How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 666: Light 7

FWOOSSHH!!

“Ugh—!”

Stacia managed to parry the final projectile just as her sword began to vibrate, the concentrated light shattering into fragments.

Her respiration was heavy, her lungs burning as the combined weight of heat and fatigue hit her like a wall.

She had been pushed to her physical limits in a matter of moments.

The onslaught had seemed eternal.

In truth, however, the entire exchange had lasted less than a second.

Through her heightened senses, Stacia observed Rose below, already weaving the threads of her next incantation.

She was poised.

Unperturbed.

It was as if this duel were a mere formality.

Stacia realized that victory was impossible if she stayed at a distance; she had to bridge the gap.

“Damn it...”

Mana erupted around her in a violent surge.

[Flame Curtain]

Her form dissolved into a flash of scarlet-gold embers, the fire condensing to propel her toward the ground like a falling star.

[Hidden Blade Technique]

[Second Form]

[New Moon]

Her trajectory became razor-sharp. Crimson lightning danced across her limbs as her velocity spiked, the atmosphere howling as she tore through the air toward Rose.

The space between them vanished—

Then, without warning—

A sudden tug.

Her perspective shifted violently.

Before her mind could process the change, the solid earth was gone. She was once again suspended in the sky.

“...Not again!”

Below her, the arena floor shimmered.

A multitude of golden sparks ignited simultaneously.

Spears. Even more than before.

Stacia clicked her tongue, twisting her body mid-flight as she glared down at her opponent.

Rose returned the look with a neutral, completely unbothered expression.

That was the moment Stacia understood.

She wasn't being fought; she was being managed.

Rose had no intention of allowing her to get close, not even for a fleeting second.

More radiant light coalesced around Rose, forming spell after spell in a relentless sequence.

.....

She’s dangerous...

Rose had reached that verdict almost instantly.

The disparity between their magical capabilities was undeniable. Rose could measure it with a glance—the density of raw mana, the level of control, the speed of casting—all favored her heavily.

Yet, that advantage didn't lead to complacency. If anything, it heightened her vigilance.

Stacia’s fire was far from typical. It consumed mana, dissolved magical structures, and warped the ambient flow around her.

When paired with her sword skills—which were precise, lethal, and strikingly reminiscent of the styles used by Riley and Seo—her presence was deeply unsettling.

She wasn't merely powerful; she was a specialist designed to hunt mages.

Rose understood that if Stacia ever successfully closed the distance, the situation would become chaotic. It wasn't life-threatening yet, but it would be a nuisance she preferred to avoid.

And Rose never left threats unaddressed.

That was the reason for the distance, the total control of the arena, and why she gave Stacia no room to recover.

Rose sensed that Stacia was concealing a deeper power.

With her extraordinary mana perception, amplified by her golden eyes, Rose could peer into the very core of Stacia’s magic with ease.

Beneath the surface of the flames and the martial arts, something primordial was waking up.

A presence existed there—a heat that wasn't just heat, but a manifestation of will.

Rose identified it immediately.

A divine favor.

[Blessing: Sol Fal]

The signature of the Fire Spirit King, the Burning Wolf—Takal.

Rose’s eyes narrowed slightly.

While she wasn't an expert in spirit contracts, she knew the rarity and the lethality of such a blessing. It wasn't a gift given to just anyone, and it certainly wasn't something a typical first-year student should possess.

’She’s exactly like that gray-haired junior...’

A flood of questions filled her mind.

How did she secure a contract with such a being? How much of that power could she actually channel? What were the constraints? And why did she know the secret techniques of the Gyeoul Family?

There were too many mysteries. However, they weren't her priority at this moment. The answers would come in due time.

Rose’s mana surged again, steady and disciplined, as more Spears of Light materialized. Golden magic circles filled the air, each one precise and flawless.

To a spectator, the battle might have looked monotonous or even inefficient for a mage of her caliber. Rose had a hundred different ways to end this duel instantly.

But ending it wasn't the goal. This was the most effective method for observation.

Even while maintaining her distance, Rose never let her focus waver. Every movement Stacia made, her reaction times, and the behavior of her flames under pressure were being meticulously cataloged.

A blend of caution and intellectual curiosity drove her every move.

Now, show me...

A glimmer of interest sparked in Rose’s golden eyes as she watched Stacia struggle against the unending rain of light.

Then, the atmosphere shifted.

The mana surrounding Stacia changed, subtle at first, but Rose detected it immediately. A presence stirred within the blessing deep in Stacia’s soul, like an apex predator beginning to wake from its slumber.

“So, it’s finally waking up...” Rose whispered.

...

In the VIP gallery, Riley and the others observed the duel with varying reactions.

Snow reclined in her seat, clearly enjoying the spectacle. Alice was frowning, her eyes locked on the sky while her hands gripped the chair. Seo remained as stoic as ever, her gaze sharp and calculating.

The battle had reached a level beyond the comprehension of most students, yet it felt strangely familiar to those who knew Rose.

“...Is she playing with her food?”

Seo’s quiet observation surprised the group, as she rarely commented during a match.

Alice blinked. “Eh—Seo, that’s a bit mean...”

Snow shook her head. “I don’t think so.” She continued to watch the radiant storm above.

“This looks more like a mage’s curiosity. Rose isn't looking down on her—she’s trying to analyze her.” Snow offered a small smile. “Honestly, if I possessed that level of power... I’d likely do the same when faced with such a fascinating opponent.”

Seo nodded, though she didn't truly understand the mindset of a mage.

In a real fight, lives were on the line. As a practitioner of the sword, efficiency was paramount. If an opponent could be eliminated, they should be—immediately.

No wasted movements, no hesitation. That was her training. That was her Way.

Perhaps it was her upbringing or the nature of the Hidden Blade technique itself, which was built for instant execution. Whatever the reason, the idea of drawing out a fight was foreign to her.

And yet...

She watched Rose dominate the arena without even breaking a sweat. Slowly. Methodically. Curiously.

Seo tilted her head.

Is that... fun?

The thought persisted. Winning quickly was satisfying, but there was a certain dullness to it. Every encounter ended before it truly began. No suspense, no climax. Just the draw, the strike, and the end.

...Perhaps slowing things down wasn't a total waste of time.

Should I try that in my next match? she pondered.

But a follow-up thought arrived instantly: They always die instantly even if I slow down...

She knit her brows in concentration. Then... should I just make them bleed first instead...?

Her eyes brightened. That seemed like a solid plan.

As this "brilliant" idea took root in Seo’s mind, Alice glanced over and felt a sudden shiver. Seo was too quiet, and her expression was far more concerning than a smile would have been.

Alice gave a nervous laugh. “Uhm... Seo...?”

“Yes?” Seo replied, turning toward her calmly.

Alice opened her mouth to speak, then stopped. “...Actually, never mind, hehe.”

She decided it was better not to interfere. Maybe experimenting with her pace would be good for Seo’s development. Probably. Hopefully.

Alice looked back at the stage and sighed. She just hoped things wouldn't get too weird.

Meanwhile, Riley, watching the scene, felt a twinge of sympathy for the struggling Stacia. To most, Rose appeared merciless. But Riley saw the truth.

At the final moment—just before a spear would have caused a fatal wound—Rose was subtly decelerating them. Just enough for Stacia to parry or take a minor graze instead of being impaled.

Rose was manually controlling thousands of spears with that level of precision. It was terrifying. A single lapse in focus would have ended the match in a tragedy, yet Rose maintained it effortlessly.

Riley sighed. Beneath his amazement was a growing curiosity.

So this was what Alice meant. He finally saw it. Evelyn’s runes were hidden deep within Stacia’s soul, layered so perfectly that they were almost invisible. But as Stacia was pushed to her breaking point, the truth emerged.

For a split second, Riley’s eyes turned a deep, dark blue. His vision cut through the mana and the surface reality.

“...A blessing, I see.”

And not just any blessing. It explained how Stacia had been able to burn Lucas. He recalled the mana spike from days ago—violent and unnatural. He had assumed it was Alice at the time.

“...That clone of mine,” Riley whispered.

He felt a mix of amusement and worry. He knew Evelyn was capable, but he hadn't expected her to go this far. A Spirit King wasn't just a powerful entity; it was practically a deity.

“Spirit King...”

Riley muttered the words unconsciously. He didn't realize he’d spoken aloud, nor did he realize that Rose, who was monitoring his every reaction, had heard him.

Rose’s eyes flickered for a brief moment. Then, the rain of spears ceased.

There was no explosion, just a sudden, heavy silence. The mana on the stage warped, as if the space itself was being compressed.

[Celestial Magic]

[Spatial Imperium]

Blue starlight shimmered—ethereal and terrifying. In an instant, Stacia was no longer in the air. She was back on the arena floor.

Her injured body stumbled, flames flickering weakly as she looked around in total confusion. “What...?”

Before she could regain her footing, Rose was standing directly in front of her. Those golden eyes were now cold and flat.

FSSSHHHHH!!!!

A massive pressure slammed down. It felt like the weight of the entire world was on Stacia’s shoulders. Her knees gave out immediately. Her sword screeched against the floor as she collapsed, using the blade to keep from being pinned flat.

Her lungs were screaming; her mana was in chaos. For a terrifying second, she wondered if another Spirit King had appeared.

“Cough—!”

Blood hit the stage. Her vision began to blur. What is this? Why can't I move?

Then, Rose’s voice reached her—cold and merciless.

“Summon it....”

Stacia trembled. With agonizing effort, she raised her head. Rose stood there, one hand held out. At her fingertips, a sphere of condensed light was forming—heavy, dense, and vibrating with power.

It was small, but the aura it emitted made Stacia’s survival instincts go haywire. This was no longer an observation.

Rose looked down at her coldly. “Call for that dog. Now.”

Stacia’s throat was dry.

[Ultimate-Grade Light Magic]

[Light] [EX]

’W-what is that?’

Her heart hammered against her ribs as she stared at the orb. It looked like light magic, but she could sense its unique, terrifying nature. She knew that if that spell was released, she would not survive.

Crack...!

Her emergency transport bracelet suddenly fractured.

’W-What’s going on!?’