Free Web NovelChapter 63: Ch 63: Do you want power?
’Dear Iris, are you afraid of your powers and how they could affect Kael? You don’t have to be. He will never be disappointed in you. But the others around him might try to use this against you. So gain power and make everyone speechless.’
The voice sounded much clearer this time, and it ignited her anger. The fear Iris had been feeling seconds ago was bleeding out of her frame.
’If you don’t want to lose Kael and your place in his life, then you need to make the others too afraid to take him away. So let’s make this a warning for them. Don’t worry, I will help you out.’
"What are you? You are not just a voice in my head, right? Your presence feels too...tangible."
Iris might not feel strong, but she was a Sword Master. She was not as ignorant as other people, and her senses told her that the voice was not her imagination.
’Hmm, you wish to know who I am? I am just another part of you that is here to give you encouragement. For now, think of me as your helper. Don’t you want to help Kael?’
Iris knew she should not feel tempted by that voice, but she still felt herself slipping.
Her desire to help Kael and make him proud took higher priority than her own safety. And the voice was taking advantage of that fact.
Besides, would a part of Iris really try to hurt her? Especially when it was promising that it would help protect Kael?
’Shhh, don’t think too much and relax your hand. Otherwise, you will injure yourself.’
Iris looked at her hand, only to realize she had almost dug her nails into her palms. She took a deep breath and looked at the mirror, then at the unconscious duo she had just left behind.
’It would be a problem if we leave these bodies here, right? Then let me show you how to make them disappear. Use your mana like this.’
The voice was not only affecting Iris, but it was also making her use her mana in a way she had never used before.
It made Iris realize just how lacking she was, but it also made her feel powerful in a way she never had before. She had a feeling that if she had this power, then she would never lose anything again.
’That’s right! I refuse to lose what is precious to me again, so my dear past self, help me out here-’
Iris was distracted and drunk on power. She only heard half of what the voice was saying, but the more she used her powers, the more convinced she became that this was the right thing to do.
This power...she wanted more.
knock
"Iris, are you alright? You have been gone for a while, and I got worried. Do you need help with something? I can send Seraphina inside-"
Kael’s voice brought Iris back, and she realized what she had been doing.
The adrenaline she got from using her powers began to drain away, but the feeling did not leave her.
’Call for me when the time comes. Together, we will show this world that it is unwise for them to underestimate us.’
The voice slowly faded, and Iris gradually came back to her senses. She looked at the still-closed door and then at the clear bathroom.
The two bodies she had knocked out were nowhere to be seen.
"What did I do to them?"
She asked, but she did not get an answer.
Instead, the door was slammed open and Leon entered the bathroom.
The first thing he did was look around with suspicious eyes. It almost seemed as if he knew what had happened here, but he did not say much.
Iris looked away from the younger boy and toward Kael next, and whatever negative feelings she had vanished in an instant.
"Are you alright?"
Kael was not asking a question that she needed to answer. She could tell that he did not expect her to respond if she did not want to.
’Let’s not worry him any more. Tell him that you were nervous, but then you heard people badmouthing all of you and made up your mind to fight. It would be the fastest way to reassure him that you are fine.’
"I am fine now. I was nervous, but then I heard some people badmouthing us all. Now I feel like I am ready to fight and prove them all wrong."
Iris’s mouth moved before her brain could catch up. She expected to feel guilty after saying this, but the guilt never came.
The only thing that came was the realization that this was what she wanted. Her body and that voice had simply known it before she could consciously admit it.
"You...heard people talking? And you did not bash their heads in?"
Leon questioned, and his eyes looked even more convinced. Iris felt her heart skip a beat at his accusation.
"Leon, let’s not question Iris too much. Iris, if you have made up your mind regarding this, then I will trust you. But tell me as soon as you start to feel doubtful. Once again, neither you nor Leon has to fight this battle."
Kael reassured both her and Leon, but Leon just scoffed at his words.
"I am not backing down. Now, let’s go and teach these fools what we are capable of."
Kael sighed and followed after Leon. Seraphina remained quiet, but her determined look told Iris that she was in agreement with her childhood friend.
And Iris?
She felt relieved that Kael had chosen to take her side. He had not even questioned her about what had happened.
But at the same time, what happened in this restroom had become a secret she could not tell anyone. Would it be traced back to her?
’Shhh, don’t worry so much about it. The mana we used won’t be traced back to us. After all, we manipulated the mana in those council members’ bodies. So even if someone investigates, all they would sense is the mana emitted by them.’ freewebnoveℓ.com
It was a manipulative and horrifying trick to think about. Such a technique would ensure that the user never ran out of mana as long as their opponent was alive.
’Are you interested? I won’t mind teaching it to you. As long as we are coexisting, let’s cooperate in order to protect what is ours.’
Iris...did not have a problem with that. As long as she could protect her place beside Kael, she did not care what she had to do.
