Eternal Freedom's Ascension-Chapter 59: True Face

Even Anthony was surprised when he subconsciously used this ability against Kaiser.

Kaiser’s eyes burned with a fierce light, mad glee coursing within.

’Target-lock: Rejected.’

Anthony’s thrust passed through Kaiser’s afterimage. For the first time, Anthony turned his head sharply.

Kaiser reappeared behind him, his daggers already descending.

Shkrrt!

Sparks exploded as both blades bit into dark-gold armor, carving shallow grooves across Anthony’s back.

Anthony felt the pressure shift immediately.

He reacted just in time. The butt of the lance smashed into Kaiser’s stomach, folding him in half. Before he could fall, the lance hooked behind his neck and slammed him face-first into the ground.

Boom!

Once more, he raised the lance overhead.

Kaiser’s vision swam, yet his grin didn’t diminish. His essence roared within, rushing like a tide.

He rolled as the lance struck, narrowly avoiding decapitation. He came up low and lethal, his daggers carving a storm of steel—faster, sharper, more reckless.

Anthony met his attacks head-on.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Kaiser no longer retreated, but pressed on. Like a man pushed to the wall, he went all out.

Freedom stacked—gravity loosened, inertia was denied, even resistance minimized. His movements became erratic, unpredictable, bordering on inhuman.

A quick slash opened Anthony’s shoulder plate, and another grazed his thigh.

The third-year didn’t falter, but he noticed something off.

Kaiser’s grin was filled with a hint of madness. His eyes spun with something dark and insane.

"Again, President."

Anthony struck, and he countered immediately.

They collided in the center of the room—and suddenly, a hand clamped around Kaiser’s throat.

The hum of the training room vanished, replaced by a deathly silence.

Anthony stood inches away, one hand crushing Kaiser’s windpipe, the other holding the lance down at his side. Kaiser’s feet dangled just off the ground, his body not struggling one bit.

Anthony leaned in, a slight frown on his lips.

"Alright. That’s enough."

Kaiser exhaled, then slipped away from Anthony’s hold. He landed on the ground, then rolled his shoulders. His essence reserves had already reduced to less than a quarter, not enough to continue the heated spar.

"My apologies. It seems I got too invested in this spar."

Anthony was slightly surprised, but he didn’t let it show on his face.

’He got away that easily?’

He lowered his hand, his expression unchanged. "Good. Satisfied with the spar?"

With a genuine smile on his face, Kaiser replied. "Very. It has been a while since I exercised myself."

Anthony hummed, then dismissed his armor. He checked his wristwatch, then spoke.

"It’s a bit late already. I need to go now."

He turned around, ready to leave to attend to his duties.

"I’m curious, President." Kaiser’s voice halted his movements. "Why do you hide your eyes?"

He remained silent for a few seconds, then turned slightly. "It is a curse. Do not get too curious."

After answering, he left the training room, his boots echoing as they clicked against the tiles.

...

Not long after President Anthony left, Kaiser had a quick shower and also took his leave.

He was feeling particularly joyful today, as he had found another person with great potential of becoming a genuine article.

’I wonder... will Maya bloom first? Or would President be the first?’

Walking around, he came close to the shore. In the distance, he could see the waves of the ocean pouring against the shore.

The night air was cool and silent—well, there was one other sound.

’A scream?’

From where he stood, he peered down, spotting the figure of a female student thrashing about. The figure looked familiar, with the long blonde hair and sizable bust.

’Ysabella, huh?’

Kaiser watched, unimpressed as she screamed and hurled inaudible curse words at some people.

’I knew she would be constantly filled with negative emotions.’

Her dream; wanting to be friends with everyone, was a pipe dream. Humans were inherently different from each other, and couldn’t have the same opinion about a single subject.

’You’re just wearing yourself out, girl.’

Kaiser shook his head, then continued to watch the waves indifferently.

...

Standing closer to the shore, Ysabella screamed one last time, then exhaled. She felt relieved, having offloaded everything on her mind to the air.

’That’s enough for tonight. I should go back.’

She rubbed her palms together, turned around, and froze.

’Who?!’

Her sight locked on the figure of another student standing on higher ground. Although she couldn’t really discern their features, the sharp blue eyes remained undeniable.

’Damnit! When did he get here?! Did he hear all I said? Fuck!’

She felt cold all of a sudden, anxiety filling her heart. What if they ran away before she could reach them?

Still, she steeled her resolve and approached the student. Surprisingly, he didn’t move from his position, just standing there as if he hadn’t noticed her.

When she got closer, she immediately recognized him.

’Kaiser?!’

Her heart skipped a beat as she remembered his words back at the cafeteria last month.

"Stop being so eerie."

Those words were spoken casually, but Ysabella felt like her entire existence had been seen through. Although she wasn’t sure, she felt like Kaiser always saw through her mask.

’If he knows... it’s dangerous.’

She couldn’t tolerate anyone knowing about her dual nature. She couldn’t trust anyone with the secret of her image as a kind angel being fake.

Taking a calming breath, she walked straight to him with her signature smile.

"Kaiser! It’s really a coincidence meeting you out here, isn’t it?"

She called out sweetly, though her words contained a hint of probing. What if he had suspected something wrong and had tailed her till she reached here? The thought alone was chilling.

Finally, Kaiser looked away from the undulating waves and gazed at her indifferently.

"Ysabella? It is indeed a coincidence I met you here."

Although she couldn’t tell if he was lying, she was strangely relieved by his answer.

Rubbing her palms, she offered a slight grin. "Um... did you perhaps hear anyone screaming or something? I thought I was the only one hearing it."

Looking at her again, Kaiser pocketed his hands, then turned to her with a neutral smile.

"Do you mean someone venting? I did hear and see it happen. Why? Does it concern you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ysabella’s sweet smile disappeared, and her expression became dark and murderous.

Still with that neutral smile, Kaiser spoke. "Your true face looks quite better."