Chapter 205: The Duel (1)

“You’ve returned,” Karin remarked as soon as Ketal reappeared, her voice a mixture of relief and curiosity.

Ketal’s demeanor was as relaxed as ever, his smile broad. “I have. The conversation was enjoyable—and I got what I was promised.”

“Is that so...?” Karin’s words trailed off, her tone momentarily uncertain.

Is it really possible to describe a conversation with a god as enjoyable?

Karin thought.

For an ordinary being, that would be blasphemy, or at least an absurdity. Yet, as quickly as the thought appeared, she dismissed it. She was talking to Ketal, after all.

“So, what exactly did you receive?” she asked him, unable to hide her intrigue. She could only guess at what the price of Ketal’s contract had been.

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

With a pleased grin, Ketal stepped forward, raising his hand as if he were about to perform some ceremonial act.

“Let’s see... I think it goes like this. I summon you! Bearer of the primordial purity! I summon you! Scorcher of the pitch-black darkness. Come forth! Horned one bearing the flames of purity. Fiego!”

As Ketal’s incantation echoed through the sacred ground, a pillar of fire erupted in the air, swirling into the unmistakable form of a blazing bull. Flames danced in midair, and the heat was almost tangible.

“Did you call me?” came the gruff, resonant voice of Fiego, its words echoing with the power of the Spirit Realm.

Ketal could not suppress his amazement. “Oh, wow...”

His whole body quivered, barely able to contain his excitement. He had just summoned a spirit—a true, high-level spirit. The miracle and majesty of fantasy had become his reality. Even for him, who had witnessed countless strange phenomena, this was something to be cherished.

Karin, however, was struck nearly speechless. “A spirit contract? And with a Legendary spirit?”

She’d known, of course, that Ketal would likely receive a spirit as his reward, but she had only expected an Epic spirit at best. Never did she imagine it would be Fiego—one of the highest-ranking spirits. Also, there was a reason for her doubt.

“Don’t you lack the Myst to sustain such a contract?” Karin asked him.

Ketal nodded, his own uncertainty finally fading. “I wondered about that as well, but the Spirit God said it wouldn’t be a problem. And, as you can see, I can summon it without any difficulty at all.”

“I... see.” Karin thought it through, and it made sense, at least in theory. Normally, summoning a spirit of such power to the Mortal Realm would require a staggering amount of Myst. One had to pay a price for calling an otherworldly being to this side.

However, the contract between Ketal and Fiego had been made directly by the Spirit God, the master of the Spirit Realm. If the god bridged the gap themselves, the normal rules simply didn’t apply. There was no price to pay—at least, not for Ketal.

Still, knowing the theory and seeing it in practice were two very different things. Karin eyed Fiego warily, then ventured, “As far as I know, the queen of another elven tribe was contracted with Fiego. Did you resolve that?”

Ketal grinned. “That’s been taken care of as well. The Spirit God said they would provide another Legendary spirit as a replacement. Every loose end is tied up—Beatrice is thorough, I’ll give them that.”

“That’s... astonishing,” Karin muttered.

To simply swap contracted spirits like that was almost an act of tyranny over the laws of the Spirit Realm. Whether it was the consumption of Myst or the intricacies of spiritual contracts, none of it made sense. However, if the Spirit God themselves willed it, then even the most inviolable laws became as fragile as paper. Karin could only accept it.

“So, why did you call me?” Fiego’s deep voice rumbled, its fiery aura flickering with obvious annoyance.

Ketal shrugged, smiling like a mischievous child. “I wanted to show off.”

“That’s it...?”

“Yep,” Ketal said, entirely without shame.

For a moment, Fiego’s flames burned with the heat of indignation, twisting and flaring as though reflecting its anger. However, it held itself back. Calming its voice, it replied, “Then I suppose I’ll return. Call me when you actually need me next time.”

“Of course. I’ll summon you again soon enough,” Ketal replied.

“What a pain...” With a final grumble, Fiego vanished, flames collapsing in on themselves and leaving only a wisp of smoke in the air.

Karin watched the exchange with a strange expression. “It... listens to you rather well, doesn’t it?”

Legendary spirits were renowned for their pride and stubbornness. Even to their own contractors, they could be difficult—one had to treat them with respect or risk breaking the contract. Fiego, in particular, was famous for its temper.

Yet, here it was, letting Ketal summon it for something as trivial as boasting, and then leaving quietly. If it was because the Spirit God had brokered the contract, then Fiego, for all its pride, was in no position to argue.

“Fiego almost looks pitiful,” Karin observed, her lips quirking with sympathy.

To see a spirit of such pride and strength humbled so thoroughly—it had to have been galling.

“I don’t intend to let it go, either,” Ketal said, catching her glance. “Fiego is the first spirit I’ve ever contracted. I plan to stay with it to the end.”

Karin could only offer a silent prayer for Fiego’s well-being.

“In any case,” she said aloud, “now you’re able to summon a spirit at will. And with almost no cost to your Myst reserves.”

With this, Ketal’s limitations had all but vanished. Spirits were sources of Myst in themselves. A Legendary spirit, especially, could unleash strength on par with the highest-tier Transcendents in the world. With Fiego at his side, Ketal could face just about anything.

“You won’t have to struggle with a lack of Myst anymore,” Karin said, her tone more formal than before.

Ketal nodded, eyes shining with realization. “You’re right. From now on, if I ever need the power of Myst, I’ll just call on Fiego. It’s basically a walking storage of Myst.”

For Fiego, being reduced to little more than a portable battery might have been deeply insulting, but Ketal didn’t seem to care at all.

“Anyway,” Ketal said, eyes lighting up as he looked at Karin, “I think it’s time.”

Karin’s face betrayed a mixture of resignation and determination.

“All right,” she said softly, “I suppose I can’t refuse now.”

***

Together, Ketal and Karin made their way to the training grounds within the sacred ground.

The area was deserted—Karin had forbidden anyone else from coming near. Even Arkemis, who had begged to watch, had been firmly refused for safety’s sake. Ketal was in high spirits, stretching out his limbs.

“I never thought you’d actually agree to this,” he said.

Since they’d first met, Ketal had asked for a sparring match, eager to experience the true strength of a Hero. Each time, Karin had refused, insisting it was too dangerous. Ketal had eventually given up, though not without a trace of regret.

However, after the demonic invasion had been repelled, he had half-jokingly requested a duel as his reward. To his surprise, Karin had accepted, after long deliberation.

Karin spoke calmly. “You’ve done so much for us, Ketal. The least I can do is grant you this.”

If he hadn’t been there, the World Tree could have been lost forever. Compared to that, a spar was a trivial price.

I won’t lose,

Karin promised herself. Even if Ketal fought at full strength, she wouldn’t be defeated. After all, she was one of the world’s greatest Heroes.

However, she still spoke up, quickly and firmly. “This is just a duel. We stop if things get out of hand. The goal is to measure strength, nothing more.”

Had Arkemis been here to see it, she would have accused Karin of making excuses in advance.

Ketal grinned. “I understand. Don’t worry—I don’t plan to get carried away.”

Karin took a steadying breath. Oddly, she felt more tense now than when she’d faced the invading demons. “Then, let’s begin.”

Before the words had finished leaving her mouth, Ketal was already moving.

His speed was astonishing—so fast that even most Transcendent fighters wouldn’t be able to react. However, Karin was no ordinary opponent. She spread her hands, condensing the wind into the shape of a staff.

Ketal’s fist crashed against Karin’s wind-forged staff, the impact echoing through the sacred ground. All around, the elves flinched at the shockwave, instinctively bracing themselves.

Ketal laughed, delighted. “Impressive!”

He had attacked with all his force, but Karin’s defense was flawless. He pressed the attack, each movement a blur. Karin’s hands moved in counterpoint, her staff weaving a barrier against every blow.

Ketal was genuinely impressed. “Your close combat is formidable.”

Karin answered coolly, “I wouldn’t have made it this far otherwise.”

But inside, she was unsettled.

He’s so fast...

If she were even a little slower, she would have been overwhelmed. Ketal surged forward again, breaking through her guard to grab her shoulder. In that instant, the wind around Karin exploded. Ketal’s grip slipped as if he’d grabbed oil. Karin seized her staff and jabbed it toward Ketal’s chest; the wind surrounding the staff erupted, swallowing him in a vortex.

Boom!

Ketal was sent flying back, but instead of anger, he only looked more delighted.

“You knocked me back! Amazing!”

“Is that so?” Karin replied, her voice careful.

That attack could have killed most Transcendents. He only got pushed back...?

She couldn’t believe it. The power she had unleashed should have pulverized almost any opponent. Yet, he’d only lost his footing.

Is his rank really that high?

The disparity was unsettling. The fight continued, the pace increasing. Ketal’s attacks became faster and more intense, pushing Karin closer to her limits.

It’s time to end this,

she decided, soaring into the air. Karin was a Hero. Her strength could alter the very concepts of the world.

“Fall under my dominion,” she chanted.

The winds stilled. Every current of air in the area bent to her will. Her contracted spirit was the Wind Spirit King, Minerva—though most simply called it Wind, its domain encompassed far more. It could control the entire atmosphere.

Karin twisted the properties of the air around Ketal, transforming the environment itself. Suddenly, Ketal’s body floated into the air, weightless.

He stared, wide-eyed.

What’s this?

“I’ve taken control of the atmosphere in this area,” Karin explained calmly.

Ketal was moving only through brute strength—he had clear limits. Karin, who could interfere with the laws of the world, simply changed the environment itself. She created a perfect vacuum, a place where nothing existed—no air, no resistance, not even gravity.

Ketal tried to push himself, but there was nothing to push against. He flailed helplessly, unable to move.

Karin felt relieved. The duel was over. However, Ketal only seemed more fascinated.

Is this what being thrown into space feels like?

he wondered, marveling at the strangeness.

Heroes really can do incredible things.

He had never felt anything like this, not even in the White Snowfield. Still, Ketal would not give up.

If this is the level I’m dealing with...,

Ketal muttered inwardly. A spark lit in his eyes. Suddenly, his body tensed, muscles swelling.

Karin realized he was trying to break free. It was impossible—or at least, it should have been. If she were merely restraining him with Myst, he could have brute-forced his way out. However, she was altering the very laws of the world, changing the properties of the air itself.

Ketal’s power could only support and protect his body; it couldn’t overcome physical law. Even the strongest being couldn’t move freely in a true vacuum. Without mystic power, he was stuck.

At least, that’s what she thought.

Craaaaack!

Space itself seemed to bend under Ketal’s will. The air Karin had so perfectly controlled began to shift. Karin stared in disbelief. The atmosphere she commanded—her domain—was moving against her will.

This can’t be...,

she thought. She wondered if raw strength alone could overturn the laws of the world.

No. That’s not it.

Ketal himself was an Anomaly—something that defied the world’s order, as if he didn’t truly belong here.

Impossible...

By all logic, Ketal shouldn’t be able to do this—not with anything he’d shown before. Yet, now, before her eyes, the impossible was happening. It seemed like all the power Ketal had shown before hadn’t even been serious. Karin snapped out of her daze and hastily summoned a barrier of wind.

At that moment, Ketal’s strength exploded. The air detonated outward, power radiating in every direction. Karin’s barrier shattered, the shockwave tearing through the sacred ground and into the forest beyond.

“What’s going on?!”

“What happened?”

The elves who were working on the forest’s recovery staggered, caught off guard by the sudden storm. Trees shook so violently their roots threatened to tear free from the earth.

“Did Lady Karin do something?” one of the elves said. The strength of the Wind Spirit King’s contractor was enough to make even the bravest elves nervous.

Karin’s eyes flew wide in shock. Ketal stood there, free, dusting off his shoulder as though nothing had happened.

“That was... quite an experience,” Ketal said cheerfully. He looked like a child getting off a thrilling amusement ride. “May I ask for another round?”

Karin could only stare at him in stunned silence.