The Crimson Magister

Aqua did not even bother applying an illusion to blend in with the crowd of the city. Instead, she opted to use [Beyond The Veil], allowing her to rush through the city unseen and unnoticed.

The moment Rolan escaped her black flame, she knew she was on a timer. A moment of hesitation could lead to unknown forces complicating her mission to rescue the elven princess.

Because of this, she couldn't wait for Azure to complete her resurrection. While she didn't want to take away Azure's moment of redemption, she couldn't afford the delay.

If her theory about the fragments of time was correct, Aqua needed to address the situation herself before something irreversible happened.

If even a minor fragment like the one she found in Golden Fang's mind was enough to subdue someone stronger than a blessed Azure who had used Aqua's enchantments then someone like Sheira would be permanently twisted. It would make saving her impossible, much like the enslaved within the city.

There was only one potential solution: reversing time. Yet, it was possible that Aqua's authority wasn't enough to handle the fragments of time, minor as they were.

Aqua refused to lose such a unique elf over her indecisiveness or her selfish wish to give Azure her moment.

'Her current power would only put her friend in danger... it's just not enough.' Aqua sighed as she ascended into the air, her spell concealing her from prying eyes.

She didn't like letting Azure "die," but the enemy believed Azure had fallen in battle, making her less likely to be targeted. The only remaining target for Rolan and whoever he might bring to guard his prized prey was Aqua herself, the only one she trusted to face the dangers of the city.

Although the chances were slim, an enemy might still appear at their building. But someone she trusted as much as herself was guarding their "corpses."

Aqua smiled at the thought of the Sun God. Her teacher, though limited to the power of flame, was formidable in his own right. He was a world-soul avatar, an existence surpassing most gods—save for beings at the level of a supreme deity.

She was confident the Sun God could handle any threat that might appear to recover the fragments of time.

'Now that I think about it, they're almost certain to come for the fragments,' Aqua thought, shaking her head as she rushed toward the faint flicker of her spell on Sheira.

For now, she needed to stay as inconspicuous as possible, even though Rolan had most certainly alerted the authorities of her presence. She could only hope the Sun God wouldn't scorch the city off the map.

Yet despite the turmoil beneath the surface, the city seemed tranquil. Humans lived their best lives, served by innumerable non-human slaves. Guards remained stationed, and life continued as it had when she first entered the city.

Within moments, she found herself above the source of the spell's flicker.

'She's so heavily guarded…' Aqua gazed through a kaleidoscope of colors. The entire facility was full of guards.

While some were shrouded in a Dark Haze, reminiscent of her earlier encounter with the Golden Rose, the vast majority seemed to be there of their own free will.

Aqua couldn't see beyond the outer layer of the building. She could not perceive through walls, didn't know the facility's layout, and had no clue what the guards were doing.

With a heavy sigh, she landed before what appeared to be the entrance. The building was unremarkable compared to the others in the city. No, that wasn't accurate it was identical to countless others, blending seamlessly into the cityscape. And yet, it reeked of blood, death, and gore.

When Aqua pushed against the heavy door, the metallic screech echoed through the hall behind it. The door was locked, designed to open only from within.

'Interesting…' Aqua muttered, scratching her chin as her push barely budged the door. The metal bent and screeched, but it refused to yield.

While breaking it down would be quick, it would also attract unwanted attention. Aqua dragged her fingers over the dented steel, examining every corner before placing her palm in the center. She glanced around to ensure no humans or enslaved humanoids were nearby before dispelling [Beyond The Veil], revealing her divine form.

She hadn't bothered with illusions until now, relying on the pinnacle of invisibility spells. This time, she didn't conceal her true nature.

Much as she hated to admit it, the divinity within her had changed her ever since her black flames consumed the remnants of the divine parasite. She was no longer truly an elf but something closer to an angel. She hated it. She despised divinity, and in a cruel twist of fate, she had become one of the very beings she loathed.

She inspected her fiery wings, which radiated immense heat. Once shaped by her hand, her wings now bore a feathery yet fiery appearance. The ghostly blue glow of her eyes gave her a monstrous visage, and her fiery halo confirmed her angelic nature.

She couldn't deny the sheer power the transformation had granted her, but she detested it. When she consumed the Divine Tyrant, she hoped to acquire his abilities, only to curse herself with divinity.

She had no one to blame but herself. To her, she was still an elf, no matter how much divine influence coursed through her. Illusions could hide her true nature, as they had until now.

'At least this form will make intimidating these fools easier.' Aqua chuckled as the door in front of her melted into a puddle of orange liquid, granting her entry into a dark corridor.

Her fiery wings trailed along the ground, leaving a melted path behind her. Each step echoed as she approached a wooden door. Behind it, she sensed multiple guards waiting.

'They're prepared for intruders,' she noted, smirking as she extended her hand. A quick [Fireball] reduced the door and its surrounding stone walls to ash, the flames tinged with holy light.

She no longer cared about drawing attention. The only exit was behind her, and the place was isolated enough that no one would alert Rolan in time.

With the crackling fire from her wings trailing her, she stepped into the room. Her fireball had already dealt with everyone inside, save for one man. His fear was palpable, but his resolve remained firm.

"Who the hell are you? Do you realize where you are, you filthy non-human?!" The man's hands shook as he readied his blade, though his legs nearly gave out.

He had likely expected just another elf attempting to rescue their princess. Instead, he faced an Angel of Flame, an angry one, advancing with a cruel expression.

Despite his terror, he clung to his duty, finding solace in the idea of death and the God King's embrace.

With his final act of courage, he charged, blade raised. But as he approached, his form ignited, reducing him to ash.

"You didn't even have resistance to flames. How did you survive my fireball, I wonder?" Aqua mused as she crouched beside the ashes, noticing a glint of silver. She retrieved a seemingly ordinary silver ring the only item to survive her flames.

She didn't know its purpose but suspected it was the reason the man had survived long enough to strike. Tossing it into the void, she muttered, 'I'll examine it once my job here is done.'

With her focus shifting, she turned to the corridor leading deeper into the building. Flickers of life both normal and those enveloped in Dark Haze rushed to intercept her.

Her fireball had drawn their attention. Aqua could no longer turn back. She would rescue Sheira herself and return to Azure before her resurrection was complete.