Chapter 418: Sara's Awakened Fighting Spirit and Overwhelming Pressure!
Sara's father devoted countless years to the painting, ignored even his own daughter, and ultimately died before the canvas.
Yet in the end, he still failed to complete it.
Once Sara understood that, the hatred in her heart was replaced by sorrow.
Through her tears, she made a firm decision.
"I will complete this painting."
"It is the only act of filial devotion I can offer my father."
Afterward, Sara received treatment through the Kazamatsuri Family, an old friend of her father and a member of Rebellion.
Her physician was the Grand Professor, one of Rebellion's finest doctors and a member of the Twelve Apostles.
Sara was not completely cured, but she regained enough mobility to leave her bed and move freely.
Naturally, the treatment also left her with an enormous medical debt.
Her rare congenital disease had no conventional cure.
Considering that the Grand Professor had allowed Sara to walk again, even an astronomical fee was reasonable.
"So you joined Rebellion to work off your debt?"
Luke interrupted for the first time and asked curiously.
There seemed to be no reason for Mario Rosso, the world's most famous painter, to join Rebellion.
After meeting Sara and realizing she desired nothing except painting, Luke found her membership even harder to understand.
Repaying the treatment or returning a favor now seemed like a reasonable explanation.
However, Sara shook her head.
"I never joined Rebellion. Though repaying my debt was… one of the reasons, I suppose?"
Sara tilted her head, seemingly considering how to explain her relationship with the organization.
"My relationship with Rebellion is probably closer to a partnership."
"I must complete the painting my father left behind, no matter what."
"But to do that, I need to travel around the world and broaden my experience."
"I also need to find the ideal model. Rebellion's connections allow me to enter regions affected by conflict."
"After recovering, I gave every painting I made to the Grand Professor. I still do that now."
"Part of their value paid for my treatment, while Rebellion also sold them through its network. I'm not skilled at handling such matters myself."
"I never calculated the total, but my medical debt must have been repaid long ago."
"Now, Rebellion and I mostly make use of each other."
"As long as I have a body capable of painting, I don't need money. Nor do I desire anything that money can buy."
"If I give Rebellion the profits, they provide transportation across the world, food, lodging, and treatment from the Grand Professor."
"This operation was the same. I had never visited Japan, so I joined them while searching for a model."
At the mention of a model, Luke could not help covering his face.
He really had been discovered by Sara solely because he happened to become involved in this operation.
Rebellion itself meant nothing to her.
She cooperated with them only because they made her journey as an artist more convenient.
"During those travels, I gradually began to love painting."
"I also came to understand my father's feelings more and more."
"I see."
After hearing Sara's story, Luke finally gained a clearer understanding of her.
Now that he knew her past and the source of her obsession, he could relax.
Honestly, posing as a model was not a serious problem.
Luke was generally willing to help people who devoted themselves completely to a particular craft.
However, Sara's identity was sensitive, and the abilities of this world's Blazers were endlessly varied.
Luke could not carelessly agree to unusual requests.
No one could guarantee that a single painting would not expose him to some bizarre ability.
Luke could easily tell that Sara had not spoken a single lie.
The presence of a true master surrounding her was also impossible to imitate.
Therefore, Luke could safely use the modeling request as leverage.
"Regarding the modeling, I really do need to discuss it with Edelweiss."
"But I'm also fairly confident that I can persuade her."
"Still, helping you brings me no benefit. In theory, I have no reason to cooperate with your request."
Hearing this, Sara immediately deflated like a punctured balloon.
Despite her disappointment, the gaze she directed at Luke remained unwavering. She showed no intention of giving up.
Luke smiled at her reaction and continued.
"How about this? I'll give you one condition."
"If you fulfill it, helping you will benefit me as well, giving me a proper reason to agree."
"In our next match—the third-round quarterfinal this afternoon—defeat me."
"If you win, I'll serve as your model exactly as you request. I'll also handle the explanation with Edelweiss."
"What do you think? Can you accept that condition?"
Luke watched Sara with interest.
Others might not know that he had defeated Edelweiss, but Sara was Akatsuki Academy's trump card. There was no chance she remained unaware.
Even Edelweiss had lost to Luke, making the extent of his power obvious.
Pierrot and Amane had known this as well.
That was why they tried to eliminate monsters like Stella and Luke through schemes outside the arena.
Now faced with Luke, an opponent who was practically unbeatable, what choice would Sara make?
Luke found himself genuinely curious.
Then, in the next instant, a bone-chilling sensation forced him directly into a combat-ready state!
Sara's expression had completely changed.
"I understand."
She seemed like an entirely different person.
A fiercely burning will appeared within Sara's eyes.
The pressure pouring from her body was so intense that even Luke felt shocked.
Taking a deep breath, Luke suppressed the fighting spirit that had nearly erupted from within him.
Unbelievable.
It was truly difficult to believe.
Luke stared at Sara with delighted surprise.
Feeling the pressure and tension radiating from her, he almost laughed aloud in excitement.
This presence, this state, this overwhelming pressure—
Only one person in this world had ever made Luke feel something similar.
Twin-Wings Edelweiss!
That was right.
Saikyou Nene could not do it. Shinguuji Kurono could not do it. Even God of War Nangou Torajirou could not do it!
Luke might not necessarily defeat them, but none could suppress him to this extent.
Only Edelweiss had ever created this sensation of a sword blade pressing against his throat.
Yet now, Luke sensed a similar presence coming from Sara!
…
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