35. Sophia's Reflection

Because of the protective "False Life" magic in the Arena, Sophia had fully recovered as if nothing happened. The pure white maiden remained spotless and glowing bright as if she had never been injured.

But just because her body had healed did not mean her spirit had recovered as well. The feeling of being instantaneously slaughtered and then having her ashes scattered was not so easily forgotten.

False Life only guaranteed that the witch wouldn't truly get injured, and that was all, so the pain during a duel still felt all too real.

What then does it feel like to have your heart clawed out followed by having your ashes scattered?

After being transported back to the rest room, it took Sophia quite a while before she opened her eyes, still filled with an indelible pain and fear in her golden-coloured pupils.

The pain was the brand left by the experience of being turned into ashes, whereas the fear was solely the instinctual rejection of death itself.