Chapter 38: Runes of Power: A Celestial Connection

“Are you going to tell me more about the past, Ke… whatever, Simon?”

“It’s the name you gave me. Honestly, I heard you’d change after you… well, died, but I didn’t expect this much.”

Simon’s words only deepened my confusion. But nothing could be more perplexing than this:

“…Heard?”

The Saintess spoke?

She kept it a secret from everyone at the academy!

Why tell only him?

Simon, seeing my suspicion, sighed and said,

“Sigh…I have to tell you more about that unpleasant past, huh? Are you up for it?”

“Just give me a brief summary.”

“That’s not possible, which is why we’re here. Basically, she started talking the day after our conversation in the carriage, saying it wouldn’t change the future. She gave me the ‘key’ the day after that.”

“Key?”

Seeing my puzzled expression, Simon rummaged through his pockets.

A small, golden key appeared in his hand.

His gaze turned serious.

“Your right and left hand abilities aren’t death and resurrection. To be precise, they manifest whatever outcome you desire.”

Simon reached out and removed my glove (the left one, of course).

My pale hand, seemingly devoid of any power, glowed innocently.

“The key is meant to unlock their true potential, once you achieve true enlightenment… The past you couldn’t unlock it, so I kept it safe, waiting for your return.”

“…Enlightenment.”

“Think carefully. Rushing it could ruin everything.”

Simon brushed back his white hair, revealing his forehead.

A deep, crimson scar marred his skin.

…A sword wound? Rather unique.

“Focus on recalling the day you received that scar. That will help you unlock your true potential.”

“Alright. One last question. How close were we?”

Simon flinched slightly before answering,

“Like old friends. You didn’t see me as a man, and neither did I.”

I see.

There’s a story behind those eyes.

Did he confess and get rejected?

“Aha, I understand. Thanks for the long story.”

But I’m a considerate teacher, so

I straightened my clothes and finally put on my mask.

The pungent scent of herbs filled my nostrils.

It’s more familiar than fresh air now.

“I’ll be going now. I wish you well.”

“Yeah, go on. Come back tomorrow. I’ll give you some advice.”

Cling…

The bell’s chime seems strangely subdued.

Must be my imagination.

 

***

 

I began to truly revere Ileia on that day.

The day she was supposed to leave Baiton, the day the sea monster and the beastmen attacked the city.

The day everything almost ended.

“Brother.”

“I’m listening.”

“Am I dying? I can’t feel anything below my waist.”

“You’re not dying. You can’t die. I’ll kill that damn turtle and those beastmen bastards. Don’t die. You can’t die.”

Perhaps the most foolish, pathetic thing to say to someone who’s lost their lower body.

Those were the words I, unable to think straight, had uttered.

“Cephas, get up and go over there.”

If Ileia hadn’t stopped me, seeing my distress, I would have been paralyzed, forced to watch my sister die.

“I can’t beat them yet. The King of Beastmen… even among Transcendents, there’s a difference in…”

But I was naive then.

A young man, newly ascended to Transcendence, brimming with arrogance that quickly turned to fear.

But even a warrior consumed by fear has someone who won’t abandon him.

“I’ll help you win. I’ll save your sister. Just fight.”

Her perpetually cheerful blue eyes shone with resolve.

I knew she was beautiful, but it was the first time I’d seen them hold such a different light.

I was taken aback.

“Okay…”

Click.

I approached the black-haired woman, my massive harpoon held tightly in my trembling hand.

She leveled a greatsword twice her size at me, her eyes, predatory slits, fixed on me.

Leasilvia, King of all Beasts.

A beastman Transcendent. Beastmen, inherently stronger than humans.

And she had achieved Transcendence four hundred years ago. Back then, I was no match for her, not even in my wildest dreams.

“Have you come to die, human?”

The greatsword slowly descended, poised to strike.

The same blade that had slaughtered countless fishermen and knights of Baiton.

Her yellow eyes were terrifying. Her aura, overwhelming.

I knew I’d die instantly in hand-to-hand combat, but I was curious to see what Ileia would do.

“No answer?”

Clang!!!

My harpoon seemed insignificant compared to the massive greatsword.

Just enduring its weight was a struggle.

“Die, lowly human.”

Bang!

I never expected dual greatswords.

I was struck without resistance and slammed into the ground.

A devastating impact, surely shattering every bone in my body.

“Did you think you could defeat me, empowered by the Black Star, the Star Devourer, Valentina? Be grateful. I’ll send her to join you soon.”

I think I was a little out of my mind then.

I wasn’t particularly religious, nor did I have unwavering faith in Ileia. But instinctively,

“…Ileia is above even dragons. She will become the King of Stars, the one true god who will purify all evil and bring about a new heaven. And I am her First Apostle.”

“Insane. Another religious zealot?”

Leasilvia sneered, raising her dual greatswords.

Sunlight glinted off the blades, their sharp edges radiating a chilling blue light.

Whoosh!

As the swords moved faster than sound, a torrent of thoughts flooded my mind.

Hatred for my deceased parents, worry for Sia, left alone.

Regret for my own pathetic death, a Transcendent cut down in his prime.

But the words that escaped my lips held none of that intensity, only the weakest, most vulnerable of emotions:

“But deliver us from evil.”

Fear.

Faith, placed in another.

“Yes. I understand.”

Light footsteps approached from behind.

The sound of her shoes was so cheerful, it was almost…uplifting.

“I had intended to connect you to the Star of Swords… but Cephas’s faith, his belief, his strength… they’re far greater than I anticipated. In that case…”

Ileia walked towards me, stopping Leasilvia mid-swing with a single hand.

She ignored Leasilvia’s confused gaze.

“Summer. I will connect you to all the stars of summer. Can you withstand it?”

“Well, even if I fail, it can’t be worse than death, can it?”

“Hmm, it can. Regardless, I understand.”

Ileia scratched her cheek and brushed my forehead with her hand.

Dipping a finger in saltwater, she traced a symbol on my exposed skin.

Her eyes glowed with an intensified blue light.

“Become the warrior of summer and spread the scorching Yang. My first child.”

A searing, stinging sensation, like being cut by a blade.

A rune was being etched into my forehead. A magic rune, imbued with power.

“Yes.”

“My child, every time you harvest the flesh of a demon fish, call upon my name. And let all the people of this world sing my praises.”

“Yes.”

The atmosphere demanded reverence. Even though it was daytime, countless stars shone in the sky, brighter than the sun.

Ileia, having finished inscribing the runes on my forehead, slowly raised her head and looked towards the sky.

“Fiat.”

Rumble…

The heavens opened at her word.

My body surged with power, a different dimension entirely.

As if I’d transcended once more.

Since that day, I’ve never lost.

Not against any Transcendent.

A Transcendent who has caught the eye of a single star,

versus a Transcendent empowered by countless stars.

It’s clear who is stronger.

Leasilvia, finally freed from her paralysis, muttered in terror,

“Lady Valentina, please save…”

“You who worship false idols, carve Ileia’s name into your heart and die.”

Almost giddy, like a child caught up in a game, I charged.

My speed, previously considered slow for a Transcendent, now surpassed Leasilvia’s, overwhelming her.

My strength was incomparable to before.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Each thrust of my harpoon shattered or chipped her greatswords.

Each swing sent her flying towards the horizon.

“Ugh!”

“Haha, this is…amazing!”

I reached her before she landed, throwing her around like a ragdoll.

My body felt incredibly light.

Each casual blow landed with unimaginable force.

Omnipotence.

I felt a sense of power, a feeling a servant of God shouldn’t experience, as I raised my harpoon high, intending to incinerate them all.

“Stop, Cephas. That’s enough.”

Whoosh…

Ileia stopped me, severing the connection.

Still reeling from the sudden return of my senses, I asked,

“Yes. Ah, can I drop the formalities?”

Ileia smiled gently at my question.

“Do as you wish. I won’t be a god who stands before you, but one who guides from within.”

“Okay, then I will.”

“Heehee, you’re an interesting person.”

Ileia’s first genuine laugh.

It was beautiful. Truly. Ephemeral, as if it would disappear in an instant.

“Ileia.”

“I’ve healed Sia. There will be no lasting effects, and her mana capacity has likely increased.”

“Ah, okay. Thanks.”

A fleeting peace, a brief respite.

That’s how I remember those days.