Cover Exposed!

"—nevermind," and he went further into the shelves and left her.

The sound of footsteps came to a halt. Lucian stepping out of the shadows. His demeanor was chilly, cold, and calculating. Aeliana was now browsing a new book fresh from print as she touched the edge of the paper that earned her a proper paper cut that made her bleed.

His eyes are full of concern and chuckles on how clumsy Aeliana is these past few days. "Let me see," 

"Wait, this is—," He carefully put her finger in his mouth, as to the growing curiosity that made his suspicions true and it made him very distraught

"Elf blood. You're not fully human, are you? Part elf, at least." He savors the taste, thinking of a accurate reading of what she actually is.

Aeliana froze momentarily.

"I am part elf." She defended, not letting a single drop of sweat from her forehead to emerge into giving away her white lie. It was a dangerous risk she had to take. But talking with the Demon Lord himself, you cannot show a single ounce of weakness, or it will be her last breath.

Lucian's expression darkened, and his voice dropped to a growl. "Part elf or pure elf, it matters little. You're my sworn enemy." 

 "Lies. I see through your façade, princess." He continues to bluff his way as Aeliana continues to tolerate his yapping.

Lucian's eyes widened for only a fraction of a second before they hardened, his smirk twisting into something cruel. "So it's true," he hissed. "You're the Elf Princess. You've come for vengeance, haven't you? For the parents and kin I slaughtered in the war—before I ascended as the Demon Overlord."

Aeliana's fists clenched, her voice trembling with a mix of anger and sorrow. "You took everything from me. My family. My people. My home."

Lucian raised his blade, its edge glinting with malevolent energy as dark flames flickered along its length. "Then you should have stayed hidden. You think I'll hesitate to kill you just because of what you are? Think again."

The room ignited with power, her own magic flaring in response. Golden light radiated from her hands, meeting the oppressive darkness of his aura.

 "I may have come for vengeance, but I'll fight for much more than that—for every life you've destroyed."

Lucian laughed, a dark, humorless sound. "Good. I was getting bored."

The battle had begun.

The battle raged on, golden and dark energies clashing violently in the air.

[Probability of success: 58%. Warning: Save functionality has been disabled. Progress cannot be preserved.]

Her heart sank. "What?" she exclaimed aloud, barely avoiding another strike. "I can't save my progress anymore? Are you serious?"

Lucian paused mid-attack, his crimson eyes narrowing. "What are you muttering about?" he asked, his tone sharp with curiosity and suspicion. But then, as though hearing an unseen force, his gaze shifted, and his expression darkened further. "Wait… I can hear it."

Aeliana stumbled back, stunned. "You… you can hear the system?"

Lucian gave a slow mocking nod, his smirk returning. "Interesting. So that's your little trick. Some divine mechanism guiding your every move?" He chuckled darkly, raising his blade again. "But knowing it won't save you."

He lunged without hesitation, forcing her to block with a desperate burst of magic. Their powers collided, creating a shockwave that sent her skidding backward. Her arms trembled under the strain, the odds feeling more stacked against her than ever.

The system chimed again in her mind.

[Combat assistance activated. Granting temporary enhancement: Celestial Overload.]

Aeliana's body surged with power, golden light enveloping her form.

The female elf's armor is a masterpiece of elegance and utility, crafted from lightweight mithril with an iridescent sheen. The breastplate, etched with intricate vine and floral patterns, features a glowing emerald centerpiece, while the pauldrons resemble unfurled leaves edged in gold and inscribed with runes.

Segmented vambraces mimic tree bark, and the gauntlets, tipped with mithril claws, hold moonstone bracelets pulsing with magical energy. A feather-like battle skirt of green-dyed scales overlays greaves adorned with cascading ivy, leading to enchanted boots inscribed for stealth.

The open-faced helm, crowned with antler-like silver extensions and a delicate chain-mail veil, complements a flowing emerald cape embroidered with silver stars, fastening with a crescent moon brooch. Every detail blends protection, grace, and deadly precision, embodying the timeless artistry of Elven craftsmanship.

Her exhaustion melted away as an overwhelming force coursed through her veins. She looked down at her hands, now glowing with radiant energy, and clenched her fists.

Lucian raised a brow, his smirk faltering. "What is this?"

"You tell me," she shot back, before launching herself forward, faster than she ever thought possible.

Her first strike collided with his blade, shattering his defensive stance. The second sent him reeling backward, the impact leaving a crackling wave of light in its wake. Before he could recover, she spun, channeling all her newfound energy into a devastating blow that struck him square in the chest. The force hurled him across the chamber, slamming him into the wall with an earth-shattering crash.

Lucian groaned, staggering to his feet. His armor was cracked, and his aura flickered unsteadily. "You… dare?" he snarled, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth.

"Yes, I dare!" she shouted, her voice fierce and unwavering. "You underestimated me, Lucian. And now, I'll make you pay."

She launched another attack, her radiant strikes pushing him further on the defensive. Despite his strength, it was clear the tide of the battle had shifted.

But as she pressed the advantage, the system's voice chimed again, a cold warning laced in its tone:

[Power up duration: 30 seconds remaining.]

'OMG! I might be able to win this time around,' Aeliana thought as she strikes again with all her might and chants into a talisman as she flings it into the air like a Japanese Kunai. as it sticks. Lucian in a bind. He wonders about the voice he heard is maybe a divinity or god that controls the world.