She met Seraphine's gaze head-on, her own eyes filled with a mixture of determination and defiance. "Yes, I love him," she admitted, her voice steady and serious. "I want to marry him!"
The declaration was met with a sneer from Mistress Seraphine. "You may have forgotten the mission of the family!" she chided, her tone taking on a more enthusiastic pitch as she continued. "Emotions are just illusory things, only the infinite life is."
"Remember, you can play around!" Mistress Seraphine warned, her voice taking on a stern edge. "Never take that step, that is the bottom line!"
"Aunt!..." Lira began, her voice trailing off as she saw the already gloomy expression on Mistress Seraphine's face. Slowly, Lira got up and left the room. Thinking of that, a dark determination flickered in Lira's eyes as she made up her mind.
....
The afternoon sun glistened over the mountains, casting long shadows across the valley as the distant sound of a waterfall roared. Lira stood atop a nearby ridge, gazing thoughtfully into the distance. She wore a red, hollow-embroidered lace dress that hugged her figure, the double-layer fabric adorned with intricate designs that showcased her elegance and power. A shawl rested loosely on her shoulders, adding a touch of regality to her already gorgeous demeanor. Her crystal earrings glimmered in the light, adding a playful air to her otherwise thoughtful expression.
Her gaze lingered on the waterfall far below, where the sound of crashing water filled the air, reverberating across the landscape. Down at the base of the waterfall, Alexander stood firm under the powerful torrent, his muscles taut as he fought to maintain his balance on the magic platform created by the guardian.
In this level of his training, the guardian would cast magic beneath the waterfall to create a platform, and the challenger would stand on this platform, withstanding the pressure of the falling water. The total height of the waterfall was a daunting 50 meters, with each 5 meters marking a new level. The challenge was clear—every five minutes, the platform beneath his feet would drop another five meters, bringing him closer to the bottom, where the pressure of the water would be unbearable for anyone untrained. The guardian, a lifeless figure now imbued with an humanistic light, watched silently, seated on a nearby boulder, its eyes never leaving Alexander.
Now, Alexander was already at the lowest level, the final five meters where the full weight of the water bore down on him like a hammer. His body glistened with water, his upper half completely bare, exposing his well-defined muscles. His chest heaved with the effort of staying upright, and his eight-pack abs clenched as the water crashed against his torso. His skin glowed with a faint red hue as magic pulsed through his veins, helping him endure the brutal trial.
Every muscle screamed in protest as he endured the strain, yet he held on, teeth gritted, gripping the platform with his toes. The red glow under his skin was growing dim, a sign that his magic reserves were dangerously low. His limbs felt like lead, and the roar of the waterfall became a dull thud in his ears.
After what felt like an eternity, the guardian moved. It raised one hand, and the magic platform beneath Alexander vanished. The sudden loss of support sent Alexander crashing into the shallow pool below, his body limp from the exhaustion of the trial. The water churned around him as he lay there, his chest rising and falling heavily, barely able to muster the energy to move.
The guardian rose from its boulder and, with a flick of its wrist, moved Alexander from the water to the dry land beside it. Alexander coughed, struggling to sit up, but his body refused to cooperate. He felt utterly drained, both physically and magically.
Reaching into the pile of clothes beside him, Alexander found a pink crystal and quickly absorbed its energy. The warm, revitalizing power flowed through him, easing the soreness in his muscles and the weariness in his mind. As the energy coursed through his body, he let out a long exhale, feeling the tension and pain slowly ebb away, and after a few minutes, he opened his eyes, feeling significantly better.
He stretched, rolling his shoulders and flexing his arms to test his renewed strength. His muscles, still sore but no longer on the verge of collapse, responded with a reassuring sense of power.
The guardian, now standing, finally spoke, its voice deep and ancient, its eyes now held a flicker of acknowledgment, a small spark of approval. "You're very good. You can proceed to the next stage."
With a snap of the guardian's fingers, the scene around them shifted. The waterfall faded away, and the rocky landscape morphed into a competition stage—a large, open arena surrounded by stone pillars and etched with magical symbols.
Lira's thoughtful expression broke as the change in scenery caught her attention. She strengthened her resolve, her eyes narrowing as she made her way down to Alexander. The red dress she wore swayed elegantly with each step, and her smile grew wider as she approached the arena.
"Girl, you're impressive yourself!" the guardian called out to Lira, a smile playing on his lips. "I hope you don't mind if I, an old dead man, spar with your boyfriend for a while longer."
Lira raised her eyebrows at Alexander, a teasing smile curling at the corners of her mouth. "Please do, as long as you don't hurt him too badly," she replied, bowing slightly to the guardian before shooting Alexander a mischievous look.
"Hey, hey! Has no one asked for my opinion?" Alexander called out, spreading his hands in mock exasperation as he saw Lira's familiar playful expression. But his eyes locked onto the guardian, and his posture shifted to one of readiness.
The magic within Alexander's body suddenly shifted, shrinking to his heart before rapidly exploding outward to his limbs. His muscles tightened, and the red glow that had been faint beneath his skin intensified, His vision sharpened.
In an instant, Alexander appeared before the guardian, his movements faster than the eye could track. His leg swept toward the guardian's side, aiming for a powerful strike to its waist.
"Young man, you are too impatient," it chided softly, with a subtle shift, it stepped back, avoiding Alexander's attack with practiced ease. Then, in the blink of an eye, the guardian reappeared behind Alexander and delivered a sharp elbow strike to his back, sending Alexander crashing to the ground with a heavy thud.
Dust and debris rose into the air as the impact rattled through the arena, and Alexander lay on the ground in a dazed, spread-eagle position, his limbs twitching slightly.
"It seems he has mastered the basics," the guardian remarked, stepping back, his tone light. "But his fighting skills… they need further refinement." He smiled briefly at Lira before his form began to dissipate, fading into mist. Lira smiled and nodded in agreement.