Chapter 34
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 34: The Sorceress and the Queen
“How did this happen?” Even Midi found himself unprepared.
If Fina’s attacks were overwhelming firepower suppression, Alice’s assaults resembled an intricate maze. But while mazes trap enemies, they can’t destroy them. Hidden beneath the tangled web of bizarre Summoned Beasts lay a fatal strike.
“The perfect setup precedes the killing blow.” Another of Alice’s famous sayings.
Throughout this battle, Midi had kept those words in mind while bracing for danger.
Given the Mist Sorceress Alice’s tendency to avoid complications, he’d expected her to exploit weaknesses first—meaning Sigmund or Lilian should’ve been targeted. Yet this trap was clearly designed for Fina.
A woman’s heart was as fathomless as the seafloor. Even with memories of his past life, Midi’s predictions had failed. Had he avoided overthinking, he might’ve seen the truth sooner.
But it was too late now.
“Miss Fina’s gone! What do we do? What now?” The usually calm Sigmund panicked, while Lilian’s face paled with terror.
As Fina’s loyal followers, they’d grown accustomed to the red-haired girl’s invincibility. Seeing her captured instantly, without resistance, shattered their worldview.
It felt like waking to find the sun had vanished after millennia of dawns—not mere defeat, but reality itself crumbling.
Most would’ve broken down, yet the two still fought the swarming Summoned Beasts.
“Hold the line!” Midi’s voice cut through the chaos.
The black-haired boy unleashed reckless power, his right hand sweeping the Lightsaber to conjure Sharp Winds while his left summoned burning demon arrays with demon god magic. He filled the gap left by Fina’s disappearance.
As the assault waned, Midi noticed the Summoned Beasts retreating and distant Cat Demons moving erratically—the Mist Sorceress had withdrawn. Though Alice never appeared, her absence became palpable.
She’d likely calculated her current forces couldn’t overcome Midi’s dual sword soul and Ghost Cry professions. After capturing Fina, she’d left without hesitation.
The remaining four hundred Cat Demons posed little obstacle.
“Next steps?” Sigmund asked.
“Hold position, break through, find shelter. Track the magic trail to the Witch’s abode.” Midi answered instantly. “Fina’s there.”
“How do we attack it?” Lilian pressed, steadying as the beasts thinned.
“We’ll decide then.” Midi sighed.
That was all he could offer.
He worried for Fina, but not excessively—if Alice wanted her dead, the chaotic melee would’ve been the moment. Her restraint suggested other plans.
In their past life’s fifteen-year bond, Fina and Alice had been lifelong friends yet constant rivals, clashing in battles even Midi couldn’t mediate—often because of him.
What sparks would fly when they met now? Midi refused to guess. His only path was exploiting Alice’s suppression of Fina to locate the Witch’s abode swiftly.
"Speed up!" Midi commanded in a low voice, darting through the trees at high speed. The other two hurried after him, their three figures merging with the silent night like gray shadows.
The endless shadows enveloped the girl like a warm ocean.
Part of her wanted to keep drifting in this darkness. Yet memories kept flashing through her mind – fierce battles, strange enemies, struggling companions, and… that secretive black-haired guy whose unexpectedly gentle gaze somehow dissolved all anger.
A faint blush colored the red-haired girl’s pale cheeks as a sweet smile curved her lips.
No, she couldn’t stay here. With this resolve, Fina rose to her feet.
Not for that dark-haired guy, but for herself.
Fina had always been independent, never leaning on others or expecting help. She wanted to walk forward simply to embrace this vibrant world once more.
As Fina took her first step through the endless shadows, darkness dissolved into light.
The girl awoke from her dream.
The soft bedding, expensive crystal lamps, pale moonlight streaming through half-open windows, and scattered starlight made Fina blink. Then her breath caught.
Someone sat by her bed.
A black-haired girl in dark clothes.
Fina lay perfectly still, stealing glances at her silent visitor. Sitting up would ruin this chance to observe.
The girl possessed night-black hair, delicate limbs, and porcelain-white skin. Even Fina’s discerning eyes had to admit this was beauty worthy of poetry – a living doll who might be mistaken for artwork if not for her breathing.
True to that impression, the black-haired girl sat motionless in her chair, eyes closed as if sleeping.
Yet Fina clearly sensed the immense magic swirling within that fragile frame – magic identical to what she’d felt before losing consciousness.
If Midi’s battlefield theory was correct, this must be…
The Mistress of a forest spanning a count’s territory. Controller of magic veins. Sovereign whom Elves obeyed. All contained in a girl Fina’s own age?
Curiosity overwhelmed propriety. Fina leaned closer, desperate for a better look –
The dark-haired girl’s eyes snapped open. Cold pupils locked onto Fina’s.
"Huh?" Fina’s heartbeat stuttered.
The girl hadn’t been sleeping. She’d been watching her captive this whole time. Caught mid-observation, Fina froze, mind blank under that unblinking stare.
The black-haired girl seemed unfazed by their silent standoff.
But Fina’s stubborn nature refused to yield. She broke first.
"You’re Alice Otolopas," Fina declared, sitting up. "The Mist Sorceress. I’m Fina-"
"I brought you here to learn how a level 24 displays level 30 battle strength." Alice’s icy voice cut through the introduction. "Your name means nothing. You’re weak."
Fina’s thoughts ground to a halt.
Weak?
Weak.
Weak?!
The red-haired girl wondered if her ears had betrayed her.
In her seventeen years of life, she’d earned countless titles—Ironblood Princess, Destruction Princess, Queen of Storms, and more. Future would surely add more. Everyone who skirmished with Fina, whether ally or enemy—those who admired, relied on, envied, or lusted after her beauty—none could overlook her existence.
The sheer number of eyes fixed upon her served as absolute proof of Fina’s capabilities.
Yet now, in this cramped room, a girl seemingly her own age dared call her "weak"?
Unacceptable.
Completely unacceptable!
After the initial shock, when Fina finally grasped that "weak" indeed meant her, anger surged through the red-haired girl’s body like an order. She flung off the blankets and struck a commanding pose before Alice, right hand shaped like a gun.
But her drained body and unresponsive will instantly reminded Fina of reality.
Sealed. Not a shred of magic remained.
"Heh…" Alice muffled a laugh behind her hand, her mocking gaze speaking volumes.
"Feisty little thing, ain’tcha?" A crow black as charcoal squeezed through the window crack. "With those pathetic skills, why not flash your pretty face to survive? Still wanna fight? You’re beyond hopeless!"
Fina nearly exploded with rage.
Yet cold clarity washed over her.
The future Queen of Magic prided herself on confidence, not stubbornness. True strength meant rising after defeat.
Her impulsive fury faded. The gap between them became clear—she hadn’t even seen Alice’s attack coming. Her own Magic Beam rebounded, sealing her magic before she’d collapsed into coma. Total defeat, just as Midi warned about the Mist Sorceress.
"What do you want?" Fina dropped her hand, voice steady.
"Stop struggling." Alice stood, moving toward the door. "Your companions pursue swiftly. Stay put—wandering magicless here means death."
"Be grateful for master’s mercy," the crow croaked, oozing false pity as it followed Alice out.
Fina’s nails bit her palms. She glared at the closing door, resisting the urge to hurl furniture. Later, she’d pluck that crow bare and roast it.
Sitting cross-legged, the red-haired girl entered meditative state. Anger dissolved into focus—she relentlessly probed her sealed magic, ignoring thoughts of victory or defeat.
Midi would come.
But Fina wouldn’t wait like some fairy-tale princess, even for that black-haired guy she respected.
When challenged, the Queen of Magic charged forward. Always.
