Chapter 45: Fighting and Healing to Redeem People’s Hearts.

“Pfft, is this how people flirt these days?”

Suna’s light chuckle and teasing remark met Skoll’s intense, stubborn gaze, as if he were seeking some crucial answer.

“Please, tell me,” he pressed again.

Shrugging, Suna didn’t dodge the question further. “I’m Suna Flurist.”

Skoll’s expression mixed disappointment with a calm acceptance, as if he’d anticipated the answer. Despite witnessing Suna’s “end,” a faint hope lingered in his heart.

For Suna, though she hadn’t altered her speech tone much since leaving Skoll, her [Veil of Truth] blessing masked her voice enough to make it unrecognizable.

[This blessing’s effect is seriously impressive. They can’t tell it’s me. I didn’t need to hide so hard. I’ll just tweak some daily habits when interacting with them. As long as I avoid Korez Town mannerisms, there shouldn’t be issues.]

While Suna mused, Skoll composed himself, bowing politely. “Thank you for answering. Sorry, I was rude earlier.”

Just as Suna thought she’d cleared the hurdle, Frosti ran over, bowing in apology but stumbling toward her.

“Ahh!”

Flailing, Frosti grabbed a corner of Suna’s veil.

Instinctively, Suna steadied her but saw a chance in the veil’s near-slip. As a golden-tier, she could easily prevent it, but constant concealment might raise suspicion. Better to reveal herself with a slight tweak.

Using a subtle trick, Suna let Frosti see her “true face” as she steadied her.

The unveiled face stunned Frosti, then disappointed her.

Flawless as a masterpiece painting, it radiated divine glow. Her golden, wavy hair shimmered like forged gold threads, and her striking crimson-gold eyes gleamed like sunlight through stained glass.

Skoll, awestruck, sighed subtly.

“What? Can you stand steady now, miss? No more tripping. And you, sir, sighing at someone’s appearance is rude,” Suna gently chided.

Boon and Mist, curious, crowded closer.

“That beauty needs a veil to avoid trouble,” Boon remarked.

“Wow, too gorgeous!” Mist exclaimed, pulling out a camera to snap a photo.

But the developed photo showed Suna with her veil back on.

“Too slow. Stingy,” Mist grumbled, realizing Suna had used water magic to swiftly replace the veil.

Ignoring her, Suna addressed Skoll, Frosti, and Ace with a friendly tone. “So, are your doubts cleared?”

Her pointed question made Skoll understand she’d deliberately ignored Frosti’s move. With golden-tier strength, Frosti wouldn’t have touched her shadow otherwise.

Pulling Frosti back, Skoll apologized again. “Sorry, we mistook you for someone else. Thank you for your leniency. To make amends, I’ll fulfill any reasonable request.”

He glanced at the muttering Frosti, urging her to apologize.

“She’s not… but it felt so similar… Sorry, Saintess Suna,” Frosti said.

“You caused quite a mess this time, sis,” Ace teased.

“Says you! I haven’t caused as much trouble as you growing up!” Frosti shot back.

As they bickered, Suna tilted her head toward the young acolyte trying to slip away, leaning against the wall.

“Since that’s settled, tell me why you beat him. He’s a temple acolyte, so I’m curious.”

The acolyte froze under everyone’s gazes.

Skoll, still fuming, growled through gritted teeth, “He kept slandering someone we respect with vile words.”

Ace and Frosti elaborated.

“Recently, Skoll’s beaten up a dozen idiots like him. We helped at first, but he hits too hard. Five are still in the infirmary,” Ace said.

“So we were sent here to train and reflect. But people keep provoking us. It’s annoying,” Frosti added.

[Wait, what? They’re beating people up for insulting me? And with no restraint? Perfect, he’s veering further from the hero’s path. My plan worked!]

Inwardly delighted, Suna cast healing magic on the acolyte, speaking gently. “Even so, your approach is wrong. Your goal should be to make him repent and stop slandering, not just inflict pain.”

Her words stunned Skoll, Ace, and Frosti. Boon and Mist looked confused, while the healed acolyte gazed at her gratefully.

But her next words chilled him.

“So, beat him again. I’ll heal him until he truly learns his lesson.”