I frowned as my gaze fell on the box that Mor Adelina had brought out.
—What does this mean?
Adelina replied with a slight bow of her head, her voice filled with respect but also a hint of mischief:
—I've seen how you've been fighting. You've defeated one after another without even a scratch. So I've decided that it would be more beneficial for you to face someone who is beyond your level rather than someone you can already defeat.
A tense silence fell over the hall. The warriors and advisors looked at each other: a bold but risky decision.
—Why? What is the point of a duel that is doomed to fail?
Mor Adelina replied without hesitation:
—If we only give you equals or those who are weaker, you will never rise higher. You must see the difference, understand that there will always be someone stronger in front of you.
The queen, who had been watching their argument in silence, smiled slightly, as if she could see the hidden logic in her own words.
—I understand your intention.
I spoke calmly, but with a commanding tone that did not allow for any objections.
—But if it is left as it is, it will not be a test, but an execution.
The Queen's gaze fell upon the girl, and her voice became firmer:
—That's why I'm changing the conditions. The last fight doesn't require a victory; you just need to land three hits. If you succeed, I'll count it as a win.
The Queen's words hung in the air, and the tension gave way to a subtle sense of relief. However, the challenge became even more enigmatic.
The task was clear, but was it simple? To strike three times against someone who had defied even the most skilled warriors... It sounded almost impossible.
With a prolonged, ear-piercing screech, as if thousands of rusty blades were scraping against metal, the Fairy Queen slowly extended her hands towards the sealed box.
At the same moment, a dark, piercing melody filled the air, with sharp strumming, but only I could hear it. The melody seemed to pierce straight into her mind, never letting go, intensifying every heartbeat.
The box shuddered, and with a dull thud, the lid came off. A humanoid creature rose from within, surrounded by clouds of ash and fiery sparks. His body was covered in dark, thick black feathers that shimmered with an ominous glow.
It resembled a crow, but instead of a beak, a mask emerged from the darkness, as if carved from petrified magma and solidified ash. The mask crackled with heat, as if a volcanic flame breathed within it, and smoke occasionally seeped from the cracks.
The creature straightened up, towering over the arena, and took a step forward. As it moved, a flurry of dark feathers rose into the air, swirling like a tornado.
I felt the pressure of the space around me, as if the very sky was bending over my shoulders. In front of me stood a creature of nearly a hundred levels, but the game refused to display its description. Instead, there was a gaping void in the interface, with scarlet symbols pulsating within it.
— This is [Crow's Cry]
The Fairy Queen spoke, her voice soft but clear, as if it pierced the silence.
—His name is no coincidence. Beware of his cry... for it tears not flesh but soul.
At that moment, the creature tilted its head slightly to the side, and the mask of red magma made a dry crackling sound. I felt a chill run down my spine.
And in that moment, all the apprentice fairies who had been watching the fight before me scattered back with frightened squeals and whispers, taking refuge behind the barrier thirty meters away from the arena.
There stood the ethereal copy of Mor Adelina, standing calmly. She was in no hurry to intervene, her cold gaze merely observing her student, as if testing not skill, but the soul itself.
I clenched my fists, preparing for battle, but at the same moment, a system notification flashed before my eyes:
[System warning! ]
Debuff activated: [Metal's Weight]
Effect: Movement speed reduced by 15%
Condition: Ringing in the ears
Duration: 20 minutes
It was as if a hot hammer had struck my head. The ringing in my ears drowned out my breathing, the creaking of the arena, and even my own thoughts.
Every movement felt heavier, as if my body had been wrapped in steel, constricting my muscles and joints. Even raising my arm caused a painful throbbing in my temples.
— Damn...
I breathed out, feeling my legs become uncoordinated.
— Right now?..
Crow's Cry slowly tilted his head to the side, and the feathers on his body rustled as if thousands of black knives were being sharpened at once.
The mask of red magma cracked, releasing a thin stream of smoke. His silence was unbearable, but even more terrifying was the anticipation that the scream everyone had been warned about might come at any moment.
And I had to fight for twenty minutes with a slowed-down body, throbbing pain, and an enemy that was almost a hundred levels above me.
The ethereal copy of the Fairy Queen was watching the arena, where Crow's Cry had already taken his first step, and even her face, usually calm and distant, was momentarily troubled.
She knew perfectly well and saw how vile and heavy effect the curse [Metal Lizard] left behind like invisible shackles, which not only prevented movement, but also broke the rhythm of the battle, depriving flexibility and confidence.
Fritte, who hovered slightly behind all this time, clenched tiny fists, his glowing wings trembled with excitement. He could not calmly watch as I gritted my teeth, trying to maintain balance under the weight of the curse.
There was a mixture of admiration for my resilience and fear that I wouldn't be able to handle it in his eyes.
— Mama... Can I help her? Please, let me...
Mor Adelina looked at her son with a cold but understanding gaze. Their eyes met in a brief silence, and a silent explanation passed between them.
She knew that he had been waiting for this moment, that he wanted to prove to both himself and me that he was more than just an observer.
The Queen nodded slowly, and her lips twitched into a slight smile.
—Yes, now. The Metal Lizard's curse is a thorn that prevents her from reaching her full potential. In the last step of the test, she needs support. And you, Fritte, will be that support.
The little fairy's eyes lit up with joy. He straightened up, his wings shining brighter, and his face reflected a determination that was uncharacteristic of his young appearance.
—I won't let you down!
He exclaimed, and he walked towards me, ready to stand by my side and share the weight of the challenge.
In the arena, on the other hand, Crow's Cry raised his head, and a ripple of dark energy spread from his faceless mask. It was as if he could sense that the game was changing, and now there would be two opponents facing him.
As little Fritte flew closer to me, his wings left a thin, glowing trail behind him, like a comet in the night sky.
I glanced at him briefly, my eyes flashing a mixture of gratitude and mild surprise: I hadn't expected to be allowed an ally just then.
Mor Adelina, standing off to the side, waved her hand and snapped her fingers. There was a short, resounding click, and around the arena, as if responding to her will, rose translucent walls of sparkling green-gold energy.
The barrier closed into a dome, blocking the way both in and out. It glowed softly, like morning dew under the sun, but it also felt heavy and strong, as if it were an impenetrable shield.
—It will be safer for my people.
The Fairy Queen spoke in a calm but determined voice. Her gaze swept over the rows of students, who, although they were hiding behind her, were not taking their eyes off the scene.
—They are too young to see and feel the power that is awakening in you. This battle is not for the faint of heart.
The apprentice fairies flinched at her words, but no one dared to object. Some of them looked at each other, some pressed their hands to their chests as if in prayer, and some closed their eyes, not daring to look any further.
Even they could feel the air inside the barrier changing, becoming thicker, filled with an energy that sent chills down their spines.
I wiped my forehead with my hand, wiping away the sweat, and took a deep breath. I felt a dome of light cut me off from the world, leaving only the three of us: myself, Fritte, and Crow's Cry, whose shadow grew wider. I clenched my fists, and my [ Aura Separation] skill responded with a soft green light.
—Well, it looks like things are going to get really interesting.
Fritte stood next to me, his wings shimmering more than usual. He gave me a determined look.
—We can do this, you're not alone.