Shun didn't respond immediately. He paused, weighing his options.
It'd be foolish to fight a battle I can't win, he thought inwardly. Slowly, he relaxed his arm and set Lucias down.
Yukki uncoiled her tail from his arm.
Shun's gaze shifted to Rakina. She looked half-charred, like burnt charcoal, exhausted and on the verge of defeat. Yet somehow, she had managed to encase Zirgo in a massive block of ice. A cold mist lingered around it.
Shun's eyes widened.
That's… amazing.
Rakina turned, perhaps sensing his stare.
Her eyes widened slightly. For a split second, her body froze, petrified.
"Ms. Yukki…"
"Disciple," Yukki said calmly, "I see you've grown much stronger."
"…Yes."
Rakina's lips trembled. She looked as if she wanted to say something more, but only that single word slipped out.
She was different from her usual self.
Her hands fidgeted, her microexpressions screamed anxiety and unease. Her gaze stayed glued to the floor.
"Disciple," Yukki tilted her head slightly, "is something wrong?"
Shun wasn't sure if Yukki was playing dumb or truly oblivious. Either way, it irked him.
Still… this was between the two of them. A stranger like him had no right to interfere.
But with how Rakina was acting, this conversation would go nowhere.
Shun sighed lightly. Then—he pinched her cheek.
Their level difference was vast, so the pinch probably didn't even hurt. But the suddenness might snap her out of it.
Rakina blinked, turning to him. "What are you doing?"
The anxiety vanished from her face, replaced by confusion.
"Pinching you."
"…Why?"
Shun glanced meaningfully at Yukki.
Rakina saw his look. Her eyes trembled.
He pinched harder—not sure if it would even register as pain—but this time, his fingers faintly glowed. That same strange, malicious energy cloaked them.
"Ouch, ouch!"
Shun loosened his grip.
"So?"
She stared at him with mild annoyance. A few seconds passed.
"…Fine. I'll do it."
Rakina shifted her eyes back to her master.
She paused, gathered herself, then clasped her hands together. She bowed deeply.
"Ms. Yukki, it's my pleasure to see you again."
"The pleasure's mine, my disciple."
Rakina raised her head, her voice steadier. "Ms. Yukki, what is going on with the association?"
Shun tilted his head.
Wait… this isn't what I expected at all.
Wasn't this supposed to be awkward? Her teacher wanted her dead. So why did the tension between them feel… casual?
"Rakina, what's going on? I thought the two of you were at odds," he whispered.
"We're not. What makes you think that?"
"You're not?! Then what was with those sad expressions earlier?"
"That? It's been a while since I've seen my master. I got… a bit emotional."
Shun replayed her earlier expressions in his head.
You call that a bit emotional?
"I already know my master wouldn't kill me. But she might act in a way that convinces the other Fools she's with them."
"As expected of my disciple," Yukki added, smiling faintly.
Shun pressed further. "But you seemed really sad after the talk with the Fools."
"I have to keep the act," Rakina said simply, "to make sure the others don't notice anything strange."
Then she rubbed her cheek. "That aside, why pinch my chin? It actually hurt."
"I misunderstood the situation. Sorry."
Shun bowed slightly.
"I–I see…" Rakina blinked, not expecting such an earnest bow.
She turned back to Yukki. "Master."
"You mustn't worry about the association, Rakina. Worry about yourself first."
"I understand. My apologies for overstepping my boundary. But what now, Master?"
The Witch Association wanted her dead no matter what.
"What else but to make the decision on my own?" Yukki's voice was calm. "I doubt those Fools would truly listen to me."
"How are you going to do that?"
"By faking your death."
Rakina froze. "…Does that mean I have to abandon my identity as Rakina?"
"Not necessarily. I've received news. A member of the Glorious Dawn Assembly will join the next Tower conquest. He'll bring an artifact that trades memories for power."
Rakina's brows knitted. "It sounds like… Bargain. Master, could it be that this artifact is–"
"A cursed artifact. Yes." Yukki nodded. "Upon using it, everyone within range will lose their memories. The user's existence becomes so thin the world forgets they even existed."
Shun frowned inwardly.
Cursed artifacts… stronger than normal ones, but always at a steep price.
"Which will it be, Rakina?" Yukki asked softly. "Live in fear—or live forgotten by the world itself?"
Rakina fell silent.
"Is there really no other way?"
"Conquer the Tower, Rakina."
The weight of the words settled heavily.
"If the Fools recognize your achievement, they'll let you live. As for the Hideous Sage's hidden threat within you—I can sway them with a few sweet words."
Rakina turned her eyes to Shun, silently asking.
He nodded.
"Actually," Shun said, "there's a change of plans on my end. I have to conquer a Tower."
"Why?"
"It's a long story. I'll tell you later."
"I see…"
Rakina turned back to Yukki. Hesitation flickered in her eyes.
Shun understood.
A Tower meant death. No one could truly embrace it, no matter their resolve. Humans trembled before death. And what lay beyond it? Always unknown. Always feared.
"…Very well," Rakina said after a long pause, as if fighting her doubts. "I'll conquer the Tower. I might die, but it's better than being hunted my whole life—or being forgotten, yet alive."
"Be careful, my disciple."
"Un." She nodded quietly.
Silence lingered.
Then Yukki broke it.
"How's your curse?"
"It has gotten worse, Master. Before I knew it, I was already in the library, absorbing knowledge. Is there any way to reduce its intensity?"
Yukki thought for a moment. "Before I answer… I want to know something. You've told me about that kid. Elias, wasn't it? He put a seal on you to keep the Hideous Sage's power from spiraling out of control."
"Yes."
"Next time we meet, could you bring him to me, Rakina?"
"Sure."
Shun stiffened slightly.
Wait. Sealing the power of the Hideous Sage? That Elias guy sealed the power of a divine being?
Shun was stunned.
He had no idea someone that powerful was in his school. If Elias ever got recognized, every guild would do anything to get their hands on him.
As he sank into those thoughts, Yukki materialized a small vial. Rakina accepted it and drank it in one breath.
Shun didn't know what it was, but from her eyes—rejuvenated, relieved—it had to be some medicine to calm the curse.
"Thank you, Master."
"Don't mention it."
Then Yukki's gaze slid to Shun. She studied him for a moment longer.
"Is he your boyfriend?"
"No, he's not."
"Really? That's a shame. He doesn't look shabby. And besides…" Yukki's eyes sharpened slightly. "…the blood of the gods runs through his veins."
Shun frowned. "…What does that mean?"
"You made a contract with a divine one, didn't you?"
"Yes." He nodded cautiously.
"Then it changed you. Biologically. Your blood, your very cells—they've evolved to mirror the source of that power.
"Your children would be born with supernatural powers. However… the stronger you become, the less likely you are to have any children at all.
"If you want offspring, now is the best time." Yukki's gaze flicked toward Rakina.
"Master, please," Rakina's cheeks reddened slightly. "Control your words. You'll make this awkward. I have no intention of bearing children any time soon."
"Then… you'll have children with him later?" Yukki tilted her head innocently.
"No."
"What? Why?! It's not every day you see an offspring of a Blessed and a witch! Imagine how powerful they'd be!"
"Then why didn't you offer yourself?" Rakina shot back flatly.
"I wouldn't steal my disciple's crush."
"He is not. We're simply…" Rakina hesitated, looking for the right words. "…colleagues."
Shun stayed silent. But one word Yukki mentioned caught his attention.
"…What's a Blessed?"
"In our homeworld," Yukki answered casually, "they're those who received powers from the gods."
Shun froze, thinking.
So gods do exist in their world. Then why are the gods here silent? Why is there only one…
Yukki's lips curled faintly.
"You must be wondering why the gods here are quiet, like they're dead. Correct?"