Nestled within the heart of the Royal Palace, a garden bloomed in a riot of colors and fragrances.

The air would usually be redolent with the sweet scent of roses, mingling with the invigorating aroma of freshly cut grass. Paths lined with meticulously trimmed hedges would guide visitors through the lush expanse, offering a serene retreat from the bustling life of the palace.

Tall, ancient trees would stand as sentinels, their branches stretching towards the sky, casting dappled shadows on the verdant landscape below.

Sunlight would also filter through the canopy, creating a kaleidoscope of light and shade that danced upon the emerald carpet of grass. Gossamer-like petals would cascade from flowering trees, forming a soft, pastel carpet that whispered with every step.

At the heart of the garden, a fountain usually sparkled like liquid diamonds, its crystalline waters cascading in delicate arcs before settling into a pristine pool. The statue of a nymph adorned the fountain’s center, her stone form forever frozen in a graceful pose, surrounded by a chorus of vibrant blooms. Colorful butterflies flitted from flower to flower, their delicate wings a living tapestry of vibrant hues.

But in the midst of this idyllic scene, chaos unfolded.

>BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMM!!!<

A sudden explosion shattered the tranquility, ripping through the air with a thunderous roar. Flames leaped into the sky, casting an eerie glow upon the once-lush garden.

Fragments of stone and debris rained down, scattering like broken dreams upon the scarred earth.

In mere moments, this supposed utopia had become a hellscape.

The reason?

“How about another round, you bastard!”

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<

Well, the cause was none other than the Midas Empire’s strongest Princess—Gloria Midas.

Her mere presence in the garden was enough to bring it to ruin. However, her seemingly endless strikes caused the once beautiful paradise to bear no resemblance to it’s past glory.

It had now become a sea of destruction and flames.

And, lying on the ground of this particularly horrid scenery was none other than the opponent she sought to completely break.

The enemy of the Midas Empire, and heretic who dared to commit the gravest offense imaginable.

“[Fifth Gear]!”

This time, Gloria Midas’ body was shrouded with the incorporeal energy-like structure that had formed since her [Third Gear].

This time, it covered her like a bulky energy-armor, though it’s energy-like state made it more abstract.

The golden translucent light that covered the Princess made her appear even more intimidating, no doubt to the detriment of the one on the ground.

“I’ll be taking away your arms now.” Having had enough fun and games, Gloria thought it was about tims to end things.

She knew the man beneath her deserved far more than death, which was why she had been holding back on killing him.

She would simply harm him so previously that he would not even dream of having any cause for joy after she spared him.

The very edge of despair. The deepest bottom of the sea of despondency.

That was where she was driving him to.

And now… it was time to deal the blow that would finally plunge him to that point.

“Haaa… okay, I think I’ve seen enough.” The young man suddenly spoke, almost as of he was completely fine.

“What are you—”

“Welp…” He slowly got up, and a glow of energy encircled him, restoring his body and outfit to their original state before she began to attack him.

‘H-he can heal himself?!’ Her thoughts echoed.

“You never really damaged me, Princess. It was all just an act. I wanted to see the nature of your Original Magic. And I think I get the gist now, so it’s all good.”

Gloria was flustered.

What exactly was this person saying? What in the world was happening?

Indeed, just as he said, he didn’t seem to be in any particular danger, and none of his earlier injuries were evident.

It truly appeared like he was completely fine.

‘Could it be that—’

“What a nice ability. Ignoring durability, defense, and distance. Your blows were powerful. I even sensed embers of Aether… though not enough to constitute a major threat. I think I would have had to take you more seriously if you could freely use it.”

Gloria could understand the tone he used, even if she couldn’t comprehend why he now spoke to her this way.

This was the tone of a victor—someone who was completely certain of their victory.

Why would he use this kind of tone in her presence? She was definitely stronger than him.

‘Is it because I wasn’t trying to kill him? Then, I should give a warning.’ Her eyes flashed wide open,.and in that instant, a massive pothole was planted on the ground directly beside the opponent.

“With a single thought, I could end your life. I could blow you apart in an instant!”

However, she wanted him to suffer. There was no way she could take such an easy route out. This was a battle of supremacy, where she intended to subdue him over and over.

‘I won’t resort to that. I’ll drive the pain inside you until you—’

“Try it.”

“W-what??”

“I told you to try it. That insta-death attack. I want to see if it’ll work.”

“You… YOU…. YOU BASTARD!” Gloria launched multiple attacks, like a flurry, at her opponent.

Her goal was simple—crush him without mercy!

>BOOOOOOMMMMM!!!!<

The ground parted

>BOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!<

Debris scattered

>BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!!!<

Explosions erupted.

Everything seemed to be descending into chaos and destruction, with no signs of stopping.

However…

“Okay, that’s enough.”

Gloria suddenly felt the movement of her hands cease. She couldn’t use another attack!

She could feel the reason why. Something—no, someone_was holding her hands

And the hands that held them belonged to none other than the man she was now.eager to kill.

“There’s no point in this, I guess. Perhaps it’s time I killed you.”

Gloria felt her heart nearly stop once she heard this. For the first time, what was this feeling that lurked in her heart, threatening to swallow her whole?

Wasn’t this fear?

Why would she be scared of a bastard like this?!

“Where are the backup? Some should have arrived by now. Ah…”

Gloria gritted her teeth once she heard his question. Of course, several backups had signalled her of their arrival, but she had told them to go over to the Western side so they could deal with this man’s female companion.

No matter what anyone said or did, she still considered him her prey.

“You… I’ll kill you…”

“You keep saying that, but it amounts to nothing. You should use that word lightly, you know?”

“What are you even—”

“Take me for example. I told your brother’s soldiers that I would kill them. I did so.”

Gloria could feel the best in her chest rising.

“The same applies to your brother. I also told him I would kill him. What was his name again? Ah, yes… Kendrick.”

“YOOOOOUUUUU BAAAAAASTTTTTAAAARRRDD!!!”

At that point, Gloria no longer cared about the rules, or the die process the man in front of her had to undertake.

She didn’t even care about making him suffer anymore.

She just wanted him devoid of life.

*

*

*