Chapter 63 : Ashes Beneath the Veil

Though the Cathedral of Abacar was vast and solemn in its grandeur—its architecture rising like stone prayers to the heavens—the guest wing stood curiously quiet. A place built for visitors, yet rarely visited.

Those who sought the Church’s aid usually went to the infirmary for healing, or arrived for rites—weddings, funerals, dedications. Few had need to cross into the reception hall. Fewer still came to speak with individual clergy.

In other words—no one was likely to notice a “minor commotion”.

“Minor, yes. Nothing so bold as to echo past these walls. Not unless someone happens to peek through a window…”

Kane’s magic, with its fire and fury, was not meant to be subtle. But Curtis  had allowed him no room to make it flare.

Under a relentless barrage of Spirit Shells, Kane was forced to defend with only the barest flickers of flame. If he dared conjure anything more substantial, the barrage would break straight through.

The result? From the outside, it looked like a mere game of catch.
Water hurled, fire deflected. Again. And again. And again.

Other than the growing pool of water on the reception room floor—and perhaps Kane’s fraying mental state—nothing seemed particularly broken.

“It’s nearly done.”

Curtis  gauged his progress, watching his spell’s experience climb while monitoring his spirit’s dwindling mana reserves.

Oddly, it was rising faster than when he’d stolen from the fire spirit, Redna. The spells may have been smaller this time, but they clashed far more frequently, like the difference between a single heavy blow and a flurry of rapid strikes.

Curtis  even found himself hoping Kane wouldn’t collapse just yet. He nearly considered ordering his spirit to hold back—Kane looked that exhausted.

“His magic’s a different strain than Redna’s, so it’s hard to compare… but I think he’s slightly better.”

And just before Kane could falter completely, Curtis ’s status window chimed.

[ Phantom Blaze – Lv. 1 ]
[ Progress to Next Level: 1% ]

The world shifted again. The sensation familiar and foreign all at once—as if a lens had been twisted just enough to blur the edges of reality.

Now, within Curtis ’s vessel, a third magical force had taken root—joining water and spirit in uneasy balance.

He nearly tried to cast it, to test its form—
—but caught himself.

No need to reveal that I can steal spells… unless I plan to kill the witness.

He had no such plans.

“Fi—uhk!”

Just then, Kane faltered mid-incantation, body swaying.

Though he believed in the dramatic power of vocalizing his spells, in truth, words and magic were not inherently linked. Yet now, he was so worn down that his body failed before his voice.

And so, his flame shield—a hasty First Layer—collapsed.

Fsshhk!

The Spirit Shell pierced straight through.

The orb of water, no larger than a clenched fist, shot toward Kane’s face—his eyes widening in shock, a flicker of fear blooming in that moment.

SPLASH!

At the very last second, Curtis  snatched the spell with Water Manipulation.
If it had been one of his own castings, he could’ve seized it perfectly—but intercepting a spirit-cast projectile was trickier. He had to settle for “mostly” stopping it.

The result?

“Gghah!”

Kane staggered, drenched. Water streamed down his face and hair, soaking into his collar and robes, dribbling pitifully from his chin.

But it could’ve been far worse. A direct hit would’ve shattered his nose, cracked his teeth.
This? This was a mercy. Just water.

Curtis  gave a polite, apologetic smile.

“Are you all right? That wasn’t my intent—my apologies.”

“You… you absolute bastard…”

However innocent it looked, that smile only twisted the knife.

Kane, wet and humiliated, trembled like a man on the edge. He lacked the strength to retaliate. His mana was nearly spent. That’s why the water had struck at all.

And that’s when—

“Huh?”

A familiar voice rang out beyond the door—both to Kane and to Curtis .

The door opened.

“Brother Curtis ? Why is the floor… um…”

Lilia stepped into view, voice trailing off at the disaster laid out before her.

The soaking floor—water spilling into the hallway.
The thick humidity lingering from countless fire bursts.
The wet, shivering figure that was Kane.

Lilia was no fool. She lacked social tact, perhaps, but not intelligence.

Having worked with both men, it took her no effort to understand what had transpired.

“…Did the two of you… fight?”

“Lady Lilia! That scoundrel!”

Kane, mortified, surged with sudden desperation.

“He attacked me!”

“Brother Curtis ?” Lilia tilted her head.

“That doesn’t sound like you.”

“Just look at me!” Kane sputtered. “Soaked to the bone!”

“Looks like you’ll catch cold. Are you all right?”

“Th-That’s not the point—!”

“Brother Curtis , is that true?” she asked, turning to him.

Curtis  gave an easy shrug.

“Not at all. We were merely having a civil discussion between mages.”

“A discussion?”

“Yes. I asked for advice about calling out spell names during casting. I believe Kane is something of an originator in that practice.”

“Oh! So you’ll be shouting your spells now?”

“No no—just curious. Doesn’t quite suit me.”

“Aww.”

“We also did a little light sparring, as you and I have done many times in the garden.”

“Oh, like tossing Spirit Shells?”

“Spirit Shells, yes.”

“So you were tossing those… at Brother Kane?”

“Only two fingers the whole time. Nothing more.”

“Only two? That’s barely a warm-up. Brother Kane, you’re Silver too, right?”

“Exactly. So it was just practice.”

“Ah, I see!”

Lilia smiled, bright and trusting, turning her attention back to the now thoroughly miserable Kane.

“So that’s that, then?”

“It’s not!” Kane shouted, rising to his feet, pointing furiously.

“He’s lying! That man pelted me with hundreds of water blasts! He attacked me relentlessly and now hides behind pitiful excuses!”

…But Brother Curtis is way stronger than you,” Lilia said, matter-of-factly.

The words struck Kane harder than any Spirit Shell.

“I mean, if the two of you were throwing spells, of course he’d overwhelm you.”

She paused, thoughtful.

“Still, it’s nice you both trained together. I’m glad you’re bonding!”
Curtis smiled. Kane nearly fainted