The Calm Before the Storm (5K)

"It's about... what happened today."

Rose blushed and slightly averted her gaze, but did not reject Mahiro's advances, and instead advised him:

"Teacher, please leave me alone. Forget about Rose, just leave me here and let me fend for myself..."

Rose's voice trembled slightly as she spoke.

A faint smile slowly crept onto her face, making it look almost like she was crying, and so desolate.

"Why?"

He asked Mahiro.

"Because..."

Because there's simply no cure for Demonic Possession illnesses...

Rose was well aware of this.

After their parting in the Holy Land, she consulted numerous historical books, which recorded the symptoms of [Demonic Possession].

First, black spots appear, then gradually spread, and begin to rot.

Eventually, they will die a painful death from decay, or turn into a writhing lump of rotten flesh as the black spots spread.

Is she afraid of death?

Of course, I'm afraid. No one is unafraid of death, especially when death is imminent.

But more than her own death, she was terrified of being seen by her teacher in such an ugly state.

At the very least, if you're going to die, you should die at the most beautiful moment...

"It's curable."

"Ah... Teacher, what are you saying?"

"I mean, [Demonic Possession] can be cured."

Mahiro through Rose's thoughts and said with certainty.

But Rose didn't believe it at all.

"Teacher, you don't need to comfort me. I know very well that there's no cure for [Demonic Possession] when it manifests..."

"You saw it in a book, right?"

Mahiro suddenly interrupted, "Then I'll teach you another lesson today: not everything in the books is necessarily correct."

But before that, I want to ask you a question--

"Young lady, do you crave power?"

"Strength...?"

"That's right, do you crave power? Power that can change the status quo, power that allows you to wield the blade of vengeance against Duke Doem and even the cult behind him, but the price is that you will lose everything, including your name."

Or do you want to let it all end here and let it continue as it is?"

"I..."

Rose hesitated at first, but when she heard that she could take revenge on Duke Doem, she clenched her fists tightly.

Despite the pain in her body, her gaze remained resolute.

"Teacher, if you can grant me power, I will accept any price, as long as it can change everything!"

She wanted to do something, no matter what.

Even now, she still thinks so.

We absolutely cannot stand by and watch that scumbag Duke Doem and the Order continue to run rampant!

Whether for his father or for the Oriana Kingdom!

"Good answer. Then accept whatever comes next."

As he spoke, Mahiro gathered pure white magic power in his palm and slowly poured it into Rose's body.

"So warm..."

I felt that warm energy flowing through my body, like being immersed in warm water, or being embraced and cared for.

The previously chaotic magic gradually calmed down and subsided.

The magic that once felt somewhat heavy and difficult to manipulate now moves lightly and freely, gradually filling itself up.

Rose couldn't help but let out a soft moan.

Moreover, the pure white magical light it emitted was gradually increasing, dispelling the darkness in the sewers and illuminating everything around it as if it were daytime.

The high concentration of magic shook the surrounding air.

The wound on her back, too, had begun to heal slowly under the influence of magic.

"Teacher, if I possess that power, can I change the future...?"

"Of course, everything will be as you wish, but it all depends on how you use it."

"I understand, thank you, teacher."

Rose was completely captivated by the pure white magic before her.

If only I could be as strong as Yotsuba Clan -sensei--

Everything will surely change.

If she possessed power... she would be able to do what she was supposed to do as a princess of the Oriana Kingdom.

A renewed spark of energy and fierce fighting spirit ignited in Rose's eyes.

Only...

"I never imagined that I would still need your help, teacher..."

"What are you saying? You're my most beloved student. Isn't it a teacher's duty to help their students? Besides, I told you from the beginning that you could come to me anytime and I would help you."

Yes...

It was all because of my stubbornness.

Perhaps, simply immersing oneself in the teacher's influence is a good choice.

For no reason at all, this thought popped into her mind.

Although it was fleeting, it was still clearly captured by her consciousness.

However, this warm feeling came and went quickly. Before he knew it, Mahiro had withdrawn his hand and dissipated the magic.

The warm sensation still lingered inside Rose's body, and for some reason, a blush crept onto her face.

Even the clothes she was wearing had been restored to their original state at some point.

"Alright, try out your new power."

That's what Mahiro said.

Immediately afterwards, a flurry of footsteps could be heard coming from the other end of the sewer.

They are the cult's pursuers!

The sound of pursuers' footsteps approached, and the surrounding air vibrated.

"Teacher, I will definitely not let you down."

Rose, now resurrected, slowly stood up and drew the rapier from her waist. She clearly felt a powerful magic she had never possessed before surging and swirling within her body.

If one possesses this power...

"I absolutely will not lose!"

Swish--

The sword flashed by like a thunderbolt.

The pursuers had barely shown their faces when they were all killed before they could even react, leaving behind a scene of blood splattering everywhere.

They were swiftly killed before they even noticed Rose's rapier.

Floating slowly in the flowing water were the severed limbs of the pursuers, along with the expressions of terror on their faces.

Rose closed her eyes to clear her mind, flicked the blood off the rapier, and slowly sheathed it.

Then she turned around and smiled brightly.

"Thank you, teacher. I will certainly not let you down. However, please wait until Rose has finished what she needs to do before returning to you to pay the price for obtaining this power."

Mahiro smiled and waved his hand.

"Go. As long as you can successfully avenge yourself, that will be the best reward for me."

Who wouldn't want to witness a magnificent revenge spectacle?

This also provides an opportunity to expose those scumbags in the cult!

Chapter 225 The Calm Before the Storm (5K)

For Rose, Mahiro's existence was like a ray of light illuminating endless darkness.

When I was a child, I was saved because of him.

At that time, Rose, as the princess of the art kingdom of Oriana, naturally possessed extremely high talent in all kinds of art.

Whether in painting, music, theatrical performance, costume design, sculpture, or anything else, Rose has achieved considerable success and enjoys a very high reputation.

It can be said that the path she chooses to take in the future is of great interest to the artists of the Kingdom of Oriana.

But Rose gave up all of that and chose the path of wielding a sword.

That beautiful figure standing under the full moon, as if grasping a sliver of moonlight, became an unforgettable memory for her, and also the goal she hoped to emulate.

Her beautiful figure was in no way inferior to any other art form.

In just two years, her outstanding talent enabled her to achieve considerable success in swordsmanship.

However, in the Kingdom of Oriana, wielding a sword was considered a barbaric act and was despised by the people.

No one is willing to acknowledge that swordsmanship is also an art.

Ignoring her family's advice, Rose went to study at the Midgar Magic Swordsman Academy on her own.

To make her swordsmanship exhibit such beauty was the art Rose decided to dedicate her life to perfecting.

The art she yearned for received no recognition from anyone in the Oriana Kingdom.

But she didn't care.

Rose's pursuit of ultimate beauty wasn't driven by a desire for validation from others.

Even if she doesn't get anyone's approval, she will insist on walking her own path—that's the decision she made.

But unexpectedly, when I finally arrived at the place I had imagined, I received his help again.

The adult who saved him as a child, leaving an indelible impression, is now helping him again, granting him the power of revenge...

How should I repay him?

Taking advantage of the lively atmosphere of the "Bushin Festival," Rose secretly slipped back to her dormitory. As she stood under the shower washing her delicate body, she couldn't help but think this.

Even though the warm water flowing down her skin could wash away the bloodstains, it couldn't wash away the lingering confusion in her heart...

Nothing more was said that night.

The next day.

Mahiro to sleep in, something I hadn't done in a long time.

Because he has already advanced to the finals, he doesn't have a match in the morning, but Claire does have one.

But he felt there was no need to go see it.

With Claire's current strength, participating in the "Bushin Festival" would be nothing more than a stomp on weaker opponents, and there's not much to see.

When the finals come, I'll just show my face, admit defeat, and hand the championship to Claire.