Chapter 63
Chapter 63
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 63
Chapter Title: Foresight
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I had expected Nameless to be moping around, but seeing him flash a refreshing smile was definitely a good thing.
But….
I wiped the sticky something trickling around my nose with the back of my hand and shot Nameless a glare.
Who in the world smiles like that?
This wasn't my fault for getting fooled—it was Nameless's crime for fooling me.
And besides.
My eyes are red? What the hell does that even mean?
I've never heard such nonsense.
…For real.
I pouted my lips and clenched my fists.
Trembling.
"…Master?"
Nameless stared at my shaking right hand, not bothering to hide his wavering pupils.
Then, slowly, he started backing away, putting distance between us.
"Oh?"
I'd planned to go easy with just a light flick on the forehead.
But trying to run? That calls for an extra dose of punishment.
I leaped toward the top of Nameless's head, putting some real force into a solid conk.
-Bang!
Nameless's eyes spun in circles as he collapsed to the floor.
Exhausted from his duel with Lucius, no doubt, Nameless sprawled out flat on the cold, hard ground and promptly fell asleep.
I crossed my arms at the sight and whipped my head away with a huff.
I had no obligation to look after a naughty disciple who deceived his master.
With a small snort, I turned my steps toward Lucius.
The duel wasn't over yet.
Lucius had asked me for it, and I needed to avenge my disciple too.
…
In the corner of the training grounds.
A bright light seeped from Elia's hand, swirling around Lucius.
I narrowed my eyes and stared at her fingertips.
Hmm, is that magic?
Unlike the unpleasant aura Elia usually exuded, this felt different for sure….
My knowledge here was shallow outside of swords, so I had no way of knowing exactly what that pure white light blooming from her fingertips was.
At best, drawing on hazy memories from a past I could barely recall anymore.
I could only guess it was magic.
Nodding to myself in satisfaction, I kept walking.
Even when I got close enough that they should've noticed me,
Elia and Lucius were so lost in their own world that they didn't spot me.
Well, now.
The two of them holding hands, giggling like lovesick fools.
Look at that honey dripping from Elia's eyes….
I let out a small sigh.
…Meanwhile, I'd just come from thoroughly chewing out my rice-brained disciple.
And they're off in their little bubble.
Ignoring me from a mere three paces away.
Just flirting away.
No, more importantly….
When did those two get so cozy?
As everyone, Nameless included, knew well.
I was incredibly perceptive.
So, when it came to detecting that pink aura, no one could surpass me.
And my read on it was….
They were definitely flirting.
My brow furrowed.
"Ahem. Ahem."
The sight was so nauseating I couldn't help a small cough to announce myself.
"Lady Heaven Cleaver…?"
Elia flinched, her body trembling, then fixed me with a reproachful glare.
Hmm, now I feel a bit guilty for no reason.
But I had business here too….
No need to feel bad.
I smugly curled my lips and nodded.
Having nicely ruined their mood,
I now scanned Lucius up and down to fulfill my purpose here.
Unlike Nameless, whose clothes were torn and who had a bit of blood trickling,
Lucius showed no wounds at all—clearly, he hadn't let Nameless land a single strike.
…Not thrilled about that.
My Nameless must've swung his sword hard, and here he was, spotless.
"Tch."
I clicked my tongue lightly and met Lucius's gaze.
"Lucius, how's your condition?"
He moved a bit to test himself, then nodded affirmatively.
"I'm fine."
"In that case, you're pressed for time too… Shall we start the duel you requested right away?"
I narrowed my eyes at him.
Lucius closed his eyes thoughtfully, bowing his head.
Just as he opened his mouth to reply….
Elia, who'd been listening with a worried look, stepped forward like she was shielding Lucius from me.
"Lady Heaven Cleaver! Lucius needs a moment to rest—"
"Saintess, I'm okay."
But.
Despite her efforts, Lucius approached me with a firm expression.
I watched them, narrowing my brow and pouting.
Good grief, what a drama.
Anyone would think I was sending their lover off to war.
As I watched their ridiculous skit with cold eyes,
Elia suddenly remembered something, her eyes widening as she clapped her hands lightly.
"Oh right, how's Nameless?"
"…"
I averted my gaze from Elia.
…Nameless, huh.
Did she sense something from my reaction?
Lucius approached with a puzzled look.
That worried expression probably meant he thought,
'He's not doing well because of injuries from our duel.'
Straight-laced guys like him think predictably.
"Is Heavenly Nameless… okay?"
"…Yeah, sure."
…He was fine.
Up until I hit him, he'd been moving around with that refreshing smile.
Averting my eyes from Lucius, I glanced back casually.
…No idea now.
Maybe I misjudged my strength—he was still lying on the cold floor.
Hmm, was that a bit much?
I scratched my head.
Well, still!
I'd controlled it enough not to kill him, so he'd be fine.
"Don't worry about Nameless! Tougher than he looks, that one!"
This was true.
He always ended up like that after my conks anyway.
A little time, and
he'd pop right up like nothing happened.
Lucius nodded with a somewhat dazed expression at my answer.
And.
Sorry to Nameless, but right now, the important thing was my duel with Lucius.
"Somehow the talk veered off—shall we get back to the duel?"
Not changing the subject at all.
…
The duel rules were settled surprisingly quickly.
Because Lucius had asked me to go all out.
I nodded to his request, but….
I wouldn't go full power.
The reason he could even make that request was because Saintess Elia was with us….
Even she couldn't revive the dead, she'd said.
That was underestimating me a bit.
If I swung at full strength, a grown Lucius might handle it.
But in his current state? No chance.
And.
Showing my full power to potential future enemies? Amateur move.
He wasn't ignorant enough not to know that.
…
-Lucius
The center of the training grounds.
He frowned slightly at the tiny girl who barely reached his chest.
The duel had already begun.
Yet the girl, Heaven Cleaver, had planted her wooden sword in the ground and rested her chin on her slender arms atop it—a posture that might look dismissive.
But it didn't offend him.
Quite the opposite; he wanted to applaud.
Because that was her true essence in facing him.
…
His eyes bore a special power granted by the goddess when he became the hero.
The ability to transcend space-time and glimpse a brief future.
Commonly known as Foresight.
Of course….
It wasn't invincible.
Being a human imprint of the goddess's space-time power,
he could only see less than a second ahead, and attacks from blind spots he didn't perceive couldn't be blocked.
Still.
In a swordsman-versus-swordsman fight, it was a clear advantage.
No ability offered more merit than previewing the opponent's moves.
He'd used it actively against Heavenly Nameless, winning without a scratch.
…
Finishing his brief thoughts, Lucius frowned slightly.
Heaven Cleaver seemed to have already grasped his ability.
He had no choice but to strike first.
With a small sigh, Lucius adjusted his stance, erupted in golden aura, and lunged at Heaven Cleaver like a shot.
Soon, close enough for his sword to reach her, he slashed horizontally.
But… why wasn't she moving?
Heaven Cleaver stared plainly at the oncoming blade yet showed no reaction.