Chapter 61: Chapter 61: The Trial by Fire and the Gift of the Violet Heart

Roman's body glowed bright red as he felt it get hot, very hot, then itchy. His clothes began burning off, and he was left naked, his skin sizzling as if it was on fire. He curled into a ball, trying to find some relief from the intense heat, until he was finally unconscious, his body limp and still.

The woman's voice sounded, her tone calm and collected, "Mmh, it seems your body is unable to handle the full transformation." The chains on her hand clanked as she performed some small hand signs, and a purple magical circle appeared around Roman's unconscious body on the floor.

"Since you have accepted to help me, I shall gift you this," she spoke as if Roman was awake, her words echoing in the silence. A hole appeared on the ground, and from it emerged a large violet heart, its surface glistening with an otherworldly sheen. The heart seemed to be in chains, as if it was a captive of some sort.