A pure white world.
Nothing could be seen in any direction, as if they stood within clouds.
Scáthach's eyes swept across the surroundings.
Her gaze shimmered with curiosity as she examined everything around her.
From the moment she infiltrated the palace to find Alvin, less than an hour had actually passed.
The last time she saw the White Dragon was near the Radiant Tower, when Alvin suppressed the divinity inside the Holy Spear, which was exactly what caught her attention.
Since then, she had been deeply interested in the boy, even wanting to personally test his limits.
But even she had not expected him to possess such a unique kind of magecraft.
This is… a Reality Marble?
The thought flashed through her mind, but she immediately shook her head.
No, it wasn't that.
She lifted her gaze toward the front.
The boy in the black robe and white mask floated in the air, silently watching her.
"What is this exactly?"
Scáthach asked.
"No Limitless… cough, Imaginary Manifestation."
Alvin paused for a moment, then said,
"It lets me unfold a world I imagine. In this world, everything is created according to my thoughts."
Scáthach raised an eyebrow, studying Alvin with a scrutinizing look.
"So you're saying… the world you imagine is just a blank page?"
"Not exactly." Alvin shook his head lightly. "This is the world I imagine… after the incineration of human order."
Human Order Incineration… Scáthach repeated the words silently in her mind as she looked at Alvin without speaking.
"Britain is full of transmigrators now. Some of them might even be Beasts capable of affecting human order… If a Beast interferes in Britain, the altered history could very well affect the future of mankind."
Scáthach blinked, then let out a quiet laugh. "You think I'm the type who would help for the sake of 'saving the world'? Or do you think I'm some little girl who can be tricked by that?"
'You and little girl don't belong in the same sentence…' Alvin complained in his heart.
Of course, he didn't say that aloud, after all, age is a taboo for women.
Even if that woman is the Queen of Shadows, he didn't want to face the wrath of a warmonger.
Instead, he smiled and said,
"After human order is incinerated, there might not be humans left on this planet… If that still doesn't make sense to you, then let me put it another way."
"Your desire to fight strong opponents may also vanish completely if the world turns into a blank page."
Scáthach's lips curled upward, clearly entertained. "I'll admit, you did manage to convince me… but you still made one mistake."
She slowly raised the crimson spear in her hand and pointed it at Alvin.
Excitement and delight shimmered in her beautiful eyes as she said, her voice rising, "Your mistake was unfolding your Reality Marble, White Dragon!"
Compared to vague threats like "saving human order" or "the world turning blank," she was far more interested in Alvin, or more precisely, the special domain he had created.
Magic surged around Scáthach's body.
Then she lifted the Spear, its tip locking onto Alvin.
— Pierce! Penetrate! Gáe Bolg Alternative!
The next instant, the spear turned into a blazing streak and shot toward Alvin!
The crimson radiance was like blood, illuminating the pitch-dark sky in an instant.
But just as the spear was about to reach Alvin, he lifted his gaze.
His thoughts shifted slightly.
The pure-white space seemed to split into countless sections of vacuum.
Each section carried immense resistance, slowing the spear's advance.
Bit by bit, the spearhead pushed forward, but the closer it came to Alvin, the stronger the resistance grew.
White light from the domain clashed against the crimson glow of the spear, lighting up the night like a miracle.
Scáthach let out a cold snort and charged in right behind the spear.
Her hair whipped wildly in the wind, and her tight bodysuit accentuated her perfect curves.
The Deaththorn Spear pierced through layer after layer of resistance, its tip blazing with murderous intent.
Alvin raised his right hand, clenched his fist and punched forward.
A deep, thunderous boom echoed throughout the domain.
The crimson light of the spear shattered inch by inch, mixing with the white radiance of Imaginary Manifestation.
The two colors intertwined, forming a breathtaking explosion of brilliance suspended in midair.
Scáthach landed lightly, once again examining Alvin.
"Your Reality Marble is powerful… but it looks like you don't really know how to use it."
Truly worthy of a first-rate warrior… She had seen this even during their first encounter.
Alvin gave a noncommittal smile.
"If you're looking to test yourself against strong opponents… Britain has more than just me, you know."
"The Knights of the Round Table are all people you could spar with as well."
He truly had been doing everything he could to bring Scáthach into the Round Table.
The woman no longer attacked.
She only clicked her tongue and said, "You're interesting… actually trying to recruit an outsider into the Knights of the Round Table. Aren't you afraid I'll betray you at a crucial moment?"
Alvin gazed at her and smiled.
"Maybe I'd be worried about others. But you wouldn't break your word."
Scáthach paused, studying him for a moment, and suddenly grinned. "Maybe… but you haven't beaten me yet. Our deal was that you could talk about conditions only after you won, remember?"
Alvin had yet to fully master the power known as Imaginary Manifestation, so she believed she still had a way to counter him.
As long as she could shatter that special domain of his, the outcome of the battle would be uncertain…
Just as that thought crossed her mind, she noticed the boy watching her with a thoughtful look.
"Miss Scáthach, tell me, should a duel be fought with every ability and every trump card on the table?"
Alvin asked.
Scáthach froze.
For some reason, an uncomfortable premonition tugged at her heart.
"…Of course."
But she answered anyway.
"Then you're willing to accept whatever result comes out of it, right?"
Alvin confirmed once more.
Her eyes narrowed slightly, growing colder, and her lips curved into a dangerous smile.
"Naturally. But judging from the way you're talking… are you saying you're certain you can beat me?"
"I am." Alvin replied. "To show you my respect, I'll use my strongest technique."
Of course, everyone familiar with him knows his strangest tecnique...
Even if he had gained the ability like Imaginary Manifestation, Alvin had no doubt...after all, when in doubt you can just call her, no?
…Strongest?!
At that word, the fighting intent in Scáthach's eyes flared even stronger as she stared at Alvin with excitement.
She was a warrior, facing a stronger opponent didn't make her shrink back.
She would only fight harder.
No matter how strong his technique was, she would never retreat.
But just as that conviction surged within her, a cold and abyssal wind brushed across her cheek.
On the ground, without her noticing, a layer of black, muddy filth had begun to spread.
"Black mud…?"
She blinked, but before she could react, she saw Alvin inhale deeply and slowly open his mouth.
"Mom——!"