Chapter 9
At that moment, the judge struck the drum to signal the start of the battle. Darian lunged at her with a series of powerful water-based strikes, sharp as swords. Roulan's agile body dodged his blows effortlessly.
"Wow, she's lucky she hasn't been hit yet," one of the recruits murmured, watching the duel intensify with each passing second.
---
[System has started working...]
A notification appeared before Roulan's eyes as Darian quickly closed the distance, forming a magical sword from his water magic. Roulan instinctively raised her energy barrier, and the magical currents that formed her shield wavered under the force of his strike.
The barrier had been designed to withstand the strength of a commander like Darian. [Do you approve the new modifications to the magical system?]
Roulan barely had time to think, let alone inquire about the changes the system had made to her.
"Yes, I approve," she replied aloud, and instantly, a surge of energy flowed into her body, strengthening her magic.
---
Everyone who had defeated demonic beasts of the tenth rank or higher felt the ripples of that magical energy. Roulan, however, seemed oblivious to how the arena had filled with spectators from every part of the palace.
"Am I imagining things, or has her aura changed?" Darian wondered, watching Roulan closely. Her calm demeanor was unsettling—eyes closed and a smile tugging at her lips, twisted with a hint of madness.
[Name: Roulan Flack
Level: 1
Magic Type: Unknown
Magical Skills: Maximum Enhancement (Seven Boundaries), Energy Burst (Level 0)]
Without warning, Roulan launched a flurry of kicks, relentless in her assault. As expected, Darian didn't retreat a single step. He blocked her attacks with a smooth precision that drew cheers from his loyal supporters in the audience.
"I thought you'd never use your legs," he taunted, dodging another punch before leaping high into the air. His water blades cascaded like a storm, aiming to overwhelm her.
For Roulan, however, the blades seemed to move in slow motion. Her mind raced.
Fine, System. Let's see what Maximum Enhancement can do.
As soon as she activated the skill, her body shifted to a whole new level. Her kicks obliterated the water blades before they could even touch the ground, reducing them to nothing but ash.
---
"Where is the rift that demands my presence?" The voice of King Rick XI was cold and commanding, echoing through the chamber.
Eighteen mages—renowned for their unparalleled strength—stood before him. One stepped forward, removing his cloak to reveal a muscular frame, his eyes locked onto the king.
"It seems only something of this magnitude can draw you from your palace, Your Majesty," the mage said, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Rick's gaze remained calm, but his sharp breath betrayed his irritation. "What is it you've gathered here to tell me?"
"Something far greater than the birth of a demonic rift."
A girl dropped down from the wall with calculated grace, each step she took causing deep cracks in the ground. On her hand was the tattoo of a fox.
"Someone has awakened the Emperor's Power," she declared. "Of course, apart from you. Oh, I forgot—didn't you lose that power years ago?"
Her taunt was met with killing intent from the gathered mages, but Rick seemed lost in thought.
The girl continued, unfazed. "Right now, that someone is engaged in combat. Eliul will locate them shortly."
A magical portal shimmered into existence, displaying a battle between a girl and one of Rick's knights.
"If the Emperor's Power has truly awakened," said a blind priestess named Barbara, "the prophecy will come to pass. Rick, this kingdom will enter the Age of Darkness."
Her voice was steady, though her sightless eyes seemed to pierce through time itself. Yet she remained silent about the details of the future—revealing them would endanger not only herself but everyone around her.
"Roulan," Rick whispered, his voice betraying a rare vulnerability.
The council didn't hesitate to press him. "Your Majesty, that girl must be eliminated before she learns to wield the Emperor's Power. If not, the kingdom will be doomed."
"Looks like His Majesty finally has something to occupy him besides the demonic rifts," one of the men muttered, his golden eyes gleaming with unnatural brilliance.
---
Back in the arena, an explosive shockwave rippled through the spectators.
[Warning: You have depleted your magical reserves. All skills and enhancements will cease. You must secure a magical medium before the day ends.]
What happens if I don't find one? Roulan thought, panic creeping into her mind as her vision blurred. Darian was nowhere to be seen, and the light from the blast obstructed her view.
[Without a magical medium, paralysis is imminent, followed by death in six months.]
Six months? No, I can't let this happen. I haven't completed my mission to marry King Rick yet. Only one day has passed since I received it. I'll find a medium no matter what it takes.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the sensation of a blade resting on her neck. A hand gripped her waist, pulling her against a firm chest.
System, how do I find a magical medium?
Her breaths grew shallow, his scent intoxicating, his warmth disorienting her.
"What are you waiting for? Finish me," she whispered, defiant even as her body betrayed her exhaustion.
Darian's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. "Admit it. You've lost. Your power is gone."
She barely registered his words as her legs gave out.
[Searching for a magical medium. Analyzing nearby individuals.]
Hurry up, System. Anyone. I'll take anyone willing.
[Consent pre-approved. Candidate selected. They must accept you to share the system.]
Her vision darkened. The last thing she thought was how unlikely it was for anyone—except perhaps Rick—to willingly help someone like her.
---
Darian caught her as she fell, lifting her effortlessly. In a flash, he carried her to his quarters, the closest room to the arena. Her magical reserves had hit rock bottom.
He leaned closer to check her breathing, his mythical beast growled teasingly.
"You kissed her,"