The Saintess and the Boy Who Wouldn't Bow
"It's terrible… it's terrible! The saintess of the Soulforge Citadel really lives up to her name. To have such strength at such a young age—too scary!"
"The boy across from her is finished! Handsome? Hah! What's the use of a pretty face? In this world, strength decides everything!"
The jealous man from before sneered, voice dripping with envy as he muttered under his breath:
"Handsome men are only worthy of being bad guys… not fucking worth anything when it comes to true strength."
The crowd buzzed with restless whispers. Everyone believed the pressure of Hera's four soul rings was more than enough to crush the young man before her.
After all, he looked far too young, his aura far too ordinary. Even Hera herself hesitated, realizing she might have gone too far.
Did I release too much power? she wondered, guilt flickering across her face. She hadn't intended to harm him—only to scare him a little, to prove her seriousness. After all, among the younger generation of the Soulforge Citadel, no one could compare to her cultivation. This man should be even less of a match.
She drew a slow breath, ready to retract her aura.
But then—
Her eyes widened.
The man before her stood utterly calm, his body unshaken, a faint smile curving on his lips as though her oppressive might was no more than a passing breeze.
Nux tilted his head slightly.
"Charm Pink Fox War Soul… You are Hera, aren't you?"
Gasps erupted like thunderclaps.
The spectators jolted to their feet, eyes wide with disbelief.
"He's fine?!"
"Completely unscathed… under the pressure of four soul rings?!"
"What cultivation does this boy hide?!"
"Good looks, calm temperament—and now this strength? Don't tell me he's some monstrous genius too?"
Someone muttered shakily, almost refusing to believe:
"The four-ring War Soul is already the peak of arrogance for our generation. No one else could stand so calmly under that kind of pressure… He's bluffing, right? He must be bluffing!"
Yet disbelief crumbled in the face of the truth. Nux stood steady, Syra nestled safely in his arms, his expression calm and untouched.
The crowd's hearts trembled. Mystery, strength, and an almost divine poise… all converged on the figure of this young man.
Even Hera's heart wavered. Her fox ears twitched, her tail stiffening behind her as she stared at him, utterly dazed.
He… resisted me? With such ease? Ordinary people can't even breathe under my aura. Just what is he?
Her lips parted before she could stop herself.
"Who are you? How do you know me?"
Nux's smile deepened faintly.
"Nothing mysterious. I've simply heard of you before. And besides… people love to talk about you."
Her brows knitted in confusion.
"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 flushed a deep crimson. Being seen through so effortlessly burned her pride. She tossed her head, tail swishing furiously.
"Don't look down on people! Don't joke with me. I'm a four-ring War Soul master—do you really think I can't scare a rabbit? Ridiculous!"
Nux hesitated, then sighed with mock seriousness.
"I'm afraid if I say it, you'll be the one scared. This little rabbit in my arms? She could hit you ten times over."
For a beat, Hera froze. Then—
"Pfft—giggle." She covered her mouth, laughter spilling through her lips like silver bells. Her eyes narrowed in delight as she shot him a look half-annoyed, half-teasing.
"Smelly man, you're not even trying to be convincing. Ask anyone here—who would believe such nonsense?"
Nux's fingers brushed gently through Syra's soft fur. His voice remained calm, indifferent.
"Just because others don't believe… doesn't mean it isn't true."
Hera blinked, then shook her head again and again. Her eyes softened slightly, though her pride refused to yield.
"You've got a sharp eye, I'll admit that. Your strength is mysterious too… you're not simple at all. I really don't know where your War Soul comes from."
Nux thought for a moment, then answered without hesitation.
"My War Soul hasn't awakened yet. My soul power is zero."
Hera nearly stumbled. Her beautiful face contorted in disbelief, lips parting wide.
"Too much! You bad guy—don't toy with me. How could someone resist my aura without strength? Absolutely impossible. You're too dishonest!"
Nux spread his hands.
"I'm telling you the truth. Why don't you believe it?"
Her gaze swept him up and down, narrowing in suspicion. Then, she lifted her chin proudly.
"If you can stand firm under my aura without blinking, you must have at least level thirty cultivation. Maybe even the same as me. My judgment never fails.
As for you not awakening a War Soul? Hah. Even if this girl were beaten to death, I wouldn't believe such nonsense."
Nux rolled his eyes.
"Unfortunately, you guessed wrong. I really haven't awakened."
Hera stomped her foot, ears twitching with anger.
"Nonsense! Everyone in Spirita awakens their War Soul at six. You're clearly older than twelve—don't play the fool with me!"
Nux gave a helpless shrug.
"It's fine if you don't believe me. But why not make a bet? What if what I say is true?"
Her fox tail bristled.
"You! Fine. If you truly haven't awakened your War Soul, then… then I'll call you Dad whenever I see you!"
Nux tilted his head, pretending to think, then shook it with a small smile. His voice carried a mocking edge.
"But… I don't really want to take you as a daughter."
"Ah!" Hera's entire body trembled with fury, pink ears twitching violently. Smoke practically rose from her head as the first soul ability of her Charm Pink Fox War Soul lit up, glowing with dazzling light.
The crowd gasped as one.
"It's over—it's over! This kid's done for!"
"To joke with the saintess like that… he's courting death!"
"Handsome or not, he won't live long now. She'll crush him in an instant!"
The jealous man clenched his fists, eyes glittering with malice as he grinned viciously. He had wanted to see Nux punished, humiliated, beaten bloody. Finally, the moment had arrived.
"Shua!"
The soul light burst, rippling outward as Hera lunged forward, fury and pride surging like a storm.
The crowd held its breath, already envisioning the boy's swollen face, his downfall carved in bruises and broken pride.
Some trembled in worry. Others grinned in anticipation.
And then—
"Boom!"
The clash began.