Roselle’s mind raced. Her only element—completely useless? That was impossible.

  She clenched her fists. What does she do now? How was she supposed to win if every attack would just vanish into Sylra’s body like it was nothing?

  Her breath quickened. This wasn’t just a simple problem—this was a disaster.

  Sylra cracked her knuckles. "What’s wrong? Was that lightning attack your only trick?”

  Roselle gritted her teeth. No. She wasn’t about to let this oversized rock woman mock her.

  Her eyes darted around. ‘Think.’

  Electricity couldn’t touch her—fine. But there had to be a way.

  Roselle's vision blurred for a moment as a memory flickered through her mind.

  —A different battlefield. A different opponent. Runebelle.

  Back then, Roselle had been assigned to teach her younger sister magic, despite barely understanding it herself.

  She remembered charging forward, shrouded in crackling yellow lightning directly into Runebelle’s Earth Pillar.

  Instead of breaking through, she had been the one sent flying.

  Dr. Kintovar rang out from the sidelines. "Roselle, what you just experienced is one of the core principles of magical interaction. Earth is a natural counter to Lightning."

  Roselle had groaned. "Wait, what? How does that even work?"

  Kintovar had pushed up her sunglasses. "Earth is solid, stable. Lightning thrives on jumping through space. A strong enough Earth affinity can trap or absorb the charge before it does any real damage."

  The memory faded.

  Roselle snapped back to reality. Sylra was standing before her, completely unscathed.

  Roselle exhaled sharply.

  ‘I have to fight her without conducting.’

  Easier said than done. Her entire fighting style relied on her lightning. Normally, she let it surge outward, but…

  ‘If I focus the lightning across my body…’

  She had done it before, but never for long. It burned through her stamina way too fast.

  Still… it was the only way…. Or was it?

  "System!" Roselle shouted in her mind. "Initiate... Project Mage!"

  For a split second, nothing happened. Then—

  A harsh, mechanical chime rang through her skull.

  [SYSTEM WARNING: ACCESS DENIED.]

  Roselle’s stomach dropped. ‘No. No, no, no.’

  [REASON: SUBJECT’S BODY IS STILL RECOVERING FROM STAGE 2 MAGICAL RUPTURE SUSTAINED DURING PREVIOUS FORCED ACTIVATION.]

  Magical rupture?

  But—she had healed. Hadn’t she? Had her body really not recovered? Was she still damaged? If she wasn’t actually healed--- No. She didn’t have time for this. She'd figure it out later.

  ‘Fine. If Project Mage is locked out…’

  Roselle inhaled sharply, forcing a smirk. "Heh. Looks like I get to test something new on you after all."

  Sylra narrowed her eyes. "New?"

  Roselle’s electricity coiled beneath her skin like a caged storm. She knew she couldn’t let it escape—if she did, it would be useless against Sylra. Instead, she forced it straight into her muscles.

  Sylra smirked as Roselle closed the gap. “You really wanna do this up close? Fine.”

  She swung—a wide, crushing strike meant to smash Roselle into the ground. It was fast, but not precise. Roselle saw it and ducked low. Then she lashed out with a tight hook straight to Sylra’s side. Her fist connected—hard.

  Sylra flinched. “What?!”

  Roselle pivoted and landed another strike—this time to the ribs. Then the jaw. Then the gut.

  Sylra gritted her teeth. The hits were actually sinking in.

  Roselle grinned. Sylra’s eyes flashed. With a growl, she swung again like a sledgehammer.

  Roselle ducked and drove an uppercut straight into Sylra’s chin.

  The ground trembled as Sylra’s massive frame lurched from the impact.

  Roselle’s grin widened. She struck again—faster, sharper, relentless. Sylra grunted as each blow forced her back.

  Meanwhile, Runebelle’s body felt heavy. The darkness wrapped around her like thick chains, tightening with every second. Her breath came in short gasps.

  She wanted to call out, but her voice wouldn’t come.

  Then—

  A flicker.

  A faint, distant glow pierced through the blackness.

  Runebelle’s half-lidded eyes widened slightly. The light was barely more than a spark, but it was there. And within it—

  Roselle.

  Runebelle could see her. Her older sister was winning and forcing her opponent back.

  Something in Runebelle stirred.

  ‘I... have to get out.’

  She tried to move, but the darkness held tight.

  ‘If Roselle… is still fighting….then I will too…I won’t…let my sisters down…’

  Roselle’s fist crashed into Sylra’s jaw. The towering woman staggered. Her knees hit the ground with a heavy thud.

  Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  Roselle exhaled sharply. Every muscle burned. She swayed slightly and thought, ‘I can’t keep this up much longer.

  A low growl came from Sylra’s throat. Roselle expected rage—maybe even a desperate counterattack.

  But then—

  Sylra let out a deep, wicked laugh like thunder before a storm.

  “Good… good…” Sylra’s lips curled into a grin. “So this is that ‘new’ thing you were talking about?”

  Roselle tensed.

  Sylra’s hands reached for her cloak. She ripped it off and tossed it aside.

  Beneath the cloak, Sylra wore a half-cut tank top. Her toned stomach, well-defined abs, and broad, muscled arms gleamed under the forest’s light. The tank top fit snugly around her ample chest.

  Sylra rolled her shoulders and cracked her neck. “Tch. been a while since I had to stop playing around.”

  A pulse of magic rippled from her body. Roselle felt it before she saw It. It was like a pair of dungbells pressing into her bones.

  Before she could react—

  BOOM!

  Sylra’s fist slammed into her gut with monstrous force.

  Roselle’s body folded over the punch before she was launched backward like a ragdoll with the wind completely knocked from her lungs.

  The world blurred.

  The air tore past her ears.

  Then—

  CRASH!

  She hit the ocean.

  A shockwave of pain rippled through her as water swallowed her whole. Above, Sylra stood at the edge of the beach, gazing at the spot where she’d sent Roselle flying.

  A shadow crossed her face.

  “A reaper like me was bound to come for you one day,” she murmured

  A single spark crackled across the ocean’s surface.

  Sylra’s eyes flickered toward it.

  The water hissed as golden electricity danced across its surface.

  A shape rose from the waves.

  Roselle.

  Lightning surged through her body, lifting her to stand up on the water. Her yellow aura crackled and popped.

  She let out a low, guttural growl. Then, she charged forward across the water.

  Sylra didn’t move.

  Roselle roared while closing the distance. She delivered a right hook to the ribs. A knee to the stomach. A spinning kick to the side of the head.

  Each strike was strong enough to send shockwaves through the air.

  But Sylra just stood there and took every single hit.

  Roselle’s eyes widened. "What?! No—this was working before!"

  She recoiled back. That power spike just now— It wasn’t just a small increase. It was massive.

  A sinking feeling churned in her gut.

  Sylra exhaled through her nose. “Tch. This is what my sister died to? “Her face darkened. “Thalindra lost to you? YOU?!” She scoffed. “And here I thought I’d be avenging her honor.”

  Her fingers twitched. “If she were at full power… you wouldn’t have even scratched her.”

  Roselle scowled. "I don’t care!"

  She exploded forward again, this time, with rage.

  Then—

  BAM!

  Sylra delivered a devastating blow that slammed into Roselle’s stomach, sending her flying like a broken doll. A second punch sent her skyward—before a brutal axe kick smashed her back into the sand.

  She barely had time to cough before another blow crashed into her ribs, launching her sideways.

  Roselle hit the ground hard. She gasped for breath and her body trembled.

  Sylra loomed over her. "Yeah. About what I expected." She cracked her neck. "You and your little ‘sisters’… just a bunch of creations pretending you know the first thing about magic."

  Roselle coughed and tried to push herself up.

  Sylra sneered. "The only reason you managed to take down two Elite Guards is because they underestimated you. They never went all out." She raised a hand with her fingers curling as mana surged around her. "I won’t make that mistake."

  The ground rumbled.

  Sharp, jagged rock shards tore themselves free from the earth, hovering around Sylra’s body like a swarm of deadly blades.

  Roselle’s breath hitched.

  With a flick of her wrist, Sylra thrust her hand forward. The floating rocks collapsed together, merging and expanding into a massive boulder before launching straight at Roselle.

  Roselle forced her aching body to move and threw up her arms; however, the boulder tore through her guard and sent her flying backward.

  The impact crushed the air from her lungs.

  Sand exploded in all directions as she skidded across the beach.

  Sylra chuckled. "What’s wrong? That’s it? Thought you were supposed to be some big, bad weapon."

  As Roselle gasped for breath, a sharp beep echoed in her skull.

  A translucent screen flickered to life before her eyes.

  [SYSTEM ALERT]

  Lifeforce: 37% (Near Critical)

  Magic Reserves: 14% (Severe depletion)

  Nervous System Strain: High

  Recommended Action: Disengage Immediately

  Roselle’s vision swam. Her hands dug into the ground, forcing herself up despite the burning pain in her limbs.

  Sylra tilted her head mockingly. "I gotta say, you really are pathetic. In the end, you’re just another weak little girl trying to act strong."

  Roselle glared up at her with her teeth clenched.

  Sylra smirked. "Face it. You’re nothing without your sisters propping you up."

  Something in Roselle twitched.

  Sylra grinned wider. "Oh, and speaking of them…" She took a slow step forward. "That blue- and pink haired one—what’s her name? Runebelle?—I bet she’s already given up." She let out a cruel laugh. "Not like she had much of a spine to begin with."

  Roselle’s breathing grew heavier.

  "And the other one—Risebelle?" Sylra scoffed. “Maybe if she were here, you’d actually stand a chance. At least she seems a little smarter than you, but she’s weaker, isn’t she?"

  Roselle gritted her teeth.

  "But let’s be real…" Sylra leaned down slightly. "The real joke here? That so-called ‘Dr. Kintovar.’"

  Roselle’s eyes went as wide as they could go.

  Sylra smirked. “She’s just some crazy scientist playing god, building little dolls like you and calling it ‘magic.’” She let out a sharp laugh. " I bet she didn’t even think you’d last this long."

  Roselle’s entire body tensed.

  Her hair flickered.

  For a split second, strands of red pulsed through the golden locks.

  "Stop it," she muttered. Her voice was hoarse.

  Sylra grinned. "What’s that? Couldn’t hear you."

  "Stop it."

  Sylra laughed. "What, you gonna cry? Cute."

  Roselle’s body trembled.

  "Stop it right now."

  Sylra sighed theatrically. “What? I’m just stating the facts. After I’m done here, I’ll go say hi to dear old Dr. Kintovar.”

  Her smirk widened.

  “Maybe I’ll crush her under a rock. Or—” She snapped her fingers. "Even better. A single magic blast. Nice and quick. I’ll enjoy every minute of it."

  Then—

  BZZZZT.

  A violent, unnatural screech tore through the air as Roselle’s system erupted.

  [WARNING: TEMPERATURE SPIKE DETECTED.]

  [CORE STABILITY AT RISK.]

  [OVERHEATING MODE ACTIVATED.]

  [DURATION LIMIT: 10 MINUTES.]

  Steam burst from Roselle’s body. Her skin turned feverish with a red glow spreading across her limbs. Her golden hair flared—no, burned into a raging crimson with unstable energy. The sand beneath her melted.

  Sylra’s smirk vanished.

  Roselle lifted her head. And when she did, her eyes were blazing red. She shot forward as a blur of red-hot fury.

  Sylra’s eyes widened slightly. She couldn’t sense any magical energy from Roselle but that transformation… That was unnatural.

  Then—

  Roselle’s foot sank into quicksand. The more she struggled, the deeper she sank.

  Sylra’s face instantly shifted. Gone was the brief look of surprise—her grin came back, wider than ever.

  "Ha! Oh, this is too good!"

  She crossed her arms and shook her head with a chuckle.

  "Did you really think I was just gonna let you charge at me?" She tapped her temple. "I set this up before your little rage spurt, genius. You’re not reaching me."

  Roselle growled. The heat distorted the air around her, but the quicksand held fast.

  Sylra stretched out her arms.

  The air trembled, and a colossal boulder formed above her, twice her size.

  Sylra smirked and poured even more power into it. The massive rock glowed an orange hue.

  "Game over, little doll. I'M FINISHING THIS—RIGHT NOW!!!"

  With a loud shout, she sent the massive boulder hurling down toward Roselle.

  Roselle looked up with widened eyes.

  Meanwhile, Risebelle lay sprawled against the cold ground. Dark tendrils coiled around her body.

  Across from her, Arlysa stood tall with satisfaction. She barely even looked tired.

  "Tch. You’re clever, I’ll give you that," Arlysa said with a smirk. "But brains alone won’t get you anywhere if your magic is this pitiful."

  Risebelle exhaled sharply.

  Arlysa paced forward. "Though, what did I expect? Fake magic will never compare to the real thing."

  The tendrils tightened. Risebelle clenched her teeth.

  Arlysa stopped just in front of her, looking down as if surveying an insect struggling beneath her boot. "As a final act of pity, I’ll give you a choice—any last words, little creation?"

  Risebelle cracked one eye open. "Yeah… I got some last words for you."

  Risebelle took a slow, painful breath, then lifted her head just enough to look Arlysa dead in the eyes.

  "...Shut the hell up."

  Arlysa’s smirk twitched. "...Hmph. I’ll enjoy your screams, Risebelle."

  Risebelle let out a breathy chuckle. "Yeah, yeah… just get on with it."

  Runebelle trembled from within the Darkness. Her sisters—she could see them. Risebelle, bound in tendrils and about to be destroyed by Arlysa’. Roselle, caught in that quicksand with a massive boulder about to destroy her.

  And her?

  Trapped and useless to both of them.

  Tears welled up in her tired eyes. ‘I couldn’t help them … I’m so weak…I…I can’t do anything right… I never could…’

  Her vision blurred.

  "I’m sorry, Roselle… I’m sorry, Risebelle…" Her voice cracked. "I’m not… useful to anyone…"

  She closed her eyes.

  Silence.

  Then—

  Ding.

  A bright chime echoed in the void.

  Runebelle’s eyes fluttered open.

  A voice—gentle, cheerful yet unnervingly familiar rang through the abyss.

  "Project Rune."

  The darkness shuddered.

  Project Mage