The battle between the two was decided in three minutes.
When both were using the Inch-Heart Fist Style and the Five Skandhas of Taixu, Leo Ash was naturally no match for Fu Hua. Fu Hua seized an opportunity and knocked him to the ground with a single punch.
However, Fu Hua, the victor, did not feel happy.
Looking at Leo Ash, whom she had sent flying, Fu Hua asked in a cold voice.
"Why aren't you fighting with your full strength?"
I was worried that if the fight got too intense, you'd start coughing up blood again.
"Didn't you say you wanted to seriously test my mastery of the Edge of Taixu?"
"So, I thought you wanted me to spar using only the Edge of Taixu and the Inch-Heart Fist Style."
Hearing Leo Ash say this with a deadpan expression, Fu Hua was at a loss for words.
Then, she remembered something.
Oh, I forgot I hypnotized Leo Ash...
Even when hypnotized, as long as those keywords aren't triggered, he seems just like his usual self. Did that lead me to subconsciously think he wasn't any different from normal?
In a hypnotic state, he's probably just doing whatever I tell him to do. No wonder...
But that makes it even more terrifying.
It's only been about two months since he started learning my Inch-Heart Fist Style by observing me during our battles.
And it's been less than a month since I taught him the Edge of Taixu.
In such a short period of time, how on earth did he master the Five Skandhas of Taixu and the Inch-Heart Fist Style to this degree???
As a MANTIS who has lived for fifty thousand years, Fu Hua certainly believed that geniuses existed in this world.
Her Previous Era comrade, Kevin, and her current era comrade, Durandal, were clearly both geniuses.
But even those two, could they have trained the Edge of Taixu to this level within a month?
Moreover, looking at Leo Ash's state, using only the Five Skandhas of Taixu and the Inch-Heart Fist Style was clearly limiting his combat effectiveness.
In other words, this spar... was not an honorable victory for me.
However, no matter how talented Leo Ash was, the speed of his progress was still too frightening.
As expected, he has some secrets of his own, doesn't he?
At this moment, staring at the expressionless Leo Ash, Fu Hua thought for a moment and decided not to probe into the deeper secrets he held.
Although her intention in using Fenghuang Down to hypnotize him was for his own good, in her eyes, it was undoubtedly a despicable act.
She had already hypnotized him under the pretext of 'it's for your own good.' To use that same reason to pry into his deeper secrets now would be truly improper.
However, not delving into deeper secrets was one thing. The current Fu Hua still wanted to know the answer to one question from Leo Ash's mouth.
"If you don't normally hear strange voices, then why do you often daze off in front of everyone?"
"To become stronger, I need to think about some things."
...
Hearing Leo Ash's unhesitating reply, Fu Hua felt a tightness in her chest.
Good news—Leo Ash indeed wasn't hearing any strange voices. He had undoubtedly not been chosen by the Honkai yet.
Bad news—this person's psychological problems are even more severe.
Leo Ash said it was to become stronger, but Fu Hua knew what he ultimately wanted to become stronger for, even without asking.
What else could an Avenger want to become stronger for, if not for revenge?
And judging by the proficiency Leo Ash displayed with the Five Skandhas of Taixu in this spar, Fu Hua was certain that no matter how many other secrets he had, he had definitely spent time arduously training these techniques and skills.
Now, in Fu Hua's eyes, although Leo Ash was unaware of everything she had done, Fu Hua already regarded him as her direct disciple.
It was certainly a good thing that her direct disciple was diligently studying the techniques she had taught him, but—you're working too hard!
Even someone as serious as Fu Hua would find time to go to the arcade to relax her nerves a little.
But Leo Ash... they had been together for two months, and Fu Hua had not seen him make any move to relax.
He rarely even went to the shopping district. When he had no missions and no classes, he was either in his room in seclusion or training in the training grounds.
"Leo Ash."
Slowly walking up to Leo Ash, Fu Hua looked at the still-hypnotized boy and said in a helpless, earnest tone.
"Everything requires a balance between tension and relaxation. If possible, I hope you can understand this principle and relax your mind and body more after your usual training sessions."
"Yes, I understand."
Logically, under the effect of Fenghuang Down, he should really do as I say.
But... why do I feel so anxious?
I was previously thinking that Major Himeko agreeing to Kiana's request for everyone to go to the beach when the battlefront is so tight was a bit ill-considered.
But now it seems the ill-considered one was me.
Kiana and the others had already noticed that Leo Ash's mentality had become so distorted that it needed to be corrected, which is why they made this decision... right?
Whatever, the others can be dealt with later. Leo Ash really needs to relax.
"So, for this trip to the beach, I hope you can relax your mind and body, and have fun however you want."
Ah, even if you say that.
The problem is, I've never had the opportunity to go to the beach in the past.
I used to live alone, and it was hard enough just to earn enough money to fill my stomach, pay the rent, and save a little for emergencies.
Going to the beach...
Recalling his past, although Leo Ash's expression remained unchanged, a hint of helplessness had already emerged in his heart.
Once I get to the beach, what is there to do?
[What is there to do? The moment this question arose in your mind, an idea immediately surfaced.]
Ah, enough, you're starting again.
[You didn't rest today, so the System certainly hasn't violated—]
I'm counting the days.
March 24th was a Monday. I took Bronya to England that day.
Three days later, March 27th, was a Thursday. I met Su, then Cocolia courted death and was killed by me and Yuna.
Anna's welcome party was on Friday, yesterday was Saturday, and today is Sunday. The reason I haven't rested is because St. Freya High School is a semi-military academy—can you please just be quiet for a little while, keeping the dates in mind?
[What are you talking about? Otto gave you a month's vacation. In other words, every day this month is a day off for you.]
[You can't just ban the System on your days off just because you're a tryhard who treats them like workdays!]
Are you using Otto's words against me?
[Ahem, anyway, do you really need to think about what to do at the beach?]
[Breasts! Buttocks! Big long legs!]
...If my English were any worse, I wouldn't even understand what you're saying.
Fortunately, my English is good enough to reply—F**k you!
[Don't F**k the System. You should be thinking about how not to get f**ked.]
Huh?
Coming back to his senses, Leo Ash noticed that Fu Hua's expression as she looked at him had become even more helpless.
Crap, I forgot she's still watching me.
And Fu Hua, discovering that Leo Ash had suddenly frozen, could only think that this disciple of hers was really a bit... too strong.
I've already used Fenghuang Down on him, right?
Why is he still able to zone out over something like this while under the hypnosis of Fenghuang Down?
It seems Leo Ash's strength has indeed improved to a terrifying degree. Even my Fenghuang Down can't control him anymore.
This won't do—his obsession is too severe. I have to find a way to make him rest a bit.
Having cleared her thoughts, Fu Hua made a decision without hesitation.
And at the same time...
What the hell???
Wait a minute, what's with all these feathers flying everywhere!
"Leo Ash, remember to rest well."
After saying this, Fu Hua, who had forcefully used Fenghuang Down for a second time in a short period, collapsed in front of Leo Ash and coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Completely caught off guard by her move, Leo Ash could only frantically mobilize the mana within his body, preparing to heal Fu Hua's injuries directly with a Powerful Healing Spell.
But at that moment, a thought suddenly popped into Leo Ash's head.
"Class Rep! What's wrong! You've coughed up so much blood, I should really take you to the infirmary!"
After shouting this, Leo Ash scrambled to support Fu Hua's body, then picked her up, preparing to carry her to the medical room for treatment.
However, just a few steps after picking her up, he immediately stopped and gently placed Fu Hua on the ground.
System...
[I've already told you there are no surveillance cameras in the training room. Otto is a peeping tom, yes, but Theresa has her own special training room. If Otto wants to peep, he'll peep on that one!]
OK, then we're good.
Confirming that no one was around and that Fu Hua had lost consciousness, Leo Ash stealthily took out the Full Rejuvenation Potion he had prepared long ago from his storage space.
[The System will give you a friendly reminder: if you just pour it into her mouth like that, she won't be able to swallow it in her current state.]
...You're trying to tempt me, aren't you.
[No joke this time. Her mouth is as stubborn as yours—in every sense of the word.]
[If you force it into her mouth, the medicine might not be absorbed. You'd be better off just hitting her with a healing spell.]
What about the effect of a healing spell?
[You could drain yourself dry and you still wouldn't be able to cure her. It would probably just treat the symptoms, not the root cause.]
Damn, my seven senior brothers and sisters were that ruthless, huh.
[Hey now, Otto's meddling is also a factor.]
That piece of shit...
[Normally it's whatever, but you're being so hesitant even when it's to save someone.]
[Host, you've changed. The decisive, slaughtering Leo Ash of the past—]
Never existed, okay?
Even counting Ji Lin, the first time I killed someone was just a month ago!
Alright, alright, I get it. You weren't tricking me, right?
[Believe it or not. Fu Hua's body is in this state because of you. If you want to be an irresponsible scumbag, be my guest.]
...Fine.
Looking at the pale-faced woman before him, Leo Ash held the drop of Full Rejuvenation Potion and dripped it into his own mouth.
However, the moment the drop entered his mouth, Leo Ash enveloped it with a shield woven from mana, preventing it from entering his body.
As for how he could do such a thing—don't ask, just attribute it to Precision Control being at rank C.
Leo Ash didn't know why Su hadn't given the medicine to Fu Hua immediately, nor did he know if doing this would expose any information about Fu Hua.
But looking at the woman before him, who had tortured herself time and again for his sake, Leo Ash felt that if he chose not to heal Fu Hua's body at a time like this over such trivial details, he would only see himself as a monster.
As for the method...
This is to save a life, this is to save a life, this is to save a life.
Repeating this phrase over and over in his mind, Leo Ash looked at Fu Hua before him and pressed his lips against hers.
As he delivered the potion into Fu Hua's body, he immediately recoiled as if electrocuted, then activated Mind Like Still Water and his Poker Face ability, forcing himself to calm down.
[You did it! Host! You finally did it!]
Get lost, get lost, I did it to save her!
[Cut the crap. You kissed her, and you're still trying to say you didn't do it? If you were only trying to save her, you could have totally used your Precision Control ability to weave a mana shield and have the mana carry the drop of potion into her body.]
[But you still did it—ah, finally found one, the first victim!]
You bastard, you tricked me?!
[The System merely proposed one option. If you couldn't think of other options yourself, isn't that because your own brain isn't working or you were intentionally not thinking of them?]
[The System is not taking the blame for this!]
...Forget it, you're right.
The problem is indeed with me. There's no need to push it onto you.
[Uh, hey, Host, the System was joking.]
[Don't suddenly get so calm. You're making the System a little nervous.]
Under the effects of the Full Rejuvenation Potion, Fu Hua gradually opened her eyes.
Then, she felt as if her body had returned to its peak condition.
No, not 'as if'—my past strength, it's back????
At this moment, Fu Hua looked at Leo Ash before her in utter shock, wanting to ask something.
But looking at Leo Ash, whose eyes were now crystal clear and whose aura had become noticeably stronger than before, Fu Hua suddenly felt it was better not to say anything.
She had instructed Leo Ash not to use his healing ability recklessly, but now...
Sigh, forget it. It was my problem that led to him using this ability again.
He was able to cure my injuries, which haven't healed for so long, in one go. He must have paid a huge price.
This guy, is the reason he's erupting with such a strong aura right now to cover up the feeling of weakness after over-exhausting his power?
[...I don't want to suspect this, but could it be that you suddenly erupted with that aura just to make her imagine all of this?]
You overestimate me, System. I just figured some things out.
[...That's even more terrifying.]
[Damn, if a kiss can lead to such an epiphany, the System doesn't even dare to imagine what would happen if you went all out with a beautiful girl.]
Give me a break. Even if they're aggressive, they wouldn't go that far, right...
At that moment, Leo Ash suddenly saw the System display a manga page.
On the page, he saw Kiana shouting, 'I want to drink Mei's p***y juice!'
[Why would you have the misconception that they are all proper ladies?]
...
[Has Kiana's behavior been too normal recently, causing you to forget her true nature?]
...
[You know full well who she likes now, so...]
[Ahem, the System will stop here. Remember to do your best, Host.]
[Don't worry about being watched. When you and your lover are passionately in love, the System will automatically shield external senses.]
...Well, thanks for being so smart.
.....
Meanwhile, in the small woods near the training grounds.
Inside the woods, Yuna lifted the hand she had pressed against the ground and narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Oho, so that's how it is."
When Leo Ash and Fu Hua had arrived near the training grounds earlier, Yuna had followed them.
However, to avoid being detected by the two masters of Shenzhou martial arts, she had stopped in the nearby woods and didn't get any closer.
As for how she managed to peep...
—Don't ask, just know that the floor inside the training room is made of wood.
Just as Yuna could eavesdrop on Leo Ash, Kiana, and Mei's conversations through the wooden floor in the dorm, she could naturally 'hear' and 'see' what Leo Ash was doing from a greater distance using the same method.
"So there really is something like that between the Class Rep and Senior... No, I should say that Senior has one-sided feelings for the Class Rep."
Yuna, who had secretly followed them, of course, couldn't see the full picture.
But she definitely saw Leo Ash sneakily kissing Fu Hua.
Wow, a month ago, me, Mei, and Bronya all thought there was no romantic atmosphere between the Class Rep and Senior.
Turns out, only Kiana started throwing a fit right away.
I thought she was being overly sensitive back then, but now...
—The Kaslana family's intuition, it works in this area too?
.....