I walked toward Elizabeth, filled with hatred and rage. I truly felt like a different person now. Suddenly, I moved without even realizing it. This feeling was unlike anything I had experienced in my life. I'd never felt such a powerful sensation before. So this is the power of a Saint, the one Sylvia mentioned?
"Don't come any closer!"
Elizabeth hurled spears at me relentlessly. I couldn't even count how many, but somehow, I instinctively deflected and dodged every one of them with incredible speed.
"Heh, maybe you should pay more attention to your surroundings, you brat!"
Chains suddenly wrapped around my legs and bound my entire body. It all happened in a flash. A steel pillar appeared behind me, and I was pulled upward. Above me, a massive iron maiden stood open wide. I was flung into it, and it closed instantly.
"Ahahaha, that's what you get! How dare you interfere in my battle? Apologies for the inconvenience, Jeane. Now, let's start from the beginning."
Crackk
A sound like something cracking echoed from nowhere.
Crack, Crack
The noise persisted, distracting both Elizabeth and Jeane, who were preparing to fight.
"No way..."
The iron maiden shattered to pieces, revealing me—Andri—hovering in the air, eyes locked onto the clouds above.
"What a beautiful world. So different from the first time I came here. Oh God, thank you for your protection. Thanks to You, I can protect my children once again. I won't waste this chance."
"Nonsense!!!"
Elizabeth threw a chained blade at me, but I dodged effortlessly, caught it mid-air, and yanked it upward—pulling her into the air along with it. I launched a powerful punch straight to her face, sending her crashing to the ground.
I landed on the ground and turned toward Jeane, who sat weak and wounded on a stone ledge. I angrily extended my hand, pulled her to her feet so I could see her dirt-covered face more clearly.
"Are you alright?"
"Thank you… And what about you? Weren't you injured?"
"That doesn't matter. Now let's go home—together."
"What's going on with you? Your personality feels... strange."
"Simple—I am who I am. And I still remain myself."
"Whatever. What about her?"
"Ahh… maybe she passed out?"
Jeane and I approached Elizabeth, who had crashed into the ground. But when we checked on her, she was gone—no trace left behind.
"She escaped?"
"Damn! She ran away again. Anyway, let's go back and treat our injuries."
"Gladly, milady," I said with a bow.
"I told you to stop acting like that! Go back to your normal self!"
"I am who I am! And—"
"If you don't shut up, I'll cut you down right now."
"Okay, okay! Just trying to lighten the mood. You're so sensitive, Sylvia."
We returned to school in a complete mess. Sylvia and I went our separate ways because we were in different classes. As I entered mine, the teacher told me to go to the principal's office. There, I was scolded for two full hours by the principal, who rambled endlessly.
I had no idea where Sylvia was. Maybe she was also getting lectured? I looked for her everywhere but couldn't find her.
"Whatever. I'd better go treat my injuries."
When I arrived at the school clinic, I found Sylvia treating her wounds—just like the first time we met on the school rooftop.
"So this is where you are."
"What do you want?"
"Nothing. Honestly, I'm just really confused about everything. My feelings are a mess. And I remember everything! Like when the spear struck me—I thought I was going to die! But somehow, I'm still alive."
"I think I'm starting to take an interest in you too."
My face turned red with shock.
"W-What do you mean?"
"Take off your shirt."
"What? Are you crazy?!"
"Take it off!!" she demanded, drawing her sword.
"Alright, alright! Put the sword away!"
As I removed my shirt, I saw a black tattoo in the shape of a star.
"What is this?"
"Just as I thought—you've been chosen," Sylvia said, having finished treating her wound.
"Chosen? What do you mean?"
"You are a Saint. You are one of the chosen—those whose bodies serve as vessels for ancient souls brought back to life."
I grabbed a swivel chair near the desk and sat, staring seriously at Sylvia.
"Sounds interesting. Go on—I want to hear more."
"Hahhh," she sighed, clearly annoyed.
"Alright, around ten years ago, those who had a major influence on world history were revived."
"You mean prehistoric humans?"
"Something like that. But they weren't brought back completely. Instead, only their souls were returned to this world—as a gift from God. Along with that, each soul was granted power. The most influential among them were the strongest."
"How do you know all this?"
"Simple. You don't need to know everything."
"Okay, continue."
"The souls that returned needed a human vessel to survive in this world. It's like a parasite, but ultimately, it depends on the host's will—how well they can control the powerful soul within."
"Those who serve as vessels are called Saints. The ancient souls themselves are known as Servants."
"So... you're a Saint too?"
"We've both been chosen, you idiot."
"Even that crazy woman earlier? She's a Saint?"
"That's right. Her name is Elizabeth Bathory—known as one of the cruelest torturers and serial killers in history."
"I know who she is. And you…"
Sylvia unbuttoned her shirt slightly. I blushed and quickly covered my face with my hands.
"H-Hey, what are you doing?!"
I saw a shield emblem—exactly like the one I saw before.
"Jeanne d'Arc. That's my Servant. And you…"
"Adam. That's the name I heard when I was on the brink of death."
"I knew it. You must protect yourself. Soul devourers will be coming after your soul too."
"Soul devourers? What are those?"
"Those who fail to control the sacred soul within will end up being controlled by it instead. That's why you must learn to master your Servant—to protect yourself."
"How do I do that?"
Sylvia extended her hand toward me, her expression deadly serious.
"Let's form an alliance."
"What?"
"My mission is to collect and return all the revived souls. I want to restore this world to how it was."
"Why include me?"
"I don't know. But I have a good feeling about you. I can hear whispers echoing in my mind."
"What the hell is that supposed to mean...? But fine. We've come too far already. You won't betray me, right?"
"Who knows. Same to you."
"Alright, I understand. I'll help you with your mission—in exchange, help me control my soul."
"Deal. Agreed?"
"Okay!"
We shook hands. Sylvia gave me a faint smile while I returned a serious stare. But wait—didn't she say she wants to eliminate all sacred souls and return the Servants to their origin? That includes mine, doesn't it? I need to stay alert.