Bloomed to Wither

Chapter 6

—–CROW—–

Jealous was surprised. He hadn’t even sensed her approach until she grabbed him.

It wasn’t like the training grounds were noisy.  He must have become insensitive to the surrounding sounds because he was engrossed in the sparring.

After the surprise subsided, he became angry at the force gripping his forearm.

What was absurd was that Kata also looked equally angry.

“What are you doing?  Let go of my arm.”

Kata slowly released her grip. However, she didn’t withdraw her hostile gaze.

At her unexpected animosity, Jealous felt a surge of anger.

“Why are you interfering? Who do you think you are?”

“Anyone has the right to stop violence.”

“Huh? The coward who was pathetic from day one is all talk.  Don’t you know how helpful sparring with a stronger opponent is in actual combat?”

“Stronger? You?”

At her expression of genuine bewilderment, Jealous felt a flash of white-hot anger.

His hand moved before he could even register it.

*Crack!*

Fragments of the wooden sword scattered. Jealous’ pupils slowly dilated.

The wooden sword was cleanly broken.  It was because of the Aura that had appeared, tearing through the air.

Only Second Awakened could draw pure Aura from the air without a medium.

“…….”

He turned his head and saw Xenon Corer with a subtle expression.

He was someone you didn’t want to make an enemy of.  Rumor had it that a full knight had already marked him as a prospective squire.

Xenon’s face hardened, as if slightly bewildered.  The pure Aura that had extended from his hand faded, then disappeared as if nothing had happened.

He looked back and forth between Kata and Jealous, then reluctantly dragged his feet as he approached.

“Don’t cause a disturbance here.  Unless you want to be disciplined.”

His tone was flat.

Jealous glared at Xenon, but couldn’t express any further hostility.  Just seeing the Aura he had momentarily released sent chills down his spine.

‘Monster bastard.’

Jealous turned his head sharply and glared at Peter.

“Peter, you tell me. Wasn’t what we were doing just now a legitimate spar? Did I give you some kind of handicap?”

“N-, no.”

“Then why are you keeping your mouth shut? Do you want to avoid fighting me that much?  Just like a damn coward…”

At that moment, Kata stepped forward as if to protect Peter.

“Jellis.”

“It’s Jealous.”

“…Jealous.”

After correcting his name, Kata continued forcefully, “I’m sorry, but you’re not strong enough to be intimidated by. If this person is scared, there must be another reason.”

Sparks flew from Jealous’s eyes. He looked down at Kata, who had lifted her chin, then said in a low voice, “You talk too much, coward.”

His lips curled into a cruel smile.

“That day, they say you fainted at the mere sight of a monster.  While your mother was bravely fighting and dying, you were lying there comfortably-“

“Jealous.”

Xenon placed a warning hand on Jealous’s shoulder.  His gaze was icy cold.

Catarina Donovan’s expression behind him was even more interesting.

Jealous shook off Xenon’s hand and sneered at her.

“Do you still feel the urge to pee when you see a monster?  Rumor has it you were so scared you even wet yourself. It’s a pity for those who died trying to protect a coward like you-“

*Wham!*

Jealous was knocked off his feet in a single blow and sprawled on the ground with a heavy thud.  Something warm trickled from his nose.

“…….”

He blinked blankly.

It would have been less shocking if Xenon had hit him.

But it was definitely Kata’s solid fist that had struck his face.  A force that disregarded their clear difference in physique.

“Young M- Jealous!”

Peter’s voice sounded distant.

Was I careless?

No.

He had anticipated the punch after seeing her face contorted with anger.  But it wasn’t a speed his body could react to.

He placed his hand on the ground with difficulty.

“You… damn…”

As he wiped his nose and saw the blood, anger surged like a tidal wave.  He sprang to his feet and reached for Kata.

“Don’t, Jealous. Let’s go to the infirmary first.”

Peter grabbed his arm urgently from behind, but he cursed and shook him off forcefully.  His fingertips tingled with a near-murderous urge.

That’s when it happened. Xenon’s icy face blocked his path.

“You heard him.  Go to the infirmary first.”

“…Get out of my way.”

“If you leave it untreated for too long, the healing will take much longer. Go, quickly.”

“…….”

“Aren’t you going?”

Their eyes met. Xenon didn’t bother to hide the contempt on his face.

Damn him.  Acting all high and mighty just because he’s good with a sword…

“Just you wait, Donovan.”

Jealous turned sharply.  His clenched fist trembled with boiling murderous intent, but he couldn’t bring himself to look back.

***

Kata clenched and unclenched her fist. Maybe she shouldn’t have hit him.

“That day, they say you fainted at the mere sight of a monster.”

It wasn’t wrong.  That’s why it hurt more.

The Divine-Demonic War two centuries ago ended in humanity’s victory.  Thanks to the sacrifice of the legendary knight, Sir Weber.

The Demon King and his three apostles were sealed, and the Donovan family, who had been loyal vassals of the Emperor for generations, were entrusted with one of the seals.

However, in the winter of Imperial Year 874, the seal in Count Donovan’s territory was broken for the first time.  Later, a second apostle was released in the south.

Now only two seals remained.

The shadow of war loomed over the Empire once again.

“What have you protected with your sword all this time?”

Kata squeezed her eyes shut and opened them again. The protruding knuckles of her fist ached.

“Um, you didn’t have to do that… Thank you.”

She looked up at the cautious voice and saw Peter looking at her anxiously.

“I’m Peter.  I already know your name, Catarina.”

“Oh, yeah. Call me Kata. Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.  I’m pretty good at taking hits.”

Peter laughed, rubbing his side.

Xenon suddenly interjected, “Why didn’t you fight back?”

“Huh?”

“I know Jealous’s skills roughly. He hasn’t even properly mastered the basics of swordsmanship, he just got lucky with his First Awakening.  That brat still hasn’t broken his habit of picking fights, relying on his status…”

His assessment was quite harsh.  Xenon abruptly stopped talking, his face strained as if holding back, then opened his mouth again.

“I don’t know your exact skills, but at least he’s not so strong that you wouldn’t have a chance to counterattack.  You know that better than anyone, don’t you?”

Peter’s eyes widened. He hesitated for a moment before answering.

“Well, I’ve worked as Jealous’s attendant for a long time. I’ve been his sparring partner since we were young.”

Xenon’s expression suggested he understood.

“So, not fighting back… it’s an old habit.  And I don’t know how this will sound, but I’m okay. I can endure it.”

“Is enduring it also a habit?”

Despite the indifferent remark, Peter simply smiled pleasantly and didn’t answer.

Xenon turned his head.

His gaze slid down from Kata’s face and lingered on the hand that had struck Jealous.

Kata immediately understood the implication of his gaze.  A slow smile spread across her round face.

“I’m fine, Xenon.”

“…….”

If he were eleven-year-old Xenon, he would have snapped back, saying he wouldn’t have even asked in the first place.

But Xenon and Kata were now past adulthood, and their once close relationship had widened beyond repair.

“…The time when you could do whatever you wanted is over.”

“I know.”

The conversation went astray. The afternoon sunlight melted into the sharp lines of his face.

Xenon stared at the woman who didn’t seem discouraged at all by his cold words, then turned away.

Seeing her unchanging smile even after hearing his sharp insults made him feel uncomfortable.

—–CROW—–

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