Cursed Guardian

Chapter 10: Violet flame

"I'm back in my old strength," I said in disbelief after receiving the transferred strength from this invisible guy .

"It's because of me, my Ultear," I was about to ask him about the last word he said, but he already controlled my body to move.

"Feros!" Feros immediately approached me, and I quickly got on his back. I looked at Miss Violet as she advanced in our direction, their aura of poison flame, or should I say Violet Flame, still present.

My gaze shifted to Feros' back, feeling his cold body and his strong aura. When I blinked, I saw our white fire aura. "W-White Fire?"

"Feros, let's go!" Feros immediately ran while I was on his back. We intercepted Miss Violet's advance, but while they were still far away, I grabbed the katana we passed by. As we neared each other, I hesitated to stand behind Feros because I saw Miss Violet also standing behind her guardian, seemingly eager to attack me.

With just a meter between us, she swiftly leaped from behind her guardian. I also leaped and met her attack head-on, while Heronia engaged Feros, who retaliated promptly. I successfully blocked all of Miss Violet's attacks and effortlessly dodged the others, thanks to the invisible creature manipulating my movements. I quickly sidestepped to avoid being hit by her thrown long dagger.

I attacked her with different techniques as if I were familiar with them, though I couldn't explain how I managed to execute them. It felt like I was dancing in the middle of the floor with an invisible partner. I stumbled back twice to distance myself from Violet when I saw poison flames emerging from her palms. They were clearly dangerous, with a deep violet color and a scent of poisonous magic. Perhaps because Feros and I shared our senses, including memories.

"I don't think your strength, techniques, and power can withstand my flames. Remember those moments... I almost killed you with my dangerous flames," she smiled slightly, but her smile held a double meaning that felt like a threat. Her last words confused me the most, especially when she mentioned a girl named Snow Flame Stanford.

I had no knowledge of this girl, and her mention of her left me puzzled about the feelings she had towards her. It was even more confusing when she repeatedly called me Snow Flame Stanford, her apprentice! It was frustrating!

At times, I wanted to confront her and ask how she could claim I was the girl she referred to, but I held back my temper. I wished to repay their kindness in my daily life in the castle. I snapped back to reality when she spoke again.

"You can survive in these flames if you're willing to exert all your powers to block them, not just for self-defense," her chilling aura returned. She looked at me with ice-cold eyes, and I couldn't decipher her intentions. I bit my lip when I saw the poison flames on her palms rise and transform into fireballs.

"Don't underestimate these flames; even though they may look like ordinary fireballs, they can pursue you relentlessly!" she warned before the two poisoned flames darted towards me. They seemed to compete to see who would reach me first. I stepped back, but a strong force kept my feet rooted in place, as if preventing my escape from this perilous training.

"You said earlier that you shouldn't escape from this training because you will be pursued until caught. So, what are you doing? Are you trying to escape?" I fell silent at the invisible being's words.

In truth, he's right, and since I had already started this earlier, I should finish it sooner. I closed my eyes slowly and tried to sense the strong power within me. I felt it, but it seemed weaker now. I sensed a cold sensation emanating from my palms, as if it was slipping away. When I opened my eyes, I was shocked. A weak power emerged.

"What happened?" a voice asked, leaving me almost speechless to respond.

"M-my power seems weaker now, and there's no time to block these poisonous flames flying towards m-me," I whispered, my knees trembling.

I glanced up to see the poisonous flames just a meter away. "T-there's n-no time!" I repeated as the two fireballs were now in front of me. I deflected them with my katana and one of my palms. The katana shone brightly, almost blinding me. As I closed my eyes, I felt a sense of relief when I opened them to see the last poisonous fireball attempting to touch me with its poison but failing to get near me. It was as if a force was preventing it from reaching me. Did I just eliminate the first fireball with my katana?

I returned to my senses when I noticed the fireball in front of me growing larger. I quickly looked at Miss Violet, who was focused on the fireball. Did she use her mind to make the poisonous flame expand?

"Wait! What's happening?" I asked, hoping for a response from the invisible being.

"I'm trying to stop it," I sensed the determination in his voice as he worked to prevent me from being poisoned.

"Then let me help you!" I swung my katana with all my might towards the poisonous flame in front of me, and for the last time, I witnessed another power.

The White and Black fire combined their strength to defeat the poisonous flame, resulting in a sudden explosion of smoke.

I saw surprise flicker on Miss Violet's face, quickly masked by her composure. In an instant, she was in front of me. As she slashed her needle towards me, I didn't anticipate it transforming into a sword with a violet light on its surface, almost hitting me. I gripped my katana tightly, but my strength wasn't enough to match hers. I nearly stumbled, but to my shock, it wasn't her attack that made me fall. It was as if something manipulated my feet swiftly.

Miss Violet fell to the ground, but she stood up as if nothing had happened. She straightened her skirt as if rising from a seat. Then she looked at me with pride, as if I were her beloved daughter.

"I'm glad your strength is back, my Snow" she smiled, a smile filled with joy.

At that moment, I realized why she reacted so strongly. If I were to deny being Snow Flame, I knew she meant Snow Flame when she said it. In her eyes, she only saw Snow Flame in me, and whoever Snow Flame was, it brought her immense joy to see love from those around her, even if they were strict.