Maris and the others stood on the edge of the portal, the shimring gateway between the Dragon World and their reality. As they crossed over, a sense of tension began to lift, but not entirely. The real world greeted them with its familiar, serene skies and rolling landscapes, yet the threat of Nyx still lood large in their minds.
As soon as they stepped into the real world, Maris shot up into the air. Her form blurred as she ascended with trendous speed, leaving the others montarily stunned. The wind whipped around her, and once she was high enough, she activated her scan ability. A pulse of light emanated from her, spreading across the entire region, feeling out every corner, every hidden trace of life.
In seconds, she sensed Nyx. But as quickly as she felt her presence, Nyx disappeared and then reappeared in a different location. Maris's eyes widened. It wasn't just a one-ti thing—Nyx's energy flickered in and out of existence, hopping from place to place as though space itself was bending to her will.
"She's... teleporting," Maris whispered to herself. "She's moving too fast."
She watched as Nyx continued to bounce between different points, understanding now that Nyx possessed the ability to manipulate space. No matter how many tis Maris might pinpoint her location, it was futile. Nyx could disappear at a mont's notice, rendering any attack useless.
Frustration built in her chest as she descended back to where the others stood. Lucan watched her, sensing her unease. Lucan understood what happened, without waiting for her to speak, he offered a solution. "Then we just need to create a space where she can't get out," he said calmly.
Maris blinked in surprise, Lucan's words striking her like a bolt of clarity. It was such a simple idea, but in her single-minded focus on tracking Nyx, she hadn't considered it.
"Lucan-sama!" she cried out, her face lighting up with a bright smile. Without thinking, she threw her arms around him in a tight hug. "Thank you! You've given the answer!" Her gratitude was sincere, but the hug lasted just a little longer than was necessary. She basked in the closeness, feeling his warmth, her heart fluttering in her chest as she pressed her soft breast against him.
Lucan stiffened slightly, not expecting the embrace but choosing to remain composed. "It's just common sense," he muttered, trying to maintain his usual air of detachnt, though he couldn't help but feel a flicker of amusent at her reaction.
Continue your journey with empire
Maris pulled back and nodded eagerly. Now that she had an idea of how to trap Nyx, the next step was to put it into action. But there was a catch. To create a barrier powerful enough to contain soone who could teleport through space itself, Maris would need to be near Nyx. And given Nyx's current ability to jump anywhere at will, getting close to her was nearly impossible.
"I can't trap her from a distance," Maris said, her tone now more serious. "I'll need to be right next to her, which… right now… isn't sothing I can do."
Lucan crossed his arms, thinking. "Then we wait. Nyx is most likely biding her ti. She's waiting for Lilith, Iris, and the Ancient Ice Dragon to recover their full strength. When they're at their peak, that's when she'll make her move."
Liora's eyes narrowed at the ntion of the dragon. "We ca here to stop Nyx from getting her hands on the Ancient Ice Dragon Bing," she said, glancing toward the distant mountains. "If she's already hatched the egg, then we're in serious trouble."
Lucan was deep in thought. "She already did, now we need to prepare for when that ti cos. The longer we wait, the stronger they'll get. Especially, Nyx, who has space manipulation abilities. That power alone makes her almost untouchable." Lucan said and turned to Elysia and Liora, "To be honest, you two are are not ready for next challenge."
"Lilith and I share a bond," Elysia said, her voice steady but resolute. "My power has been growing steadily since we sealed her. Soon, I'll be back to my full strength—Empire Class."
Lucan turned to her, surprised. "You were Empire Class before?"
Elysia nodded, her eyes darkening at the mory. "Yes, but when Lilith was sealed, it took a part of with her. We are sisters, after all. Our powers are connected, in ways neither of us fully understands. But as her power is returning, I could feel my strength returning. I'll soon be ready to face her again."
"If you want to defeat Lilith, we'll leave her to you," he said, addressing Elysia. "She's your fight, after all."
Elysia inclined her head in agreent. "I wouldn't have it any other way."
Liora, standing to the side, seed conflicted. "I may be weak now, but I could use a forbidden thod to enhance my strength," she said quietly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "I could rival Holy Phoenix Iris if I do it, but… it might cost my life."
"If that's what you choose to do, I won't stop you," Lucan said. "But understand that this fight is bigger than any one of us. If you're willing to sacrifice yourself, make sure it's worth it."
Liora nodded, determination setting in her eyes. "I'll be the one to kill Iris. No one else."
"Evil Magician is natural enemy of Saint, Maris you will deal with Nyx and I will Ancient Ice Dragon."
Maris nodded.
With their roles decided, the group began to turn back toward their ho.
As they traveled, Maris was deep in thought. Sothing nagged at her, pulling at the edges of her consciousness. By the ti they reached ho, her expression had fallen into one of concern.
Lucan noticed imdiately. "What's wrong?" he asked.
Maris hesitated before speaking. "I was trying to understand space magic on the way back," she admitted. "And I almost had it. I could feel the knowledge just within my grasp… but then, all of a sudden, it was gone. It's like I never learned it in the first place."
Lucan's eyes widened in surprise. The fact that Maris had been learning space magic while simply flying ho was impressive enough, but for her to suddenly lose that knowledge… It wasn't mysterious. Lucan knew exactly why.
The title of Evil Magician ca with certain privileges—exclusive abilities that only the world itself granted to the Evil Magician. Nyx's space ability was one of those privileges. It ant that no one else, not even soone as powerful as Maris, could learn that skill. Unless, of course, Nyx was killed.
"You can't learn space magic because Nyx is only one allowed. The world won't allow anyone else to have sa ability as Nyx."
"Why is the world is doing this, and is world real entity?" Maris asked.
Lucan was stunned, he never thought of this. Is the world real entity? Why does world won't allow anyone else learn the sa ability as Evil Magician? The reason might be the first Evil Magician. However there is no record of where did Evil Magician ca from.
Lucan shook his head slightly. "I don't know, but it doesn't change our plan," he said. "We'll just need to rely on your barrier spell. Once we find Nyx, you'll trap her, and we'll finish this."
Maris sighed, her disappointnt evident, but, "You're right," she said, lifting her chin. "If I can't learn space magic, then I'll make sure I'm ready to trap her the mont I get close. Nyx won't escape next ti."
Lucan nodded. Lucan was happy, once this Nyx problem solved, then he could focus on finding the second Evil Magician, and once these two disappeared, Lucan could work on making his reputation in the world and beco emperor of the world, with saint his side, it would be piece of cake.
---
Kerum's blade humd with power as it cleaved through the dark air, a trail of silver light following his strike. The evil entity—a massive, shifting mass of black smoke and shadows—retreated, a low, guttural growl reverberating through the void. Kerum's eyes narrowed, his senses heightened. He could feel the malevolence oozing from the creature, thick and suffocating.
Every strike he landed seed to have no lasting effect, as the entity's form reconstituted, swirling back into shape as if mocking him.
"Enough of these tricks!" Kerum roared, lunging forward, his blade aid for the creature's core.
But then—everything changed.
The world around him twisted, the ground beneath his feet dissolving into nothingness. The darkness expanded, enveloping him, until he was suspended in a void with no sky, no ground—only emptiness. His heart pounded. He tried to move, but his limbs felt heavy, as though the very space around him resisted his existence.
"Where… am I?" Kerum murmured, his voice echoing in the vast emptiness.
The evil entity materialized before him, its form still formless and dark. A sinister laugh echoed.
"You're in my domain now, warrior. A dinsion of despair. Here, your strength ans nothing."
Kerum gritted his teeth. "We'll see about that."
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