ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 156: ALLOCATED QUOTA

In the swirling mists high above Pacesetters Academy, Vice Chancellor Reeves and the Chancellor hovered side by side, their gazes fixed on the horizon. The sky had a muted stillness, as if holding its breath in anticipation. They exchanged a quiet glance, sensing the gravity of the moment, though neither spoke a word.

Then, without warning, a faint shimmer appeared before them, slowly coalescing into the form of a transparent, ethereal figure. The being’s presence was calm yet undeniably powerful, carrying an aura that defied description. Despite its unexpected appearance, Reeves and the Chancellor remained unfazed, their expressions as composed as ever.

The Chancellor inclined his head politely. "Greetings. We have been expecting you."

"Likewise," the being replied in a soft, resonant voice that seemed to echo in the air around them. Without further formalities, it extended a ghostly hand, and from its fingertips, ten small, intricately designed tokens materialized, glowing faintly with an iridescent light. The tokens drifted forward and hovered in the space between them.

The Vice Chancellor’s eyes widened subtly as he glanced at the tokens, then back at the being. "Ten?" he repeated, a hint of surprise in his voice. "We’ve always been allocated five."

The transparent figure nodded, a mysterious smile barely touching its lips. "Indeed, but this year marks a unique chapter. The convention has evolved, and with it, certain allowances have been made. This battle convention will see challenges and dynamics unlike any before. Your academy must be prepared, for the stakes have never been higher."

The Chancellor took the tokens, holding them carefully, almost reverently. He glanced down at the academy grounds far below, an air of determination in his expression. "We understand. We will ensure that our students are ready."

"See that you do," the being replied, its form already beginning to fade back into the ether. "Your academy stands at a pivotal point. Prepare them well… for the echoes of this convention will ripple far beyond these walls."

With that, the being dissipated into the clouds, leaving Reeves and the Chancellor in contemplative silence, their thoughts racing. The Chancellor turned to Reeves, eyes resolute. "Our students must know what’s coming. Select the ones who will rise to this occasion—they will carry not only the academy’s name but its legacy."

Reeves nodded firmly. "I already have a few in mind. We’ll see who’s truly ready to meet this challenge."

....

In the shadowed depths of the Veilwood forest, the air was thick with tension as Sofia faced off against a snarling, ferocious beast. Beside her, Professor Brolin, usually jovial, wore a hard, solemn expression. His voice was uncharacteristically stern as he urged her forward, the weight of his words pressing down on her like a physical force.

"Sofia, you have to draw out more of your Saint’s power," he said, his tone firm. "You can purify this beast if you allow yourself to push beyond what holds you back."

Sofia clenched her fists, heart pounding as she raised her hands toward the corrupted creature. Her palms glowed faintly, traces of her divine energy beginning to manifest, but the light was unsteady, flickering like a candle in a storm. She could feel the power within her, yet something kept her from reaching its full potential.

Sweat beaded on her brow as she strained, willing her energy to surge forward, but doubts clouded her mind. Her parents’ faces flashed before her eyes, and a cold wave of grief tightened its grip around her heart. The beast surged closer, its feral gaze fixed on her, hunger and fury swirling within it.

Seeing Sofia’s struggle, Professor Brolin stepped forward, his hand rising. With a swift, controlled motion, he unleashed his power, striking the beast down before it could reach her. It collapsed with a final, echoing roar, the ground shuddering beneath them.

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The silence that followed felt heavy. Professor Brolin looked at Sofia, his expression softening but his words still pointed. "Sofia, you have to let go of the past," he said, his voice gentle but unyielding. "I know this isn’t easy. Your parents… they’re not coming back. Holding on to that pain—it’s stopping you from becoming who you’re meant to be."

Sofia’s heart twisted painfully. She wanted to argue, to insist that she was strong enough to bear both the weight of her parents’ memories and her responsibilities as a Saint. But deep down, she knew his words carried truth, and that realization stung more than she could bear.

With a strained, bitter smile, she whispered, "It’s… easier said than done, Professor. Moving on doesn’t feel right when they’re still gone."

Brolin placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his gaze steady. "Think of the kind of person they’d want you to become, Sofia. Not someone weighed down by grief—but someone strong, resilient, ready to protect those in need. That’s what they’d be proud of."

Sofia lowered her gaze, feeling a mix of frustration and determination stir within her. She knew Professor Brolin wasn’t wrong. As painful as it was, she had to find a way to harness her power without being haunted by the shadows of the past.

But after a long while of silence, Sofia took a steadying breath, her gaze hardening as she spotted another corrupted beast lurking just ahead. She clenched her fists, feeling her resolve solidify. Professor Brolin, who is now watching from a safe distance, observed her closely, prepared to intervene at a moment’s notice.

As she focused on the beast, images of her parents’ faces surfaced once more, sharp and vivid in her mind. But this time, she refused to turn away. She clenched her jaw, determination sparking within her as she made a silent vow.

’Even if I’m told to move on, to forget them, I won’t. Not if it means erasing their memory from my heart. I’ll be strong, not by forgetting, but by honoring them in my own way.’

With this declaration, a warmth surged through her, powerful and comforting. It was as if her very soul had been set ablaze, and a radiant energy began to flow from her fingertips, pulsing with a strength she hadn’t known she possessed.

The beast in front of her faltered as her power washed over it. Within moments, the corruption melted away, leaving the creature calm and pure. But her energy didn’t stop there—it radiated outward, cascading over the trees, the ground, and the very air around her, purging every impurity it touched.

Professor Brolin felt the purification wash over him, a shockwave of energy so intense he staggered back, momentarily overwhelmed. He could feel her power even within himself, a hum of purity that tingled under his skin.

When the wave subsided, he looked at Sofia, astonished. She stood in the center of the purified glade, breathing heavily but unbowed, her eyes fierce yet serene. The beast lay peacefully at her feet, and the surrounding forest felt somehow brighter, the leaves more vibrant, the air sharp and clean.

"Sofia…" Professor Brolin’s voice was barely above a whisper, filled with disbelief. "What you just did—it’s beyond anything I’ve seen from a Saint your age. You’ve awakened a power you may not fully understand yet."

Sofia glanced at him, the fire of her resolve still burning in her eyes. "I don’t know where it came from, Professor. But I know it’s because I chose to hold on—to them, to who I am. I may not have mastered my Saint’s power yet, but I’ll walk this path my way."

Professor Brolin, recovering from his shock, managed a proud, if slightly shaken, smile. "Then, Sofia, I think you’re finally ready to carve out your own destiny."