Absolute Focus

Now approved to return to the competition, Emily took slow steps towards one of the cages. Last round, her competitors waited for her to finish first, but this time most of them were already in a cage. This wasn't because they had given up on beating her, in fact, it was the exact opposite. They saw this as their opportunity to finally defeat her and use her as a stepping stone. Far more than ever, they burned with enthusiasm, but Emily couldn't say the same.

Although she put up a brave front, she knew that she wasn't okay. Sure, this wasn't the first time she had a near-death experience, but that didn't mean it was something she could brush off in a short time. She grabbed Dull Harmony to calm herself down, but that didn't have an instant effect.

'You've protected me twice; I can trust you again, right?'

She hadn't fought with the sword even once, but it had become a good luck charm for her. When she reached a cage, she stopped and closed her eyes so that she could take a deep breath while focusing on the smooth, refreshing feel of the artifact. Maybe they would allow her more time to calm her nerves before she entered the cage, but she felt that she had to take advantage of the comfort that Dull Harmony brought her before she was hit by fear that paralyzed her.

When Emily opened her eyes again, there was a fierce light in her eyes, however, there was also a fragility to that light. Shui tightly clenched his fist as he watched her, but only the artifact in her hand could protect her. Fortunately, he was confident in what he had forged, so he hoped that Emily could also believe in it.

When Emily went into the cage and it closed on her, she tried to enter the Still Heart state as quickly as possible, but for the first time in a period so long that she couldn't remember, it didn't work. As long as she was in the Still Heart state, she wouldn't have to worry about not being able to focus, but because she was so nervous, she couldn't clear her mind for long enough to enter it. Ever since she learnt about this ability of hers and got used to it, she rarely had this problem, and she couldn't believe that she would stumble at such a critical moment.

She tried again, and then a third time, but there was no change in the result. Another first on this day, she was visibly stressed inside the cage. She naturally didn't want to disappoint those who helped her reach this far, but she was under too much pressure to push aside her fears with just her resolve. She wanted to keep trying to enter the Still Heart state, but if she took too long then this could end with her loss.

'I have no choice, I have to do this with my own power.'

She really didn't want to, after all, she was already too distressed to enter the Still Heart state, so she didn't know if she would even be able to focus, therefore, she could only hope that once she started working on the puzzle, that she would be able to perform at her usual level. Watching as Emily struggled through her trauma put everyone on the edge of their seats, regardless of whether they were rooting for her or not. No matter the outcome, there would surely be a dramatic uproar.

As Emily began working on the puzzle, fortunately, she found that she was still able to make progress despite her terrible mental state. It definitely wasn't smooth, but every time she thought about giving up or felt frustrated, she cut down those thoughts with a burst of determination.

'I've been through too much to give up here.'

Her heart may waver,

'Master, Senior Brother, Shui, don't worry. I promised, that I won't let you all down.'

Her mind may be strained by fatigue,

'And not just them. I tried not to notice, but every time I got praised by people I didn't know, I felt happy. I know they only like me because I'm talented, and they're probably just as shallow as the ones that abandoned my master and I, but, I can't help it! Rather than being pitied or scorned, I'd much rather be admired!'

Her vision may turn blurry from tears,

'Dad, Mom and Aunt Beth, I really didn't want to meet them again like that, but I still haven't changed. All I ever wanted was for you to look at me. I won't even ask you to be proud of me, but don't just treat me like a wallet! I'm your little girl, freaking realize it already!'

But when she put her soul into it,

'Definitely. Without a doubt, I'll crush everyone else here. You think I'll just let you kill me because you're scared. Hell no! I'll have every one of you at my feet! You'll rue the day you ever made an enemy of me, because I, am Emily of the fallen Valet family; disciple of Nikolai Nien of the Staile clan; current youngest tier 3 array master and the one who will win!!'

Truly, nothing could stop her.

"!!!!!!"

Her movements were slow at first, but as she concentrated on trying her best, her speed gradually increased without her knowing it. While her base, selfish desires were dragged to the forefront of her mind, her previous fear was thrown away like a stone before a tornado.

Unlike in the previous round, she wasn't using the most efficient method of solving the puzzle, but even with the longest method, she made great progress by plowing away it. Soon, she caught up with those who had started before her, and unknowingly surpassed them. She likely wouldn't believe that devolving into a immature brat would have such a splendid result, but this was a product of the new state that she had awaken to.

Absolute Focus, unlike Still Heart which emphasized serenity and awareness, this state was all about being narrow-minded and only paying attention to the task in front of you. In the sense that even if the sky fell the user would remain indifferent, they were the same, but the attitude required for each was very different. Normally, it would be impossible for someone to be capable of using both states, but there she was, engraving another legend on this stage.

Under the influence of Absolute Focus, Emily finished the puzzle while still overflowing with adrenaline so she was a bit dazed when the cage opened.

'Huh? It's over.'

However, she was forced to wake up due to the clamour of applause that followed.

"She did it!!!!!!!!"

"AHH!!!!!"

With the crowd going wild, not only because she completed the puzzle first, but also because she broke another record for shortest puzzle solving, Emily didn't know how to react.

'I did it?'

She swept her gaze across the scene. At the demotivated competitors who lost the will to keep going, the bright-eyed officials who secretly became her fans, the celebrating audience that cheered like there was no tomorrow, and she believed that in that moment, she met his gaze.

He was standing with the rest of the audience, but he was much closer to her. And even though they weren't connected by telepathy, she could still hear his voice.

"That was excellent, my dear little sister."

"Thank you, Brother."