When Ellie rejected the offer, all eyes shifted to her. She hugged so tightly it seed absolute, refusing to let go.
As I inwardly worried if I might suffocate from her embrace, Lize asked with a puzzled voice. Despite being a simple question, it was amplified by her impressive appearance, exuding an imnse pressure.
"Wait to befriend before inviting? What do you an by that?"
"I an exactly what I said. You've heard from The Principal, right? Sivar is still naive about the world. What if he takes a wrong impression from being taken away so abruptly?"
"Hmm."
Lize crossed her arms as she contemplated the sound reasoning. Clearly, Im no ordinary person.
Any regular person would have definitely rejected or, after so thought, reluctantly accepted Lizes proposal.
But my situation was different not just anyone but soone who had lived wildly before crossing into civilization.
Without the wild, ones own convictions may inevitably weaken. Lize was probably considering the sa thing.
As expected, Lize nodded, conveying an impression of understanding.
"That makes sense. What is the student's na?"
"It's Ellie."
"Ellie, thats a lovely na. Your words carry considerable persuasive power. While I could force him to co along, that might only provoke stronger defiance."
As Lize nodded with her arms still crossed, her thick forearm muscles noticeably stood out.
"However, we can't just leave things be. Ellie, you do realize how strong Sivar is, don't you?"
"Yes. I might not know the details, but I am aware hes incredibly strong."
She must've heard about the incidents. About Hector who had brazenly initiated an attack and was brutally defeated.
Ellie wasnt necessarily familiar with combat, but she was undoubtedly aware of my considerable strength.
It would be odd if she wasnt, considering I had effortlessly blocked the gigantic hand of Manki and then overca and killed him.
"As long as Sivar doesnt master his true nature, that strength could be directed toward you as well, Ellie. I'm here to help."
"How would you propose to help? Does it involve violence?"
"I cannot say that it won't."
Lize answered frankly, as if asking what kind of question that was, unabashedly admitting that she might resort to violence if necessary.
At that, Ellie hugged even tighter. I had already been barely able to breathe by turning my head, and now even that was impossible.
Thump, thump.
Just short of suffocating, I tapped desperately on Ellie's shoulder. Luckily, she recognized my intent and loosened her grip a bit.
I now understood how soone could suffocate from a pillowespecially considering the pillow-like softness compared to this.
"*Pant* *pant*"
"Did you just nearly drown or sothing?"
Kara asked with a half-suppressed laugh at my ragged breaths. Despite her, I just leaned back onto Ellie's chest.
Normally, I'd be conscious of the audiences eyes on , but that feeling had vanished entirely. Ellie was the only one I trusted.
She was the one who boldly refused Lize's persuasion and the one defending .
All set aside, her chest was just too comfortable to lean against. How could anyone resist this?
"Ive learned sothing over decades of pilgrimage. As long as there is lifenot just humansviolence is an inevitability."
"That hardly seems like a statent a Saint should be making."
"I am quite aware. Violence is a clear evil. But if that evil is necessary, I am more than willing to use it to eradicate the source of harm."
Thats what set Lize apart from typical saintly characters. Standard saints are nearly absolute in their goodness, but Lize was pure chaos.
She had a fundantally good heart and was genuinely benevolent enough to act on it. But being realistic, she did not shy away from resorting to violence.
It was a faith truly befitting chaos. With such an appearance and her breezy personality, it was impossible for her not to be popular.
"Just to clarify, I wont be pumling Sivar. It's to prepare for the unlikely event he enters a berserk state. As I've learned, once fury hits, nothing short of knocking him out seems to work," said Rod.
""
I examined Lize while resting my cheek on Ellie's chest. Even a single punch from her would probably knock out instantly.
Not to ntion, in a proper grapple, there would be no escape. Lizes physical capabilities surpassed mine.
In any case, Lize was my superior. In body, technique, traitsthere was nothing she wasnt better at than .
Just like Rod, my wild instincts scread that I'd be certain to lose in a battle against her.
"So have you already decided on a training thod? Just to let you know, Sivars opinion here is most important."
After hearing Lize's words, Ellie cautiously asked a question, ensuring my viewpoint was considered.
Lize grinned broadly, revealing shiny white teeth, her cheerful deanor catching the eye.
"To control the fury at will, we need to be able to intentionally induce it. That would be the first step."
"But fury is only triggered in life-threatening situations. Is that even possible?"
It was Luna with the question. Her point was valid; fury isn't supposed to be induced intentionally.
If that were the case, it wouldn't be a trait but an ability. It would an breaking common sense.
"By standard logic, yes. But if we declare sothing impossible without trying, were simply spouting nonsense. It hasnt been proved unfeasible, has it?"
"But still"
Lize summarily invalidated the objection. It's best to avoid verbal confrontations with her.
While she might look brutish and simple on the outside, shes a world-weary traveler of decades.
She has encountered a vast range of humanity and her thinking is quite flexible based on those varied experiences.
Moreover, being a beloved disciple of Chaos, she takes bizarre incidents in stride.
"But in my present state, deliberately bringing forth the fury will be difficult, as there have been few monts its been triggered."
This was also true. Fury had been set off during my recent confrontation with Hector, but it's generally difficult to trigger.
Starting with the condition of mortal peril,' is it even possible to bring such a state on intentionally? And with resilience in the mix?
If we liken it to a ga, fury only erupts when health had dwindled to about 5%. Unless that state's reached, fury wont trigger.
However, Lizes perspective differed, perhaps even shattered conventional wisdom.
While sporting her uniquely refreshing smile, she lifted her fist and said,
"Instead, I will help you. Ill aid in learning to sense when the fury triggers. By mastering that feeling, you can intentionally set off the fury and even control it further."
Shibal. That's terrifying. Her face coupled with such a vibrant smile was utterly chilling.
Her tone even suggested magnanimity, creating an overwhelming sense of dissonance.
"In the end, that ans resorting to violence, doesn't it?"
Ellie, seemingly sensing my apprehension, reassured with a pat on the back. It felt as if my nerves were being soothed.
"Its different. Awakening sensations and striking directly are quite distinct. Are you familiar with the term placebo effect, Miss Ellie?"
"Yes. I learned it's when the patient actually improves after taking a substance with no effect on their condition while believing it's genuine dicine."
As a student of herbology, Ellie would have learned the basics of dicine; more accurately, treatnt thods based on symptoms.
"The thod I intend to utilize is akin to that. You can think of it as a form of hypnotic effect. I will help you to experience sensations akin to death without putting you in actual peril."
"Is it really possible?"
"Yes, it is."
Lize confidently claid its feasibility. Given that she is a revered Martial Saintess, her words carried a great deal of weight.
Though the principles behind it are unclear to , perhaps it's worth my trust. Terrifying, nonetheless.
Now that Lize had proposed a thod, what remained was granting permission. Ellie stroked my head, seeking my opinion.
"Sivar, what do you think? Ideally, I would help you, but I lack combat expertise."
" "
"Im sorry I can't assist. Instead, I'll fulfill any wish you have later."
Let touch your chest, and all would be forgiven.
The words rose to my throat, but I suppressed them since I was already enjoying the mont.
I continued to lean against Ellie's chest while stealing glances at Lize, who seed to have ceased her persuasion and respect my choice.
I have no choice but to refuse for the ti being.'
It will be difficult now with upcoming events. Perhaps in about a week, Ill have the leeway.
If, with Lize's help, I could really control the fury at will, it would be a trendous rit.
Fury by its very nature already makes one several tis stronger than usual, and if this could be turned into a controllable skill it would be the icing on the cake.
Moreover, Lize is stronger than Rod. With the Sword Saint and Martial Saintess present, the likelihood of anything going awry is low.
"Not now. It can't be done."
"What do you an by that?"
"He ans not right now."
Kara explained for , now politely using honorifics.
As I've ntioned before, it's going to be tough for the next week due to the clergy event. If missed, I'd have to wait until the next quarter.
But it's not like Im completely out of ti. The weekend is almost upon us, and I could spare so ti then.
And I think it would be best to see with my own eyes the thod Lize will be using.
"thod. Experience."
"Shes asking for a demonstration of the thod."
"It's quite amazing. How do you two understand everything Sivar says?"
This ti, Ellie took on the role of interpreter. Both Ellie and Kara could understand perfectly regardless of how unclear my speech might be.
They probably don't realize it themselves. How would they know if even I don't?
Anyway, I need to see the thod. For a mont intrigued by the novelty, Lize was about to explain her thod.'
"Showing it here will be difficult. Shall we step out back for a mont?"
What kind of thod could she possibly be intending to use? Lost in thought, Lize turned to Rod with a question.
"Is that okay?"
"As long as it's not on the ground, but in the sky, theres no problem."
"It might start to rain, though."
"Do whatever you like."
Rod seed to have a rough idea of the thod she was about to demonstrate. Is this a dialogue only understood among the mighty?
Then we followed Lize to the backyard. With woods behind, the space was quite extensive.
Even as we moved outside, I cautiously held on to Ellie from behind. Approaching Lize was intimidating.
Ellie seed amused by this, playfully ssing with my hands. It wasn't uncomfortable by any ans, given the way she intertwined our fingers.
"Sivar, Im okay with this, but dont do this with other people, especially won. The waist is quite sensitive."
"Ok."
She made a point to offer that advice in the middle of it all. Kara gave us a sidelong glance but I just ignored it.
Eventually, we reached a wide-open space. Now, all that was left was to wait for Lizes demonstration.
"I'll show you the thod I plan to use on Sivar. But I must warn you, it's not about direct hitting, and in reality, it will be far gentler than this."
As she spoke, Lize slowly took her stance. She spread her legs a bit and looked up at the sky.
Then, she slightly bent her knees and started to draw her right arm backward. I had a rough idea of the pose she was assuming.
"Inhale!"
After getting into position, she abruptly punched towards the sky. On the surface, it appeared to be a regular punch.
Crack!
That was until cracks began to spread through the air like shattered glass.
""
"What's this?"
"Cracks in the sky?"
The seemingly effortless punch had an impact beyond imagination.
Rod, unlike the rest of us who doubted what we were seeing, wasn't surprised.
Crack, crunch!
In the anti, the cracks that had ford in the air began to intensify, causing concern it might shatter completely.
Fortunately, they subsided after a short while, but the effects of breaking' space subtly started to manifest.
"That, that, that"
"Uh? What's th Argh?!"
Reacting to Lunas urgent voice, Kara looked up at the sky and equally gaped.
The reactions from both who were normally not easily startled made even more curious. Slowly, I lifted my head.
""
It was about 4 p.m., a ti when the sumr sun should still be brightly shining.
But now the sky was a bizarre patchwork parts were as dark as night, others glowed with the hues of sunset, and so were weirdly clouded.
The sky was not only twisted; it was wrecked. The magnitude of the impact surpassed even Rod's cutting through space with his sword.
If Rods swordplay was precise and swift, Lize had literally shattered space.
And that was with a single, simple punch.
Drip, drop.
I felt droplets falling on my face because, as ntioned earlier, there was even a patch of raincloud-laden sky.
"This is the technique I will use on Sivar. Just for illustration, it will be less intense than this."
""
Lize's voice was clear in my ear. I lowered my head slowly and looked at her.
"The placebo effect is a kind of hypnosis. And"
With a refreshing smile, Lize shared that her thod was akin to,
" also a form of hypnosis."
It was almost terrifying.
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