Bestowal
Bestowal
Elimination was elimination, no matter the match's level.
Hong Yeon-hwa gathered her belongings from the waiting room and slipped into the nearest lounge.
The lounge had everything you could need. She passed the sofa and chairs, grabbed a few snacks, and settled onto a clean bed.
"Did I use too much Azure Sea? It's taking a while to warm him up."
Hong Yeon-hwa tilted her head as she munched on a snack, stroking Lee Ha-yul, who was cradled in her arms.
Lee Ha-yul still had a match left, but there was plenty of break time remaining.
Even after holding him for quite a while, a chill still lingered.
"Doesn't it usually wear off right away?"
"I was mainly channeling cold energy this time. It puts a heavier strain on me than when I only handle water energy."
"Ah, right. You did go at it longer than usual just now. So you're frozen solid again?"
"Yes."
No wonder he felt colder than usual.
Hong Yeon-hwa nodded to herself and hugged Lee Ha-yul closer. He didn't resist, nestling deeper into her embrace instead.
"Mmm..."
Her body flinched at the cool breath reaching deep into her cleavage.
Her body temperature already ran hot from Calamity Flame, so having a chilly body tucked against her made the sensation all the more intense.
'It's cool.'
She wasn't complaining.
The vivid red Winged Garment wrapped snugly around Lee Ha-yul's waist. As she stroked the white hair buried against her chest, an adorable face peeked out.
His expression was still rigid and aloof, probably from the lingering influence of the Azure Sea. Even the cheek she lightly squeezed still held a chill.
'Now that I look at him like this, he kind of has a cat face again.'
Normally he was undeniably a puppy type. But with a slight shift in aura, he'd turned into a demure little cat.
The secret of this face was something she'd never quite figure out.
"Like it?"
"Yes, it's warm... I like it. Mm."
His personality was still the same, though.
As she kneaded his cheek, he closed his eyes and savored it. Was this what a cat-dog acting aloof but secretly affectionate was like?
"Mm..."
Hong Yeon-hwa kneaded the softness of his cheek and admired Lee Ha-yul's face as warmth gradually returned and his expression grew rich with emotion.
This was why watching him train in the Azure Sea was genuinely enjoyable.
The sight of this cat-dog melting under her touch always stirred a deep, resonant feeling in her chest.
- Ding!
Her smartwatch sounded an alert. After checking the message, Hong Yeon-hwa looked down at her arms. Her crimson eyes clouded momentarily with thought.
'Hmm... holding him in my arms might be a bit much after all?'
The red Winged Garment lifted Lee Ha-yul. His eyes, which had been comfortably basking in her warmth, blinked open.
"Just sit next to me for a moment."
- Smooch
Hong Yeon-hwa smiled brightly, planted a kiss on Lee Ha-yul's cheek, and sat him right beside her.
Then, as she wrapped an arm around his waist, his blinking gray eyes relaxed back into drowsy contentment.
- Whirr
The lounge door opened.
"......"
Choi Ji-yeon, who had entered, blinked at the sight of the two clinging to each other.
"You're here?"
"Yeah, I'm here... ...You're here?"
Choi Ji-yeon's reflexive reply ground to a halt. A question flickered across her subtle expression, then quickly shifted into shock.
Choi Ji-yeon stumbled back a few steps.
"My daughter... speaking so politely...?"
"Oh, mo...! Get a grip! I was never that bad, even in the old days!"
Hong Yeon-hwa, who had been gauging Lee Ha-yul's reaction, yelled back sharply.
.
.
.
"...Anyway. He's helping me cool off from the Azure Sea right now. So that's why we're holding each other like this."
Hong Yeon-hwa, seated on the sofa, shrugged as she spoke. Choi Ji-yeon tilted her head.
"But doesn't his body return to normal on its own?"
"We weren't really injured. Plus Ha-yul still has a match left. So it wasn't going back."
"I see... But son-in-law, can't you melt it with your own Calamity Flame?"
"That works too, but he says he likes this better."
"Ah."
Well, if he liked it, there was no helping... it. Choi Ji-yeon, having more or less accepted the situation, looked at Hong Yeon-hwa.
The gaze Hong Yeon-hwa cast down at Lee Ha-yul as she said that was incredibly, impossibly warm.
At this expression she still couldn't get used to, Choi Ji-yeon's eyes grew strange.
"...Ahem. It's been a while. Son-in-law?"
[Yes, it's been a while. Mrs. Choi Ji-yeon...]
Choi Ji-yeon's gaze landed on Lee Ha-yul.
He was supposedly bearing the strain of the Azure Sea, yet his emotions were vividly readable.
His posture was relaxed, waist wrapped in Hong Yeon-hwa's arm, his expression comfortable—and yet, with a hint of tension, he bowed his head politely.
Choi Ji-yeon laughed softly and waved her hand.
"You don't have to call me so stiffly. Feel free to just say Mother-in-law."
[Ah, uh... Y-Yes, yes... th-that... Mo...ther-in-law...]
Embarrassment bled blatantly through his hesitant voice. The term clearly wasn't familiar to him yet.
'It's not... familiar to me either.'
She'd casually tossed around "son-in-law, son-in-law" in her head, but she hadn't expected to actually have one.
Who could have predicted that Hong Yeon-hwa, of all people, would reel in such a capable and lovely child? Even if they brought the Progenitor back, he'd probably collapse in shock.
'Maybe because he's got too many abilities, he seems to have a lot of women too...'
Well, that was something for the people involved to handle. Partly for the sake of the awkward Lee Ha-yul, she turned her gaze back to Hong Yeon-hwa.
"Ahem. I watched the match. Your skill with Calamity Flame is unrecognizable, you know?"
"That's thanks to Ha-yul too. Getting help from him regularly has improved things like crazy. The side effects have gone way down, too."
"That's wonderful news."
"Yeah. And now I can handle it way better. Thanks to this."
Letting out a small sound of admiration, Hong Yeon-hwa moved the Winged Garment instead of her hand. Behind her, the red, semi-transparent garment fluttered gently.
Choi Ji-yeon, who had been glancing at it, nodded.
"So that's the armament our son-in-law made for you?"
"Yup. It's seriously insane. It stores Calamity Flame, adjusts output, assists with manipulation, reduces side effects... it's... it's..."
"Well. Does it possess the full functionality of the Beacon Fire Sword?"
A weighty voice interjected.
It was Hwa Byeok-un, arms crossed and staring intently at the red Winged Garment. His ordinarily gruff eyes gleamed with unusual brightness.
Hong Yeon-hwa cocked her head.
"Come to think of it, Grandfather, you came too? What brings you out of your place?"
"What else would an old man come out for, if not to see his son-in-law's work?"
"His work? Oh."
Hong Yeon-hwa, who had tilted her head in confusion, looked back at her own Winged Garment.
"May I examine it?"
"Yes, of course... Ha-yul, it's okay to show him, right?"
Hong Yeon-hwa, who'd been about to hand it over without a second thought, paused and looked down at Lee Ha-yul. He nodded.
"Yes, of course. I had actually hoped you'd take a look."
"...Your voice is quite lovely, isn't it?"
[Ah, th-thank you...]
Choi Ji-yeon, who had been quietly watching the situation, suddenly blinked.
The voice that reached her ears was nothing short of intense. Clear as a musical instrument, pure as a skylark's warble.
Lee Ha-yul, unexpectedly praised in such a regard, ducked his head deeply.
"Hm."
Meanwhile, Hwa Byeok-un observed Hong Yeon-hwa's actions with interest.
When Hong Yeon-hwa extended her hand, the winged garment, which had branched into numerous strands, gathered back together.
Entangling and adhering to itself, the garment elongated. Soon, what she held in her hand was a crimson sword.
The part that drew the eye most was, unsurprisingly, the blade itself. A design where the color embodying flame spread like a gradient.
It was similar to the Beacon Fire Sword.
"Here."
Hwa Byeok-un accepted the sword and held it. Before inspecting it in earnest, his gaze fell upon Lee Ha-yul's waist.
"You've left a portion wrapped around your waist?"
"Yes. It can differentiate, or rather, it's detachable. Ha-yul can manage it, but I can't do it quite as finely."
"Shape-shifting and remote manipulation. It houses quite the complex functions."
Having resolved his question, Hwa Byeok-un looked down at the sword.
His eyes grew solemn. The skills he had honed over a lifetime were projected into his gaze, analyzing the sword.
"Huh..."
Admiration spilled from him in an instant.
This wasn't merely within the domain of metalsmithing.
Broader and deeper techniques were concentrated within it. It was closer to an art piece where they were precisely positioned and balanced.
Just like the Beacon Fire Sword...
"It surpasses the Beacon Fire Sword."
Hwa Byeok-un grinned.
At that reaction, Choi Ji-yeon swallowed her surprise.
It was the first time in her life she'd seen the old man, usually more taciturn than the iron he worked, smile like that.
She also hadn't expected that master craftsman to personally admit it was better than the Beacon Fire Sword.
"A work of this caliber is beyond my ability to create. I thought you had potential back then too, but my eye was mistaken. Child, you, too, are better than me."
[Please don't say that. This is a custom product, you see... My artifact was used as a material for it.]
"And what of it? The Beacon Fire Sword is a piece into which 3rd-Rank fire-attribute mana crystals and top-grade gems were poured wholesale."
Chuckling, Hwa Byeok-un placed the sword on the table.
"More than that, another remark piques my interest. A custom product, you say? Does that mean there exists a piece of lesser completion than this?"
[Yes, I also designed a standard model that doesn't use an artifact as material... I intended to design it as a gift, and I would be grateful if you could look it over.]
Lee Ha-yul rummaged through his subspace and handed over a thick book. Hwa Byeok-un's face lit up as he opened it.
"Hmm... Hm? You placed the framework with transmutation. Intentionally loosening the axis for its sake... Ho, this part is identical to the Beacon Fire Sword."
He examined the book only briefly, but it was enough to form an assessment. Hwa Byeok-un raised his gaze and spoke with a smile.
"This, too, rivals the Beacon Fire Sword. It would fall short in terms of durability, but regarding autonomy, it's superior."
"Is that really true?"
"It is. However, that is not the only surprising point."
Hwa Byeok-un looked at the sword woven from the winged garment and chuckled.
"This armament will likely be usable alongside the Beacon Fire Sword."
"...Alongside the Beacon Fire Sword?"
Hong Yeon-hwa and Choi Ji-yeon blinked at Hwa Byeok-un's statement. They pondered it for a moment before their eyes widened as they realized the implication of his words.
"You designed this with that intent."
[Yes... Since the Calamity Flame Family already possesses the Beacon Fire Sword. Rather than using only one, I thought it would be better to use both...]
"Heh, a natural conclusion. Child, do you already know how to make the Beacon Fire Sword?"
Hwa Byeok-un asked as if it were no big deal. Lee Ha-yul's shoulders, held stiffly straight, flinched.
[Ah... That is... Actually, when I held the Progenitor's Beacon Fire Sword... the blueprint came into my head.]
"Huh? Wh-when did this happen?"
At this new information, Choi Ji-yeon's eyes flew open.
The Beacon Fire Sword was the sword wielded by the Progenitor, a symbolic sword held by successive clan heads, and also the ultimate armament specialized for a Calamity Flame Manifestor.
It was a sword whose creation required strict oversight... yet the blueprint of the clan's highest secret had been transferred?
Of course, since the recipient was Lee Ha-yul, it was fine... but if it had fallen into the wrong hands and been disseminated...
Having imagined the worst-case scenario, Choi Ji-yeon paled.
The complexion of Lee Ha-yul, having observed her, also turned white.
[Ah... I apologize for not telling you beforehand... I thought saying so on the spot wouldn't be credible... I'm truly sorry.]
"Ah, yes. Of course. I'm not trying to interrogate my son-in-law, either..."
"Hey Mom! Why are you picking on my kid? Huh? He might've been scared to speak up!"
"Why are you making your mother out to be trash like that?"
[Please don't fight...]
The mother and daughter bickered back and forth, and Lee Ha-yul, caught in the middle, frantically tried to stop the squabble, completely at a loss.
"Anyway, with skill like this, you should be able to forge the Beacon Fire Sword on your own. It seems the Beacon Fire Sword won't hold such great value anymore."
Meanwhile, Hwa Byeok-un, having thoroughly examined the book, suddenly said that and looked to the side.
Choi Ji-yeon's shoulders slumped under his gaze.
"Sigh, I should have just skipped the brief ceremony too."
"Ceremony?"
When Hong Yeon-hwa tilted her head, Choi Ji-yeon shrugged and placed the wooden case she had set beside the sofa onto the table.
[...That is.]
The wooden case was fundamentally layered with anti-theft and security magic. It wasn't enough to block his observation, so Lee Ha-yul tilted his head.
"The Calamity Flame Family is not a place ruled by empty formalities. Tradition is important, but if we lose sight of practical benefit while buried in it, then what meaning does tradition hold?"
Shaking her head, Choi Ji-yeon placed her hand on the wooden case.
"Choi Ji-yeon, current Chief Administrator of the Calamity Flame Family, speaks on behalf of the current Clan Head. To the benefactor who granted our clan great profit and practical benefit, to the blood relative who has manifested an extraordinary Calamity Flame, and also... to the grateful son-in-law who properly corrected my daughter's temperament."
"That last part sounds weird."
"It is a gift and a bribe. I should have presented it sooner, but it was delayed due to many matters."
Choi Ji-yeon shook her head and opened the wooden case. In an instant, the ceiling was dyed red.
"Huh?"
Hong Yeon-hwa's mouth fell open. Her crimson eyes, looking down at the wooden case, blinked vacantly.
"...Why is this here?"
Luxurious red cloth filled the interior of the wooden case. Placed upon it was a single sword.
It was the Progenitor's Beacon Fire Sword, which had been in the safekeeping of the Calamity Flame Family.
* * *
The 122nd Siyoram Midterm Evaluation Tournament, Second Year Division.
The cadets who reached the finals were Baek A-rin and Lee Ha-yul.
The same matchup as last year's tournament.
However, the balance of power between the two had since reversed, and the external assessment was the same.
Lee Ha-yul was no longer like an unscratched lottery ticket.
The prize had already been won, and he was like a dragon soaring through the sky, as if mocking previous evaluations.
Thus, the arena was naturally filled to capacity. Not only the seats, but the stands were packed with people standing to watch.
The same went for the broadcast.
The gazes directed from both inside and outside Siyoram were countless.
"Die! You playboy!"
Baek A-rin, having entered the arena, thrust her spear with a playful shout.