Chapter 18: We’re Hardly a Match!

“Stop, Noi.”

Sharei’s voice cut through the air like a command, freezing Noi in her tracks.

The snow-haired girl steadied herself, her heart racing as she sensed the gazes of those behind her—some filled with concern, others with confusion. 

I can’t run.

Hiding only makes it worse.

With a swift mental shift, Noi summoned her well-practiced mask of delicate vulnerability, her eyes shimmering with feigned innocence.

She had to prove, through her actions, that she was the pure, virtuous saintess—not the world-destroying witch they might suspect.

“I’m sorry, Sister Sharei, Sir Lyte… I was just… a little nervous earlier.”

“It’s alright,” Lyte said, his voice warm but edged with self-reproach.

“I rushed you. I should’ve encouraged you gently, step by step.”

The holy sword gleamed at Lyte’s waist as he descended the steps, each deliberate footfall echoing in Noi’s chest like a hammer striking her heart.

Her breath hitched, her lungs constricting with every step he took. 

His wind-swept coat fluttered, his smile unshaken, his words laced with a self-deprecating charm, as if blaming himself for startling her.

But Noi’s heightened senses told a different story.

Lyte was displeased.

And she was the target of his simmering frustration.

“Come, join me for the knighting ceremony.”

He seized her wrist, his grip possessive, unyielding, as he pulled her toward the grand hall.

Pain flared where his fingers dug into her skin, bruising her delicate flesh.

Noi bit back the sting, clinging to her pitiful, fragile expression, playing her part in this dangerous dance with Lyte.

“I’m so sorry… truly, I am,” she whispered, her voice trembling. 

Tears rolled down her cheeks like dewdrops, glistening in her crimson eyes.

She sniffled, her voice soft as she continued, “I was just… scared. Someone as useless as me, chosen by Sir Lyte?”

Through her words and actions, she wove the image of a self-doubting girl, a calculated shield against suspicion. 

Sobbing, the snow-haired girl threw herself into Lyte’s arms, her dramatic display drawing tears from the gathered nuns.

“So… even Miss Noi feels inferior?” one whispered.

“Wahhh, if someone as humble as Miss Noi feels unworthy of Sir Lyte, what chance do I have?” another nun wailed, her voice thick with emotion.

Tina and Chenxi exchanged glances, realization dawning.

No wonder Noi had asked those hesitant, conflicted questions earlier.

She must have known she’d be chosen and was fretting over her future happiness with Lyte!

Lyte tightened his hold on the soft, trembling beauty in his arms.

Her chest, pliant as jelly, pressed against him; her upturned face, pitiful and pleading, stirred something in the young hero that he struggled to suppress.

Her sudden onslaught of emotion had thrown him off balance.

His first encounter with Noi had been in the forest, where the snow-haired girl had spared the bandits, felling them in self-defense without lethal intent.

The wounds she inflicted, Lyte—a martial grandmaster—could tell, were the result of inexperience, not malice.

She hadn’t meant to kill.

Her act of healing the injured bandit, whose arm had been severed by some unknown force, further spoke to her kindness.

With such heavy bleeding, her timely aid had been necessary.

Later, in the church, Noi’s behavior had been flawless, revealing no cracks in her facade. 

As for her attempt to flee the temple just moments ago, Lyte dismissed it as too foolish for a witch.

Why would a girl smitten with him choose to run at such a moment?

It only deepened his belief in her shyness and insecurity.

Sharei, observing the tender, almost cloying atmosphere between the two, glanced at the temple’s clock and clapped her hands sharply.

“Since the misunderstanding’s cleared, let’s begin the knighting ceremony.”

“First, the trial phase. Show the nun you’ve sworn to serve your strength—win her over with your heart or prove your might with your body. That’s what a knight must do for his lady.”

Noi’s cheeks flushed at the suggestive undertone in Sharei’s words.

Tina, too, caught the implication and leaned toward Chenxi.

“Is the teacher always this… improper?”

Chenxi sighed, “Yes. She never follows the script for any ceremony, doesn’t prepare drafts, and just improvises on the spot. That’s why the bishop always insists on presiding himself.”

A group of blue-armored honor knights presented a stone that looked impossibly dense.

Chenxi’s eyes narrowed.

“What’s going on? Why did the teacher bring out meteoric iron, the material for forging holy swords? Only someone who’s mastered Boundary Break could cut through that!”

Boundary Break—a mark of a martial grandmaster.

It allowed one to wield the world as their foundation, manipulating ambient mana to achieve feats like invulnerability, flight, or spell-shattering.

“Maybe the teacher wants to test the hero’s limits,” Tina mused.

“Not many heroes choose to become guardian knights. She’s probably showing off the elite from the capital.”

Sharei addressed Lyte in the hall.

“Your task is to cleave this stone, proving to Noi that your strength can protect her.”

“Understood.”

Lyte wasted no words.

Mana surged, coating his black holy sword.

A dark flash sliced the air.

A crack appeared in the stone, then it shattered completely.

“My gods, he actually did it!” Tina’s mouth fell open.

Even the usually composed Chenxi faltered.

“Lyte’s only sixteen, right? And he’s already a martial grandmaster with Boundary Break?”

Sharei, closest to the action, was the most stunned.

She could see Light’s Boundary Break wasn’t amateurish but a refined, pinpoint mastery—an achievement reached by only a handful of martial paragons.

Lyte’s potential was boundless.

But the snow-haired girl, watching most keenly, trembled in dread.

I’m doomed.

If we ever clash, he’ll crush me.

Why did I have to meet Lyte here, and why did he choose me as his charge?

This is the worst.

And this guy was far too cunning—not the hot-blooded fool described in the concept trailer.

Otherwise, she might’ve used her charm and allure to sway him.

“Strength test passed. Next, the test of will.”

Sharei cleared her throat.

“Are you willing to kill for the nun you protect, even if it violates the no-kill vow you made in your hero’s oath?”

Lyte blinked.

How does she know about that vow?

Then it clicked.

Of course, they’d investigated him before allowing him to serve as a guardian knight.

Publicly spoken words weren’t hard to trace.

But that vow belonged to his past life.

The Lyte of now would do anything to save the world—even if it meant sacrificing himself.

Without hesitation, he answered, “For my little angel, I’d do anything.”

Noi’s heart fluttered at his words, though she inwardly groaned.

So suave… if only you weren’t glaring at me like you want to murder me.

She couldn’t help but think they were a hypocritical match made in heaven—both masters of facades.

But outwardly, she played along, her expression touched.

Clutching Lyte’s sleeve, she gazed softly into his amber eyes.

“You don’t have to go that far for me. I wouldn’t know how to repay you.”

Hmph.

Pay me back in your next life, then.

Lyte’ smile gentle as a breeze, took her hand, his fingertips pressing subtly into her soft skin.

“It’s no trouble. Just stay by my side, and that’s happiness enough for me.”

Heh.

Then pay with your life, too.

Their eyes met, a silent duel of wits beneath their tender masks.

“The knighting ceremony has one final test.”

Sharei’s hands glowed as she swiftly conjured a lethal third-tier holy spell. 

“Thunderstrike!” Lightning crackled.

Lyte’s grin vanished.

Instinctively, he shielded Noi, turning his back to absorb the brunt of the deadly lightning spell.

“Teacher! What are you doing?!” Tina shouted, rushing to check on them.

Chenxi quickly moved to calm the agitated nuns.

The blue-armored knights warily encircled Sharei, but she showed no remorse.

“Whoops, my apologies! I was just testing Lyte’s reflexes. Attacks don’t come with warnings, you know. What if Lyte wasn’t vigilant and our dear Noi got hurt?”

Inspecting Lyte’s unscathed back, Sharei had her answer.

It seems… I’ve found two hopes for this world in one stroke.

But the pair in each other’s arms had no time to ponder her words.

Noi squirmed in Lyte’s embrace, muttering inwardly.

Stupid man!

Let me go!

Well… I’m a girl now, but still!

Don’t you dare get any ideas!

Yet… had he truly been worried for her?

She caught the faint scent of fear on him when he’d shielded her, a genuine concern for her safety.

Meanwhile, Lyte’s mind was in turmoil.

Disgusting!

I’m this close to a witch!

When the attack came, his heart had acted before his mind, moving to protect her.

It was just reflex, nothing more!

Though her chest was soft… and the curve of her waist, the feel of her hips when he held her…

No!

Why am I thinking such unspeakable things?

How could he feel anything for the witch destined to destroy the world?

How could he betray his fallen comrades?

It’s her trap, her seduction.

I won’t fall for it.

Snapping out of it, Lyte released Noi, forcing a smile.

“You’re not hurt, are you?”

Noi, feigning shyness, covered her face.

“N-no… I’m fine. Thank you for protecting me! Oh!”

Remembering his back, she circled behind him, a golden glow of healing light enveloping him.

The heartwarming scene drew fond smiles from the nuns.

“They’re so perfect together…” one sighed.

Perfect?

Perfect, my foot!

Noi and Lyte inwardly scoffed, yet their gazes locked, each waiting for the other to crack first.

Sharei, having explained her actions, was forgiven for her recklessness.

The ceremony stumbled to its final step.

“Please, knight-to-be, face your lady.”