Chapter 44: Will the Saint and the Brave Man be attracted to each other?
Suna’s words tore through Mist’s haughty facade, exposing her desperate anxiety while subtly nudging her to continue the partnership as the best option.
“Fine, I won’t object,” Mist conceded, her tone still wary. “We’ve got no choice but to grab the lifeline you’re offering.”
Though she agreed, Mist’s guardedness showed she wasn’t easily swayed by words alone. Boon, agreeing rationally, also didn’t fully trust the mysterious Suna.
To ease the tension, Suna spoke soothingly.
“Don’t be so prickly. I’m a saintess who accepted your mission, so I’ll do my best to help you achieve your goals. Now, Mist, can I start advising you?”
Redirecting to the mission, Suna addressed Mist’s combat flaws.
“Smoke magic isn’t suited for direct clashes. To make it lethal, you need ample magic reserves and precise control. While training those, leverage smoke magic’s unique traits.”
“But relying on smoke for support won’t quickly boost my combat strength,” Mist protested. “Without focused effort, it’s barely lethal.”
Suna wagged her finger. “You’re too fixated on smoke’s fixed forms. It’s fragile but fluid and versatile, able to become an invisible weapon. Like this.”
Snapping her fingers, Suna made golden raindrops form a stream flowing from Mist’s mouth.
Startled yet puzzled, Mist asked, “When did you do that?”
Controlling the golden water into a ball, Suna evaporated it into nearly invisible mist.
“Like so.”
“I get it,” Mist murmured, enlightened. “Diluting smoke magic makes it hard to detect, and I could mix in poison or curse magic…”
Seeing Mist catch on, Suna planned an intense training regimen for them, already scheming how to use their connection to naturally approach Skoll.
For the rest of the afternoon, Suna outlined basic magic training plans and coached them until evening.
Their rapport warmed slightly, and Suna shared her fabricated backstory: a half-elf mercenary who, after a life-changing event, devoted herself to the Golden Bough Goddess.
Her emotional tale of being ostracized in the temple for her half-elf heritage won their sympathy and favor, flawless in its delivery.
[Luckily, the Golden Bough saintess oath doesn’t ban lying, or I’d be struck down for all these fibs.]
Inwardly chuckling, Suna saw the time and addressed the exhausted Boon and Mist, panting on the ground.
“That’s it for today. Contact me tomorrow morning for arrangements, and we’ll meet at Victory Day Statue Plaza.”
“Got it, Saintess Suna,” Boon replied.
Mist, weakly, grumbled, “We agreed to train, but you’re working us to death!”
“Want quick results without sacrifice? Keep at it. See you tomorrow.”
Waving to the struggling pair, Suna approached the training room’s door.
As she stepped into the corridor, she spotted three familiar figures and heard a familiar voice.
“Stop! Skoll, you can’t keep fighting!” a girl pleaded.
“I can’t hold him back!” a boy replied.
“Move aside…”
Turning slightly, Suna saw Skoll, eyes red and fists bloodied, restrained by Ace’s arms, while Frosti pushed against him.
Their “victim,” bruised and swollen, leaned against the wall, shielding his head and groaning, trying to crawl away.
[Am I cursed? Why do I keep running into them? There’s no fated bond between a saintess and a hero!]
Inwardly ranting, Suna considered retreating to avoid the encounter.
But Boon and Mist, following her, noticed her pause.
“What’s wrong, Saintess Suna?” Boon asked.
“You’re blocking the door. Something up outside?” Mist added.
Their voices drew Skoll, Ace, and Frosti’s gazes.
“Saintess Suna?” Skoll muttered, eyeing her.
Suppressing her emotions, Suna replied to Boon and Mist, “Nothing, just a fight. Let’s take the other exit.”
Though her suggestion fit the situation, Boon and Mist noticed the trio’s intense stares.
“Just a fight? They keep looking over here…” Boon murmured.
“Hope it’s not trouble,” Mist added.
Ace and Frosti whispered to each other.
“Brother, she feels familiar! Even her name…” Frosti said.
“It’s just a coincidence, sis! Look at her magic level,” Ace replied.
Distracted, Skoll broke free from Ace and charged toward Suna.
“Saintess, what’s your name?”