Chapter 348
Chapter 348
When I opened my eyes, I was gripping a blade in my hand. Ainsidel was holding his sword horizontally, blocking me. Blue-hued Magic Powers—two of them—erupted wildly between him and me. I could see the corner of his mouth twisted upward at an angle. A sensation I had felt at some point before, felt in a time already gone, dominated my entire body. Tears that had come reflexively from the pressure on my throat blurred my vision, but I could clearly see the blood flowing from Ainsidel's hand as he blocked the blade's edge to restrain me. No—I felt it. The Magic Power mixed in with it circulated inside my body. Just a little more, just a bit more and I could become complete. From what, in what regard? Thoughts swept through my head. I could see the Magic Power that had become mine gushing out wildly, pushing Ainsidel back. A man whose skill had long surpassed the rank of bishop was struggling with all his might before me—to stop me. Even that hollow face of his, examining me with fascination, couldn't erase the fact that he was being overpowered by me. It meant this powerful mage's Magic Power was now on the verge of becoming mine.
'…No.'
Even as I repeated that it mustn't happen, I thought about the blood that must lie beneath his skin. I didn't want to be governed by blood. Mecklenburg's blank expression was visible. His Wand was aimed at Ainsidel, but his eyes were pinned on me. That stung my heart.
'I said no….'
No matter that this was a time that would vanish the moment I opened my eyes, I didn't want to show this kind of reaction to someone who knew me. A cool voice reached my ears.
"You're thrashing with everything you have to avoid drinking the blood."
CRASH—!
Ainsidel's Magic Power, detonating right before my face along the blade, sent my mind reeling. The attack he'd unleashed as a signal to focus had instead pumped strength into my body. CREAK—the sound of his boot heels being pushed back slid in distinctly between the impacts.