Beyond the Eternity

What was the delay between damage and pain processing?

The body transmits every phenomenon it experiences, be it physical damage or pain, to the brain, which processes the information before the sensation is fully realized. However, there is always a slight delay, often around one second, due to the time it takes for neural signals to travel from the affected area to the brain and be interpreted.

Miyuki experienced that very phenomenon firsthand the moment her back was torn.

"GYAAA...AAAAAAHHHHH!"

With a pained cry, Miyuki was pushed to the ground by the lethal strike. A sharp, agonizing pain emerged from her behind, which was the centre of her back, where the attack had landed. It felt like her back has been clawed by the paws of a bear. Fortunately, her spinal cord was unharmed, but lingering sensation created the illusion that her back was on fire.

Luxuzia, observing the suffering, wore a satisfied, smug grin.

With a casual voice, she said,

"You should understand that the world is composed of five fundamental elements, often referred to as the 'Five Great Elements.' In the West, these are usually recognized as fire, water, wind, earth, and ether. Other regions might list them as fire, water, earth, wood, and metal. But the Western classification is most widely accepted in the study of magic and the mysterious. Regardless of the specific names, each of these elements possesses a unique 'symbiotic item' of sorts."

A pained groan escaped Miyuki's lips, but Luxuzia continued on, unfazed by her distress.

She placed a finger thoughtfully on her lip, as if searching for the right words.

"Let me see if I remember correctly. A 'stick' represents fire, a 'dagger' represents wind, a 'cup' represents water, a 'round table' represents earth, and a 'staff' represents ether. Ah, yes! That's it! Those are the so-called elemental items. Sometimes, the details are so dull that I even forget them myself."

Luxuzia chuckled.

"But Ether... that's different from the other elements. It's an interesting attribute I must say. Spirits use it to take material form, after all. It blends with the other elements and can become the spirit weapons of those elements."

Miyuki desperately tried to lift her body up from while enduring the throbbing pain coursing through her back. She also tried her best to listen and absorb as much information as she could.

Luxuzia was unwittingly providing her a free lesson on magic, and as a Caster, Miyuki knew she couldn't afford to miss the opportunity to learn.

Perhaps she might even learn something useful in this situation. Unfortunately, and much to her dismay, she had to continue her role as a punching bag.

"Manipulating all Five Great Elements could bring an individual one step closer to complete transcendence. Such a person is typically referred to as an 'Quintessence Magus.' However, the likelihood of such an individual actually making an appearance is extremely slim. It's like trying to find a rare species of a goldfish. In fact, I'm certain they don't exist at all! How am I supposed to believe in something I've never seen for myself?"

"Why do you... say that? I don't know much about magic, but just because you don't believe in something doesn't mean it isn't real.

"I'm not denying that possibility," Luxuzia smiled as though she was expecting such a question. "I'm simply saying they're rare to the point one could consider them nothing but a myth. One's affinity is important based on the spirits and magic they can use. For a Magus, their affinity is their «Essense»; therefore, it indicates the type of power that one could use. Do you understand? It completely depends on one's natural talent. It's like someone who can breathe underwater without gills—it's inherently tied to what they are. Without the right affinity, no amount of study or practice of visualization will allow a Magus to break their 'restrictions'."

Luxuzia gripped the handle of the cane with both hands and swung it in a sharp diagonal arc.

The ground shook violently as the cane struck, sending a tremor through Miyuki's body. Sensing the incoming danger, she instinctively moved back. But Luxuzia had already anticipated her retreat. Her calculated strike came crashing down on either side of Miyuki's head just as she took her third step.

Dizziness overtook her. Her body swayed uncontrollably, her vision blurred, and her legs trembled beneath her as if they might give way at any moment.

'How is she doing that? Is there really no way to dodge or escape? Why can't I just use my magic and end this madness already?!'

Miyuki clenched her jaw, biting her lip as she raised her hand to unleash her power. But, just as the spell was about to erupt, she froze. A memory, accompanied by familiar words, echoed in her mind, stopping her in her tracks.

"Whatever happens, do not use your magic unless you're absolutely certain you can win."

Kim Jakga's warning replayed vividly. He had said it before the group was separated, with a serious voice that left no room for argument.

But why? Why had he told her not to use her own power? It made no sense to her now. If she couldn't attack, how was she supposed to defend herself against someone like Luxuzia?

The more she thought about it, the more frustrated she became. Then, suddenly, one question emerged from her mind.

'Wait… can I even win against her if I use my magic?'

Miyuki could manipulate and conjure using her thoughts. Her affinity for the element was strong, but she was far from a master of magic arts. Luxuzia, on the other hand, was different.

Not only had Luxuzia honed her magic to a remarkable level, but she also wielded a spiritual item that significantly amplified her abilities. Her understanding of mysteries far surpassed Miyuki's, making it utterly unrealistic for Miyuki to believe she could defeat her opponent with her current strength.

This wasn't a scenario where she could use a straightforward attack that the enemy can predict and hope for the best.

Worst case scenario, her attempt would be sensed and "negated" before it even launched.

Thus far, the enemy had deliberately chosen not to end her life, opting instead to toy with her, tormenting her with invisible attacks. However, if Miyuki were to demonstrate even the slightest ability to fight back with magic, the dynamic would shift immediately. She would no longer be a mere punching bag, she would become an elimination target.

What could be more dangerous to a Magus than another Magus?

Luxuzia's voice cut through Miyuki's chaotic thoughts.

"As I said previously, everything is created from the five elements. The 'staff' is the symbolic representation of Ether. But as you can see, I'm holding a cane. Even so, it can function as a perfect substitute. The material doesn't really matter. It's akin to how a magnifying glass amplifies light, whether its lens is made of glass or plastic. As long as the form and function align, the ritual is still possible. Even a pen or a pencil can function as a 'ward'."

Luxuzia casually struck the cane against the wall. The force of the blow rippled through the air like a metallic resonance and slammed into Miyuki's back.

The impact spread through her already injured body, forcing her to tremble forward. But before she could balance herself, her unbalanced movement triggered a hidden trap.

Slam!

A sharp attack struck her face. The metallic tang of blood overwhelmed her senses as she hastily raised her trembling hand to stop the steady flow from her nose.

Luxuzia grinned happily.

"By using the cane to function as a 'staff,' It has become the vessel of the five great elements. It goes beyond that—representing everything. This allows me to wield attacks through the power of the five elements. Think of it as magic that links a 'map' to the 'landscape,' except in this case, It can reshape everything to align with the rules I establish, even something as intangible like the air itself!"

"Ugh... You say that, but it doesn't sound like something you came up with on your own," Miyuki spat out with a breath.

Luxuzia's previously smug expression crumbled, twisting into a sour grimace.

"Tch. Tch. Tch. Why must you ruin the mood? But you're right. This magic isn't completely my own creation. It stems from studying the methods of the 'Roman Catholic Church.' It's ironic, really. The bishop staves, which served as the symbols of peace and order, originated from warhammers, brutal weapons designed to crush the armor of the enemy. Isn't it amusing? A tool meant to embody serenity was born of violence."

She chuckled darkly, raising the cane in her hand.

"So, if their 'staff' was once used to break men, then there's no fault in using this crane to strike the enemy, is there? Praise it well.... the Cane of Misfortune has blessed you today! So please receive its hits with all your heart!"

Then she struck the ground with the cane, hard.

'Ahh! Not again....!'

Miyuki grew weary.

Luxuzia's attacks were painful, but they lacked the lethality one might expect. From her observations, it became clear that the force and nature of the attacks were directly tied to the state of the cane.

When Luxuzia slammed the cane against the ground, it produced a heavy, blunt force capable of battering her body. However, when the cane was intentionally damaged—such as when Luxuzia scraped its surface with a knife—the resulting attacks became sharper, cutting deep enough to tear through skin.

And the timing of the attacks were rather precise too.

Such attacks weren't enough to end the life of a single person, but It would be problematic to think what would happen if the cane received enough accumulated damage.

'What should I do? Defending is impossible, attacking is a joke, and running away... that's not even a possibility.'

In a situation where she could not fight, retreat, and was exhausted, she found herself unable to take any more punishment. Her trembling legs made it clear that her body was nearing its limit.

The traps were predetermined. Thus, if she moved carelessly, she would fall right into a trap and get hit.

But there was a one-second lag behind the command and execution of the invisible attacks.

How could she use that fact to her advantage?

"Ah!"

Out of nowhere, a brilliant, yet extremely dangerous idea surfaced from inside her head.

Tap! Miyuki gathered every ounce of strength left in her legs and burst into a powerful sprint.

Instead of turning around and retreating back, she ran straight forward, directly towards her opponent. Luxuzia still looked relaxed. With Miyuki charging directly at her, predicting her movements became child's play.

Luxuzia activated her Virtual Reality, swiftly inputting calculations. Tightening her grip on the cane, she swung it down with guillotine-like precision.

BAM!

A heavy sound echoed.

But at the last possible moment, Miyuki veered off-course with an abrupt, graceful halt.

She effortlessly dodged the invisible attack that had been poised to crush her skull. Without losing momentum, she resumed her charge, heading straight toward her opponent.

"What?"

Luxuzia became confused, then panicked as Miyuki rapidly approached and entered her space.

She frantically raised the cane and struck the wall. But since she panicked, she used more force than Intended. Miyuki had already predicted this.

'Here it comes!'

She positioning herself to minimize the damage. A few seconds later, a flash of light emerged and struck her square in the stomach.

Her entire body was thrown back.

The impact sent her hurtling backward, with her body flipping and rolling uncontrollably across the floor.

When she finally stopped, the distance between them had widened more than over 50 meters.

"...Hah...Hah..."

Miyuki struggled to catch her breath. The attack had knocked the wind out of her lungs, leaving her entire body throbbing with pain.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

But there was no time to dwell on it.

Ignoring the agony coursing through her, Miyuki forced herself upright and bolted down the right passage, retreating at full speed.

"Eh? Did she just...?"

Luxuzia's expression changed from confusion to shock.

And then, laughter.

"Oh my, isn't this hilarious? Yes, truly absurd!" she exclaimed.

"She charged at me... just to get hit and use the impact to escape? I truly underestimated that girl."

How many people would choose such a risky endeavour?

Most people would never dare to attempt such a risky gamble. One mistake or a single unforeseen variable, and she would have been crushed.

Luxuzia folded her arms, tilting her head thoughtfully.

"Hmm… should I chase her down myself? Or let the shadow wolves handle it?"

She would have just used the shadow wolves to track her down since there was no need for her to chase her down herself. But she hesitated because Miyuki had managed to tame the shadow wolves under her control.

In order to that, that person would have to override her control. And somehow, Miyuki did just that.

For someone to override her power like that… didn't it suggest their strength surpassed hers? Luxuzia found the thought peculiar. From what she had seen, Miyuki wasn't at a level where she should pose a considerable threat.

She sighed.

"Ugh… it seems I'll have to chase her myself, then. Seriously, hide-and-seek is not my specialty."

Even though the trick stung her pride, Luxuzia couldn't deny she was entertained. The hunt had suddenly become far more thrilling.

"Ah, what's this...?"

Luxuzia pulled the lollipop stick from her mouth. The once-sweet treat had been licked clean, leaving the stick bare and the space where the candy should have been completely empty.

At some point, she had fully licked the lollipop.

She casually tossed it aside and retrieved another lollipop from her pocket, unwrapped it, and popped it into her mouth.

Resting the cane on her shoulder, she resumed her pursuit of the retreating Miyuki, with a playful smirk curling at her lips.