Chapter 112: Their Respective Paths 1

Hearing the words of her beloved senior Bloody, Soul’s expression grew heavy with bewilderment.

“So then…you mean this Santara possesses combat prowess far surpassing even yours, Sister?”

“Yes. Despite outward appearances as a mere novice mage, his true power proved monstrous in scope.”

“But how? With that aura impeding normal magical studies, how could such might be attained?”

“The precise details elude me. However…”

Gesturing to her bandaged, battered face, Bloody indicated the dire consequences of her failure – her pulverized state fresh from their hasty retreat providing graphic testament to Santara’s overwhelming superiority.

“Does this not render any further explanation redundant? I, who stands among the highest echelons of our art, was reduced to this state.”

“…I suppose when put that way…”

As a Rank 10 archmagus known for invariably achieving her objectives, Soul could only accept Bloody’s frank assessment at face value.

The notion of her compromising or faltering against Santara proved patently inconceivable.

“So what shall we do from here?”

“A bitter failure, yet unavoidable given the circumstances. We must return to Sofia and report the situation.”

Doubtless, Bohemia’s defenses would be fortified tenfold in the aftermath of their audacious infiltration attempt.

With covert execution being paramount, prolonging their presence served no purpose.

Moreover, confronting the apparent Rank 10-level entity identified as Santara constituted an untenable risk they could ill afford.

Soul grudgingly assented to Bloody’s prescribed withdrawal as the sole viable recourse.

“Very well, we shall handle that matter accordingly… But what of this one?”

Though initially too flustered to properly register it amid their hasty escape, Bloody now scrutinized the battered female soldier draped over Soul’s shoulder with grave misgivings.

‘Truthfully, with our mentor involved in Bohemia’s affairs, absconding with one of their mages like this could prove unwise. If careless, she may very well take issue with such provocations…’

Unlike Soul, who harbored no particular connection to their enigmatic master, Bloody worried this impetuous abduction could jeopardize whatever schemes the woman currently oversaw in relation to Bohemia.

Yet sworn to secrecy regarding that very presence, Bloody found herself uncertain how to properly address this potential complication to her subordinate.

For her part, Soul seemed utterly oblivious to Bloody’s conflicted reservations – her eager smile brimming with transparent excitement as she nonchalantly declared:

“Why, I intend to take her on as my disciple, of course. Even you must admit the rarity of unearthing such a gemstone, Sister. At her tender age, such prodigious talent – properly nurtured, she could truly flourish into something spectacular.”

“…Well, I cannot deny her apparent gifts. But are you certain she will amenably accept such an arrangement? As you know, to her we are essentially kidnappers.”

“Oh, I’ve no doubt she shall. Offered the chance to far transcend the capabilities of lesser mages, she would embrace the opportunity without hesitation.”

“If you insist…though your hubris often blinds you…”

“Trust me, I perceive this one as a kindred spirit. She will not refuse my tutelage.”

“…If you say so…”

While Soul’s presumptuous attitudes often grated, Bloody recognized them as intrinsic to her personality and saw some validity in her assessment.

Objectively speaking, the captive’s latent abilities did hold tantalizing promise – especially if nurtured to actualize her ostensible talents as a veritable ‘witch’ akin to themselves.

Her current Advanced Rank 6 represented the mere bud of potential to be fully unlocked under their guidance.

‘If her gifts proved mediocre, I could cite that as grounds to intervene… Hmm, perhaps I should discreetly release her while Soul sleeps if this persists…’

As much as she disliked undermining Soul, avoiding entanglements with their mentor took priority whenever possible.

Bloody weighed her reservations when an unexpected interruption occurred:

“You…over there!”

“Hmm?”

“Huh?”

Turning toward the abrupt voice, they found their recently abducted quarry now fully awake and alert – regarding them with a strangely expectant gaze devoid of the anticipated fear or defiance.

“That discussion just now… Were you truly serious? That you abducted me with the intent of…?”

Her urgency betrayed an undercurrent of yearning which Bloody instantly recognized, causing her to falter.

Having feigned unconsciousness, Queen silently absorbed the brief yet pivotal exchange transpiring nearby.

That snippet of discussion alone proved sufficient to utterly upend her psychological state amidst profound shock.

‘Santara…that brat has concealed such overwhelming power all along…? Strength rivaling a Rank 10 archmage…?’

From anyone else, she would have instantly dismissed such outlandish claims as utter falsehoods.

Yet the present speakers clearly possessed mastery verging upon the highest echelons of the mystic arts themselves – their evaluation leaving Queen no choice but to deem it unvarnished truth.

Santara Andreas – the unassuming youth who so thoroughly outstripped even her own prodigious talents.

This revelation dealt Queen’s psyche a staggering blow.

For if lacking in other areas, Queen had always taken immense pride in her unmatched arcane prowess among her siblings – one of the few self-assurances bolstering her battered ego against Santara’s ascendancy.

Yet that final solace now lay shattered by the witches’ words, inflicting a grievous wound upon her already festering insecurities and resentment toward her disgraced younger brother.

Having failed to earn their father’s trust or reclaim her birthright from that interloper…

To discover her magical superiority rendered equally moot amounted to an utter invalidation of her entire existence.

Just as the pit of despondency threatened to consume her utterly, the ensuing conversation continued to reverberate in Queen’s ears with transformative implications:

That she herself harbored prodigious, untapped potential allowing her to transcend anything she could currently fathom.

That the path toward unparalleled strength remained open if she so chose.

In that revelatory epiphany, the seeds of rekindled ambition bloomed within Queen’s formerly despairing heart – her resolve swiftly crystallizing.

‘It seems they are unaware of my true identity… They have abducted me solely based on my innate talents. In which case, the path before me is clear…’

While revealing her noble lineage could potentially precipitate negotiations for her ransom and return to Bohemia…

After overhearing their discussion, Queen found herself disinclined toward such an outcome.

‘Father has no need for a daughter like me… Not when he has an incomparably precious and capable son at his side. He would shed no tears over losing his unappreciated, scorned child. In which case…’

To return would only condemn her to remain Santara’s perpetual afterthought at best.

Far better to ally with those who recognized and actively nurtured her inborn gifts – to become their disciple and actualize her full blossoming potential.

With that stark epiphany, Queen addressed her captors while concealing her identity:

“I…desire power. So I implore you… Please accept me as your disciple!”