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Olivia raises her hands, using the backs of them to deflect the incoming ice projectiles with precise movements. Once the last of the shards has been diverted, she continues her relentless pursuit.

“Sparkling Lightning Shock!”

A void projectile hurtles toward her, but Olivia smashes it to pieces with a single punch.

Suddenly, the ground beneath her begins to glow, signaling another incoming attack.

“Sparkling Quick Fang!”

Flames erupt from the ground, but Olivia counters by shattering them with her fists. Sparks of lightning leap off her arms, surging through the ground toward her opponent.

It evades the lightning effortlessly, but then a shadow looms overhead.

“Spellbound Moonlight.”

Olivia’s heel descends with an eerie silence, carrying enough force to crush solid steel. Unfortunately, her strike misses.

“Goose Flock.”

What follows is a barrage of kicks. Each kick generates shockwaves, but they’re neutralized by the opponent’s magic.

“Jumping Silver Grass¹.”

With her black hair swaying in mid-air, Olivia bends forward until her torso is nearly horizontal and delivers a powerful backward kick. However, the barrier stops her again.

“I’m impressed you’ve learned so many of Shuma’s skills,” that thing remarks, “but these are still just imitations. It’s not enough!”

“So what!” Olivia retorts fiercely.

Despite her relentless attacks, that thing remains calm, unfazed by her strength. I can’t help but wonder—could it be stronger than the Ophelia I once knew?

“Today is full of surprises,” a smooth voice interrupts. “I didn’t expect to find the original in a place like this.”

A man with narrow, calculating eyes emerges from the direction of the mansion. He stands at a distance, his voice barely reaching us, but I can sense his wariness—even of me, broken and incapacitated as I am.

“I suppose introductions are in order,” he says. “I’m Dominic Ru Galliene, president of the Platiboros Company.”

The Platiboros Company… They’re the criminal organization that kidnapped Plum and were involved with the dangerous magic automatons I encountered in the capital.

“So, you’re the one behind that vile creation,” I say sharply.
“I must correct you,” Dominic replies almost apologetically. “That wasn’t my doing.”

His tone may sound regretful, but to me, he’s already an enemy.

“Your master, Olivia Eto Gardeland, is a truly remarkable individual, wouldn’t you agree? In many ways, she embodies the ideal I’ve been searching for.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I snap. “That thing said it wanted to kill Olivia earlier. What’s your goal here?”

“I have no reason to tell you.” He never intended to reveal anything, but his smug grin tells me enough—he doesn’t see me as just a magic automaton. There’s something more he knows, something he’s withholding.

“In that case!” I shout, opening my magic storage to retrieve Black Hawk.

“Too late.”

A dark gray stake materializes in mid-air, piercing my arm and pinning me to the ground.

“Ghaaaaaaahhhh!!” A scream escapes me as searing pain shoots through my body.

Why…? Why does it hurt? I shouldn’t be able to feel pain in this body!

“I don’t believe you’re supposed to feel pain,” Dominic says coldly, “but whatever.” He watches me writhe with a detached expression, then pulls a bottle with a heavy seal from his pocket. “I’m well aware of how dangerous you are. Precautions are necessary.”

Removing the seal, he releases a viscous liquid that rises into the air, forming a swirling sphere of black and red. The ominous energy radiating from the orb is suffocating, so overwhelming that I momentarily forget the pain in my arm.

The sphere begins to shrink, compressing from the size of a basketball to a marble. I know this isn’t a sign of weakening—it’s condensing its power.

“I’m sure you’d feel honored to die by the same curse as Ophelia,” Dominic sneers, sending the orb hurtling toward me.

“Ghhh!” Gritting my teeth against the pain, I summon a barrier to protect myself. But as the curse orb touches it, dark liquid seeps out, dissolving the barrier.

I conjure another barrier, but the orb cuts through it even faster. Each new layer of defense only seems to accelerate its advance. Before long, it pierces through everything.

I might be doomed…

Just as I prepare to accept my fate, a shadow steps in. A fist, crackling with black lightning, collides with the orb, shattering it into harmless fragments.

I recognize that shadow instantly. Even from behind, I could never mistake her.

“Oli…vi…a…” Seeing her here fills me with anything but relief.

The shattered fragments of the curse orb suddenly shift, their trajectory changing as they reform within Olivia’s chest.

The ribbon in her hair snaps, and her silky strands spill free, flowing wildly behind her.

“Gh…hraaaaaaahhhhh!!”

Even with the curse taking hold, Olivia surges forward. Using the last of her black lightning, she delivers a devastating punch to Dominic’s face.

The force sends Dominic flying, his face caving in as blood spurts from the impact.

“Ghuh…ack!”

“Should I keep going?” That thing asks coldly, her voice devoid of emotion. “You’ll die if you don’t heal soon. And I’m sure you remember—I’ve never been good with healing spells.”

Dominic groans, his voice a mix of pain and frustration. “Gheh… I hate to do it, but we’ll have to… retreat. But don’t think this is over. I won’t give up!”

“Then I’ll just take you to him.” That thing within the barrier speaks with the same detached tone, effortlessly lifting Dominic’s battered body with telekinesis and carrying him off into the forest.

But I don’t care about Dominic anymore.

Olivia drops to her knees, her strength fading, and then collapses forward.

“O…Olivia…no…” I need to help her, but this cursed stake pinning me down makes it impossible to move.

“…I really thought that would work… Natalia, are you okay…?” Olivia’s voice is faint, almost inaudible. Her eyes are barely open, and I can’t even tell if she can see me.

“…Ye…yeah…”

Why? Why is this happening? It’s my fault. I need to thank her. I need to tell her I’m okay. But the words won’t come. The same curse as Ophelia… What should I do? How can I save her? Not even Ophelia could survive it. Death…

My mind spirals in confusion, flooded with thoughts I can’t organize. My throat constricts, and all that comes out are incoherent, desperate noises.

“…Don’t look at me like that…” Olivia mutters weakly. “I don’t think I’m going to die… not right away… I’ll be fine…” Her voice, so fragile and unconvincing, only worsens the dread clawing at my chest.

“…O…Olivia… Olivia! Oliviaaa!”
“Natalia! Olivia! Are you okay?!”
“Awooo!”

Voices echo behind me, but I can’t process the words. My focus remains entirely on Olivia.

“What happened? No, never mind. Clarissa, Erika, we need to bring them inside!”
“Woof!”
“Shaa!”

Someone removes the cursed stake, freeing me, and then lifts both me and Olivia.

“Olivia! Oliviaaaa!!” I cry out her name over and over, my voice hoarse and trembling. But there’s no response.

1. Silva: At this point, I don’t even know who’s shouting what skills name anymore

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