The Saintess and the Boy Who Wouldn't Bow
"It's awful… awful! The saintess of the Soulforge Citadel is truly living up to her title. Having such power so young—too frightening!"
"The boy sitting opposite her is done for! Handsome? Ha! What's the point of a handsome face? In this world, power rules everything!"
The envious fellow from earlier scoffed, sneering with malice in his voice as he grumbled to himself:
"Good-looking men are only deserving of being villains… not fucking worth shit when it comes to real power."
The audience hummed with agitated murmurs. Everyone was certain Hera's four soul rings put too much pressure on the young man in front of her.
I mean, he was definitely too young, his aura way too unremarkable. Even Hera herself faltered, aware that she may have overdone it.
Did I unleash too much power? she thought, a look of guilt flashing on her face. She hadn't meant to hurt him—only to frighten him a little, to indicate how serious she was. For after all, in the younger generation of the Soulforge Citadel, there was no one to rival her cultivation. This man ought to be even less of an opponent.
She took a deep breath, prepared to withdraw her aura.
And then—
Her eyes went wide.
The man in front of her stood completely serene, his frame unmoved, a slight smile playing on his lips as if her suffocating strength was nothing but a gentle breeze.
Nux dipped his head slightly.
"Charm Pink Fox War Soul… You are Hera, aren't you?"
Gasps shook like thunderclaps.
The audience sprang to their feet, mouths agape in incredulity.
"He's fine?!"
"Completely unharmed… under pressure of four soul rings?!"
"What cultivation does this boy conceal?!"
"Good looks, level head—and now this power? Don't tell me he's some demonic genius as well?"
Someone whispered tremulously, as if not believing it:
"The four-ring War Soul is already the epitome of arrogance of our generation. No one else can remain so calmly under such pressure… He's bluffing, isn't he? He must be bluffing!"
But disbelief fell before the truth. Nux remained firm, Syra curled securely in his arms, his face serene and unblemished.
Hearts of the crowd shook. Enigma, vitality, and near divinity. all focused on the person of this young man.
Even Hera's heart faltered. Her fox ears perked up, her tail bristling at her rear as she gazed at him, completely bamboozled.
He… pushed me back? So easily? Commoners can't even catch their breath around my presence. What is he?
Her mouth opened before she could shut it.
"Who are you? How do you know me?"
Nux's smile grew deeper slightly.
"No mystery. I've just heard of you previously. And besides… everyone likes to talk about you."
Her brows furrowed in puzzlement.
"Then why have I never heard of you?"
She racked her mind, searching for the memory of his face, his presence. Impossible—if she had ever crossed paths with someone this unusual, this unshakable, she would have remembered.
Nux's tone remained light.
"You'd best put away your War Soul. Without true killing intent, it can't even scare the rabbit in my arms."
"Hmph!" Hera's cheeks burned a deep red. Being caught out so easily scorched her pride. She flung her head, tail lashing wildly.
"Don't look down on people! Don't tease me. I'm a four-ring War Soul master—do you think I can't frighten a rabbit? Ridiculous!"
Nux paused, and then sighed in mock seriousness.
"I warn you, if I tell you, you'll be the one frightened. This small rabbit here in my arms? She could strike you ten times over."
For a moment, Hera stiffened. Then—
"Pfft—giggle." She clapped her hand over her mouth, laughter escaping her lips in silver bell tones. Her eyes slanted in glee as she gave him a look half-persistent, half-teasing.
"Stinky man, you're not even attempting to sound plausible. Ask anyone here—who would take such utterance seriously?"
Nux's fingers stroked lightly through Syra's silky fur. His tone was still calm, unmoved.
"Just because others don't believe… doesn't mean it isn't true."
Hera blinked, and shook her head repeatedly. Her eyes relaxed a little, however, although her pride would not give. "You've got a good eye, I'll say that much. Your strength is mysterious too… you're not simple at all. I genuinely don't know where your War Soul is from."
Nux pondered for a moment and responded truthfully.
"My War Soul has not yet awakened. My soul power is zero."
Hera almost fell. Her gorgeous face scrunched up with surprise, lips stretching wide apart.
"Too much! You evil one—do not play games with me. How can one stand against my aura without having strength? An absolute impossibility. You are too unscrupulous!"
Nux held out his hands.
"I'm speaking the truth. Why do not you believe it?"
Her eyes scanned him from head to toe, her expression scrunching up suspiciously. And then she raised her chin haughtily.
"If you can resist my aura without flinching, you have at least level thirty cultivation. Perhaps even the same as mine. My instincts never lie.
And as for you not awakening a War Soul? Hmph. Even if this child were whipped into oblivion, I wouldn't believe it."
Nux rolled his eyes.
"Alas, you guessed incorrectly. I truly haven't awakened."
Hera stamped her foot, ears perked with rage.
"Nonsense! All Spiritanes wake their War Soul at six. You must be older than twelve—don't try fooling me!"
Nux shrugged helplessly.
"It's okay if you don't think me. But why not make a wager? What if I am telling the truth?"
Her fox tail puffed up.
"You! Fine. If you really haven't awakened your War Soul, then… then I'll call you Dad whenever I see you!"
Nux tilted his head, as if in thought, and then shook it with a small smile. His voice had a mocking bite.
"But… I don't really want to take you as a daughter."
"Ah!"
Hera's whole body shook with anger, pink ears wobbling wildly. Smoke literally issued from her head as her first soul ability of her Charm Pink Fox War Soul activated, shining with brilliant light.
The crowd gasped in unison.
"It's over—it's over! This kid's done for!"
"To tease the saintess like that… he's inviting death!"
"Good-looking or not, he won't live long now. She'll kill him instantly!"
The jealous man curled his fists, his eyes flashing with wickedness as he smiled savagely. He had longed to see Nux punished, humiliated, beaten to a pulp. At last, the time had come.
"Shua!"
The soul light exploded, spreading in ripples as Hera charged forward, rage and pride boiling like a tempest.
The crowd caught their breath, already imagining the boy's puffed face, his fall etched in bruises and shattered pride.
They trembled with fear. They grinned with excitement.
And then—
"Boom!"
The battle commenced.