The air trembled as flames danced around Vaelis.
Her eyes were fixed on Spori, the criminal, whose psychic aura distorted the space around him.
Before moving again, Vaelis raised her hand.
— Protect.
A magical sigil appeared beneath the child's feet. Light wrapped around him, freezing his body gently in place—safe, untouched by the coming battle.
— What did you do?! Spori shouted.
— I made sure you can't use him anymore.
She stepped forward.
---
The clash was brutal.
Vaelis launched waves of fire, scorching the ground, melting stone. Spori retaliated instantly—his psychic power slammed into her like an invisible hammer. Pain exploded in her head as she was thrown against the dungeon wall.
— Gah…!
Her vision blurred. Blood ran down her forehead.
— You rely too much on brute force, Spori mocked. Your flames are loud… but empty.
Another psychic strike crushed her to her knees.
> I'm… losing?
No… not like this.
Her breathing became erratic. Her mana was unstable. Her body screamed in protest.
And then—
A face crossed her mind.
Silver eyes. A calm smile. A presence both terrifying and reassuring.
> Talis…
Where are you… right now?
Her fingers trembled.
Then clenched.
— Damn it…!
Her flames exploded outward, wild and furious.
— I refuse to lose here!
---
Vaelis gathered every last fragment of her magic.
The fire no longer floated around her—it condensed, compressed, until it poured into her blade. The metal glowed red, then white, vibrating with overwhelming heat.
Spori's eyes widened.
— A mana-infused weapon…?!
— This ends now.
She charged.
Spori reacted instantly, summoning a spiritual barrier, layers of psychic energy forming a translucent shield between them.
— You won't break through—
Vaelis roared as she swung.
The blade screamed.
The flames pierced the barrier.
— Impossible—!
The shield shattered.
Her sword tore through Spori's side, sending him flying across the chamber. He crashed into the stone wall and collapsed, unconscious.
Silence fell.
---
Far away, in the Mirror Dimension, a figure watched.
Seated upon a dark throne, Talis smiled faintly.
— So… you chose this path.
Beside him, the Supreme Demon bowed slightly.
— My lord, does everything proceed according to your plan?
Talis rested his chin on his hand, eyes gleaming.
— Yes. Quite well, actually.
His smile widened.
— And soon… I'll move myself.
---
Back in the dungeon, Vaelis stood over Spori, her chest heaving.
She raised her hand once more.
— Bind.
Chains of magic wrapped around the criminal, sealing his mana completely.
She released the protection spell on the child, who collapsed into her arms, shaking but unharmed.
— It's over… you're safe now.
Holding both the child and the restrained criminal, Vaelis exited the dungeon.
---
The quest was completed.
Spori was handed over to the city guards without incident. The child was reunited with his family, tears of relief flowing freely.
Vaelis watched silently.
Then she turned away.
Her next destination was clear.
— The promotion.
As she walked toward the guild, her flames flickered quietly at her side.
Stronger than before.