"What?"
The room suddenly felt tense, as if the sky started pushing down on their heads at that very moment.
'How did I avoid death?'
"I'm saying you'll both join the Karada! You two will just have to start weaker than everyone else."
Merric continued to smile as she looked back and forth between the two men. Her left hand was placed on her hip as her right danced in the air, accentuating her point.
"Of course, it won't matter as much if you two are really so skilled. You'll be half as strong, but still thrice as lethal."
The air felt fuzzy as the two men stared at Ilka with different expressions. Bolin was confused as to why she mentioned that Obai had avoided death, while Obai was finally catching on.
He furrowed his eyebrows as he quickly realized the most logical outcome for the losers of the initiation battles. He was already trained in how to manipulate energy and also somewhat knowledgeable about the different Traits. But most importantly, he knew exactly how one gained more energy.
The energy within a human's soul will dissipate and seep into the world itself after death. However, if killed by someone with an unlocked Trait, the energy hidden behind the matching Trait of the victim will be absorbed, strengthening the murderer.
That's why the Karada were known as elite soldiers amongst the Empire, and why the Seishin were revered as supreme warriors.
Everything they killed became fuel, used in their continued expanse of power. It was the same reason why he pursued the Body Trait. To grow strong enough to exact his revenge.
'She's been having the victors absorb the losers' energy after unlocking their Body Trait for them.'
He eyed the bloody mat behind her, brows furrowing further.
While Obai was thinking, the icy guard—who had stood off to the side quietly—moved forward to voice their opinion.
"My lady, after observing these two myself, I believe the victor should still absorb this loser's energy." Obai's face ticked as they gestured toward him. "This man is already incredibly strong, true. And although having one more soldier is great, having a soldier as strong as the other captains would be a much greater boon. His death will strengthen our efforts more than his life ever will."
Obai glared at the side of the guard's face as he felt the flames burn around him. The cold, smooth, and doll-like skin contrasted against the guard's reclusive aura. Their lips looked like the sweetest of fruits, but spoke the most poisonous.
'What the hell is wrong with these people?'
His anger exploded as he cut off the guard from speaking again.
"Listen here, lady, man, or whatever the hell you are! I came here to get stronger. Your arranged battles don't reveal anything besides how long someone can last in a fight! If you hadn't noticed, if I had a real sword, then this buffoon next to me would have turned into mincemeat! So how about you quit talking about the benefits of my death and start preparing for yours!"
He lurched forward, his hands preparing to wrap themselves around the guard's neck before he felt the pain in his back flare stronger.
Without even noticing the movement, Obai had found himself smashed against the wall by the door, sliding down to the ground.
Shaking her hand after the small push she gave Obai, Ilka calmly walked over to the guard and placed her other hand on their shoulder.
"Ah... I know Juno can say some harsh words, but I can't have you fighting your future captain. Well, I suppose he'll be your captain as soon as our meeting concludes."
Her voice stayed light and teasing throughout the whole endeavor. She found all the little quirks in her new soldier very amusing.
As Obai continued to groan in pain, slumped over on the ground, Ilka continued.
"Now, I'm not going to have my cute ballerina killed, Juno. The others found his skill quite impressive, and I think that both Obai and Bolin have what it takes to become captains without any boosts in strength."
She smiled as she walked over to Bolin, who had simply been staring into space, shocked by what had happened. His eyes gleamed as he processed everything, realizing a potential truth that he hoped with all his being wasn't true.
He looked down at the terrifying beauty in front of him.
"Um... did my brother win his battle?"
Ilka tilted her head. "Hm? I'm not sure. I don't remember any other big guys like you. I guess you'll have to find out later!" She smiled, as if what she'd just said was some magical news.
The giant fell silent once more, staring off into space again. There were no cheerful tunes from him now.
As much as Bolin's silence would have delighted Obai, all he could do was groan.
Above him, the guard, Juno, simply stared at his crumpled body with the same blank face. Only a small light shined behind the cold eyes as Obai slowly shifted his thoughts back to his hatred of Ilka.
'How... When did she hit me?'
Obai had expected there to be a gap in strength between Ilka and him. He was fairly confident in his skills even after losing to Bolin, and he hadn't heard of anyone who unlocked a second Trait. The five years between Nova's death and him returning to Vweiyalor had given him plenty of time to prepare. And even after that hell he went through—the image was still so vivid—Obai truly believed that once he combined Body and Spirit Trait, he would come close enough to kill Ilka Merric.
And yet...
'I... don't even stand a chance.'
Sure, the attack had taken him by surprise, and he wasn't thinking rationally in the moment, but even if he had enhanced his will to weaken the room or if he had shaped the energy into a blade, he would've at least been able to block, right?
But he didn't even see her move. He knew that wasn't her full strength either.
Even if he mastered both the Spirit and Body Trait, it wouldn't even come close to the strength of someone with such a vast pool of energy.
'I'm... too weak.'
Was Nova's death going to be left in vain?
'I'll... just have to get stronger then. Maybe the war won't be useless. I could take out a few captains...'
He shifted his head, looking up at Juno, who had moved back to the side of the room.
'Could I kill him?'
Obai continued to contemplate as Ilka looked over Bolin once more. Clapping her hands together, she announced brightly:
"Now! Take off that nasty shirt!"
Bolin shifted his gaze back to her, puzzled.
"It's time for your guys' reward!"