The Imperial City shimmered beneath the morning sun, golden spires reflecting off polished stone streets. It was a city that breathed power, its air thick with the hum of mana, politics, and ambition.
Inside the throne room, the heavy doors swung open with a soft creak. A tall man stepped through, lemon-blue hair cascading over his shoulders, eyes sharp and calculating. He looked about twenty-eight, a few years older than Kael, and yet there was a subtle weight in his presence that made the air feel colder. His aura pulsed faintly with mana, precise and almost unnervingly calm.
"Welcome, Lord Kaizen Yusai," the king said, bowing slightly as the man approached. His voice was warm, genuine. "It is good to see you again. Please, come forward."
Kaizen's lips curved into a faint, empty smile. "Your Majesty," he said softly, every word measured, almost too calm. "It has been some time."
The king gestured toward the seat of authority, his brow furrowing. "I have called you here because of troubling matters. The kingdom's economy… the mana crystals in the capital are dwindling, and the mages themselves have complained. I need solutions, Kaizen."
Kaizen's smile didn't waver, though his eyes gleamed subtly with something unreadable. "You need not worry, Your Majesty," he said lightly. "Everything is under control."
The king blinked, frowning. "Under control? Kaizen… I don't think you understand. The reports are worsening by the week! If this continues, the city—"
"Your Majesty," Kaizen interrupted softly, his tone smooth but firm. "Please, allow me. Panic will only worsen the situation. Trust my judgment."
The king's eyes narrowed, pupils sharp. "I cannot… I—"
A subtle gesture from Kaizen, almost like a flick of his hand, and the king's frown softened, replaced with obedience. His strong disagreement vanished as if erased by an unseen force.
"Are you still concerned?" Kaizen asked softly.
"No… not at all," the king said, voice trembling slightly. It was polite, yet entirely subdued, like the words weren't fully his own.
Kaizen nodded, bowing lightly. "Good. I shall meet with the kingdom's mages shortly to discuss the matter further. Your concerns will be addressed."
With that, he turned, his steps silent and purposeful, leaving behind a throne room where even the attendants subtly straightened, feeling the air shift around him. Calm. Precise. Powerful. And just a little dangerous, though no one could yet pinpoint why.
........
The apartment on the outskirts of the Imperial City was modest but secure, with high windows that gave a full view of the sprawling city below. Kael stood by one of them, arms crossed, eyes dark as he watched the fading sunlight over the kingdom.
In the center of the room, the princess lay unconscious, restrained by subtle mana magic that kept her from moving freely. Kael's thoughts were a storm.
*What does she have to do with the system? With Lyra's disappearance?*
His jaw tightened. Memories of Lyra flooded his mind—the warmth, the loyalty, the countless times she had been there for him. He had to get her back. He *would* get her back.
A sudden *thwack!* sounded from outside the balcony window.
Kael turned sharply to see Rinara angrily hitting a training dummy made from a fallen tree trunk, her red hair catching the last rays of sun.
"Rin… what's wrong?" he asked, voice low but firm.
She froze, then tried to brush it off. "N-nothing, just… training."
Kael raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms. His aura flickered faintly blue. "You're lying. Tell me."
Her ears twitched, tail flicking nervously. "Fine! I… I don't trust her. That princess… she's bad news, from head to toe. I don't like her near you!"
Kael smirked, shaking his head. "Rin… you know I won't—"
"I'm serious!" she snapped, voice trembling slightly.
Kael chuckled, a rare, teasing note in his voice. "Relax. I promise I won't cheat on you. Not ever."
Rinara's eyes widened. Her ears flushed a deep pink, tail curling tightly. She stammered, "W-what… w-what do you mean—"
Kael leaned closer, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "You're so cute."
Rinara froze, ears twitching, tail curling tighter. Her face flushed deeper, a mix of embarrassment and… something else Kael couldn't quite miss.
Before she could react further, a small *shuffle* came from the princess's direction.
Rinara's eyes widened. "The princess…"
Without a word, Kael and Rinara both moved quickly toward the source of the noise, rushing to check on her.
Elisia's eyes snapped open, glowing faintly with residual mana. She let out a loud, excited scream.
"Kael!" she shouted, lunging toward him like she'd been waiting her entire life for this moment.
Rinara stumbled backward, claws instinctively unsheathing, ears flattening. "What, what are you doing! Get off him!"
Kael froze, his chest tightening as he felt Elisia's ample chest pressing fully against his face, soft, warm, overwhelming. His breath hitched instantly, heat rushing straight to his ears as his mind went completely blank. *Oh no… oh no no no… this is bad....this is really bad…*
"Princess… Elisia—p-please—get off me!" Kael blurted, voice strained and embarrassingly breathless. His hands hovered uselessly at her sides, too aware of every curve pressed against him. His blue mana flickered erratically, completely betraying how hard his body was reacting despite his panic.
"Why?" Alicia pouted, deliberately squirming just a little, making his knees nearly give out. She nuzzled closer, voice bright and needy. "I just want to hug you! It's been so long! I've missed you so much!"
Rinara hissed sharply, rushing forward and grabbing Alicia's arm. "Get off him, witch! You're not allowed to touch Kael like that!"
Elisia's head snapped up. Her smile vanished instantly, eyes flashing cold and possessive. "Excuse me?" She shoved Rinara back with a sudden pulse of defensive mana. "Don't touch me. He's mine. I get to touch him if I want."
Rinara skidded across the floor, barely catching herself, ears pinned flat, tail lashing furiously.
Kael sucked in a sharp breath as Elisia pressed herself even closer, his face now buried far too deep. "E-Elisia—seriously—please—this is way too close—stop moving—!" His voice cracked outright, hands finally gripping her shoulders in desperation. "I can't—think—like this!"
"I won't!" she declared stubbornly, tightening her hold. "Not until you answer me!"
Kael pinched the bridge of his nose with one hand, still painfully aware of everything pressed against him. *She's going to kill me. Both of them are going to kill me.*
"Elisia… listen to me," he said, almost pleading now. "If—if you calm down… I'll let you hug me properly. As much as you want. Just—please—stop crushing my face and answer my questions. Deal?"
Elisia blinked. Then her entire face lit up.
"Really?" she asked excitedly. "A real hug? I don't have to stop touching you?"
Kael swallowed hard, cheeks burning. "Y-Yes—but behave! Please! You're—uh—doing serious damage right now!"
Her laughter rang out, playful and dangerous. "Hehe! Okay! I promise… I'll try." She shifted just enough to let him breathe, barely, still clinging tightly with a smug smile.
Rinara crossed her arms, tail flicking.
Elisia giggled. "Jealous."
Elisia finally let go, sinking onto the cushion beside Kael. She sat upright, brushing her hair back. Her cheeks were flushed from the hug, but there was a spark of confidence in her eyes, a controlled energy that belied her excitement.
"Hehe… that was intense," she said, voice steady. "But… I wanted to hug you. I had to."
Kael exhaled slowly, still catching his breath. "Yeah… alright… calm down a little," he murmured, tension still in his voice.
Rinara stayed nearby, tail flicking in irritation and jealousy. *Damn this princess,* she thought, careful not to provoke her further.
Kael leaned forward, voice low but firm. "Elisia… I need to know. Tell me what you know about the system… about Lyra… about me… everything."
Elisia's confident posture didn't waver, but her eyes softened slightly, revealing the weight she carried. She folded her hands on her knees and began.
"I'll tell you," she said, voice calm but carrying the weight of experience. "It's… complicated, yes. But I know enough to explain. After… after it realized my mana had been overridden by an unknown system, my memories were wiped. I remember… fragments, only what it allowed me to keep."
Kael's brow furrowed slightly. *Unknown system… could it be something separate from the reincarnation system?* he wondered silently, his mind racing.
Elisia continued, her voice steady and composed. "I remember that it's run by someone… not a god. Not a spirit. Someone from this world, calculating everything. And Lyra… she's still around, stuck in one of those other worlds. I can feel her… but I can't reach her. Not yet."
Kael's chest tightened as he imagined Lyra trapped, suffering, and now Elisia's connection to the system. His mind raced through possibilities, the anger quietly building.
"I… I've been chosen to erase imbalances," Elisia said, meeting Kael's gaze directly. "Like… the ones caused by your actions from another world. That's my role now. I can't refuse it. But I'm not powerless. I do what I must… to keep things from getting worse."
Kael's fists clenched on his knees, blue mana flickering as he absorbed the implications of her words. *So this unknown system… it manipulates lives, traps people, and even uses her… just like it did with Lyra…*
Elisia took a steady breath, maintaining her confident posture despite the sadness flickering across her features. "I wanted you to know… that I'm still myself. Even here, even trapped. I won't falter. I won't be broken. But… it's painful to watch everything I can't control."
Kael's gaze softened, voice barely above a whisper, but filled with urgency. "Elisia… can you… can you please tell me… do you know who might be in charge of this? The human behind the system?"
Elisia's lips parted, hesitation flickering across her confident expression. "I… I'm not exactly sure… but I think it could be… someone—"
Suddenly, her body stiffened. Her eyes widened as a calm, mechanical voice echoed only in her mind:
"Forbidden Speak"
Elisia gasped, clutching at her head, a sharp scream tearing from her throat. Pain lanced through her mana, forcing sparks of blue energy to flare uncontrollably around her. She sank slightly, trembling, trying to regain control but unable to speak further.
Kael's heart clenched as he immediately reached for her. "Elisia! Stay with me! I've got you! You're safe!" He gently held her, grounding her mana with his own, while his eyes burned with furious realization. *They're still controlling her… they're still using her against her will… and she can't even speak the truth because of them.*
Rinara moved closer, tail stiff, hands ready to help stabilize her barriers, but Kael's blue aura flared around Elisia, shielding her and making it clear no one else should interfere.
Kael's voice softened slightly as he pressed his hand to her shoulder, anchoring her. "Rest… just rest. It's okay now. I've got you." His mind raced, piecing together the cruel puzzle of the system, Lyra, and the unknown human manipulating everything.
Elisia's breathing gradually steadied under his care, still trembling slightly but no longer writhing in pain. Her confidence returned slowly, her blue eyes meeting his briefly as if to remind him she was still herself, despite the control.
Kael's jaw clenched, anger now fully igniting. "I swear… whoever's doing this… whoever's using you… they're going to pay. Lyra… Elisia… I'll get the truth. I'll fix this."
...
Lyra awoke with a start, her body stiff from lying unconscious. The room was small, cold, and metallic, the walls reflecting nothing but darkness. Panic surged through her as she scrambled to her feet.
She ran toward the only door, heart hammering, but the moment her hand touched it, a violent surge of mana slammed into her chest, throwing her backward. The force was brutal, tearing **most of her clothes** in the process, leaving her painfully exposed and shivering. Her skin tingled from the sudden cold and the sting of fabric ripping.
A voice, smooth and mocking, echoed from nowhere. "Are you not happy to see me, Lyra?" It was laced with amusement, cruel and taunting.
Lyra's face burned with shame and fury. She spat out a curse, glaring around the room. "What the hell do you want from me? Why use the system against Kael, huh? And now… now you've trapped me?!"
The voice laughed, low and sinister. "Oh, Lyra… it's simple. Whatever suits me best… wins. And Kael? He was just a pawn. A sad little pawn who played right into my trap… using you."
A shadow detached itself from the darkness, sliding in front of her. It was him. The figure's eyes glinted with malice as his long fingers gripped her chin, forcing her to look up at him. He smiled, cruelly possessive.
"You're mine," he whispered, voice thick with hunger and threat. "Anyone who dares take you from me… I will crush, just like I crushed the fools who tried when you were still perfect in your human skin."
Lyra's stomach churned as he scanned her from head to toe. His gaze lingered with lewd fascination. "Beautiful… sexy… and finally, all mine. I cannot wait to… touch you when we are together."
She yanked her face away, disgust burning through her veins. "Don't even think about it!" she spat, struggling, trying to summon her mana for an attack, but immediately realized her magic had been seized.
"Why are you doing this?" she demanded, voice trembling yet defiant.
The shadow tilted his head, answering in riddles, smooth and possessive. "Because… now we can be together forever. The Reincarnation system provides the mana crystal that will end all human misery… for me, for you, for *us*. You and I, Lyra… we will live the best life imaginable."
Lyra's chest heaved, shivering, but a spark of defiance and something else flickered in her eyes. "You… you think I'll ever see that as love? I… I love Kael," she said suddenly, voice trembling but resolute. "I… I loved him the moment I realized he earned his strength. Every ounce of it… unlike you, who uses the lives of innocents to fuel your mana crystal. You're a fool if you think that will ever make me yours."
The shadow's proud smirk faltered. His grip on her chin slackened for the briefest moment, eyes narrowing as if a real threat had suddenly appeared. "You're serious?" His voice dropped to a low, dangerous growl. "It seems this Kael… will be much more of a problem than I expected. Perhaps… I'll have to wipe him out faster than I Planned."
Lyra's lips curled slightly, defiance shining through her fear. "Then try. But you'll never break what I feel for him. And you'll never… you'll never take him from me."
The shadow's eyes flicked over her one last time, scanning her like a predator assessing prey, before he slowly retreated back into the darkness. "Oh… don't worry, Lyra. I'll see to everything… eventually."
He leaned closer, voice lowering to a mockingly gentle tone. "And I'll bring you new clothes next time. Something befitting my most precious."
And then, as suddenly as he appeared, he vanished, leaving the room colder and darker than before.
Lyra sank to the floor, hugging her knees, shivering, tears running freely down her face. Her breath came in shallow, trembling gasps as she whispered, "Kael… I hope you're safe. I… I might have loved him… more than I realized. And I wish… I never gave him the choice for revenge. If only… if only the death in the other world hadn't set all of this in motion."
Her gaze fell to a small, curious vessel resting near the wall. It was smooth, glowing faintly, and surprisingly resistant to the oppressive mana around her.
Her hands shook as she picked it up, fingers brushing the cool surface. *This… this could work.*
Slowly, she focused, drawing her own mana inward. Despite the oppressive lock on her magic, the container resisted, bending the rules just enough. Carefully, hesitantly, she began pouring her precious energy into the vessel, the glow intensifying with each pulse.
For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Lyra allowed herself a small, fragile hope. Her heart ached with longing and love for Kael, burning with anger at the shadow, but also flickering with the possibility that she might somehow survive, and that Kael would remain safe.
....
Kael sat cross-legged in the research chamber, books and scrolls spread across the floor, his head resting in one hand. Nothing. Every lead he dug into about traveling between worlds ended the same way, dead ends.
*The only reason I even got to another world back then… was through the Reincarnation system.* He clenched his fist, jaw tightening. "So there's no way to do this manually, huh?"
He opened his status panel. Nothing had changed. No new abilities, no hidden shortcuts. Just the usual display of his health, mana, and the quiet hum of blue energy surrounding him.
Then a notification popped up:
New Title Earned: Kidnapper
Kael blinked, leaning back in disbelief. "Are they actually serious?"
From the corner of his eye, he could hear the chaos in the next room. Rinara and Princess Elisia were… well, fighting.
"*You cat! Stop licking your claws and pretending you're useful!*" Elisia shouted, smirking as she circled Rinara.
"I'm a cat, princess, not your servant! At least I don't wear a tiara and whine about being fragile!" Rinara hissed back, tail puffing.
Elisia's grin widened. "Oh please, cat. At least I'm royalty. You're literally just a fancy furball with attitude issues. Everyone knows it!"
Rinara's ears flattened, claws scratching the floor. "Furball?! I'll shred your crown into pieces!"
"Ha! Try it, and I'll have you exiled from my kingdom before you blink, kitty!" Elisia countered with a teasing lilt, enjoying the fight far too much.
The bickering escalated into cruel, funny jabs about status, tails, tiaras, and paws. Rinara threw in insults about magic control and agility while Elisia fired back with cutting sarcasm and royal superiority. The back-and-forth dragged on until Alicia finally landed a verbal uppercut.
"Your claws are cute, kitty, but useless. I win. Now sit down, and accept it."
Rinara huffed, tail lashing angrily, but sank to the floor, defeated. "I hate you… but fine. You're a princess, so whatever."
Kael pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to focus. "Why is everything in my life so… ridiculous?" he muttered, ignoring the childish chaos.
Then he remembered the surge of raw magic Elisia had used to push Rinara away earlier. His eyes narrowed. "Princess, wait, show me that magic again."
Elisia cocked her head, curious. "Which one?"
Kael gestured. "The one you used to push Rin away."
Elisia's eyes flickered, then she demonstrated. A pulse of potent, bluish energy flared from her hands, just like before. Kael traced it carefully, feeling the familiar tingling in his own mana.
"This isn't from our world," he murmured. "It's… system-granted. The Reincarnation system gave you that magic."
Elisia's expression grew confident, though her lips twitched with a hint of mischief. "I suppose that explains why it feels so different from normal magic."
Kael ran through the possibilities in his head. If the system could grant magic like this… maybe part of it existed elsewhere. He opened scrolls and records he'd gathered, cross-referencing with histories of rare mana sources.
"The southern dragons," he concluded. "Their mana could contain a fragment of this system's energy. That's our only lead."
Elisia leaned closer, curiosity and excitement sparkling in her eyes. "Southern dragons? Are they… dangerous?"
Kael nodded, grim. "Extremely. But if we can harness part of their mana… it might give us a way to reach the Reincarnation system itself, or at least get closer to it."
Rinara peeked over his shoulder, concern etched on her face. "That sounds… scary."
Kael smirked, exhaling slowly. "It's supposed to be. But right now… it's our only lead."
Using his own mana, Kael activated the system's bonus travel method, a small, rectangular interface that glowed faintly with golden light.
**System Bonus: "Mana Transit Ticket" — Capacity: 3 people**
Kael smirked. "Perfect… it can carry us three at once." He activated it, and in a swirl of energy, the three of them were whisked far south in an instant.
Kael landed carefully, scanning the dense, rugged wilderness. His magical barriers instantly enveloped Elisia and Rinara, shielding them from detection and any wild dragon magic.
"I'll handle this," Kael said softly. "Stay behind and stay shielded."
Rinara bristled, stepping forward, tail lashing. "No! I'm coming with you, Kael. You can't handle whatever's here alone! I'm not just staying behind!"
Elisia's eyes narrowed sharply. She stepped between Rinara and Kael, her posture commanding. "Rin. Stop."
"I won't! He—" Rinara started, ears pinned, frustration clear in her tone.
Elisia held up a hand, her gaze icy, unwavering. "Rinara. Enough. You're staying here. You know better than to interfere with him in battle."
Rinara's tail twitched angrily, but Elisia's serious expression and piercing stare left no room for argument. She realized she couldn't push past that look without consequences. Her ears flattened, and she muttered through gritted teeth, "Fine… but I hate this… I hate leaving him."
Kael gave a slight nod, silently grateful for the distraction being settled. "Thank you, Elisia," he murmured, keeping his voice low as he stepped forward into the territory.
The air shimmered with heat and raw magical energy. Even at a distance, Kael could feel the dragons' presence, powerful, dangerous, and entirely unpredictable.
He glanced back at Elisia and Rin, who were now safely behind the barrier. Elisia's eyes held a mixture of curiosity and concern, while Rinara's posture remained tense, ears flicked back and tail coiled, clearly worried about him.
"Stay safe. I'll be back," Kael said softly, more to himself than anyone else. Then, with renewed focus, he stepped deeper into the dragon territory, ready to confront the southern dragons and locate the source of the mana he needed.
---
Kael stepped deeper into the territory, senses screaming. The air shimmered with heat and raw, oppressive mana, carrying the unmistakable presence of beings far more powerful than humans. As he looked around, he immediately realized the southern dragons were all women, and not just any women.
They were stunningly beautiful, their forms impossibly perfect, every curve exaggerated as if sculpted by magic itself. Their breasts were large, full, and heaving naturally even in humanoid form, pushing against the fabric of their garments in a way that left nothing to imagination. Their hips flared wide, leading to long, sinuous tails that flicked with impatience and authority. Skin glimmered faintly in the sunlight, smooth, untouchably flawless. Long horns twisted elegantly from their heads like obsidian crowns, and their piercing eyes radiated dominance, hunger, and confidence.
Even in human form, the aura of a full dragon could be felt, they were lethal, predatory, and dangerously sensual. Some deliberately adjusted their clothing, subtly teasing the shape beneath, aware of the effect they had even on a cautious intruder. Kael's pulse quickened, though his focus remained sharp; every instinct screamed danger, but he couldn't help noticing the swell of a chest, the curve of a thigh, the taut muscle under smooth skin, and the sway of hips as the dragons moved.
A deep, echoing voice boomed from the largest dragon at the center, her horns curling into a regal crown. "Who dares enter the lands of the southern dragons? Speak, or be crushed where you stand!"
Kael straightened, shoulders back, voice calm but firm. "I am Kael," he said, tone respectful but unyielding. "I wish to learn about your magic… and about how to travel between worlds. I do not seek conflict unless forced, but I will not leave without answers."
The dragons stiffened, tails swishing with irritation and curiosity, eyes narrowing as their gazes lingered on him. The largest one, the Dragon Queen, stepped forward, every motion a mix of seduction and lethal precision. Her robes clung to her perfect body, emphasizing her full breasts, narrow waist, and wide hips. Her tail flicked slowly behind her, a living, coiled threat, and her eyes glimmered with predatory amusement.
"Magic… and travel?" she purred, voice low and dangerous, "you dare enter our domain seeking knowledge?"
Kael met her gaze steadily, eyes flicking briefly over her form before returning to her piercing gaze. "Yes. I need to understand it to survive… and to find the path I seek. If that requires confrontation, then so be it. But my goal is simple."
A predatory, slow smile curved her lips, a mixture of amusement and warning. "Bold words, human. Very well, Kael. If you wish for answers… you will have to earn them. I will grant one opportunity. Beat me, and I will tell you everything I know. Fail… and you die where you stand."
Kael's jaw tightened. *A dragon of this level… probably level 95. Difficult, yes, but not impossible.* He nodded once, resolute. "I accept."
The Dragon Queen's eyes glinted, scanning him as she shifted her stance, tail curling like a whip. With a sudden roar, her form blurred and elongated, claws extending, a subtle shimmer revealing the latent full-dragon power she could unleash at any moment. The deadly, sensual duel began, energy clashing with precision and brutal intent, each strike from her leaving both a sting of danger and a reminder of her lethal beauty.
The duel erupted with ferocity the moment the Dragon Queen lunged. Kael barely dodged her first strike, claws slashing through the air, leaving scorched grooves in the rocky ground. The heat radiating off her was overwhelming, her every movement a mix of lethal precision and seductive menace.
Her hips swayed with predatory grace as she attacked, breasts rising and falling with each strike, the faint shimmer of her skin under the sun catching his eye for a split second, just enough to remind him how dangerously beautiful she was. But Kael forced himself to ignore it, focusing entirely on the battle.
Kael countered with precise bursts of blue mana, creating shields and blades of energy that met her strikes head-on. Sparks flew, scorching the surrounding earth, and the roar of magical energy reverberated through the territory. Each time he landed a blow, she twisted her body inhumanly to reduce impact, her tail whipping like a living weapon.
Gradually, Kael's strategy began to emerge. He observed the patterns in her attacks, predicting when she would strike with claw, tail, or wing, and began turning her aggression against her. A swift dodge here, a redirected strike there, he used her own momentum to create openings.
With a clever feint, Kael managed to land a sharp blow across her side, drawing a hiss of pain from the Queen. The air shimmered red as blood ran down her scales, sizzling faintly where his magic burned. Kael's chest heaved, adrenaline pumping. He could feel the sweat and blood mixing, each strike painting them both in the raw chaos of battle.
"Impressive…" the Dragon Queen purred, stepping back to reassess him, one hand lightly brushing the wound on her hip. "You are clever… strong… far stronger than most mortals who dare step into my lands."
Kael wiped blood from a cut on his brow, jaw tight. "I don't intend to waste this opportunity," he said, eyes flicking only briefly over the curve of her hip, her chest rising with the effort of her movements. "I need answers. Nothing else matters."
She smirked, clearly intrigued, tail curling possessively behind her. "Bold, determined… you fight with both your mind and your body. Most fail because they rely on strength alone. Perhaps you are worth my attention after all."
They collided again, sparks of energy and shards of rock scattering. Kael maneuvered with precision, landing strikes that forced her to stagger, her breathing quickening. His mana surged, channeling skill and cunning, exploiting the tiniest openings in her defenses. Blood ran freely now from minor cuts and scrapes, marking the battlefield in the telltale signs of a fierce struggle.
But just as Kael felt he had the upper hand, just as he thought he could force her to yield, the sharp, searing pain hit. Her claws had grazed him, leaving a trace of poison-laced mana burning through his veins. His shields faltered, muscles stiffened, and his movements slowed imperceptibly.
Kael's eyes widened in shock, fury flaring. "You… you cheated! Poison?!"
The Dragon Queen's predatory smile did not falter, though the brief amusement left her eyes sharp and cold. "Cheated? Foolish human… no one leaves my lands with my information. No one survives my trials and walks away. That is what has preserved us for centuries."
Kael staggered, each breath painful, mana flickering uncontrollably. The duel had shifted instantly from a test of skill to a fight for survival. His mind raced, calculating how to push past the weakening energy, the poison, and the relentless power of the dragon.
Every strike now carried more risk, every dodge could be his last. His body and will were pushed to the extreme, and the realization hit him: even if he survived, the price for knowledge here would be brutal, unforgiving, and permanent.
And Kael, bloodied, exhausted, and enraged, knew that each move he made now… could be his last.