The Minotaur moved first.
With a thunderous roar, the massive creature charged, its hooves shattering the stone floor. Vaelis barely had time to raise her blade before the battle axe came crashing down. Sparks erupted as steel met steel, and the shockwave sent her sliding backward.
— Too strong…!
She retaliated with a wide arc of flames, fire spiraling from her sword and engulfing the beast's torso. The Minotaur staggered—but only for a second.
It roared again.
Its horns glowed faintly as it swung its axe in a brutal horizontal strike.
Vaelis ducked, feeling the wind tear past her face, then rolled forward and slashed upward, flames bursting like an explosion beneath the Minotaur's ribs. The beast howled in pain and kicked her away with terrifying force.
Her body slammed into a stone pillar.
— Gah…!
The air left her lungs. Cracks spread across the pillar behind her as she collapsed to one knee, blood dripping from her lips.
The Minotaur approached slowly now, confident.
Each step shook the chamber.
Vaelis forced herself to stand, her legs trembling.
— I can't… lose here.
The beast raised its axe high.
Time seemed to slow.
In that moment, memories flooded her mind.
Her childhood.
Training under the sun.
Her father's voice, warm and proud.
Luneya's laughter.
The guild.
Venti.
And then—
Talis.
His calm gaze.
His overwhelming presence.
His smile on the throne of shadows.
— Why… do I keep thinking about him…?
The axe came down.
Vaelis barely rolled aside, the impact carving a massive crater where she had stood. The shockwave threw her violently across the room, smashing her into the dungeon wall.
Pain exploded through her body.
She slid down the stone, vision blurred.
— Damn it…!
Her muscles screamed.
Her mana burned violently inside her.
She clenched her fists.
— No… I won't end like this.
Flames ignited around her feet.
— I won't stop here!
Her aura erupted.
The temperature of the room spiked instantly.
The Minotaur hesitated.
Crimson patterns began to appear on Vaelis's skin—draconic markings, glowing faintly beneath her armor, winding along her arms, her neck, her back.
— What… is this…?
She felt it.
Her strength.
Her speed.
Her flames.
Everything surged.
Vaelis dashed forward.
Not running—vanishing.
She reappeared in front of the Minotaur, slashing upward with blazing force.
— Flame Art: Rising Fang!
Fire exploded skyward, tearing into the beast's chest. The Minotaur staggered back, roaring in fury.
It counterattacked wildly.
Vaelis ducked, spun, and unleashed another technique.
— Blazing Spiral!
A vortex of fire wrapped around her blade, ripping into the Minotaur's arm and forcing it to drop its axe. The beast bellowed, stumbling, but refused to fall.
With a desperate roar, it grabbed Vaelis mid-motion and threw her into the air.
The world spun.
She felt weightless.
— So this is it…?
Below her, the Minotaur gathered its strength, preparing a final strike the moment she landed.
Vaelis tightened her grip on her sword.
Her flames condensed.
Compressed.
Focused.
Her draconic markings burned brighter than ever.
— No.
She twisted midair.
Pointing her blade downward.
— Flame Art… Final Thrust.
Fire converged at the tip of her sword, forming a blinding spear of condensed flames.
— Blazing Piercer.
She descended like a falling star.
The Minotaur looked up—too late.
Vaelis pierced straight through its skull.
A deafening explosion shook the entire dungeon.
Flames erupted outward, devouring the chamber.
The Minotaur's roar was cut short.
Its massive body collapsed, lifeless, cracking the floor beneath it.
Silence.
Vaelis landed on one knee, gasping for breath.
The draconic markings slowly faded from her skin.
— I… did it…
Her hands trembled.
She looked at the fallen Minotaur.
— Rank C…? No.
— This was beyond that.
Far away—
In the Mirror Dimension—
Talis leaned forward on his throne, eyes glowing faintly.
— Interesting…
A slow smile spread across his face.
— You're awakening faster than I expected, Vaelis.
He chuckled softly.
— This is going to be fun.