How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 664: Light 5

"Kuahaha, are you feeling the pressure?"

"...."

"Well, that is only natural. Even a master of my caliber doesn't see a path to an easy victory here," the aged voice remarked in a relaxed tone. "I might have to sacrifice a limb or two just to attempt to bring her down."

"...I am aware."

Stacia gave a hushed response.

She shifted her attention to the massive monitor hanging over the staging area, her gaze locking onto the portrait of Rose.

Despite having very little personal contact with her, Stacia understood the reality of the situation.

Everyone understood.

Rose Brilliance was more than just a prodigy—she existed on a completely different plane of power.

Even those devoid of magical talent could sense the disparity.

The sheer gap in mana was stifling, comparable to facing a colossal tidal wave while clutching a tiny cup of water.

Stacia was widely regarded as the genius of her era, receiving constant praise for her rapid Cultivation and future prospects... yet when measured against Rose, such accolades felt pathetic.

And that was without even considering technical proficiency.

The majority of mages spend their entire existence perfecting a solitary affinity.

Whether it be fire, water, or wind—they select one path and refine it until it is instinctive.

While acquiring other magical forms is possible, true mastery usually eludes those who divide their focus too thinly.

Rose was the exception.

She was restricted by neither affinity nor attribute. She displayed terrifying proficiency in every branch of magic she explored.

Elemental, structural, and enhancement magic—she commanded them all with effortless grace.

There were even whispers that celestial magic, a discipline involving the manipulation of time and space that most mages avoid out of fear, was among her areas of expertise.

Furthermore, there was the matter of her mana heart.

Eight circles.

Just pondering the thought caused Stacia’s chest to tighten with anxiety.

Regardless of whether the accounts were inflated, the mere fact that people accepted them as truth spoke volumes.

On paper, the conclusion of this duel was already set.

There existed no tactic, no deception, and no miracle that ought to grant Stacia the win.

She took a long, slow breath to compose herself.

"...Even so," she whispered to herself, her grip tightening, "I will not retreat."

Even if the result seemed inevitable, she intended to meet it head-on.

For his sake—and to ensure she could walk by his side in the days to come—she had to demonstrate her current worth.

Had this been yesterday, she would have surrendered the match already.

She would have dismissed it as an impossibility, a final barrier to her goals.

But that was prior to her encounter with the boisterous old man currently standing beside her.

"Master Beon..."

"Hmm?"

"Are you not leaving yet?"

"Hoh?" He arched an eyebrow. "After I went through the trouble of refining your skills within my mental realm, you’re already showing me the door?"

"That isn't it," Stacia answered with composure. "I truly value your assistance... but it would lead to complications if the other students spotted you with me."

"Haha, I suppose you have a point." He gave a casual shrug. "My presence does have a habit of attracting unwanted drama and gossip."

Stacia’s eyes narrowed slightly at his words.

As per usual, the old man—who appeared no older than his mid-thirties—was incredibly talkative.

They had only met the previous day.

Yet, for some reason, it felt as though their acquaintance spanned a much longer period.

It was likely due to the mental realm.

A realm—or rather, a world—that could be imposed upon others, confining them in a separate dimension where the passage of time slowed to a crawl.

It was a high-level technique reserved only for genuine masters.

Within that domain, Stacia had undergone agonizing training; her senses were honed, and her boundaries were shattered only to be reconstructed.

Their initial encounter had been abrupt.

Brief.

Nearly ridiculous.

The memory remained vivid in her mind.

"Hey!"

"Who goes—?!"

"Hahaha, settle down, young princess! Lower your sword. I’ve come to assist you!" The man had laughed with total lack of shame. "We’re short on time, so allow this master to give you a boost!"

Before she could formulate a response, violet lightning had pierced the air.

He had crashed into her training session like a bolt of thunder, invading her personal space, brushing off her complaints, and unilaterally naming her his disciple.

Following that—

He coached her.

Savagely.

Exhaustively.

Without a shred of pity.

Their formal introduction had commenced under those circumstances as well.

From that brief and frantic meeting, Stacia had gathered several vital details.

First—Beon served as the patriarch of the Gyeoul Clan, the actual source of the Hidden Blade Technique. It was a name known to many warriors but seen by very few.

Second—and of greater significance to her—he was formerly Riley’s master.

Beon had mentioned various other things while she was imprisoned in his mental realm: how he had spotted her talent for the sword, how her style perfectly replicated the secret arts of his clan despite her lack of lineage, and the rarity of such natural intuition.

However, none of those details held as much weight for her as Riley did.

So, this was the individual responsible for his training...

For someone who was Seo’s grandfather, he was certainly the polar opposite of her.

That thought struck her as she thought back to Seo’s tranquil, aloof aura—silent, sharp, and freezing like a bared blade.

In contrast, Beon was boisterous, brazen, and impossible to overlook.

Truthfully, Stacia had hoped to test herself against Seo at least once during this event.

While her odds against Seo wouldn't have been significantly better than against Rose, Seo was a predictable, direct combatant.

A swordswoman who concluded fights with efficiency and speed.

Even if Seo defeated her in a heartbeat, at least Stacia would comprehend the mechanics of the loss.

Rose presented a different challenge entirely.

Rose was chaotic.

Her sorcery defied standard principles.

Her speed of invocation, her precision, and her immense library of knowledge turned every clash into a journey through uncharted territory.

There was no clear path to victory against Rose—only the hope of survival.

She thought back to the guidance of her future self—the entity that appeared occasionally to offer cryptic bits of counsel.

Rose is an opponent you must learn from. Quickly.

That was easy to say in theory.

But how could she learn anything if Rose chose to end the duel in a split second?

That was the fundamental obstacle.

If Rose fought with full sincerity from the beginning, there would be no opportunity to adjust, no room to watch, and no chance to grasp her patterns or spell logic.

The fight would simply conclude, leaving Stacia with nothing but the sting of failure.

After contemplating this for a moment, she released a soft sigh and rose from her seat.

"Oh?" the old man next to her remarked, looking her over. "Are you that eager to start?"

"No," Stacia answered levelly. "I am merely sorting through my thoughts."

"Heh. Don't overthink it," Beon said with a smirk. "Believe in me. Walk the path of your blade and it will find its mark. If you simply employ that... or that..." He made a lazy gesture. "Your probability of winning will skyrocket."

Stacia offered no verbal reply, but she knew precisely what he was referring to.

The Sun residing within her—

the gift bestowed by her future self—

...and the Burning Wolf.

Either power could elevate her far beyond her natural constraints.

Both were immense.

And dangerous.

However, they carried heavy prices.

Her future self had been particularly adamant regarding the Sun. Once triggered, the laws of causality would take hold.

The consequences wouldn't simply vanish once the duel ended. Every move would leave a permanent scar; every outcome would resonate into the future.

The Wolf, by comparison, seemed less risky—

or so it appeared.

Yet even that was not a certainty.

Her recent encounter with the Great Fire Spirit King remained fresh in her memory.

It had taken an interest in her, that much was undeniable.

But curiosity does not equal submission.

She was not its master.

Not yet.

At most, she had been identified as a candidate.

Regardless... the Sun was linked to it.

If she were truly backed into a corner, she might be forced to synchronize with the Fire Spirit King through the Sun—whether she had its permission or not.

That realization made her knuckles turn white.

"Ah, before I depart, keep this in mind.... do not look directly into the light,"

"I know...."

....

Stacia Alger Del Luna.

The Crazed Princess....

For quite some time, she had been a source of constant concern for Riley.

She was one of the few individuals Evelyn had personally tampered with.

That fact alone made her a threat—not because of mental instability, but because any growth accelerated by Evelyn always demanded a steep price.

In a sense, Riley was thankful.

Having powerful comrades was vital.

But that didn't mitigate the inherent dangers.

"Ah! I found our spots...!"

Alice’s exclamation pulled him from his meditation.

She gestured toward a row near the center of the stadium, pulling Snow along with her.

Riley trailed after them, permitting his anxieties to fade for the moment.

Once they were settled, he turned his focus toward the platform.

This arena differed from the ones used for the previous bouts.

It was significantly larger.

And far more robust.

Multiple layers of defensive enchantments were stacked on top of each other, reinforcing the shields until the atmosphere felt heavy.

Even from his seat, Riley could sense the massive amount of mana being consumed to keep it stable.

Was this due to the participants of this specific match?

Or was the tournament simply reaching its final stages?

In any case, the spectators seemed at ease. If the battle grew too intense, the arena at least wouldn't come crashing down on them.

"Hey, Riley," Alice whispered, leaning in.

He didn't pause to think.

"Rose."

"Hehe, I agree..." Alice grinned, then hesitated. "But..."

"But?" Riley looked at her.

"Uhm... I think it would be better if you just see for yourself."

Riley’s brow furrowed slightly.

Had something occurred regarding Stacia that had escaped his notice?

He was already aware of her ability to utilize the [Hidden Blade Technique]—which was already an anomaly. But Alice’s tone hinted at something deeper.

His interest was piqued.

Since I was the one who trained Stacia, for one reason or another... I suppose it's only right.

He leaned back in his seat, crossing his legs in a relaxed manner, his eyes locked on the stage.

Like a mentor preparing to judge his pupil.

The duel was about to commence.