As the Enlightened grew stronger, they acquired a body better suited for survival. Their height reached an ideal level, their bodies became more robust, and during this process, most people experienced a change in their appearance.
Thus, high-level Enlightened were mostly handsome or beautiful, and the same was true for the children gathered here. But even so, that girl stood out the most.
—Alice, don't be so hard on your comrades —she suggested, a serene smile forming on her perfect lips.
My gaze became entranced by that celestial vision. Seated elegantly at one of the long plank tables adorning the guild's dining hall, a young woman of dazzling beauty sipped steaming tea while speaking in a voice as soft as a whisper.
Incredible!
That was my only thought. I had never witnessed such perfection in a human being, not even in my previous life. Her features were so sublime that I found it hard to believe she was real. I felt something stirring deep within my heart, and for a fleeting moment, an inexplicable and profound longing flooded my soul with the intensity of a devastating tidal wave.
Her face was a canvas of delicate perfection, as if sculpted by the gods themselves: pale, luminous skin that glowed like the dawn, cheeks subtly flushed with a shade reminiscent of cherry blossoms at sunrise. Her large, almond-shaped eyes shimmered with a deep purple like precious gems, framed by long, curved lashes that intensified her hypnotic gaze. Her lips, painted a soft, glossy pink, like morning dew on a flower, formed a gentle curve that blended sweetness and mystery.
Her hair was a cascade of pale lavender strands, almost an ethereal violet, falling in soft, flowing waves from the crown of her head past her hips, moving with an almost liquid grace. The hair was artfully gathered into a high, elaborate bun, with loose strands gliding down the sides of her face and shoulders, creating a natural frame that enhanced her beauty. At the top of the bun, a white flower with delicate petals and a golden center, possibly a gardenia, was pinned with a silver hairpin that gleamed faintly, while a deep purple ribbon, woven with golden threads, wrapped around the base of the bun, adding a regal touch.
She wore a pearl-white kimono, crafted from a fabric that seemed to flow like the purest water, with wide sleeves that extended like translucent wings, capturing the light and casting a soft glow. The kimono was adorned with intricate cherry blossom embroidery in purple and gold, stitched with silk threads that seemed to shimmer with an unreal luster, as if woven with magic.
The bodice clung delicately to her slender figure, the V-shaped neckline revealing a perfect collarbone and a silver pendant resting on her chest. The obi, a deep purple with iridescent glimmers, was tied in a complex knot and decorated with a golden brooch in the shape of a flower, holding a small purple gem—a perfect reflection of her eyes. The lower part of the kimono parted slightly at the front, revealing a black lining with patterns of white butterflies that seemed to flutter with her every movement, while the bottom edges were adorned with embroidered petals that faded into the fabric like whispers of nature.
—¿Eh? Are you teaching me how to do things, Anastasia? —Alice's sharp voice broke my state of reverie, snapping me out of the intoxicating contemplation of that goddess. Alice approached with determined steps, boldly placing one foot on the wide wooden chair occupied by Anastasia. Her posture exuded defiance as she raised her voice with clear provocation.
—I'm not teaching you how to do things, I'm teaching you how to be a person —replied Anastasia with a calm murmur. Her gaze, like a crystalline lake, reflected an unshakable serenity that seemed capable of soothing even the most violent of storms.
—¿Oh, you want to fight? —Alice, far from backing down, adopted a combat stance.
—If that's what you desire, I have no issue facing you —replied Anastasia, rising with ethereal elegance. She stood, resting one hand delicately on the table, her figure projecting a serene dignity that contrasted with Alice's ferocity like the moon against a blazing sun.
Their gazes clashed like invisible swords in the thick air. The atmosphere between them became almost palpable, akin to steam rising from a boiling cauldron, foreshadowing an explosion of power that could shake the guild's foundations.
I cautiously slid to the side, dodging guild members who watched the scene with a mix of fear and fascination. I had no desire to become collateral damage in that imminent clash. I approached the bar, where a mature woman, presumably the bartender, cleaned glasses with precise movements that revealed years of experience.
—¿How many times do I have to repeat it?! You can't fight inside the guild! Are you deliberately ignoring my words?! —Her voice, icy as a winter wind, burst into the tense exchange with barely contained fury, instantly silencing even the faintest murmurs.
The bartender was an impressive sight. Her long, blonde hair shone with a golden glow that evoked the last rays of the sun at dusk. She wore it gathered into two high ponytails that fell gracefully over her shoulders and back, swayed by an invisible breeze that added an unsettling dynamism to her presence. At the center of her forehead, a small violet diamond gleamed brightly, enhancing her masterful beauty and lending her an almost mystical air.
Her face had been carefully crafted with exquisite artistry: her large, expressive eyes were a warm sapphire blue, with pupils reflecting tiny glimmers of light, giving her a lively, piercing gaze that seemed capable of reading thoughts. Her long, defined lashes framed those eyes with precision, while a delicate pink blush adorned her cheeks, lending her a youthful, slightly shy air that contrasted with the authority in her voice. Her lips, painted with a subtle peachy gloss, displayed an expression that wavered between serenity and determination, with a slight crease of concern on her brow betraying her exasperation.