The two girls were brought before Master Nephtali while the nurse cleaned Natalie's new wound.
"Ouch! Why does the medicine sting more than Lencia's dagger? My first wound wasn't even healed yet."
"Stop moving," the Nurse scolded gently. "I'm almost done. This is your second wound, right next to the first one that hasn't healed. Will you stop adding to your injuries, Natalie? You used to worry more about your comrades than yourself."
"What medication can we use to make these wounds heal quickly?" Nephtali asked, his voice sharp with concern. "She will struggle with training if her wounds are still fresh."
"I will provide medicine for her, Master Nephtali. Natalie is used to these kinds of wounds, even when she first started here. I'll get her medicine and bandages now."
Malika and Lencia sat in separate chairs, exchanging hateful glances. Natalie looked at Master Nephtali, who stood over her.
"Master Nephtali, please sit down. The Nurse has cleaned my wound; I'll go back to the quarters now."
"Stay here for now. You won't have anyone with you in the Quarters. Something might happen if you are alone."
Natalie fell silent. Nephtali turned to the two girls, whose heads were bowed in fear and shame.
"A moment ago, you were both very brave. Why are you afraid now? You know it is wrong to fight without a designated Headmaster, yet you did it anyway. What was the cause of your fight, and why did Natalie get involved?"
Neither girl spoke, trembling under Nephtali's gaze.
"You both have potential. You could both be Headmasters next year, if you weren't constantly causing disturbances. After Adira, it's you, Lencia, who seeks trouble. And you, Malika, instead of avoiding her, you rise to her challenges. Do you want to be locked in the Cursed Chamber?"
"No, sir! Master Nephtali! Please, let me clean the training ground or the dining hall—just don't lock me in the Cursed Chamber!" Lencia pleaded.
"I won't do it again, Master Nephtali. I will avoid Lencia from now on. I don't want to be locked in the Cursed Chamber either."
Kirill entered with Fedor, who immediately faced Nephtali.
"Master Nephtali, I apologize for what they did. I will accept whatever punishment you give them. I am the reason for their fight."
"You will indeed accept the punishment, because you are always the reason for these women's chaos. Your good looks must be venomous if they cause such hysteria here."
"Really? Why don't I see it?" Natalie giggled.
Kirill suppressed a laugh, and Natalie smiled widely. Nephtali looked at Natalie, and she instantly fell quiet.
"First, it was Natalie causing trouble; now it's you two. I expected better. Do not copy Natalie. Natalie knows what she is doing and has a reason for causing chaos, unlike you, who are just fighting over a boy. Headmaster Kirill, they will clean the dining hall for five days, including Headmaster Fedor. Supervise them closely and ensure they complete their task."
"Yes, Master Nephtali."
Kirill and the three subdued Juniors left. Natalie looked at Nephtali, who was organizing the papers on his desk.
"Master Nephtali, did you really use me as an example? They just think I cause trouble because I have nothing better to do."
"Is that what you believe they think of you? I know they see you as the one who defends the oppressed, just as you did the first day we met. You are the first to help those in need because the Headmasters here can't do what you do. Your fellow Junior Masters trust you more than they trust the Headmasters."
"You truly know everything that happens here."
Natalie winced, touching her wound. Nephtali noticed the pain and immediately checked the bandage.
"Your wound is starting to swell; the bandage is too tight. I'll fix it; don't move your arm."
"How can I not move it? My arm is getting tired from holding it."
Nephtali adjusted the bandage and took a white handkerchief, using it as a makeshift sling to support her arm.
"Thank you, Master Nephtali."
"You're welcome. Come, join me for a meal in the Master's Hall."
"What? The Master's Hall? I'm not allowed in there."
"You are with me. No one will stop you."
They arrived at the Master's Hall. Many Headmasters stared at Natalie—the first Junior Master to ever set foot there. The food was far superior to the Junior Guardians' dining hall.
A self-important young man approached, bowing deeply to Nephtali.
"Master Nephtali, I am Headmaster Venice. I just transferred here, and I desperately want to be one of your chosen Headmasters for next year."
"The examination to join Master Red and me is next year. Why did you transfer immediately?"
"You are one of the most excellent Grandmasters, and I have long wanted you to be my superior. I would like to know what you look for in your Headmasters, so I can prepare thoroughly."
Nephtali looked at Natalie, who was happily eating and not listening to them.
"My protégé is capable of fighting five to ten creatures with various unique abilities simultaneously. Can you do what she can do?"
Natalie paused, surprised, and looked at Nephtali. The young Headmaster fell silent, visibly nervous.
"When you can do that, come back to me and show me what you are capable of."
"Y-yes, Master Nephtali."
The young man quickly left, sweating profusely. Natalie stared at Nephtali.
"Master Nephtali, who is your protégé who can fight five to ten creatures with various abilities?"
Nephtali looked at her and smiled.
"Wait, are you talking about me? When did I fight that many creatures? I only fight them one by one every night."
"Yes, one by one every night. But if you think about it, how many creatures do you defeat every week? Every month? Or year?"
Natalie was unable to answer.
"You know you can keep up with them in a fight. You can fight your comrades here, no matter how many they are. I know what you can do, Natalie. You can do more than everyone else, especially when you learn how to use the weapon on your wrist."
Natalie looked at the bracelet on her left hand.
"What can this bracelet do, Master Nephtali?"
Nephtali looked at the perplexed girl.
***
In the forest, far from the training ground, Nephtali traced his left wrist, causing the **Silver Chain of Protector** to materialize.
"You only need to stroke the Chains for them to appear. They hide their true form and power. When you stroke them, they will reveal themselves to you. They will only obey you and listen only to you."
"Do my Chains and yours have the same abilities?" Natalie asked.
"No. The Chains you possess are far more powerful. The Chains held by the various Superior Grandmasters are only fragments of your Chains. You hold the **Chains of Guardians**, the weapon of the Angelic Warrior, the most powerful of all weapons."
The Chains on Natalie's hand suddenly flashed brightly. Natalie froze, seeing flashes of a terrifying past. Nephtali rushed to her side, instantly worried.
"Natalie?"
"I see Chains… so many Chains."
"The Chains of Guardians seem to be looking for its other fragments and is showing them to you. You must learn how to use the Chains, but you must first learn how to control the energy of your spirit so your body is not weakened."
Nephtali taught Natalie incantations to gain strength for a few minutes and other spells that would help her.
***
At the training ground, Natalie finished teaching the Junior Guardians. Venice arrived with some of his companions.
"Good day, Junior Master Natalie. I am Headmaster Venice. They say you are the one who always causes trouble in this Division. I didn't recognize you when we met in the Master's Hall."
"Do you need something from me?"
"They say you are the best in this Division. Adira is still recovering, so I've chosen you to fight."
"You travel to different Divisions just to challenge people to a fight? Are you sure you want to challenge me?"
"Why not? We are both training and fighting our fellow Guardians. If you defeat me, you won't be involved in the Grandmaster's punishment. I will accept all the punishment. But if I defeat you, all the punishment goes to you."
"I have a few minutes before I report to the office. Let's make it quick. I don't like being late for my report."
They stood in the center of the training ground. The young Headmaster vanished and attacked with a kick, but Natalie swiftly moved back, and Venice nearly stumbled. He quickly punched, but Natalie's kick hit his right side, throwing him violently to the far end of the training ground.
"Three minutes."
Venice immediately used his power, but Natalie encircled the energy and threw it back at him. He was hit by his own attack and hurled out of the training ground. His companions instantly attacked Natalie, but she defeated them all in under a minute.
Venice stood up, visibly injured and struggling.
"This is the hardest fight I've ever had, and you barely did anything! Who are you, really? You are only a Junior Master, but you can do more than a Headmaster!"
Kirill, who had watched the entire fight, applauded.
"Didn't Master Nephtali tell you, Headmaster Venice? Junior Master Natalie is under his care. There hasn't been a day when Natalie hasn't fought the creatures that cause trouble here. She rarely fights her fellow Guardians; she mostly fights the Outcasts."
"You are the one Master Nephtali said could fight various creatures?!"
"You should have asked who you were fighting first," Natalie said, shaking her head. "Look at what happened to you. I asked you if you were sure, but you insisted. By the way, talk to Headmaster Kirill. He'll write the report on what happened here."
Natalie quickly left, waving goodbye to Kirill, who chuckled at the injured Headmaster. Venice collapsed, struggling.
***
In Master Nephtali's office, Venice and his companions were heavily bruised, bandaged, and plastered.
"What that girl did to me will reach the Council! I will have her removed from here! I will make sure she never comes back! What will others say about me? I am known as the best Headmaster in all Divisions, only to be defeated by a Junior Master?! I will not accept this!"
Kirill and his companions laughed at Venice. Natalie entered and the men immediately backed away from her.
"I thought we had an understanding yesterday?" Natalie asked, disappointed. "Why are you complaining now? You challenged me and approached me for a fight. You even wanted to fight Adira, but she is still injured."
"You cheated yesterday! My comrades saw how you contained my energy and threw it back at me! You cheated, that's why I lost!"
Nephtali looked up at Venice, who instantly fell silent, intimidated.
"A coward is the one who cheats in a fight," Nephtali stated. "If Natalie cheated, she wouldn't show herself to me now. She wouldn't want to embarrass me, her Guardian. I know Natalie; she is fair in a fight. She didn't use her full power against you because she knows your capacity in a fight."
"Are you saying I'm weaker than a Junior Guardian?"
"Being an excellent Guardian is not about rank; it's about your ability and capacity in a fight. Natalie fights the Outcasts, not Guardians who are lacking in skill."
"I will come back for your Junior Master, Master Nephtali. I will defeat her!"
"I'll be waiting, Headmaster Venice." Natalie smiled, then left quickly.
"Headmaster Kirill," Nephtali ordered. "Ensure no other Guardian enters this Division. They must face us before entering here."
"As you wish, Master Nephtali."
Kirill and the others left. Natalie was about to follow when Nephtali stopped her.
"Natalie, stay."
She turned to face the man signing papers at his desk.
"Forgive me, Master Nephtali. I truly didn't want to fight Headmaster Venice. I don't like hurting my fellow Guardians. He was the one who was asking for pain. I just dodged his attacks; he was the one injured by his own energy."
Nephtali looked up and smiled. "What you did was right. If you had truly fought him, he would have been hurt far worse."
Natalie smiled, reassured by her Kuya Nephtali.
#ChainsOfGuardians