Bloomed to Wither

Chapter 8

—–CROW—– 

“…Go ahead.”

The attack came as soon as Soram finished speaking.

In the blink of an eye, Aura flashed and dissipated multiple times. The floor vibrated faintly from the constant impact.

Soram grinned, baring his teeth.

He felt he was using too much force against a rookie, but the moment of confronting a suitably strong opponent and reaffirming his position was always exhilarating.

He pushed Kata back, dominating the wide space.

However, even before his ferocious Aura, her green eyes never lost their composure.

‘…I don’t like this.’

*Slash!* A cut appeared near Kata’s jaw.

The moment the blood scattered in the air, Soram swung his sword down forcefully, clashing with hers.

“…….”

Unfortunately, her expression wasn’t clearly visible beyond the blazing green light.  Her round shoulders rose and fell rapidly, as if she was out of breath.

Soram wore a cheerful expression as he pressed down on her wavering sword with his overwhelming Aura.

“I admit it, Catarina Donovan. You’re definitely top-tier among First Awakened.”

“…….”

“But there are plenty of strong individuals in the world who are superior to you.  You need to learn humility.”

His bright Aura gradually overwhelmed Kata.  Her face, beaded with sweat, was stiff.

‘I’ve seen enough of her skills, should I finish this?’

Soram drew out his mana with a bit of force.

The next moment, a brutal wave of light engulfed Kata.

***

Kata was naturally simple.

She forgot easily and laughed easily. Even after crying her heart out, a piece of sweet and delicious pie would make her feel like she had the world.

“The child has no sense of decorum.  It’s a big problem, even if she’s young.”

The strict Countess didn’t approve of her daughter’s temperament, but unfortunately, Kata was someone who quickly forgot even harsh scoldings.

On the other hand, her brother, Terion, two years younger, was always deep in thought.  He became depressed at even a slight reprimand from their mother, and he was quick to become sharp when things didn’t go his way.

Terion hated losing.  He would sulk whenever he lost a spar against Kata.

“You’re an idiot who only knows about swords and food!”

Young Kata thought it was because Terion was soft.

Terion’s arms, legs, and even his cheeks were softer than hers. He would get angry and hurt easily, even from a small impact.

Kata found Terion, her five-years-younger brother Timosia, and her youngest sibling Elissa cute and endearing.

They were the people she loved, the people she would gladly protect.

But in Imperial Year 874.

“Miss, My Lady…”

Her mother, whom she thought was the strongest in the world, died.  Along with her youngest sibling, the most adorable in the world.

After the funeral, Terion became less talkative, and Timosia’s face remained innocent.

And Kata began to have long nightmares.

***

Kata took a deep breath.

As expected, Soram was strong. Her shoulders ached as if they were about to pop out, and her wrists were at their limit.

“That’s really unfortunate.”

He had said that, but Kata didn’t really regret her missed Second Awakening.

She didn’t mind the gossip surrounding her downfall.

It was her younger siblings who were actually frustrated.

Terion, in particular, became incredibly angry whenever he heard anyone belittle Kata’s skills.

“Those bastards with no discerning eye, how dare they…”

But Kata was truly okay.  She could just ignore the contempt and ridicule directed at her.

What I truly fear is…

“Cough, cough, Miss.”

“Big sis, show them what you’re made of.”

“You have to come back quickly!”

“Get out of here.”

The ones who ache her heart when she sees them.

The ones she worries about not being able to protect again.

The ones who, simply because she loves them, have the privilege of hurting her.

*Kwaaaaaa!*

Golden Aura swept across in a wide arc.

Kata stared at the bright light without blinking.  Soram’s movements were difficult to discern in the blinding light.

Can I do it?

‘…I don’t know.’

But the world doesn’t revolve around her growth.

If I can’t do it, I might not be able to protect the ones I need to protect again someday.

Kata exhaled sharply. Her hand gripping the sword became damp.

***

Soram raised an eyebrow.

‘Has her judgment deteriorated?’

Kata raised her blade, intending to meet his sword head-on.

Soram smirked.

“This is disappointing.”

If he were Kata, he would have avoided this attack no matter what.  A head-on confrontation in this situation was too reckless.

Their swords collided with ferocious momentum.

*Kwaaaaaaang!*

Soram slowly opened his eyes.

And for the first time in a long time, he was genuinely bewildered.

“…….”

Pressure surged, centered around the jade-green Aura. Kata was taking his attack head-on without deflecting it.

Despite her brute-force approach, her unwavering stance remained firm.

Wasn’t that her best effort earlier? Soram frowned.

They exchanged several blows in an instant.  The air crackled with light, following the trajectory of their clashing swords.

‘It’s not an illusion.’

Soram’s face hardened.

Donovan had become faster than before.  Her Aura was stronger, and her sword tip sharper.

How is this possible?  The fact that she could take his attacks head-on meant her skill already far surpassed that of a First Awakened.

But this damn rookie wasn’t stopping there, she was daring to match him.

Gritting his teeth, Soram blocked Kata’s sword with crushing force.

Their swords tilted to one side, and Kata’s jawline, illuminated by the explosive light, shone unrealistically.

He suddenly felt a shiver down his spine.

As their faces drew close, he could see it.

“What the…”

Catarina Donovan was holding her breath.

Soram’s lips twisted.  He almost laughed out loud.

He thought Simon was crazy enough, but there was someone even more so.

“What a crude Embodiment.”

“…….”

“You’ll reach your limit quickly that way.”

Breath control was crucial in combat, yet she was doing the crazy thing of holding her breath to draw out mana.  It was a self-destructive act.

It would have been better if she babbled incessantly throughout the fight like Richard. That also wasted breath, but still.

“How long can you hold your breath?  Can you settle this within a minute?”

She didn’t answer his mockery.

In the still air indoors, her light brown hair danced every time she swung her sword.  Only the dried bloodstains on her cheek remained still.

*Clang!*

The moment his vision exploded in white, Catarina Donovan’s memories flashed before his eyes.

‘One, two, three.’

It was the memory of her submerging her face in water and counting.

“…….”

Soram blinked.

Aura was mana, and mana was power composed of memories.

Therefore, when near someone emitting strong Aura, it was sometimes possible to see the memories they were recalling.

It wasn’t a frequent occurrence, but it wasn’t extremely rare either.

However, Soram’s eyes were gradually filling with bewilderment.

‘What is this?’

She should be recalling memories that strengthened her will to survive.

But the memory he had just seen was utterly cold and monotonous.

‘She wants to live because of a memory like this?’

That’s when it happened.  The jade-green Aura, gaining momentum, overpowered his sword for a very brief moment.

“How dare you…!”

—–CROW—– 

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