novelraw Chapter 20 : Chapter 20 - Farewell to the battlefield
Chapter 20 : Chapter 20 - Farewell to the battlefield
The ten-day training wasn't long, yet not short either.
In the blink of an eye, it had already passed.
Needless to say, Kaelis had gained a great deal.
Through these days of intense cultivation, she had become increasingly proficient in meditation techniques. She could now complete a single meditation diagram in roughly five minutes. With such efficiency, her ability limit had also been raised to 130.
Her physical attributes had seen significant improvement as well during the training.
During this time, Elena had finally learned Kaelis's meditation diagram.
But according to the girl herself, she had actually been slacking off, she'd skipped many parts of Kaelis's diagram, which was why she managed to learn it so quickly... Kaelis didn't quite understand this, merely marveling at such a method while simultaneously warning the girl to be careful with meditation... Who knew what might happen if you skipped certain parts?
Elena nodded in agreement.
After learning the meditation technique, the girl didn't become arrogant. Instead, she treated Kaelis with even greater respect. Seeing that Kaelis liked the complete set of painting tools, she gave them to her outright.
And Kaelis didn't refuse.
She truly liked these tools... A person can't deceive themselves. No matter how much they say otherwise, she enjoyed painting, and naturally cherished good painting supplies... It was like how a general loves fine weapons and armor, an almost instinctive behavior.
However, Kaelis wouldn't accept them without giving something in return. These days, she has been preparing a gift.
Soon after, the results of the final three-day exam were announced.
As expected, the first place belongs to Elena... More accurately, it belongs to the warrior Laura beside Elena. Elena herself hadn't been allowed to take the exam.
The second place went to the nun Astra. Her academic scores and the third practical exam were nearly perfect. Although she narrowly missed advances in the second exam's tournament, she still made it to the top sixteen.
Third place was Kaelis... This was something Kaelis had anticipated, but others seemed unexpectedly surprised.
They simply couldn't understand how Kaelis, who had been dead last when she first joined, could rise to this position within just ten days.
Even with the groundwork laid by her battle against Remi, most people still find it hard to accept this reality.
In Kaelis's own view, achieving this position involved a bit of luck.
Mainly because of the berserker Helen, she was also a second-stage Ascender. During the second exam, they encountered each other midway. Kaelis barely won thanks to her upgraded abilities.
The opponent didn't throw a tantrum over losing, merely giving Kaelis a look before leaving.
Thanks to perfect scores in the second and third exams, along with bonus points, Kaelis edged out fourth place by just one point, securing third.
After privately discussing her choice with Rod, time soon arrived at night.
Tomorrow, this camp will be disbanded, and everyone will go their separate ways.
...
“It's kind of hard to leave.”
After packing her luggage, Kaelis originally intended to say goodbye to Elena, only to find the girl still absent from her room.
After hesitating for a moment, she could only leave alone.
At this moment, the training camp felt eerily desolate.
The wealthy heirs had already left... After all, they were only here to polish their resumes and make appearances. If not for the strict instructor Rod, they wouldn't have even come themselves, just letting a servant attend under their name would've sufficed.
The more ordinary participants had also left, going to nearby hotels for gatherings, but they didn't invite Kaelis... In their eyes, Kaelis was associated with the upper-class figures, not one of them. Inviting her would only lead to awkwardness, so they simply didn't extend an invitation.
This left Kaelis in a rather awkward position.
Fortunately, Kaelis didn't care about such things. She simply carried her easel, walking slowly for a while suddenly before blinking.
“Hmm?”
She turned her head.
Under the starlit night, a girl dressed in proper formal attire was hurriedly lifting her dress and running through the muddy ground.
Mud splattered onto her dark green skirt, but the girl paid it no mind.
When the girl saw Kaelis, she was also seen by Kaelis.
Upon realizing Kaelis hadn't left yet, her anxious expression eased slightly, and her pace slowed.
She approached Kaelis, hesitated momentarily, then broke into a smile.
“Good, you haven't left yet.”
“Actually, I was about to. I planned to depart soon.”
Kaelis tilted her head.
This girl in front of her... Was she deliberately looking for her?
Why?
“Soon?”
Elena hesitated for a moment, but still nodded.
“Then that's fine. Let's leave together later...”
“Together?” Kaelis looked at the girl full of expectations. “Are you going to the front lines too?”
“Front lines?”
Now it was the girl's turn to be confused.
She looked at Kaelis, seeing her serious expression wasn't a joke, and suddenly became flustered.
“Y-You're going to the front lines? But I told him you should...”
“...Oh, so it was you who arranged it.”
The girl's words reminded Kaelis.
Earlier that day, after the results were announced, when Rod asked about her next destination, he had vaguely mentioned he could arrange for Kaelis to be stationed at the rear.
Kaelis had been puzzled why he suddenly became so kind to her, but if Elena had specifically mentioned him... Then everything made sense.
Still, Kaelis didn't quite understand.
“Why did you do this?”
“Uh... You worked so hard, didn't you want to become a guard unit member?”
Elena suddenly realized she had never truly understood Kaelis, because she didn't know Kaelis's next goal at all.
“Of course not. I'm heading to the front lines.”
“But...”
“Alright~”
Seeing the anxious girl, Kaelis smiled.
She certainly knew the front lines were dangerous, going there meant facing death.
But the problem was, the simulated area was located nearby. Kaelis couldn't possibly leave.
So...
“Don't worry about me. This is my own choice.”
Kaelis smiled, but Elena couldn't accept it.
“You'll die... This war... Many people will die!”
Elena's encouragement prevented her from saying “don't go,” but she tightly gripped a corner of Kaelis's clothes, biting her lip.
She might not understand war, but her background exposes her to many things. She clearly knew this battle would be incredibly brutal.
She didn't understand why Kaelis wanted to go there.
With her around, Kaelis had a better future!
As long as she could transfer Kaelis into the guard unit, she could bring Kaelis close to her side. Then Kaelis's life will see a leap in quality... And since Kaelis loved painting, she could even help promote her work...
Why go to the front lines?
“It's hard to explain.” Kaelis smiled helplessly. “But I can assure you, this is something I must do.”
“But...”
“Enough, don't be so teary. Laura's already frowning.”
Kaelis smiled and reached out, glancing at Laura. Seeing the other didn't stop her, she gently patted the girl's head.
Kaelis wasn't particularly tall, but she was at least taller than Elena.
So when she reached out, she seemed like an older sister.
Serene moonlight emerged from behind her, quietly spreading into her beautiful, dark hair.
She smiled, like a goddess of the night.
...
Elena was nearly frantic with worry.
Kaelis's position in her heart was different...
She was unlike those who approached her because of her status...
Although only ten days had passed, she truly regards Kaelis as her friend from the bottom of her heart.
In her life until now, she had finally met someone like Kaelis, unique and sincerely treating her...
But she couldn't stop Kaelis from going to the battlefield. She didn't even know why Kaelis wanted to go.
She merely clutched Kaelis's clothes, lips trembling, unable to utter a single word.
Kaelis smiled gently.
She lightly pushed the girl's hand away, but didn't rush her to withdraw it. Instead, she used her slightly cool fingers to gently cradle the girl's palm.
“My mind is made up, and you can't stop me from doing this~”
“...Kaelis.”
Elena clenched her teeth. She didn't speak, only looking up at Kaelis.
Kaelis just smiled.
“I know the battlefield is dangerous, but... who knows? Maybe I'll be the lucky one who survives? Things like this, no one can predict.”
“Kaelis...”
“Don't worry. When I come back alive, I'll find you again. We'll talk about everything then.”
Kaelis smiled, then quietly lifted the item beside her.
Under the two girls' puzzled gazes, Kaelis gently removed the cloth covering it.
A breathtakingly exquisite artwork was revealed.
The two girls present almost immediately held their breath.
“Consider it a farewell gift... Although I haven't had time to perfect, but... I think, sometimes imperfection is also a kind of completeness.”
Kaelis smiled, handing the half-finished portrait to Laura beside her.
Laura only specifically reached out to accept it.
Inside the painting was a serene beauty.
She wore simple dark green clothing, and against the dark background, her snow-like delicate skin was highlighted.
She looked at the viewer through the canvas, her expression half-smiling, half-serious. Beneath her mature charm, there was a faint hint of playfulness.
The lifelike artwork's craftsmanship was almost astonishing.
At this moment, Laura finally understood why Kaelis had been so excited before.
If you're this skilled at painting, why didn't you say so earlier?!
Works of this level could even surpass the court painters!
And this was still considered “incomplete” by Kaelis?
In that instant, Laura felt her previous distrust towards Kaelis was laughable.
With such talent, how could Kaelis possibly remain unknown?
She simply hadn't found the right venue to showcase herself yet!
And furthermore...
Laura sensed carefully. She could detect something faintly attached to the painting.
That was something millions of people yearned for but couldn't obtain... Spirituality!
This instantly made her realize just how terrifying Kaelis's abilities truly were.
Yet Kaelis seemed unaware of this, merely smiling.
“Consider it our farewell gift... Although it's not exactly a masterpiece, I believe, one day I'll make it into a masterpiece!”
Kaelis crossed her arms, her expression is still as confident as ever.
The dim night couldn't hide her fiery gaze. She believed in it, and steadfastly pursued it!
Elena finally snapped out of her daze at this moment.
She realized she could no longer persuade Kaelis, so she just clenched her teeth and silently accepted the painting.
But then, she searched through her belongings, finally pulling out a golden pocket watch and handing it to Kaelis.
“This... is for you...”
The girl's voice was slightly choked. Kaelis wasn't entirely sure what the girl intended, but she understood that if she didn't accept it, the girl might really start crying.
Looking at the solid gold pocket watch, although Kaelis still didn't feel her artwork was worth this, she nodded and accepted it.
The craftsmanship was exquisite. The cover was engraved with a woman's profile, looking as sacred as some goddess.
But Kaelis didn't understand this part, merely admiring it briefly before placing it in her chest pocket.
“Well... that's it then...”
“If we have the chance... let's meet again.”
“For now... let's part ways~”
Kaelis waved her hand, smiling as she turned around, without hesitation, as decided as an ordinary farewell.
Her figure gradually blurred under the moonlight, while Elena simply stood in place, silently watching.
After a moment, she finally turned her head, looking at the portrait of herself in Laura's hands.
“Kaelis...”
She reached out, reluctant to let go…