The Acolyte of Spirits and Curses

Sitting beneath a tree, Klein glanced toward Orpheus, who stood nearby with her arms folded, quietly watching the countless streams of spiritual energy flowing through the realm.

"So... is there any way?"

Orpheus slowly shook her head "No. You can’t take Elfaria with you using your own teleportation."

"The seed I gave is bound to you."

"That seed acts as your anchor between the Human Domain and the Spirit Realm. Only the person carrying it can use that method of travel."

"I never gave Elfaria a seed. Whenever she wishes to enter the Spirit Realm, she uses one of the Spirit Doors, and after she arrives, I simply teleport her here."

Klein nodded slowly as he listened "So... the only way to bring her into the Human Domain is through one of those Spirit Doors?"

"Exactly."

A slight frown gradually formed on Klein’s face as he lowered his gaze in thought.

’So then I’ll have to use the Academy’s Spirit Door... but if the powerful professors there notice something. It would be a hassle.’

’Even if we disguise her... all it takes is one person to notice something strange.’

The Academy is filled with powerful Awakeners.

And since the Saintess is also in the academy right now, the security is even more strict.

The chances of slipping through unnoticed were... incredibly small.

He leaned back against the tree and let out another quiet breath.

’The other way is for Elfaria to cross the Elf Domain and come to the Human Domain. That is also dangerous.’

’I should talk to Ria when she comes to Spirit Realm later.’

---

*clack*

The sharp sound of wood striking wood echoed across the training ground as Julia stepped forward aggressively and her wooden sword cut through the air in a fast, direct arc aimed at Evelyne’s shoulder.

Evelyne shifted her body and moved just enough for the strike to pass, her blade sliding up at an angle to deflect Julia’s sword with a smooth redirection.

Julia didn’t pause.

She stepped in again immediately, and her next strike came from a lower angle, aiming to force Evelyne back.

Clack.

Evelyne blocked this time, but even then, it wasn’t rigid.

Her wrist turned slightly, dispersing the force rather than absorbing it, as she adjusted her stance fluidly.

Julia’s breathing was already uneven, and her grip was slightly tighter than necessary.

She attacked again and again.

Evelyne parried each one easily.

Clack. Clack. Clack.

After another exchange, Evelyne stepped to the side, letting Julia’s blade pass her entirely before lightly tapping the girl’s wrist with her own.

A point scored.

Julia froze for half a second before pulling back and her jaw tightened.

"...Again," she muttered.

Evelyne tilted her head slightly, "Julia, what are you trying to prove?"

Julia didn’t answer.

Instead, she rushed forward again.

Her blade came down harder this time, and her movements lost more precision in exchange for raw force.

Clack-!

Evelyne caught the strike with a steady arm as she absorbed it and her eyes narrowed slightly as she felt the weight behind her attack.

She stepped in closer, disrupting Julia’s rhythm before gently pushing her blade aside and tapping her shoulder.

Julia’s shoulders rose and fell as she stepped back, gripping her sword tightly.

"...Why do you keep holding back?" Julia snapped suddenly and yelled in frustration. "You’re not even taking this seriously!"

Evelyne exhaled softly "I am taking it seriously, but that’s not what you want right now."

"You’re not trying to win against me. You’re trying to win against something else."

Julia’s grip tightened again, and her eyes flickered.

"...I’m fine," she muttered.

Evelyne just stared at her younger sister, waiting for her to explain what is going on in her mind.

"...You saw it, didn’t you?" Julia said after a few seconds. "That duel."

Evelyne nodded her head "I was there."

Julia let out a sharp breath, lowering her sword slightly as her shoulders slumped just a little.

"He’s... different. Way stronger than I thought."

Her gaze dropped to the ground "And I’m just... here. Even Father praised him and asked me to marry him."

Evelyne frowned slightly ’So Father told her too after all.’

Glancing away, she asked, "You are... not planning on marrying him, do you?"

Julia blinked, clearly caught off guard by the question, before immediately turning toward her with a sharp look."Obviously not! Why should I marry him just because Father told me to?"

Hearing her answer, Evelyne sighed in her heart ’Well that’s a relief.’

"...Then why are you this worked up?" Evelyne asked softly.

Julia stiffened and let out a small breath

"...It’s just..." she hesitated, her fingers loosening and tightening around the wooden hilt. "He suddenly shows up, beats someone like Shui Yinran, and now everyone’s talking about him like he’s some kind of prodigy."

Her jaw tightened "Even Father..."

"I’ve been training this whole time. Following everything Father said. Doing everything properly."

Her eyes flickered slightly "And then someone like him appears out of nowhere, and suddenly he’s... more important."

Evelyne understood her sister’s feelings ’She must be jealous of Klein’s talent.’

’I mean... he became Master’s disciple, which she aimed for, and now the whole Academy and noble families have eyes on him.’

’I know my sister is talented, but I don’t she will even reach Klein’s level of talent.’

"Julia, he didn’t take anything from you."

That made Julia’s brows twitch slightly.

Evelyne continued, "You’re measuring yourself against him, but you’re not walking the same path."

Julia glanced ather with a complicated expression "...Easy for you to say."

Evelyne shook her head slightly "No. I’m saying it because I’ve seen this before."

She raised her wooden sword again, "If you keep swinging like that, you won’t catch up to anyone. You’ll just burn yourself out."

Julia stared at her for a moment.

Then slowly... she tightened her grip again "...Then what am I supposed to do?"

Evelyne’s lips curved just slightly "Start by calming down."

She adjusted her stance "Master and Klein were right about you."

Julia blinked, caught off guard by that "...What? What did he say?"

"He said you have better talent in swordsmanship than me."

"You have talent, Julia. But right now, you’re fighting like you’re afraid of falling behind."

"That’s why your strikes are getting messy."

"...So what?" Julia asked in a lower voice. "I just slow down and everything magically works?"

Evelyne shook her head slightly "No."

"You slow down... and start building properly."

She took a small step back, creating just enough space between them.

"Come again."

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