Chapter 80: Monocle (1/2)

Leonel cleared his throat, taking back control of his body.

Pretending as though nothing had happened, he turned back and walked to his pants, put them on and looked into the distance.

”… Nice weather we're having today, right?”

”…”

'He didn't hear what I said… right?” Aina thought to herself.

Aina looked around and found where her ax had landed, trying to find something to distract herself from the awkward atmosphere. But, when she went to take a step forward, she suddenly stumbled and almost fell.

Hearing the sound of her tripping, Leonel quickly turned back and didn't hesitate to rush to her side.

”Are you alright?”

Leonel caught her arm, trying to make sure she stayed upright and didn't fall over.

”… I think I have a concussion.” Aina said after a moment, bringing a hand to her forehead.

Though she said it like this, she was already certain. Not to mention her ability, even if she hadn't awakened one, her Five Star Profession was more than enough for her to tell.

”How about the rest of your body, is it okay?”

”… I'm fine.”

Leonel frowned. She was most definitely not fine.

Taking a strike that powerful without putting up any defense would have been lethal for any normal human. It was already a miracle that she came out in one piece. A strength stat of 1.60, especially behind such a large fist, was more than enough to shatter every bone in her body. Had Baruke coordinated with the wererat and used his claws instead… Leonel didn't even want to think of the possibility.

”You don't have to lie to me, we're a team right now, aren't we?” Leonel said.

”… We were a team in the France Zone too, but you still hid what that Force Art did to you, right?”

Aina's glare made Leonel smile bitterly. He let go of her arm and scratched his nose, a bit of guilt welling up in his chest.

However, this didn't change anything. Leonel could see by how gingerly she was moving that her effective stats were barely 70% of what they were meant to be. She might be able to hide her injuries from someone else, but Leonel's senses were too sharp. Even if by some miracle she didn't break any bones, she most definitely suffered from some internal bleeding.

”Alright, alright. I was wrong. But everything is okay now, right? I even got something out of it.”

It was only now Leonel realized they never really resolved those matters. He never apologized to her and just kind of ignored the topic. It really did make him a bit of a hypocrite.

”Is it really fine?”

”Yes, yes.” Leonel crossed a hand over his chest as though swearing an oath. ”Even the scar has faded. It seems that whoever made the Force Art designed it to be used in the Third Dimension, so it lost its effects here.”

In truth, this left Leonel feeling a bit disappointed. This Force Art was a double edged sword. The duller the danger, the less benefits he would receive.

The good news was that he could be considered to have solid fundamentals in Force Art now. The bad news was that all the Force Arts he knew, even if he drew them now, would have minimal effect at best and no effect at worst.

This was simply the laws of the universe. A Force Art designed to be used in a Fifth Dimensional World could likely destroy Earth in a single breath. But, one designed for a Third Dimensional one would have less of an impact that an ant.

Those fireballs Leonel created to decimate the English would barely be enough to start a campfire here.

'Well… At least I can use them in Zones? Not that I'll be able to enter one any time soon…' Leonel thought to himself.