Chapter 322: Breaking the Dilemma
"Are you really sure he’s going to join us?" Another member of the Fallen Faction stood beside Marcus, staring at Kai, who was already sitting in stillness with his eyes closed. "You took such a big risk by meeting him personally when I could’ve done it the same."
"After watching him, do you think you can convince him?" Marcus asked with a chuckle.
It was a question that caught the man off guard.
Recalling the conversation, he realized that he wouldn’t be able to convince Kai.
Had he been the one explaining things in Marcus’ place, there would be no chance that Kai— would be one of them. Not because he couldn’t explain things well, but because of something else that he can’t quite understand.
Even until the end, Kai said that he would think about it.
And that proved that he still didn’t trust them. Still being extra careful.
"That kid has trust issues—and he couldn’t trust us fully until the end. Not that I blamed him, considering the Blood Rite all Angels needed to go through." Marcus crossed his arms. "But I believe he will come around. Just give him time to contemplate. After all—we need him more than he needs us."
Moments later.
Kai was now back inside the AAA’s Headquarters, seated at a long marble table with papers spread before him. His hand moved the quill pen roughly across the forms, scratching out the answers for each section, but his eyes, though fixated on the papers, saw nothing.
His mind was somewhere else entirely.
Layra sat beside him, silent, and she was the only one who knew that he was troubled.
People who woke up after passing out would be groggy, and yet Kai was immediately alert, sitting up and staring into the distance with a crease between his brows that refused to fade. It was clear that something happened while he was passed out.
She had brought him to the bench when he collapsed.
And since he had only been out for ten minutes, nothing happened.
Vassa came back later, giving them time to walk around the AAA’s Headquarters.
Regardless, those ten minutes had been enough to change Kai’s mood.
Now, inside the headquarters, Kai replayed the conversation in his head. Marcus’ words.
But the one he focused on the most was the last part before he left.
’You might be the missing piece we need—Red Prince Kai. You had experienced the worst life an Angel could experience, and your battle in the tournament was broadcast to the surface, making you famous. Having someone like you would be really beneficial for us.’
’If you decide to join us—then make haste to the Second Sky. Do great and achieve cum laude. I’m sure doing that would be easy for you, considering your strength. But the hardest part was to gain a sponsor early.’
’I would help if I could, but I couldn’t. You need to find a sponsor on your own. The stronger the sponsor, the better.’
Kai was completely blindsided by what Marcus said at the end.
He hadn’t expected the tournament to be broadcast to the surface. He didn’t even know how it had happened, or why, but the fact remained. Fame had been one of his goals—as it would be his shield to secure his place in the First Sky, perhaps even the higher skies.
He’d assumed he would only earn it in the next tournament.
One that involved all champions from the inter-academy tournaments.
But he achieved some popularity early through the Dragon Ring Tournament.
It was a good thing I became a bit more known, but what should I do with the Fallen Faction? Should I go along with them? Seeing them directly, they didn’t seem like people who wanted to cause destruction to the world. Just people who wanted to stand up against the system like me.
Should I...? I’m inclined to say yes, but I’m not sure.
Kai clicked his tongue in displeasure.
Even though the Fallen Faction was perfect for him, he still couldn’t trust them completely.
He really wanted to say yes, knowing that there might not be an invitation like this ever again. And worse, if he waited for too long—the Fallen Faction might even be defeated by the Lower Olympus before he could help them.
But he couldn’t help but feel like he was being too hasty.
On the other side, he could work on his own and make a change once he was ready.
It would be safer, but it would take longer.
Many people would die until then.
Kai clenched his jaw, deliberating his options, and then opened his mouth. "Say, if your heart wants something but your mind knew that it would be really risky—as it has the potential to kill you, what would you do? Would you still go with your heart? Yes or no?"
"Hm...?" Layra was stunned at the sudden question. "If you’re aski—"
Just as she was about to say more, Kai shook his head.
"Never mind." He smiled inwardly. "I already know the answer."
Bella taught him that whenever he was in a dilemma that involved his future—he should flip a coin and the answer would be revealed to him. As he asked the question to Layra and waited for her answer, he already found himself hoping that she would say yes.
It was clear that he wanted to be a part of the Fallen Faction despite the risks.
In that case, I’ll need to start thinking about the sponsor.
Layra tugged him with her elbow.
"Did you use me to confirm something? That’s rude." She said, and then smacked her lips. "At least say thank you or something."
"S-Sorry," Kai chuckled lightly. "And thanks for the help."
"Anytime—I’m happy that I could help." She paused. "But are you going to tell me what really happened?"
Kai looked to the side and saw Vassa was waiting for them. "Maybe later."
Once the two finished filling out the registration forms and handing them over to Vassa, they could return to their academies—It was done. But Layra remembered that Keeper Seliza told them to come find her after they finished, so they did.
Naturally, Kai didn’t want to see the condescending slut again.
But not going would only be provoking her.
Keeper Seliza was waiting for them at the bottom of the staircase where they met earlier.
She then raised her index finger; the fingertip glowed with a white light.
"Come here." She said, gesturing for them to approach.
Layra stepped forward first, taking the lead. She halted in front of Keeper Seliza and watched as the glowing fingertip drew near to her face. A steaming his seeped into her ears as soon as the fingertip touched her mask.
And then, Keeper Seliza dragged her finger down.
It took only a second before she pulled away.
A white, scorching line now scarred Layra’s mask, starting from her forehead to the bridge of her nose. Against the emerald of her mask, it really stood out. "Blooded Angels are already a recognized force who had shown great feats during the Blood Rite. And this is your very first Scarring. Every time you complete a noteworthy feat, you will get a Scarring like this."
"I have seen some seniors have it," Layra nodded—only now clicked as to where those seniors got their marks. Then, she tilted her head a little. "But Keeper Seliza, this is a ceremonial mask, not my personal mask."
"Eh—?" Keeper Seliza paused, flustered, and then quickly cleared her throat. "M-My mistake. Just tell the academy that it was me who did it so you won’t get into trouble."
Layra smiled sheepishly.
Had she known what was going on, she could’ve prevented this.
Keeper Seliza snapped her fingers, summoning a small vial from thin air. She opened the lid— and placed her fingertip as deep as she could. Again, the white light emerged—but this time, it became liquid, filling the vial.
She made two of these vials and handed them to Layra and Kai.
"Ask your dean or chancellor to give the Scarring to your personal mask using this," She said.
Both nodded in understanding.
Just then, Keeper Seliza held their hands. Her left hand was holding Kai’s hand—and her right was holding Layra’s hand. And then, her eyes glowed white with a golden sheen before her mana shot into them.
Swish—!
It felt like being electrocuted for a fraction of a second.
Kai and Layra gasped, surprised by the sudden jolt that startled their bodies.
"W-What was that?" Layra asked.
"I cleared your Awakened Blood Vessels—of any blockages. Your mana would flow better now, which meant you could channel your Legacy Skill and Imprints quicker and recover your mana faster." Keeper Seliza stepped back. "It can only be done by a person far stronger than you, so be grateful. A gift for becoming a champion."
"T-Thank you for the gift." Layra bowed her head politely.
Of course, she didn’t forget to pull on Kai’s hand, gesturing for him to do the same.
"Thanks." He said flatly.
"Alright." Keeper Seliza gestured for them to leave. "Go on then. You can leave."
Neither said anything—and simply walked back to where they came from, following the two legionnaires. These were the same legionnaires from earlier. Their business was done, so there was no need for them to stay any longer.
Behind, Keeper Seliza watched their backs going further and further away.
She specifically stared at Kai and then looked down at her left hand.
"Strange..." She thought aloud; the world barely forming. "I didn’t need to expend nearly as much mana to clear his Awakened Blood Vessels. And my mana also coursed through him far more easily than it did through the girl. It’s almost like he has no blockages."
From the moment a Supernal awakened their Divine Bloodline, they can use mana.
But it wasn’t only after years later that they were taught to use that mana.
Because of this abstinence from mana use, most Supernals have blockages built up inside them. It wasn’t debilitating in any way, and the effect might not be too significant—but it should still be something.
And the feeling of having the blockages expelled was, most of the time, pleasant.
It was strange for Kai to have no blockages inside him.
"I’m tempted to say that I must’ve felt it wrong, but since he broke the record in the Test Hall, I don’t think my senses were wrong." She looked up at where Kai disappeared. "I’m not sure, but it might be worth it to keep a closer eye on him."
Moments later.
Kai escorted Layra back to the academy, and then continued his way back to his own.
Due to them having to go around to spend time together, it was already the afternoon.
And along the way, Kai looked down and narrowed his eyes as he saw someone standing in the middle of nowhere.