The clash of swords echoed through the ruined coliseum, the air thick with dust and magic residue. The corrupted knight stood nearly seven feet tall, its armor fused with darkness, and each of its movements sent tremors through the crumbling ground. Its blade radiated with black energy — not quite magic, not quite System-based — more like a festering curse made manifest.
Ciel met it head-on.
Her stance was flawless, every block and parry a masterclass in technique. She gritted her teeth as the corrupted knight pressed her back with brute strength. She wasn't struggling—yet—but the thing's blows were getting faster, heavier. The others were still fighting off lesser enemies on the far end of the battlefield, leaving only MC nearby. He hovered at the edge, unsure whether jumping in would help or just distract her.
Ciel deflected another blow, slid under a slash, and aimed a counter-thrust—only for her sword to bounce off the knight's unnatural armor with a jarring clang.
"Cheap trick," she growled, leaping back. "That shouldn't be possible."
The knight advanced, wordless and relentless.
MC instinctively reached out with his System. He didn't plan it—he didn't even mean to use a skill—but something activated. A soft glow flared between them. The familiar hum of his system pulsed faintly in his chest.
[Affinity Link Formed: Ciel - Rank: 1]Linked Effect: "Unbreakable Resolve" - Physical output increased by 30% during combat when emotionally aligned.
He blinked. "Wait, what?"
Ciel didn't notice. Or, rather, she didn't see the notification. What she felt was sudden clarity — her senses sharpened, her muscles surged with fresh energy. Her sword felt lighter, her reflexes cleaner. It was as if her body had found a second wind without even trying.
She charged the knight again, this time with a sharp, upward feint before twisting mid-strike and plunging her blade into a chink in its armor at the collar. The creature shrieked, stumbling back as foul black mist hissed from the wound.
She didn't stop. She pressed the advantage, flipping over its arm, delivering a crushing kick to its helm, and disarming it in one rapid motion. Every step was precise. Every motion perfect. Almost... too perfect.
MC stared with wide eyes as another notification blinked faintly above her head.[Link Bond Strengthening - Ciel's affection +2 (Suppressed)]
Suppressed? he thought. Wait, does that mean she likes me but won't admit it?
Meanwhile, Ciel landed a finishing blow, driving her sword through the knight's core. It let out a metallic gasp, then collapsed in a heap of smoking armor and cracked obsidian.
Panting lightly, Ciel turned around, rolling her shoulders.
"Didn't even break a sweat," she muttered, eyes scanning the field for another target. "Must be that new training regimen. Told you it was working."
MC opened his mouth to say something, thought better of it, then just gave a thumbs-up. "Yeah. Definitely the training."
She narrowed her eyes. "What was that look?"
"What look?"
"That smug 'I-know-something-you-don't' face."
"I have that face all the time," MC said with a shrug.
Ciel sheathed her sword with a sharp click. "Well, whatever it was, it wasn't magic. I don't use System garbage. I fight with real strength."
"Absolutely," MC nodded, feeling the notification still hovering behind his eyes. "You're definitely not unknowingly benefiting from any mysterious bonding system that boosts your stats based on suppressed emotional affection. Nope."
She stared at him suspiciously.
MC coughed. "A-anyway, great job back there!"
She crossed her arms, stepping closer. "You sure you didn't try to 'help' me with one of your copy-paste powers?"
"I wouldn't dare," he lied.
"Because if you did, and it turns out I was being enhanced by some sappy System love mechanic, I swear I will punch you into a crater."
"Perish the thought!"
Another silence. Then, with a small shake of her head, Ciel muttered, "Still... that did feel different. Like I had a... backup. Weird."
MC gave her a sheepish grin.
Ciel squinted. "You're not telling me something."
"Would I do that?"
"Yes."
"Okay, yeah, I probably would. But only in a charming way."
Before she could retort, another roar echoed in the distance — more enemies incoming.
Ciel spun toward the noise, hand already on her blade. "Back to work, then. And stay out of my way this time, System boy."
MC watched her run off, the glow of their unintended link still faintly tracing the path between them.
He muttered, "Unbreakable resolve, huh? Might come in handy if she ever finds out the truth."
The System pinged gently in the back of his mind.
[New Link Ability Progress Unlocked - Passive Growth Pending...]
MC sighed. "Please let the next one be a cleric. Or at least someone who likes me out loud."
END OF CHAPTER 67