Chapter 22: Proud

In the medical room, Shawn lay on the bed. Two hours had already passed, but he had not opened his eyes since. Rikka sat on the stool beside the bed, her eyes downcast and her fists curled against her knees, while Celestia checked in with the healers to discuss his condition.

“So, do you think he will be fine by tomorrow?”

“Celestia-sama, we have done everything within our power, but as you know, healing magic can repair the outer body while the inner body takes time to heal.”

“How much time? You know he has a match tomorrow.”

“I am sorry, Celestia-sama, but we don’t even know when he will wake up. As for the match, I think it would be better to—” The healer was cut off by Rikka’s desperate voice.

“But Sir Shawn was looking forward to fighting against Aria-sama! If we withdraw his name now, everything he has done so far in the tournament will go to waste!”

The room went silent for a few minutes until the medical room flaps opened and Aria walked out. Seeing her, Celestia stepped forward. The healers bowed their heads in respect to the Sword Saint.

“What took you so long? And where did you go? You didn't even come to see Shawn in the first place!”

“Celestia-sama, please calm down. Aria-sama might have her reasons.”

“I went to the King and asked him to withdraw Shawn’s name. The Azure Temple is withdrawing from the tournament.”

“What are you saying?!” Celestia stepped up and grabbed Aria by the collar. “He gave his all so he could win this tournament and gain the right to challenge you for the title! And you are just taking his right away without consulting anyone!”

“Celestia... I don’t need to consult anyone about my own attendant. I know what is best for my pupil, so there is no need for you or the Aquallia Kingdom to intervene in Azure Temple affairs.”

“You...!” Celestia’s eyes fell in frustration, and she left the room.

“Rikka...”

“Yes?!” Rikka felt nervous about Aria’s unfamiliar behavior.

“Could you please go and check on Celestia? I might have said too much.”

“Okay, Aria-sama!” Rikka jumped up from the stool and ran to follow Celestia.

“So, how is he?” Aria asked in a dry tone.

With shaken voices, the healers replied, “Aria-sama, we did everything we could, but we were only able to cure his outer body injuries. He needs time to—”

“I see. Thank you for treating him. My blessings are with you all.”

Aria walked close to Shawn and looked down at him. She traced a hand from his chin to his forehead as a blend of green and golden light illuminated her palms.

“Is this...?” one healer started.

“The miracle of the Sword Saint... I heard that in the last war against the gods, she used this to save thousands of lives,” the second one whispered in response.

Soon, the lights slowly faded away. Shawn’s breathing grew steady, and his expression softened into relief.

“Could you please leave, everyone? He needs to rest, and from now on, everyone except myself is prohibited from entering here.”

“Yes, Aria-sama, as you wish.” They bowed again and left her alone.

Aria sat down on the stool, a soft smile gracing her face. Her mana-sensing vision showed his faint golden aura.

I have healed all your inner injuries. It may take a few days before you wake up again, but I want you to hear this.

Aria parted her lips and slowly whispered into his ear:

“You have done great. Winning against a foe where your chances were close to zero... you achieved something where many others fail. And for that, I am proud of you.”

She pulled back, stood up, and walked toward the exit. She turned around one last time.

“Rest well, Shawn.”

Due to the commotion during the first semifinal, repairing the arena stage took time, so the second semifinal was postponed for a few hours. At long last, it finally began.

Because this major match would decide who would face Aria, the royal box was occupied by the King and Queen, along with Celestia. In the adjacent box, Aria and Rikka sat together.

“So? Did you talk with her?”

“Well, yes, we did, but she is angry with you... Though after talking with her, I felt relieved. She understood that whatever you said back there was just for Sir Shawn’s sake.”

“Hmm,” Aria nodded.

An announcement echoed through the arena, filling the air:

“WELCOME BACK, EVERYONE! WE HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO MAKE. DUE TO THE INJURIES SUSTAINED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AZURE TEMPLE, OUR BELOVED SWORD SAINT HAS WITHDRAWN HER ATTENDANT FROM PARTICIPATION. BECAUSE OF THIS, THIS SEMIFINAL WILL BE TREATED AS THE FINAL! BUT DON’T WORRY—THE TOURNAMENT WILL PROCEED AS PLANNED, AND THE WINNER WILL FACE OUR SWORD SAINT FOR THE TITLE!”

The audience reacted with mixed emotions. A few were happy that they would soon see Aria fight the champion, while others were saddened that they would not get to see Shawn match up again.

“AND NOW, ENTERING FROM THE RIGHT SIDE: THE SUMMONED HERO OF GODDESS FREYA, THE MAN WHO CONSTANTLY HELPS THOSE IN NEED—LEO VALHART!”

Leo entered from the right side, his gaze sharp and focused.

“AND NOW FROM THE LEFT SIDE: NOMINATED BY THE RULER OF THE SANDSREACH KINGDOM HIMSELF—KAELEN VOSS!”

The crowd fell silent as a red-haired man—the same person seen at the party with Zenjo—walked out slowly with a sharp grin.

“He is...” Rikka’s eyes widened, shadows covering her expression.

In the royal box, Celestia also looked troubled as she recognized the man's face.

He was with Zenjo... And if Zenjo was following his orders, that means...

Aria faced the man as dark mana erupted from him. It felt as though voices were screaming through his aura, yet even so, no reaction appeared on her face.