The man abandoned his glasses and approached Maria, exuding the very darkness that made the poor girl shiver endlessly.
At this point, she was closing her eyes tightly while curled up in a ball as she struggled to stay strong.
Any little resistance, and Maria felt like she would sink into despair.
"Y-you… you dared to compete with Master Stefan?! You think you're better?! You know nothing, Ignorant nonentity!"
His steps were slow and haggard, almost as if he was on the brink of death. Still, he had enough oppressive presence to make the entire area tremble.
"E-eek… e-eek…" Hot tears flowed down Maria's cheeks as she sobbed.
She didn't understand the man's words. His mere presence, and the grating sound of his voice simply drove her insane.
She prayed for salvation, but even her Arcana no longer responded.
"You bitch! You cur! You in—!"
>SWOOOOOOSSHHH!!!<
Suddenly, in a white blur, something sharply moved.