Cornflower Witch

Chapter 103 The Demonic Moon

What is a nightmare?

Just as the sun belongs to the three aspects of the zodiac, it governs the growth, stagnation, and death of the material world.

The moon belongs to the triadic aspect, representing clarity, confusion, and loss of control on a spiritual level.

A bright, clear moon; a misty moon half-hidden by clouds; a dark moon lost in shadow.

The phases of the moon, like the ebb and flow of the tides, influence dreams and the spiritual world, ultimately reflecting in the actions of all living beings.

Daytime belongs to the sun, and nighttime belongs to the moon. It is said that in ancient times, every time night fell, the consciousness of all living beings would enter a dream, where they would live another kind of life.

Of course, since the fall of the previous 'Dream Lord', the Silver Moon Dragon, this agreement has been broken. Even when living beings in the present world dream, they are mostly in a daze and confused, and it is hard to say that they are awake in their dreams.

But even when not dreaming, how many people can say they are absolutely awake?

The many complexities of the world bring desires, interests, and temptations, making people excited, intoxicated, and trapped by them, unable to let go. This is the meaning behind their spirit and desires, the reason why life moves.

Desire, like life, sustains living beings as they roam the earth, but without the constraints of real-world rules, controlling desire is no easy task.

A single thought can cause a person to completely collapse. Letting go of past courage and pride and maintaining the bulwark of will is always a difficult thing.

……

The gleaming golden blade sliced ​​through the dead wood, severing it in two. The shattered wood splinters burned in the night, sending up a shower of sparks as the two continued their exchange of blows through the forest.

"clang--"

A crisp clanging sound echoed through the forest as Hilti held her jade-green sword before her, blocking Iona's attack.

Another gleaming golden blade swung down, its intense light leaving a striking afterimage in her eyes. With a great effort, Hiltiya flipped the blade, deflecting the original blade and parrying the attacking blade once again.

The green fragments shattered on the blade, and the once straight longsword developed another nick.

With the blessing of the 'Emerald Honey' attribute, the Tree Jade Spirit Sword is not as hard and sharp as pure black steel, but its strength has never been sharpness, but toughness.

The emerald green light flowed, and the jade-like longsword clashed with the golden blade several times, after which the nicked blade was restored to its original state time and time again.

Both are first-tier affinities. As a superior affinity, 'Blazing Sun' provides a powerful boost in battle, giving Iona a temporary advantage over Sylvia in strength, speed, and endurance. However, Sylvia is clearly more skilled in controlling and managing her power than Iona, making it impossible for Iona to defeat her in a short time.

The blond and black-haired figures crisscrossed and moved back and forth in the woods, wielding their swords and fighting again and again, constantly shifting their positions, their fatigue, exhaustion, and sweat accumulating little by little.

After a day of fighting, neither of them was in good condition. They were relying on their willpower to keep going and drive their aching limbs.

In another clash, Hiltiah turned around, her black hair and longsword flashing as she unleashed a powerful arc of her sword at Iona, clashing with Iona's blade once more.

This time, the emerald green longsword in her hand chipped, while the opponent's black steel longsword, under the high temperature and constant impact, finally curled and cracked, revealing flaws and chips.

Although the candlelight seemed to flicker and could go out at any moment, Hiltiah miraculously held on during the fierce and continuous attacks.

“You’re not an ordinary person, are you, Tia?” Iona recognized the ring on Sylti’s wrist.

The bracelet, which was originally hidden in the sleeve, has now been exposed as the battle intensifies.

"Let me guess, perhaps you are also a descendant of some great noble family."

"No wonder you weren't afraid of me at all." She shook her head slightly.

"I should have realized it sooner. How could a genius like you be born in such an ordinary and remote rural place?"

"Even if they did, their personalities wouldn't be as peaceful and quiet as yours."

"The development of temperament and character requires the support of the environment. The busy and hustling lower class will only produce short-sighted and cunning children. Their next meal is uncertain. How could they be as calm and quiet as you?"

“You’re very different, Tia.”

"I consider myself impatient to play those childish games with ordinary kids, which is a waste of energy and time."

“However, those who are too weak are often hindered by various things, while true strong people only focus on their own growth and strength.” She slowly raised the sword and held it in front of her. The straight blade divided her face in two, and her bright red eyes were particularly firm and bright in the firelight.

"You are no match for me now."

As if to verify her earlier words, she swung her sword forward, and her previously dim swordsmanship burst forth with vitality once more.

The golden blade swung again and again, striking the sword that Hilti was parrying, like an iron hammer repeatedly smashing open the gate of that intricate defense.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think the strong people you’re talking about are right.” Hilti shook her head, feeling that the other person’s views were somewhat narrow-minded.

Having experienced extensive online reading and forum browsing, she has witnessed far too many such verbal battles and is now immune to this "survival of the fittest" rhetoric.

True kindness is a steadfast and noble virtue, not a sign of weakness.

But Iona is clearly immersed in her own world now, and she can't hear anything the other person says.

Hiltia threw out the pearl with its remaining power, and a fierce chill spread between the two of them, causing her to distance herself from Iona once again.

Taking advantage of the moment, she took out the 'blood-red berry' from her waist pocket and put it in her mouth.

Originally used to replenish blood, these berries can also be used to restore physical strength and restore the depleted 'blood rhythm' properties within the body.

Her blood began to circulate again, and the Blood Flower at Hilti's waist emitted a faint glow.

The previously stagnant [Breathing Technique Lv.3] instantly broke through the final obstacle and stepped into the fourth stage.

In the past, such behavior would have inevitably changed Hilti's nature, but now her [Emerald] nature is stable enough to withstand the radiation from [Breathing Technique Lv.4] on her destiny chart.

After breaking through the breathing technique, not only does it bring a greater increase in strength and speed, but the side effects that originally burdened the body are also greatly reduced.

Without giving Siltiya much time, a dazzling golden light pierced through the cold mist and rushed towards her, exploding directly in front of her.

The shattered golden blade melted and tore apart the Tree Jade Spirit Sword.

Clutching the remaining golden blade in both hands, Iona charged forward, her figure seemingly enveloped in a halo, crashing into Sylvia's arms. The golden blade she held pierced directly through Sylvia's left arm.

Having just broken through her breathing technique, Siltia had a faster reaction speed, and in the blink of an eye, she moved some distance away, dodging the deadly golden blade.

This final all-out attack failed to defeat Sylvia. In the ensuing battle, Iona's attacks grew weaker and weaker as she began to struggle to suppress the side effects of her [Sunlight Breathing Technique]. Meanwhile, Sylvia, thanks to her breakthrough in the breathing technique, became increasingly fluid and adept at swordsmanship.

Seeing that her defeat was only a matter of time, Iona felt endless anxiety and panic.

She never imagined that she would lose to someone else in the assessment.

She had envisioned that path for far too long; it had become an obsession within her, and the only way for her to save her family, her father, and maintain her own pride.

The thought that she might never catch up with her peers in the capital, that those she once looked down on would trample on her, and that she would be forced to wander aimlessly in remote mountainous areas until she was forced to accept reality and live a mediocre life, gradually crushed her rationality with this fantasy of the future.

Not

Must not
Never

Standing in the dark forest, the surrounding trees were twisted, as if they had faces on them, mocking her invisibly and stirring up many unpleasant memories.

Since Viscount Karen's defeat, her life has plummeted. Her former friends have turned away one by one, and when they meet again, they only avoid each other in fear, because anyone associated with Viscount Karen will face His Majesty's wrath.

Countless thoughts collided and surged in her mind. Images from the past and faces from her memories all seemed arrogant now, looking down on her, who was as insignificant as dust, and then trampling over her.

The crimson moon hangs high in the night sky.

In the forest, the blonde girl's eyes gradually lost their luster.

What is a nightmare?

That was the shattering of the spirit, the collapse of reason, and utter despair.

(End of this chapter)