Flames and Divine Grace
Serena intensified the flames even further. She intended to contain Clarice Levatein's power within the restaurant, preventing it from spreading outside. As she took these measures, Serena asked Yeonhui,
“How do you calm a rampaging spirit?”
“...In cases like this, you usually have to wait for the spirit's power to run out, or deal with the contractor.”
“We can't kill Clarice Levatein. So does that mean we just have to hold out until then? That's...”
Serena faltered slightly. They were managing for now, but if it turned into a battle of endurance, there was no guarantee they could outlast a spirit that had fully rampaged within Clarice. Especially since her specialty, Useon, had no effect on spirits. They'd have to clash head-on with the spirit's power, and it was uncertain if they could hold out to the end.
“Or else you'd need a rather special power...”
“A special power?”
Yeonhui seemed to hesitate at Serena's question. Not knowing what she was pondering, Serena looked at her curiously.
“...Junior Serena.”
“Yes?”
“Could you clear a path for me? If that's possible?”
“It's not impossible... but what do you plan to do?”
Yeonhui spoke with a voice full of resolve, as if she'd made up her mind.
“Then I'll bring Junior Clarice back to normal.”
“Pardon? How...?”
“Just trust me.”
Serena was a bit taken aback by Yeonhui's words, but she instinctively sensed they weren't empty promises.
“...All right.”
Serena nodded. Whoosh!! The flames she summoned burned more fiercely, tinged with blue. Her red eyes began to blaze like azure flames.
Spirit Manifestation.
Part of the flames gathered around Serena. Yeonhui was slightly startled at the sight.
Junior Serena can perform Spirit Manifestation...?
Spirit Manifestation required considerable Spirit Affinity, which was surprising given the dragon blood flowing through Serena's veins. Ordinary dragons were treated as a kind of spirit themselves, so their Spirit Affinity was low, preventing contracts with other spirits.
“Ifrit.”
A massive fire spirit then appeared beside Serena. Its enormous, fur-covered body, goat-like head, and vast wings were all engulfed in blue flames. Yeonhui's eyes widened at the sight.
An Archspirit...!
The overwhelming aura it exuded just by existing marked it as no ordinary spirit, but a mighty Archspirit. Yeonhui barely suppressed a wry chuckle. Inheriting dragon blood yet chosen by an Archspirit—what kind of person was she?
...A truly blessed talent.
Serena, having summoned the Archspirit, said to Yeonhui,
“I'll make a path for you.”
Serena extended her hand.
“Create.”
『Kano (κάνω)』
A greatsword materialized through the Useon. As Serena gripped the hilt, blue flames enveloped the blade—far more intense than what she'd shown in the class exam or martial tournament.
“Ifrit.”
At Serena's call, the Archspirit Ifrit unfurled its hand and, just like her, grasped a massive flaming sword. It raised the enormous blade in unison with Serena, then swung down together.
「Clear Solace (Claíomh Solais)」
Boom─────────!!
The flaming sword incinerated Clarice's rampaging lava, clearing a path. Serena let out a weary sigh, looking somewhat fatigued.
“Senior, hurry...”
“Thank you, Junior Serena!”
Yeonhui dashed through the gap. The surrounding heat was immense, but she wrapped herself in holy power to endure it.
As Yeonhui approached, the spirit possessing Clarice's body lashed out to drive her away, rampaging even more fiercely.
“Aaaargh!!!”
The rampaging spirit bellowed in Clarice's voice and unleashed its power once more. Scorching magma erupted everywhere, but Yeonhui didn't retreat.
“It's a chance you all created for me.”
A pure white holy light gleamed from Yeonhui's fingertips.
“I can't back down now.”
She thrust her hand toward the erupting magma. Astonishingly, the searing magma parted around her hand without burning it—like a miracle.
Her hand, cloaked in strange and mystical power, sliced through the rampaging spirit's energy and touched Clarice's body.
“It must have been painful.”
Clarice flinched at Yeonhui's gentle whisper.
“I'll make it better, so calm down.”
No, it wasn't Clarice Levatein reacting—it was the spirit possessing her body.
“I'll heal you right away.”
It had sensed the vast holiness emanating from Yeonhui. Confirming the spirit didn't resist, Yeonhui unleashed her special power. The blessing granted only to her as a Transmigrator.
The power of the “god” manifested from 「Divine Blessing」 enveloped Clarice Levatein's entire body in a warm embrace.
Whoosh!!
Serena, watching this, was stunned, her eyes wide.
“That's...”
She could tell it wasn't some spirit arts technique. Serena recalled how Seong Hyun-jin had left during the martial tournament, returned fully healed, and how Yeonhui—the commentator—had briefly stepped away at the same time.
“...The Saintess.”
Before enrolling, Serena had thoroughly researched the world's top two academies to decide her destination. She knew of the figure called the “Saintess” at Celestial Academy. It wasn't just because of her spirit arts prowess; it was a moniker for wielding true divine power.
The holy power extending from Yeonhui's hand instantly soothed the rampaging spirit.
“Ugh...?”
As the spirit's rampage subsided, control of Clarice's body naturally returned to her.
“Are you all right, Junior Clarice?”
“What... what just happened...?”
Yeonhui said to the dazed Clarice,
“Don't move. The spirit used your body recklessly, so you're probably not fully recovered. You need plenty of rest.”
She quickly supported Clarice. Then she looked to Serena.
“Junior Serena, could you help a bit? I'm a little small to manage alone...”
Serena nodded and approached, helping to support Clarice as she said,
“So you're the Saintess of Celestial Academy, Senior Yeonhui.”
“Ah... you knew?”
“Anyone who looks into Celestial Academy even a little would find out.”
Yeonhui smiled faintly at Serena's response. Then she made a request.
“If it's all right, could you keep it a secret here?”
“Why hide it?”
“I don't want to be in a burdensome position at Terastial Academy either.”
Serena could somewhat empathize with Yeonhui's words. Outstanding individuals always faced heavy expectations and scrutiny—something Serena hated most. Seeing that Yeonhui shared a bit of that worry made her feel a pang of sympathy as she gazed at her.
Misreading Serena's look, Yeonhui asked,
“Junior Hyun-jin promised to keep it secret too, but will you not?”
“...No reason I wouldn't.”
Serena replied,
“I understand that feeling.”
“Really?”
Yeonhui looked relieved.
“Thanks to you juniors, I can keep living comfortably a bit longer.”
“More worrying is whether Seong Hyun-jin is okay. Even if Senior Siela went after him...”
“He'll be fine.”
“Pardon?”
Serena was puzzled by Yeonhui's certainty, but Yeonhui continued,
“As you know, Junior Hyun-jin is strong. Stronger than you might think.”
“True, but his opponent is an instructor... He must be tense, at least.”
“Not against our hometown folks.”
“What do you mean?”
Yeonhui chuckled lightly.
“Turns out Junior Hyun-jin's from the same hometown as me in his previous life. People from our hometown always try to beat their teachers as a matter of course—no tension at all.”
“...?”
Serena stared as if to say such a place exists?, but Yeonhui just smiled easily.
# Siela arrived at the alley Seong Hyun-jin had headed toward, a bit late. Having lost track of Willis and Seong Hyun-jin midway, she'd wandered for a while before hearing the clash of blades and finding the right path.
“Ow, I'm no good at running...!”
Out of breath from the sprint, Siela caught her breath and looked ahead.
“Huh? Junior?”
“...You're a little late, Senior Siela.”
By the time Siela arrived, Seong Hyun-jin looked perfectly calm, as if the situation were already resolved. Blood dripped from the sword in his hand, contrasting his serene expression, but he seemed unbothered.
The stark disconnect left Siela flustered as she asked,
“Wh-what happened? Where's Willis Graham...?”
“Over there.”
Seong Hyun-jin indifferently pointed to the alley wall. Siela jumped in shock at the sight.
“...!”
“It's gruesome, I know... You okay, Senior?”
What Siela saw was unmistakably Willis Graham. His upper body was severed from the waist down, embedded in the wall, dead amid a pool of blood. His broken sword lay discarded nearby.
Siela steadied her pounding heart and asked Seong Hyun-jin,
“D-did you kill him?”
“Yes.”
“Wh-why...?”
“I was nearly killed.”
Seong Hyun-jin showed her his arm. The wound from their first clash with Willis remained. No—in the exchanges after, swinging his sword had torn it open wider. Red blood dripped from the split uniform.
“I wanted to capture him alive and hold him accountable properly.”
The Empire was surely behind him, and they might have learned his exact purpose infiltrating the academy. But there'd been no leeway. Or rather, no control over his power.
Was it inexperience? Seeing the man swing his sword had instinctively driven him to strike with full force.
“He came at me with clear intent to kill. I had no choice.”
Siela understood Willis's fate on a rational level from Seong Hyun-jin's explanation. Her shock lingered, though. Still, she swallowed dryly and asked,
“...Are you okay, Junior?”
“Pardon?”
“You killed a person. You sure you're fine...?”
“Oh.”
Seong Hyun-jin scratched his head. Only then did the realization hit him, and he said,
“You're right. It felt no different from butchering wild beasts, so I didn't even think about it.”
“...You can think of it that simply?”
“Yeah.”
Seong Hyun-jin sounded surprised at himself.
“Guess it's because I nearly died.”
Siela stared at him for a moment, then nodded.
“...I get it. When your life's on the line, nothing else registers.”
She added,
“Still, good thing it's not you lying there.”
“What would you have done if it were?”
“...No prophecy like that.”
After a brief hesitation, Siela denied it and pointed to his injured arm.
“Anyway, get that treated first. It'll be dangerous if it opens more.”
“Yeah, suppose I should.”
Seong Hyun-jin nodded and asked Siela,
“Can you handle the cleanup?”
“I called ahead before coming, so city police will be here soon. Leave it to them and go get healed.”
“Thanks.”
Seong Hyun-jin left the cleanup to Siela and exited the alley. Once away and alone, he quietly leaned against a wall.
“...Killing a person does feel different, for sure.”
His fingertips trembled faintly. Yet at the same time, the thrill of defeating a strong foe surged within him. It was a confusing sensation. He didn't enjoy killing people—it was undoubtedly painful—but his competitive spirit against the strong remained, bringing a twisted pleasure.
I'm not right in the head.
When had his own heart become so hard to understand? Surely... since contracting the spirit?
Seong Hyun-jin stared at his hand and let out a hollow chuckle.
“...I don't know if I should like this feeling or hate it, Master.”