''W-what?!'' Reed''s eyes immediately bulged, as he couldn''t understand or believe the sight that was urring in front of him.


    He had to quickly—"


    >WHOOOOOOOOOOSSSHHHH<


    The crimsondy was already right above him, and was now bringing her fist close to his face.


    ''My barrier!''


    >BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!<


    ? Nothing served as resistance to the blow—neither the barrier, nor the man.


    Everything Instantly got destroyed.


    Before he could even consider anything or make another move, Reed Sterling was destroyed along with his barrier.


    "GUAAAARRRHHHHHH!!!" His cracked bodypletely turned crimson as it was engulfed in the unstoppable energy that shouldn''t have been possible.


    An eruption unlike any other dyed the sky in crimson yellow—like the sun—and shockwaves spread across a distance, far beyond anything Reed could have ever thought of reaching.


    He didn''t even get to make his final thoughts or speak hisst words.


    How was he to regret his actions? Or how could he wallow in his inferiority being shoved in his face once more?


    Even with this ultimate power, he waspletely powerless before his junior—his own student!


    It reminded him of how he had been demoted in the Cult due to the most painful injustice he had ever experienced—how a mere fifteen year old child had be his superior in the Nether Cult.


    Stefan Netherlore rose above him!


    And now, here he was being pitifully killed by someone he thought he could at least exert dominance over.


    How…?!


    In a swift motion of one hit, before Reed Sterling could dwell on any thought or resolution, he was defeated.


    "Stupid old man. I liked it better when you were smart." The crimson-d woman sighed.


    Her opponent had beenpletely erased, not even leaving cinders.


    Now in her [Invincible] state, but being powered by something more powerful than her Mana, Serah floated in the air with a sad smile on her face.


    ''Power isn''t everything…''


    It sounded hypocritical, considering she had just used a more dominant ability to override his offense and defense. However, Serah held fast to this belief.


    After Jared defeated both she and Gerard back then, she had realized just how shallow the concept of ''absolute power'' was—at least in her opinion.


    ''If he had acted smarter… like how he used to, then maybe it wouldn''t have been over so quickly…''


    Still, the results were inevitable.


    >WHOOOOOSSSSHHHH!!!<


    The smoke beneath her parted, and someone appeared right beside Serah, cing his hand on her shoulder.


    "I didn''t think you''d actually do it. It must have been hard on you."


    It was Neron, and he gazed at his lover with keen interest at her current state.


    Serah undid her transformation while shrugging, turning back to her usual form. She didn''t seem to be sad, but a tinge of unpleasant emotions yed on her face.


    "Reed wasn''t much of a fighter. His battle intelligence and adaptive abilities are subpar. Having more power wasn''t going to change that." Neron added, hugging Serah from behind.


    They enjoyed each other''s embrace for some time, drifting in the air like two insignificant birds.<novelnext></novelnext>


    "He belonged indoors. In theb or in the ssroom. It''s not our fault he didn''t ept that." Serah smiled, tilting her head so she could look at his face.


    He tightened his hold around her, and moved his face closer. The two kissed, deciding topletely forget about the opponent they had just defeated.


    ~Did you get it, though?~ Neron''s thoughts resonated within her.


    ~His Arcana? Yes I did.~ She instantly responded as she deepened her kiss with him.


    The couple kept smooching shamelessly, uncaring about whether or not they were needed back in the base.


    ~Perfect. I bet we''re the ones who had it the easiest.~ Neronughed internally, and Serah joined him.


    They both enjoyed their time together, undergoing the therapeutic process they knew to use best, when grieving the loss of someone they once knew—


    —Being intimate in a Timeless Word.


    *****************


    In arge hall that had exquisite murals for design, and incredible chandeliers and tiles, a table existed at the very center.


    The table had a couple of chairs. Seated on those chairs were people—though some seemed to be mere projections.


    Three seats were ced on the right side, while three were positioned on the left. A grand chair stood at the forefront of the table, and on it sat the leader of the Nether Cult


    As usual, ady in white stood beside him—maintaining some distance between herself and his magnificent seat.


    The six who sat, were the only remaining members of the Nether Cult''s executive members, and they all just happened to belong to the Upper Seat.


    Of the six, only three were physically present, while the others were ably represented by their Magic Projections.


    "As I informed you through Magic Communication, Reed and Vaizer are deceased. As such, we will continue our conquest with this number." The leader spoke in his usual imposing tone.


    Those present could feel the heavy pressure he exerted.


    The First Seat—Legendary Martial de God


    The Second Seat—Kido Midas


    The Third Seat—Karlia the Subus


    These three definitely knew of their leader''s power, and they kept themselves in check as a result.


    "You all failed your mission. Not only did we fail to retrieve any new Arcana, but two more were lost in the process. A shame, wouldn''t you say?"


    The guilty parties knew just how they had erred.


    The Fourth Seat—Fairy King Beruel


    The Fifth Seat—Stefan Netherlore


    The Sixth Seat—Legris Damien


    They had all encountered the enemy, one way or the other, and each had managed to fail in retrieving any Arcana.


    Even though they were not as ipetent as the other members who lost their lives and the Arcanas bestowed on them, it was still shameful that members of the Nether Cult lost their targets.


    "I sincerely apologize." Stefan Netherlore bowed his head.


    Even though he was simply a projection, his genuine intentions were well conveyed.


    A wave of difort and awkwardness seeped into the minds of the gathered members. Not long after Stefan''s earnest apology, Legris and Beruel apologized as well…


    … Though not as profusely as Stefan had.