Leon's POV
Something felt wrong the moment I blasted Shredica back.
It wasn't just the usual shift you'd expect after someone forces out more mana. No—this was deeper. Heavier. Her aura twisted and warped, like it had been grabbed by unseen hands and violently stretched beyond its natural shape. The air around her felt dense, almost suffocating, like standing too close to a furnace that was burning something it shouldn't.
Her magic didn't just increase. It exploded.
It had easily tripled—maybe more—and her physical strength followed right along with it. The way she stood, the way her muscles tensed and relaxed, it didn't look like her anymore. It was like she was borrowing power that didn't belong to her body, wearing it like armor that didn't quite fit.
And I knew exactly why.
The cursed sword.
