Chapter 297: Void: Lover's Veil
A sword that can't kill?
Does something like that truly exist in this world?
If it had been earlier, Sangonomiya Kokomi would never have believed it.
Because even the gentle water she commands hides lethality within it.
Let alone a sword—something crafted for the purpose of killing.
But now, she had no choice but to believe it.
Because not long ago, she had been stabbed by such a blade herself. Although the wound had already healed under her own power, the sensation of having her heart pierced was definitely not fake.
She picked up the dress beside her and let her fingers trace the cut left by the blade.
It was obvious: the opponent's sword hadn't simply pierced into her body—it had pierced through her.
And yet she never felt her life slipping away. There wasn't even the massive bleeding that should follow a heart being pierced.
Aside from the pain—which was absolutely real—there had been no danger to her life whatsoever.
It was as if he had used some kind of illusion technique.
"Changing into a completely different person… disappearing without a trace… a sword that can't kill…"
Murmuring the strange abilities Bai Luo had displayed before her, Kokomi furrowed her brows deeper and deeper.
It seemed this Ausbilder carried a great many secrets.
She couldn't help but wonder whether all the Fatui Harbingers were as troublesome as he was.
If so… that would be terrifying.
Knock knock knock
The door was gently rapped. Instinctively, Kokomi tucked the dress out of sight.
"Who is it?"
Ever since the Fatui entered Sangonomiya Shrine under the pretext of capturing Teppei, the place had become unsafe.
So even in her own home, she remained alert.
"It's me."
Kokomi had expected it to be Sveta—she was the only Fatui member who would proactively seek her out.
But the voice belonged clearly to the Ausbilder.
Thinking about how he had gone to "duel" with Teppei earlier… Could it be…
"Come in."
Her voice was slightly lower than before. After hiding her dress, Kokomi sat down by the bed.
The door opened, and Bai Luo walked in with a smile.
His smile carried a kind of charm. Even knowing what sort of person he was, whenever he wore that expression, people would instinctively feel compelled to trust him.
That was one of the frightening things about this Ausbilder.
But Kokomi also noticed something else—Bai Luo's right hand was encased in something like a crystalline structure, reflecting a strange sheen under the sunlight.
"Where's Teppei? What did you do to him?"
The moment he entered, Kokomi asked directly about Teppei.
Gorou had spoken to her about Teppei—through channels the Fatui had never discovered.
She knew full well that Teppei was one of the most promising members among the new generation of Watatsumi Island.
If someone like that died at the Ausbilder's hands, it would be a huge loss for the island.
"Nothing much. Just guided him through self-redemption, helping him step onto a higher path."
Without the slightest restraint, Bai Luo picked up the teapot on Kokomi's desk and gulped down a few mouthfuls before explaining.
But whether Teppei had truly stepped onto a higher path… or had merely been shackled with a new burden…
Perhaps only the heavens knew.
"So this was your real purpose in returning to Watatsumi Island?"
Kokomi looked at Bai Luo, her expression complicated.
She didn't understand what he meant by "a higher path," but she did understand one thing:
His return was almost certainly because of this matter.
"What else would it be for?"
In truth, Bai Luo felt somewhat relieved. If Teppei had continued down the path of the Battousai, never to return, then Watatsumi Island would have gained a mediocre swordsman and lost a peerlessly gifted healer.
"…"
Forget it. Maybe that's just how men are—once they lose interest in a toy, they toss it aside without mercy.
She should be happy.
Happy that she wouldn't have to suffer his humiliation anymore.
"Hm?"
Seeing Kokomi's eyes gradually dim, Bai Luo grew even more confused.
He hadn't even done anything yet—so why was she suddenly acting like she'd broken again?
But before he could figure it out, Kokomi spoke.
"If there's nothing important, please leave. Too much has happened today. I wish to rest early."
She glanced at the now-empty teapot in his hand and directly issued what was essentially an order to leave.
Given her position, saying this to him absolutely counted as insubordination.
But at this point, what was there left to fear?
It no longer mattered.
Her heart had already been pierced—she had basically died once.
Having faced death, she had let go of many things.
"…There is one more thing. Once I'm done, I'll leave."
Setting down the teapot, Bai Luo's gaze shifted to Kokomi's chest.
His stare was so direct and unrestrained that she immediately noticed exactly where he was looking.
"You intend to… sigh… fine. Come here."
Instinctively covering her chest, Kokomi wanted to say something—but everything she meant to say turned into a helpless sigh.
So she couldn't escape after all?
After another sigh, she turned her face to the side, looking utterly resigned.
"This time it shouldn't hurt. It'll be over quickly."
Lifting his crystalline-coated right hand, Bai Luo slowly reached toward her.
Catching a glimpse of his approaching hand, Kokomi reflexively closed her eyes.
But the touch she expected never came.
Instead, a strange light appeared before her eyes.
Slowly opening them, she saw Bai Luo's hand passing directly through her body, as though searching for something inside.
When he pulled his hand back, something resembling a bandage was dragged out from the glowing light within her chest.
[Void · Lover's Veil]
Passive Effect: Continuously heals the wounds of the Void Tyrant. Becomes inactive for 4 seconds after taking elemental damage.
Active Effect: Can link with any target and share healing effects. During the link, the distance between the two must not exceed 3 meters. If the distance exceeds 3 meters, the link breaks and enters cooldown. (Note: Cooldown duration is proportional to the time spent linked—the longer the link, the longer the cooldown.)
This Void ability is exclusive to the Hydro element.
Under Bai Luo's control, the Lover's Veil tightly wrapped around his right hand, completely covering the crystalline layer on it.
Meanwhile, the wound across his abdomen—the one Teppei had cut into him—slowly began to fade under the Veil's healing effect.
The Lover's Veil couldn't instantly heal major injuries; it functioned more like a passive effect—a slow but steady, long-term regeneration.
"This is…"
Kokomi glanced at the bandage-like veil around Bai Luo's hand, then touched her own chest.
This came… out of her body?
Or was this just another one of the Ausbilder's strange abilities?
"Lover's Veil."
"!!!"
L… Lover?!
Seeing Kokomi's expression, Bai Luo immediately realized what she must be thinking.
And the mischievous part of him couldn't resist taking advantage of it.
He raised his right arm—the Veil floated lightly, as if responding to his will.
Whoosh—
Before Kokomi had even a chance to dodge, the Veil wrapped around her as well, linking them together.
"This is…"
Bound by the Lover's Veil, Kokomi didn't feel any sudden, overwhelming love for Bai Luo. Instead, she sensed a type of energy—different from elemental power—spreading over her entire body.
And this energy felt similar to when she used her Vision to heal injuries.
Which meant… this was a healing ability?
The Ausbilder took a healing ability from me?
. . . . .
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