What Claire had just revealed wasn't a lie.
But not only had she wasted a tremendous amount of magic power, she had also awakened—and angered—the true Holy Sword.
"Kyaaa!"
The Holy Sword unleashed its own magical energy.
In an instant, Claire was blown away from the pedestal.
The redhead screamed as she hit the ground. The moment she landed, she groaned again… the "old wound" she had sustained not long ago had been struck.
"Ah, that's unexpected."
Leon widened his eyes, surprised by the sword.
It was the most beautiful blade he had ever seen.
The silvery-white body of the sword, the turquoise groove along its edge, and the sapphire embedded near its base, along with the golden guard and the aquamarine hilt, made it breathtaking.
As a prince, Leon had seen countless works of art and even enjoyed collecting them.
But the sword before him was, without exaggeration, the most magnificent masterpiece he had ever laid eyes on.
Unlike ordinary fragile works of art, however, this blade was also a weapon of the highest caliber.
Even after being sealed for nearly a thousand years, it still possessed enough magical power to send Claire flying with a single burst of energy.
"Finally, I've found a sword that suits me."
Leon's gaze was locked onto the blade.
Beside him, Alpha's expression shifted to one of awe. Beyond the throne of the world itself, this was the first time the blonde elf had ever seen Leon show such a strong "desire for something" in his eyes.
Alpha couldn't help but sigh in relief, thinking it was a good sign. The sword she had worked so hard to track down might finally satisfy Leon.
But just as Leon was about to claim it—
"Wait, wait! I haven't failed yet!"
Claire gritted her teeth and pushed herself up, her eyes locked on the sword with a determination no less fierce than Leon's.
"You were rejected by the Holy Sword."
"…I know. But being rejected doesn't mean I failed. What I need to do now is rely on my own strength."
Her eyes gleamed with stubborn resolve.
"You promised, didn't you? You said you'd let me try first. I haven't given up yet. Or is someone like you planning to break a promise?"
"There's no need for such childish provocations. A promise I make will stand, even if the earth itself crumbles. You may continue." Leon gestured dismissively with his hand.
"Just remember this: if you cling too hard to something you cannot obtain, you'll regret it."
"You don't have to worry about that. I need to gain power."
"Crimson flame guardian, eternal hearth protector!
Now is the time to fulfill our blood contract—come forth and heed my command!"
Claire chanted her summoning spell.
A moment later, the fiery spirit cat appeared once again.
"Bring it to me, Scarlet!"
"Meeoow!"
Scarlet let out an oddly cute roar before charging toward the Holy Sword suspended in the air.
Though Leon had easily defeated it earlier, the fire spirit was still a high-level elemental—its speed and strength comparable to an A+ ranked monster.
Working in perfect sync with its master, the cat attacked the sword directly while Claire cast supporting fire spells from the ground.
But the gap between them and the Holy Sword was still far too great.
If Scarlet's power was on par with an A+ monster, then the Holy Sword was on an immeasurable EX level. Even without a master for nearly a millennium, its residual magic power was overwhelming.
"Meeoow…"
"Scarlet!"
The blade cut through the fire cat's body effortlessly, as if slicing air.
Though spirits did not bleed, there was no mistaking it had been gravely injured. Claire cried out, rushing to catch her spirit as its weakened form flickered, unable to maintain stability, before dissipating.
Tears welled in her eyes.
But the Holy Sword wasn't finished. Having endured Claire's fire spells all this time, it now turned its tip toward her, ready to pierce straight through her body.
Crack!
"That's why I said—if you force power that doesn't belong to you, you'll regret it in the end."
Leon stepped in just in time.
His method was so simple it left everyone stunned. He clasped the blade with his bare hands—catching the Holy Sword mid-flight, even though it had been moving at the speed of sound.
Claire stared at him in shock, speechless.
"You saved me…"
"Yes, I saved you. If not for me, your chest would already be pierced and nailed to the ground. Well? Are you satisfied now? You've clearly overestimated yourself."
Even as he spoke, Leon's gaze burned with excitement as he looked upon the blade. Aside from EA, this was undoubtedly the strongest sword he had ever seen.
He had barely managed to catch it.
What a magnificent weapon—Leon could hardly wait to claim it.
But for now—
"Well? Are you happy? Because of your recklessness, your stubbornness, and your weakness, your contracted spirit was gravely wounded." Leon scolded.
"I… I didn't plan for that. I thought I could do it without a problem, I—" Claire stammered.
"Tch. Stop joking around. The world doesn't revolve around you. This is the result of your stubbornness and rashness."
The red-haired girl froze as if doused in ice water, sinking to her knees, her head bowed in shame.
Leon sighed inwardly. He hadn't needed to interfere. He could have just let her be impaled.
Still… this girl reminded him of himself in some ways. Stubborn, arrogant, chasing after great power, and bold enough to act.
But unlike him, she was blind.
Leon often sought what others would deem unattainable: the power of the Dragon King, entire kingdoms, limitless magic, the destruction of cults.
But no matter what, he always had flawless plans and overwhelming strength as his foundation.
That was why Leon always succeeded—and never failed.
Without a plan, Claire was nothing but a foolish, if somewhat endearing, clown before the Holy Sword.
Leon smirked. "Alright, I've given the ignorant girl her lesson. Now it's my turn to wield the blade. As the verses say… O proud spirit sealed within this ancient Holy Sword, if you recognize me as your master and form a pact, then I shall be your sheath! Three times I command you—forge a covenant with me!"
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(End of Chapter)