“Tsk…”
The liquid was poured over her head, trickling down along the back of her skull, her cheeks, and then flowing downwards in all directions.
Wherever it passed, a grating sizzling sound echoed, followed by a faint wisp of white smoke rising up.
When Krexia saw Coutia’s action, she instinctively tried to lean back, but suddenly realized her body felt as if it had been cursed, completely immobilized—not a single inch could she move.
She could clearly feel the liquid flowing over her body, a sensation far more intense than being doused with ordinary water.
“Be good and don’t move yet. It might hurt a little later, and it would be a waste if you spill this stuff.”
“I spent quite a bit of effort diluting this power enough so you won’t die upon contact.”
Coutia’s eyes curved warmly, the smile on her face gentle, like a mother coaxing a child.
“Hurt?”
Just as Coutia said, within seconds, the places where the liquid had touched her skin began to feel a burning pain, like being scorched by flames.
But at this moment, not only could she not move, she couldn’t even make a sound or open her mouth.
“Don’t worry, it’ll be over soon.”
After pouring out the liquid, Coutia extended a finger and gently tapped Krexia’s body.
The liquid that had scattered across various spots suddenly seemed to come alive, stopping its flow.
It hovered on Krexia’s body, slowly writhing.
Then, it began to seep into her body.
As the liquid vanished, the pain inside Krexia intensified.
What started as a burning sensation gradually transformed into the agony of cutting knives and piercing needles.
She wildly wanted to struggle, to scream, to roll on the ground, to shake off this torment.
But soon, the rapidly filling power within her body and the overwhelming Authority controlling everything made her abandon the thought.
The pain lasted less than a minute, but for Krexia, it felt unbearably long.
When the pain finally subsided and disappeared, the force that had suppressed her and rendered her immobile also vanished.
Control of her body returned, and Krexia collapsed to the ground, gasping heavily.
If she weren’t currently in her Soul Form, she would have already been drenched in sweat.
“Damn it, why didn’t you tell me this stuff hurts so much beforehand!”
“To get stronger, a little pain doesn’t matter, right?”
“Don’t rush to complain. First, feel this sensation on your body—being wrapped in power and Authority. Isn’t it amazing?”
Actually, there was no need for Coutia’s reminder.
The moment the liquid was absorbed, Krexia had already sensed the power inside her surging upward like a rocket, even though she was only in Soul Form.
She lifted one hand, trying to respond to the sudden surge of power within.
The result manifested as a dark purple energy orb, appearing without warning, hovering just above her palm.
The orb resembled mist, yet also liquid, floating in midair like an invisible pool of water that constantly changed shape.
This power was entirely different from the magic Krexia had practiced for over a decade.
For a Mage, mana is an ownerless energy suspended in the surrounding air—formless, intangible, and without will.
A Mage can mobilize and use this energy through their spirit, assisted by corresponding Magic Inscriptions and Magic Formations.
With enough flexibility and skill, they can accomplish anything with this power.
This extremely high ceiling was what had once given Krexia confidence to seek revenge through her own abilities.
Of course, that confidence had been utterly shattered the moment Coutia showed her a glimpse of the Royal Power.
The power now manifesting in Krexia, however, was a completely different experience.
What was it?
Powerful—simply and undeniably powerful.
Along with that power came an overwhelming sense of control, as if everything around could be absorbed into her grasp and manipulated at will.
This was a feeling entirely distinct from magic.
“How is it? Fascinating, isn’t it?”
Coutia looked at her with a radiant smile, her eyes sparkling with the eager anticipation of a little girl.
As if she deeply cared about Krexia’s reaction.
Krexia wanted to stubbornly retort, “This thing’s trash, I’d rather stick to my grand magic,” but thinking of how Coutia could ignore her subjective opinions and ruthlessly probe her memories, she quickly dismissed the thought.
Stubbornness wouldn’t get her anywhere now.
“Indeed… it really is addictive.”
Krexia tried to change the shape of the liquid-like orb in her hand.
Instinctively, she wanted to control it like magic—sketch a Magic Inscription to convert it into Fire Element.
But before she could finish tracing the runes, the energy seemed to anticipate her intention, instantly transforming into a roaring mass of purple flames.
The flames danced wildly, tongues of fire curling upward.
The terrifying heat distorted the surrounding space.
Krexia stared wide-eyed at the fireball in her hand, so shocked she was momentarily speechless.
There was nothing here to test it on, but she was certain that the raw power this casually conjured flame could unleash might rival Fourth-Tier or even Fifth-Tier Attack Magic.
Even though mid-tier and above magics usually came with various special effects.
This power gave her the overwhelming feeling of “one strength surpassing ten.”
And the control was incredibly smooth!
Wait, test it?
Krexia glanced at Coutia, who was waiting for her to speak.
Well, there was one right here, wasn’t there?
Anyway, Coutia was so powerful—what harm could a light hit do?
The thought crossed her mind but was quickly suppressed.
No, better not, if something went wrong…
This power was indeed… beyond what she had imagined, but compared to Sword and Magic, it wasn’t just a matter of sheer quality difference, right?
She could sense many complex things within it, yet when she tried to command it, she was completely unable to do so.
“Clap!”
Coutia brought her hands together, her smile growing even wider.
“Ha, see? You’ve got talent!”
“Do you know why Divine Power can recognize Divine Power?”
As Coutia spoke, she opened her palms like Krexia and a deep black liquid-like energy appeared.
At the same moment, the purple flames in Krexia’s hand instantly extinguished.
The moment Krexia saw that ink-black mass, she felt as if a terrifying presence was staring directly at her, causing her whole body to tremble.
A wave of dread welled up from deep inside her heart, a chill running along her spine straight to her head, swiftly replaced by overwhelming fear.
Her instincts screamed: don’t look. Absolutely don’t look.
If she kept looking—
She might die.
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