Elias has secured his place, but his "parasitic" power source and unique origins make him a massive target. The Trix would certainly notice the familiarity of his fire magic. The most dramatic and high-stakes option is for the Trix to attempt to exploit this connection.
Chapter 8: The Devil's Offer
The Double Agent Dilemma
Elias spent the next week fully integrated into the Winx Club. He helped them choose their club name, offered tactical advice on their next mission (a low-stakes scavenger hunt for a magical artifact), and began the slow, tedious process of converting his MP into SP using the Magic Converter.
He managed to raise his SP balance to 50, and his MP was holding steady at 150/200. He spent his accumulated XP on leveling up his Dragon Fireball to Lvl 3, making it a viable, high-damage attack (costing 40 MP).
He was Lvl 4, a functioning, dangerous asset. But the stability was about to shatter.
The System confirmed his fears early one morning.
[MAIN QUEST: THE SPY QUEST]
Description: The Trix have identified the Host as a user of Dragon Flame magic, but they believe his power is "unbound" and "rogue," a natural enemy of the true inheritor (Bloom). Icy will attempt to initiate contact and offer an alliance.
Objective 1: Engage with Icy. Attend the scheduled meeting without revealing your true identity or the System's nature.
Objective 2: Gather Intelligence. Obtain information regarding the Trix's next major target.
Reward (Success): 1500 XP, 750 SP, [Trix Insight Lvl 1] (Unlocks enemy weakness information in the Shop).
Penalty (Failure): The Trix learn the truth. Immediate and combined attack on the Host and Alfea. GAME OVER.
Time Limit: 1 Day (Meeting at midnight in the Black Mud Swamp).
Elias felt a cold knot in his stomach. Meeting the Trix alone? This was suicide. But the potential rewards—especially the Trix Insight—were too valuable to ignore. He had to play the spy.
The Midnight Rendezvous
Elias told Bloom he was conducting a late-night, solo aerial reconnaissance drill—a lie easily excused by his "Specialist Consultant" status. Armed with his upgraded Dragon Fireball and Lvl 2 Shield, he flew low and fast toward the dreaded Black Mud Swamp.
He landed near the agreed-upon location, a cluster of ancient, twisted willow trees. The air was thick with dark, cold magic.
"I knew that scent of uncontrolled fire couldn't belong to the little sun-fairy's pet," a voice drawled.
Icy glided down from the trees, followed by Darcy and Stormy. They were radiating power, far more imposing than in the chaos of their last attack.
"Elias de Valerius," Icy said, a cruel smile on her lips. "I expected a grand entrance. Instead, I get a Specialist boy playing fairy."
Elias activated his Dragon Aura, letting the heat shimmer around him. He adopted a detached, arrogant persona—the kind of personality he knew appealed to villains.
"I expected more subtlety, Icy," Elias countered, keeping his hands ready. "I'm here because you're disrupting my training. And my magic isn't 'pet' material. It's a natural counter to the Alfea establishment."
"Ah, the rogue Flame," Darcy purred, stepping forward. "We felt the backlash when you siphoned power from the redhead. It's crude, but effective. Tell us, why do you stand with them when you clearly share our appetite for stolen power?"
Elias had prepared for this. "I stand where the fight is interesting. Bloom is reckless. Her control is poor. But she is the source. The Fairies keep her safe. If I join you, I risk losing my only power source and getting pulverized by the entire school."
Icy laughed, a harsh, brittle sound. "Logical. But shortsighted. We offer you something better than siphoning fragments: The Source itself."
The Offer
Icy gestured, and a shimmering, violet crystal materialized in her hand. It pulsed with dark, enticing energy.
"Join us, Elias. We will grant you access to a forgotten Trix ritual. You will permanently sever the Dragon Flame from the redhead and anchor it to yourself, transforming your parasitic magic into a devastating, independent power."
She tossed the crystal toward him.
"Take this Focus Crystal. Think of it as a down payment. Come to Cloud Tower at the next full moon, and we will complete your power and welcome you into the most elite magical coven in the universe."
Elias caught the crystal. It was cold, and immediately, his System registered it.
[ITEM ACQUIRED: TRIX FOCUS CRYSTAL]
Description: A powerful, dark artifact. Holding it temporarily grants +50 MP, but initiates a permanent Dark Corruption meter.
[WARNING: NEW METER INITIATED: DARK CORRUPTION (0/100)]
Elias felt the immense surge of free MP, almost doubling his current reserves. It was a terrifying boost, but the Dark Corruption warning was a clear threat.
"My answer is this," Elias said, charging his hand with the largest, strongest Dragon Fireball he could create—using the borrowed MP from the crystal. The resulting flame was terrifyingly large, a statement of intent.
"You show me the value of this alliance," Elias growled. "What are you targeting next? Show me something that proves you're worth risking my stability for."
Stormy, visibly impressed by the raw power, leaned into Icy. "The Cloud Tower archives, Icy. Tell him the archives."
Icy hesitated, then smirked. "Fine. We know that Headmistress Faragonda keeps the key to the Cloud Tower Archives—where the most forbidden knowledge is stored—in a safe hidden beneath her office. That is our next target. Come to Cloud Tower with that key, and we will talk more."
With that, the Trix dissolved into cold, dark shadows, leaving Elias alone in the swamp, holding the dangerous, glowing Focus Crystal.
He had the intel. He had the reward. But he also had a corrupted soul and a ticking clock.
[QUEST ACCOMPLISHED: THE SPY QUEST]
[Reward: 1500 XP, 750 SP, Trix Insight Lvl 1]
[Level Up! LEVEL 4 \rightarrow LEVEL 5]
[SP BALANCE: 800 SP]
[WARNING: DARK CORRUPTION METER ACTIVE (5/100)]
Elias had survived the first confrontation. He now possessed the enemy's next move and enough SP to buy serious power. He needed to act fast. He could reveal the plot and be hailed as a hero, or he could use this moment to gain true, overwhelming power.
How should Elias proceed?
* The Hero's Reveal: Immediately inform Faragonda of the Trix's plan to steal the key, use his XP and SP to upgrade his defensive skills, and join the Winx Club in defending the office.
* The Double Cross: Use his 800 SP to buy the Enchantment: Specialist Sword and the Dragon Fire Shield Lvl 3, and then secure the key for himself to gain access to the forbidden archives before either side can.
* The Power Drain: Immediately use the Trix Focus Crystal's power boost to train and permanently level up his existing fire skills, ignoring the immediate danger to focus on his personal power base.