day of the week. But right now, holding Karite’s arm, I was feeling it in a different way.
*I...*
The realization that I was now in a position to give someone empowering advice and instill confidence in them, that I had risen to a place where my words carried weight, hit me with full force.
It was enough to make me feel like I was from a different era.
Just a few months ago, I was in a shabby training hall, gripping an iron spear, madly thrusting it into the empty air all by myself.
That version of me didn't even feel like it was that long ago.
Back then, I was definitely alone, and I was in no position to seek or offer advice to anyone.
But now... here I was, with someone else, trying to help.
That gap made me feel the passage of time.
"..."
Karite, who had fallen silent and was focusing on her trait, had an exceptionally steady gaze.
The water bursting from her hands manifested at a constant rate, steadily soaking one side of the training hall. The most positive sign was that she wasn't overexerting herself while using her trait.
*Slowly.*
So, I calmly held my breath and began to loosen my grip on her arm.
As I eased the pressure to a degree she wouldn't notice, I hoped she would find her own resolve.
To the point where she could maintain a strong will without needing to rely on me anymore. I had relaxed my grip until my hands were practically just resting on her arm. Then, a sudden doubt surfaced in my mind.
*Is this really the right way to be spending my time?*
What I was doing with Karite was akin to basic training, and in a way, you could say I was dedicating my time to taking care of her.
Yet my own situation was desperate enough that I needed all the training I could get. Besides, Karite’s condition had already returned to normal.
So, could I truly say this was a meaningful use of my time?
The doubt lingered for only a moment before I gave a slight shake of my head.
*There's definitely meaning in this time itself.*
While a part of me felt the urgent need to prioritize my own growth, another part believed there was meaning in watching someone else grow.
And when I recalled the fundamental reason I had arranged to meet her today, it all made sense.
The keyword for a level 5 trait was 'Sacrifice'.
Focusing solely on my own growth had nothing to do with sacrifice. Even if the description said I'd achieved the keyword, I believed the keyword itself still had an influence on me.
*So, spending my time to help someone else grow is also...*
In a broader sense, I considered it close to a sacrifice. And if so, it would surely contribute to my own growth as well.
The fact that the person right next to me was Karite also held great significance.
She was the very person I had saved while achieving the 'Sacrifice' keyword. Lost in deep thought, I gradually steeled my resolve.
*And if I was going to help, I decided to do it properly.*
I couldn't afford to entertain such foolish doubts at a time like this.
As my mind cleared, I suddenly felt a gaze on me.
There was nothing wrong with how she was manifesting water. But Karite's gaze had suddenly turned to me.
"...!"
As our eyes met, I saw hers tremble slightly.
"Karite. You're doing really well right now."
I offered a word of encouragement to steady her resolve. She nodded with a completely blank expression.
Finding her reaction a little strange, I gave her arm a very gentle squeeze.
*Squeeze.*
I'd done it to help her refocus her consciousness.
*Flinch!*
But her slight flinch surprised me more than anything.
*...!*
However, the water element manifesting from her hands surged even more powerfully.
*What's going on?*
Normally, when one's mind is shaken, it becomes harder to focus on their trait, but for Karite, it seemed to be the opposite.
It was enough to make me wonder if Karite's concentration was surprisingly good. So this time, I tried the opposite, slowly releasing my grip to see how she would react.
*Sliiiide.*
Just as I thought I had completely let go.
Karite urgently shook her head.
"P-please, hold my arm a little longer."
"...Ah, okay. I will."
I replied awkwardly, gripping her arm again, rendering my earlier effort to let go meaningless.
I had thought my hand would feel burdensome to her by now, that my actions would make her uncomfortable, so her unexpected reaction was quite surprising.
*She'd do just fine even if I wasn't holding her arm.*
Judging by her reaction just now, while her destructive power might be another matter, her control over her trait was already at a completely natural level.
***
After that, a trying time passed.
Nearly a full hour. Even I hadn't expected to be holding Karite's arm for this long.
And being in such close physical contact with a member of the opposite sex, even I couldn't help but be conscious of her.
"..."
During that time, Karite's gaze often flickered toward me before looking away, and we exchanged only small talk.
Meaningless chatter, really, but it helped calm the mind. All the while, I was checking to see if her trait was manifesting steadily.
"...!"
A blue radiance began to shimmer around Karite's entire body.
It was a faint, shallow light, but it was clearly different from mana. I knew exactly what it was.
*The light of blessing...!*
Even though I'd hoped Karite would reach the next level of her trait, I hadn't actually held high expectations.
But now, that very possibility was unfolding before my eyes. Realizing this, I instantly tightened my slackened focus.
*I can't let her miss this chance.*
Trait Level 2 was a very minor evolution, just a single step forward, but the first step is often the most significant one.
There's no comparison between someone who has felt a sense of accomplishment and their own growth even once, and someone who has never felt it at all.
*Gulp.*
Swallowing nervously, I saw that Karite had already entered a state of complete immersion.
"..."
Her small lips were parted blankly, her unfocused eyes fixed on her trait.
The water element bursting from her hands also churned, showing signs of a great change.
*Please.*
*Reach the other side.*
In this moment, I truly hoped that Karite would reach Trait Level 2 and set her sights on what came next.
Because I believed this growth would have a massive impact on her. I wanted her to properly look toward the future.
Karite had suffered through misfortune and dark times because of an apostle, through no fault of her own. I hoped she would have a bright and happy future ahead of her...
And then.
I saw her unfocused eyes slowly begin to shift.
*Wait... why?*
Why was her gaze moving?
At a time when she should be focusing even harder on her trait, her gaze suddenly shifted elsewhere.
In that instant, I realized her gaze was directed at me, and it felt as if my breath had stopped.
*Damn it...!*
I desperately wanted her to focus on her trait.
But the thought that she was looking at me and thinking of something else at this crucial moment sent all sorts of ideas racing through my head.
When the light of blessing appeared, it was best to reach the next stage in one go. I knew from various descriptions in the novel just how empty it felt to get a mere taste of that sensation only for it to disappear.
*Please, focus! Karite!*
The words I couldn't bring myself to say out loud echoed in my mind.
And yet, her gaze was already on me.
"..."
As her eyes slowly regained their focus, I couldn't help but feel utterly dismayed.
The result was clearly visible to me.
The light of blessing enveloping her body. I watched as the blue radiance slowly faded. As the already faint light grew even dimmer, my heart filled with urgency.
*Grip!*
I instinctively tightened my grip on her arm.
But I couldn't bring myself to shout.
"Ah..."
Looking at Karite, who seemed surprised by the pressure on her arm, I stared directly into her eyes.
I gazed at her with firm resolve in my eyes, hoping she would realize it on her own.
This was something Karite had to realize for herself.
I couldn't say anything now that would change or decide her thoughts for her. She had to understand that she needed to move forward on her own.
"...I understand."
And then, when a very strange reply came from Karite, I couldn't help but doubt my eyes.
*FWOOSH—!!*
A brilliant flash of blue light erupted from her body.
At that moment, I immediately turned my head.
*BOOM!*
An explosive sound slammed into my ears as a grand spectacle of water spray filled my vision.
The display of water, spectacularly adorning the space, was nothing short of astonishing.
*SPLASH!*
As the aftermath of the water explosion spread throughout the area, I couldn't help but blink.
*Drip. Drop!*
Water splattered all over my student uniform and my face, forcing a reaction out of me.
"Ah!"
Hearing the startled cry, I quickly pulled my arm back and wiped my face.
"I'm so, so sorry! Are you okay!?"
Despite Karite's panicked voice, a laugh escaped my lips.
*See, you can do it if you try.*
I turned my head, feeling an unconscious sense of relief.
"I'm fine. It's just a little water."
As I watched the flustered Karite, I felt strangely refreshed.
"Just a second! I-I'll go get a towel right away."
Karite, who rushed off to get a towel, was just as soaked as I was.
Still, watching her unhesitating back, I couldn't help but smile.
*Clench.*
I lightly clenched my fist, a great warmth filling my heart.
It was a feeling you could call accomplishment, or satisfaction, or anything just as good.
It was so palpable I could feel it instinctively. Watching Karite's trait grow, I felt that I, too, had grown a little.
My own trait seemed to have shown meaningful growth, as if reacting to her evolution. Perhaps the energy filling my body, resonating with the burst of blessed light, was what made me feel so fired up.
*Is this what it feels like to strive for improvement?*
The desire to train washed over me like a flood.
*Click. Clack!*
Karite returned quickly, towel in hand, and I reached out for it.
"Thanks for the towel."
"Oh, no. Let me wipe you down!"
"You don't have to do that. I'm really fine."
Even as I tried to decline her offer, accepting only the sentiment, Karite was relentless.
*Wipe!*
She took the towel and began drying me off herself.
"I really didn't think this would happen. Haa... I'm sorry. Are you really okay?"
"...It was just a splash of water. It's not like I'm hurt."
Seeing Karite so apologetic up close, I gave in and let her.
*Wipe, wipe!*
As I surrendered to her careful touch, which felt like she was handling something precious.
*Karite is certainly unique.*
Her own trait had just leveled up.
What could be more joyous in the world? And yet, she seemed to have forgotten all about it, completely engrossed in drying me off.
...If it were me, even if I felt sorry, I think I'd be smiling from joy.
*Wipe.*
Then, her hand started moving dangerously lower, and I was shocked.
"...W-wait!"
"Hm? What's wrong?"
"N-no matter what, I'll dry my lower body myself."
As I spoke, I felt an immense sense of danger without even realizing it.
Karite's hand, holding the towel, froze.
Did she even realize where she was about to reach?
*Blush!*
Suddenly meeting my gaze, Karite's face turned beet red, and she quickly shook her head.
"S-sorry. I guess I got ahead of myself without realizing!"
"Drying my upper body was more than enough, thank you."
Seeing how flustered she was, I could tell it wasn't intentional, which put me at ease.
*Is she really that innocent...*
Seeing this side of her, Karite had a pure side that was surprisingly on par with Glacia's.