Next Day – Near the Forest Area
Everyone from the orphanage had gathered near the forest clearing to witness the match between Shirou and one of the Seventh Pillars—Ela.
Shirou adjusted his gear and gripped the wooden sword he used for practice. Across from him, Ela stood alone, calm and composed.
"I've never seen Sister Ela fight before... How strong is she?" Alica asked Chris and Cherry.
"Well..." Chris and Cherry exchanged glances.
"Actually, we have no idea," Chris admitted.
"But since she holds the title of one of the Pillars, she must be strong."
Cherry nodded in agreement.
"Mom? Do you think he has any chance?"
Alica asked, turning to Sarah.
"No," Sarah replied bluntly.
"That was... direct," Chris said, laughing nervously.
"Ela may not look it, but she's incredibly strong. Honestly, even the four of you together wouldn't be able to reach her," Sarah said with confidence.
"Really? Now I'm even more curious," Alica said, eyes wide.
Ela raised her voice toward Shirou.
"Hey, Kido! You're okay if I use magic, right? I don't know how to use weapons—magic's my specialty!"
"I'm fine," Shirou replied. "If I want to become stronger, I have to face every kind of challenge."
Cherry leaned toward the others and murmured,
"Isn't it strange? He keeps fighting to get stronger... but the war's already over. Why is he so eager?"
"Now that I think about it, he's already strong enough to handle monsters and enemies in normal life," Chris added.
"Well, he has his reasons," Sarah said, laughing nervously.
"You know something, Mom?" Alica asked.
"No—nothing at all," Sarah replied quickly, though she whispered in her mind, The reason he wants to become strong... is standing right in front of you.
As the fighters prepared, Sarah stepped forward.
"You both ready?" she asked.
Ela walked over and whispered something to Sarah.
"There's a change in the rules," Sarah announced. "The winner will be decided if one party remains down for more than ten seconds."
"Huh? Why?" Shirou asked.
"Well..." Sarah began, but Ela interrupted.
"Are you stupid or something? As far as I know, you never accept defeat unless you collapse."
"So, are you okay with this?" Sarah asked.
"Whatever," Shirou said with a shrug.
"Then let's begin," Sarah said.
Both fighters nodded.
Everyone focused intently on the match.
"Start!" Sarah called out.
As the match commenced, Shirou dashed forward, sword ready to strike.
"He dashed!" Cherry exclaimed, shocked.
"It's the right move," Chris said. "When fighting a magician, it's best to attack quickly before they can chant their spells."
"But it's strange... Big Sis Ela is still so calm," Alica observed.
As Shirou reached striking range, he raised his sword—but before he could swing, he saw a confident grin on Ela's face.
In a low voice, she said:
"Gravitas."
Suddenly, Shirou's speed dulled. His body felt heavy, pulled toward the ground. He looked at Ela—she had completed the spell.
"Level One."
A massive force slammed him into the earth. He struggled to move, but couldn't. Not even his fingers responded.
"Is this..." Alica began.
"...the power of the Pillars," Cherry finished.
"One..." Sarah's voice rang out across the forest clearing.
Shirou lay crushed against the earth, his body pinned by the gravitational force of Ela's spell. Dust swirled around him, his fingers twitching—but he couldn't move.
"Two..."
Alica clutched Cherry's arm, eyes wide.
"Isn't he going to get up? He's not even moving!"
Cherry's voice was low. "He's trying... but it's like his body's been locked to the ground."
"Three..."
Chris narrowed his eyes. "That spell... it's not just gravity. It's pressure. His muscles can't respond. Even breathing must feel like lifting a mountain."
"Four..."
Ela stood calmly, arms folded, her expression unreadable. She hadn't moved an inch since casting the spell.
"Five..."
Alica turned to Sarah. "Mom... is this really okay? He could be hurt!"
Sarah's gaze remained fixed on Shirou. Her voice was steady, but her fingers trembled slightly.
"He knew what he was walking into. And Ela... she's holding back."
"Six..."
Cherry whispered, "Holding back? That was just Level One."
Chris nodded grimly. "If she wanted to, she could've ended this in one second."
"Seven..."
Shirou's eyes flickered open. He gritted his teeth, trying to push against the invisible weight. His body trembled—but didn't rise.
"Eight..."
Ela's eyes softened for a moment. She whispered, almost to herself,
"You're strong, Shirou. But strength isn't just about standing up."
"Nine..."
Alica's voice cracked. "Come on, Shirou...."
Sarah's hand hovered in the air, ready to declare the end.
"Ten."
Silence.
Sarah lowered her hand. "Match over."
The crowd remained quiet. Even the wind seemed to pause.
Ela stepped forward, her boots crunching softly against the forest floor. She knelt beside Shirou, who was still struggling to breathe.
"Well, how does it feel losing to an old hag?" Ela teased, her grin playful but sharp. "Next time... learn to respect your opponent."
Shirou clenched his jaw, frustrated by her attitude.
"I'll... remember that. One day, you'll pay for this."
Sarah walked over, her expression unreadable.
"So... how are you feeling after fighting a Pillar?" she asked quietly.
Shirou lowered his gaze, disappointment weighing on him.
"It... hurts. Not just the body."
Sarah turned to Ela.
"Thank you for not going beyond Level
One."
Ela nodded.
"He's not ready for Level Two. Not yet."
As the others gathered around Shirou, helping him sit up, Cherry leaned toward Chris and whispered,
"Now I understand why they call her a Pillar. She doesn't just fight—she teaches."
Chris nodded.
"Maybe they're showing him that strength isn't just about power. There are people out there who redefine what it means to be strong."
"Hm..." Alica stared at Ela, curiosity burning in her eyes.
"Big Sis Ela, you said that was a Level One spell. How far can it go?"
Ela crossed her arms, her voice calm.
"Well... theoretically, it can go up to Level Seven. But reaching that level drains nearly all the mana from your body—leaving just enough to survive."
"I see," Alica said, nodding slowly.
Shirou stood and walked over to Sarah and Ela, his voice blunt.
"Pillars... what are your ranks?
The question caught them off guard. Ela blinked, then answered.
"If we're talking ranks, I'm the lowest—Seventh Pillar. And Sarah... she's Second."
"What?!" Everyone gasped—even Chris and Cherry were stunned.
"Wait—Mom defeated the Demon Queen! Shouldn't she be Rank One?" Alica exclaimed.
Ela chuckled softly
"Well... maybe you don't know this, but the sword style Sarah uses? It was taught to her by Rank One."
Shirou's eyes narrowed.
"Who is he?"
Ela smirked.
"You've met him already. At the camp—you remember Captain Brown?"
Shirou's eyes widened as the memory hit him: the man who stopped his strike with just two fingers.
Ela continued, her voice steady and reverent.
"He's the strongest man in the world... and the leader of the Seven Pillars."