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Stella, having finished her battle with Lao Chen, was slowly raising her fallen body.

Selena immediately ran towards Siel, cradling her, and asked.

“Oh my… Can you get up?”

“Duchess… I’m fine… just a little cough…”

Stella, pretending to be okay, smiled, but suddenly blood poured from her mouth.

Startled, Selena caught Stella as she lost her balance and began to fall.

“Are you alright? It didn’t seem like you took a direct hit…”

“Cough, cough!… Hah… I’m fine. I might have overdone it a bit…”

‘So I really failed to completely mitigate the penalties, huh?’

Though modified, the essence of the technique was drawn from the martial arts of this world.

I couldn’t avoid using breathing methods and mana manipulation techniques.

In fact, there was no problem in merely mimicking the movements.

No matter how powerful a martial art is, it requires the appropriate mental method (breathing) and harmonious mana control to truly qualify as a martial art.

In a sense, martial arts can be likened to the aura of this place.

This world’s “mana” and the “ki” from the previous world only differ in name; they are ultimately the energy inherent within the human body.

The method of manipulation gathers it in the lower dantian and circulates it throughout the body, allowing the human form to transcend when necessary.

The issue was that her body couldn’t handle spreading out the mana (ki) she had gathered.

Knowing she wouldn’t be able to withstand once the mana diffused throughout her body, her body instinctively began to reject it.

Thus, she opted for the second-best option: modifying the mana to enhance her physical form externally with magic power.

Of course, it’s possible to reinsert the magic power back into the body for internal enhancement.

Magic power is the transformed result that allows mages to manipulate mana to their liking.

As a top-tier mage, she could certainly enhance her interior like the use of aura.

However, inserting this altered foreign substance (magic power) back into her body raised concerns.

Naturally, there would be rejection reactions, causing her body to protest vehemently.

If it had been pure energy (mana), her body would have naturally halted, but since magic power can be moved at will,

If she forcibly pushed it into her body, it could not be stopped.

Moreover, her frail, weak body could initially not endure the mana manipulation.

If I were to compare it, it’s like generating files non-stop until the game crashes and freezes without stopping, pushing until it overflows and bursts.

‘When I use martial arts, I unconsciously use mana manipulation… I definitely need to refine this further…’

“Let’s go to the hidden refuge right now; it should be safe there. You all! How long are you going to lay there? Help this lady up immediately.”

“Yes! My lady!”

At Selena’s command, the fainted guards began to approach them one by one.

Stella, observing them closely, soon stood in front of Selena and Siel, blocking the knights.

“Miss Stella? What’s wrong…?”

“They’re not knights, Duchess.”

Seeing Stella glare at the knights with a heightened sense of vigilance, Selena looked puzzled.

The knights stepped forward with surprised expressions, inching closer to them.

“Mage, we’re not knights… That’s quite the joke.”

“If you’re not knights, then what do you mean? You seem tired; we can help you up.”

“Any closer… Hah… I will… cut you all down… stay back…”

At Stella’s warning, filled with clear hostility, the knights sighed in frustration.

Then, one of them clicked his tongue and spoke in a sly voice.

“Tch… How did she find out? They should have just followed quietly…”

“Anyway, it doesn’t matter; that girl is dying. Let’s kidnap the princess as well.”

“What do you… mean by that?”

While Selena was confused, unable to comprehend the situation, Stella’s expression remained indifferent.

Moments prior, just before leaving the Duke’s Manor, Stella recalled what the unknown man had whispered to her.

“Just as I thought… You were right, Unknown.”

[There must be other spies hiding besides him; don’t let your guard down.]

Curious about how she had figured that out, she decided to ask later.

Because right now, the situation was undeniably perilous.

Exhausted from her battle with Lao Chen, she felt like she was on the brink of collapsing.

From excessive mana manipulation, her insides were in disarray, and she was hit by severe headaches as a penalty.

‘Ah… this might be too much…’

Thud!

“Miss Stella!”

As Stella collapsed, Selena rushed forward to check her condition.

‘She looks pale… If this goes on, she might die from blood loss…’

Though it was a fierce battle, Stella had hardly allowed any strikes to hit her.

It wouldn’t be wrong to say she overwhelmed Chen before he even showed his skills.

Yet now, the very person who had defeated him appeared so weak it seemed she might die at any moment.

“This wound on her abdomen… Could it be because of this…?”

A slightly cold energy emanated from the tip of Selena’s fingers.

The frigid air wrapped around the wound as if disinfecting it, stopping the blood flow.

“Something strange is obstructing her recovery; she’s continued fighting in this state…”

It was a miracle that she hadn’t collapsed until now. She wished to hide her daughter somewhere safe with her, but the situation was not great.

‘…Can we still fight… in this condition.’

If it were before, as a sword master, she could have easily killed thousands of these ruffians.

But now, merely stepping outside was exhausting, leaving her in a critical condition.

Just as she tried to get up while gripping her sword, the blood she had been holding back mixed with her cough and emerged.

Several armed knights approached her, wearing sinister smiles.

“If only we had done this sooner! Why did Lord Lao Chen stop us? Did you see him look at us earlier? Truly terrifying, I thought I might die.”

“Interference during battle is absolutely unacceptable; they really are something else. By the way, when will the others arrive? Why is only Lord Lao Chen coming separately…?”

“… You lot…”

The movement of the knights, who were approaching with malicious intentions, abruptly came to a halt.

From Selena’s thin hand, void of any vitality, exuded an icy coldness like chills.

“If you lay a finger on my daughter or this lady, I won’t forgive you.”

The weight of the sword, once familiar to her, now felt unbearably heavy.

Yet, she gathered every ounce of strength in her body and slowly raised her sword.

Frost began to flow from her sword as if someone from the icy depths of winter was manifesting.

Her will to protect them seemed to form through that cold energy.

“Don’t push yourself, Duchess; we all know you’re just a dying corpse.”

From the entrance, the sound of many footsteps echoed.

The footsteps grew closer, revealing figures before them.

“Haha! Finally, reinforcements have arrived!”

“Don’t tell me… it’s going to get worse from here….”

She could handle a few knights in front of her with her life on the line, but if more joined in, there was no hope left.

However, the eyes of the assailants who had just arrived were filled with fear.

The knights shouted, pressing their reinforcements.

“Why did you arrive so late! What were you slacking off at?!”

“Do you think we wanted it this way? Lord Lao Chen ordered us to deal with that green-haired brat, but some crazy guy popped up….”

Pat-pat-pat

“Yikes…!? Oh, they’re here!”

Just then, they heard the slow, approaching footsteps from the entrance of the Duke’s Manor.

A boy was walking in, his green hair flowing behind him.

The atmosphere grew heavy with his presence, instinctively putting the knights on edge.

“You are…?”

The boy slowly approached them, observing his surroundings.

When his eyes met Selena’s, the boy bowed his head in respect.

“Rest assured. I am someone sent by the Empire. You may call me Ras.”

“From the Empire…”

“Is there someone named Unknown here? I’m from the same organization as him…”

Selena looked at him with suspicion.

His eyes and demeanor showed unwavering confidence. He seemed far too extraordinary to be merely called a boy.

The Duchess sensed in an instant that he was not a simple child.

‘A powerhouse on par with Unknown and Miss Stella…’

Moreover, like Unknown, his recognition-inhibiting magic kept her from clearly seeing his face.

“It appears you really are sent from the Empire. Unknown is fighting inside with a long-haired man.”

“Long-haired… Arhan? That guy, in the end…”

“That bastard slaughtered most of the organization alone! Quickly, inform Lord Lao Chen or Lord Arhan… Lao Chen? Why is he collapsed over there…?”

As he drew a katana from its sheathe, a surge of lightning energy erupted from the blade.

As Ras took a step forward, it felt as if the air was being torn apart by an electric current.

The energy swirling around him resounded like a thunderstorm.

“If you don’t want to die, leave this place at once.”

“Are you kidding? Do you really think I’d be chased off by a freak like you?!”

The knights laughed at Ras’s warning and brandished their weapons.

He looked at them and muttered briefly.

“Die!”

“You foolish…”

His katana gleamed like a flash of light.

In a single diagonal slash, he cleaved the approaching knight’s upper body in half.

The sword swept through with lightning speed, catching the knight off guard, as he was sliced apart before he could react.

The surrounding air seemed to freeze for a brief moment. It was only then that the knights realized that they were not joking.

Even Selena, who had once been a master of the sword, could not hide her astonishment.

‘I couldn’t see the moment of the slash.’

She recognized that the magic being wielded was a trained swordsmanship combining fourth-tier cutting technique with lightning element magic, elevating the speed to its extreme.

Seeing someone of this caliber, she was certain they would not face any problems, and she let out a sigh of relief.

“Ugh…”

“Miss Stella?”

Hearing her groan from beside her, Selena quickly turned to look at Stella.

Just a moment ago, Stella, who had been lying down, was now squirming, trying to rise.

“You don’t need to push yourself any further! We have reinforcements on our side…”

“I….”

“Miss Stella?”

“I have to… protect…”

Stella’s pupils were clouded, devoid of any light.

Yet, trapped in the compulsion to get up, her body continued to attempt to rise.

In that moment, a blue energy began to ripple from her body, gradually seeping out,

and then it erupted explosively from Stella.

Kwaaaah!

“What… is this energy…?”

“Because of me… I won’t let anyone else die… I can’t!”

As she emitted an immense burst of energy, her fist flew toward none other than Ras.

Surprised by the unexpected strike, he hastily deflected her punch with the back edge of his katana.

A tremendous sound of an explosion shook the surroundings.

“Gah?! What’s going on…?”

“No, no, I absolutely must protect you…”

Ras recognized who stood before him.

The genius among the geniuses birthed from the Magic Tower, Stella, the only apprentice of the Magic Tower Master within the top ten.

Being allies by circumstance, he could not understand why she was attacking him.

“Oi! What the hell are you doing?! I’m not your enemy…”

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

‘What is this ridiculous series of punches… Is this what they call a magician’s power?’

Ras struggled merely to block the rapid-fire punches raining down on him.

The shock waves from her strikes broke through his guard, and if he continued to take hits, his sword might break.

“Is she being manipulated somehow?… Tch… This is bothersome…”

“Miss Stella! What’s wrong with you! Snap out of it!”

Despite Selena’s cries, she continued to unleash her punches on Ras.

Destructive energy began decimating the surroundings, reshaping the terrain.

“Why are you attacking your own side…? Could it be that she’s unconscious?”

Just earlier, Ras had overheard her muttering that she would protect them.

If it were the case that she was acting in an unconscious state to protect them…

“Right now, she’s attacking anything that feels threatening to her….”

“Ugh… I can’t keep this up; I have no choice but to cut her down…”

Ras widened the distance and quietly sheathed his katana. In an instant, silence enveloped the battlefield.

As if disappearing from the opponent’s sight, he moved lightly to pit a breath and prepared his next move.

“If it’s the back edge, all the bones in your body will break… Absolute Edge… Fast…”

Even in her unconscious state, Stella sensed the frigid threat emanating from Ras’s gaze.

In response, the blue energy on her body erupted, accelerating her charge forward.

“Stop! You need to stop this!”

Before Selena’s cry could even be acknowledged, his sword had already been unsheathed.

A strike like lightning was aimed to engulf Stella.

Selena thought Stella’s body would be sliced in two like before.

But where his sword had struck, Stella’s figure had vanished.

“What…!”

Ras opened his eyes wide, trying to find Stella’s lost position.

At that moment, feeling an unnatural presence overshadowed by sunlight, he looked up to see

Stella rapidly spinning in mid-air.

Stella infused her kick with immense rotational force.

The blue energy that surged from her kick wrapped around her and shook violently.

Though he attempted to react quickly, Stella’s speed and strength were on an entirely different level than before.

​

Kwaaang!!

Stella’s kick broke through Ras’s guard and struck his shoulder with full force.

The explosive impact left Ras stuck to the ground, and the ground itself could not withstand the weight and shock, sinking deeply.

In this shocking moment, none could utter a word.

Confirming Ras was unconscious, Stella slowly turned her head.

Everyone she faced recoiled in shock, filled with fear.

“This time… I won’t lose… ever… Mom….”

*

What is this… situation?

[Mom! I got a perfect score on my dictation this time!]

[Really? Our Star is amazing~]

Now, I was standing not at the Duke’s Manor but in an entirely different space.

Yet it didn’t feel like a completely unfamiliar place; there was some sort of familiarity.

The little girl in front of me… was undoubtedly my younger self from back in the day.

Not Stella, but the version of me before my reincarnation.

And that woman gently patting my head… who could she be?

[Well then, since our Star did well, how about I make something delicious?]

[Ugh… No! Mom can’t cook!]

… From the context, it seemed that this person must be my mom, but why couldn’t I see her face?

Based on her silhouette and glimpses, she seemed pretty but I could know nothing beyond that.

The woman playfully pulled my cheeks, laughing as she spoke.

[You rascal! You surely know how to talk… So, shall we go out to eat?]

[Yes, sounds good! Hehe, I want to eat something delicious!]

They looked so close… I had the ability to make such expressions when I was young.

Is this just a fantasy conjured in my head? Was I so hungry for affection…

Creating illusions of parents who didn’t exist… or perhaps…

[Mom! I’m all ready! Let’s go!]

[Okay~ Just wait a moment and I’ll be right out!]

“…I remember now..”

Chiiik…

A faint sound of hissing permeated the air; it was incomprehensible.

Because on that day, we hadn’t cooked at home nor turned on the valve.

Why was the valve open, and why did it have a leak on that day?

[Could it be…?]

[Mom? Why are you taking so long?]

As I grew impatient, the little version of me stepped toward the front door searching for mom.

Mom saw me and urgently shouted.

[Don’t come in!]

Boom!!

The gas valve exploded, engulfing the house in flames in an instant.

I reached out my hand to stop the explosion, but no magic came forth,

and I could do nothing to prevent the calamity.

The flames began to consume everything in the house, burning it all away.

My cherished memories, including the bicycle Mom bought for me and that test paper I got a perfect score on,

all turned to ashes in an instant, everything I held dear.

[Cough, cough…! Is Mom okay?]

What kind of expression am I making right now…? Perhaps the same expression as my younger self.

Mom, trapped under the flaming debris, couldn’t escape.

A memory I never wanted to resurface… the last moment with my mother.

 

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