What the hell is this thing?!
Inside the council hall, everyone seemed to have been hit by a petrification spell.
They stared unblinkingly at the bizarre and stunning Soulscape floating in midair.
Half of it was holy and blazing white, the other half a seductive peach-pink.
Two completely opposite attributes, which should have been as incompatible as fire and water, were now perfectly fused together within a single soul, like a pair of lovers.
They were clearly distinct, yet mutually dependent, forming an absurdly harmonious and bizarre balance.
All the mages present, including Dean Layana—known as the “Demon Slayer”—could not comprehend the scene before them, which transcended the very laws of Magic.
Descent should be pure dark purple or black.
Holy should be pure blazing white or gold.
This half-angel, half-demon, no, even more flamboyant than a demon—pink—what the hell is going on?
“Crap!”
Laxana’s small mouth hung open, completely stunned.
This result was even more outrageous than detecting pure purple!
At least purple was still within the Mage Association’s understanding, easily defined as ‘Descent’.
But this pink-and-white thing couldn’t even be classified!
The unknown was the most terrifying.
With Mom’s personality, could she really end up slicing Astreia up for research?!
At the same time, Layana Klein’s hand, holding her teacup, froze in midair.
For the first time, a hint of “confusion” flickered in those wise violet eyes.
However, she quickly regained her composure.
Because although the aura of Descent had been devoured just now, the pink power that replaced it carried a fierce sense of aggression at its core, making her instinctively wary.
She almost wanted to take it apart and study it…
Meanwhile, Astreia slowly opened her eyes.
The moment she saw the light screen, her mind went blank.
She subconsciously looked at Wendy, panic written in her emerald star-like eyes—“How are we supposed to explain this?”
But Wendy was far calmer than she had imagined.
No, more than just calm.
The prince stepped forward unhurriedly, wearing not panic but a confident smile, as if everything was under control.
But she failed to notice the fine beads of sweat slipping down Wendy’s temple.
Just now, he’d almost thought they were exposed.
Fortunately, Astreia seemed to have saved everything.
Still, this result was truly mind-boggling.
Now that it had come to this, panic was pointless.
The more absurd the phenomenon, the more it demanded an even more absurd explanation…
“Heh.”
Wendy’s eyes gleamed with obvious pride, as if he had foreseen this outcome.
“Never seen it before, have you?”
“This is the forbidden secret technique left behind by the First Hero of the Cavalier Kingdom—‘Duel of Love and Protection’!”
“Pfft—”
Laxana nearly choked to death on her own saliva.
Duel of Love and Protection?
Is this name for real?!
Why not call it ‘Magical Girl Transformation’?!
Even Layana was taken aback by this flamboyant name, but having weathered many storms, she quickly regained her composure.
Her sharp gaze locked onto Wendy, analyzing the truth of his words.
Wendy maintained his poker face, continuing his nonsense with utter seriousness.
“The First Hero understood that absolute holiness often meant fragility, and absolute desire inevitably led to destruction.”
“That’s why she created this unique secret art. With the purest heart of protection as the ‘scabbard’, and the fiercest desire for possession as the ‘blade’.”
“White represents Astreia’s noble heart as a Princess, protecting all people; and this pink stands for the overwhelming, all-consuming love she holds—willing to do anything for those she loves.”
“The two coexist, mirror images of each other, forming the complete soul of a Hero!”
Wendy spoke with passionate conviction, his face devastatingly attractive—like a cult leader.
Even Astreia herself was left dazed by his words, her cheeks growing redder, and deep in her heart, she actually began to think… somehow… it kind of made sense?
A love so fierce, willing to give up everything for Wendy’s sake… wasn’t that her true feeling at this very moment?!
For a moment, the council hall was so quiet that a pin drop could be heard.
Laxana stared wide-eyed, unsure how to respond to this brazen liar.
She wanted to expose him on the spot, but Wendy’s explanation, disturbingly, was logically consistent!
It perfectly explained the coexistence of those two opposing attributes!
A long silence passed.
“I see.”
Dean Layana slowly exhaled, her tightly furrowed brows finally relaxing.
The sharpness in her gaze softened into scholarly wonder and curiosity.
“To use emotion as the source of power and balance conflicting Magic attributes… What a genius concept. I… am truly ignorant.”
She even stood up and bowed deeply to the two of them.
“My apologies. Please forgive my rudeness, Your Highnesses.”
“The earlier offense was only out of duty. The harm caused by Witches in the past was too great to allow any negligence.”
Layana’s attitude made a one-eighty turn—from fierce to now deeply respectful.
It couldn’t be helped—the facts were right before her.
Such a perfect blend of purity and desire in Soul Resonance was not something evil power could ever counterfeit.
Besides, if it really was the First Hero’s inheritance…
“Dean, please don’t be so formal.”
Wendy hurried forward to help her up, a gentle smile on his face.
“We understand your responsibility. To have a protector as diligent as you is a blessing for the entire Continent.”
“However—”
Wendy’s tone shifted, growing solemn.
“Though this power is strong, it also puts a great burden on the wielder. Astreia still needs time to adapt, and shouldn’t overuse it for now.”
The Dean nodded, then a gleam of excitement flashed in her eyes—the look of a scholar discovering rare material.
“Prince Wendy speaks truly! Such ancient power must be approached with caution.”
“Might I invite both Your Highnesses to the Mage Academy Central Continent Branch as guests?”
“I wish to invite Princess Astreia to study at the Academy. We can provide the best training environment and help her master this power.”
“Of course, Prince Wendy should come as well. It seems this power requires the cooperation of two people to achieve its full effect.”
But before Wendy or Astreia could answer, Laxana immediately jumped in.
Go study at the Academy?
Nice way to put it!
Isn’t that just an excuse to turn Astreia into a lab rat?!
“Enough already, Mother!”
She waved her hands impatiently, as if shooing away a fly.
“It’s all cleared up. Astreia is innocent. You should head back now, shouldn’t you? There’s still so much work waiting for you at the Academy!”
“You child…”
Layana looked helplessly at her daughter, who was clearly siding with outsiders.
“I’ve decided!”
Laxana declared, hands on her hips.
“Astreia has just been through a fierce battle and is exhausted. As her best friend, I must stay to care for her!”
The meaning was clear: Mom, just leave, don’t get in the way.
Seeing her daughter’s “say one more word and I’ll blow up” expression, Layana could only sigh in resignation.
Fine.
“In that case, now that business is done, we’ll take our leave.”
Layana looked deeply at Wendy, her eyes seeming to say “Boy, I see right through you, but I won’t say anything”, then led the other regretful mages out of the council hall…
When the heavy doors closed once again, only Wendy, Astreia, and Laxana remained inside.
Astreia was still immersed in relief at their narrow escape.
Wendy had the air of one who walked away after a great deed, hiding his accomplishments and fame.
Suddenly.
“I smell the scent of lies…”
A deep voice rang out.
Laxana had somehow appeared behind Wendy, gripping his shoulder.
Her lively eyes suddenly turned sharp as a hawk, locking onto Wendy’s calm face.
“That story you just told…”
“You were lying, weren’t you?!”