Holy Kingdom – Change (1)

“Huu….”

Slowly. Let’s try doing it slowly.

Jade closed both eyes and focused on his bodily sensations.

Then the surrounding mana began moving according to his will.

-Wooong.

In an instant, enormous mana gathered and Sword Aura formed around the sword Jade was holding.

Its density was so high that the Sword Aura’s color shifted from blue to deep indigo.

“That’s not it.”

“…Yes.”

At Antonio’s words beside him, Jade reluctantly released the mana.

‘Damn. Another failure.’

-Thud.

Jade weakly collapsed onto the floor, exhausted from hours of continuous training.

“You did well drawing in the mana, but you shouldn’t channel it through your body. You must approach it by utilizing and dominating the natural flow of surrounding mana.”

“…That’s too difficult.”

“Beyond this point, my instruction becomes meaningless. This is something you must personally realize, Hero-nim.”

“No. I’m already grateful for all Sir Antonio’s help up to now.”

‘I thought I understood it mentally…’

But his body refused to cooperate.

Until now, Jade had always manipulated mana only through his body’s mana circuits.

Instinctively, he’d channeled the mana gathered through his ability the same way again.

Of course, Jade’s method wasn’t entirely wrong.

Most mana users employed this approach because it was the easiest to handle.

But to transcend realms, he needed to break free from fixed notions and wield mana freely.

Seeing Jade’s dejected expression after repeated failures, Antonio comforted him.

“Normally, utilizing atmospheric mana itself presents a barrier, but your Goddess-given ability allowed you to leap past that stage instantly. With practice in controlling it, you’ll soon break through this wall.”

“But… I need to grow stronger quickly. At my current level, facing high-ranking demons is impossible.”

Power.

Jade desperately needed greater strength immediately.

He’d only recently reached the lofty 6-star realm.

A 6-star swordsman commanded respect anywhere, and Jade had felt confident in his rapidly improved skills.

But that confidence shattered soon enough.

In Growburn Village, Raspa had toyed with them like playthings.

His Sword Aura shattered like glass against her mountain-like magi,

and a single punch from her pitch-black fist knocked him unconscious instantly.

Before the calamity of a high-ranking demon, he’d been utterly powerless.

Antonio noticed the impatience in Jade’s reply.

“You mustn’t rush. The 7-star realm represents true superhuman territory. That’s precisely why it’s so difficult to attain. With your talent, persistent effort will surely let you surpass 7-stars and reach even higher realms.”

“Let me try once more.”

I’ll keep trying until it works.

Jade decided practicing more was better than wasting time lamenting.

Then someone offered him a water bottle.

“Have some water while you practice.”

“Ah. Thanks, Rena.”

As Jade brought the bottle to his lips… he froze.

“…Sorry.”

“It’s alright. You must be exhausted too, Jade-nim.”

Veronica, who’d handed him the bottle, looked at Jade with pity.

‘So this is why habits are terrifying.’

Jade sighed at his mistake.

However could he mistake Veronica for Rena?

Until recently, Jade had always trained with Rena.

Subconsciously, he’d assumed Rena was still by his side.

In the awkward silence, Jade and Veronica both bowed their heads without speaking.

“….”

“….”

The situation felt too strange for either to speak first.

Antonio approached them, unable to watch any longer.

“Perhaps we should stop here for today? You must be tired.”

“Right. You’ve been training for hours – rest would be best now.”

“Yes. I think I need to rest today.”

Jade nodded. His mental state wouldn’t allow proper training anyway.

Back in his room, Jade sat blankly on the sofa.

“Haa…”

Sighs kept escaping him whenever he sat still like this.

‘I should focus on the appointment ceremony at least, forget about Rena temporarily…’

But that proved impossible.

Rena appeared in his dreams nightly, and sometimes he even heard her voice calling him.

How could he possibly forget under these circumstances?

‘At least during training, distracting thoughts disappear.’

But during rest, thoughts of Rena filled his mind completely, driving him mad.

‘Should I just go see Rena?’

Maybe she’s changed her mind by now.

Then we could journey together again…

“This is insane. I decided to endure.”

Jade struggled daily to suppress the urge to see Rena again.

Meeting her might bring momentary happiness and joy.

But soon the memory of her betrayal would resurface. And if Rena stubbornly sided with demons, he might lose control.

Jade needed time to compose himself.

“Are you alright?”

Seeing Jade clutching his head while muttering, Veronica worried about his state.

She’d been sitting quietly beside him since earlier.

“I want to say yes but… honestly, it’s too hard.”

“I never dreamed someone named Rena would betray humanity. She was always so kind to me – I truly thought she was wonderful. Being deceived by such a person isn’t your fault, Jade-nim.”

“Right. I knew nothing about Rena. Or perhaps she hid everything from us completely.”

What could Rena’s story be?

Jade guessed she might have suffered tragedies like family murdered or betrayed.

With such pain, abandoning loved ones and life to join demons became understandable.

Though whether Jade could forgive her remained another matter entirely.

“But do you plan to stay in my room forever? Won’t this be uncomfortable?”

“Not at all. I enjoy being with you, Jade-nim.”

“No, you don’t need to do this for me. You must have your own tasks. It’s fine to leave now.”

Jade felt uncomfortable and guilty having her watch his depressed state all day.

It even seemed Veronica was clinging to him excessively.

But Veronica waved her hands dismissively.

“No way. Being alone when depressed makes it worse, right? Books say just having company helps. And honestly, I’ve nothing else to do. When I offer help, temple staff just tell me to rest.”

“They’re worried about you. Thinking about it, you’re unwell too – sorry for making you endure this.”

Jade could still sense faint magi discomfort from Veronica.

Though suppressed by holy power, the aura remained barely perceptible.

“I’m used to this condition after so long, and currently have no issues.”

“That’s good. Tell me immediately if problems arise. I’ll go straight to His Holiness.”

“I will. By the way, you’re treating me very casually now.”

“Urk… You asked me to. If this bothers you, I’ll revert to formal speech.”

Jade still worried whether he should be this informal with Veronica, the Saintess and Hero.

Their closeness began after confronting Rena.

After delivering bad news about Annie, Veronica secluded herself in her room for magic research.

With Annie rarely seen, Jade naturally conversed more with Veronica.

Eventually leading to dropping formalities.

As Jade flushed awkwardly, Veronica smiled slightly.

“Why would I mind? I’m happy – it feels like making a close friend. As thanks for granting my request, I’ll give you a small gift.”

“Gift?”

Veronica placed her hand on Jade’s chest.

“V-Veronica? This kind of behavior…”

Startled by her sudden action, Jade tried removing her hand.

But Veronica clung tighter instead.

“Stay still, please.”

“Fine, but at least take your hand off my ch-“

In that moment.

-Sssss.

Holy power flowed from Veronica’s hand into Jade’s body.

“Ah…”

Witnessing this, Jade stopped struggling and watched.

‘So warm.’

The energy spreading from his chest soothed Jade’s gloomy, anxious mind.

“How is it?”

“Thanks. My mind feels clearer.”

“A simple blessing. Just clears the mind and revitalizes the body.”

“But must you place your hand on my chest? Wouldn’t using my arm be more comfortable?”

Jade recalled priests usually channeled blessings through arms.

Using the chest seemed inconvenient for both parties.

“Ah, that’s simple. I wanted to touch your chest.”

“I see. If that’s the reason…”

Jade nodded before realizing the strangeness.

Did she just say she wanted to touch my chest?

“W-what?”

“Gasp. Was that too direct? Books said not to say it like that…”

Am I hearing things?

As Jade doubted his ears-

-Bang!

The door flew open as Annie entered.

“Jade! About the appointment ceremo…ny…”

Her loud voice trailed off mid-sentence.

“Annie? Why did you- Oh.”

Jade finally understood Annie’s shock.

He and Veronica were pressed together on the sofa.

With Veronica’s hand still on Jade’s chest.

A situation rife with misunderstanding.

Jade frantically explained.

“Annie, listen. This isn’t-“

“Uh… I’ll come back later.”

“W-wait!”

Jade called out desperately, but-

-Thud.

The door closed as she left.

**

Annie hurried back to her room and flopped onto the bed.

-Thump.

‘What did I just see?’

That Jade and Veronica unnie would engage in such skinship.

The shock of what she’d witnessed lingered.

“I knew they were close but… already this intimate?”

Annie had noticed Veronica’s interest in Jade days ago.

‘Veronica unnie tries hard not to show it though…’

She’d been glued to Jade’s side daily, diligently comforting and caring for him.

To any observer, Veronica clearly had feelings for him.

“How strange.”

Did Jade possess some secret charm?

His face was average at best,

and he lacked any overwhelmingly attractive qualities.

Yet inexplicably, exceptional women kept falling for him.

‘Well, he looks cool fighting as the Hero…’

To Annie, Jade seemed absurdly lucky.

Moving on so quickly after what happened? Already replacing Rena?

‘I thought Jade would mourn Rena forever.’

“Actually… maybe this is good?”

Being with Veronica unnie might help him forget Rena.

Annie felt Jade desperately needed companionship.

“Veronica unnie is trustworthy. Though honestly, she’s too good for him…”

Though slightly jealous, Annie believed the beautiful, kind Saintess could heal Jade’s pain.

Anyone could see Jade’s fragile state – she worried he might do something reckless.

Of course, Annie too had been betrayed by Rena, her most trusted friend.

She’d become practically lifeless, barely sleeping.

But Jade, who’d loved Rena, undoubtedly suffered more deeply.

-Knock. Knock. Knock.

Annie bolted upright at the sudden knocking.

She quickly opened the door.

“Who is it?”

But contrary to expectations, the hallway stood empty.

“Huh?”

Bewildered, Annie stepped out to look around but found no one seeking her.

Who at the temple would play such pranks?

Ultimately, Annie could only return to her room, perplexed.

That’s when something caught her eye.

“Huh?”

A small folded paper lay on the floor before her door.

“What’s this? Slipped through the gap when they knocked?”

Annie turned the paper over, finding no markings to hint at its contents.

“Should I open this? What if it’s dangerous…”

What if magic activated upon unfolding?

Or perhaps…

‘C-could it be a love letter?’

A love letter would explain leaving paper anonymously.

Excited by this sudden thought, Annie unfolded the paper.

-Flutter.

Neat handwriting filled the interior.

‘What does it say…’

With anticipation, Annie began reading.

The first word stole her breath.

-Help me.