CHAPTER 60: FINAL RITUAL(2)

Final Ritual—a technique few could ever perform.

Only those who had reached a certain height of sorcery, perhaps one percent of all magicians, could even attempt it.

Despite its name, the Final Ritual didn’t necessarily mean death. Yet only aether users were capable of surviving it.

For those who walked the dark path, attempting the ritual was suicide. By drawing upon the evil they had accumulated throughout their lives, they could summon a devil—but at the cost of their own existence.

On the other hand, those of pure hearts could call upon angelic power. Every good deed they had done became a key to unlocking divine strength, granting them a fleeting moment of godlike power—an instant of true invincibility.

Emma, on that day, had been ready to use the technique to fight the Golems.

Thankfully, William arrived just in time, sparing her from the risk.

In her case, the danger would have been smaller—she had once performed the Last Ritual before, under her father’s supervision.

But for a first-time user attempting it alone, under pressure, and without guidance? The result could easily be madness—or death.

"Hmm, that’s correct," Morika said, nodding after hearing Emma explain the ritual’s purpose, its power, and its risks.

As the silver-haired girl sat down, a heavy silence settled over the classroom. Very few had known that Emma had actually attempted the Last Ritual during the ambush.

Even Natalie and Joseph hadn’t noticed even though they were a part of that group.

It was one thing to hear about that technique being used by licensed high-tier warriors—but Emma was still a teenager, not even certified yet.

And yet... she knew it, and had nearly used it.

That was what set her apart. Perhaps, among her generation, she truly was one of the best.

"Is there any question you’d like to ask?" Morika said, resting her hands on the desk.

A student raised his hand. "Ma’am, what if someone hasn’t done many good things in their life?"

Morika hummed softly. "There’s no exact measure for good deeds," she replied. "As long as you haven’t used your powers to unjustly harm or torment innocent people, you still hold the potential to receive the blessing."

Another student spoke up. "Those who bless us... are they our patrons?"

Morika smiled faintly. "Now, that’s a good question." Stepping forward, she continued, "Yes. Everyone knows who their patron is. Some are blessed by lesser angels, while others are chosen by the Three Supremes themselves."

Her gaze lingered briefly on Emma as she said that.

After all, Emma was blessed by one of the Elite Three—Lord Raphael.

’Oh, right,’ the silver-haired girl realized, glancing toward Kevin. The class still didn’t know that he was blessed by the Divine King himself. If they did, the spotlight would’ve shifted entirely to him.

"So yes," Morika continued, "when you perform the Final Ritual, it isn’t only your patron who may respond. Depending on the situation and the impact your actions could have on the world, higher angels might intervene as well."

The students murmured in awe, a mix of nods and quiet gasps spreading through the room.

The Final Ritual remained one of the most unpredictable techniques ever known. No one could say what deeds in life, or what moment in time, might catch the eyes of higher beings.

There were no fixed rules. No guaranteed path.

The only thing known for certain—was how to perform it.

Hearing all that—which William already knew, more or less—the blond looked down at his hand.

He had never attempted the Final Ritual before. In the past, he simply hadn’t gotten the chance. And after entering the academy, his days had been consumed by the Curse that plagued him.

That’s why a quiet thought crossed his mind. *If I were to call for help... which side would answer me?*

A faint, wry smile tugged at his lips as he lifted his hand. A small orb shimmered into existence above his palm—half aether, half nyx—spinning in perfect harmony.

Balanced.

As all things should be.

....

Emma had four more classes that day—starting with History during homeroom, followed by Potion Brewing, then Anatomy, and ending with Painting.

Painting was her optional subject.

Throughout the day, no one dared to bother her. Ever since she had defeated the seventh-ranked student, people had become cautious around her. That boy was still in the infirmary, recovering.

Despite appearances, Emma wasn’t cornered at all that day. What truly bothered her was herself—the spell she had practiced so diligently had failed far too easily.

She had never once imagined losing. That was why there had been no panic in her expression, no fear in her movements. But to others, it looked completely different.

Rumors spread that, when pushed to the edge, Emma had resorted to her last resort and crushed her opponent without hesitation.

To them, she seemed impulsive.

But Emma didn’t care about their opinion. The fewer eyes on her, the more she could breathe—quietly, peacefully, and on her own terms.

Stepping out of the classroom, Emma found William leaning against the wall, his eyes fixed on the ground.

"Did I make you wait?" she asked.

William looked up, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "Quite the wild time you had in there, huh?" he said, nodding at her hands. Red and yellow streaks of paint covered her fingers, with a few splatters decorating her cheek.

Emma smiled softly. "I tend to lose myself when I have colors in my hands and a blank canvas in front of me."

William hummed and handed her a handkerchief. "So... what did you paint today?"

Her gaze drifted away, a thoughtful smile touching her lips. "A journey," she murmured. "One without a beginning or an end... yet so beautiful that you can’t help but fall in love with it."

The meaning went right over his head. How could a painting hold all that? He blinked, then chuckled and said, "You’ll have to show me sometime. Maybe it’ll spark my artist side."

Emma smiled. "Alright, I will."

As they stepped out of the main building, William asked casually, "What are you doing tomorrow? There’s no class, right?"

He was planning to ask her out—just a simple outing, nothing too serious.

But his mind went blank when she answered, "Oh, I’m going to Kevin’s mother’s grave with the others tomorrow. It’s her death anniversary."

William turned completely silent, making Emma a little worried, "What happened?"

William shook his head, "It’s nothing...well, where is her grave by the way?"

Emma asked, "Are you coming along?"

William shook his head, "Nah ....just asking."

Following her around because she wants to hang out with her friends?

Now that sounds creepy, doesn’t it?

°°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. They are still understanding each other’s boundaries, but they don’t know that, between them, there is no such thing as limits.