Stuck

"Finally, after a long search, I have found it!"

A mysterious figure exclaimed as he leaped down into the transparent barrier.

•••

In a deep dark forest, there was a man running with his tattered clothes and blood seeping from his body.

"Damn it" said the man while panting heavily as he run. With no essence left in him, his speed started to slow down, only his sheer will was driving him this far.

"haaaa…"

'it seems i lost them, what a relief' 

As I realized that they were nowhere to be seen, I immediately got into lotus position to replenish my essence.

THUD

"Conjouria" a massive dark sphere of fire was flying toward me

Hurriedly rising, I materialized a barrier covering my body, but the intense heat burned my left arm

As if indifferent and calm yet authoritative, he said "Surrender".

It was none other than Ren, pointing the tip of his sword at my neck

"Impressive as they say, but to think you are this strong too, I didn't even notice you"

Remaining silent, he then imbues his aura on the sword which causes me to frown

'peak rank 5, what a monstrous talent' 

Ren, with his extraordinary talent and excellence, despite being a third prince of the Roa Empire, is capable of competing for the throne and leading the largest faction.

"Amazing, you blocked it!"

Upon emerging from a tree, the girl opened her hood, revealing a purple-haired face with a bright yellow star on her forehead.

"Despite your limited energy, you successfully repelled my attack, which is quite impressive. Ren, if we manage to capture him, losing a war won't be an issue anymore!"

"Shut up, Lucy"

"Tch, rude" poutingly replied.

Despite her childish demeanor, she is famous for her ferocity. Thirty-eight years ago, the dwarf-elf alliance battle was won largely thanks to her devastating spells. Claiming the title "the next magi," she becomes extremely well-known and even piques the interest of the emperor.

'It appears that their intentions are not to harm me, but rather to use me. Hold on, what war? Everything seems at peace; are they planning an assault?'

"Why me?"

"Tetra, otherwise known as Nox de Vogue. At the age of 13 was adopted by the House of Stryllo, which is known for its notoriety and proficiency in using dark magic. The combined kingdom forces of the Imperium later on discovered it and annihilated it within a single night."

"It's been claimed that they were given an anonymous tip in exchange for a thousand faces mask, a shapeshifting artifact, revealing the location, structures, and defense mechanisms of the house. Additionally, the sudden appearance of Tetra the Jester, whose history was unknown, and their use of extreme dark magic, makes it easy to connect the dots."

"Majesty ordered us to recruit you, yet you still keep refusing us. Majesty has promised that he will give you riches and glory once you finish it. You're still young, what you need is a backer!" Lucy exclaimed with an excited expression.

"I refused. I would rather die than be a slave to someone."

"I see. That's too bad" he replied with a disappointed tone.

Then, seeing that he was going to swing the sword at my neck, I shot toward Lucy, closing the distance between us. I gathered all my essence left and mumbled while extending my right hand.

'Through pain and humiliation, a blade rose from the depths of hell. I drew forth, Tyrfang.'

A blade materialized out of thin air, its color was jet black purple with a shining red eye at the top of the hilt. Its aura was dark red, and the stench radiated from it was enough to make the other frown.

"You little ra- Lucy!" with anxiety, Ren cried out.

'Aegis!' Lucy chanted as she ran, but it was all futile.

Imbuing the sword with an aura, and charges forward, slashing at Lucy with the sword.

"I-impossible, how can you use aura? You're just a rank 5!" Lucy shrieked as she added more of her mana to the barrier, strengthening it.

The barrier was instantly sliced through as soon as the blade made contact with it.

"A-anti magic..?"

As i was about to kill her. There were loud tremors everywhere, and the entire forest shook. At that moment, we saw a bright light approaching us from a distance with terrifying speed.

"This speed—an ascendant, perhaps?" Lucy gasped, seemingly unable to comprehend what was happening.

"What? how could there be an ascendant in the mortal realm?!" Ren exclaimed, instantly losing his composure. "Lucy, get up! we're getting out of here." quickly turned around and leave.

'Ascendant.. this is bad. Escaping is no use. It still would be able to reach us in no time'

I was considering my next move when all of a sudden, a bright light appeared in front of me.

'wha-' shocked, I immediately took a stance and grip my sword firmly, but then.

There was nothing that I felt, no animosity or presence.

The brilliant light fades away, revealing a figure. There was a man covered in blood; his clothes were torn, exposing his upper body. His long white hair had silver ends, and his crimson eyes were staring at me intently, as though attempting to devour me. Despite this, he gave off no aura of aggression.

Steering myself. I met his gaze.

"You found me" faintly smiling, I unconsciously said.