How to survive in the Romance Fantasy Game Chapter 664: Light 5

"Kuahaha, are you feeling the pressure?"

"...."

"Well, that is only natural. Even a master of my caliber can't guarantee a simple victory here," the aged voice remarked in a relaxed manner. "I might actually need to sacrifice a limb or two just to attempt to bring her down."

"...I am aware."

Stacia gave a soft reply.

She shifted her focus toward the massive display hanging over the waiting zone, her gaze lingering on the image of Rose.

Stacia understood the situation perfectly, despite having very few personal run-ins with her.

It was common knowledge.

Rose Brilliance was more than just a prodigy—she existed on a completely unreachable plane.

Even those devoid of magical talent could sense the gap.

The sheer disparity in mana was stifling, comparable to facing a colossal tidal wave while clutching nothing but a tiny cup of water.

Although Stacia was hailed as the genius of her time, lauded for her rapid advancement and ceiling... it felt pathetic when measured against Rose.

And that didn't even account for technical proficiency.

The majority of mages dedicate their entire existence to a solitary affinity.

Whether it be fire, water, or wind—they select one path and refine it until it becomes as natural as breathing.

While acquiring other magical forms is possible, true mastery typically eludes those who spread their focus too thin.

Rose was the exception.

Neither attribute nor affinity could constrain her. She mastered every branch of magic she encountered with terrifying proficiency.

Whether it was elemental, structural, or enhancement magic—she controlled them all with effortless ease.

There were even whispers that she specialized in celestial magic, a discipline involving the fabric of time and space that most mages would never dare to touch.

Furthermore, there was the matter of her mana heart.

Eight circles.

Stacia felt a tightness in her chest just considering the possibility.

It didn't matter if the rumors were inflated; the mere fact that people accepted them as truth spoke volumes.

Strictly speaking, the outcome of this duel was already set.

No tactical plan, clever ruse, or divine intervention should realistically grant Stacia the win.

She took a deep breath to compose herself.

"...Even so," she whispered to herself, her grip tightening, "I will not retreat."

She would confront the situation directly, regardless of the obvious conclusion.

For his sake—and to ensure she could stand by his side in the days to come—she had to demonstrate her current worth.

Just a day ago, she likely would have surrendered this fight.

She would have labeled it an impossibility, a barrier her ambitions could not overcome.

However, that was before her encounter with the boisterous old man currently standing beside her.

"Master Beon..."

"Hmm?"

"Are you not leaving yet?"

"Hoh?" He arched an eyebrow. "After I went through the trouble of forging you within my mental realm, you’re already showing me the door?"

"That isn't what I meant," Stacia answered with composure. "I truly value your assistance... but it would be quite problematic if other students spotted you with me."

"Haha, I suppose you have a point." He gave a shrug. "My presence does have a habit of attracting unwanted gossip and trouble."

Stacia’s eyes narrowed slightly.

As per usual, the old man—who appeared to be no older than his mid-thirties—was as rambunctious as ever.

They had only met yesterday.

Yet, she felt a strange sense of long-term familiarity with him.

It was likely due to the time spent in the mental realm.

A realm—or rather, an entire world—that could be forced upon others, locking them in a separate dimension where the flow of time nearly ground to a halt.

This was a technique reserved only for genuine masters.

Within that domain, Stacia had undergone brutal training; her senses were honed, and her boundaries were shattered and forged anew.

Their initial meeting had been abrupt.

Brief.

Bordering on the ridiculous.

The memory remained vivid in her mind.

"Hey!"

"Who—?!"

"Hahaha, settle down, young princess! Lower your sword. I’ve come to assist you!" The man had laughed without a shred of shame. "Time is short, so allow this master to give you a hand!"

Purple lightning had struck the air before she could even process his words.

He had crashed into her training session like a bolt from the blue, invading her personal space, brushing off her complaints, and unilaterally declaring her his disciple.

And following that—

He had trained her.

Savagely.

Exhaustively.

Without a hint of pity.

Their mutual understanding had begun in that chaotic environment.

From that brief and frantic encounter, Stacia had gathered several vital details.

First—Beon served as the patriarch of the Gyeoul Clan, the originators of the Hidden Blade Technique. His name was a legend among warriors, though he was rarely seen in the flesh.

Second—and far more significant to her—he was once the one who trained Riley.

Beon had mentioned many other things while she was confined in his mental realm: how he had spotted her swordsmanship, how her style perfectly replicated the secret techniques of his clan despite her lack of bloodline, and the rarity of such natural instinct.

None of those details held as much weight as Riley did.

So, this was the individual responsible for his training...

For someone who was Seo’s grandfather, he was the polar opposite of her personality.

This thought occurred to her as she compared him to Seo’s stoic, detached aura—quiet, piercing, and as cold as a naked blade.

In contrast, Beon was loud, brazen, and impossible to ignore.

Truthfully, Stacia had hoped to test herself against Seo at least once during this tournament.

While her odds against Seo weren't much better than against Rose, Seo was at least a direct combatant.

A warrior who concluded fights with clean, decisive strikes.

Even if Seo overwhelmed her instantly, she could at least comprehend the mechanics of the defeat.

Rose was a different story.

Rose was chaotic.

Her magic defied conventional wisdom.

Between her casting speed, her precision, and her immense library of knowledge, every clash felt like wandering into an alien landscape.

There was no clear path to victory against Rose—only the hope of survival.

She thought back to the guidance of her future self—the version of her that appeared occasionally to offer cryptic advice.

Rose is a foe you must study. Rapidly.

That was easier said than done.

How could she learn anything if Rose chose to end the duel in a heartbeat?

That was the core issue.

If Rose exerted her full power from the beginning, there would be no room for adaptation, no time for observation, and no opportunity to grasp her patterns or spellwork.

The fight would simply conclude, leaving Stacia with nothing but the sting of regret.

After contemplating for a moment, she sighed softly and rose from her seat.

"Oh?" the old man next to her noted, looking her way. "Are you that eager to start?"

"No," Stacia answered coolly. "I am merely sorting through my thoughts."

"Heh. Don't overthink it," Beon said with a smirk. "Trust me. Just follow the trajectory of your blade and it will find its mark. And if you simply utilize that... or that..." He made a lazy gesture with his hand. "Your winning odds will skyrocket."

Stacia offered no verbal reply, but she knew exactly what he was referring to.

The Sun residing within her—

the gift bestowed by her future self—

...and the Burning Wolf.

Either power could propel her well beyond her natural constraints.

Both were immense.

And both were inherently dangerous.

Her future self had been particularly cautious regarding the Sun. Once triggered, the laws of causality would take hold.

The consequences wouldn't vanish once the match ended. Every movement would leave a permanent scar; every outcome would ripple into the future.

The Wolf, by comparison, seemed like the safer option—

or so it appeared.

But even that was not a certainty.

Her heart still felt the weight of her recent meeting with the Great Fire Spirit King.

It had expressed interest in her, that much was certain.

However, interest did not equate to submission.

She had not mastered it.

Not yet.

At best, she was merely a candidate in its eyes.

Nevertheless... the Sun was intertwined with it.

If pushed to the brink, she might have to use the Sun to force a resonance with the Fire Spirit King—regardless of whether it consented.

That realization caused her fingers to twitch slightly.

"Ah, before I depart, remember.... do not look directly into the light."

"I know...."

....

Stacia Alger Del Luna.

The Crazed Princess....

For a while now, she had been a persistent source of concern for Riley.

She was among the few individuals Evelyn had personally meddled with.

That fact alone made her a wild card—not due to instability, but because growth accelerated by someone like Evelyn always demanded a steep price.

In a sense, Riley was thankful.

Having powerful allies was vital.

But that didn't negate the inherent dangers involved.

"Ah! I found where we're sitting...!"

Alice’s shout pulled him back to reality.

She gestured toward a row near the middle of the stands, already pulling Snow along with her.

Riley trailed behind them, allowing his anxieties to fade for the moment.

Once he was settled, he focused on the stage.

This arena was distinct from the ones used in previous rounds.

It was significantly larger.

And much more robust.

Multiple tiers of defensive magic were layered together, reinforcing the shields until the very atmosphere felt heavy.

Even from his seat, Riley could sense the massive amount of mana required to sustain it.

Was this due to the specific combatants?

Or was it a sign that the tournament was reaching its peak?

Regardless, the spectators seemed at ease. If the battle escalated, the arena was unlikely to crumble around them.

"Hey, Riley," Alice whispered, leaning in.

He didn't blink.

"Rose."

"Hehe, I agree..." Alice grinned, then hesitated. "But..."

"But?" Riley looked at her.

"Uhm... I think it would be better if you just see for yourself."

Riley’s brow furrowed.

Was there something regarding Stacia that he had overlooked?

He was already aware of her ability to use the [Hidden Blade Technique]—which was abnormal enough. But Alice’s tone implied something even deeper.

His interest was piqued.

Since I was the one who personally trained Stacia, for various reasons... I suppose this is only right.

He leaned back, crossing his legs in a relaxed posture, his eyes locked on the arena.

Like a mentor preparing to judge his pupil.

The duel was about to commence.