Leo knew Selina's main path was shadow, and that she was a flawless assassin whose entire fighting style revolved around speed, precision, and overwhelming pressure at close range. Combined, those traits turned her into a lethal physical combatant, one whose presence alone forced opponents to react a moment too late.
At that moment, she moved.
The instant she charged, her body blurred and seemed to vanish entirely, leaving only a faint distortion in the air where she had been. Leo reacted without hesitation. His body, reinforced by his blood power, moved on instinct as Thorn vibrated sharply in his grip.
Sword and scythe met in a violent clash, and the force behind the impact sent shockwaves rolling across the sea beneath the platform, the waters below churning as if struck by an unseen hand. The air trembled as they exchanged several rapid blows, metal and shadow crashing together in a rhythm too fast for most eyes to follow.
Excitement rose in Leo's chest. Selina's mastery of melee combat pushed him harder than expected, and the pressure drew out his own hunger to see how far he could go.
Blood flowed from his arm and wrapped itself around his sword, coating the blade in a deep crimson sheen as his hair turned white and lifted slightly in the charged air. When he moved again, his speed surpassed his earlier charge, and faint red lightning traced his path across the platform.
Selina crossed both scythes in front of her body to block but and the sheer force of Leo's strike sent her sliding backward. Before the momentum could throw her off balance, her form dissolved into shadow and reappeared nearby, her landing light and controlled.
Dark energy thickened around her weapons, red and black shadows spiraling along the curved blades before flowing outward and crawling over her body. Her clothes dissolved into darkness as the shadow reshaped itself into a living armor that clung to her form, wrapping around one arm, curving tightly over her hips and chest, and rising to veil her mouth and jaw while leaving the rest of her skin exposed, pale and striking against the moving black surface.
The transformation sharpened her presence, blending elegance with raw danger, making it impossible to look away without feeling exposed.
Leo's eyes narrowed in surprise. Selina's power had changed, not only growing stronger but becoming far more stable than before, and the pressure she radiated now sat just short of S-rank.
Leo knew that, this was Selina's full power before invoking her domain, and that alone was enough to make him abandon any thought of holding back. Blood surged through his body as he pushed his physical strength to its limits, then went further by layering enchantments over his muscles and manipulating his own weight, compressing power and speed into every movement until his body felt sharp, dangerous, and barely contained.
They charged at the same time.
The instant Leo's sword met both scythes, Selina's body dissolved into shadow and vanished, the impact cutting through nothing but darkness.
Leo's eyes widened as realization struck.
A diversion.
There was no time to turn. The real Selina emerged behind him in the same breath, her movement perfectly silent, her scythe already completing its arc as it pierced straight through Leo's chest.
For a heartbeat, the world froze. The crew barely had time to gasp, their eyes widening as they watched the blade pass cleanly through him, convinced they had just seen Leo die. Elna, however, remained still, her expression calm and unreadable.
Then Leo's body fractured. Cracks spread across him like shattered glass before the figure collapsed into fragments and vanished. The real Leo appeared a meter away, already mid-swing, his sword cutting through the space Selina occupied. She reacted instantly, twisting her body and bringing her scythes up to meet the strike.
The weapons collided.
Boom.
The impact obliterated the floating platform beneath them, the force blasting outward and slamming into the ship hard enough to shove it back across the waves. The deck lurched violently, sending crew members scrambling for ropes, railings, and masts as they clung on for nearly a full minute before the motion finally died down.
When the sea settled, everyone rushed to the edges of the deck, hearts pounding, eyes searching the open sky.
There was nothing.
Then, without warning, Leo and Selina landed on the deck almost simultaneously, the sudden impact making several sailors jump back in fear. Both of them straightened slowly, weapons lowering as matching smiles spread across their faces, sharp with excitement and mutual respect.
Leo had already told Selina about the Maze of Madness. He had not revealed everything, but he shared enough for her to understand that he had spent years trapped inside that nightmare, constantly fighting, surviving, and growing. That knowledge alone explained the unnatural speed of his progress, even if the reality behind it was far harsher than words could fully describe.
Selina studied him with a faint smile, her eyes still carrying the thrill of their recent clash.
"To withstand my attacks at full power without using your domain… that's impressive."
Leo returned the smile, though inwardly he knew the truth was almost the opposite. He had already reached S rank and surpassed her in power, and what truly impressed him was how easily she had endured his own attacks. Still, he kept that thought to himself. Growth like hers was what the world considered normal, decades of effort to reach the peak of power.
Not far away, Miriam stood quietly in a corner of the deck, watching the two of them with a heavy expression. She had been proud of reaching A2 rank, convinced she had finally stepped into the realm of true strength, but witnessing Leo's power shattered that confidence. The memory of her earlier words echoed in her mind, and the contrast left a bitter taste in her chest.
Then, suddenly, a new thought surfaced.
"Hey… if you became this strong, then how powerful is Arthur now?"
Leo answered without hesitation.
"He's S1."
A wave of shock spread across the deck. Even Selina's calm expression cracked with surprise.
"He surpassed me?" she murmured, more to herself than anyone else, before lifting her gaze back to Leo. "How?"
"We're all tied to the Creator's power. The more he awakens, the stronger we become. That's actually related to the other reason I wanted to talk to you."
Selina raised an eyebrow, silently urging him to continue.
"We may need your help in the future." He added
A slow smile spread across her face. "It seems we have much more to discuss."
Leo nodded. "We do. But we have time."
Another floating platform formed beside the ship, shimmering faintly above the waves.
"For now," he added, glancing at Elna, "I want to train with my wife."
Leo and Elna leapt onto the platform together, ready to start their training as the crew watched with renewed curiosity and anticipation.
…
Aetherra city, in the kingdom of light.
The chamber Andreas had led them into was not a simple meeting room. It was one of the inner council halls of the cathedral, a circular space with a high domed ceiling painted with scenes of divine ascension and heavenly war. Tall windows of pale glass lined the upper walls, allowing soft daylight to spill down in long beams that illuminated the stone floor.
A large round table occupied the center of the room. Every seat around it was filled.
Dozens of bishops and senior clergy members sat in silence, their white and gold robes forming a quiet sea of light. Some whispered to one another when Luciana entered. Others studied her without hiding their curiosity. A few watched with visible suspicion.
At the far side of the table stood Nicole Alban, Bethune's head paladin. He turned toward the entrance the moment Andreas stepped inside.
The murmurs in the chamber faded into a tense hush. Andreas walked to the head of the table and rested his hands against the polished stone surface.
"Everyone is present," he said. "We may begin."
Luciana stepped forward beside him. Liam remained a few steps behind, quiet and observant, aware that this room was filled with people so powerful that each of them could kill him in seconds.
For several long seconds, no one spoke. The silence carried weight, expectation and doubt.
Andreas was the one who finally broke it."You have all read the reports," he said. "You know why we are gathered. The envoy of the Creator has arrived."
The reaction rippled through the room. Some bishops straightened in their seats. Others exchanged uneasy glances.
Michael Bethune folded his hands calmly. "Then we should hear her words directly."
All eyes turned toward Luciana.
She stepped forward without hesitation. "I will speak plainly," she said. "The God of Light betrayed this world. You have already seen the evidence. You have witnessed the destruction left behind by his descent. The Creator now moves to correct that failure."
A low murmur spread across the gathered clergy. Some nodded. Others frowned deeply.
Luciana continued before the room could fracture into argument. "The Creator does not ask for blind faith. He asks for order and unity and for preparation. The war that approaches will decide the fate of this world, and divided faith will weaken humanity before that war even begins."
Michael leaned slightly forward. "You speak of replacing the faith of an entire kingdom."
"I speak of guiding it," Luciana replied. "Your people are already in doubt. Many are afraid. Some still cling to the old belief because it is all they have known."
Another bishop's voice cut in, firm and direct. "And some refuse to believe the God of Light betrayed them at all."
A few bishops shifted uncomfortably at her words. One older cleric tightened his grip on the edge of the table.
Luciana nodded. "Yes. Denial is natural. Faith does not disappear in a single day. That is why this must be handled carefully."
Andreas watched her closely. "Then tell us how."
Luciana turned slowly, letting her gaze move across the entire chamber. She made sure to meet the eyes of as many bishops as possible.
"You do not destroy the old faith overnight," she said. "You redirect it."
The room grew very still.
"The people already believe in divine authority. In divine protection. In divine judgment. You will not take those beliefs from them. You will show them that the Creator stands above the god they once worshipped."
Michael's brows drew together slightly. "You intend to present the Creator as the higher authority."
"Yes."
Nicole crossed his arms. "Many will call that heresy."
Luciana met his gaze calmly. "They already live in heresy if they continue to worship a god who abandoned them."
The words struck the room like a hammer. Several bishops inhaled sharply.
Luciana let the silence linger before continuing in a calmer tone.
"You will not accuse the God of Light of falsehood. You will present the truth as revelation. You will say that the God of Light was never the highest divine being. That he was a servant who strayed from his purpose."
The idea spread through the room like slow fire. Murmurs returned, louder this time. Some bishops nodded reluctantly. Others whispered in concern.
Andreas raised a hand, and the noise faded again.
"You believe the people will accept this?"
"They will resist at first," Luciana said. "But they are already afraid. They have seen the damage left behind by divine power. Fear opens the door to change."
Sophie spoke for the first time since entering the room. Her voice remained quiet, but it carried clearly.
"The Kingdom of Magic will support this transition. If the church stands united, the people will follow."
That statement shifted the atmosphere noticeably. The presence of the Kingdom of Magic gave weight to the plan.
Michael exhaled slowly. "Then unity is the true challenge."
Luciana nodded once. "Exactly. Division within the church will destroy this effort before it begins."
Her gaze moved across the bishops again.
"You must stand together. Publicly and without hesitation."
"And those who refuse?" Nicole spoke.
The room fell silent once more.
Luciana did not hesitate. "They will not be punished," she said. "They will be persuaded. Reassigned. Moved away from positions where their resistance can influence the public."
A few bishops exchanged uneasy glances. The meaning was clear even without harsher words.
Andreas straightened. "A peaceful transition."
"Yes," Luciana said. "A controlled one."
Michael leaned back slightly, deep in thought. Around him, the gathered bishops whispered quietly among themselves.
The tension in the room had shifted. It was no longer disbelief. It was calculation.
Andreas finally spoke again. "Then we will begin preparing sermons, and public statements immediately."
Nicole nodded. "The paladins will maintain order if unrest begins."
Sophie added, "The mages will support communication across the kingdom."
Luciana looked around the chamber one last time.
"This is only the beginning," she said. "But it is a necessary one."
The room fell silent again, this time not with doubt, but with the weight of a decision already forming.