Becoming Their Guiding Spirit

We won, Mr. Reeve!! At Jessica’s reminder, Lucas toned down his expression slightly.

Jessica’s delicate and cute face regained its look of calm.

Lucas Reeve had been trapped in the statue for far too long. The mental torment of prolonged solitude had added a touch of neuroticism and madness to his usually optimistic personality. Even a dog would go crazy if locked in a tiny cage for too long, let alone a person.

It was just that.

These hidden emotions were usually buried in the deepest corners of Lucas Reeve’s heart.

Just now, having the chance to move freely using Jessica’s small body, he couldn’t restrain that sliver of madness from showing through for a moment.

But this was also good.

At least now there was an outlet to vent the negative emotions suppressed deep within his heart. For Lucas Reeve, this was beneficial.

His only concern was.

His performance just now had been too over-the-top, a complete departure from the usual Jessica. Would this attract unwanted attention and suspicion? However, according to what Jessica had said yesterday, she had never heard of anything related to souls. If suspicion did arise, they could always pass it off as dissociative identity disorder or a second personality.

”Jessica... what on earth....”

Franka was no longer sure whether to continue the assessment or send Jessica to the hospital first.

The five-minute countdown was nearing its end.

Between their initial exchange and the mutual staredown, three of the five minutes had already passed, leaving only the final two.

Seeing that the examiner on the side hadn’t called a stop.

Franka became more convinced that something was likely wrong with Jessica’s mental state. After all, cases of an alternate personality emerging that was completely different from the original were not unheard of.

That being the case.

It was even more imperative not to let Jessica go out on missions. It would be too dangerous for her.

Franka took a deep breath.

A semi-transparent vortex of air escaped her lips.

The Originium energy within her body churned, flowing through her blood vessels and meridians to every muscle and bone in her body.

Her fox-like, captivating eyes became sharper than a sword.

This time, Franka didn’t hold back; she went all out.

[Fleeting Sword-Thrust]

This was the Victorian swordsmanship that Franka specialized in, and her natural agility and speed were a perfect match for this type of sword technique.

Franka’s entire figure instantly vanished from her spot.

Boosted by Originium energy, her speed was even faster than before. As she thrust toward Lucas, the black rapier in her right hand suddenly disappeared, replaced by countless sharp glints of light that fell like raindrops, making it impossible to see the trajectory of each strike, let alone dodge them.

Below the stage, Liskarm covered her face.

That fat fox... she’s actually getting serious!!

Faced with an attack of this intensity.

Lucas Reeve’s Transparent World fully activated at that moment.

Everything before him slowed down. His senses, every inch of his skin, and even his reaction time and cognitive speed were significantly enhanced.

Although Franka’s sword moves were incredibly fast.

He could still clearly see the trajectory of every single strike within the Transparent World.

Lucas maneuvered Jessica’s body like an agile little bird, constantly evading each thrust. Even in impossible-to-dodge situations, he used the longsword to make the most optimal blocks.

However.

That’s not how it looked to the other spectators.

Franka’s swordplay was sharp, swift, and ever-changing, yet Jessica, a mere intern, cleanly and flawlessly dodged every single attack without any wasted motion.

She was like a dancer moving in a storm, yet not a single one of the dense raindrops managed to dampen her clothes.

How incredible!

’Jessica’s’ eyes were now incomparably cold and clear.

Even while constantly dodging the thrusts, she was able to maintain eye contact with Franka.

However.

Franka could only sense a profound unfamiliarity in those familiar eyes.

Jessica: ”Woo!! So cool, Mr. Reeve!! How can you do so many difficult moves with my body when I can’t?!!”

Lucas Reeve didn’t answer; his full attention was on Franka’s sword techniques.

It had to be said.

This black-stockinged fox lady was very strong. Lucas could clearly sense that although she seemed to be using her full strength, she was holding back her killing moves because she was facing Jessica. Her attacks looked fierce, but every strike deliberately avoided vital points, afraid she wouldn’t be able to pull back in time.

*Huuu...*

Another long breath escaped from ’Jessica’s’ mouth.

After dodging yet another sword gleam, she stopped evading and chose to end the assessment.

[Sun Breathing · Second Form: Clear Blue Sky!]

Her longsword was wreathed in roaring flames. Lucas had Jessica’s body drop into a low crouch, dodging another attack, and then swung the sword upward, striking Franka’s rapier from below.

*Clang!*

At the moment of impact.

A piercing shriek of metal rang out.

Then.

A ring of fire spread out from the blade, instantly covering the entire dueling platform with a mighty blaze. With a crisp *crack*.

Franka’s training rapier snapped in two.

[Sun Breathing · Third Form: Raging Sun]

The flames wrapping the blade, under the extremely high-speed slash, momentarily transformed into a crimson mirror, its area of effect much larger than the Waltz.

*Thump!*

This strike slammed heavily into the ground next to Franka.

The solid surface of the training platform was split open, leaving a deep gash.

*Ding...*

The five minutes were up.

The entire arena fell silent.

On the stage, Franka’s training rapier was broken, the meaning of which was self-evident.

After a brief silence.

The entire stadium erupted in cheers as loud as a landslide or a tsunami.

”Holy crap!! Little Jessica won!!!”

”Jessica beat elite operator Franka!!!”

Meanwhile, Liskarm sighed to herself on the side.

”That fat fox really lost face...”

As soon as the assessment ended.

Lucas Reeve immediately swapped bodies with Jessica.

The once placid eyes instantly became flustered again. Amidst the panic, there was even more surprise and joy.

”We won!!”

”Mr. Reeve, we won!!!”

Jessica spoke in a low voice, afraid someone else would hear.

Then, before she could celebrate.

Jessica felt her body go limp as her last bit of strength gave out.

*Thud.*

She collapsed onto the ground, gasping for breath.

Although the Transparent World allowed Jessica to dodge many attacks, her physical stamina was what it was. The high-intensity movement, combined with the strain that the breathing method put on her body’s strength, had pushed Jessica’s physique—which was not particularly strong compared to other Blacksteel operators—to its absolute limit.