Chapter 266: Chapter 266- Reliable

The crisp air in the courtyard was suddenly split by the sound of rushing feet. Without any more warning, Emma lunged, her fist wreathed in a controlled aura of fire, aiming a powerful jab straight for Julian’s torso.

Julian brought his forearm up to block, but the impact was far stronger than he anticipated. A sharp thwack echoed, and he was forced back two steps, his boots scraping against the gravel. A flicker of surprise crossed his impassive face.

Emma bounced back, a triumphant grin spreading from ear to ear. "So? How’s that? I’ve improved, right? My power control is way better!"

Julian flexed his wrist, a slight, approving smirk touching his lips. "Not bad. The power is more concentrated. Less wasteful."

But before Emma could preen further, Julian vanished. He didn’t run; he simply closed the distance in the blink of an eye, his movement a blur. He feinted a low sweep, and Emma, predictably, dropped her guard to block it.

It was a trap.

A knowing smile played on Julian’s face as he saw her commit. He instantly canceled the sweep, and instead, his other hand shot forward in a lightning-fast palm strike aimed directly at her face.

Emma’s eyes flew wide with shock. She realized her mistake too late. There was no time to dodge or block. She flinched, bracing for the impact.

But it never came.

Julian’s palm stopped a mere inch from her nose, the gust of wind from the halted blow rustling her bangs. The force behind it was so perfectly controlled that not a single hair on her head was touched, yet she could feel the potent energy humming in the air, making the skin on her face tingle.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment, save for Emma’s heavy, surprised breathing.

Julian slowly lowered his hand, his expression returning to its usual calm. "Your defense is still predictable. You rely too much on brute force to overpower an opponent’s feint."

Emma stared at him, her initial shock melting into a pout, then into a grumble of reluctant acknowledgment. "Tch. Fine, you win this round. But next time, I won’t fall for it!"

Despite her words, a spark of determination, lit in her eyes. The spar had served its purpose—it showed her exactly where she needed to improve, and there was no better teacher than the man standing in front of her.

And they spar again.

The sharp sounds of impact and the crackle of controlled fire filled the courtyard as Julian and Emma’s sparring session intensified. They moved in a blur of strikes, blocks, and feints, a dynamic and violent dance.

A short distance away, Veronica and Celestia observed from a stone bench. Veronica tilted her head back, taking a long swig from her water bottle. Some of the water escaped her lips, tracing a line down her chin and neck as she drank with a weary satisfaction. She lowered the bottle with a soft gasp.

"She has an endless supply of energy, doesn’t she?" Veronica commented, watching Emma push forward with another fiery combo that Julian deftly deflected.

Celestia, sitting with her usual perfect posture, didn’t take her eyes off the duel. Her analysis was calm and precise. "It’s likely driven by a sense of inadequacy. She pushes herself because she feels she isn’t strong enough to stand beside him when it truly matters." Her cool gaze flickered. "Like during the Sky Whale incident. Or against the creature we faced today. I... understand that feeling."

Veronica hugged her knees to her chest, a rare, unguarded gesture. She rested her chin on her knees, her voice losing its usual haughty edge, becoming softer and more vulnerable.

"We all feel the same way, you know," she admitted, her eyes fixed on Julian’s form as he effortlessly countered Emma’s assault. "Sometimes, he pushes himself too hard, taking on too much just to keep the rest of us from getting hurt." She let out a small, frustrated sigh. "And he’s getting stronger so fast... It feels like no matter how hard we train, we’re just falling further behind. It’s frustrating."

Celestia nodded slowly, her gaze still fixed on the sparring match where Julian was now patiently instructing Emma on her footing. "It is only natural," she said, her voice softer than its usual cool tone. "When you care for someone, the last thing you want is to see them in pain. We all possess that feeling for him."

Veronica tightened her arms around her knees. "And we’re the same. We don’t want to see him get hurt either." Her voice dropped to a pained whisper. "Every time he comes back, his body covered in wounds... it hurts me to see it. But I feel so powerless. I can’t lighten the burden he carries on his shoulders."

A determined glint solidified in Celestia’s cool eyes. She finally turned to look directly at Veronica. "That is precisely why we must train." Her words were firm, a vow spoken not just to Veronica, but to herself. "Even if it’s just a little, we must become strong enough to reduce the weight on his shoulders. We have to prove to him that we can protect ourselves, and more than that..."

She looked back at Julian, her expression resolute.

"...that we are capable of fighting right beside him, not just behind him."

Veronica let out an exaggerated groan, flopping backward to lie flat on the bench, her arms splayed out. "That’s all true and very inspiring, but my body is officially declaring a mutiny against my spirit. I’m taking a nap first."

A rare, soft chuckle escaped Celestia. The sound was so unexpected it made Veronica crack an eye open to look at her.

"Veronica... you really are..." Celestia began, a faint, genuine smile touching her lips. She shook her head in amusement. "But you’re right. We have been pushing ourselves relentlessly lately. A strategic retreat for rest is a valid tactic."

She stood up gracefully, smoothing out her clothes. "Okay, we’ll get back to being the reliable ones... after we crash for a while."

"Now you’re speaking my language," Veronica mumbled from her prone position, already closing her eyes again.