[Chapter 49] Silver – Consulting Sars

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After years unable to experience anger, I can’t stop feeling it. It’s good Kate’s around, or I might have worried I was malfunctioning. His girlfriend was also seething.

Kate had already won her evening match. Silver was next. He heard the buzzing around him, whisperers about clones. I couldn’t care less. His attitude was keeping the curious away. They can tell it isn’t the time to approach.

I used to pride myself in my aura magic. It was what made him special. Now I don’t know anymore.

Kara had made them stronger, far stronger, and she’d put them through hell to do it. Their scars were the proof. It’d been harder on Kate. At least I had some preparation because of Astra. He chuckled softly. His mother was a saint in comparison.

“You’re up.” Kate said. Silver nodded and walked out.

“IN THE WEST CORNER, SILVER FROM EARTH’S END, ARTHER BARD’S DOPPELGANGER. THIS MYSTERIOUS NINJA HAS BEEN ABSENT FOR TEN DAYS. RUMOR HAS IT HE AND KATE MORGANA WERE TRAINED BY KARA. GIVEN KATE’S PERFORMANCE, I HAVE HIGH EXPECTATIONS.”

We’ve reached the zenith of fame. Since Coralin had testified, the coverage had been non-stop. Our power will continue rising.

“FACING HIM IN THE EAST CORNER IS CHRIS BLURIFT, AN EARTH DRUID FROM THE VIGIL’S WILD MOON CULT. WILL THIS A-RANK SOLO ADVENTURER MEASURE UP? LET’S WAIT AND SEE!”

Chris had messy red hair and wore a brown robe with totems about his neck. Druids, another special class… It boosts summons and ‘natural’ abilities.

“BEGIN!”

I’ll cede the first move. He didn’t want this to end as fast as Kate’s. It’d be too sad.

The druid yelled, “Amherst Porcupines.” Four waist-high spiky beasts appeared and sent quills at him.

You’re kidding. Silver let them bounce off without moving. His aura was incomparably tougher than before. I understand it’s the opening shot, but use something that can hurt me.

Chris appeared shocked. To be fair, I suppose it’s understandable. After the initial volley, there’d been larger quills mixed in which should’ve been effective. If I wasn’t defending against them. Anticipating injuries, Silver was instantly focusing his aura, reinforcing attacked parts.

I should end this. In the Darklands, Kara had dredged up types of undead he didn’t know existed. Compared to those monsters, this was nothing. If I start playing around, then I’ll be like her.

‘Silver dashed forward in a blur, leaving ripped ground in his wake. Not only had he fully mastered matching his movements to his aura, he now gripped the earth with ‘spikes’ from his feet. No longer reliant on gravity for traction, he could run on any surface.

Panicking, Chris cried, “Earth Wall!” A thick block of granite sprung up ahead, twenty feet long and fifteen high. To summon that much without a spell, it must be because he’s a druid.

Silver accelerated. It’d be child’s play to go over, but I don’t want to. Instead, he coated himself in a carapace of orange. Full Aura Armor. He could only maintain it for seconds, but during that time he was nigh invulnerable. He smashed through the stone like a wrecking ball. Kara had taught them to give their aura weight. When he’d hit, he’d measured four tons.

There he is. Chris had summon a giant eagle to carry him off. Far too late for that. Silver sprang, and sixteen inch blades grew from his fingers. His opponent was cleaved in half.

“WE’VE A WINNER. SILVER CLAWS HIS WAY TO THE TOP IN A LIGHTNING BOUT. THE TALK OF THEM BEING KARA’S DISCIPLES MUST BE TRUE.”

Silver winced. While neither of them had acknowledged Kara’s tutelage, the astute had pieced it together. It’d be useless to deny it, no one would believe us.

Silver felt no joy. Glancing upwards, he noted the familiar lounging figure. That self-confident sadist is watching us win.

“Good job.” Kate offered half-heartedly at his returned. “Shall we head back?”

Silver’s mind was full of Kara. Why’d she torment us? Was it a twisted form of attachment? Or the opposite? Maybe she didn’t care at all, and it was all entertainment.

“I’m going to speak to Sars.” Silver announced. “He’s from the green hell. He might tell us something.”

“I don’t think he’ll answer, but let’s try.” Kate said. She’s curious too.

The tyrant was lying on his rock, as always. Silver approached without hesitation. I’m still fearless about myself. “Greetings, we have questions we hoped you might answer.”

They waited while he stared down. Right… This might not work. Just because he was desperate for a response didn’t mean he’d receive one.

He was considering retreating when a voice rang out, “Ordinary, I wouldn’t recognize your existence, but the pain radiating from you… Outside of war, I rarely see it. I’m intrigued enough to hear you out.”

They recounted their time in the Darklands, and Silver asked, “You’re from the same place and even have her habit of lazing in high places. If anyone could clarify her motives, I thought it’d be you.”

Sars answered promptly, “It’s simple. There’s only one reason someone from Green Hell would train another. Kara took a liking to you. She judged you had the potential and needed strength. That’s all.”

“She took a liking?” Kate grimaced.

Sars emitted a strange, muffled chuckling, “Even us from Green Hell are capable of empathy. Example, I’m talking to you now. Kara showed interest in you. Because, you’d never strengthen someone you dislike.”

“So it was out of fondness?” Silver spat bitterly.

Sars raised his head, peering at them. He seemed… curious? “Those from Green Hell understand strength in ways others don’t. Outside, you can be weak. You find other means to solve problems. This always fascinating.”

“Point is—— even outside, sometimes strength needed. Sometimes, only solution. Kara’s intuition excellent. Above mine. If strength needed, cost of obtaining it irrelevant.” Sars used an odd emphasis.

“Prediction—— scars on your bodies, you’ll be thankful. Because, nothing more precious than strength when needed. Strength to survive. Strength to protect. When time comes, you’ll value it above all else. Then ——all the suffering—— you’ll see its purpose.”

The deep certainty in Sars’s voice shook them. But how could we ever be grateful for torture?

Kate spoke first, “I’m sorry, but you’re wrong. That’ll never happen.”

“Agreed.” Silver said. “There are less traumatic ways of training.”

“You’ll understand when time.” Sars lowered his head. The conversation was over. I guess that was marginally useful. They’d received answers, even if unsatisfying.

As they were leaving, Sars spoke again, “Final note—— To know more, find man named Legonas. He too questioned me. His history with Kara is deep, going back to Sanrune.”

“That story… tragic, even for Green Hell. The cost of not knowing how to use strength is nearly as bad as not having it.”