Sparring Against the Heart Demon
Health Pavilion. True to its name, it was a wing dedicated to treating the injured. But even within the Health Pavilion, there was a small training ground. It had been prepared for those in need of rehabilitation training. A place that was usually empty. Now, after a long time, it was bustling with people.
"Is this really okay?"
"What on earth is Aleck thinking...?"
"Ugh, I... I just trust Master Aleck."
Aleck and Ruslan faced each other atop the small training ground. Everyone watching them shared the same worries. What was Aleck's intention? Was it really safe for Ruslan to spar in his current condition?
Some glanced at Soeri, their eyes pleading, 'Do we really not stop this?'
'Truth be told, I don't exactly know what Aleck is thinking either...' She sent reassuring looks to the trainees staring at her. But in reality, even she couldn't be sure.
A little earlier, when she'd pulled Aleck aside briefly.
'Please trust me just this once. Sparring with Ruslan might cure his heart demon.'
'What...? Sparring? No, that's too dangerous. Ruslan's a patient. He needs more rest...'
'Do you really think so? If we miss this timing, he might never escape the heart demon. You vaguely sense that too, don't you?'
'...!'
Soeri couldn't refute Aleck's words. It was something she'd felt instinctively. This might be the final line for treating Ruslan's heart demon. That's why she'd urgently contacted the Shinseon butterfly clan. And why she'd even tried reaching out to the Amar king centipede clan again.
'Can you... really heal him?'
'I can't guarantee it, but I see potential.'
Aleck's eyes brimmed with conviction as he spoke. Gazing into those shining eyes made Soeri's heart pound, stirring faith she hadn't even known she possessed.
In the end, she'd accepted his proposal. And now, this was the result.
'Did I make the right call?'
Watching the two step onto the training ground filled her with surging anxiety. If Ruslan's condition worsened because of this... She didn't even want to imagine it. Ruslan would face a tragic outcome. And she'd be consumed by guilt for deciding so hastily. Stepping down from her position as pavilion chief would be the least of it.
'Aleck... I trust you.'
The arrow had already been loosed. It was too late to turn back now.
As she and the other trainees harbored a mix of worry and anticipation, the spar began.
Claaang!
Aleck's sword clashed against Ruslan's. Fortunately, thanks to the effects of the omehwan nectar Robed had procured, Ruslan seemed to have regained enough stamina to fight.
'Good.'
Aleck, crossing swords with him, thought so inwardly. If he lacked even the strength to hold his blade, this method would have been impossible.
'That's why now's the perfect time.'
A little longer, and it might have been too late. Aleck grinned and began wielding his sword with flashy precision.
Clang— cla-cla-clang!
In the face of Aleck's merciless strikes, all Ruslan could do was block. It was only natural. Even at full strength, Ruslan would struggle against Aleck's sword now. In his current state, managing a few exchanges was a miracle.
"You're pushing him too hard..."
"Is this okay?"
Watching Ruslan get overwhelmingly pushed back, the trainees voiced their concerns. Only Robed observed calmly, assessing the situation objectively.
'Aleck's only swinging at the limit Ruslan can handle.'
Exactly. Aleck was striking right up to Ruslan's breaking point. It was astonishing. This required perfectly gauging Ruslan's current capacity. If Norton were here, he might have applauded Aleck's skill.
Aleck's swordplay was far too refined for a juvenile trainee.
"Nngh."
A faint groan finally escaped Ruslan as he barely blocked.
"Ah..."
Some let out pitying sighs. But contrary to everyone's worry, Ruslan's mind was clearing.
'Was I too greedy?'
Feeling the clear gap between himself and Aleck, he began realizing he'd been straining to fly before he could even run.
Aleck caught the change in Ruslan faster than anyone.
'As expected of Ruslan. He gets it quick.'
Aleck sighed in relief as Ruslan met the first condition he'd hoped for. Accepting and acknowledging reality—this was arguably the hardest step. It depended entirely on the opponent's insight.
'Reminds me of back then.'
When Aleck had first fallen into a heart demon. Someone had pulled him out: Ios, chieftain of the Riokku clan.
The Riokku were like irregulars among locusts, boasting absurd physical power and destructive force that threatened the four great clans' positions. Naturally, they faced suppression from those clans. Ios was the strongest chieftain the Riokku had ever produced.
'Without Ios, my past self never would have escaped the heart demon.'
His past rapid growth came from the Limit Break trait, but it wasn't enough against the four great chieftains. Impatience had gnawed at his heart, eventually devouring it. He'd sunk into the heart demon, much like Ruslan now.
'Ios's prescription for me.'
Sparring to awaken the mind consumed by the demon.
'I'll apply exactly what I learned from Ios.'
Aleck began mimicking the salvation he'd received.
Thud.
As Aleck focused, his sword's momentum grew heavier.
Claaang—!
Ruslan nearly dropped his sword blocking it. Sweat poured from his brow even more profusely.
"...!"
"Pavilion Chief!"
"Shouldn't we stop this...?"
The trainees fidgeted, looking to Soeri.
"Just a bit longer..."
Soeri twitched as if ready to intervene but decided to watch. Aleck's plea echoed in her mind.
Claaang.
"Urgh."
Ruslan blocked again, groaning more painfully than ever. His sword hand trembled pitifully, his body soaked in cold sweat, clothes drenched.
"Pavilion Chief!"
Begli called out desperately.
'...Yeah, it's too dangerous now. I have to stop it.'
As Soeri bit her lip and stepped forward—
"Wait, look at Ruslan's face."
Robed pointed with her slender finger.
"...!"
Soeri and the trainees' expressions turned strange upon seeing Ruslan's face. Ironically, despite his exhausted body, he wore the most relaxed expression they'd seen today.
Proof everything was unfolding as Aleck intended.
'Perfect!'
Aleck cheered inwardly. He glanced at his sword, Ruslan's sword, then Ruslan's eyes.
'Can you hear me, Ruslan?'
He was infusing his will into his sword, transmitting it to Ruslan. When he'd first thought of this, he wasn't sure if his skill could convey it or if Ruslan could read it. But a strong hunch told him it would work. And it did.
'The impatience and despair I felt. The journey to overcome it and claim victory.'
Emotions that would take all night to describe, compressed into his blade. Clashing swords, he kept sending them to Ruslan. A method different from Ios's—unique to him.
Clang—.
'Wake up, Ruslan.'
Claaang.
'I overcame it too.'
Claaaang—.
'You can do it too.'
Their swords clashed more fiercely. Focus sharpened in Ruslan's once-shaking eyes. The groundwork Aleck wanted was complete. One final puzzle piece left.
'Your current impatience comes from fixating on the immediate. Imagine your future self, fully realized. You'll see how futile this haste is!'
Claaaang—!!
A clearer, louder ring echoed than ever. Ruslan's sword spun through the air, flying backward. Crimson blood droplets scattered from his torn palm.
"...Ah."
A short exclamation escaped Ruslan. Unlike his deadened voice before, it brimmed with vivid vitality.
The trainees and Soeri's eyes widened like saucers at the change.
Thud.
Ruslan's sword embedded in the corner of the training ground, but no one cared. All held their breath, staring at him with round eyes.
"Ha... haha, I... was such a fool."
Ruslan looked haggard, but his eyes overflowed with the old confidence.
"Snapped out of it?"
"Yeah... thanks. Truly."
Exhausted, Ruslan collapsed on the spot. I approached, smiling faintly, and offered my hand.
"You should recover first. Think you can do the team league looking like that?"
"Haha."
Ruslan laughed heartily, grasping my hand. No trace of his former impatience lingered.
"Woooow!"
"Wh-what?! What happened?"
"Ruslan! You okay?"
The trainees rushed over, supporting him while scanning him with bulging eyes. Unbelievable. Heart demons usually left victims half-crippled nine times out of ten. Seeing Ruslan recovered, they shot incredulous looks.
"Whoa, Master Aleck...!"
Their gazes shifted to me. What magic had I worked? They stared with curiosity and awe. Kind's sparkling eyes held near-reverence.
"H-how'd you do it, Master Aleck?!"
Kind blinked rapidly. As I chuckled, pondering my answer—
'Hm?'
...!
I blinked at the sudden golden system message.