Floor 2 / Middle Region 

Mutiara City / 

____________

Maria's daily life depends on the location where she is doing activity. 

She only said prayers when she was at church. When the academy administrator's duty is called, she will be in the Academy Administrator's office, helping the Deputy Administrator.

But the call of duty only comes once in a while. When there is an important decision that must involve her figure.

Six of the seven days a week she spends at church, praying.

Her boring and repetitive activity made people ask: why does she keep praying all the time? Who is she praying to? What did she pray for?

All those question remains mysterious until now. 

Everything about her is a mystery. How did she get to where she is now? What was her relationship with the Founder of the Academy, Staff Saint? Who is she in Hunter's history?

Because of her great charm and aura, no one was able to ask her all of that question. 

Not many people can meet her. Even the students of the Academy only could see her on some rare occasion. 

Only a few special people allowed to meet her, and one big person who can teleport anywhere at will to see her anytime.

-

Church of Longing / Night 

"I thought you will not get back until the Ocean Abyss Pit station is done. Can I guess, you want me tonight?"

Ars gets back to Floor 2 and went to Church of Longing as fast as he can. 

But he did not expect to depart during the day and arrive at night. Or was it because of the time difference between Floor 2 and Floor 3?

Whatever that was, Ars' goal was not to seek pleasure. 

Ars came to the church at night. Maria already asleep for about an hour or two. But Ars' arrival made her have to awake. 

Ars came right at Maria's room. That was why she thought Ars seek a pleasure from her. 

"Tell me how Satria saved Samuel's life from Infection."

Unexpectedly, Ars asked for something else. 

"Did Jeanne tell you about that?"

What Ars asked about was an event that actually considered never happened. Only very few people knew about it. 

But when Ars asked about that, then something similar is happening and happened to someone that Ars adore.

"Just tell me about it."

Ars only wants the answer. He does not have time to have a chit chat. 

"I judge that you already know the outline of the event."

Maria actually did not like when she was told to tell about a certain past. Especially when it was not worth telling. 

But Ars is an exception

"Before that, allow me to ask you a question."

Maria got out of bed. At that time, she only wore a thin dress that showed the beauty of her body.

If that was a casual day, Ars will not be able to hold his lust. But his heart and mind at that time had only one goal.

"There are three possible ways this method will end. First, you can save her, but you have to pay it with your lifespan and left hand."

So that was how Satria ended up losing his left hand and being the oldest person in Terra. 

"Second, you can save her, but you died in the process. Last and the worst possibility, you cannot save both yours and her life."

Maria explained that by holding both Ars' hand. 

Ars did not tell Maria who is he going to save. But she seemed already know who the person is, because she said 'her' in her explanation.

Ars wanted to ask: 'you already know this is going to happen?'. But he didn't ask because it would waste a second of his time,

"I will save her and I won't lose myself."

Ars has determined his determination.

Maria understood Ars's decision, and even she showed a hint of happiness at it.

Maria raised Ars's right hand, took his index finger, pointed it at her mouth, then bit it until the blood came out.

After that, she draws a symbol on Ars' right palm with the left index finger wound's blood.

"Did you know? A strong Arts user exchanges their lifespan for instant power. It is like trading our lifetime with the devil. But that does not matter, because all that is lost is time. We exchange our time with other precious things like, something, a family, a society, or beloved one."

Maria has finished drawing the symbol on Ars's right palm.

A horizontal line with a three-headed line in an octagon. Drawn with blood.

"There was a lucky group of Arts users. They can use Art power without having to exchange their life with power. However, they would incur huge losses if they used a large volume of Art. Infection."

Done with the drawing, Maria gives a deep kiss to Ars right hand. 

"Infection cannot be cured. But, Arts can do anything as long as you pay it accordance and appropriately."

Maria done with her lecture. She let go of Ars and take a few steps back. 

From all the lessons she said, she didn't tell how Ars going to save Elisa from infection. But that was all Ars need to know how is he going to save Elisa.

"I will save her and we will live."

Ars disappear from the scene in an instant. He goes back to Floor 3 to do what he must.

"Please do that."

____________

Floor 3 / Sector 2

Eria / 

Palace of Fafnir / 

Six hours have passed since Ars's departure.

Elisa's condition became more severe as the time goes on. 

Several times she groaned in pain and there was nothing they could do to help her.

Arlene was the only one accompanying Elisa at that time.

For six hours, she continued to sit on the chair looking on Elisa. During the process, she does not eat or drink when she seems sick himself.

She refused to take care of herself before Ars returned.

Then finally Ars came back.

"Ars!"

He seemed so tired. Of course he is. Even though he uses teleportation to travel, it was still reduces his strength as the payment. 

But he showed no intention of stopping.

Ars opens the blanket and clothes that cover Elisa. 

A view of a body being corrupted by rainbow crystal particle could be seen on Elisa's body. 

The Infection had corrupted her body from stomach to chest and going to spread to her neck and hip. 

Seeing that scene, Arlene's heart was like being cut by a sword. But then suddenly, Ars put his left hand to Elisa's body. 

"Ars, what are you doing?"

Does he want to touch Elisa before she dies?

Arlene's not-working brain thought that about Ars' act. But that was not Ars going to do when he suddenly took out a sword. 

Arlene's heart felt like it was about to explode seeing Ars' strange behavior. But then Ars throw the sword at her. 

"Cut my left hand when I said to."

Ars' behavior is really strange.

Where did he actually go before? What will he do? Will he save Elisha?