It was a long time of humiliation and persecution.
Suddenly, the duel began.
Under the pretext of teaching, I was subjected to endless beatings.
Under the pretext of mental training, I endured all sorts of mockery.
Of course, it was much easier than the training I did with Sirin.
No, to be honest, compared to everything I had done so far, it was so easy that I could say it wasn’t hard at all.
But.
I was annoyed.
Really, super annoyed.
Like, you know, my teeth were grinding together in irritation. I never knew a person could be so ugly and contemptible.
Anyway… for a week, I went through 5 stages.
Finally.
Finally!!
[Don’t make that proud face. This is just the real beginning.]
Huh?
“…What do you mean by ‘the real beginning’? What was everything up till now…?”
[That was just preparation. Now that the ingredients are all gathered, we’re starting to cook.]
“No way…”
[Way.]
Seeing me in despair, Cartia chuckled and slammed Frey to the ground.
[But don’t worry, we won’t have any more duels from now on.]
“R-Really? No more duels?”
[Yeah. The meaning of dueling has disappeared now.]
“Yay…”
[‘Yay’ my foot, now just get your stance right. Focus your mind while being ready to swing your sword at any given moment.]
I nodded and thud—let the Great Sword hang behind me to the right.
[If you’re done, slowly. Steady your breathing. Relax your body. Clear your mind.]
“Phew…”
I relaxed my body and cleared all distractions.
The sounds I heard.
The sensations I felt.
The scents surrounding me.
The energies I sensed.
They all vanished into a blank, empty world.
Only Frey and I remained.
[Now, just like we did last time, try to sense the existence of ‘that.’ But more deeply and clearly this time.]
Following Cartia’s voice in my head, I conjured an unknown existence connected to my soul.
Alive yet not alive.
Existing yet not existing.
Sensed yet not sensed.
A transcendent existence that defied comprehension.
[Now, reach out and draw its power. Just a handful. Only a handful.]
Slowly, I extended my hand toward it.
At that moment.
Do you desire power?
It lies within.
Do you desire wisdom?
It lies within.
Do you desire answers?
It lies within.
Do you desire victory?
It lies within.
Do you desire hope?
It lies within.
Do you desire the Shaman’s salvation?
It lies within.
Do you desire her happy tomorrow?
It lies within.
All that you wish for.
I can give it to you.
An irresistible voice echoed.
An undeniable will surged within me.
An unmistakable intent communicated itself.
So, reach out.
Then you shall touch it.
I thrust my hand forward.
Knock on the door.
Then it will open.
I knocked on the firmly closed door,
its depths trembling at my touch.
Yearn deeply.
Then you shall obtain.
What I most desired.
What became my goal.
What I wanted to achieve by any means necessary.
I—
Longed for Rubia’s.
Past.
Present.
Future.
―――.
[Stop.]
As Cartia’s voice resonated in my mind, I felt a sharp tug—whoosh—at my belly.
My fading consciousness snapped back to reality in an instant.
What remained was.
The horrific memories I had suffered through in the trials.
The faces of my companions dying in my hands during those trials.
And the sticky sensation that burst Rubia’s heart.
[Are you okay?]
“…Yeah.”
[You don’t look okay at all.]
Cartia, squatting in front of me, wiped away the tears and mucus staining my face with a swipe.
[Oh, who would have thought you’d be so pathetic? Tsk. Isn’t it embarrassing to cry after becoming a woman? Stop it.]
“Sniff… I-I wasn’t crying…”
[What a load of crap.]
Perhaps because we were connected, Cartia didn’t look too well either.
Still, with a nonchalant smile, she continued.
[It wasn’t bad. No, it was rather good. But your wish inside was way too intense. I had some expectations, but not to this extent.]
“…Cartia.”
[Yeah.]
“Is it… really real?”
[No.]
“Is it true that if I yearn deeply, it will grant my wishes?”
Cartia, gripping my cheeks tightly, spoke in a deeply serious voice.
[Absolutely. Never. No matter what happens. Even if the world splits in two, it won’t happen. So don’t believe it. Don’t think about it. Don’t recall it. Don’t imagine it. Trust me, think of Rubia, recall your goals, and envision the future that’s to come. That’s enough.]
“Eehhh…”
[Don’t be scared of that jerk. Unless you mess up, he’s just a worthless bastard who can’t do anything to you.]
“Uhhh…”
After staring at me for a while, Cartia suddenly smiled and let go of my face.
[What should we do? Start right away? Or take a little break and continue tomorrow?]
“I-I’d like to start right away. But… that…”
[Want to call Rubia?]
“…Yeeesss. Hehe…”
[You said you’d do it as a surprise.]
“Ugh…”
Cartia was right.
Training had been tough and aggravating, and I missed Rubia so much, but I had held back.
The first reason was like Cartia said; for an unbelievably cool surprise.
The second reason was… I didn’t want to show that I was struggling.
Thus, I resolved firmly.
I would only see Rubia before sleeping and during meals. Aside from that, I would focus solely on training.
That was the plan.
Yet.
I promised myself I wouldn’t call.
But I really wanted to see her.
I wanted to hug Rubia, feel her, smell her, and touch her soft body.
I wanted to quickly wash away the memories cluttering my mind with her touch.
“W-Wouldn’t it be a surprise if I called her now and succeeded all at once…?”
[…Yeah. That would be a surprise. Well, if you’re calling, let’s also include Ser and… what was her name? That bald-headed girl? Let’s call her too. Set up the barrier.]
Cartia nodded with a knowing look, as if she could see right through my little fib.
“Delia. Uhmm… But what if I call everyone and fail…?”
[Then it’ll just be super embarrassing.]
With a snicker—typical villainous laughter—Cartia ruffled my hair.
[But in case it goes wrong, I’ll poke out everyone’s eyes. Then they won’t be able to see anything.]
“Whoa… then, just poke everyone except Rubia, please.”
I also followed Cartia’s lead, grinning evilly as I picked up on her joke.
Cartia, momentarily surprised, then pinched my cheek hard.
[My, my. Can’t just learn to be bad, huh? Okay, just trust this older sister. You little rascal.]
*
Under the big full moon.
A thick barrier was drawn around the vicinity of Cartia.
First was Delia’s barrier.
A wall of deep current extracted from Delia’s soul formed a massive dome.
Second was Ser’s barrier.
The wall created by the Supreme Spirit Karma and all high-ranking spirits formed another dome, surrounding Delia’s barrier.
Third was Rubia’s barrier.
Unlike the always warm divine power, a sharp, hard divine energy formed an incredibly thick wall. Due to its size and density, it enveloped both Delia and Ser’s barriers.
“Is this one actually weaker than last time? It’s for real, right?”
In the center, Delia clung to Hermila with a despairing look.
“Delia. Cartia said to reassure you. It’ll be okay.”
“Hermila, you know that because of that, I couldn’t move for a whole day last time, right? I’ve just recovered and now… If it happens again…”
“It’s going to be fine! First, let’s go sit over there. We don’t want to be a distraction. Noah said he’d show us something amazing, so I’m counting on you!”
“…Hey, Noah. You really… be careful, okay?”
Hermila smiled kindly at me while cheering, and Delia shot me a fierce glare, growling.
Then, after checking the barriers, Ser approached me.
“Are you going to recreate the blow that Lord Cartia showed last time?”
“Umm…”
I wasn’t confident…
I was sure I’d fail…
Even if I did succeed, it would be vastly different from that truly amazing and incredible blow Cartia had shown.
“Yes!”
“Hm, was it not complete? Your expression, voice, mannerisms, exaggerated movements. It clearly looks like a failure.”
“Ugh…”
Ser, who had been looking at me with a blank expression, soon loosened up and started chuckling.
“Still, I’m looking forward to it. Please show me. I believe you can do it, Noah.”
“Huh?”
“What do you mean ‘huh’? I’ve endured shame and cheesiness to encourage you, yet that’s your reaction? Would you prefer I scold you as usual? Noah, are you a masochist who enjoys being insulted?”
Ser’s face twisted dramatically.
It held anger, embarrassment, and a bit of disappointment.
“Uh, no… Ser, you’re acting differently from usual… Uh, I’m sorry. And… t-thank you.”
“…I’ll let it pass this time. Next time, please react a little properly.”
[Your face is super red.]
“Sh- Shut up!”
At Cartia’s comment, Ser’s eyes widened in shock, and with a swift turn, she stomped away.
[That one really does seem like a dork, doesn’t it?]
“…Don’t say that about Ser.”
[Why, because you relate to them?]
“Uh, no…?”
Actually, it felt pretty relatable.
Why could I feel that way when Ser was so composed and sharp?
As I pondered the reason while watching Ser walk away without looking back.
click click
Rubia walked toward me directly.
Hug—she embraced me warmly.
“Ah… Rubia!”
“Sigh… Ha.”
“…Huh?”
Rubia said nothing.
She simply held me, took in my scent multiple times, and fondled my body with her mischievous hands.
Then, pulling away slightly, her lips grazed mine lightly.
“I’ll be right here.”
“Hmm… please hold my hand too.”
Without any questions or answers, I felt the gentle grip of Rubia’s fingers entwined with mine.
Feeling her heart.
I smiled.
*
That day.
Due to the barrier being shattered without a trace, Delia fell unconscious for three days.
The colossal beam of light that broke through Ser’s and Rubia’s barriers briefly became an even brighter light than the sun that illuminated the entire world.
It opened a new sky.
