Silence stretched between us as and the boy had once again started a staring contest.
Noah stood firm, his hazel eyes burning with determination, as if already knowing that I had no choice but to agree.
This brat I swear to god.
I once again ran a hand through my graying hair, sighing deeply. "Do you even understand what you’re asking for?"
His lips curled into that sa infuriating smirk. "Oh? Should I say ’please’ to make it easier for you?"
Sylvie shot him a warning look, but he didn’t waver. His gaze stayed locked onto mine, unwavering, unyielding.
It was strange.
The Noah I had known as a child had always been so cheerful, emotional—so painfully soft-hearted that I had feared for his survival.
But the Noah standing before now?
There was no hesitation in him.
No fear.
Just pure, determination.
I sighed again, pinching the bridge of my nose. "This isn’t just a simple trick, Noah. The seal was placed with high magic—undoing it requires more than just a snap of my fingers."
His expression didn’t change. "Then get started."
I glanced at Sylvie, but she wasn’t looking at —her black eyes were fixed on Noah instead, her expression worried.
I wondered, for a mont, if she even recognized him anymore.
Her boy had changed.
Too much.
And I wasn’t sure if that was a good thing.
I exhaled slowly. "Fine."
Locking my eyes with my childhood crush, I stepped forward, extending my hand toward Sylvie. "Co here."
She hesitated for a fraction of a second before taking slow steps toward .
My chest ached as I looked at her up close.
Sylvie had once been so vibrant, so full of life.
Now, she looked… tired.
Worn down.
Her pink hair, which had once cascaded down her back in thick, healthy waves, was duller now, the color faded.
Her fra was thinner, frailer, as if she had been carrying an invisible weight for far too long.
Even her eyes—those sharp black eyes that had once been filled with endless fire—seed dimr now.
It was a cruel reminder of what I had allowed to happen.
I clenched my jaw.
Noah must have seen the flicker of guilt on my face but I ignored him, gently placing my fingers over Sylvie’s wrist.
The seal burned beneath my touch—a pulsing, invisible force that had bound her for years.
I could feel the magic inscribed into it, the small locks and barriers that had been placed with such careful precision.
Undoing this wouldn’t be easy.
But it wasn’t impossible.
I closed my eyes, exhaling slowly as I allowed my power to flow through my fingertips.
The mont my magic touched the seal, a deep resistance fought back, pushing against .
It was like trying to force open a door bolted shut from the inside.
The spell had been crafted with my own energy—made from the very essence of my power.
Which ant only I could undo it.
Slowly, carefully, I began solving it, tugging at the threads of magic that held it together.
A sharp pain stabbed through my skull, but I ignored it.
The barriers cracked.
The bindings loosened.
And then—
A violent shockwave blasted backward.
I staggered, nearly losing my balance as a crushing force pushed against my chest.
Damn it.
This was not going to be simple.
The seal had been in place for too long—bound so tightly that even I was struggling to undo it.
I gritted my teeth, thrusting my power forward again.
The magic fought back.
It twisted, burned, and lashed out, almost as if it were alive.
The throne hall darkened as a whirlwind of crimson energy erupted from Sylvie’s body, her fra convulsing as though the seal itself was fighting to keep her caged.
I heard Noah curse under his breath, but he didn’t move.
He was watching.
Waiting.
I knew that I couldn’t afford to fail.
Sweat dripped down my head as I pushed harder, my fingers pressing firmly against Sylvie’s stomach.
The seal pulsed violently, resisting with everything it had.
My vision blurred for a mont as another wave of force hit , but I didn’t let go.
If I stopped now—
If I hesitated—
She would be trapped forever.
"Break, you damn thing," I snarled through clenched teeth, pouring more of my energy into it.
The resistance grew smaller and smaller the more focus I applied.
At a point, my eyes were almost spitting blood as cracks finally started spreading across the invisible bindings, splintering like a glass.
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Sylvie gasped, her breath hitching as the pressure around her began to ease—
And then, with one final surge of force—
A snap.
A roar of energy burst from her body, sending waves of mana rippling through the hall.
The entire room trembled.
The air crackled with raw, unrestrained power.
Sylvie staggered forward, her entire body trembling as she gasped for air.
Her hands clenched.
Her breath shuddered.
And then, slowly, she raised her eyes to et mine.
"…It’s gone?"
I nodded, my own breathing slightly heavier. "It’s gone."
For a long mont, she didn’t move.
Then, before I could react, she raised her hand—
And slapped .
Hard.
A sharp crack echoed through the throne hall but I did not dare move an inch.
I deserved that.
Sylvie’s black eyes burned as she glared up at . "You have no idea what you put through," she whispered, her voice shaking.
I held her gaze, letting her anger wash over .
"I know," I said quietly. "I know...Syl–"
Her hands trembled at her sides, as if debating whether to strike again.
For a second, I thought she might.
But then, slowly, she exhaled, turning away.
Noah’s smirk had faded now.
His hazel eyes alternated between us, sothing soft hiding beneath them.
He had gotten what he wanted.
But I had a feeling this wasn’t over.
Not even close.
And just as I was about to speak—
A surge of mana erupted from Sylvie.
Flas ignited from her fingertips, spreading rapidly as if hungry for the air around us.
Then, in a blink—
A cocoon of fire encased her.
Blinding light filled the hall.
A sharp, suffocating heat pressed against my skin.
Noah almost rushed toward , his voice sharp. "What the hell is happening?!"
I didn’t realize how my whole body was trembling as I answered him.
"Fuck."
"She’s been chosen by a god."
Noah’s eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t move.
If my guess wasn’t wrong… she must be facing what we call as "The Trial."
And then, without any warning; the flas surged higher, swallowing Sylvie whole.
***
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