Bab 19: Demon’s Power Unleashed

As Enara's dark energy surged, Liria's heart hammered in her chest, dread gripping her like never before. This was beyond anything she'd faced, and she could feel the strength difference between them like a chasm. Enara took a menacing step forward, dark power radiating around her like a shadow ready to consume.

"Enough."

A single word cut through the tension, and in a flash, Daena was between them, one hand gripping Enara's shoulder with a grip that even the demon princess couldn't shake off. Enara's expression shifted to surprise, then irritation.

"You've already lost this fight, Enara," Daena said calmly. "A second wind isn't going to change that."

From a distance, Queen Verida and Queen Nyssara approached, their powerful presence unmistakable even as they held a composed, almost exasperated expression.

"Enara Valthorne," Verida's voice was stern, a tone that held no room for disobedience. "What did we say about accepting defeat gracefully?"

Enara's energy began to fade, the dark aura dissolving as she reluctantly powered down. She glanced up at her mothers, eyes narrowing. "But she—"

"No 'buts,'" Nyssara interrupted, her lavender gaze softening only slightly. "You fought well, but the battle's over. Show respect to your opponent."

Enara grumbled under her breath, glaring at Liria, who was trying very hard not to look relieved though she could feel her heart still beating wildly. She wasn't about to admit to anyone that she'd just had the scare of her life.

Queen Verida turned to Liria, her golden eyes piercing but with a glint of respect. "Congratulations, Liria," she said, giving a nod. "You held your ground admirably."

Nyssara offered a rare, gentle smile. "Well done. It's not easy to stand up against Enara especially when she's being… stubborn."

Liria nodded, cheeks warm with pride, and managed to keep herself from making a snarky comment. Not that she wasn't tempted.

With a regal wave, Verida and Nyssara bid their farewells and, with Enara in tow, walked back toward their temporary lodgings. Liria raised an eyebrow as she noticed what looked like an extravagant, luxurious tent set up just a few paces from her grandmother's cabin, with intricate decorations and guards posted at each entrance.

Guess they're staying awhile, she thought. She sighed. Having Enara just a few steps away was going to be a pain, but for now, at least, she could rest.

Once inside, Daena clapped a hand on Liria's shoulder, squeezing it in a rare show of warmth. "You did well out there. But don't get too cocky." Her eyes softened. "You're strong, but always remember there's someone stronger."

Liria huffed, leaning against the cabin wall. "Yeah, yeah, lesson learned. But what was with that freaky power-up she pulled out of nowhere? One second I was winning, and the next she looked like she was ready to turn me into a smear on the ground."

Daena's gaze darkened slightly. "Ah, that… Enara has inherited a rare gift among demons called Bloodrage. It's a power surge that demons can tap into when they're emotionally charged anger, pride, fear. It doubles their strength, but only for a short period. It's incredibly risky to use because it can drain them completely, leaving them vulnerable afterward."

"So, she could've just… drained herself completely if the fight kept going?" Liria asked, wide-eyed.

"Precisely." Daena raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. "Which is why it's often used as a last resort. Enara's a little too proud for her own good, but she's also young. She doesn't quite grasp the risk involved yet."

Liria shuddered. "Well, glad I don't have to deal with that every day."

The two shared a small, understanding smile, and Daena gave Liria a rare, approving nod. "Still, you held up against her well. I'm proud of you."

Liria's chest swelled at the words, a warmth spreading through her. "Thanks, Grandma."

After a pause, she yawned, exhaustion finally catching up to her from the day's battles and Enara's unexpected power-up.

She glanced at her updated stats, noting the small but satisfying boosts in strength, endurance, and magic.

But the system wasn't finished.

[Notice: Upon reaching Level 10, you will undergo an evolution. Prepare accordingly.]

Liria's jaw dropped, a mix of excitement and curiosity buzzing inside her. An evolution? Her heart raced as she processed the system's words. She had heard of evolutions before, in the fantasy books she used to read back in her old world, but she never imagined she'd be the one going through one.

"Wait, what do you mean by 'evolution'?" she asked out loud, though she wasn't expecting Daena to have an answer. She glanced at her grandmother, who was now busy with some herbs at the kitchen table, and then back at her status screen.

[Evolution: A transformation that occurs once a character reaches a milestone in their growth. It allows for a significant upgrade in abilities, stats, and potential. Conditions for evolution vary depending on the individual, but typically, it is tied to major accomplishments, such as leveling up to a specific threshold or undergoing a profound change in strength or power. In your case, Level 10 is the required threshold.]

Liria blinked, taking in the system's explanation. "So, basically, once I hit Level 10, I'm going to undergo some kind of big transformation?"

[Affirmative. The exact nature of the evolution will be revealed upon activation. However, the result will be an increase in overall power, unlocking new abilities, and potentially granting a unique skill related to your elemental affinity.]

Liria's eyes widened. Elemental affinity? She hadn't thought about that. Fire was her go-to magic, sure, but was there more to it? More than just Fireball and Ember Swipe?

She couldn't help but feel a thrill at the idea. She was already growing stronger Level 9 was within her grasp, and it wasn't even the end of the week. The possibility of unlocking new powers? That was enough to make her want to train harder, push herself beyond her limits.

"What kind of new abilities are we talking about here?" she muttered under her breath, but the system didn't answer right away. It simply flashed a warning.

[Warning: Evolutionary transformations can be volatile and may require special preparation. It is advised to be cautious and ready for the changes that may occur. Energy fluctuations can result in physical and mental strain.]

Liria sighed. "Great. So not exactly a smooth ride, huh?"

But despite the warning, she couldn't help the grin that spread across her face. The promise of something bigger, something better, was too tempting to resist. She was already planning how she would approach the next few days. If an evolution was coming, she wanted to be ready for it.

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