Chapter 711 (2/2)

“I concede. Helen is the winner of this match.”

*****

“Congratulations,” Ophelia said to Shal as they sat in the high box above the arena. They had kept it largely secret, but they had returned to Hastam earlier that day, just in time to witness the first match of the under 25 Tournament. “Although he conceded at the end, he clearly was the superior fighter. His capabilities are far beyond that normal run of geniuses. But I suspect that because of the time of chaos, this will be a cohort of unbelievably powerful individuals…”

Shal nodded, looking down at his disciples back as he walked out of the arena. Then his eyes went to the girl who remained standing on the stage while the audience gave half-hearted cheers, obviously confused by the outcome. “Did you notice? Toward the end?”

“Yes. Your disciple has become qualified to be a Pontiff.” Ophelia said, sparing Shal a glance. “Without calling on the System, he relied on the power of the world to create a Skill. I was wondering whether you noticed.”

Shal gave Ophelia a hard look.

But she responded only with laughter. “I’m not playing games. It was a subtle thing. I don’t believe the girl he was facing realized; otherwise, she would have had a much easier time in the end.”

Shal only grunted. He didn’t agree with Ophelia’s judgment at all, and he only had the knowledge to dismiss her because his Perception Skill happened to be very sensitive to temperature. It wasn’t that Randidly wasn’t good at creating a Skill through an image, it was that his original Skill was unrefined and weak. He had just learned it.

But of course, Ophelia had no dealings with Randidly. She wouldn’t understand what sort of monster he was.

Shal turned away from the window of their booth and Ophelia arched an eyebrow at him. “What, are you not going to speak with your disciple? Comfort him on his loss?”

“No,” Shal said shortly. “My guidance can wait a few days. Give him time to digest this experience. Instead, let’s meet with Aylwind. I think it’s time you told me what was going on in Tellus.”

Ophelia’s smile was wicked.

*****

“My condolences,” Azriel said, curtseying in front of Randidly.

The corner of his mouth quirked up. “You are aware of Helen and I’s bet. Why are you here comforting me? She will likely need it.”

Azriel chuckled. “The only person you understand less than Helen is yourself, Randidly. Come. Rest your head on my shoulder.”

Randidly frowned at her. Azriel offered a wide smile. “I am much shorter than you, yes. You don’t think you need this, yes. But please, humor me.”

For several seconds, Randidly just looked at Azriel. But this wasn’t one of her jokes were her mirth would bubble up in her expression. After standing for a good ten seconds, Randidly had to admit that she was serious. So he grunted and leaned forward, setting his forehead against her shoulder.

His first thought was how bony Azriel was. He could feel the bone of her shoulder, and also the clean arc of her collarbone. Azriel reached up and softly touched the back of his head.

Strangely, Randidly felt the Crown of Cataclysm and Gloom hanging over him at that moment. It felt like a weight, pulling his forehead into Azriel’s shoulder. It pulsed. Randidly felt cold. His fingers were numb from using his new Skill.

“There is no excuse for waiting so long to clear up the misunderstanding about your feelings, but there is no shame in having a hard time delivering the truth,” Azriel said softly. They stood in the dim participant hallway outside of the arena. The underground passage was completely deserted except for them.

“It’s hard, isn’t it?” Azriel continued. “To think you have found a peer, a partner, only to be forced to let them know you are moving on. That you can’t stay with them.”

Still, Randidly remained silent.

Azriel sighed. “It isn’t much, but I hope you take these few moments to rest. This isn’t the end, you know. I don’t know where the source of energy you have given access to me comes from; but I know what it means. You walk the narrow path toward supremacy. Too few are those that can recognize that, let alone follow you.”

Randidly’s hands clenched into fists. She was right, although he wouldn’t say anything. He couldn’t move. He simply let himself slump over against her. The deep cold was sitting in his chest still. It had receded a lot after he had been able to understood how it fit into his image of ash, but it still remained. It likely would never leave.

“It’s lonely, isn’t it?” Azriel said quietly.

Again, Randidly didn’t reply. The two simply stood in the hallway, waiting for the weight of the moment to pass.