A flash of light escaped my blade as it transformed into a scimitar with rings running through the backside of it, as well as the usual red gem at the hilt. Suddenly, I felt as light as a feather and began floating in the air. With this blade, I can catch him!
Perhaps because of how wounded he was, he wasn’t flying too fast. This allowed me to catch up to him in no time, much to his surprise.
“What?!” he cried out.
The barrier began to dissolve as he reached the top. If I want to stop him, I need to stop him now. I flew above him and swung my blade down with all my strength. Though he tried to block my attack, I successfully knocked him out of the air. He plummeted to the ground, and no sooner had he slammed against the stone flooring than I plunged my blade into his heart.
“Graaaaaaah!” he cried. “You... Yooooou!” he screamed, reaching for me with his claws.
That’s not enough to kill him?!
I tried to jump back, but my body wasn’t listening to me. It was as if my brain and body had become disconnected from one another. Time slowed as I watched his claws approach me. Each second felt like an eternity.
Is this it? After all that, this is as far as I can get?! But I’m so tired... I don’t think I can go any further.
I shot El a glance. She lay motionless on the ground, but I could see her eyes widening as she witnessed my final moments.
Thank goodness. At least you’re okay.
But as I resigned myself to my fate, something unexpected happened.
“Kazan Kesta!” both Professor Tellion and Karen yelled, pointing their wands at him.
His body went as stiff as a board, and he showed no signs of being able to even move a muscle.
Professor Fhrugen and Doctor Paunsasoy sprinted to El to check if she was okay while Professor Tellion and Karen checked on me.
“Are you okay, Ca’al?!” Karen frantically asked as she scrambled over to my side.
“H-He’s not dead. He...” The Flash Blade faded from my hand, and I finally succumbed to the huge wave of fatigue that’d been crashing against my body. Before I knew it, I had lost my balance and was beginning to fall to the ground.
“Got you!” Karen said, arriving in the nick of time to catch me.
“Sorry...”
“Don’t be. I’m just so glad that you’re not hurt. Anyway, you don’t have to worry about him. He’s not breaking free of our stun spells, not in his state.”
“Who...is this?” Professor Tellion asked, looking down at the immobilized intruder. “A friend, perhaps?”
“Please, Professor, this isn’t the time for your jokes,” Karen snapped.
“There’s no need to get angry...” she pouted, keeping her wand pointed at him.
“It’s the same one...from the monastery,” I mumbled. “It’s him.”
Karen gasped slightly. She was the only one here who knew what I’d gone through since it’d been her and her master who’d found us the next day.
“I’ll call my master. Here, sit,” she said, lowering me down. In the next moment, she walked off and took out a device to contact him with.
In the meantime, Professor Fhrugen came over with El on his back.
“Is she okay?” I asked.
“She’s just depleted of mana. Poor thing can’t even stand. I presume the Guardians will be arriving soon to take him into custody, so there’s no need to wait here. In the meantime, I’ll take the two of you to the infirmary. Doctor Paunsasoy, if you could grab Ca’al—”
“No, I’ll stay...” I said.
“You should really come with us to the infirmary,” Doctor Paunsasoy urged in a tone much more serious than I’d ever thought her capable of.
“I’ve no way of knowing what happened in here, as I was only summoned after the barrier was erected to help break in, but I sincerely doubt that you don’t require medical attention after this ordeal.”
“Professors,” Karen called out, coming back over. “I promise I’ll take him to the infirmary. Is it okay if he stays just a little bit?”
Professor Fhrugen, Doctor Paunsasoy, and Professor Tellion looked at Karen, at me, and then at each other before sighing.
“Fine,” Professor Fhrugen relented. “But if he shows signs of needing even the slightest amount of medical attention, take him to the infirmary immediately.”
“Yes, sir.”
And then with that, he headed off with El, who passed out on his back, with Doctor Paunsasoy flying not too far behind. As they did, I couldn’t help but notice that El was still clutching the knife that I’d given her. I internally thanked her before turning to Karen.
“Thanks,” I whispered.
“Of course. I know how important this is to you. It’s...finally over though, huh?”
“Yeah. Yeah, it is.”
I could feel tears welling up in my eyes. So many different emotions threatened to break loose—anger, sorrow, guilt, and relief. Though I’d finally won, what had I gained? It hadn’t brought Soreya back or any of my comrades at the monastery. All I’d accomplished was revenge, but that didn’t matter.
I’d summoned the Flash Blade—the Blade Saint’s relic. No matter how much I might want to, I could no longer deny the truth. At the very least, I wanted to cling to the idea that I’d somehow become the Blade Saint after Soreya’s death, but even in her final moments, she hadn’t been able to summon it. In contrast, I’d been able to in my most dire moment. Why did it have to be me? I would’ve given anything for it to have been Soreya. She’d saved me in so many ways, but I couldn’t do a single thing for her. In the end, all I’d done was watch her die.
Even so, I found myself not wanting her forgiveness but her praise. I remembered back to our training, to the surprised and proud expressions she’d made when I’d pulled off unexpected moves. If she’d still been alive, I knew what she’d say.
I had always known but hadn’t wanted to accept it. I’d wanted to continue living in the same world that we’d always lived in, with me always looking up to her, but the knife she’d given me was proof that wasn’t how she’d seen the world—it never had been.
In her eyes, we’d been equals. If it couldn’t have been her, she’d have wanted it to be me. She’d believed in me just as much as I had in her, maybe even more. She’d wanted us to walk the same path for as long as we possibly could.
I could feel hot liquid welling up in my eyes, blurring my vision. Did I make you proud, Soreya? Have I become someone truly worthy of walking alongside you as your partner? I’ll hold on to the title of Blade Saint for now. I’ll make sure no shame comes to it. So, if one day, somehow, we’re reunited, will you let me walk by your side again? After all, this isn’t where we end, right?