Under the moonlight, the black hair the girl had used to conceal herself gradually faded away, restoring itself to flawless silver-white tresses once more.

Amidst her hair, faint, shimmering light spots flickered, then scattered around her, causing some of her wounds to heal slightly and her stamina to recover significantly.

Sylutia’s breathing stabilized again.

At this moment, she slowly descended from mid-air, the two phosphorescent green swords in her hands now coated with a faint silvery sheen, not dazzling but exceptionally gentle.

In response, the mutated Iona, her eyes turbid and clouded, still launched an instinctive charge, hurtling towards her.

However, this time, Sylutia did not dodge. Instead, her gaze burned intently as she watched the other’s movements. Her fingers tightened around the sword hilts, and then—

A clear, faint sword light flashed.

The blade, tinged with a faint silver radiance, pierced directly through Iona’s chest, drawing out black threads of blood.

Then, an intangible silver glow spread from the wound, continuously dispelling the [Distortion] Aspect on Iona’s body, causing the black-red blood threads spreading across her form to fade slightly.

“It’s no use anymore…” Iona finally regained a sliver of clarity at this moment, her eyes gazing powerlessly at the night sky.

“It’s no use anymore…” she murmured again, unsure if she was referring to Sylutia’s actions or to herself.

Iona’s figure grew weak, and she slowly knelt on the ground. Sylutia had no choice but to support her with one hand.

“Sorry,” her voice held a trace of regret.

Iona shook her head slightly, saying nothing more. Her entire being gradually grew extremely weak, the color rapidly draining from her face.

“Sorry, Tia,” she reached a hand towards the girl’s shoulder.

“I said some very harsh things to you.”

“It’s alright, Iona. Let’s go down the mountain. Teacher will find a way there.” Sylutia prepared to help Iona down the mountain.

But Iona still showed no reaction, her body heavy as mud.

“It’s no use. The Distortion Aspect has already corroded my entire body. Now, only this shell remains.” Her voice grew weaker and weaker.

“I feel so sad… Am I going to die, Tia?” Her voice came in broken fragments.

In response, Sylutia could only hold her tightly, soothing her back.

She couldn’t bring herself to utter those well-meaning lies, so she could only accompany the other in this way for her final moments.

“I have no family, and no friends left either, Tia.”

“Really, it’s so sad… I was so afraid of losing. Those who lose are looked down upon with contempt, and no one will like them…”

“Father lost that war… I can never see him again.”

“Sorry…”

Iona’s subsequent voice became so faint the girl could no longer make it out.

After a long time, the figure in her arms slowly melted away, dissolving into black sludge that scattered apart. This feeling of emptiness left Sylutia with a profound sense of loss.

She shook her silver hair behind her, slowly stood up, and gazed at the bright moon overhead.

The moonlight was flawless, yet the moon’s disk still retained some traces of scar-like marks.

The Luminous Moon, the clear Luminous Moon, is also a flawed moon that cannot hide its scars.

The more clearly one sees, the harder it is to find perfection. Perhaps the moon veiled in misty haziness is the most beautiful.

It is precisely because it is visible yet unattainable that it lingers in one’s thoughts, becoming an obsession.

…

After it ended, Sylutia returned to the mountaintop. The warm bonfire that had been burning an hour ago now held only the last embers of residual warmth. The lantern the two had fought over now lay overturned in the grass like an ordinary stone, ignored.

Walking forward, Sylutia picked up the lantern and returned to the bonfire’s side. She gathered the firewood and gradually rekindled the flames.

The bright firelight illuminated her eyes. Looking at this bonfire, she once again recalled the faces from her memories.

Those once-familiar people, one by one, drifted further away, later vanishing without a trace.

Was it discord in their feelings? No, it wasn’t. It was simply that the paths they walked diverged for too long, and they could no longer see each other’s forms.

…

The next morning, Sylutia awoke from the blanket by the bonfire. By now, the sun had risen at the horizon, and she could also hear some familiar footsteps.

Not long after, as she descended the mountain holding the lantern, she encountered Mick and the others who had come up.

Everyone was surprised and curious about Sylutia’s hair turning into a magnificent, pure silver, and also amazed by the lantern in her hand, within which the blood-colored demon flower quietly bloomed.

“Tia, you got it~” Komea cheered with delight.

The others also offered surprised congratulations. Although they had also wanted the Blood Aberration Flower, seeing that Sylutia had obtained it, they felt equally pleased.

“Anyway, it’s better than that guy Solyn getting it.” Mick rested his head on his hands as he walked ahead.

Most of his swordsmanship had been improved under Sylutia’s guidance, so he saw nothing wrong with her obtaining the Blood Aberration Flower.

The strongest getting first place, isn’t that perfectly normal? Besides, she had gotten it before they even arrived, which showed her strength far surpassed theirs. Trying to snatch it now would just be shameful.

Since they hadn’t held out much hope to begin with, the group felt little disappointment. Instead, they were curious about how Sylutia had managed to snatch the prize from Iona.

“Tia, did you see Iona?” Komea asked curiously.

“I did,” Sylutia replied, holding the lantern in one hand while lightly smoothing her hair with the other, a note of regret in her voice.

“However, she is no longer here.”

“Was she defeated by Tia and then ran away?” The group was intensely curious.

“No,” Sylutia shook her head, deciding to tell the truth. After all, it couldn’t be hidden for long.

“What I mean is, Iona is already dead.”

“Ah, this…” Instantly, numerous explosive scenes and thoughts flashed through their minds.

“Tia… you’re amazing, so decisive,” Komea’s words were a bit shaky but also tinged with excitement.

“You actually had the resolve to take down even that young lady,” Mick added.

“Indeed, Tia’s strength is formidable,” Karen also added.

“Ahem, what are you all thinking?” Sylutia couldn’t help but retort, wanting to explain further.

“The course of events was quite complex. It’s just that the result ended up that way.” She began to worry whether Viscount Xuefeng would vent his anger on her after they returned.

…

Meanwhile, at the campsite at the mountain’s base.

The awakened Viscount Xuefeng, having freshened up, walked out of the tent with Scholar Hyde and returned to sit on the wooden platform to wait. The witch’s carriage was parked not far away.

Birds occasionally flew past. As the sun gradually rose higher, the witch stepped out of the carriage, the elongated black hem of her skirt not as dangerous as it had been at night. Under the sunlight now, it held a touch of serenity.

“What is the result, Senior Merlinsa?” Scholar Hyde couldn’t help but ask for the first time.

“Oh, are you anxious too, Heide?” Merlinsa sat down, and not long after, she lightly waved her fingers, unfurling a black lace fan.

“The battle ended last night. The final victor has emerged.”

“So, who won?” Viscount Xuefeng also couldn’t resist asking.

“I can only tell you that the black-haired girl lost,” the witch replied with ill intent.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep