Chapter 691 (1/2)

As Shal charged forward, Versault raised his other hand. Once more, those woven reeds filled Shal’s every sense. It seemed like he could smell the dirt and running water. There was the soft rustle of wind amongst them.

Grinning, Shal stepped to the side. If nothing else, he knew that testing that image was not an easy thing. Better to start with more probing strikes. His spear lashed out towards Versault’s foot.

The man clicked his tongue and the bare palm turned into a gentle wave. Shal seemed to see a child splashing thick drops of water in play, and in the air, the drops caught the light of a hot sun until they were glimmering like gemstones.

With his instincts roaring fear, Shal allowed the force of the blow to spin him away. He stumbled to a stop some distance away, looking wide-eyed at Versault.

That level of image… it was obviously that of a Master, but it was more concrete than anything Shal had ever encountered. Compared to this, his own hidden strength was also insufficient.

But those few moves seemed to catch Versault’s attention. He turned and regarded Shal with bright eyes. “Ah… it is you. Interesting. I suppose it will not be a total waste of time if I witness your limits. Child, what is your Level?”

Before he could stop his mouth, Shal answered. “83.”

Then he slammed his hand across it, horrified. Why had he answered that question?

Versault made a click with his mouth. “Slow. But I suppose we have some time left, especially considering all the movement out of the Spearman School… Little Feely, I really think that is where-”

“My name,” Ophelia said imperiously, “Is Ophelia. Don’t you dare use that name, traitor.”

“So blinded by loyalty. Admirable. Will you raise your spear against me, after so long?” Versault asked in an amused voice. But he had to turn to the side as Verynica moved with her new spear and struck again.

Following Verynica’s lead, Shal attacked from the other side in a pincer maneuver that was relatively well done, considering they had never practiced.

But it only earned a dry chuckle from Versault. He spun, and the room was suddenly filled with a warm spring breeze across a dirt road. Travel and independence, sun and exploration. Possibilities filled every breath.

Shal gritted his teeth. A cold specter of the Spear Phantom condensed behind him, reaching out his greedy hands towards Versault’s body. Shal wasn’t too familiar with Verynica’s abilities, but he could tell that she also threw a haymaker at the old man.

Donggggggg.

Shuddering, Shal stumbled backward from the collision. His eyes narrowed as he considered the frowning man in front of him. He took both of their shots on directly without seeming any the worse for wear. Meanwhile, Shal himself was stunned for several seconds and Verynica had shattered another spear and collapsed.

Versault picked an infinitesimally small bit of dust from his nails and then spoke to Shal. “These… are not your natural images?”

Immediately, Shal froze.

“Fine, unleash the seal,” Ophelia hissed, and then she flexed her hand and produced a spear.

For the first time, Versault’s face turned serious. “Do you truly dare to act? If you activate your soul-”

“The Spearsource has been taken. Unless we find it, all has been lost,” Ophelia said softly. “Why would I dare not act?”

Now, Versault’s face creased with furious wrinkles. “And you truly believe that using your power against me is the best use? With this, you accomplish nothing! I have no knowledge what that selfish fool has done-”

“Now,” Ophelia said.

From Shal’s chest, the images he had so long suppressed burst to the surface. All those giggling moments with his beloved brother came to the surface, designing a Style all their own. Borrowing the grace and speed of Aemont’s Spear Phantom, but reducing it to a deadly form that they could most easily use.

The Wraith Adder Style.

His spear instantly began to twist and sway as it slithered closer to Versault. Snorting, he waved his arm and conjured the image of layered reeds once more.

But the ground split as Ophelia thrust forward with her spear. The ground beneath Shal trembled as it seemed like there truly was a stabbing explosion of rock out of the ground. The attack smashed into the reed wall with an explosion.