NOVEL NEXT Chapter 61: Echoes of Ingenuity
Lumina's gaze narrowed slightly, a flicker of exasperation shadowing her delicate features. "Idiot. That's not my desire; it's just a suggestion," she said curtly, turning away with a dismissive wave of her hand. She turned on her heel, walking toward Seraphina, who knelt on the floor with tears staining her cheeks, sniffling like a child caught in mischief.
Nyxander, however, lingered in thought, his lips curling into a barely audible mutter. "Who cares, as long as it means I get to see your face every day."
"Quiet. The spar isn't over yet," Lumina snapped, her voice ringing with authority.
The words seemed to ignite Seraphina instantly. She sprang to her feet, hastily wiping her tears away as if they had never existed. "Haha! I knew it! Big Sister is on my side!" she declared triumphantly, her fists clenched with renewed determination as she glared at Nyxander.
But her jubilation was short-lived. "There's no more sparring today," Lumina said flatly, holding up her right palm in a gesture that silenced Seraphina's momentum mid-charge.
"What? But you just said the fight wasn't over!" Seraphina protested, her tone sharp and accusing, her arms folded and her fists clenching tighter as frustration rippled through her.
Lumina sighed, her tone a mix of amusement and weariness. "What am I going to do with you, you fighting freak? What I meant was, starting tomorrow, both of you will come here every morning to spar. Since he has agreed, it's decided." She gestured toward Nyxander as she spoke, her words leaving no room for argument.
Seraphina fumed silently, her lips pressed into a thin line before she finally relented. "Fine," she muttered through gritted teeth, her eyes blazing with defiance. "I'll make sure you beg for mercy soon enough!" she declared before storming out of the room with a stride so swift it left a lingering unease in the air.
Nyxander and Lumina watched her retreating figure in silence, both sensing an odd tension in her departure. After a moment, Lumina turned toward him, her expression softening. "You don't have to overthink her behavior. I just hope things go smoothly between you two." Her tone was light, but a shadow of concern lingered in her words.
Nyxander's gaze was thoughtful, his fingers brushing his jaw in contemplation. "Actually, I'm not worried about her spirit, it's still fresh and untamed. What worries me is, if she meets an opponent stronger than her, will her fighting spirit remain unbroken?"
Lumina walked past him, her eyes trained on the wooden target ahead as she raised her divine bow. Her voice carried a quiet confidence. "You don't have to worry. If such a day comes, she'll persevere. To her, fighting is just a game."
As she drew the bowstring, a transparent blue arrow materialized, shimmering faintly with ethereal energy. Releasing the string, she sent the arrow soaring through the air, its flight swift and true, striking the bullseye with precision.
Nyxander observed her technique, his eyes darting between the neatly punctured target and Lumina's calm yet focused expression. "I think the real challenge lies in how you're using your bow," he remarked, his tone analytical and measured.
"Hmm?" Lumina turned slightly, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What do you mean by that?"
Nyxander straightened, his scholarly demeanor taking over. "I've been working on a similar technique," he began, his words deliberate. "One where your attack never misses its mark, no matter what. There are three methods I've theorized.
First, ensure the speed of your attack is so fast that your target has no chance to evade. Second, imbue your weapon, or your target, with your energy signature, allowing your strike to follow them wherever they go. Lastly, infuse your weapon with your will, granting it autonomy to seek out and execute your intent until it fulfills your command."
Lumina's eyes widened as his words sank in, her usual composure momentarily shaken. "Imbue a released weapon with my will…" she murmured, the weight of the realization hitting her. Memories she had tried to bury surfaced briefly, and her hand trembled as she wiped away tears forming in her eyes.
"Lumina," Nyxander called softly, stepping closer.
She raised a hand to stop him, her voice steadier now. "It's okay. I know what I need to do," she said, lifting her gaze to meet his. "But how did you come up with these ideas?"
Nyxander hesitated, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Oh, uh… I got them from some comics I used to read," he admitted sheepishly.
"Comics?" Lumina's brows furrowed slightly. "Are those like your family's old records?" Her eyes bore into his with an intensity that felt almost predatory.
"Uh… y-yeah," Nyxander stammered, a bead of sweat rolling down his cheek.
Lumina turned back to her training, her voice calm but tinged with gratitude. "I see. Thank you for sharing that with me."
Nyxander watched her for a moment, his thoughts racing. Did she actually believe that? he wondered before speaking. "It's nothing, especially for my woman," he added with a cheeky grin.
Suddenly, the air shifted. A wave of bloodlust surged from Lumina, suffocating in its intensity. Nyxander froze, his confidence cracking. Did she figure it out?
"Nyx," Lumina called, her tone deceptively sweet.
"Ma'am?" he replied cautiously.
"Will you leave here peacefully on your feet, or in pieces with the aid of my bow?" she asked, her eyes aflame with an unsettling calm.
"Yes, I'll be taking my leave now," Nyxander said hastily, darting out of the room.
As his retreating figure disappeared, Lumina's bloodlust melted away like mist under the morning sun. A small smile tugged at her lips, her expression softening as she returned her attention to the target. "Idiot," she murmured to herself, shaking her head lightly.
Nyxander stepped out of the building, his arms stretching wide as if to shake off the lingering tension. The air carried a faint chill, but the bustling energy of the distant market called to him. "I need to check on those guys," he muttered under his breath, his words almost lost to the faint rustle of the wind. With a steady stride, he moved towards the vibrant market where their first customers had booked their services.
After several turns through narrow pathways, the lively sounds of the market grew louder. Nyxander was halfway to his destination when a carriage approached from his left, its wheels creaking softly against the cobblestones. At first, he paid it no mind, his focus elsewhere, until Seraphina leaped from the far side of the carriage with startling speed.
Her right fist came flying toward his face, but Nyxander, unfazed, caught it effortlessly with his left palm, his posture as relaxed as if he were swatting away a stray leaf.
"I'm going to crush you!" Seraphina growled, her voice fierce and determined, still suspended mid-air like a vengeful bird of prey. Her movements were fluid yet brimming with raw force.
With precise perception, Nyxander's sharp eyes caught her next move before she even executed it. "Mountain God's Crushing Fist: Crumble Mountain Kick!" she roared, twisting her body to swing her left leg inward toward his head.
The air seemed to crackle with energy as she struck, but Nyxander, as calm as a mountain against a storm, intercepted her kick with the back of his right hand. The collision sent a shockwave rippling outward, stirring loose dust and leaves that spiraled briefly in the air.
Unshaken, Nyxander twisted his wrist, gently gripping Seraphina's leg before tossing her forward. The motion was fluid, almost lazy, yet it sent her spinning through the air like a leaf caught in a whirlwind. She landed across from him, her stance wide and steady, her eyes burning with a mixture of frustration and determination.
"Hey, why are you stalking me? If people see this, they'll think I dumped you," Nyxander teased, his voice low and slow, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips.
"You pervert! I won't stop until you leave Big Sister alone!" Seraphina shouted, her voice cutting through the ambient noise of the street and drawing the attention of curious passers-by.
Nyxander's expression remained unchanged, though his eyes glinted mischievously. "You know," he began, his tone tinged with mockery as he raised his hand and gestured lazily up and down in her direction, "sometimes I can't help but think you're jealous of the attention she gives me."
"Keep quiet, you pervert!" she screamed, her voice rising a notch higher as her emotions spilled over. But as the weight of her own outburst dawned on her, she couldn't ignore the crowd that had now turned their curious gazes toward her. A crimson blush crept up her cheeks, her embarrassment palpable as she shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny.
"I'm not done yet!" she declared, her voice laced with defiance. "I'll get back at you soon!" With that, she leaped onto a nearby rooftop, her movements swift and cat-like, striding away with the grace of a prowling predator.
Nyxander's eyes followed her until her figure melted into the distance. He exhaled softly, shaking his head with a mixture of amusement and disbelief. "What a handful," he muttered under his breath before resuming his walk toward the market, his pace unhurried and his mind already shifting to the task ahead.