All the goblins died instantly, scattered on the ground, intact and without a single injury.
"Bastle, it's creepy!" she shouted, panicking and excited at the same time. Amane decided to return to the hostel without thinking too much.
"With this, it will be perfect."
Aria's voice inserted a warning:
"Note: the appearance of your eyes can create problems."
"What are you talking about?"
> [Object creation – activated]
Amane extended her hand forward, and a mirror appeared before her. A chilling shiver ran down her spine. Her eyes, wide open, fixed on their reflection as if they belonged to someone else. The mirror slipped from her hand, hitting the ground with a sharp crack.
"In my eyes is reflected infinity… each star, each breath of the void, each thread of light…" she whispered, imagining it as something invincible.
"The entire universe leans toward me, allowing itself to be seen." Her voice trembled as the light around her seemed to weaken, as though the sky itself had dimmed.
Shadows stretched and melted into an endless void. A slight wind lifted her hair, yet the air felt heavy, almost frozen. The sounds of the city, of nature, of life… faded one by one, swallowed by an abysmal silence.
Then she recovered, muttering to herself:
"Well, I'd better stop my fantasy now."
> [Metamorphosis – activated]
Her eyes returned to normal, now shining with a magnificent golden sparkle. She wanted to head back to the city, but more monsters appeared — three red ogres wielding massive clubs, overflowing with rage and blocking her path.
"This forest is really infested with monsters… at least I can test the full extent of my skills," she said, smiling with rising excitement.
> [Object creation – activated]
A katana appeared before her in its scabbard. She lowered her gaze to admire it. Fine and slightly curved, it was forged from a deep black steel that seemed to absorb the light.
Tiny silver veins traced along the blade like frozen lightning, giving the impression it was still charged with energy. To the touch, it was cold, almost alive, as though it breathed faintly.
"I present to you, Kagehane… the weapon that will destroy you!"
> [Master Swordsman – activated]
[reinforcement – activated]
[Agility Increase – activated]
"Hm… I may be going a little strong. Level 9999 isn't just for show, after all."
Amane straightened, centering herself. Her katana, Kagehane, rested lightly on her right shoulder, the back of the blade touching her as an extension of her body. The guard and pommel caught the light with silver flashes, betraying its silent power.
In a dazzling instant, the monsters were beheaded before they could even attack.
She turned around and managed herself back toward the city, carefree.
---
Two weeks passed as she alternated between writing new skills and completing ordinary quests, testing the abilities she continued to create.
Meanwhile, the heroes of both groups had been summoned by the king to Elaria, the royal capital where they had been first invoked. They were to attend an audience, seeing His Majesty for the first time.
The corridor was silent, only punctuated by the echo of their steps and the faint rustle of their capes. The stone columns stood like motionless sentinels, draped in banners bearing the royal colors.
In front of the immense doors, two fully armored guards stood straight, their visors reflecting the torchlight. Hearts beat faster — a mixture of curiosity, nervousness, and anticipation.
"Ah… there it is. We'll really meet the king."
"I'm so stressed out!"
"How is he, I wonder?!"
Murmurs began to spread, but a feminine voice rose behind them, calm and composed:
"Let's calm down, dear heroes. There's no need to exaggerate."
It was the priestess, stepping ahead of them.
"The king is not as terrifying as you imagine," she said with a smile of blatant beauty. The students, captivated, looked at her as though she were a goddess herself.
"We'll trust you, then, Priestess Aurelia," replied Hirona, one of Amane's popular friends from high school.
Yuki turned her head, scanning for her group.
One of the heroes asked:
"Hey, what about the last group? We haven't seen them at all."
"You'll discover the truth once you pass through these doors. Whatever happens, keep a cool head," Aurelia advised, her tone suddenly shifting.
The massive doors opened slowly with a deep rumble, revealing a vast hall like a cathedral. Stained-glass windows cast blue and gold light across the polished floor.
Nobles and knights stood aligned on either side, their gazes sharp, a mix of calculation and admiration.
And there, seated on a massive golden throne, was the king himself — an imposing figure with an aura nearly divine. Each measured movement, each piercing glance seemed able to probe the soul.
His voice resonated as he spoke his first words:
"You who were summoned here, know this: it is not an honor I grant lightly. Each of you possesses a power this kingdom cannot afford to ignore."
"Your Majesty… we will do everything in our power to serve the kingdom," one of the students declared.
"Words are easy. Actions… less so. You will face trials beyond your imagination. And if you fail…" a heavy silence fell, "…the consequences will match your defeat."
"We will not fail, no matter the difficulty," the students answered in unison.
The king wasted no time.
"As some of you have noticed, a group is missing. I must inform you… they are all deceased."
A suffocating silence filled the hall. Students froze in fear and shock. Yuki, staring at the ground, let tears fall as despair twisted her expression.
"Ama…ne…" she whispered.
The king continued, explaining they had been ambushed by thirty bandits during an excursion in the forest.
"Their burial will be arranged according to the customs of your world of origin. That will be all. Together, we shall defeat the demons."
Leaving the throne room, some students cried, others tried to hold on, and a few seemed indifferent. The priestess moved among them, offering comfort.
Yuki, consumed by grief, staggered back to her room, walking as if she might collapse at any step.
"Why… why did it have to be you…"
Night fell. The priestess accompanied the most shaken students to their chambers.
She then entered Yuki's room, guiding her gently to the bed.
"Be strong. I'm sure Amane would want you to keep fighting. Do it for her."
"Thank you… I'll… try…"
Still devastated, Yuki turned away, trying not to think, while the priestess quietly closed the door behind her.
---
Later, Aurelia walked toward a room resembling a church. A statue stood tall behind the chapel. She knelt before it, praying silently. After a few minutes, she rose and sat on one of the benches.
"Tell me, Eleanor… why don't you come out?"
From her shadow emerged a demon — Eleanor herself — who immediately knelt in vassalage.
"I didn't want to disturb you, Mademoiselle Aurelia," she replied.
"Always so formal… I see. Why did you take so long to return?" Aurelia asked, her tone sharp.
Eleanor: "The Demon King's directives have changed."
Priestess: "Tell me later. For now, did everything go as planned? Did the operation succeed?"
Eleanor: "Three bodies were found charred, and the other two… not recovered."
Priestess: "So nothing went as planned… damn it, it was a unique chance."
Eleanor: "I'm sorry."
Priestess: "Stop apologizing for everything. Just tell me the new directives."
Eleanor: "I no longer work for you."
Aurelia's eyes widened in shock.
"What?! Then who are you working for?!"
A voice suddenly rang out from the doorway:
"For me, obviously."
Aurelia turned, and her expression froze in recognition.
"You are…"
"Yes. I am Amane Seiren, the Writer."