ALMIGHTY

Chapter 20: Unexpected Tears

It had been two weeks since the start of the FMA's entrance exams. Or at least, two weeks is what Horu estimated since time flowed differently in the Tower of Challenge.

Logically, Horu had a lot of time to think and ascertain his capabilities. He looked at his Status Plate to see if it'd grant him any aid, but no luck.

The Status Plate was an item required to own in the magician world. It was an item that displayed the statistics, skills, and identity of a magician.

"Must be bugged or something."

Horu shoved the item back into his pocket after it displayed an unusual sight...

'Name: Horu Sakaki

Race: Human

Magic Type: Unknown

Class: Unknown

Energy Capacity: Unknown'

Horu defeated a hive of monstrous bees on the 67th floor when he first noticed the Status Plate in his pocket. He swiped the plate from left to right, which revealed another screen. The contents weren't climactic in any sense.

'Skills: Unknown'

Yeah... definitely bugged.

Horu thought as the habitual magic staircase appeared in the wall behind the Queen of Bees he had just slain.

Horu had the disadvantage of climbing the tower alone. Therefore, he also had to battle against magician duos on his own.

If he were lucky, a team would've already had one of the members eliminated, making the match a fair one-versus-one.

On the 68th floor, Horu encountered an all too familiar face...

"It's nice to see you again, Horu Sakaki."

"Kaede..."

"Whoever you mistake me for... I am not her! However, the name helped me mask my identity more efficiently, so only this once, you have my permission."

"Our deal..."

"You mean the one we made on the first floor? Yeah... that's not gonna happen—!"

She was sure of it.

Horu disappeared from her sight.

No.

His presence was what had vanished.

It was as if he weren't there anymore, except, he was. In fact, he was only inches away from her. In an instant she realized he was totally not the same boy she had encountered before.

This boy's power was ever-growing. But of course, nobody knew that, so it was only natural that her eyes widened up like helium-filled balloons.

Despite the shocking display of might, the woman who called herself Kaede Umazugawa was not gonna let herself be overpowered. The difference in power was just too grand for that too happen.

"I'm impressed. You got lucky last time we fought. I couldn't use my power to its full extent, but since we're alone now... it's time you learn your place."

Horu was on the verge of casting a skill when Kaede smirked and unleashed a barrage of attacks that no magician in the entire world had ever witnessed before.

In an instant, Horu found himself carved deep into the solid walls. He gasped for air as blood forced its way out of his throat. He used his speed-enhancing skill to close the distance between them, however, Kaede shut him down before he could lay a fingertip on her.

What the hell?!

He couldn't believe it. The same girl he'd thought to be eliminated from the exams had shown who was truly the boss.

"Did you really think that you could defeat me? The very ground that you step on, the food that you eat, the air that you breathe have all been created by yours truly."

What is she talking about?

"There's only one reason I came here, Horu."

The atmosphere suddenly changed into one that Horu recognized all too well. The air suddenly got lighter.

Kaede Umazugawa.

It was her smile that the girl had on her face. At this point, Horu was utterly lost. He couldn't tell if it was truly her. She walked up to Horu with the same smile that used to calm his heart on a daily basis in the past.

"This feeling... I-I'm sure of it... Kaede."

"No. I'm not her, but if she's someone precious to you... then I'd love to take that position. I... want you to be mine... again."

Tears brimmed beneath her eyes.

Horu couldn't tell why, but she was definitely pouring tears out. This girl, who nearly killed him without even casting a skill, hugged him tightly.

"W-why are you crying?"

"Because you look so much like him."

"..."

Although, she referred to an unknown person, somehow Horu faintly knew who she was talking about.

Heh... Ignis, you bastard. Now I know why you entrusted me with this strange power...

"So... will you now... tell me your name?"

Blood poured out of Horu and his vision was faint. All the bones in his entire body had been crushed. Even speaking was so hard, that it hurt.

This girl was truly a monster.

It was then, that Horu got to the realization how beautiful the lady in front of him was. Maybe it was just a reflection of his lifelong crush. But the fact that this girl had her appearance was set in stone. She gently placed her hands on his cheek and stared at him.

"Close your eyes, Horu."

What happened was a sight to behold.

A bright, tangible light emitted from the two that lit up the entire area.

Life energy.

It was spread across the entire room. The walls and the floor illuminated a faded, golden glow. 

The blood that stained Horu's clothing vanished without a trace. His bruises had been diminished, and his bones were put in place.

His entire body got healed.

However, the healing was only a side-effect. What this girl was doing had nothing to do with healing.

Horu's memories of Kaede Umazugawa sped across his consciousness. It was as if his life flashed by in a second.

He spent every single day with her, so one could say that his life really did flash by. When the bundle of memories had passed, a tear was shed.

It was Horu's.

"My name is Artemis, Goddess of the Celestials, Mother of Earth. From now on... I shall be Kaede Umazugawa. Your Kaede. Teehee!"