Runebelle clenched her fists as swirling green energy engulfed her body. She reached deep—deep into the well of sadness, the self-doubt, the quiet belief that she was the weakest among her sisters. She had let those feelings control her for so long, but now…

  Now, she owned them.

  She embraced the pain and let it course through her veins like fuel. The green energy thickened. The darkness that had once bound her now trembled against the surge of power radiating from within her.

  [Magic Level: 300%...]

  Her small body grew taller, her limbs strengthened as power reshaped her very being. The small cannon she carried reshaped into two sleek, compact guns. A massive needle materialized beside her.

  [Magic Level: 350%...]

  Her blue and pink hair deepened into a striking shade of vivid green. The strands were glowing with energy. Her once sad, muted eyes flashed open—now became emerald green.

  [Magic Level: 400%]

  [System Message]

  Transformation Complete

  Designation: Project Rune - Active

  LifeForce: 200%

  Magic Level: 400%

  After the last surge of energy settled, Runebelle lowered her arms. She no longer had the child-like frame. Instead, her body had matured. Her once-round face sharpened.

  Her nurse outfit, the very same one Dr. Kintovar had given her changed with her. The fabric stretched and reshaped itself to fit her new form. The once-modest attire now carried a certain striking appeal—still the same purple and white uniform but the gloves now hugged her hands snugly and her boots reached up to her thighs.

  Runebelle’s lips curled into a small, confident smile. "Now then," she murmured. "let's see who's really weak."

  Arlysa took a step back. Her sharp eyes locked onto the transformed figure standing amidst the dissipating energy.

  Her lips parted. “What the…?” Her gaze flicked around the battlefield. “Where did that child go?” She narrowed her eyes. “Who the hell is this?”

  Sylra, who had been moments away from crushing Roselle beneath the massive rock froze mid-motion. A frown crept across her face. The quicksand beneath Roselle had also settled.

  Slowly, Sylra’s jaw dropped. “This… wasn’t in the reports about these rug rats,” she muttered.

  Runebelle’s grip tightened around the small guns in her hands. Green energy pulsed through them. She raised both weapons and pulled the triggers.

  A rapid barrage of energy shots tore through the air toward Arlysa.

  Arlysa’s eyes widened. She tried to move to but the blasts came too fast. She took shots into her torso, sending sparks of pain through her body. The woman staggered back while hissing between her teeth.

  But when she looked up—Runebelle was gone.

  Then—

  A foot slammed into her chest. Not a hard, crushing kick—but one deliberately playful and even that seemed to make her stumble. A shocked breath left her lungs.

  Runebelle landed gracefully in front of her with both weapons glowing with a ferocious green light.

  Arlysa’s pupils shrank.

  The next moment, Twin beams of energy erupted from Runebelle’s guns that colided into Arlysa with overwhelming force. A deafening scream tore from her throat as she was launched backwards.

  The tendrils around Risebelle loosened. Runebelle lifted her older sister into her arms. Then, she vanished.

  Sylra’s eyes barely had time to register the green blur as Runebelle reappeared directly in front of her with arms still wrapped around Risebelle. She let her sister drop gently to the ground.

  Sylra’s surprise flickered into brief confusion—before her gaze snapped past Runebelle to Arlysa, who was sprawled in the distance with a trail of smoke rising from her battered body.

  A slow realization set in.

  She scowled.

  "YOU….LITTLE…BITCH!"

  With a roar, she lunged forward with her fists coated in orange-colored magical energy.

  Runebelle raised a single small gun—just one—and deflected every one of Sylra’s attacks with effortless precision.

  Sylra’s face contorted further with each failed attempt. “DAMN IT!” She snarled.

  Her eyes darted to the massive rock she had conjured for Roselle earlier ‘Fine, if my fists can’t hit this freak, I’ll just crush her with this!’

  With a sharp flick of her fingers, the colossal boulder slammed down onto Runebelle from above with all her might.

  A deep, heavy THOOM echoed across the battlefield.

  Sylra grinned, "Hah! Got her!"

  Then—

  A single tap on her shoulder.

  Sylra’s eyes widened. Slowly—slowly—she turned her head.

  Runebelle stood behind her, completely unharmed with green energy flickering at her feet.

  Sylra barely had time to blink before a roar came from Runebelle, who launched a devastating kick straight into Sylra’s midsection.

  Sylra’s eyes bulged. The sheer force of the impact sent her blasting through the sky past the beach—until she vanished into the depths of the Mystical Forest.

  A distant CRASH signaled her landing.

  Runebelle let out a slow breath and lowered her leg. Then she turned her head. Her eyes locked onto Roselle—who was still trapped in the quicksand.

  The quicksand’s grip didn’t matter. The heat warping the air didn’t matter. Runebelle reached down and pulled Roselle free without any struggle.

  Roselle barely registered the sensation before she was gently placed beside Risebelle. The overwhelming heat radiating from her body flickered—then vanished.

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  Her crimson-flared hair dulled back into its usual golden yellow. Her fiery-red eyes softened to their natural blue.

  She took a slow, steady breath. Then her gaze lifted—straight at Runebelle.

  For a moment, she just stared.

  “Runebelle…” Roselle spoke hoarse but full of awe. “That’s really you…”

  She looked her sister up and down, taking in the teenage appearance. A wide grin broke across Roselle’s face. “You look amazing!”

  Runebelle’s usual small smile widened.

  A true, full smile for the first time Runebelle’s sister’s had seen.

  Risebelle, still weak but conscious shifted her gaze toward her.“…She’s smiling naturally, never thought I would see that,” she muttered.

  Runebelle’s smile didn’t waver. If anything, it somehow got even bigger.

  Her massive needle materialized in her hands.

  “Waitaminute—” Roselle’s voice shot up. “W-What’s she gonna do with that?!”

  Risebelle blinked—then slowly registered the way Runebelle had positioned them on the ground.

  Her eyes widened.

  “…Oh hell no.”

  Runebelle’s moved behind them.

  Roselle squirmed and looked back. “H-Hey, Runebelle—listen, we can talk about this, right?”

  Risebelle tried to push herself up but saw with her sideeye that the needle hovered dangerously close. “You better not stick that thing where I think you’re gonna—”

  SHUNK!

  Both girls jerked.

  Their butt’s were stabbed. The girls had their eyes squeezed shut—mouths opened to scream—

  …But instead of pain, a soothing, almost cooling sensation spread through their bodies.

  They blinked.

  Then exhaled.

  “…Oh.” Roselle looked at her hands. Her body no longer ached. “That’s… actually really nice.”

  Risebelle did the same as Roselle. “I feel—Whoa. Like I just had the most refreshing bath.”

  A soft ding rang in the air for both of them.

  [[System Message]]

  LifeForce: 125%

  Note: LifeForce is currently above its normal capacity, which may provide additional endurance. This increase is believed to be linked to the influence of Project Rune's Magic.

  Roselle marveled at the newfound energy surging through her. "I actually feel… kinda amazing."

  Risebelle twisted her neck side to side. “Tch. I feel like I just got an upgrade.”

  Then suddenly, both girls froze at the same time.

  Roselle turned her head slowly. “…Wait.”

  Risebelle’s eye twitched. “Did she just stab us in the ass?”

  Roselle winced and then rubbed her backside. “Yep.”

  Risebelle did the same. “That really just happened?”

  They both whipped their heads toward Runebelle, who still stood there beaming.

  Risebelle shot her a glare. “You stabbed us in the damn ass.”

  Roselle squinted.

  Runebelle tilted her head innocently. “But you are all better now, right?”

  Roselle hesitated. “…I mean, yeah.”

  Risebelle clicked her tongue. “That’s not the point.”

  Runebelle tapped the side of her needle with a wider smile. “Then I don’t see a problem.”

  Roselle and Risebelle exchanged a look.

  Roselle leaned over and muttered, “She’s scary now.”

  Risebelle grunted. “Tell me about it.”

  Sylra emerged from the depths of the Mystical Forest with heavy steps in the sand. Her usual confident smirk was nowhere to be seen. Instead, her dirtied, half-cut tank top clung to her torso, smeared with mud and leaves. Scratches marred her toned stomach. There were also a few rips in her short pants.

  She let out a loud roar that echoed across the beach.

  Roselle glared at her and was already analyzing. No magic buildup. No extra reinforcement. That means she’s running on pure emotion. But that also means…

  She turned her head slightly toward Runebelle. “Hey. Can you infuse me with fire magic?”

  Runebelle blinked at her. “Fire?”

  Roselle nodded. “My lightning magic won’t work on her. Her earth affinity cancels it out—unless I use it internally.” She narrowed her eyes. “But if I add in another element, I might be able to handle her properly.”

  Runebelle’s lips curled into a knowing smile. “I see.”

  She twirled one of her guns, then aimed it toward Roselle.

  “Hold still, Big Sis.”

  A bright, green glow formed at the barrel’s tip—then fired straight into Roselle’s chest.

  [[System Message]]

  Project Rune’s Fire Magic has been infused.

  Roselle’s Magic Affinity: Temporarily Altered.

  Fire Conductivity Activated.

  A rush of heat surged through Roselle’s veins.. Her blue eyes flickered with embers. The warmth settled deep inside her core and coiled around her lightning magic.

  Her lips curled into a predatory grin. “Oh yeah! Now we’re talkin’!”

  Her gaze snapped back to Sylra.

  “Alright, musclehead,” she muttered while flexing her fingers as fire-laced lightning danced between them. “Prepare to get cooked!”

  With a boom, she launched forward. The ground beneath her scorched as she closed the distance.

  Meanwhile, Risebelle’s eyes were locked onto Arlysa, who had risen back to her feet.

  Dark energy swirled around Arlysa’s body, distorting the air itself.

  Risebelle smirked. “Let’s deal with this one together,” she murmured.

  Runebelle gave a small nod. “I’m ready.”

  Arlysa finally lifted her gaze. Her face turned into one of disgust. “You pesky creations…now you attempt to mimic extreme magic…Did you really think you could get away with this?”

  Dark tendrils coiled around her arms. The ground beneath her cracked as energy spiraled outward.

  “You should have never been made!”

  Arlysa then roared,

  "Greater Magic: Darkness Flare!"

  The energy focused into her staff and then erupted from it, sending forth a wave of dark power that surged toward Runebelle and Risebelle. The darkness of the flare threatened to consume everything in its path.

  Runebelle’s eyes flashed.

  She dropped her weapons. Then, she thrust one hand out.

  ‘Ice. Earth. Fire.’

  The three forces she called upon converged from her fingers and twisted into a massive pillar that erupted from the ground. It’s sheer size dwarfed even the battlefield.

  Arlysa’s Darkness Flare slammed into the pillar, but instead of breaking through—it bent. The energy twisted—right back at its caster.

  “What—?!” Arlysa’s eyes widened—

  Then the wave of darkness slammed into her.

  A deafening explosion rang through the battlefield. Smoke and debris clouded the area, momentarily obscuring everything in a dense haze.

  Silence followed.

  Then—a chuckle.

  A dark, twisted, inhuman chuckle.

  When the smoke thinned, Arlysa stood there—her body battered, her mage outfit tattered, deep gashes marring her arms. Blood dripped from her fingertips. But her face—

  Her face held an evil grin. Then, she let out a spine-chilling cackle that sent a suffocating dread through the battlefield.

  “So… Greater Magic has no effect on you,” she said smoothly. “You countered it effortlessly. It makes me wonder just how strong you really are.”

  She twirled her staff and the air around her grew dense. “Extreme Magic, then?” she mused while tilting her head. “Or maybe…” She licked her lips. “The tier above it—the one nobody but the Headmaster has ever achieved.”

  A beat of silence.

  Then she scoffed. “No. There’s no way.”

  Her staff rose into the air.

  And the world shook.

  A deep, guttural rumble tore through the battlefield as waves of dark energy erupted from the ground, spiraling toward Arlysa’s staff like tendrils of pure malevolence. The sky itself darkened and a pulse of dread spread through the area.

  And finally—

  “By the Goddess' mercy—SHE’S CASTING EXTREME MAGIC!”

  A horrified scream rang through the air.

  Silence followed for half a second.

  Then—pandemonium. The mages that were watching the fight began to move in a panic.

  A mage with round glasses nearly dropped his spellbook with his face going ashen. “Extreme Magic?! NOPE! Nope, nope, I am not dying today!” He bolted so fast that his robes flapped behind him like a terrified bird.

  A female mage hyperventilated while gripping her staff. “W-We have countermeasures for this, right?! RIGHT?! Somebody tell me we have countermeasures!”

  “Countermeasures?! The countermeasure is GETTING THE HELL OUT OF HERE!” a senior mage barked while sprinting.

  One unfortunate mage girl tripped over her own feet and face-planted into the dirt. “Wait! WAIT! Don’t leave me behind—!”

  “No time! Every mage for themselves!”

  An older mage shoved two juniors aside with zero hesitation. “Outta my way, kids! I’m too young to die!”

  As the older mage bulldozed past them, the two juniors exchanged glances.

  “…Did he just say he’s too young to die?” one of them whispered.

  The other nodded. “Dude’s got greying hair.”

  A beat of silence.

  Then, despite the absolute terror of the situation, the first junior let out a breathless, “Bruh.”

  But before they could process further, another explosive tremor rocked the battlefield.

  “Less talking, more running!” the senior mage shouted over his shoulder. He was already a blur in the distance.

  The juniors didn’t need to be told twice. They picked up the pace.

  A suffocating darkness spread across the entire beach, stretching its tendrils into every crevice.

  Risebelle’s breath hitched. “What the hell…?”

  Even Runebelle, despite her newfound strength, felt something gnaw at her insides.

  And then—

  A voice.

  Low, smooth, and dripping with malice.

  “Extreme Magic: Eternal Nightfall.”

  Arlysa’s declaration echoed across the battlefield.

  The darkness collapsed inward—devouring everything.

  Project Mage