Simon walked forward and stopped beside Akaza.
The Grey Pike captain remained on the road before them, her neck twisted at an unnatural angle. Her silver spear lay near one hand, while the last fragments of pale-white Aether left behind by her Martial Spirit faded into the air.
Akaza continued staring at her corpse.
Blood ran from his shoulder, thigh, and side. His breathing had become steadier, but the cuts covering his face and the slight tremble in one arm made the difficulty of the battle obvious.
After a few moments, he spoke.
"I was hoping to learn her name before I killed her."
Simon gave no response.
"She was the first human I have ever fought," Akaza continued. "More importantly, she was the first human with a Martial Blessing I encountered."
His gaze moved to the place where the Martial Spirit had disappeared.
"She fought well. Her movements were refined, her spear was not bad, and that thing behind her understood how to complete every opening she created."
