Endless Evolution: Last Star

Chapter 899: Last Measure

Hours passed, dozens of slashes and three full healings of Reinz from near-fatal wounds, but Adam could accomplish nothing.

Julia had nothing left to do but lean against the wall and watch him try to change Reinzʼs mindset.

ʼWell...ʼ she thought looking at the bloodied Reinz, ʼI canʼt say Adam is a bad teacher. Iʼd do pretty much the same thing. However, it doesnʼt seem like it would be enough. Learning the Outer Energy Control isnʼt easy at all.ʼ

Throwing a glance at Adamʼs cold expression, Julia smiled bitterly.

ʼʼHah, it looks like he has some plan? At least I hope so otherwise Iʼll have to explain to Erik why I wasted a day of training.”

Bam.

Adamʼs knee plunged into Reinzʼs stomach, causing him to collapse to the ground, only his outstretched arm saving him from falling.

”You donʼt have to try...” Reinz wheezed, ”It wonʼt help... You did it fast... I realize you expect me to do the same, but... I need more time.”

Oddly enough, Adam stopped, his sword pointed downward, and his face unconcerned.

Realizing it was time for a break, Reinz spat out a clot of blood and crawled back to the stone slab, leaning his back against the wall.

”Iʼm sorry, but it seems Iʼm not as worthy an opponent as you thought I was.” Reinz shrugged his shoulder staring at one point, ”If you want me to catch up with you, Iʼm afraid youʼll have to back off.”

Naturally, Reinz was not thrilled with what he was saying. He had never before encountered a situation where he was significantly worse than another Phantom of the same level.

Julia shook her head about to join them and resume training as normal.

But, Adamʼs grip loosened releasing the hilt - the blade half embedded in the ground as he took a step forward.

Before Reinz could realize anything Adam had taken him by the collar roughly slamming him into the wall.

”Argh!”

After a painful groan, Reinz glanced at Adam.

”And...? Are you going to try to make me stronger by beating me up? Thatʼs too dumb even for you.” Reinz snorted, blood streaming from the corners of his mouth.

”No...” Adam replied dryly, his grip getting stronger, ”Iʼm just wondering what Chloe would be thinking right now if she saw you in this state?”

In a heartbeat, Reinzʼs eyes went wide quickly filling with anger. He found the strength to control himself, but his fists were tightly clenched.

Deep inside Adamʼs mind a sly smile appeared, but his face remained devoid of any emotion, showing Reinz only cruelty in his eyes.

”As far as I know Erik forbids them from using the shared sight, it turned out to be a lifesaver for you didnʼt it?”

Adam lifted his chin arrogantly.

”Hah, she would have seen how insignificant and weak you are. A high nobleman from the first great family? Hah, just a disgrace. I bet Chloe would be greatly disappointed to see that her Phantom isnʼt even capable of controlling energy!”

His gaze turned dark.

”You see...? Maybe itʼs not too late for her to find a decent Phantom? Heh...” an evil smirk covered Adamʼs face, ”Just think of how many Phantoms would want a nice girl like her as an Operator.”

Whoooooooosh.

A wide slash split Adamʼs chest in a flash. The energy built up at the tip of the blade, leaving a deep cut that spewed out a stream of dark blood.

The impact, from the force and speed of the swing, went through Adamʼs body, throwing him back dozens of meters like a projectile.

A shocked Julia quickly bounced off the wall, deftly finding herself behind Adam, who was in flight.

She touched his shoulder, put her other arm around his bloody chest, and tensed her legs. Dust kicked up from the black streaks on the ground until they stopped a few meters from the wall.

Julia raised her head sharply to look at Reinz.

”Agh... Agh... Agh...”

Hot steam came out with each of Reinzʼs heavy breaths, but not from the wounds he had received earlier from the beating, but from the fiery anger bubbling up inside him like lava.

His eyes were bloodshot like a wild beastʼs, his teeth gritted, and his arms were full of veins ready to explode.

But... that wasnʼt what caught Juliaʼs attention since her eyes darted to the left.

Tremble. Tremble. Tremble.

The steel sword shook vigorously from its overflowing energy, white particles escaping through the tip. From time to time, splinters flew off the edges, and the simple weapon was unable to withstand the amount of energy Reinz was pouring in.

”BASTARD!”

Reinzʼs scream echoed throughout the arena, resonating the walls like a thunderous blast.

With a trembling hand, Reinz pointed the sword at Adam.

”Donʼt you dare speak of Chloe ever again! She is my Operator, and I am her Phantom! We chose each other and no other way! If you dare to do such a thing once, I swear on my familyʼs name I will cut you into pieces! I will burn you to a state of ash!”

It seemed Reinzʼs curses at Adamʼs address would never end as suddenly Julia shook her head, stopping him.

”Enough.” Julia took a deep breath, glaring at Adam, ”He canʼt hear you.”

”What...?” Reinzʼs gulped, looking down with a shudder.

Adamʼs eyes were closed, blood flowing from the wide wound covering his chest, and a slight smile of victory on his face.

Tap.

In a deft motion, Julia threw Adam onto her shoulder, heading for the exit.

”Iʼm out of Erikʼs blood, Iʼll have to go to him. You stay here, keep practicing while you have energy.

”And...”

She turned around with a kind smile, looking at the discouraged Reinz.

”You were lucky that your opponent at the Twilight Palace was Adam Vinter. He knew how to piss you off, because he values his Operator, his Silvana, as much as you do to Chloe. This time, he was a much better teacher than I, because... Iʼm not the Phantom.”

Then, she and Adam disappeared into the shadows of the passageway, leaving Reinz alone.

...

At the same time, Silvana turned to Erik. Oddly enough, they were sitting on chairs in the distance, watching Chloe, who was left alone in the center of the room at Erikʼs instruction.

”Why did you tell her to use shared sight?”

Erik smiled slyly, watching as Chloeʼs eyes quickly became wet.

”Because it was a good opportunity to break down the wall between them. I never miss an opportunity.”